The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-02-18

ful man in overly, then Tom Daily
was assuredly the biggest wag.
When the little group of men col
lected in the old stone schoolhouse
for the annual election OF officers,
the inevitable question OF The next
trustee was ralsed-and evaded-by
each voter. Every one looked upon
the position as a sort of nuisance,
and accepted his turn only in the
light OF a public duty
LET'S put in Henry Brant," sug-
gested Tom, with a serious look that
deceived his listeners,
but he isnI-exactly interested
in the school, suggested the chair
man, with slow smile, as Henry
entered the room.
Because he hasn't seen fit 20 pro-
vide himself with family is no rea.
son why he should shirk his duty TO
the community asserted Tom, sol
emnly
SO Henry Brant was duly elected
trustee OF the overly school for a
term OF one year Why he did not
object, Brant never knew. He sat
through the meeting as one IN a hor-
rlble nightmare What did he know
about text books. and school laws,
and--his face, grew hot and uncom-
Portable at the very thought-young
lady teachers
AS soon as the meeting was over
he FASTENED out alone into the sweet
summer darkness.
Henry Brant, trustee!" shouted
Daily, slapping his knees with delight
I'D give $40 TO see him hire school
ma am
While Brant was still at his break
fast next morning, a carriage stop
ped at the side door of his comfort
able farm house.
ITS someone TO see you, an
nounced his housekeeper. q should
nit wonder ii ii was some girl look
ing after the school,
The young man, sitting his desire
to crawl beneath the ample table
cloth where his feet were reposing
comfortably well away from the
sight Of men, advanced to the door
with dogged determination.
In the carriage. grasping the lines
in pretty ungloyed fingers, sat a girl
whose lips smiled encouragmgIy,
You are the new trustee?' she
inquired, in pleasant voice that
somehow seemed to speak of hidden
strength.
Brandt bowed his head in uncom-
Portable silence.
Here are my credentials" she
continued taking from a leather bag
certificate, ard recommendations
from various influential persons.
3rant shuffled the papers awkward
ly in his fingers.
He is fine TO look at, thought
Lucy Wood, noting how the morning
sunshine brought out the glints in
his uncovered hair, and how the loose
house jacket revealed the breath and
strength of his shoulders. But his
conversational ability does not ap
pear very Well developed She
smiled whimsically
Il don't know much about such
things" Henry managed to stammer
but these seem pretty good How
about wages
All the amusement dropped out OF
the girls face, and her eyes soften
ed suddenly and she looked intense
and anxious.
Il shall have TO have" she hesi
tated TO regain her courage-"$9! p
she finished in small voice.
Her earncstness was unmistakable
Could 1t be possible little thing like
she could need money so desperately
Something strange and unaccount
able tugged at Brants heart.
Well call il $40, he said, and his
voice was suddenly clear and strong
1T is worth il to teach thirty wrig
Cling youngsters
When the girl tried TO express hel
thanks. his bashfulness returned with
a flood and he stalked into the house
almost rudely
During the weeks Fhat' followed
Brant never spoke word 10 the lit
tie school teacher, but always before
him was the sweet face. and his
heart warmed every time he thought
hof her eyes mad lighted over that
paltry additional dollar.
Strangely, if supplies were needed
at the school house Miss Wood sent
him a note, and he replied in the
same way. Tom Daily's wife boarded
the schoolma'am and Tom had
great deal to say about the negligence
OF the trustee.
Seems like he ought to visit the
school" he frequently suggested I'll
don't seem just right for him to show
so little INTEREST,"
But" Miss Wood retorted, "wher
he hired me he knew was quite cap
able of managing il alone"
Her sharpness and unconcern al
ways delighted him.
Still, it don't look right! You
ought to bring him to time better
Miss Wood" he persisted.
In his own heart Brant knew that
the little teacher understood his tim
idity and he blessed her for sparing
him in the hundred ways she did
Being trustee really wasn't SO bad
after all,
One Friday afternoon as Brant re
turned from an early spring stroll
Of inspection across his farm he found
Tom Daily awaiting him
Been waiting for some time.' he
announced Miss Wood wants to
see YOU down TO the schOolhouse to.
night Henry, long after supper
Wants to see me?" repeated Hen
ry in dismay
"Yes-4 guess ii must be about this
here trouble at the schoolhouse."
What trOuble?' demanded Henry
sharply.