Middletown transcript., 1906-04-07
THE MINIATURE LADY
BY ALICE LOUISE LEE

be pleasant =
"Not yet," said Lalia decidedly. Il
want classroom. know could fill it
better than anyone imagines. believe
I'm bigger in thought than Inform, =
and the catch in her voice was distinct.
81 know that you are," agreed Prnfes
Faulks gently"
"Pprhaps," began Laia hesiiatingly,
creasing her cap. She intended speaking
of an idea which had engrosspd her 81
aie-''perhaps il Was given an nppor-
tunity for a personal interview | could
make better impression than my photo
graph does" She looked up wistfully.
Romney was looking sleadfastly ont Of
the window. principals often come
here for the purpose Of personal inter-
views. You shall have the opportunity
you wish, Miss Bart.
1t was June before Fau1ks redeemed
his promise Nearly all the seniors,
both men and women, had secured posi-
tions in their chosen walks Of life. Lalia,
now grave OF face, was still searching.
Finally there was ray Of hope. Belle
Gilbert burst Into her room in haste, cry
ing: "0h, Lalia, Professor Faulks wants
you up in his Office right away. Princi-
pal Dean of the Rider Seminary is there,
and professor wants loR to interview
him."
BELIEF cried Lalia "Just as am p
"Just as you arer' echoed Belle.
"You never looked sweeter, you little
dear, in that white suit and your hair all
wavy. | wish ! could look half as be-
witching."
The speech, enthusiastic and truthful,
fell on deaf ears. "And you have secured
such fine positionn' was all the re-
sponse Belle got,
The appearance in the office door few
moments later of little white-clad
woman created widely differing sensa-
ton in the breasts of the two men en-
gagged in earnest conversation there.
The principal cleared his throat and
started. The professors face softened,
and his eyes smiled.
"Is-ah-did l understand you to say
that Miss Bart was an applicant for the
position ?" the former askedHawkwardly
after the three were seated.
"Yes," interposed Romney quickly,
"and l believe she will make good
teacher, too. She will honor the pnsi-
ton.
Lalia turned grateful eyes on Professor
Faulks. "Yes, am an applicant" she
said, her armor Of dignity carefully
buckled on. But beneath the armor her
heart sank, for she saw in the principals
face his objections to her size and girIish
appearance.
Finally he gave an embarrassed laugh
and said awkwardly: "If only you ap-
peared older, Miss Bart and were larger
why, people wonld be nlistaking yon
for our youngest freshman, l fear.'
After that Lalia closed the interview
herself. Her heart was like lead. She
had failed under the most auspicious cir.
cumstances, with Professor Faulks to
champion her cause.
Sire left the office and stumbled blindly
up the hill on the back campus. She
did not want to face the girls at the
chapter-house with her eyes in that con-
dition.- She pulled her while sailor"
low over her face and hurried along, but
not SO fast as some one who strobe after
her.
Miss Bart p cried Professor Faulks'
voice. miss Bart p and LaIia pass d,
bending her head still lower.
Romney joined her, and the two walked |
on moment in silence. Then Lalia |
raised her eyes bravely and said with as
much cheerfulness as she could summon /:
Now, Professor Faulks, I'm ready to
hear about that governess position. ;"
Faulks kicked pebble ahead OF them
on the walk and thought moment.
"Are you sure that it has come to that
pass with your" lie asked in an odd
voice. His brows were drawn together,
and he followed that pebble carefully.
'It has come to that, yes," confessed
Lalia. There are no places for little
people in the world-little women at
least"
Indeed there are.w Romney spoke
eagerly. ''There are the
largest and most important of positions r.
Lalia checked him wearily. at is
kind of you to say SO. You have been so
kind and thoughtful with me all tile
year. I thank you but now-this gov
erness place-it is still open r.
"As open." spoke Romney promptly,
''as it was when first spoke to You
about it."
''Has not the agency tried to fill it?"
she asked wonderingly.
''None Of the agency knew of it except
myself, and reserved it for yon, as your
last resort"
"Thank youG,' said Lalia softly, look
ing across the green hillside. "TelI me
about it. Is it girl that's to be tu-
tored ?"
"No, it's a boy"
Is lie big boy2 As big as II"
"Yes, much larger"
Lalia brought her eyes back from the
hillside and stopped. "Can ever COM
mand his respect ?" she asked in despair.
t(N 7 1 l