The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-06-05

eyes QuestIohiu6'
"Where did you tell me your home
was. Miss Phillips" he asked. lean
ing over the top OF the tai. desk. and
lingering a pink rose that was nearest
to him.
Vermont. It's only little bit OF o
place where the trains stop II they
! are tagged. We call 1t Phillips
Crossing"
Il suppose you'll be glad to get
home"
Not so very" She spoke reluc
family, with a little uplift OF hei
shoulders. you see. have a step
father. and l am the only child from
the first marriage, and there are seven
little ones now besides. They don't
miss me a bit. unless it's good
miss"
"Why did you come way down here
in the country"
because was in a hurry to go to
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 little wistful
touch in her voice.
1.-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.
1T looks much better there" he
added, and wondered why his own
pulses were racing suddenly. like
brooks in April.
"But what? Please-please tell
me-" she pleaded. drawing back. but
not removing 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 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 I. 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 cloak. Of all
things. Boys are always boys. and
they get over 1t SO quickly. was
just as nice to them as I could be-"
II am not blaming you-nor them
sadl Russell a bit unsteadily. "Only
I agree with the deacon's wife that
you are a very dangerous and dis
turbing influence to have around
these peaceful parts"
The tears ellstened In her eyes
ooh. you don't really mean that
she said pleadingly. "Are you try
ing to tell me I cannot teach here
again."
| Russell stared awkwardly down al
her head, as she leaned it on folded
arms. and her shoulders shook with
sobs.
1--WE tried so hard. and the children
all love me-" she said brokenly. y
didn't want to go back home at all
| was going to board here all sum
mer, and rest"
Then suddenly It dawned on Nei
Russell why he had driven ten miles
that afternoon to make all fit ant
due explanations to the teacher In
stead Of writing He knew just VIII.
he had thought Of nothing but he
tender lips and dark eyes and lov
contraltO voice for weeks past. III
knew why he had saved every scra
OF writing she had ever sent him
and why he carried in an inner poch
ct little tan suede glove he ha
( found beside her chair after a boar
I. meeting one day. oh, yes. he kneN
!. now. and he imprisoned both he
g hands In his and raised them to hi
y lips.
!. Rose" he said. stop cryinl
o I've brought you another hear
3 dear"
|. She stopped sobbing. but did nc
t raise her head.
4. Il haven't any one In the worl
IS myself. I came up here from Ne'
York and got along well. There