The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-10-15
Evelina's Pupil



Evelina paused on the bridge and
resting her slim little hands on the
rough railing. looked down into the
running water Of the brook.
Jim was looking AZ her. lie had just
pluelted up courage 20 ask her TO marry
him, but she had as yet given him no
snswer.
Eyelina was thinking. She meant TO
say no. Of course. but II was somehow
very hard 10 say-nuch harder than
she would have thought possible
She depended on Jim. She had de-
pended on him ever since the first year
she came 10 Robbery and began 10
teach the district school. Jim had come
10 her a few months that first winter.
She was II then and he had been
year older. lie was such help 10 her
fl managing the other big boys, she re-
nienil,ored. Indeed. she doubted n she
shouldn't gave given az. discouraged.
and gone somewhere else 10 teach, Il Il
had not been Tor Jim
lie did not come 10 school after that
one winter. FOR his sisters husband
died aud Jim had to take care Of her
and her two children.
But though be left school. be kept
up his friendship with the teacher.
Hardly a Sunday passed that be didn't
bring her something rare or curious or
beautiful from woods or felds-for sun
day was his only leisure day. Il WAS
Jim who took her 10 singing schools and
focinbles IN Writer, aud az moonlight
skating and coasting parties IL was he
who put on her skates Tor her. and in
sisted on drawing her up the hills on
his double runner. lie wasn't obtru-
sive. like some OF the others. either. but
seemed 10 divine her moods. 10 talk /
when she was inclined TO talk, to keep |
silent when silence pleased her, TO so
away when he was not wanted. Eve
lima sighed deeply as she turned from
the brook and continued her walk. Jim
by her side.
Il was a lovely spring afternoon. and
Erelina FOR the moment forgot her per-
plexities In rapturous enjoyment OF the
freshness and greenness and sweetness
al about her. for she was a passionate
lover OF nature. Then the thought OF
Jim came, like a cloud Evellna was
very timid. and she reflected that II
was 10 him she owed the delight OF
these peaceful Sunday walks In wood
land roads. She felt 50 safe with Jim.
MAY / come in toog~ he asked. when
they had entered the village and reach
ed the house where Evellna boarded.
YES" The word came reluctantly.
and there was note OF sadness in II.
Why couldn't Jim understand her ST.
Ience. Why. oh, why must he 20 and
Ipoil their pleasant friendship
They went into the stuify little par
Tor and Eyelina seated herself on the
hair-cloth sofa.
Jim hesitated an instant. then came
md sat beside her, but not very near.
He did not dare.
Il wouldn't say a. word longs
,ouldn't support WIFE" be said. going
IN from where he had left OF when
hey stopped at the bridge. ''but now
I've got that contract-and with all
he buildings being put up here and In
he towns round here. I'm likely to be
loing better right along. l know l
Init good enough for you. but there
int nobody in Gods world would try
Iarder to make you happy. There
ouldn't nobody want you as do. The
hildren need you. too. the worst kind"
Evellna sat silent. her face averted.
Seems as II you was there. l could
o ahead and be somebody-get to be
nore az for you. The choked a 1T
le-'ever since the FIRST day saw you,
ts been In my mind that-that some
lime, perhaps. you'd--Td come home
nd you would be there-my wife
He glanced at her. There was
rawn look about her mouth. and he re
reached himself II
III you can't-if Il amt to be-" he !
aid bravely. Il won't hector you any s
lore. I'll take myself away-out West. s
There was startled expression In d
ivellna's eyes as she turned them full Il
pom him. IL occurred to her that Box q
srry would be very lonely place with a
Ut Jim. though she didn't stop to dwell