The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-02-06

self. The smile had disappeared from
his own lips, but not the curiosity from
his brain.
He sought Jimmy's desk and
showed him that = are not "a. sob,
by the way. did they guess your rid
die. Jimmyf" he asked casually.
mo. sirl" answered Jimmy prompt
ly and proudly. 81 had to tell EN-"
But he volunteered no further infor-
nation.
'Will you please stop In the Office
before you go this evening. Miss
Eaton?" he said as he left. 1.-THE APP
plication blanks are ready for next
year awaiting your signature"
At 5:15 every blank had been
filled, from Miss libby Tilbury who
taught A b G In No. 4. to Miss Marcia
Stone who broke into Beginners Latin
I'm A 8th-all except one. Miss Eaton
from No. 5 had not appeared to affix
her signature to her application.
And another-Mr. Richard Milford,
principal, also had not put down his
name. Until an hour ago he had fully
intended to sign for the next term.
Why then was he waiting? He looked
anxiousiy at the blank for No. 8. then
across the hall to the closed door.
Things were beginning slowly to clear
up In his mind. He was realizing now
very keenly why he would or would
not apply for next year. 1t all de-
pended on Rebecca Eaton.
A shadow had come over the sun
and darkened the world. At the same
instant quick little gust of wind blew
some papers off his desk. He had not
noticed the storm approaching.
He shut the window beside him and
stopped to pick up the scattered
sheets, when he heard the door Of No.
open and close softly and some one
step quickly past the open door of the
office.
Miss Eaton!" He was beside her
In an instant. The storm was directly
overhead now and 1t was so dark in
the hall he could scarcely see her face.
But bright flash, quick but all-reveal-
ing, enlightened him considerably. She
had been cryihgi
"You can't 90 out now" he protest
ed, holding out OBTAINING hand. Its
beginning to pour" A deafening crash
drowned his last words. "Come, !
won't let you" he insisted as she
again moved toward the door, muir
muring remonstrance.
Going into the Office and returning
with an umbrella, he, asked curiously.
aren't you going to apply for next
know"
mo, I'm not going to apply, Mr.. MIL
ford. II don't want to come back.
If do it, will be the same old thing
you'll dlsapprove Of everything / do,
and-and-make fun of all my Ideas.
Why, we were having the most fun
today when you came In, and you quite
spoiled 1t all.
"Oh, I mustn't stay The worst of
the storms gone round, and it's scarce
ly raining at ALL"
There was no stopping her this
time. There was nothing to do but
follow. "I'm coming along whether
you want me or not" he declared.
1--WE got two questions TO ask you, and
I've got to know the answer to both"
He had caught up and drawn her hand
through his arm.
"Yes" curiously. The tears had
quite gone now.
81 don't want you to apply for
school next year after all. want you
to marry me and keep house for me.
Il love you, Rebecca. I'm crazy
about you. Do you-would you'll
mean could you ever love me, do you
think, dear? Such an old bear as |
ann"
It'll think about IT," she said
family, trying to be very matter Of
fact. And fortunately the kindly UNI
brella shielded them just then from
too curious eyes.
"And the other-What's the other
question, dear?" asked Rebecca after
awhile when they reached the corner
and stood waiting for the car.
"Oh," laughed Richard, I'D forgot
ten. But do tell me. It's worried me
to death. What goes down the Chin.
ney down and up the chimney down,
but won't down the chimney up nor
up the chimney up?"
"Why, an umbrella, Of course!" she
answered demurely.