New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-17

outbreak Of measles in Dayton, since they mad 70
close the schools, and she knows you i've
there"
But doesn't il seem a very exaggerated way
suggested Margaret. "to talk about measles
Watt" begged Aunt Clara After she said
that she said something even queerer, and then
put her handkerchief to her eyes and hurried
away"
Penrod laid down his spoon again and moved
his chair slightly back from the table. spirit o.
prophecy was upon him. he knew that some one
was going to ask a question which he felt might
better remain unspoken.
What rCqs the other thing she ssid?" Mr.
Schofeld inquired. thus Immediately fulfilling his
sons premonition.
"She said" returned Mrs. Fairy slowly. looking
about the table, she said. 4 know that Penrod
is great. great comfort 10 you'"
There was general exclamation % surprise.
It was a singular thing. and in manner may !,
be considered complimentary TO Penrod that
this speech of Miss Spences should have imms-
diately confirmed Mrs. Farry's doubts about her
in the minds Of AL mis- family
Mr.. Schoefed shook his head pityirgly.
"Tm afraid she's goner," he went 80 far a.
to say
"Of all the weird ideas"
q never heard anything like IL In ny hfe!"
Nrs. Schofeld exclaimed. "Was that all she ssid,'
Every word"
Penrod again resumed attention 70 his soup.
His mother looked at him curiousy, and then,
struck by a sudden thought, gathered the glsnees
Of the adults OF the table by a significant move
ment OF the head and, by another, conveyed
sdmonition to drop the subject until later. Miss
Spence was Penrod's teacher: il was better for
many reasons not to discuss the subject OF her
queerness before him. This was Mrs. Schoheld's
thought at the time. Later she had another and
IT kept her awake.
The next afternoon Mr. Schofeld. returning A.
; o'clock from the OF the day, found the
house deserted and sat down to read his evening
paper in what appeared to be an uninhabi.-A
apartment known to its own world as the "drsw.
ing room sneeze. unexpected both % slr,
and the owner informed him Of the presence .,
another person.
Where are you, Penrod?' the parent asked.
looking about.
Here said Penrod meekly
STOPPING, Mr. schofeld discovered his son
squatting under the piano near an open window
his wistful Duke lying beside him.
What you doing there"
Me-"
why under the piano."
well" the boy returned, vith grave sweetness,
Il was just kind Of sitting here-thinkipS-
All right Mr.. Scho6eld rather touched re
turned to the digestion of a murder. his back
once more to the piano; and Penrod silently drew
from beneath his jacket where he had slipped IL
simultaneously with the sneeze) paper-backed
volume entitled: "Slimsy, the Sioux City
Squealer, or, Not Guilty, Your Honor"
In this manner the reading club continued In
peace, absorbed contented, the world we'll forgot
until sudden, violently irritsted slam bang OF
the front door startled the members and Mrs
Schohed burst into the room and threw herself
into a chair, moaning
What's the matter, mammal" asked her hus-
band, laying aside his paper
Henry Passloe Schofeld' returned the LADY.
u don't know what is to be done with that boy:
do mott"
"You mean Penrod?'
"Who else could ! mean" She sat up, exas-
perated, to stare at him. Henry Passloe Scho-
field, you've got to take this matter in your hands
its beyond me-"
We'll what has he'
Last night I got to thinking" she began rap
idly, about what Clara told us-thank heaven
she and Margaret and little Clara have gone to
tea at Cousin Charlotte's!-but they'll be home
soon-about what she said about Miss
SPENCE
you mean about Penrod's being a comfort?"
"Yes, and I kept thinking aud thinking and
thinking about it till I couldn't stand it any
by George" shouted Mr.. Schofeld startlingly
STOPPING 10 look under the piano A statement
that he had suddenly remembered his sons pres
would be lacking in accuracy, for the highly
sensitized Penrod was in fact, no longer present.
No more Duke, his faithful dog
whats the natter
Nothing" he returned, striding to the open
window and looking out go on"
"Oh," she mosned, "it must be kept from Clara
and I'll never hold up my head again II John
FAIRY hears of it,"
Hears Of what?'
well just couldn't stand il, got so curious:
and thought of course if Miss Spence had be
come a little unbalanced il was my duty TO know
it. as Penrod's mother and she his teacher so I
thought | would just call on her at her apart
ment after school and have a chat and see-and
/ did and-oh'---
We'll"
1--WE just come from there. and she told me
she told me, Oh, I've never known anything like
this"
What did she tell you"
Mrs. Schofeld, making a great effort, managed
to assume a temporary appearance Of calm.
Henry" she said solemnly, bear this in mind:
whatever you do to Penrod, it must be done in
place when Clara won't hear IT, But the
first thing TO do is 10 find him"
Within view Of the window from which Mr.
Sthoh,ld was gazing was the closed door Of the
s.oreroom in the stable and just outside this
door Duke performing a most engaging trick.
His young master had taught Duke TO sit up