Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1917-08-30

AL F1ng up, tnat all.
yagreed heartily when he sa'
5he figure get off the Providenc
in and come toward him. Whit,
iced she was, with big blue eyes, an
he knew by the way she got into tn
/carriage she was still weak and shak,
Through the long summer days sh
lay out under the naples in the han
mock getting stronger slowly. Mis-
Calder would sit near in one of tn
rustic rockers, reading or sewing, sins
ing softly to herself, and ready with
smile when Myrtis wakened.
I'm 80 useless, Aunt Polly" sh
said one day. I'm no more good t,
you than weed"
Some weeds have turned out heal
ing herbs, dearie," answered Aunt Pol
iy happily. II just dread to think O
going away" she said to Miss Calde
one day in early August. The latte
looked at her over the tops of he
glasses.
well, l shouldn't If was you, Myr
It's" she responded, pleasantly. "Why
don't you take the school examination
over here at the crossroads and teach
there. It's twelve a week, and you
could board here If you liked"
DO you think I'd pass?" she asked
eagerly.
OF course you would, child.
taught there myself years ago when
out here to teach. I'll write to the
school board tomorrow, and you bet
ter let me drive you over there and
face 1t. I'll coach you up on It,"
Ben said nothing when he heard OF
the plan, but he smiled across the
table at Myrtis, and she colored deli.
cately.
when the weather's rough this win.
ter Ben can drive over with you," said
Aunt Polly happily, so busy serving
dinner she never noticed what was
happening right under her nose. Like
enough you won't be bit lonesome
out -IeFe Would you rather go back to
Esther and do library work."
"Oh, I'd much rather be here with
you," Myrtis exclaimed. Its home
now"
We'll, Just stay, then, child. We love
to have you. Don't we, Benz"
Certainly do" said Ben. Seems as
II you belonged here now. Aunt Polly
took me when l was a little shaver
after my folks died and brought me
up, and I know how l love the place."
The letter came the following week
notifying the new teacher of her ap-
pointment, and Aunt Polly was, If
anything, more enthusiastic than
Myrtis herself. She went about the
house singing, and Myrtis stole down
to the walk by the brook in the pine
glen just to think how wonderful life
had turned out for her. 1t was so good
Just to be wanted and loved after one
had been a waif on the waves of
chance and circumstance.
The hemlock branches cracked on
the slope above where she sat. Ben
called hello to her.
Have you seen the black calf any.
where?"
Not down here"
I've been hunting It for an hour"
he declared without a qualm. He
swung down the slope and landed on
the rocks Just below her. Don't you
love this place? / used to come here
when ! was a little fellow and listen
to the water as 1t broke over the rocks.
I'm glad you're going to stay"
IT'S dear Of Aunt Polly to let me.
It's all her doing. She Just shows you
the right way to go somehow and
makes 1t seem easy. l was afraid to
face the winter alone"
you wouldn't have had to-" Ben
blurted out. Il wasn't going to let
you 90 away" He stopped and looked
up at her as she sat on the bank, ferns
and pine needles around her. I'D have
told you right straight OFF. Now, / sup
pose I ought to wait till spring"
Myrtis was silent. Her chin leaning
on her hand, she looked down at the
brook, afraid to meet the big boys
eyes.
ITS natural for you to stay here"
he went on. "The place will be mine
Some day, and Aunt Polly loves you.
You can teach this winter IL you want
to, but the minute you get tired, Myr-
It's, want you to quit, and I've got
mothers wedding ring she gave me
when she died, and told me some day
It would be for the girl l loved best.
Myrtis, can't you say anything at all
to mel"
She met his eyes with tear.flled
ones, and held out her hands to him,
whispering: I'm so glad,' Ben"