Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-10-10
THE
SCHOOLMA' ANS ;
= WAY p
1t All Ended Happily
BY CLARISSA MACKIE

The trail to Red Spider postofIice was
dusty streak of white twisting
through the purple sagebrush.
Tony Golf and Bert Reid yanked
their horses aside as the schoolma'am
came flying up the trail on her little
black pony.
"There amt fire nowheres" called
Tony loosely as she swept past them.
mo-" she laughed. "Pm just out for
a breath of fresh air."
"Jest like a woman to go tearing
around losing her breath SOS to get a
fresh BREATH" unused Tony as they
watched her graceful, receding form.
"Yes," agreed Bert.
Tony looked ut him narrowly.
"You and Miss Nan Laren amt so
chummy as you was" he said bluntly.
Not so you'd notice It," growled
Bert.
80 she handed you yours, Ell? Jest
as sweetly as she handed me mine and
Mason Pepper his. Well, when l get
to housekeeping I'm not going to put
out sign beware of the Dog My
signs going to read, Beware Of the
Schoolma'ams!
"We're going to have rain" remark
ed Bert.
"You can change subject most dell
cately, Bert. Speaking of schoolma'ams
makes me weep; weeping makes me
think of tears; tears are like rain;
hence and therefore 1t looks like rainI"
Tony threw back his head and laughed
mirthfully, and Bert Joined him with a
rueful glance.
"She wouldn't even let me ask her."
he conflded suddenly. "She seems mad
about something"
"Mebbe she just can't stand seeing
you around, on general principles"
chuckled Tony, with glance at Bert's
handsome, moody countenance.
"That sounds likely. Well, you fell
lows can count me out of the game.
There's Dan Cox. I've got to see him
a minute, Tony" Bert dashed ahead
to intercept tho postmaster at Red
Spider, while Tony Goff pulled his
horse to n standstill and unused thought
fully.
Suddenly he wheeled the animal
about and dashed back along the trail
in pursuit Of Nan Laren.
He was surprised to find that young
lady sitting shoulder high in the purple
sage, looking mournfully at the setting
sun.
The schoolma'am turned around, and
Tony saw n look Of bitter dlsappoint-
ment sweep her fair face.
"Oh, it's you, Mr.. Goff," she said In
a constrained tone.
"It's only me-" admitted Tony In a
thrilling tone. Somehow nobody ever
wants me. Now, IL It had been Bert
Reid The pause was eloquent.
~ hate him" said Nan Laren coolly
Tony smiled wisely. "She's sure
gone on him." he told himself.
"IIe certainly is no account" he
agreed cheerfully.
what do you mean2' she asked
quickly.
ooh, | mean he's just the kind OF a
man any one would naturally hate He
amt got winning way with him"
Nan was silent Again she turned to
the sunset. Tony GoT winISed at his
pony.
well, | must be humping along IL
I'm going to the dance Mt Red Spider
don't reckon Wen sec you there, Miss
Nan"
Hardly" returned Nan coolly.
'T'm sorry. expect there's plenty
others will miss you. too" said Tony
regretfuly.
"Pm tired Of dancing" yawned Nan
with n successful air of boredom. ~
had planned to ride over to the Water
Drop tonight and see II couldn't get
photograph Of It by moonlight"
"Over TO the Water Drop alone2"
shrieked Tony, surprised.
Certainly. Pm not afraid"
miss Laren, please don't go, or If
you insist upon going let me go along.
I'll keep In the background. but you
hadn't ought TO go alone"
Nan arose to her graceful height and
shook back her sunny hair.
"Thank you 80 much. Mr.. Goff." she
said sweetly, but I'm not In the least
afraid. In fact, prefer to be alone"
"Ouchp WINGED Tony, turning his
pony's head toward home
Don't mind my being hateful" she
said with sudden quaver In her voice.
II don't mind. Pm used to being
trod upon. That's what worms are
for" grinned the volatile Tony, wav-
Ing his hat in farewell.
"Pm sorry" her voice hoated re-
gretfulIy after him, and when after a
little he turned and looked at her her
face was buried In the soft black
name Of her surprised pony.
Gosh, do believe they've quarrel.
cd unused Tony as he went pounding
homeward.
After supper he found Bert Reid
making his toilet upstairs I'm the room
they shared together. As Bert knotted
crimson silk scarf under the soft
collar Of his white silk shirt Tony
splashed noisily IN the basin in the
corner
"You all know | was lightly smitten
IA 4. n