The state herald., 1913-10-03

Nav, amt sorry" returned JAkey.
hands In pockets. Then bethinking
himself-''But amt done nothih'"
Abbott said regretfully. Hell have
to be whipped"
Clinton nodded. and sat down SOL
emnly. breathing hard. Abbott was
restlessly pacing the floor, and Bob
was staring at him unwinkingly. when
the door opened and In came Fran.
Fran walked up to Abbott hesitat-
ingly. and spoke with the indistinct-
ness Of awed humility. you are 10
punish me-" she explained. "by max
ing me work out this original propo-
sition"-showing the book-"and you
are to keep me here till get It."
Abbott asked sternly, did Miss
Bull send me this messageT
"She Is named that" Fran muir
INJURED. her eyes fastened on the open
page.
! From the yard came the shouts OF
children. breaking the bonds OF learn
ing for wider freedom. Abbott, gaz-
ing severely on this slip of q girl.
found her decidedly commonplace In
appearance. How the moonlight must
have bewitched him! He rejoiced that
Robert Clinton was there to witness
his indifference.
This Is the problem" Fran said,
| with exceeding primness. pronouncing
the word as II It were too large for
her. and holding up the book with a
slender finger placed upon certain
italicized words.
Let me see It," said Abbott, with
professional dryness. He grasped the
book to read the proposition. His
hand was against hers. but she did not
draw away. for had she done 30. how
could he have found the place?
Fran. with uplifted eyes. spoke in
the plaintive accents Of aveycar-old
child: Right there. sir it's
awful hard"
Robert Clinton cleared his throat
and produced a sound bursting with
accumulated his and r's-his warning
passed unheeded.
Never before had Abbott had 30
much Of Fran. The capillaries OF his
skin. as her hand quivered warmly
against his. seemed drawing her In;
and as she escaped from her splendid
black orbs. she entered his brain by
the avenue Of his own thirsty eyes.
What was the use to tell himself that
she was commonplace. that his posi-
tion was In danger because OF herf
Suddenly her hair fell slnntwise past
tho corners Of her eyes. making n
triangle OF smooth white skin to the
roots Of the hair, and II seemed good.
Just because II was Fran's way and
not after a machine-turned fashion:
Fran was done by hand. there was no
doubt OF that
"sit there" Abbott said. gravely
pointing. She obeyed without word.
leaving the geometry as hostage In the
teachers hand. when seated at dis
Greet distance. she looked over at Bob
Clinton. He hastily drew on his spec
tacies. that he might look old.
Abbott volunteered. This is Mr..
Clinton, President OF the Board
Il know" said Fran. staring at her
pencil and paper, he's at the hend
OF the show. and watches when the
wild animals are tanned"
Clinton drew forth newspaper. and
opened II deliberately.
Fran scribblod for some time. then
looked over at him again. did you
get IT." she asked. with mild interest.
Did I get-what7' he returned. with
puzzled frown.
"oh, | don't know what It is." said
Fran with humility: 'the uame OF It's
Religion"
III | were YOU" Clinton returned.
flushing. I'D be ashamed to refer to
the night you dlsgraced yourself by
laughing In the tent"
Fran" Abbott intcrposod severely.
attend to your work"
Fran bent her head over the desk,
but/was not long silent Il don't IKE
abe and def" she observed with
mbre energy than she had hitherto dis.
played. They're equal TO each other.
but don't know why. and don't care.
because Il doesn't scom TO matter.
Nothing interests mo unless II has
romothing to do with living. These
angles and lines are nothing to me;
what care for is this time I'm vast
ing. sitting In n stufy old room. while
, tho good big world ia enjoying itself
inst outaldo the window" She started
: up impotuousiy.
sit down." Abbott commanded
"Frnnl" exclaimed Robert Clinton.
stamping his foot. sit down."
Frnn sank back upon the bench.
Il suspect" said Abbott mildly.
that they have put you In CLASSES too
, far ndynnceA We must try you In
, another room"
"put dost want to be tried In
rooms" Frnn explained. II want TO bc
tried in actv deeds Until ! came
here. ia never been TO school o day
in my lifo." sh. went on in eonndcn-
, ,inI topo. II agreed 10 attend because
| imagined school ought TO have Homo