The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-30
IN THE LONG AGO.
BY MYRTLE coNGER.

Copyright, 1903, by Daily Story Pub. Col Patricia's chief characteristics were her beautiful eyes and her self-reliance She was from the city, and she had begun her first term as teacher In the village school. much to the consternation of the inhabitants, who had never known any teacher for their children other than the ancient MT. James. I might tell you about the picturesque | woods near the school; or, the little brook that ran at the foot of the hill; and the fiowery paths where the children walked home in the glow of the evening, swing ing their dinner pails or nunching their l leftover dinner cakes; or, the big swing on the Old beechnut tree in the school yard; or, about the little brick school house itself. only these things would not be true. and besides, they have nothing to do with the story. The real beginning was when Miss O'Connor (that was Patricia's teacher name) saw Kitty Wright attempt to pass @ note across the aisle to Philip Brooks. The note slipped to the floor before Phil | ip could secure 1t.
 Philip" said Miss O'Connor, sweetly, please lower the window; the room seems close"
 By the time the window was lowered TatTlCla udu ceCuTcu tHc HOtc, GOuSiSt ttcu It's remains to the waste basket and called the American history class. Philip gasped. Last year, MT. James had read their notes publicly.
 That night, after the books had been put away, the teacher said: Philip, I wish you to remain. I have some work I wish you to finish before examination. The rest may pass out"
 And the unsuspecting pupils passed out. Kitty paused long enough at Philips deck to whisper: "I will wait for you at the bend"
 When Miss O'Connor went back to Philips desk he was nervously making KS and ys on his tablet. Nothing that MT. James had ever done could produce the effect of the brown glances from Patricia's eyes and the even tones of her soft voice.
 Here they are. Ten of them" she said.
 Philip took the paper awkwardly.
 Philip, how old are you?"
 The paper fiuttered to the floor. It was swept up next morning and tossed into the fire.
 Nineteen last January" he returned, recovering somewhat from his sur prise.
 ''Heavens!' commented Patricia. in- wardly. Older than I am.'' Aloud, she said: 'I have been thinking, Philip, that you will not be benefited by going to school here much longer You al- ready are ahead of the course. You are almost a man now, and you must be thinking about your future. What do you intend to do with your future?" Philip was speechless.
 Would you like to be a physician. like your father?"
 No, Miss O'Connor: oh. mo-
 What would you like to be? You must be something, you know" I would repeat all their conversat ton only I never have been told it all, and l wasn't there. All I learned was that Philip didn't seem to have a very defi- nite notion of any kind of a career. ex- cept few stray dreams of becoming a newspaper man''--aIld that Kitty waited fin vain at the bend that night.
 The next occurrence that has any real bearing on this story was when Philip passed a note to Kitty. Patricia saw it. She had learned to watch for such things.
 Kitty Wright" she said, quietly, bring that note to me-" "94s "L@won't!1 Kitty snapped back, clasp ing the note tightly in her hand.
 You know how all the pupils acted then-just as they did when your teach CT caught you passing note to your schoolgirl sweetheart across the aisle; or dcFOSS LWO or three alSle5; or across the full length of the room for that mat ter; or at whatever angle she sat from you. f
 In an instant Patricia was at the girls side. She repeated her request, to which Kitty gave the same defiant answer and added some additional paragraphing something on the following order: You haven't any business with my notes Why are you always bothering yourself about Philip and me? Mother says that's all you do. anyway. Why don't you teach school That's what you're here for'
 Like a flash Patricia's firm little fin- gers buried themselves in the back of Kitty's hand and the note changed pos- session.
 Kitty you may go home now and re- turn when you are ready to apologize" |"
 Here was the place for the customary ''subdued hush that is supposed to ac- company all such occasions, but if I re- member rightly there was some noise and giggle or two as Kitty left the room.
 The next day Kitty returned to the school with her mother. There was some loud talking on the part of Mrs. Wright. and some insolence from Kitty, but Pa tricia came out victorious.
 One monday recreation not long after