The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-10-31


Nav, amt sorry" returned Jakey,
hands in pockets. Then bethinking
himself-"But l amt done nothin'."
Abbott said regretfully, He'll have
to be whipped"
Clinton nodded, and sat down sol
emily, 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 max
ing me work out this original propo-
sition"-showing the book-"and you
are to keep me here till l get it."
Abbott asked sternly, Did Miss
Bull send me this ,message?"
"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 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 if it were too large for
her, and holding up the book with
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 fiye-year"old
o child: Right there. sir it's
l. awful hard"
/ Robert Clinton cleared his throa'
l. and produced sound bursting with
i accumulated his and r's--his warning
i passed unheeded.
J. Never before had Abbott had 81
r. much of Fran. The capillaries of hi
n skin, as her hand quivered warml!
o against his, seemed drawing her in
and as she escaped from her splendid
n black orbs, she entered his brain b,
"a the avenue of his own thirsty eyes
8 What was the use to tell himself tina
u she was commonplace, that his pos
H. ton was in danger because of her
a Suddenly her hair fell slantwise pas
10 the corners of her eyes, making
ID triangle of smooth white skin to tn
u roots of the hair, and it seemed goot
ut lust because it was Fran's way an
II not after a machine-turned fashion
at Fran was done by hand, there was n
al doubt of that.
II "Sit there" Abbott said. gravel
re pointing. She obeyed without wor
OF leaving the geometry as hostage In tn
es teachers hand. When seated at a di
nt Greet distance, she looked over at Be
sst Clinton. He hastily drew on his spe
ny tacles. that he might look old.
he Abbott volunteered, "This is M
es Clinton. President of the Board"
81 know" said Fran, staring at h
oo pencil and paper, hes at the he's
Of the show, and watches when tt
n wild animals are tanned"
H Clinton drew forth newspaper, al
Il opened it deliberately.
i Fran scrubbed for some time, tn
Il looked over at him again. Did y
j get ito" she asked, with mild intere
"Did ! get-what" he returned. wi
puzzled frown.
"oh | don't know what 1t is" So
Fran with humility; "the name OF
y Religion"
= Gf | were you," Clinton return'
[ flushing, 'I'd be ashamed to refer
4 the night you disgraced yourself
!, laughing in the tent"
II Fran Abbott interposed severe
III ATTEND 10 yOut Woih
II Fran bent her head over the oe
= but was not long silent. Il don't i
" abe and def" she observed W
N more energy than she had hitherto
y nlayed. "They're equal to each otn
NJ hut don't know why. and don't ca
because it doesn't seem to mat'
Nothing interests me unless II
WIN something to do with living. In
angles. and lines are nothing TO
Z what I care for is this time I'm vi
ing. sitting in a stuffy old room WI
rove the good big world Is enjoying III
atom lust outside the window" She star
te- up impetuously.
"Sit down. Abbott commanded.
no. .Fran!" exclaimed Robert Clint
med stamping his foot, sit down.
Fran sank back upon the bench.
r,ed Il suspect" said Abbott NIL
,ned that they have put you in classes
taEe far advanced. We must try you
are another room"
"But / don't want to be tried
q do. rooms Fran explained. i want e
81 q