The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1912-04-12

| pace Oh your Cledu uttl0 "u1to uesaI ".
Will you all remember"
They all chorused that they would
always, always remember! They
loved the little teacher. Then shs be-
gan again.
I'VE have five minutes left Any
child that wishes to may ask NE a
question" She paused. In a twink
ling Patsy Dugan's hand was wrig.
Cling high in air
well, Patsy, chat is it," The lad
rose, eager. 1rish. tnquisitive to his
backbone. On the breast of his
ragged coat he wore little Ratchet.
an artificial cherry ilched from his
sisters best hat. AMI Two flags-the
Stars and St:ipes-.nd another tiny
flag green as grass: This was his
question:
please, Miss D<fothy. did youse
ever tell a lie you1self?" The chill
dren turned to look at him In sorrow
and anger at such a question. The
mothers Uttered. Hhe fat old direc-
tor tried to keep ais face straight.
Keith gazed straight at Dorothy. who
seemed not to see him. She had al
ways been almost painfully truthful
That was one reIson why he had
simply turned ABOUT and walked
away when she DECLARED that she cid
not love him. He waited now for her
answer. If she ever had lied she was
too truthful to deny it! She smiled
a queer little smile
Don't look at Patsy, children. He
] didn't mean to be rude. l am glad he
asked me. will answer what he
asks. so you will be even more care
full to tell the truth hereafter"
Every bright eye was strained with
interest. The teacher paused mo-
ment, queer, serious look on her
face.
y did tell lie once" The words
came slowly. II have been sorry
ever since 1t made me unhappy and
it made dear friend unhappy. 1t has
caused lot Of trouble, that miserable
little lie. l have been ashamed ever
since. That is why I always tell the
truth now. I want you to remember"
At sight CT tho sorrowful little faces
Dorothy called back her smile. Now
she said, I'VE can all go home. 60
quietly! Ready! Rise! Pass!"
With stamping of feet, tossing Of
curls, childish twisting and pushing.
she finally cot them all out Of the
room. Keith was in his place at the
back Of the room watching her. He
saw her tall little to the director,
whe went out. Then she came down
to talk with the mothers. clucking
about her like a group of hens. each
anxious about and proud Of her own
chickens. Finally the mothers left.
| He was alone with her. She could no
longer 'gnore him, so she gave him
a hefvou. glance. He strobe up in
| front of htr desk, his face serious.
! Dorothy Meredith tried to put out
her hand and smile as i; she greeted
a mere old acquaintance, but some
thing In the young mans eyes and
the truthfulness OF her own nature
forbade her. He did not even seem
to see the little hand half put out to
him. as quickly withdrawn.
Dorothy" Keith said quietly.
leaning toward her ever the desk.
did you tell me-the truth a year
ago today? Did you?" She was ST.
lent a moment, her eyes raised brave
ly to meet his. TELL mel" he per-
sisted. "You owe me and yourself tho
exact truth"
mo, Keith. told you lie!" Her
voice did not falter, and with step
he was around the desk, by her side.
She put away his arms that reached
for her. and rose to face him!
Don't! Listen a moment" But he
would neither wait nor listen.
He held her to him a moment. and
the misery OF the past year faded
into nothingness. Joy lived once
more. Finally he let her 60.
Why" he asked, did you say you
didn't love me? How could you say
it," She was putting on her hat. and
while he held her coat she answered
him.
came in and found you waiting. and
you simply-rushed at me and-asked
me to marry you? Well, had just
ridden in the car behind you fathers
partner Mr.. Stevens. He said some
thing that nearly killed me. 1t hurt
my foolish pride so. He was talking
to a man I didn't know. 1t was only
word or two. He said:
"'Parsons and l are great friends
Fine fellow-Parsons! Young Keith
Parsons has the makings of q big
business man. too. Only trouble is
that he is. am told. infatuated with
an obscure little school teacher. OF
course he may not marry her.
Then he left the car. was blind
with anger and pride. Just fresh
from the hurt-I found you waiting
and"
Keith stopped to touch her cheek