The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-11

questioning.
Where did you tell me your home
was, Miss Phillfps?' he asked, leaning
ing a pink rose that was nearest TO
him.
Vermont It's only a little bit of a
place where the trains stop If they are
tagged. We call it Phillips Crossing"
Il suppose you'll be glad to get
home.''
mot so very" She spoke reluctant
~. with little uplift of her shoulders.
You see, have stepfather, and 1 am
the only child from the first marriage,
and there are seven little ones now be-
sides. They don't miss me bit, unless
it's good miss
why did you come way down here
in the country?"
Because 1 was in a hurry to go TO
work. The city schools won't take you
unless you've been through Normal,
you know. 1 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.
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 its soft satiny braids. Be
fore he really meant to. he had tucked
the pink rose among them.
II looks much better there" he
added, and wondered why his own
pulses were racing suddenly, like
brooks IL April.
But what? Please-please tell me?"
she pleaded, drawing back, but not re-
moving 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
window.
They mean the boys, I suppose.
Nate and the rest. Could I help it?
Now, truly. could I, Mr. Russell?
You know just what boys are. They'd
come mere every day, and bring all
sorts OF thing; to me that 1 didn't
want. Why, Lonnie even used 10
bring me fox pelts for a cloak, of all
things. Boys are always boys, and
they get over it so quickly 1 was
just as nice to them as L could be-"
am not blaming you-nor them
L 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 trying
to tell me cannot teach here again Pr
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 out her
tender lips and dark eyes and low
contralto voice for weeks past. He
knew why he had saved every scrap
of writing she ever sent him, and why
he carried in an inner pocket 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.
IT haven't any one in the world my
self. 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. 1 think could make
you happy, Rose, if 1 may wear you.
dear"
What would you tell the deacon's |
wife and-and-all the rest?'' she ask
ed. family.
THAT I had to dismiss you because |
couldn't let my wife work." he whis- |
pered. Wont that do for a good ex- |
1912, by Associated |
Literary Press.0