The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-17
by Mabel e. England.
Copyright. 1911, by the Associa
L Il. n \

S@oFsi i6Aks 40 NY tuG ASHoIittcd
Literary Press.p
Dorothy Randall dismissed her class
and came forth from the little school
house into the radiant May sunshine
What q glorious day and what a pity
one had to go back and be cooped
up for the whole afternoon. Her
lips curved in a delicious pout and
in her resentment against fate she
had almost passed young DIR. Deming
without seeing him when he stepped
determinedly in front of her.
She looked up. surprised.
Miss Randall" he said. Il have II
drive several miles out into the coun-
try this afternoon start about four
l was wondering IL you would go with
me-
Dorothy smiled graciousiy.
I'D love to-" she told him i'm
pnlsively. 1.-THE day Is so perfect.
He heamsd with delight. Very
we'll then, LII be at the house by four
0 clock"
Dorothy walked on, outwartfiy COM
posed, but inwardly in a tnmult OF
happiness All the girls she knew
were wild about this clever Young
doctor, recently esta blished there. and
lost no opportunity to intercept and
attract him. For this very reason.
perhaps. Dorothy had always been
reserved and even coIdly Indifferent
in her manner toward him. fearful
lest he should think her as eager
as the rest. This was the sirst time
| he had ever invited her to go out with
| him, though she had met him often
| enough at the little social affairs Of
| the village.
| Tie has driven with lots OF other
| girls she reminded herself $50 you
needn't feel especially battered
| As she was finishing lunch dress
was delivered at the door, the new
| spring dress that she had not expect
| ed till Saturday. Full of excitement
| she seized the parcel and rushed up
/ with ii to her room A new dress
| was always Joyous event in her life.
| Slipping II hastily on she stood be-
fore the mirror, regarding 1t. How
| pretty it was--how the dainty violet
| brought out the gold of her hair. the
deep sparkling blue OF her eyes. the
soft. glowing rose of her cheeks"
At that moment the school-bell
rang out.
Il believe I'll wear It." thought
Dorothy recklessly. 'and then I'll bs
all ready for the drive"
She pinned on her new spring hat.
noting even In her haste how charm
w
her gown. and SEEKING her gloves sped
/ down the stairs and out tnko the frag-
rant spring sunshine.
All afternoon. az she taught, her
eyes kept straying to the clock then
out to the green and gold beauty OF
the afternoon. II seemed as II the
very minutes dragged.
Toward the close OF the school hour
she noticed an unusual amount ol
whispering and giggling among -four
or five boys In one corner of the room.
Twice she spoke. calling them to
order, but the third time she noticed
that something WAS being passed from
hand to hand and examined under
cover of the desks. with a series ol
| pronounced giggles and almost osten-
tatious glanees In her direction. She
rose from her seat.
I .srom Corby" she commanded. II
her low, clear voice. FIRING that thing
to me instantly, whatever 1t is"
Tom rose with suspicious alacrity
and walking up the aisle held out q
small cone made OF strong, thick
paper, carefully folded over at the
top.
Dorothy took It and opened It with
decision. In an instant stream Of
ink had oozed out, covering her hands
and dripping all down the front OF
her pretty. new dress.
She dropped the paper and stood
perfectly still a moment. aghast al
the ruin that had been wrought. Hei
lfaoe grew pale her lips trembled. Con-
trolling herself with difficulty shs
turned toward the class.
school Is dismissed" she announc-
ed clearly, without glance at the
boys who had perpetrated tho mis-.
chief. Their punishment must wait
..Rise," She struck the bell once, twice
and stood without a tremor while tn
scholars filed out. Tom Corby ant
his co-conspirators shutting by will
crimson cheeks and shame-face
looks.
When the door had closed hehint
the last one Dorothy sank ineQ he
chair. dropped her head on the dosl
and sobbed unrestrainedly. Now
was over. Her dress was ruined ant
she couldn't get another. Or. Deminl
would never know how pretty sh'
had looked. In the abandonment o
ther grief she did mot hear 9 10y
knock on the door nor the footstep
/ Miss Randall Dorothy 4
It? What Ii troubling you? I WA
driving by when I saw the childre,
come out and came In to ask !
we couldn't start earlier"
Il Her sobs ceased with dificulty and
warm flush stole up even to TIT
tfp. Of her ears. To think that h,
should see her like this. crying lik,
a child over = ruined dress. Sh,
L kept her face hidden while she in
Dictated the black. disfiguring stain
on the dainty gown.
II know It's silly" she acknowl
edged. half sobbing again. "hut-but-
II was 20 pretty and cant get an
other. and