Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-07-23
Chapter XVI


ticcd how differently | appeared
CHAPTER XVI.
The day was drawing to a close. The
childrens lessons were over, the last l
was to hear Their books were piled
away, awaiting the arrival of my sue
cessor, and at my request | was left in
the school room alone-alone with my
grief Through the open window | heard
the shouts of the children. An hour went
by, and then in the hall | heard the
voice of Jessie, and the words she ut
tered sent an electric thrill through my
nerves, and brought me to my feet, for
they were, Come this way, Uncle Dick.
reckon she's in the school room"
The next moment he stood before me,
the dark man, scanning me curiously, but
still without anything like rudeness in
his gaze. A bright, beautiful smile broke
over his strongly marked features, and
felt as if a CLEAN of sunlight had shone
for an instant over my pathway. Taking
my hand in his, he bid Jessie leave us, as
he wished to see me alone. She started
to obey, but ere she reached the door,
she turned back and asked him to stoop
down, whispered in his ear, loudly enough
for me TO hear, IL want you to like her.
"Of course | shall" he replied, and
again that smile broke over his face.
| did not expect him to recognize me.
for with the exception of the night at
the theater he had never fairly seen my
features. When | spoke, however, and
he heard the sound of my voice, he
started and looked me more fully In the
face; but whatever his thoughts might
have been, he seemed to be satisfied that
he was mistaken, and seating himself at
my side, he commenced conversing with
me as familiarly as if he had known me
all my life. Gradually our conversation
turned upon books and ere | was aware
Of it passed through what l now know
to have been pretty thorough examina
ton of all the branches which Mrs. Ian.
sing had wished me to teach.
you play, l believe. l would like to
| hear YOU" he said at last, laying his
hand on my shoulder as if he would lead
me to the parlor
Instantly the blood rushed to my face,
for since the night of my disgrace l had
not touched the piano, neither did | wish
to again. So | tried to excuse myself,
and when he insisted, finally said, with
| my eyes lull VI TEARS, reuse excuse me-
sir, for l can't play. / failed before
your sister and | shall do the same be.
fore YOU"
mo you won't" he replied, at the same
I time drawing my arm within his and
leading me toward the door. You have
nothing to fear, Miss Lee"
He spoke as one having full authority
to do as he pleased, and | nstinctively
felt that though nominally Mrs. Lansing
was mistress there, he, in reality, was
the leader, the head, whose bidding every
one obeyed. At last, when | thought
his patience was nearly exhausted,
wiped my eyes, and starting up, said,
You have made me very happy, Mr..
Delafeid, for | could not have borne the
disgrace of being sent home as incompe-
tent. l can play for you now, of for
Mrs. Lansing, either"
And the result proved that | was right,
for | exceeded my own expectations, and
was astonished at myself,
| "Angeline," said he, in slightly com
manding voice, as that lady looked curl
ously in Mt the door, "Angeline, come
here" and she crossed over to his side
where he detained her by placing his arm
about her waist.
For a moment then | wavered, for
though | could not see, ] could feel the
naughty gaze of the large black eyes
which knew were bent upon me.
You have done well, Miss Lee" hC
said when at last | arose from the in
strument, at the same time playfully
touching my checks, which were burning
with feverish excitement
That night, after | had retired to IN,
room, Halbert and Jessie came to tn,
door, requesting permission to come in
| admitted them, when Jessie, jumpin.
into my lap, said, "Oh, I'm so glad yoi
are going to stay. Hal says So"
Yes" put in Hal, Uncle Dick tolt
, me that you mustn't be sent away, 70
you We're a heap better scholar than sh
; had represented you to be-"
When l went down to the breakfas
room next morning Mrs. Lansing greete,
me rather coldly, and appeared slight
embarrassed. | had purpOsely dome,
my travelling dress. for though Mr.. Della
field had said | was to stay, l felt tina
She too, must do the same ere | had
right TO remain The sight of my drcs
seemed to annoy her, for it brought t
her checks two bright red spots while w
were at breakfast When it was over
and the children had gone ont, l yer
r composedly asked her chow long befor
the stage would call for me"
Turning her flashing black eyes upo
= me, she said, DO you mean TO insult IN,
u Miss Lee? The stage has been gone n
1 hour, ! supposed you knew you wer
J. 10 remain"
n Mr. Delafeld minated as much"
I answered. "but my engappmant was vii
a you, not him, and until hear from ~
/ that am expected to stay, l do not
e course feel at liberty to do So"
J She frightened up percepubly, IN
! after saying something about Richard
E, meddlihg in her Affairs, replied, ~ pr
d sumo you were embarrassed when yo