Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-05-19

the word as II Il were too largo for
her. and holding up tho book with a
slender finger placed upon certain
italicized words.
LET mo SEQ t." 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 80. how
could he have found the place?
Fran, with uplifted eyes, spoke in
the plaintive accents Of q dveyear.old
child: Fright 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 UNDECIDED.
Never before had Abbott had 60
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 sorbs, 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-
ton was in danger because Of her?
Suddenly her hair fell slantwise past
the corners of her eyes. making
triangle Of smooth white skin to the
roots Of the hair, and it seemed good,
just because it was Fran's way and
not after 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
tacles, that he might look old.
Abbott volunteered. This is Mr..
Clinton, President Of the Board"
II know" said Fran, staring at her
pencil and paper, 'he's at the head
of the show, and watches when the
wild animals are tanned"
Clinton drew forth a newspaper, and
opened it deliberately.
Fran scrubbed 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.
ooh, I don't know what it is" said
Fran with humility; "the name Of it's
Religion"
III were you." Clinton returned,
flushing, I'D be ashamed to refer to
the night you d!sgraced 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 81 don't like
abe and def" she observed with
more energy than she had hitherto dis
played. They're equal to each other,
but don't know why, and don't care,
because 1t doesn't seem to matter.
Nothing interests me unless it has
something to do with living. These
angles and lines are nothing to me;
what l. care for Is this time I'm vast
ing, sitting in stuffy old room, while
the good big world is enjoying itself
up impetuously.
"Sit down." Abbott commanded.
"Fran!" exclaimed Robert Clinton.
stamping his foot, "sit down."
Fran sank back upon the bench.
II suspect" said Abbott mildly,
that they have put you in classes too
far advanced. We must try you in
another room"
But l don't want to be tried in
rooms" Fran explained, Il 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 confiden-
tial tone. II agreed to attend because
imagined school ought to have some
connection with life-something in it
mixed up with love and friendship and
justice and mercy. Wasn't l silly! I
even believed-just fancy!-that you
might really teach me something about
religion But, no! it's all books, moth
ing but books"
Fran" Abbott reasoned, "if we put
you in a room where you can under.
stand the things we try to teach, it
we make you thorough"
81 don't want to be thorough" she
explained, II want to be happy.
guess all that schools we're meant to
do is to teach folks what's in books,
and how to stand in straight line.
The children in Glass A, or Glass B
have their minds sheared and pruned
to look alike; but don't want my
brain after anybody's pattern"
you'll regret this. Miss" declared
Clinton, in a threatening tone. you
sit down. Do you want the name OF
being expelled?"
Il don't care very much about the
names Of things" said Fran coolly;
there are lots Of respectable names
that hide wlckedness." Her tone
chaneed: But yonder's another wild
animal for you to train; did you come
to see him beaten?" She darted to the
corner, and seated herself beside
Jakey.
Say, now" Bob demonstrated, pull
ing his mustache deprecatingly. "ev-
erybody knows 1 wouldn't see dog
hurt If 1t could be helped. I'm Jakey's
friend, and I'd be yours, Fran-hon-
estly-if could. But how's a school
to be run without authority? You
amt reasonable. All we want of you
is to be biddable." 4
And you'll" cried Fran to Abbott,
beginning to give way to high pres
sure, Il thought you were school.
teacher, not Just, but also-a some 4
thing very nice. also a teacher. But
not you. Teachers all you are, just