The Washington herald., 1907-04-24

Bess gaZed through the open window
out past the school yard with its Well
beaten earth, trampled hard and smooth
by the play of generations of children.
through the orchards, LOW pink and white
with the promises Of fruition, down TO
where the river wound its silvery length
between green banks and tiny islands.
1t would be hard TO give it all up; and
yet before her, on the desk was the
formal communication from the school
board of Milton township notifying her
that her services would not be required
during the ensuing term.
The note was cold and formal. but for
weeks past she had known of the battle
being waged against her The only OBJ
lection was her age. but every mother
with a marrlageable daughter or son had
urged this objection upon the school
board. Milton township was not over
well stocked with young men. and this
girl from the city with her self-posscssed
ways, her stylish clothes. and her bright
face. constituted a menace TO the mothers.
For once they united in a common cause
and urged Bess removal The dimple in
her chin, the soft color Of her cheeks. the
laughing brown eyes, the ripping hair,
and the delicate curves OF her throat.
each constituted an objection that found
common expression in the cry that she
was too young 10 manage the young men
who formed the upper class in the winter
term.
There's Jed stroughton,' urged Mandy
Mills. why, he's two years oldern she
be. And him trottiu over to her house
every evenin' e git help with his Latin!
What does the boy want Of Latin, any
how? OF course. 1t was the teacher he
wanted. When / was girl and taught
school you en- remember l used TO whale
the boys good. They never had a chance
to iirt with tn teacher then.
81 Judsou. chairman of the board, told
himself that that was in part responsible
for her continuation IN a single state of
.bIessedness. but Mandy was the sister OF
the editor of the Banner, and ST wanted
to be town clerk al the next election.
So each of the other members had been
approached, and the result was the letter
that lay on the desk in front Of the girl.
Had she been re-engaged she might have
spent the summer in Milton. Now she
must go back to the hot city and haunt
/ the teachers agencies until something
else offered for the coming year
Slowly she rose to her feet and went
1 10 the door. At the threshold she paused
| a moment and looked around. Her eyes
filled as her glance swept the empty
/ benches and the CHASTITY white walls with
the faded maps. She had been happy
here in Milton She was looking at her
schoolroom for the last time.
/ She slipped across the road to Judson's
/ house and delivered the keys into the
/ keeping of the grim-faeed Mrs. Judson.
Il should like TO say good-by to Mr..
Judson." she faltered. He has been
very kind to me this winter
/ 81 sent him over 70 the Center his
mother said stifiiy. Isl amt got no call
to be gaddin about with young girls.
Taint decent.
She closed the door with a nice shade
Of emphasis that just avoided a positive
slam, and Bess turned away toward the
river She loved the river. 1t was both
/ companion and comforter, and as she
reached the bank she sank into a little
nook formed by a screen of bushes, and
the tears that had been sternly depressed
all day flowed unchecked.
When she had first come she had looked
/ forward to the long summer days which
she would spend by the river Then she
had been full "f enthusiasm and there
was no question in her mind as to her
continuance in the position. Now, just
as the river seemed at its best, she was
going back TO the city. She recalled with
a shudder her struggles of the year be-
fore. Her father had died just after
she had graduated from college. When
the small estate was settled it was found
that he had lived up to every penny of
his income. There was just enough left
10 pay his outstanding debts and leave &
/ couple Of hundred dollars for the girl
The half of this had gone for board while
she sought a position The rest together
with her small savings, must go this year
She had commenced the drudgeTy Of life
She could meet 1t bravely, but it tore her
/ heart to leave the river and the country
that she loved so well.
She should see the river in town, she
/ knew, a broad. silent stream, covered
with shipping and disclored by the tides
and refuse. It would be a gray ghost OF
her Old ITlendi a Iantdlzing reminder OF
the river she had lost She was still
s0bbing when a sharp, staccatO bark re-
sounded and small terrier bounded into
view.
Bess rubbed her eyes confusedly. The
dog was fawning upon her In a very
paroxysm of joy. Surely it would not
he Tony. and yet On the glistenine
collar plate she read the name. I an
James Harvey's Tony. Tell him hes
lost me-" Tony was ghost from hei
other life and she threw her arms about
his wiry little neck and buried her head
upon his shoulder.
James Harvey. coming softly up to see
what game the dog had tracked. paused q
moment 10 contemplate the picture. An
other instant he had sprung forward.
Where did you drop from. Bess?" ht
demanded. 4 have been searching the
four corners of the globe for you"
Il have been right here" she saiC
steadily. as she offered cool, soft hand
Il had to do something. so I decided Il
put TO use my only talent I amor
rather, have been-the teacher OF Distric
-Four"
And the terror of every mother viii
Il son or daughter of nlarriageable age >