Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-11-12

Ralph remembered he did not know
what he WAS - get
When he Reached the school hc climb
cd the stairs aud opened thc door eN-
pccting To find Josiah alone Instead
there WAS no one there hut Elsie. who
WAS sitting at the desk She Sprang
up as he entered Both were somewhat
confused
'Partion me. Miss Preston" he said
"Captain Fri sent me here. He said
he left something with Josiah and
wished me to call for il
why. I'm sure don't know what
it can be-" replied Elsie '.IoSiah has
hecn gone for some time. and he said
nothing to me about it,"
Perhaps it is in his desk" suggest
ed Ralph. Suppose we look"
SO they looked. but found nothing
more than the usual assortment con
tanned in The desk of 4 healthy school
boy The raised lid shut of the lgh,
from the window, and the desks in
terror was IA her dark. They had to
grope in the corners. and occaaionaly
their hands touched Every time thiS
happened Ralph thought of the decision
that he must make so soon
He thought of it still more when. aft
er the search was abandoned, Elsie
suggested that he help her with some
problems that she was preparing for
the next days labors of the first class
in arithmetic. In fact. as he sat be
side her. pretending TO figure. but real
ly watching her dainty profile as it
moved back and forth before his eyes.
his own particular problem received
far more attention than did those of the
class. Suddenly he spoke.
Teacher" he said. please may !
ask question:
You should hold up your hand if
you wish permission to speak" was the
stern reply.
"please consider it held up
els the question as important us
How many bushels did e. sell:' which
happens to be my particular trouble
just now.
"lt is to me. certainly" Ralph WAS
serious enough now "It is q question
that have been wrestling with for
some time. 1t is. Shall ! take the posi-
ton that has been offered me III the
west, or shall stay here and become
superintendent of the station! The
Sllpelint eltlent's place may be mine. |
think, if | want il.
Il should think that question might
best be decided by comparing the s.,I,-
ries and prospects of the Two posi-
tions," said Elsie quietly.
"'The two positions are much alike in
one way. You know what the life at
the station means the greater portion
of the year-no companions of Nolll'
own age and condition. no society. no
amusements. The western offer means
all this and worse for the situation is
the same all the year say these
things because hope YOU may he will
ing to consider them not from my
point of view solely, but from yours
Prom mine:''
Yes. You see. am reeklesSlv dar
ing to hope that. whichever lot is cho-
sen, you may be willing to share it
with meas my wife. Elsie. do you
think you could consider the question
from that viewpoint?
And-well, Elsie thought she could.
The considerations suppose it was
the considerdtiOn-took so long that il
was nearly dark when Elsie announced
that she simply must go.
Dearest" said Ralph after the door
was locked Il forgot to have another
hunt for whatever it was that Captain
Fri wanted me to get
Elsie smiled rather oddly
Are you sure you haven't got it?''
she asked demurely.
Got it! Why-why, by George.
what a numskull l am. The old ras-
cal! l thought there was twinkle in
his eye
.'He said he should come back after
me-"
We'll, well! Bless his heart, it's
sound and sweet all the way through.
Yes, l have it, and, what's more,
shall tell him that mean to keep it,
THE END.