The Ordway new era., 1912-06-07

Bend district had been . problem In
education.
"Yes." said Russell. with almost .
sigh. II came to say good.by."
She waited minute. chin raised.
eyes questioning.
"Where did you toll mo your home
was. Miss Phillips!" no asked. lean.
Ing over the top Of tho tall desk. and
lingering pink rose that was nearest
to him.
vermont. It's only a little bit Of a
place where the trains stop II they
are tagged. We call It Phillips
Crossing"
- suppose you'll bs glad to get
home"
mot 90 very" She spoke reluc.
family. with a little uplift OF her
shoulders. you see. have step
father. and ! am the only child from
the first marriage. and there are seven
little ones now besides. They don't
miss me q bit. unless its q good
| miss"
why did you come way down here
In the country!"
Because l was in q hurry to 20 to
work. The city schools won't take
you unless you've been through Nor
NAL. you know. like It out here.
Tho work was hard. but the victory
was 10 much greater. and do think
the children love me"
Russell caught the little wistful
! touch In her voice.
The old folks are peculiar. aren I
they? Hard to get along WITH"
I'm 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 It's 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
not removing the rose. "Wlat do
they say"
They. say you're q 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 I. 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 a cloak. OF all
things Boys are always boys. and
they get over 1t so quickly. was
just as nice to them as I could be-"
II am not blaming you-nor them."
sadi Russell a bit unsteadily. "Only
! agree with the deacon's wife that
you are a 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 l 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. IT
didn't want to go back home at all.
I was going to board here all sum-
mer. and rest"
Then suddenly 1t 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 pock-
Ut 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 we'll There's
enough saved in the bank to buy US
a good home in the fall. think
could make you happy. Rose. II I may
wear you, dear"
What would you tell the deacon's
wife and-and-all tho rest?" she
asked family.
THAT l had to dismiss you because
| couldn't let my wife work." he
whispered. Wont that do for a