Putnam patriot., 1913-05-16

liant re1oinder.'
 .Tell the professor you're sorry for what you've done. so you can run along" said the chairman of the board persuasively.
 Nav, ain't sorry" returned Jakey, hands in pockets. Then bethinking himself-"But l ain't 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 to punish me" she explained. "by mak- 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 message?"
 "She is named that" Fran mur- mured, her eyes fastened on the open page.
 From the yard came the shouts of 1 children, breaking the bonds of learn | ing for wider freedom. Abbott, gag l ing severely on this slip of a girl, l found her decidedly commonplace in | appearance. How the moonlight must | have bewitched himi He rejoiced that Robert Clinton was there to witness his indifference.
 'This Is the problem" Fran said, with exceeding primness, pronouncing the word as if 1t 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 so. how could he have found the place? Fran, with uplifted eyes, spoke in the plaintive accents of five-year-old child: Right there. sir it's l awful hard"
 Robert Clinton cleared his throat and produced a sound bursting with accumulated hs and r's--his warning passed unheeded.
 Never before had Abbott had so 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 her? Suddenly her hair fell slantwise past, the corners of her eyes, making a triangle of smooth white skin to the. roots of the hair, and it seemed good. just because it was Trans way and not after a machine-turned fashion; Fran was done by hand, there was no doubt of that.
 "S1t there," Abbott said, gravely pointing. She obeyed without word, leaving the geometry as hostage in the teachers hand. When seated at dis erect distance, she looked over at Bob Clinton. He hastily drew on his spec tacles, that he might look old. Abbott volunteered This is MT. Clinton, President of the Board" q know" said Fran, staring at her pencil and paper, "hes at the head of the show, and watches when the wild animals are tanned" Clinton drew forth newspaper. and opened it deliberately. Fran scribbled for some time, then looked over at him again. Did you get it ?" she asked with mild interest.
 Did get-what?" he returned, with puzzled frown.
 "Oh, I don't know what it is," said Fran with humility; "the name of it's Religion"
 of I were you" Clinton returned, flushing, "I'd be ashamed to refer to the night you disgraced yourself by laughing in the tent"
 Fran" Abbott interposed severely, attend to your work"
 Fran bent her head over the desk, but was not long silent. 'I don't like abe and def" she observed with more energy than she had hitherto dis played. They're equal to each other,I but I don't know why and don't care. because it doesn't seem to matter. Nothing interests me unless 1t has something to do with living. These angles and lines are nothing to me; what I care for is this time I'm vast ing, sitting in stuffy old room, while the good big world is enjoying itself, just outside the window" She started up impetuously.
 "Sit down!" Abbott commanded.
 "Fran!" exclaimed Robert Clinton, stamping his foot, "sit down!"
 Fran sank back upon the bench.
 q suspect" said Abbott mildly, that they have put you in classes too far advanced. We must try you in another room"
 But I don't want to be tried in rooms" Fran explained, q want to be tried in acts-deeds. Until l came here, I'd never been to school day in my life," she went on in contiden- tial tone. 'I agreed to attend because I imagined school ought to have some connection with life-something in it mixed up with love and friendship and justice and mercy. Wasn't silly! even believed-just fancy!-that you might really teach me something about religion. But, no! it's all books. noth-i ing but books"
 Fran" Abbott reasoned, "it we put, you in a room where you can under stand the things we try to teach, if we make you thorough"
 q don't want to be thorough" she explained. q want to be happy. guess all that schools were meant to