The Tomahawk., 1918-08-08

Things liked pretty much veu aere
this afternoon" .
Maida's little heart almost stopped
beating. Perhaps he was sincere after
all and had no idea of making trouble.
She knew it was not unusual for young
| men; in these backwOOds districts, to
spend few weeks in school when they
were fortunate enough to secure good
teacher. Such course would be ac-
cepted by the community as compli-
mentary to her ability but, what would
she do with a man head and shoulders
taller than herself? She looked ut hir1
sharply. He had a pair of very intelli-
gent black eyes. But she vaguely Won
dered if he were sane. Apparently he
took her silence for consent.
II work over to the MILL" he ex-
planned, land they tell me you're good
at figgers. Now, if could git you ter
help me some with book-keepin' I
could do a good deal better where I
am" and he confessed half shyly, Il
want ter git on in the world"
"When do you wish to begin your
,studies?'
Tomorrow" he answered promptly.
II can git off from two to FOUR
He tipped his hat and swung of
down the road. II wonder" mused
Mazda. where he learned to walk like
that?'
The children seemed to take the
presence of Thatcher Ward in the
schOOlrOOm as a. matter of course.
They felt an added respect for teacls
er who could teach young men and dis
cipline became strangely easy.
Thatcher's English, after weeks of
textbook exercise, Jared Maida's fine
sensitive ear. She finally hit upon
method of awakening him to the fact
without giving him offense..
From that day Thatcher improved
very rapidly. Mazda wondered whether
it was due to her skill or the boys
keen, instinct to learn. He was remark
ably bright and seemed to grasp SO
much in so short time.
Toward the close of school Mazda
visited the mill. She stared awed and
silent at the great logs converted by
successive stakes into the tendrillike
masses of excelsior ready to pack the
daintlest, most fragile china and glass.
Amid the whir of machinery she
heard Thatcher say: "Please come into
the Office. have something I must
say, and it's impossible to talk with
this noise."
Mazda obeyed without a word.
you've done so much for me, Miss
Arlington" he began as soon as they
were seated; "but Ive-I've a confess
.siOn."
Maida started.
1T all began as huge joke and /
haven't played fair. You see," he blurt-
ed out, "I'm in love with a very sweet
girl. I knew something about her from
her brother in Cornell"
Maida's eyes blazed. She looked at
him as though seeing him for the first
time when the truth dawned upon her.
'You're-you're Thatcher Ward Ham,
ilton," she choked with anger. "Jack's
chum and the owner of these mills. I
should never have connected you two"
"Forgive me, Maida," he pleaded.
taking her hand. II had no intention
of deceiving you; but when saw you
that day, a vision in blue, come out to
ring the bell, you drew me as mag
net. You took me so seriously. And
and I wanted some excuse to come
often"
She wrenched her hand free. "And
you played on my sympathies and let
me think you poor, ignorant lumber
man all these weeks. How cOuld-hOw
could you make light of my earnest ef-
forts? I must say you are a good ac'
tor"
You see. dear, I intended to intro.
duce myself as your brothers churD,
but you acted so strange and so Obvi.
ously associated me with my clothes
that on the spur of the moment de-
cided to live up to what you expected
Of me. The part was easy. I had act
ed it several times in theatricals."
'Why, supposed you came to make
trouble" laughed Mazda as the humOr
of the situation struck her.
/ "Well, I guess I made it all right;
but you will forgive ME, won't you,
sweetheart" he asked as he took her.
unresistingly, in his arms.
Mazda had found her pupils-as her
mother prophesied-so interesting that
she forgot all about the dismal sugges-
ton of the name. Swamp Mills had
become New Eden to her.
Hottentot 0eIicacies.
The Kafir may have his corn, the