The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-06-20

past term.
Since her coming the whole place
had been changed. The children had
given little entertainments and
earned money for a new stove, for
new globes and window boxes and
little fresh muslin curtains at the
windows. At the school examina1
tons they had led the other township
schools, and before her days, Flaxy
Bend district had been a problem I'M
education.
YES" said Russell, with almost n
sigh, IT came to say good-by."
She waited a minute, chin raised,
eyes questioning.
Where did you tell me your home
was, Miss Phillips?' he asked lean
ing over the top of the tall desk, and
lingering pink rose that was nearest
! to him.
Vermont. It's only a little bit of q
place where the trains stop if they
are tagged. We call 1t Phillips
Crossing"
Il suppose you'll be glad to get
home"
mot so very She spoke reluc-
family. with little uplift of her
shoulders. "You see. have a step
father, and am the only child from
the first marriage, and there are seven
little ones now besides, They don t
miss me bit, unless it's good
miss"
| sfvxy1,x, ia ,,o,,t oo,,, q, 1rav down here
in the country?'
Because | was in hurry to go to-
work. The city schools won't take
you unless you've been through Nor
NAL. you know | like 1t out here.
The work was hard, but the. victory
was so much greater, and do think
the children love me-
Russell caught the little wistful
touch in her voice.
"The old folks are peculiar, aren Z
they? Hard to get along with"
I'm afraid they don't like me very
well--do they?"
"They say you're good teacher,
but"
Rose waited and looked up at him
! quickly. Her brown hair was very
near. with its soft satiny braids. Be-
fore he really meant to, he had tucked
the pink rose among them.
1T looks much better there be-
added, and wondered why his own
pulses we're racing suddenly like
brooks in April
But what? Please please tell
me?" she pleaded, drawing back, but
not removing the rose. What do
they say?"
"They say you're a heart hunter
She leaned back her head and
sighed, her hands clasped back of The
rose her eyes looking past him out
of the first open window.
They mean the boys. suppose,
Nate and the rest. Could | help. it.?
Now, truly, could l. Mr.. Russell?
You know just what boys are. They'd
/ come here every day, and bring all
sorts of things to me that | didn't
want. Why. Lonnie even used to-
! bring ne fox pelts for cloak. of all
things. Boys are always boys, and
they get over it so quickly. ! was
/ just as nice to them as could be-"
II am not blaming you--nor them, =
sadi Russell bit unsteadily. "Only
| / agree. with the deacon's wife that
you are a very dangerous and dis
turbing influence to have around
i these peaceful parts
The tears glistened IN her eyes.
"Oh, you don't really mean that?'
! she said pleadingly. Are you try
ing to tell me II cannot teach here
| again.
Russell stared awkwarf'jy down at
| her head, as she leaned It on folded
arms, and her shoulders shook with
sobs.
i've tried so hard, and the children
| all love me- she said brekeniy. II
didn't want to go back home at IL.
! was going to board here all SUM
mer, and rest"
Then suddenly it dawncd on Neil
Russell why he had driven ten miles
that afternoon to make all fit and
due explanations to the teacher In
/ stead of writing. He knew just why
he had thought of nothing but her
tender lips and dark eyes and low
contralto voice for weeks past. He
knew why he had saved every scrap
of writing she had ever sent him,
and why he carried in an inner pock-
ct little tan suede glove he mad
found beside her chair after a board
meeting one day. oh. yes, ne knew
now. and he imprisoned beth. her
hands in his and raised them to his
lips.
Rose" he said. "Stop crying
I've brought you another heart,
dear"
| She stopped sobbing. but did not
raise her head
II haven't any one in the world
myself. came up here from New
York and got along well. There's
enough saved in the bank to buy us
good home in the fall. think I
could make you happy. Rose, If may
have you, dear"
What would you tell the deacon's
wife and-and-all the rest?" she
asked family.
THAT I had to dismiss you because
i couldn't let my wife work." he
whispered. Wont that do for q
good excuse?"