The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-03-10


gize."
Here was the place for the custom
airy "subdued hush" that is supposed
to accompany all such occasions, but If
| remember rightly there was some
noise and giggle or two as Kitty left
the room.
The rext day Kitty returned to the
school with her mother There was
some loud talking on the part of Mrs.
Wright, and some insolence from Kit
ty, but Patricia came out victorious.
One MONDAY recreation not long
after that Miss O'Connor found Philip
at his desk. reading a book she had
placed there for that express purpose.
DO you still want to be a 'newsps-
per MANI" she asked. as she paused
before him.
And Philip said he did.
There's a newspaper man coming
to our house this evening, and if you
is like" she said
Philip went and saw. And he imme-
diately became possessed of a desire to
become man like Walter Ellis, the
newspaper man.
Philip is one of my oldest pupils"
said Patricia, by way of explanation.
And the best?" asked Mr. Ellis.
I'm afraid not" answered Philip,
flushing, and looking down upon Pa
tricia, for she was dainty and small
beside him.
The best except for one fault" said
Patricia, and that is he is in love
with very pretty and very bad man
nered little lady, who never knows her
history lesson"
Not know her history lesson and
you her teacher"
"Oh. Philip makes up for that by
whispering the answers to her." and
Patricia gave Philip sweet little
smile to take the sting away from her
words.
Mr.. Ellis stayed long time Philip
listened in wonder to these two talk
ing Familiarity. 1t was a new world to
him-as Patricia had intended it
should be-
The next day Mrs. Wright cut Patri-
cia dead on the street, but Patricia
only smiled.
That same evening she called at the
home of the Brooks and haI y long
talk with Philips parents/ 1dt their
only son. Patricia never wanted any
thing that she did not get it. This
time what she wanted was that Philip
might go away to school. She got it,
She stayed SO long that evening
that Philip had to walk home with
her. When she gave him her hand to
say goodnight he lifted his hat and
said: Miss OConnor, know now
that l have needed just you to make
me know what the best of life is. [
have been only an awkward, useless
boy. but if you will teach me | shall
be what you want me to be-"
Il will help you. Philip" was all
she said
That winter Patricia taught the viii
lage school again; and the next also,
but neither of these two winters have
anything much to do with this story.
Kitty Wright had gone to her aunt's.
in the city, where, according to her
mother she could learn something"
Philip was studying hard in the uni
versity. A weekly letter told Patricia
of his work, and weekly answer gave
him encouragement amid his strug-
giles.
The following winter a new teacher
came to take charge of the village
school, and Patricia went back to her
old home in the metropolis
Mr.. Ellis met her at the train with
Il congratulate you. You have been
successful"
But Patricia's mind was on other
things, and she only smiled and an
swered, rather vaguely: Yes"
Not very enthusiastic for a young
and successful writer" he said But
how you ever could stay in that dead
little village three years is beyond me-
Here's the carriage. Ella expects you
to come to supper. No amount Of
possible rural books could have tempt
ed me, but you always were queer"
Thank you," assented Patricia,
laughing. Il don't look ancient or
anything like that, dc I?'
"Oh, no; on the contrary, you look
unusually beautiful. What became of
that young fellow l met there several
times? One of your awkward, over
grown youngsters. l thought then that
he was to be character in your book,
but l was mistaken. Ella said you
probably had some philanthropic no
ton in your head. Women are unac-
countable."
Patricia opened her eyes. Il didn't
think him awkward, and | didn't in
tend to put him in story. He was
just going to marry an Objectionable
girl-some time-thats all, and settle
down into a village nonentity and thus
spoil a career, for he has a career be-
fore him All, there's Ella waiting.
How good it seems to be back once
more"
81 never have known the reason
why you wanted to take me away from
Kitty Wright" Philip said TO Patricia
one evening, as she sat writing. 1t
was sly vnarc later