Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-30
ARTICLES AND FASHIONABLE FAN WOMAN AND THE HOUSEHOLD
The Duily Story
Miranda's Whims

| ~ Wdb dlleTHOOn on one OF Ine lHEl
few hot days OF summer Through the
open windows came gimpses of green.
wood. bespeaking delicious coolness, and
| the ripple Of brooks. but in the school
room the air was undoniably close. The
scratch of pencil, the shuffling of i'm.
patient little feet, the drone OF lazy bee,
all seemed to intensity the impression of
heat and the young schoolmaster stirred
] restlessly.
1t had meant great deal to Peter
Raymond, securing the village school at
Wlmberly. But he had not found his task
an easy one. His eyes, wandering over
the rows of bent heads before him, en-
| countered the glance Of girl seated near
the door. The girl. one of the older schol-
! ars, with a toss of her curls, returned
to her book, and the trouble in the school,
masters face deepened. Here was the
crux Of the situation. II he could win Mi
randa Hemmlng to his SIDE, the remainder
of the pupils would follow easily enough
First class In grammar" he said
Miranda, with several other girls, rang
ing from sixteen to eighteen, came slow
ly forward. 1t was rather trying reci-
tation. Most of the girls stumbled
Miranda failed utterly.
You may return to your seats" he
said. Miss Miranda, 1 shall expect you
TO remain after school until that lesson
is recited perfectly"
What! cried the girl Invountarily
she fell back step, hardly believing her
own ears That any one should dare ad-
dress her, Miranda Hemming, in such
fashion. Raymond's expression did not
change.
You heard what | said" he returned
quietly. ut should not take long"
When the others arose, Miranda also
sprang to her feet, then something in
the teachers expression caused her to
sink back in her seat, tingllng and
ebashed. It took an unusually long time
for tho pupils to disperse that day, but
at last they were all gone
You need not think that shall study
that lesson" she declared with sharp
emphasis. Raymond nodded
las you please" he answered. "only
here we both stay until you do"
And I'm not to have any supper?
increduously.
mot until you learn that lesson"
But" burst out Miranda furiously.
Take your own time" he said pleas
antly
'Tm-I'm hungry" she wheedled For
an instant Raymond wavered. This new
sweetness was strange and alluring. But
before he could speak the door was flung
open and Tom Carruthers appeared on
the threshold.
Bent ye coming home to supper,
Mirandy?" he demanded. Yer ma sent
me fer ye," darting a suspicious look ct
her jailer. "Aint ye coming? I'll look out
fer ye."
Why" began Miranda feebly Ray
mond, a sudden unaccountable resent
stIrpipU his haarf frnuy1aH
Miss Miranda is in no need of
champion" he declared stiffy. 'She
can leave when she chooses You may
60" And Tom, after an instants scowl-
ing hesitation, went out, banging the
door. Miranda bit her lip.
1T will never learn that lesson" she
repeated stubbornly
There was another long silence while
the shadows darkened. At last the young
man rose and lit the lamp.
''It Is nearly o'clock" he said briefly.
Miranda, now close upon tears. looked
back, still defiant.
And If I say it you'll let me go?"
Certainly"
"I-I hate your she cried vehemently,
"hate you, hate you! And I'll never, never
come into this horrid schoolroom again!"
1T hate you!' she reiterated stormily
The next moment she had flashed through |
the door and was gone. Raymond, oddly |
depressed in spite of his victory, followed |
slowly.
The world was flooded with the tran
gull glory of the moonlight as he went |
out. A narrow path led to the road where |
a row of naples lifted their leafy |
branches TO the starry skies, and Ray !
mond, fancying that he caught the gleam |
of white dress there under the trees, |
felt his heartbeats quicken. Somehow he |
had been looking forward to walking |
home with the girl. Then as he turned
from locking the door a dark figure
rushed by the corner of the schoolhouse,
there was womans shrill scream. some
thing heavy struck his forehead and Ray
mond fell.
We'll" she said. so I hear you've
been having trouble with Mirandy. Tom
was here in quite state and wanted me