Middletown transcript., 1905-04-01

III ScCIus w. @uC VIC iCeeSi - 1
respectable person. Don't you think so,
JohnP'
The speaker raised her eyes from the
sheet Of paper she was holding between
her plump fingers to the tall figure that
was monopolizing much OF the glorious
fire behind him.
John Moncrieff held out his hand
tJwards his stepmother to possess himself
Of the note. He read it, smiled, and,
narrowing his eyes thoughttully, returned
it without word.
"Well ?" she asked, watching his lace
"Well ~ he echoed, laughing, for he
was in the habit OF discouraging her de-
pendent attitude.
Her good-humored face clouded ana
wrinkled.
"Oh, John, is it the letter of quite q
respectable person? Do tell me! Such
a position may influence the village SC
powerfully for good or evil. Suppose she
is very new and rides a bicycle ~
rational dress? Think how she will con
taminate her scholars
''Or very 'old,' sticks to crinoline,
he suggested, ''in which case We should
have to widen the schoolhouse gate
"Now you are laughing at me Y
'sNo-I am only considering every con
tingency. But l really think that | see
no hints OF such eccentricity in her writ
ing. The twists OF the g's and the turns
OF the t's might indicate an ambitious
person given to luxury, which would
involve turning the deal furniture OF the
schoolhouse into frewood, and getting
down suite from Naples Y
Mrs. Moncrieff's eyes opened distress
fully for moment then she fixed them
once more on those eloquent and tell-tale
letters.
1T, g,g,t,t! What number Of them
there are You really detect ambition
and luxury in the crossing and the tails,
John2 Well, they are rather eccentric,
and am glad that I have some one SO
clever as to have found it out. An am.
bilious and luxurious schoolmistress is
quite out of place here. | will tell your
father that we have decided against her. F."
She sat back in her comfortable chair
and clasped her hands firmly upon her
lap.
Don't let us I've hasty in our iudg.
ment," said her stepson. 81 am apt to
be over-precipitate at times -"
''Oh. no, John y
"And our applicate must be given a
fair chance
He took up the letter again and read
aloud with deliberation-
"sDear Sir-It will give me great pleas.
ure to do my best for the school of Gran
leigh Moss. / was three years at Sorrel,
and only left there because felt that my
salary was little inadequate. The vicar
Mr.. Hastings-is writing to yon, and
will be able to speak of the work which
have done for him. Trusting my testi
monials will give you satisfaction, am
Yours truly,
CHRISTIAN EARLE"
81 am afraid" broke out Mrs. Mon
Grief nervously at the close, Il am quite
afraid that you are right, John. That
matter Of the inadequate salary really
does SAVIOR Of an unseemly ambition. And
if you think that the t's and the gs-''
II don't know that do" John inter
rupted. His love OF raillery was carrying
him farther than he intended. "An,
flippancy in the gs is quite counteracted
by the p's. Puritanical uprightness itsel
is expressed in the severity of their out
line. And as Father was so taken BY
Mr. Hastings recommendation this morn
ing, think that we might overlook the
small matter of those two letters"
"Well, you know best, John. l an
always glad. when you are at home te
give the casting vote. Let us consider
the matter settled, then. If we find that
you are right about the ambition, we cal
easily get somebody else"
"Well, don't blame me if the young
woman turns out to be an anarchist il
disguise r. he said lightly. Il wash my
hands Of any responsibility in the choice
OF your schoolmistress- fact please
notify in your diary. Where is Reg?"
Shooting with Fred Parsons at the
Hail."
"Why on earth with Parsons, | won
der? 1t is odd how Reg can be friendly
with such man."
II am sure Fred Parsons is very
handsome fellow"
every handsome. But one generally
has better reasons for making friends with
man than that he is handsome. DOM
like the fellow any more than l trust
him."
''He appears to me perfect gentleman
He invariably jumps up TO open the doo
for me-"
John Moncrieff turned from the fire
place abruptly and smiled. Presently he
said
Suppose We leave Reg to look aftel
his own concerns and drive together Il
Packmore. While l am arranging will
Major Colquhoun about my dogs, yor
could have cup of tea and gossip Will
his wife"
"Why don't you leave the spaniel!
here when you 60 away? Reg love.
dogs"
''But he loves poetry more. It's al
old arrangement that We're shall lool
after them whenever take to the road. ;
''Take to the road? can't think VIII,
you speak of your life like that. i
sounds as if you were tramp r.
80 / am" He laughed. Il an
never. SO happy as when OH tile roac
sleeping out, wondering where shal
eat my next meal, and wandering over ths
face of the globe like the veriest gipsy."
'It isn't my idea of gipsy," Mrs
Moncrieff remarked. IAN explorer anc
a war correspondent, who has been-"
"Well, come and talk over my obdnr
y acy with Mrs. CoIquhoun."