Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1912-08-15


Sigh. 4 came % hAy Bo0d-by.
she waited = minute. chin rsieae,
eyes Qusstioning.
~whsre ala you tell me your home
was. Miss PhiIiipsf' be asked, lean
ing over the top Of the tan desk, and
lingering pink rose that was neareft
20 him.
Vermont. It's only q little BIT Of >
place where the trains stop II they
are Tagged. We caii Il Phailip@
Crossing" ~
Z suppose yOu1i be Glad % sss
home"
.'NOt so very" She spoke reluo-
family, with q little uplift OF her
shoulders. ''You see. have . step
father, and I 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 COCA
miss. =
why did you come way down her
In the country"
because was IN hurry 70 go 20
work. The city schools won't take
you unless you've been through Nor
NAL, you know. I 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 Httls wistful
touch in her voice.
"The old folks are peculiar, aren't
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. S
at looks much better there" he
added. and wondered why his own
pulses we're racing suddenly, like
brooks in April.
"But what? Please--please tell
me?' she pleaded, drawing back. huth
not removing the rose. what do
they say?"
"They say you're 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 /, 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 it SO quickly. Il was
just as nice to them as 1 could be-
Il am not blaming you-nor them,
sadi Russell q bit unsteadily only
| agree with the deacon's wife that
You are q very dangerous and dis
turbing influence to have aroun0
these peaceful parts"
The tears elistened in her eyes.
"Oh. you don't really mean that
she said pleadingly, "Are you uy-
ing to tell me cannot teach here
again?" y.
Russell stared awkWardly down e.
her head, as she leaned It ON folded
arms, and her shoulders shook Win
sobs.
1--WE tried so hard, and the children
all love me-" she said brokenly. ~
didn't want to go back home at al.
/ was going 10 board here all sum
mer, and rest
Then suddenly it dawned on Nell
Russell why he had driven ten miles
that afternoon to make all fit and
due explanations to the teacher m
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 nim'
and why he carried in an inner peck
ct little tan suede glove he had
found beside her chair after 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 near
dear"
she stopped sobbing. but did not
raise her head.
II haven't any one in the world
myself. I came up here from New
York and got along well. There's
enough saved in the bank to buy Us
good home in the fall. / think
could make you happy, Rose. II I may
wear you, dear"
'rWhat 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" 30
whispered. Wont that do tor .