The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-08-18
EE-Z==zz=- 81 . =Z-==zzzj II
THE SCHOOLMA'AM GIRL
By MICHAEL J. PORTER
(oopyrlghl. ion. by AasooIated LIterary Press.l

"Edensville is growing wonderful
ly." said the school-ma'am girl. with
new but genuine western enthusiasm
for her own town. Mamma says it's
half as large again as when they
moved there. Papa has all the work
he can do; he is a carpenter, you
know. and carpenters are scarce-so
is capital. A man with some money
is sure TO make a success You could
do well there"
Il can do well at Gilesburg." re-
turned Gideon. sturdily loyal "The
finest apples in the state are raised
in that district It's good shipping
point. too"
But sec here. wnat mamma says
about a young man from home, who
has only been In Edensville two
years" She unfolded a letter and
read: "'Abram Hewitt is doing
splendidly. He is the only mohey-
lender in town. and is one of the rich
men now. He is building a beautiful
home and is very helpful to your
father and me. You would not know
him for the same Abram. He m.
quires every day when YOU" She
broke off abruptly.
Gideon WINGED inwardly. -
wouldn't do as a money-lender," lie
replied: too much sympathy for the
other fellow I've had to borrow
myself"
Constraint fell with that. and Gid.
con went to the smoking compart
ment and sat himself down, gloomily
in a corner.
"Of course" he chlded; - mignt
have known some rich man would
want her. I'm surprised she ever
got away from New England withclt
being married" With that hO watch.
ed a vague and delightful dream
which had come into his life IN the
past as hours fade as the light Of
evening faded on the distant noun.
tains
The rich Mr. Hewitt stalked into
their conversation and spread him.
self around like a wet blanket fre.
quently; after that Gideon tried to
avoid him. and so did the school
ma'an girl. But he was evidently
character not accustomed to being
ignored. 1t was patent to Gideon he
had nominated himself to be the hus.
band of little Miss Serena.
Next morning he recalled with
start that they were but IA hours
from Gilesburg He sought Serena.
The schoolmaa am girl was encased
in the manner which he knew strange
teachers adopt at an institute. She
was painstakingly polite and pain
fully friendly. and as impersonal as
the multiplication table For once,
Mr.. -IUwitt did not get into the con.
versktion.
Even at dinner, dining car eXtrav.
agance on which Gideon insisted be-
cause it was to be their las meal to-
gether. the girls armor remained in
place.
The hours passed inexorably. Al
most before he could believe it. the
whistle screamed, the brakeman
cried "Gilesburg!" and Gideon was
standing in the aisle, saying goodbye.
So with a heart sore and rebellious
he descended into the soft darkness |
of the little town. suitcase in hand. |
Mechanically he fumbled in his pock.
cts for his trunk check.
The engine was taking water. Gid.
con walked forward. for one more |
look at the schoolma'am girl. Her
seat was toward the middle of the |
ear on the other side. The platform
was high, and by standing on tiptoe
he could just see her.
Her head was turned away; chin
IN hand, she was looking out into the
darkness. There was a droop to her
lOt at all like the young woman who
rad hidden him a cheerful goodbye
ew moments before. Stealthlly she
iabbed her eyes with her handker.
,hief
Just then the train started; so did
iideon. He rushed up the steps of
he car treading on the toes Of the
conductor. and nearly knocking over
he porter dropped his suitcase in
he vestibule. and marched up the
isle
Bun" he said. quietly. and sat
own beside her.
She turned, with a sudden catch
lg of breath. There was 10y in
Ter dewy eyes Unconsciously she
uetched out her hand and Gideon
Ook it in his own.
"Oh!" she sighed. with tremulous
mile. 1T seemed so lonesome. But
he train-we're leaving Gilesburg
Where are you going?"
with you" he replied, simply.
But" she struggled to release
er hand. You can'tl" Her eyes
ell on the trunk-check between his
ngers. Your trunks back there
our orchard! Why, Gid"
I'VE will come back to them. lit.
e schoolma-am girl" he said. when
ne honeymoon's over"
Blushing. she let her hand lie in
Is. I