Alaska sentinel., 1905-08-03

ed up book.
 Take your own time," he said pleas anty.
 But somehow the book did not prove very enthralling Between his eyes and the printed pages persisted the vision of a wilful little face set in it's tangle of wayy hair. Yet he must not be beaten now. His whole future hung on this issue he thought. The shad- ows heightened, the sun dropped be- hind the hills. Miranda, who for some time had been stealing furtiye glances at the quiet figure behind the desk. smiled prettily.
 "Tm-I'm hungry she wheedled. For an instant Raymond wayered. This new sweetness was strange and allur- ing. But before he could speak the door was flung open and Tom Carruth- CTS appeared on the threshold.
 Bent ye coming home to supper, Mirandyf" he demanded. "eYr ma sent me fer ye," darting a suspicious look at her jailer "Ain't 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 companion" he declared stitfiy. She can leave when she chooses. You may go." And Tom, after an instant's scowling hesita ton, went out, banging the door. Miranda bit her lip.
 'I 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.
 Tt Is nearly 0 o'clock" he said | briefly. Miranda, now close upon tears, looked back defiant
 And If I say 1t will you let me go?'
 Certainly"
 With rapid, choked utterances she flung the text at him, not pausing for question or comment. And then
 II hate you" she cried vehement ly, hate you, hate you. And I'll never never come into this horrid schoolroom again" The bright drops shone in her eyes like dew on forget -nots, her cheeks were flushed to wild rose pink; the girl was shaken. puzzled. hurt. The village boys she had leased and ruled at will. For the first time she had found man impervious alike to her anger or smiles. From the day that he, a stranger, had met her eyes In calm unconcern she had uncon- sciously resented the fact; now the re- pressed wrath of weeks found vent.
 T hate you" she reiterated storm fly. The next moment she had flashed through the door and was gone. Ray mond. oddly depressed in spite of his victory, followed slowly.
 The world was flooded with the tranquil glory of the moonlight as he went out. A narrow path led to the road where a row of naples lifted their leafy branches to the starry skies, and Raymond, fancying that he | caught the gleam of q white dress there under the trees, felt his heart beats quicken. Somehow he had been l looking forward to walking home with the girl. Then as he turned from lock ing the door a dark figure rushed by | the corner of the schoolhouse, there was a womans shrill scream, some- thing heavy struck his forehead and | Raymond fell.
 It must have been nearly an hour later when Raymond and Miranda stopped at the gate of the girls home. Hearing footsteps, Mrs. Hemming came out to meet them.
 Ip t,J been having trouble with Mirandy. Tom was here in quite state and wanted me to interfere. But judged you knew how to run your own game" comfortably. Did ye meet him?" Ray mond, feeling the bump left by the stone on his forehead, laughed.
 Yes, we met him." he said whimsi cally. And he left us In no doubt as to his opinion of me. Indeed, might say that he left a decided impression. | If 1t had not been that Miranda, sus- | pecting there might be trouble, waited - But after all, I do not know | that I blame him much,' hs went on. He could not appreciate that I was acting in Miranda's best interests" | WILL ullsCu4eNOuS eulpuuSlS' -hiuh very shy and conscious, flushed. Mrs. | Hemming lifted her hands.
 What ever am I going to do with | that girll" she calculated. Really, she's growing fairly unmanagea ble. If she only had a father!' The young man became suddenly quite grave.
 "Will you entrust the task to me, l Mrs. Hemming?" he asked. "I think | I understand her better now.
 Trust you.' cried Mrs. Hemming. "Why, ye're nothing but boy your self. How could you be a father to herr" regarding him in perplexed as- tonishment Raymond bent and pos sessed himself of the girls slender