Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1913-06-20

week because of disagreement over
the superintendency. There was so
much dissatisfaction over Abbott Ash
ton-because of so much talk"-that
even Robert Clinton had thought it
best to wait. that the young man
might virtually be put upon good be-
havior.
Tonight" the young man repeated
with thrill. He realized how impor-
tant this meeting would prove In shap-
ing his future.
YES" she said warningly. And
Bob is determined to do his duty. He
never went very far in his own educa-
ton because he didn't expect to be
seh0ol-teaeher-but ever since he's
been chairman of the school board,
he's aimed to have the best teachers,
so the children can be taught right;
most of 'em are poor and may want
to teach, too. when they're grown. /
think all the board,ll be for you to-
| night, Abbott. and I've been glad to
notice that for the last month, there's
been less talk. And by the way" she
added, that Fran-girl went by with
Simon Jefferson just now, the two of
them in Brother Gregory's buggy.
They're going to Blubb's Riff1e-he
with his weak heart, and her with that
SLY smile of hers, and it's full three
mile!"
Abbott did not volunteer that he had
seen them pass. but his face showed
the ostensible integrity of a jam-thief,
who for once finds himself innocent
when missing jam is mentioned.
She was not convinced by his look
of guilelessness. You seem to be
! carrying away your books"
81 want to breathe in this June
morning without taking it strained
through window-screens," he ex-
planned.
Miss Sapphire gave something like
a choked cough, and compressed her
lips. Abbott" she said, looking at
him sidewise, please step to the tele-
phone, and call up Bob-he's at the
store. Tell him to leave the clerk in
charge and hitch up and take me for
a little drive. / want some of this
June morning myself"
Abbott obeyed with alacrity. On his
return, Miss Sapphire said, ''Bob's go
ing to fight for you at the board meet
Ing Abbott Well do what we can,
and hope you'll help yourself"
AS Abbott went down the fragrant
street with it's cool hose-refreshed
pavements. its dangerous shadows
ath nd sr,fc II of 4 a
hopeful weeds already peering through
crevices where plank sidewalks main
tanned their worm-eaten right of way,
he was in no dewy-morning mood. He
understood what those wise mods had
meant, and he was In no frame Of
mind for such wisdom. He meant to
go far, far away from the boarding
house, from the environment of
schools and schoolboards. from Little
burg with its atmosphere of ridiculous
gossip.
OF course he could have gone just
as far, If he had not chosen the direc-
ton of Bulbs Riffle-but he had to
take some direction. He halted before
he came in sight of the stream; If
Fran had a mind to fish with Simon
Jefferson, he would not spoil her sport.
He found a comfortable log where
he might study under the gracious
sky. He did not learn mueh--there
seemed a bird in every line.
When he closed his books, scarcely
knowing why, and decided to ramble,
it was with no intention of seeking
Fran. Miss Sapphire might have
guessed what would happen, but in
perfect innocence. the young man
strolled, seeking a grassy by-road. sell
dom used, redolent of brush, tree, vine.
dust-laden weed. 1t was road where
the sun seemed almost a stranger; a
road gone to sleep and dreaming of
the feet of stealthy Indians, of noisy
settlers. and skillful trappers. All
such fretful bits of life had the old
road drained into oblivion, and now it
seemed to call on Abbott to share
their fate. the fate of the forgotten.
But the road lost its mystic mean
ing when Abbott discovered Fran.
Suddenly IL became only a roadway.
it became nothing. 1t seemed that the
sight of Fran always made wreckage
of the world about her.
She was sitting in the Gregory bug
gy, but, most surprising of all. there
was no horse between the shafts-no
horse was to be seen, anywhere. Best
of all, no Simon Jefferson was visible.
Fran in the buggy-that was all. Slow
travelling, indeed, even for this sleepy
old road!
Not in a hurry, are you?"
1--WE arrived" Fran said, in I'M
friendly tone.
Are you tired of fishing, Franz"
YES. and of being fished."
She had closed the door in his face,
but he said-as through the keyhole-
Does that mean for me to go away?"
you are a pretty good friend, Mr..
Ashton" she said with curl of her
lip. 81 mean-when we are alone"
"While we're together. and after
we part" he quoted. Fran, surely
you don't feel toward me the way you
are looking"
Exactly as I'm looking at you. that's
the way ! feel Stand there as long
as you please"
IT don't want to stand a moment
longer. want TO sit with you in the
buggy. Please don't be 500 old"
Fran laughed out musically. but i'm
mediately declared: 81 laughed be-
cause you are unexpected; it doesn't
mean | like you any better. ! hate
friendship that shows itself only in
u.iyate. Mr.. Chameleon. ! like people
20 show their true colors."
81 am not Mr.. Chameleon, and ]
want 10 sit in your buggy"
well. then get in the very farthe1