Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-10
DAILY NOVELETTE,
JACK PLAYS CUPID
BY ETHEL v. HALL

MARIE DAVIS sat at the teachers
4'l desk correcting papers, for it was
the only chance she had during school
hours. It would have been lots more
pleasant to go out and play with the
children, for in a way Marie was rather
a favorite with the scholars, especially
when she would romp with the little
girls or tell stories to the boys. The
various mistakes were the only halts in
the monotonous sums.
The clatter of many children outside
annoyed her, but she stopped her work
to listen to the childish voices coming
in through the open window.
"I wish school was over" said the
first one.
"Well, 7 wish we could have the
afternoon off, anyway" came the sec
ond.
"And I wish teacher would play
games the rest of the morning from a
third.
and" said Marie Davis, 81 wish
Tom Vaughan loved me-" aloud to her
self, but she blushed to the roots OF
her hair as she felt the presence of some
one in the room with her. She turned
in time to see Toms little brother JACK
vanish out of the doorway.
Ten minutes later brought the wish OF
one little girl. I'm going to let you
play games for the rest of the morning
What shall it Beg
"Hurrah for teacher!' cried Jack,
the others joining. ~
Noontime brought another wish true
"There will be no school this afternoon
7 have a lot of work to do, and you
children need the rest. 1t will do you
all more good to 60 out in the WOODS
and pick me some May flowers, than
but she mustn't say anything that
would make them believe that thelr
school wasn't doing them good. May
be if you're all good children, l can
manage a vacation for you next week.
Off went the children, some heading
for the path toward the wood, other.
down the meadow path, worn bare OF
grass by happy little feet, and some
over the dusty country road.
One boy fingered behind. Marie, y
said Jack, using her first name as Marie
was more than just a teacher to him,
II oh Uiyyiny tnaonlp
their wishes and maybe you'll get
yours, too. l heard all those wishes
the same time that you did," said the
boy, pulling himself up to his full four
feet seven inches. Then-''Aw, Marie
come up to dinner with me, an, an
Tom ~
"Oh, Jack, thank you ever so much
dear, but l cant at this time. I've got
lots of papers to correct and other
things to do that I've been neglecting
You run along home and forget school
I'm awfully tired" And Marie looked
it as she passed her thin white hanG
over her dark crcled blue eyes.
lawfully tired,'' murmured Jack as
he slowly made his way out of the
schoolyard.
That afternoon Marie saw two figure
coming into the school, walking hant
in hand, and before she could tninl
Tom walked toward the desk on thu
platform and Jack softly closed the dool
on the two lovers. We don't know how
the two made out, but it must hav,
been all right, as Jack, after looking
through the keyhole, stole out of thu
school with satisfied look on his sun,
tanned face.
The next morning Marie didn't lool
as tired as she had the day before, ant
surprised the class by saying that the,
were to have two weeks vacation ant
new teacher on their return. No on
but Jack understood why.
The latter part of the news the chill
dren didn't like, and wondered if the
would love their new teacher enough t.
pick flowers for, as Marie's desk an
windowsills were covered with Ma
flowers picked by eager little hands t.
please their teacher.
Two months later the little re-
schoolhouse on the hill had a visitor
and as Marie pushed open the door Jac
bounded from his seat straight to he
arms. my new sister, he cried
covering her with kisses.
And the kind teacher, older by hal
than Marie, kissed the happy bride O
Tom Vaughan, just home from thei
honeymoon.
(The next complete Novelette-Tulip