The Detroit times., 1912-12-24
cHAPT \.
CContinuedD


passed UNDECIDED.
Never before had Abbott had sc
much OF Fran. The capillaries OF his
skin, as her hand quivered warmly
against his, seemed drawing her in;
and as she escaped from her splendid
black orbs, she entered his brain by
the avenue OF his own thirsty eyes
What was the use TO tell himself that
she was commonplace, that his posi-
ton was In danger because OF her.
Suddenly her hair no longer reminded
him OF the flying name OF a Shetland
pony; 1t fell slant-wise past the cor
ners OF her eyes, making a triangle
OF smooth white skin TO the roots OF
the hair, and II seemed good, just be
cause 1t was Fran's way and not after
machine-turned fashion; Fran was
done by hand. there was no doubt OF
that.
"Sit there" Abbott said. gravely
pointing. She obeyed without word
leaving the geometry as hostage In
ths teachers hand. When seated al
q discreet distance, she looked over
at Bob Clinton. He hastily drew on
his spectacies, that he might look old
Abbott volunteered, This Is Mr.
Clinton. president OF the board"
Il know" said Fran. staring at hen
pencil and paper, hes at the head
OF the show. and watches when the
wild animals are tanned"
Clinton drew forth a newspaper. and
opened 1t deliberately.
Fran scrubbed for some time, then
looked over at him again. Did you
get Ii p? 2" she asked, with mild interest
did | get-what?' he returned
with puzzled frown.
"Oh, don't know what II is" said
Fran with humility; the name OF it's
Religion"
"If were YOU" Clinton returned
the night you disgraced yourself by
laughing in the tent"
Fran" Abbott interposed severely
attend to your work"
Fran bent her head over the desk
but was not long silent Il don't like
abe and def" she observed with
more energy than she had hitherto
displayed. They're equal to each
other, but I don't know why, and
don't care, because IL doesn't seem
to matter. Nothing interests me un'
less It has something TO do with liv'
~.
from the earth--if II was next door
wouldn't want to leave home. These
angles and lines are nothing TO me;
what care for Is that time I'm vast
ing, sitting In a stuffy old room, while
the good big world is enjoying itself
Just outside the window" She start
ed up impetuously.
''Sit down." Abbott commanded.
Fran" exclaimed Robert Clinton
stamping his foot, "sit down."
Fran sank back upon the bench.
Il suspect said Abbott mildly,
'.that they have put you In classes too
far advanced We must try you In
another room"
But don't want to be tried In
rooms. Fran explained, IT want to be
tried in acts-deeds. Until l came
here, I'd never been to school day
In my life," she went on In a con-
fdential tone. Il agreed to attend
because imagined school ought to
have some connection with life
something In 1t mixed up with love
and friendship and justice and mercy.
Wasn't silly! even believed-just
fancy!--that you might really teach
me something about religion. But,
no! it's all books, nothing but books"
Fran" Abbott reasoned, If We put
you In a room where you can under
stand the things we try 70 teach, TX
We make you thorough"
Il don't want To be thorough, she
explained, IL want TO be happy. |
gnass all that schools were meant TO
do Is 10 teach folks what's In books,
and how to stand In q straight line.
H. ahf H.
have their minds sheared and pruned
70 look alike; but don't want my
brain after anybody's pattern"
You'll regret this. miss." declared
Clinton. In threatening tone You
sit down Do you want the name OF
being expelledfs
Il don't care very much about the
names OF things" said Fran coolly
~there are lots of respectable names
that hide wickedness." Her tone
changed: But yonder's another WILD
animal for you to train; did you come
corner, and seated herself beside
Jakey.
Say, now" Bob demonstrated. pull
ing his mustache deprecatingly
everybody knows l wouldn't see
Ngk hdAN II IL NOuAd 10 hSiPNN- A.
Jakeys friend, and I'd be yours, Fra
-honestly-if could. But how's
school to be run without authority
You amt reasonable. All We want o
you In to be biddable."
And you!" cried Fran to Abbott
beginning TO give way to high pres
sure. II thought you were a schoo
teacher, not just, but ALSO SOM
thing very nice, also a teacher b.
not You. Teachers all you are, Jul
rules and regulations and authorit
and chalk and abe and def"
Abbott crimsoned. Was she right
Was he not something very nice Pill
his vocationi He found himself de
perateTy wishing that she might thir
20.
Fran, after one long glowing look
him, turned to the lad in disgrac
and placed her hand upon his stu
born arm. Have you a MOTHER" 81
asked wistfully.
''Yeh." mumbled the lad, astonish
at fnding himself addressed, not
an ink-stained husk OF humanity, b
a. an understanding soul.
Il haven't" said Fran softly, Ia
ING TO him as II unconscious OF G
presence OF two listening men, but
had one, q few years ago--and, oh,
oao,,,a IN long since she died Jak oy