The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-06-29

tue uDest teacher. the most helpful
friend. the most intellectual woman.
and she strove to be content with rev
erence. honor and adulation--and bel
work. The happy. upward lines ON her
face. the upward curve of her lips. In
dicated content. But sometimes hun
ger for that something more which she
never received beset her. She was hun
CRY and restless now In her sisters
gulet summer home at Cfstro.
Next morning she came down 70
breakfast dressed In white. She liked
10 wear white. Ii sOftened her face,
which she imagined thirty years and
the cares OF teaching were sharpen.
Ing.
"Auntie. you amt a.goin' hshin' this
mornin'" exclaimed her eldest nephew.
his fist plunged into his eye.
mo. my son; she's not going fishing
as you understand the word" inter
posed his father, with a sly laugh
which. to Clyde's disgust. embarrassed
her
She tried to laugh lightly and all the
verely to task because the attempt had
been a failure. If she should act like
a self conscious girl before Stoddard
Parker! In pause she made her boat
fast to bent tree overhanging the
shore and hurried up the path through
the grove to the station.
The whistle OF the express caused
her throat to throb uncomfortably.
i've lost the last grain OF my common
sense" she thought Indignantly as she
paused ut the station door.
Parker stood on the rear platform.
smiling at her before she saw him. AS
he swung himself down and clasped
her hand, In an unwelcome fash her
old thought. abridged. rushed over her
"Here is a man l could love- Four
years Of college Life had swept away
the 'if."
She realized 1t as she looked into his
eyes. His old awkwardness and the
gone. His old earnestness and honesty
looked straight Mt her. and the touch OF
his hand conveyed that subtle. name
less something which had always
drawn her until she had been obliged
to hold herself by that IF"
As they passed through the station
Parker. with a courtly bow. held the
swinging door open for her to pass.
Clyde recalled the day many years ago
when she, with gentle tact, had taught
the big farmer student that lesson In
courtesy. and a sudden sickeniDg real.
ization Of age swept over her as she
stepped out on the path.
AS she led the way to the boat she
talked rapidly. urged on by fright.
ened desire to reassure him that she al
ways regarded herself as his elder
friend and sister. When they reached
the shore she turned and announced
briskly:
Here is our boat. and over there"
pointing. lis my home"
Parker stopped and looked down ut
her with his old. slow smile which re-
vealed an undercurrent of tenderness
that was a strong attribute OF his ma
lture.
suppose we don't go across the
lake." he began persuasively. Its so
pleasant right here under this tree. !
believe that trunk curved itself over
expressly to make seat for you to
rest on now He held out his hard
to assist her.
Ii was odd to hear him suggesting
and directing. AS his teacher that had
always been her prerogatlve. The col
or flushed into her face despite. her eff
forts at perfect self control.
"Yes, it seems made for a mother
confessor." she responded brightly. lay.
ing her palm In his outstretched hand.
AS 1t closed over hers she was shaken
by sudden passionate protest against
their former relative positions of teach
err and student-a passionate desire to
be just a girl again here among the
flowers and sunshine.
Parker sat on the messy bank at the
roots Of the tree and leaned forward.
an elbow on his knee. He laid his hat
beside him and looked at Clyde grave
y. She settled back against the tree
trunk, glad Of an excuse to shield her
eyes from the sun-and him.
Its good to be with you again." he
said simply.
1T brings back old times. does 1t
not" she laughed. when you used to
call me down to the teachers parlor to
confess?"
He smiled and studied Lake Castro
Yes. that's what I'm going to do
now"
Its about time," gayly Gliding. Its
been four years since heard your last
confession. All my other boys have
written me occasionally"
Parker picked up his hat and exam
ined the crown. Yes, we all remember
you, some of us better than others.
judge" after pause, by the reports
from the old institute fellows that you
are surfeited with letters"
"Oh. nor Clydes bright voice belied
her feelings. I'm always glad to hear
from them ALL"
An inscrutable expression passed over
the mans face. You were such
good friend to us ALL" he began and
paused. Impulsively he rose, stepped
down to the narrow beach and leaned
against the trunk of the tree close be-
side her, as though he would break