The Rice belt journal., 1913-09-12
be wandering about the world, all by
yourself!"

VIZ lA' WA' WbiI
be wandering about the world, all by
yourself!"
She was grateful for his raillery. {
How young do you think?" {
Let me see. Hum! You are only {
about" She laughed mirthfully at {
his air Of preposterous wisdom.
About thirteen--fourteen, yes, you {
are more than f-i-ifteen. more than
. But take Off that enormous hat,
little Nonpareil. There's no use guess
ing in the dark when the moons
shining"
Fran was gleeful "All right" she
cried in one of her childish tones.
shrill, fresh, vibratory with the mu-
sic Of innocence.
BY this time they had reached the
foot-bridge that spanned the deep ra-
vine. Here the wagon-road made it's
crossing of tiny stream, by slipping
, under the foot-bridge, some fifteen |
: feet below. On the left lay struggling
, Littleburg with its four or five hun
dred houses, family twinkling, and be-
4 yond the meadows on the right, a
: fringe of woods started up as II it did
; not belong there, but had come to be
t seen, while above the woods swung
S the big moon with Fran on the foot
y bridge to shine for.
r Frans hat dangled idly in her hand
s as she drew herself with backward
e movement upon the railing. The moon
n light was full upon her face; 80 was
e the young mans gaze. One OF her
It feet found, after leisurely exploration,
n a devastating board upon the edge
of which she pressed her heel for sup
e port. The other foot swayed to and
fro above the flooring, while a little
d, hand on either side of her gripped the
top rail.
d, Here l am" she said, shaking back
to rebellious hair.
as Abbott Ashton studied her with
ne grave deliberation-it is doubtful II he
,r- had ever before SO thoroughly en-
rs joyed his duties as usher. He pro-
nounced judicially, "You are older
w than you look"
"Yes," Fran explained, "my expe
do rience accounts for that. I've hat
We lots"
he Abbott's lingering here beneath thu
e's moon when he should have been hur
ms rying back to the tent, showed how
unequally the good things of life-ex
1t perience, for instance-are divided
'You are sixteen" he hazarded, con
to scious of strange exhtlaration.
les Fran lodged the issue behind
1t smile-"And don't think you are
list awfully old"
60 Abbott was brought to himself wit
o." a Jolt that threw him hard upon sci
but consciousness. 81 am superintendent
No of the public school" The very soun
by of the words rang as a warning. an
ked he became preternaturally solemn.
at "Goodness!" cried Fran, conside
the ing his grave mouth and thought
eyes. "does it hurt that bad?"
I'd, Abbott smiled. All the same, II
dol nosition of superintendent must M
hat he bartered away for the transitol
measures of boot-bridge. I'VE hs
she better hurry, if you please" ne sa
II d graVely.
ran. az am so afraid of you,' murmur'
Fran 'But know the meeting W
Alb last long time yet. I'd hate to ha
to wait long at Mr.. Gregory's wi
npa- that disagreeable lady who isn't MI
Gregory"
Abbott was startled. Why did s
: thus designate Mr.. Gregory's sec
. tary? He looked keenly at Fran,
= she only said plaintiyely:
= "Can't we stay here?"
He was disturbed and perplexed.
was as If a fitting shadow from sol
W uniformed cloud of thought-mlst .
. fallen upon the everyday world out
R his subconsciousness. Why dio I
stranger speak of Miss Grace Nolr
the "lady who isn't Mrs. Gregor!
~ The young man at times haa eau,
s himself thinking of her in just I
WI way.
I'LL School superintendents DO not en-
" being mystified. Really" Aooott
M clared abruptly, Il must go oack
y the meeting
Fran had heard enough ABOUT
leaving her. She decided to stop
once and for all. "If you go o'
\ I go. tool" she said conclusiyeiy.
\ gave him look to show that
meant it, then became all humihey
Hurt please don't be cross with !,
Nonpareil,p she coaxed Please q
- .,o want to go back to that meet
:, ,t.,a sne Please don't want to leave me-
,atoa. are so learned and old and 80 stroi
'A'eu' You don't care why little
,bbott laughs"
N Fran tilted her head sideWlse'
.,on the glance of her eyes proved IRE
,onna ~ Iible "But tell me about Mr. &
tvne. ory," she pleaded, "and don't mlnc
,ss s,se. ways. Ever since mother died
nos @ 10 found nothing in this world but