La Junta tribune., 1907-03-23

and she strOve to he content with rev.
erence. honor and adulation-- AMI her
work. The happy, upward lines OH her
face the upward curve a! her lips. In
dicated content. But sometimes u
hunger for that something more which
she never received beset her. She was
hungry and restless now In her sisters
quiet summer home at Castro.
Next morning she came down to
brsu fast dressed In white. She liked
to wear white. II softened her face.
which she ina gined thirty years and
the cares Of teaching We're sharpening.
"Auntie. you amt a-goin' tshin' this
mornin'.' exclaimed her eldest nephew.
his fist plunged into his eye.
No. my son. she's not going fishing
ny you understand the word" inter
posed his father. with "a sly laugh
which. to Clyde's disgust. embarrasse
her.
Mighty attractive you are. Clyde.
with that combination OF red cheeks
and white dress" he added jocosely AZ
she started for the kitchen.
She tried to laugh lightly and all the
way across the lake took herself se-
verely to task because the attempt had
been Il failure. II she should act like
self conscious girl before Stoddard
Parker. In n pause she made her boat
fast to bent tree Overhangng the
shore and hurried up the path through
the grove to the station.
The whistle OF the express caused
her throat to throb nncomfortably.
1--we lost the last grain OF my common
sense" she thought Indignantly ns she
paused at the station door.
Parker stood on the rear platform.
smiling at her before she saw him. Az
he swung himself down and clasped
her hand In an unwelcome flash her
old thought. abridxed. rushed over her.
Here Is n man could love- -Four
years OF college life had swept away,
the ''if"
She realized II AS she looked Into, his
eyes. His old awkwardness and the
consciousness OF his deficiencies were
gone. His old earnestness and honesty
looked straight at her. and the touch OF
his hand conveyed that subtle. name
less something which had always
drawn her until she had been Obliged
to hold herself by that III"
Az they passed through the station
Parker, with a courtly bow. held the
swinging door open for her TO pass.
Clyde recalled the day many years ago
when she. with gentle tact. had taught
the big farmer student that lesson In
courtesy. and sudden sickening real
ization OF age swept over her as she
stepped out ON the path.
A. IL, ln.l hn the boat she
talked rapidly. urged on by fright
ened desire to reassurc him that she al
ways regarded herself as his elder
friend and sister. When they reached
the shore she turned and announced
briskly:
Here IL our boat. and over there,
pointing. "is my home"
Parker stopped and looked down at
her with his old. slow smile. which re-
vealed nm undercurrent OF tenderness
that was a strong attribute OF his ma
ture
"Suppose we don't gO across the
lake" he began persuasively. Its so
pleasant right here under this tree
believe that trunk curved itself over
expressly to make II seat for you to
rest on now" He held out his hand
to assist her.
II was odd to hear him suggesting
and directing. As his teacher that had
always been her prerOgative. The col
or flushed into her face despite her ef-
forts AT perfect self control.
Yes, II seems made for mother
cOnfessor.'' she responded brightly. lay
Ing her palm In his outstretcled hand.
As 1t closed over hers she WAS shaken
by n sudden passionate protest against
their former relative positions OF teach
er and student-a passionate desire 10
he just II girl again here among the
flowers and sunshine.
Parker sat on the mOssy bank at the
roots OF the tree and leaned forward.
an elbow on his knee. He laid his hat
beside him and looked at Clyde grave
Iy. She settled back against the tree
trunk. glad OF an excuse to shield her
eyes from the sun-and him.
ITS good to he with you again." he
said simply.
1T brings back old times. does 1t
not" she laughed. ..when YOU used to
call me down to the teachers parlor to
confess:'
He smiled and studied Lake Castro.
Yes. that's what I'm going to do now
ITS about time" gayiy chiding. Its
been four years since heard your last
confession. All my other boys have
written me occasionally"
Parker picked up his hat and exam
ineti the crown. Yes. we all remem-
ber you. some of ms better thsp5otliers.
Judge" after {, pa use. '.hy the reports
from the old Institute fslDsys. that you
are surfeited with letters.
.Oh. no. Ciyde's bright voice beiied
her feelings. I'm always glad to hear
from them all"
An inscrutable expression pnssed
over the mans face. You were such
n good friend to us ALL" he began and
In, ala A<d