Middletown transcript., 1908-06-06


one of the windows. and both
sounds were repeated a little
later at the other window on that
side. Next she heard the sounds
at the single window in the end,
over the entrance.
She followed the noises softly
from window TO window although
it seemed to her as if she must
scream from sheer fright and ex-
citement.
When the last window had
been tried, she could hear low
voices talking for a moment; then
all was silent. She knew not
how long she waited in the stiff
ling heat of the close room, but
at last, unable longer to endure
the situation, she pushed back
the shutter at the end and open.
ed the window itself a little way.
The moon was we'll up now,
flooding the scene with light, and
she saw two men crossing the
plaza, going toward the village.
They were the same two she had
noticed before, and she was surer
than ever that one was the
alcalde.
As she watched, this man suddenly
turned. The teIltale moonlight must
have revealed the partly opened window;
for be stopped, grasped his companion's
arm, and pointed toward the schoolhouse.
The two broke into run, and never
stopped until they were in the shade OF
the great bamboo trees that fringed the
plaza.
There was now no need to shut the
window. The men knew there was come
one in the schoolhouse. II they returned
it would be with reenforcements. Terror
seized Emily again, and her one desire
was to escape before any one else came.
As she turned from the window, her
hand, feeling along the wall, struck some
thing which fell forward against her. For
an instant her panic increased. Then it
subsided, for her hand grasped the folds
of the American flag, which during every
school session foated from that window.
She laid her cheek against it with a
quick sense of comfort and help. 1t was
as il she had suddenly grasped strong
protecting hand.
She drew one of the benches up to the
window and settled herself to keep vigil.
IL another attempt was made to enter the
schoolhouse, the intruders should find
her ready for them.
But no one came. Hour after hour
passed as she watched, her hand on the
flag for stay and companionship. When
the heavy night chill came into the air,
she drew the brave folds about her shoul-
ders, and leaning her head against the
staff, watched on. The moon sank be.
yond the mountains. but she felt no fear
in the darkness.
Dawn does not linger in the tropics.
As Emily watched, hours later, there was
sudden lighting of the sky. Five min
utes afterward the sun was up, aud almost
Immediately people began to appear in
the streets OF the village.
Tired and stiff, she rose, set the staff in
its socket outside the easement, and let
the flag float out on the light breeze.
Then she shut the window, took some
rice from she storeroom, and went home.
Ne Ne eEHe ere 4EEFenld try 70 enter the hnilding at
that hour, and one may not safely go
fasting in the Philippines. She must
fortify herself for the day.
At half past seven, having had bath
and breakfast, she was at her desk again,
and little later the children arrived.
At nine o'clock the teacher had visitors.
She had locked the lower door, and an.
swered their knock herself. The alcalde,
suave and courteous, had With him q
stranger, a Visayau, who spoke aome
halting English.
The official made long speech in Vi
sayan, and his companion translated.
Stripped Of circumlocution, the speech
was q demand for the rice which the
Americans had secreted, and which was
needed for "the defenders Of the people"
The rice already belongs to ''the de-
tenders of the people" Emily said, to the
Americans. They have left it in my
charge for the people, aud shall see that
the people get it.
The two men exchanged amazed glances
Then the stranger spoke. The senorita
did not understand. He was the mes
senger of Mariana, the great captain, and
Mariana had sent for the rice. There
was no saying no to the brave captain.
The American commandAnt himself would
not dare to do that.
Tell your Mariana, Emily said, with a
firmness she was far from feeling, that
there is no rice here for him. The people
need it much more than they need such
q defender as he.
She closed and fastened the door and
went upstairs. All was excitement there.
The children had heard the talk below,
and were full of fear. Mariana would
burn the village, they said. The alcalde
would sell to the Moros. for slaves, the
children of any Filipino who tried to
save the rice. They would all be killed
if the senorita did not yield.
Gradually Emily quieted them, getting
them at last silent and in their seats.
Children, she said, speaking slowly.
and using words with which she had
made then, familiar, this is an American
school. The American flag floats over it,
and the American people are going to
take care of it. Now you must do as /
tell you. am going to dismiss school
fop kho-dov and r aholl piyo oaoh of 49,,