The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-05-27
After School | Hours


Clarabel overlook the little girl who was all smiling
appreciation Of the new gloves, and was overtaken BY
other little girls who added themselves to the adrrg
group But somehow her triumphal progress was
strangely unsatisfactory; the glory was dimmed.
At recess. Josephine paired off with Milly Smith,
who stood first in geography and two curly feath
ers in her hat Clarabel shared her cookies with Minnie
Cater, because didn't matter who helped eat them if
it wasn't Josephine Neither spoke to the other, and
at noontime they walked home on different sides Of the
street
Perhaps that was why in the afternoon Carabe lost
her place he reader and failed on so many examples
in arithmetic that she told she most stay after school
/ Usually there would have been several to keep her
company but on this day there was no one elseeven
Angelina MaybelIe Remington had got through without
dsasterand Clarabel, wstfu-eyed saw the other girls
file out
At another time Josephine would have stayed she al
ways did when clarabel had to- as clarabel did when
she was in like need But tonight. she filed out with
the rest and Clarabe with sense of deserton bent
over her problems Of men and hay to NOW, men and
potatoes to Dig men and miles Of railroad TO build
The noise Of scurryng feet grew fainter the sound
Of chldrens voices died away The room settled into
Stiffness except for the solemn tick Of the clock and
the scratching Of Clarabes pencil on the slate There
fractions in the problems and fractions were al
ways hard for Clarabe Her pencil stopped often while
she rowned at the curlytaled figures In one of these
pauses the door squeaked open little way 1t squeaked
again. and one sdled into the room it was Jose
phine
Please may L 60 to my seat?" she asked
Certainly" said the teacher, and watched her Curl
cusly
She tiptoed to the back seat fumbled for few min
ues in her desk then slipped to seat few rows far
ther in 'front.' then to another and another till she had
reached the row in which Clarabel sat
Clarabel though she was bending over her slate had
heard every hestating move and when the last halt
made she shook her curs back from her eyes, looked
around, and dimpled into smiles.
The teacher, watching, waited to see what would hap
pen next Nothing did, except that the two little girls
sat and smiled and smiled and smiled as if they never
would stop.
Presently the teacher herself smiled and spoke She
had very sweet voice sometinesone that seemed to
hint at happy secrets That was the way ii sounded
now.
Would you like to help Clafabel, Josephine7" she
asked. You may if youwish to-
II she'll let me" answered Josephine, her eyes fixed
on ClarabePs face
would love TO have her." said Clarabel, her eyes
Josephine And instantly the one narrow seat became
large enough for two
For ten minutes more there was great scratching of
slate pencils and much whispering and some gieging
Then with cheerful catter the slate was borne to the
platform The teacher looked at the little girls more
than a. the examples I'm sure thcyfe right she said
Now, of toyour homes-botn Of youi"
Good night said clarabeI
& Good night said Josephine
Coed night, dear little girls said the teacher.
There was soft swish Of dresses and the children
had reached the dressing Within its familiar mar
josephine hessated and fingered her cloakbut
tons
think your Aunt Bessie "it was very slow speech
for Josephine 4i IS ever 50 nice and knows i lot
OH bubbled c1arsBc joyousy, dolove the color
Of your mttensi Don't don't yon she finished
with rush want to let me wear them home and you
wear my giovesf'
Josephine put aside che dazzling offer
Your gloves prcttier and you ought to wear Them
Clarabei thought minute shadow in her eyes
know what" she declared, the shadow vanishing.
You glove and itten and III wear the other
glove and rnittenly
OH said Josephine, with rapturous hug, that
will be splendid
And thus they searnpered home, the two nittened
hands holding each other tight while the two eoyed
hands were eay waved high in the air with each fresh
outburst Of laughter.