The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1907-03-14


school to be disputed by mere slip
Of girl. shall report this to the
Board"
Miss Sparrow's face grew slowly
white and her pretty mouth quivered,
but she did not reply. She quietly
placed Nora on her feet and, putting
her arm protectingly and supportingly
about the child's shoulders, led heI
from the room.
A week later Miss Sparrow received
a notice from the Board of Education
stating that her resignation would be
required. On the day she left her pu.
pills gathered about her with mournful
faces and fearful eyes.
On the day she left, Nora Stanton
had placed a great bouquet of roses
on Miss Sparrow's desk. With them
was a card bearing the name
Mrs. Eric Stanton
and beneath the name the words, in Q
pretty, delicate hand:
"Will Miss Sparrow come
home with Nora this after
noon and let Noras mother
thank ner?"
So that afternoon, Nora with the
big bunch of long-stemmed roses hud.
died carelessly against one arm,
chung to Miss Sparrow's hand and
tripped along gaily with her, home.
ward.
Mrs. Stanton met the little teacher
with a few words of cordial welcome.
Then she babe Nora run away to play
and took Miss Sparrow to her own
dainty sitting-room, where they had
long confidential talk by the bright
CRATE fire. 1t was not many minutes
before Nora's lovely mother had dis
covered that the young woman was in
great trouble. 1t seems she had an
aged mother and invalid sister to
support. She could not, OF course, get
another position as teacher, having
been dismissed for INSTRUMENTATION,
and she was at loss what to do.
Mrs, Stanton did not like to see the
look Of despairing anguish that came
into the sweet forget-me.not eyes OF
the little teacher when she spoke of
the crippled sister who hobbled about
on crutches and made delicate lace
when the pain was not too severe.
She took the girls hand in one Of her
own and pressed 1t alphabetically.
Miss Sparrow" she said, with q
smile in her eyes that went straight
to the teachers troubled heart, "Mr.
Stanton and have decided that Nora
must be taken out OF school. She is
a sensitive little flower, and / will
not have her sweet nature spoiled
by such harsh treatment as she re.
ceived the other day. Her father and
| have decided to try to get teacher
for her-some gentle, refined, well.
educated woman-someone who can
influence and control her, but who will
be kind and sympathetic. Do you
know such a person, Miss Sparrow"
she asked, her winsome smile deep
ening in her eyes.
Miss Sparrow's face grew suddenly
rosy and dimpled with shy smiles
Mrs. Stanton held out her hand to her.
will you come, Miss Sparrow" she
asked. "Will you be my little daugn.
ter's governess? | will see that you
do not suffer by the change"
Miss Sparrow grasped the pretty
hand extended to her as a drowning
child might.
'I-oh-oh, Mrs. Stantonl" was
all she could say. And then she
broke down and sobbed.
1t was Nora who dried her eyes and
cheered her up Nora whose heart
was dancing with joy at the thought
Of 1t all.
and Mrs. Stanton sat reading in their
cosy library, while Nora and Miss
Sparrow we're seated in front of the
ire engaged in piecing map puzzles
ogether
Father" said Nora, looking up and
,peaking with a suddenness that
startled them all, won't you please
ell me what you mean by little I'M
lucky stars'?"
Some day when you are old
little daughter" answered
Ter father, Miss Sparrow will tell
'ou what astrology is and what a lot |
If trouble it caused the people who
believed in it long ago."
WELL" said Nora, II don't know |
What the stars have to do with it, but |
hings don't go wrong now the
way they used to-"
well, Nora, we'll give those little