The San Francisco call., 1905-04-30
:. WHIMS OF MIRANDA:.
BY A. M. D. OGDEN.


close. The scratch of pencil, the
shuffiing of impatient little feet the
drone of a lazy bee. all seemed to in
tensify the impression of heat. ana the
| young schoolmaster stirred restlessly.
1t had meant a great deal to Peter
Raymond, securing the village school
at Wimberly But he had not found
his task an easy one. His eyes, wan
| dering over the rows OF bent neaos
before him. encountered the glance OF
! a girl seated near the dor. The glrl'
one of the oldest scholars. with TOSS
of her curls, returned to her book. ana
/, the trouble in the schoolmaster race
deepened. Here was the crux of the
situation. If he could win Miranda
Hemming to his side. the remainder OF
the pupils would follow easily enough,
But it was Miranda herself, with her
great blue eyes, fetching dimples and
coquettish ways, who openly led the
revolt against him. The teacher sighed
again; perhaps he was too young.
From the very beginning of his work.
however, Raymond had recognized the
primitive instinct of hostility to the un-
known in the questioning eyes uplifted
to his own. Now. after five weeks. he
seemed no nearer the solution of his
i problem; indeed. matters under Miriam
da's spirited guidance were becoming
even worse. despite his pointed ignoring
| of her mutiny. He touched the bell.
First class in grammar" he said.
Miranda with several other girls. rang
! ing from sixteen to eighteen. came
slowly forward. 1t was rather a trying
recitation. Most of the girls stumbled
Miranda failed utterly. Nor did she
care. To all his questions she answered
with provoking nonchalance. evidently
indifferent as to whether he were
pleased or not. Her rebellion had never
before been quite so openly manifest.
A sudden line of resolution tightened
the young mans mouth.
You may return to your seats" he
said. Miss Miranda, 1 shall expect you
to remain after school until that lesson
is recited perfectly"
What" cried the girl Involuntar-
lily she fell back a step. hardly believ-
ing her own ears. That any one should
dare address her, Miranda Hemming,
in such fashion. Raymond's express
ion did not change.
You heard what 1 said" he return
ed quietly. 1T should not take long"
For a moment Miranda. stupefed.
hesitated. then she founced indignant
ly back to her seat The whole school.
which had dropped all work to listen
to the passage at arms between Miriam
da and the teacher, fairly shivered, and
Tom Carruthers. big loutish chap of
nineteen. shot sullen look at Ray
mond. To scold Miranda, To the
quivering excitement of the school the
time until 4 o'clock appeared fairly
to fy Would teacher really keep in
Miranda?
When the others arose Miranda also
sprang to her feet. then something in
the teachers expression caused her to
sink back in her seat, tingling and
abashed 1t took an unusually long
time for the pupils to disDerse that
day. but at last they were all gone.
You need not think that ] shall
study that lesson" she declared with
sharp emphasis Raymond nodded.
"As you please" he answered. Only
here we both stay until you do"
And I'm not to have any supper"
incredulously.
Not until you learn that lesson"
But burst out Miranda furiousIy.
Then she closed her lips with snap
and leaned back. her hands tempestu-
ously folded before her. Raymond
picked up book.
Take your own time" he said pleas
antly.
But somehow the book did not prove
very enthralling. Between his eyes
and the printed pages persisted the
vision of willful little face, set in it's
tangle of wavy hair. Yet he must not
be beaten now. His whole future
hung on this issue he thought The
shadows heightened. the sun dropped
behind the hills. Miranda, who for
some time had been stealing furtive
glances at the quiet figure behind the
big desk. smiled prettily.
"Im-Tm hungry she wheedled.
For an instant Raymond wavered.
This new sweetness was strange and
alluring. But before he could speak
the door was flung open and Tom
Carruthers appeared on the threshold.
Bent We coming home TO supper.
Mirandy?" he demanded. Yer ma sent
me fer ye.'' darting a suspicious look
at her jailer. Amt ye coming? I'll
look out fer ye.''
Why" began Miranda. feebly- Ray
mond sudden. unaccountable resent
ment surging into his heart. frowned.
Miss Miranda is in no need of a
champion" he declared stiffly. "She
can leave when she chooses. You NAV
60. And Tom, after an instant's
scowling hesitation. went out. banging
the door, Miranda bit her lip
II will never learn that lesson" she
repeated stubbornly.
There was another long silence while
the shadows darkened. At last the
young man rose and lit the lamp.
1T is nearly nine o'clock" he said
briefly. Miranda. now close upon tears.
looked back still defiant.
And if ! say it you'll let me goF"
Certainly
With rapid. choked utterances she
flung the text at him. not pausing for
question or comment And then
IL hate YOU she cried vehemently.
hate you. hate you. And I'll never.