The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-12-23
PRELUDE.


and six little figures stood erect be-
tween their benches.
Right! Turn 20 said the master.
March. School is dismissed - and
six pairs of bare little legs twinkIed
along the aisle, across the weIl-worn
threshold. down the big stone step.
and into the dusty road. warm with
the rays of the Indian summer sun.
The master watched them from the
open window until they vanished be-
hind ridge of beech trees that cut his
vision from the concession. While they
remained within sight a smile played
upon the features of his strong, sun
burned face. but as the last little ca
licO dress was swallowed by the wood
the smile died down, and for mo-
ment he stood, grave and thoughtful
statue framed within the white pine
castings of the sash.
His brown study lasted only a mo-
ment. With quick movement he
walked to the, blackboard, caught up
a section of sheepskin, and began
erasing the symbols of the days in
struetions.
'sWeIl.rI suppose there's reward in
heavens" lie said to himself. as he set
the little schooroom in order. There
isn't much here The farmers will
pay man more TO doctor their SIX
sheep than to teach their children
If others can take the chance can
take it too. If it were not for her 1
would go tomorrow"
The last remark seemed to uniink
a new chain of thought. The gray
eyes lit up again. He welded the
broom briskly for minute. then toss-
ed 1t in corner. fastened the win
dows, slipped little folder into his
pocket, locked the door behind him
and swung in a rapid stride down
by-path leading from the little school
house into the forest.
Ten minutes quick walking in the
woods, now glorious in all their au-
tumn splendor. brought him to- a point
where the sky stood up. pale blue
evasive, through the trees. The next
moment he was at the waters edge,
and liInpid lake stretched away to
where the forests of the farther shore
mingled hazily with sky and wafer.
He glanced about, as though EXPECT
ing someone; he whistled q line of n
popular song. but the only reply was
from a saucy eavesdropper which,
perched on nearby limb, triIled back
its own liquid notes in answer.
Il may as well improve the mo-
ments consulting my chart" he re-
marked to his unduIating image in the
water. This thing of embarking on
two new seas at once calls for skill
fui plotting" He seated himself on a
stone, drew from his pocket the fold
er, and spread map before him.
In few moments he was so en-
crossed that he did not hear the al
most noiseless motion of a canoe as
1t thrust its brown nose into the blue
wedge before him. Kneeiing near its
stern. her paddle held aloft and drip
ping, her brown arms and brovner
hair glistening in the mellow sun. her
face bright with the light of its own
expectancy. was a 1.-THE and beautiful
girl. In an instant her eye located
the young man on the bank, and her
lips nodded as though to speak; but
when she saw how unobserved she was
she remained silent and upright as an
Indian while the canoe slipped gently
toward the shore. Presently it cush-
toned its nose in the velvety sand
She rose silently from her seat. and
stole on mOccasined tip-toes along the
stones until she could have touched
his hair with her fingers. But her
eyes fell over his shoulder on the pa
pers before him.
always at your studies,'' she cried
as he sprang eagerly to his feet. you
must be seeking profeSsorship. Shs
stole the map from his fingers.
Il declare, if it isn't Manitoba p
Selling his cheeks between her hands
she turned his face to her. ANSWER
me, John Harris. You are not think,
Tag of going to Manitoba2 u
Suppose say / ann"
-Then am going, too I"
-.Afary!"
s-Johnl Nothing unusual about 8
wife going with her husband. ID
thereq''
mo. of course. but you know"
ssyes. / know''-glancing at the rims