Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-08-10
AkM
THE SCHOOLMA'AM GIRL
By H ]. PORTER
Copyright 1911. By Associated Literary Press.)

"Edensville is growing wonderful
ly." said the school-ma'am girl, with
new but genuine western enthusiasm
for her own town. Mamma says ,1s
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-sc
is capital. A mar with some money
is sure to make a success. You could
do well there"
Il can do well at G~ilesburg." re-
turned Gideon. sturdily loyal. "The
finest apples in the state are raised \
in that district. It's a good shipping
point. too"
But see here, what mamma says
about a young man from home, who
has only been in Evansville two
years." She unfolded a letter and
read:@ "'Abram Hewitt is doing
splendidly. He is the only money
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 In
quires every day when you" She
broke off abruptly.
Gideon WINGED inwardly. Il
wouldn't do as a money-lender," lie
replied; too much sympathy for the
other fellow. I've had to borrow
myself"
i! Constraint fell with that. and Gid
o went to the smoking compart-
ment and sat himself down. gloomily,
in a corner.
"Of course" he chided; Il might
have known some rich man would
want her. I'm surprised she ever
got away from New England without
being married" With that he 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 fire.
quently; after that Gideon tried to
avoid him, and so did the school
ma'am girl. But he was evidently a
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 a
start that they were but IA hours
from Gilesburg. He sought Serena.
The schoolma'am girl was encased!
in the manne 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.. -Iowitt did not get into the con-
~versation.
Even at dinner, a dining car extrav-
agance on which Gideon insisted be-
cause it was to be their last 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 peck
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
a on the other side. The platform
was high, and by standing on tiptoe
he could just see her.
Her head was turned away; chin
on hand, she was looking out into the
darkness. There was a droop to her
not at all like the young woman who
had hidden him a cheerful goodbye a
few moments before. Stealthily she
dabbed her eyes with her handker-
chief.
Just then the train started; so did
Gideon. He rushed UP the steps of
the car. treading on the toes of the
conductor, and nearly knocking wei
the porter, dropped his suitcase in
, the vestibule. and marched up the
! aisle.
: "Bun." he said. quietly. and sat
! down beside her.
: She turned, with a sudden catch
!, ing Of breath. There vas joy in
. her dewy eyes. Unconsciously she
: stretched out her hand and Gideon
: took 1t in his own.
! y "Oh!" she sighed, with a tremulous
smile. 1T seemed so lonesome. But
the train-we're leaving Gilesburg.
Where are you going?"
" with you," he replied, simply.
|, But" she struggled to release
her hand. you can't!" Her eyes
q fell on the trunk-check between his
r fingers. your trunks back there
your orchard! Why, Cid"
d I'VE will come back to them, lit.
9 tie schoolma-am girl" he said. when
a the honeymoon's over"
s Blushing, she let her hand lie in
his.
IM WKYTnr TvEA a = Tr~