The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-06-14

Il
windows. At the school examina'
lions they had led the other township
schools, and before her days. Flaxy
Bend district had been a problem IL
education.
Yes" said Russell. with almost Q
sigh. 4 came 10 say good-by."
She waited a minute. chin raised
eyes questioning.
Where did you tell me your home
was, Miss Phillips?" he asked. lean
ing over the top OF the tall desk. ant
lingering a pink rose that was nearesl
10 him.
Vermont It's only a little bit Of &
place where the trains stop II they
are tagged. We call It Phillips
Crossing"
4 suppose you'll be glad to ge
home"
mot so very" She spoke reluc
family. with a little uplift Of hei
shoulders You see. | have a step
father. and | am the only child from
the first marriage. and there are sever
little ones now besides. They don't
miss me a bit. unless it's a goot
| miss"
why did you come way down her,
in the country"
Because / was in a hurry to 90 tt
work. The city schools won't take
you unless you've been through Nor
NAL. you know. / like II out here
The work was hard, but the victory
was so much greater. and I do thinl
the children love me"
Russell caught the little wistfu
touchSin her voice.
The old folks are peculiar, aren1
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" be
added. and wondered why his owr
pulses were racing suddenly. like
brooks in April
But what? Please-please tell
me?" she pleaded, drawing back. but
not removing the rose. What dc
they say?"
They say you're a 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 itf
Now, truly. could /, Mr.. Russelli
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 cloak. Of all
things. Boys are always boys, and
they get over it so quickly. was
just as nice to them as l could be-"
81 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. %
didn't want to go back home at all
l 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 but heI /
tender lips and dark eyes and low
contralto voice for weeks past. He |
knew why he had saved every scraI
of writing she had ever sent him
and why he carried in an inner pock
ct little tan suede glove he had
found beside her chair after a board
one day. oh. yes, he knew
now, and he imprisoned both heI
hands in his and raised them to his
ips.
Rose" he said. "Stop crying
we brought you another heart
lear"
She stopped sobbing, but did moi
'aise her head.
II haven't any one in the world
myself came up here from New
FORK and got along well. There's
enough saved in the bank to buy us
good home in the fall. 1 think ]
.ould make you happy. Rose, If may
lave you. dear"
what would you tel the deaconI
wife and-and--all the rest?" she
sked family.
THAT had to dismiss you because
couldn't let my wife work." he
Wont that do for
ood excuse?"
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