The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-11
THE EVENING STORY
Heart Hunter.
nv lola EOrreSter.O

Russell did not look up at the
schoolhouse window when he drew
rein. He knew that she could see
him from her desk, and the outer
door was wide open. 1t was well
after 4, and all the children had van
ished down the four roads leading
from the schoolhouse corner. They
were quite alone, if one excepted the
red SQUIRREL who was tenant for life
in the elm that was king of the play
ground.
1t was half a mile to the nearest
farm house. All about lay June fields
rich in lush grass ready almost for
moving. The air was golden, warm
hazy, lazy, wooing one to forget duty
and days work. Russell was heav1-
~ burdened with both at present.
AS superintendent of schools in La a
shoulders to let the teacher go at
the little Flaxy Bend district, be-
cause of inattention to duty and gen
eral laxity of conduct
That was exactly the wording OF
the charges in Mrs. Deacon Mabry's
letter that reposed in his coat pocket.
He didn't intend to show it to the
girl.
So simple it seemed, so hard it was
to do. He had fought against it for
nearly a week, remembering her up
turned, earnest face, 50 warm and
tender in it's brunette tinting, the big,
brown eyes and childish mouth that
dark hair bound smoothly around the
small head, with a big. black velvet
bow on one side. That bow had been
an offense to the enemy even, at
least on one side. -,
old Mrs Mabry had insisted. Il
taught considerable after Myron and
me were married, but I was stiddy.
It's a known fact that she's settled
four of the boys this winter"
them?"
just what I say. She's carried on
girl fashion with Nate Hoskins and
BENNY Everitt and Walter Bennings,
and even with Lonnie Murray, and
they've every one of them lost their
heads over her and proposed, ana
she's refused them all.
s'weu?" Russell tried to speak mild
lyI remembering the various attractions
of the aforesaid four boys, maybe she
didn't intend to have them take her
seriously, Mrs. Mabry"
'sAnd if she didn't, then she's light
minded. and a heart hunter If do say
r. rnvself Mr.. Russell. That's what we
always used to call them, heart hunters
and their minds don't go any further
than hunting them, and letting them go
as soon as they're caught"
Russell remembered the whole con-
versation now as he stepped into the
cool with fern boxes at the windows
and punches of June roses on the desks.
Rose was her name, too, he remember
ed-Rose Phillips. She turned her head
now. q quick smile of welcome and sur
prise on her face.
"Did you come to wish me Goodbye"
she asked.
Russell could not help but smile back. |
He laid his cap on one Of the first row |
desks and stood looking at her as he |
drew off his gloves. She could not have
been over eighteen. In spite of what |
the school committee had reported, he |
knew that the little school had made |
actual progress under her care and |
tuition during the past term He knew |
the children loved her dearly. The little |
room itself bore witness to her in |
duence It had been a barren place be-
fore her coming. A few old yellowed |
maps hung on the walls. There was |
wheezy melodeon in one corner, with |
most of the ivory off The keys and one |
pedal broken. The stove was a little, |
Inadequate drum affair, with three legs
to stand on.
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
examinations they had led the other /
township schools, and before her days.
F1axy Bend district had been a prob
lem in education.
Yes" said Russell, with almost a /
sigh, ct came to say good-by."
She waited minute. chin raised. eyes