The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-01-05
BY BELLE INMATES.

patton. She really was on the verge of nervous prostration. she declared. To her surprise and relief there was no opposition to this plan. The family favored Kenneth and his desire to en- 1 ter their fold.
 In her effort to speak and appear in- | different, Betty looked at none of her l elders, or she would have seen word | less telegraphy of intelligent glances exchanged.
 That isn't a bad idea" said her mother Telephone Uncle Homer to meet you"
 Betty did some active work in tele- phonins and packing in order to be off before Kenneth should be appraised of her journey.
 she is running away from Ken- neth," sighed her mother, ruefully; but it.ssonly fifty miles to the farm. ," | The best thing she could do to bring | her to her senses" chuckled Betty's 1 father. she has never been in the | country at this time of the year. It will be quite different from the sweet summer time. The stubblRd aspect will make her shudder and long for the city | again."
 "she'lI stay about two days and one l nightr' prophesied her brother. l The country in the latter part of February certainly did not appeal to l Betty's eye for the beautiful The snow | was nearly gone. and the carriage wheels crumbled dismally through the l thin, ice-coated ruts in the road from | the station to the farm. She Jagged her resolution, and when she stepped into the big, comfortable farmhouse with it's old-fashioned, back-Iogged fre- place. and was greeted by the hospit- able, welcome of cousins, uncIes and aunts, she was more cheerful Lizzie Brooks, the stern featured, spinstered school teacher. dropped in to Aunt Lydia's on her way home. She was in the depths of despair. She wanted to go away for a week to att tend the wedding of her brother, but she could find no substitute. 'IIl teach school for you for week." volunteered Betty, anxious to burn her ships lest in her loneliness she return to home and Kenneth. 'I can't teach them anything, but I can keep 1t going for you"
 The school teacher looked at Betty doubtfuily. So much beauty and style did not indicate fitness as precep- tress.
 'Pve taught in the charity kindergar- ten and aid schools" remarked Betty eomplaeently.
 Lizzie Brooks brightened.
 Then you can get along with the first and second reader classes.''
 "Oh, I. can get along all right" So it was arranged that Betty should begin her duties on Monday morning, as this was Saturday and Lizzie would start at midnight.
 When Betty made her debut as school ma'am she certainly made hit. Ad- miration for her clothes alone held her charges captivated and spellbound. A breathless silence ensued. When they had recovered from their first awe at her striking appearance, she made a second hit by asking them if they 1 weren't all thirsty. and the water pail was passed frequently and with alac- rity throughout the day. She occasion ally called on a class for recitation and made a stab at asking some of the questions, but for the most part her instructions were confined to teaching the first class to cut out paper dolls | and prick patterns with a pin on col ored paper. She showed the older girls how to pompadour their hair and de- scribed football games vividly to the big boys. With all was she cheery and sympathetic. Life for that week was certainly a beautiful dream to the pu- pills. When the last day of her term came, however. the novelty had all worn off for Betty, and she felt like jumping her job.
 In the afternoon a diversion was caused by hearing the chug-chug of an automobile, and the little children stood up in their seats to gaze out, unreproved, for Betty herself was eager to see this reminder of her former life. To the children's delight, the big car came right into the school ground. Bet | ty had little spasms of several enao- | tions as she saw Kenneth coming in at the schoolroona door. She gave him | calm, unsmiling welcome. He volun- teered the information that he had just run over in his machine to bring her some books and things" l q couldn't believe you were really | teaching school!' he added. T had to
 come and see. It's a great joke, Bet ty!'
 Defiance ragged within Betty. So
 you think I can't teach" she thought.
 Well, I'll show your'
 "Sit down." she said. drawing a chair forward. We are always pleased to
 have company"
 Her 'composure was somewhat ruffled
 by following the glances of the litter
 ing children. On the blackboard, which
 he was supposed to be erasing, bold
 Bobby Green had written: 'Teecher' s
 Got Bo!"
 Rub that out, Bobby, and pass the
 water" she said sternly.
 While Bobby executed this maneuver,
 she called a class in spelling. and gave
 out only the easy words. After this
 recitation. there was a disposition on
 the part of the bad boy of the school
 10 get into mischief.
 Pass the water, Hank" she com
 manded. believing in prevention.
 Good Lord. Betty!' ejaculated Ken
 meth in an undertone. Are you giv- 1 ing them the water cure?"
 Its a fellow feeling makes me kind.
 They all have salt ham for breakfast
 she explained. T never encountered | such a thirst us I have this week.
 The teacher and scholars acquitted themselves with credit throughout the | afternoon.
 Its coming she thought as she put
 on her wraps, and noted the grim look
 Of determination in Kenneths eyes. His
 air of satisfaction vanished as they
 came outside. Several children, in wait
 ing. immediately surrounded Betty.
 They always walk home with me, ''
 she said delightedly "so you'll have to
 let them ride with us."
 He filled the big green and white
 car with rapturous children. Kenneth
 was equal to the occasion, and insisted
 on taking each one to his or her home