The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1912-06-07

| $500 SN'SSi AAu Hldue ACTUAL progress
under her care and tuition during the
past term.
Since her coming the whole place
had been changed. The children had
given little entertainments and
earned money for new stove. for
new globes and window boxes, and
little fresh muslin curtains at the
windows. At the school examina.
lions they had led the other township
schools, and before her days, Flaxy
Bend district had been a problem in
education.
Yes" said Russell, with almost
sigh, Il came to say good-by."
She waited minute, chin raised.
eyes questioning
Where did you tell me your home
was, Miss Phillips?" be asked, lean.
ing over the top of the tall desk, and
lingering pink rose that was nearest
| to him.
Vermont. It's only little Bit of
place where the trains stop if they
are tagged. We call it Phillips
| Crossing"
Il suppose you'll be glad to get
home"
Not so very" She spoke reluc-
family, with a 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 a good
miss"
Why did you come way down here
in the country?"
Because | was in a hurry to 60 TO
work. The city schools won't take
you unless you've been through Nor
NAL, you know. | like it 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
they? Hard to get along with"
Tn afraid they don't like me very
well-do they?"
They say you're a 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" he
added, and wondered why his own
pulses were racing suddenly, like
brooks in April.
But what? Please-please tell
me-" she pleaded, drawing back, but
rot 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 he
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 |, 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 me 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-"
u am not blaming you-nor them"
sadi Russell a bit unsteadiy. Only
agree with the deacon's wife that
you are very dangerous and dis
turbing influence to have around
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 | cannot teach here
again."
Russell stared awkwardly 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 brokenly. II
didn't want to go back home at all.
| was going to board here all sum-
mer. and rest"
Then suddenly it dawned 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 peck
ct a little tan suede glove he had
found beside her chair after a board
meeting one day. oh, yes, he knew
now. and he imprisoned both 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.
Il 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
a good home in the fall. l think ]
could make you happy, Rose, if I may
have you, dear"
What would you tell the deacon's
wife and-and-all the rest?" she
asked family.
THAT | had to dismiss you because
couldn't let my wife work" he