The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-01-17
THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.

getting serious. Later during that day the explo-
sion was repeated This time it occurred under the
very feet of the pupil. With grief in her heart
Miss Ludlow requested the supposed mischief-maker
to remain after school. Her questions gentle,
then they became Still the child answered
steadily that she had not brought match to. school,
She too shy to add that the thought of such an
act never had entered her mind. After fifteen min
utes a heart-broken little girl and sad teacher
parted. GLOW 1 believe it!' thought Miss Lud-
low
The next morning every desk and pocket in the
school searched Not a match was found Still,
later flash, flash! crack crack sounded upon the
air. This time the explosion from beneath the
feet of pupils that walking behind the new
girl.
"Alice Morgan, take the end seat in the front row
Bring your Looks!'
Now, it was a disgrace for girl as large as the
new one to be seated with the smallest Ones and
under the very eye of the teacher. The same quick
color sprad the chds face that had greeted
the searching eyes of Miss Ludlow the day before.
This time the flush followed by a culver of her
lips. hush of surprise came over the school.
Every eye followed the movement of the new girl.
They had begun to like her. But school children
are severe upon wrong-doers Looks of inquiry pass
ed and there shakings of heads. One or two
shrugged the shoulders, but not face showed sympa-
thy as the unwilling sad little figure took the despis
ed seat Suspicion began creep into each childish
heart, and when the midday intermission and
they gathered under great oak in the school yard
to drink from the fresh water brought by the biggest
two boys spoke to Alice as she went along,
dinner-pail in hand Instead they drew nearer to-
gether and whispered she passed. Nell Green
even leaned across the WATERFALL to explain, in a
whisper that reached the of Alice
81 know perfectly well where the matches come
from. They're in her sleeve!" Now, Nell was the
one upon whom Miss Ludlow's eyes had rested long
est and whose pockets she had searched most care
fully. Nell knew that his past very nearly had
caused a present punishment. Therefore, he became
more severe upon the suspected
But after Alice had reached the farther side of the
yard she did not open her dinner-pail. Even the
remembrance of a dear little apple turnover, care
fully laid upon the chicken sandwiches by her
mothers kind fingers, could not tempt her. How
long the noon hour was Before it was over Alice
had crept to her seat of shame. The others came
when called, each staring at the dropping figure.
Miss Ludlow shut her lips tightly and tried not to
feel sorry for the little girl in the front row.
That afternoon dragged One two hours, and
nothing worse had occurred than Tommy Rays pull
ing of Mamie Darwin's curls But the answering
"Ouch!" of Mamie had been smothered by the clap
ping of her hand over her mouth. At last Just
after the final class had been dismissed flash crack!
went off again, and went off very near the place
where the girl walking
"Alice Morgan, remain standingl" The others
took their seats "Turn around! Look at me! Did
you drop that match upon the 1oor?"
"No-no, Miss Ludlow" Her voice was very low
She began to sob.
With troubled heart the teacher dismissed her
school and spent minutes questioning the little
girl, who wept so violently that her answers were
very broken And all of the answers WERE ''No,
Miss Ludlow o, mol"
The following gay began with the usual searching
of desks and pockets with the usual result The
morning and half of the afternoon went by without
any crunching of matches by restless feet. Miss
Ludlow began to breathe freely The smaller
children were going to their multiplication exercise
when fashl cracIl flash! crack! rang out, and, in
another moment. the thin white skirts of Mamie
Darwn-the little pet of the whole school-were in
flames.
tnnf1r ELL I..I