The spectator., 1920-10-12
PRELUDE
H.

Six little slates clattered into place, and six little figures stood erect be- tween their benches.
 Right Turn - said the master. March School is dismissed :" and six pairs of bare little legs twinkled along the aisle. across the well-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 q smile played npon the features of his strong, sun burned face, but as the last little ca lico dress was swallowed hy the wood the smile died down. and for mo- ment he stood, a grave and thoughtful statue framed within the white pine casiEgs of the sash.
 His brown study lasted only q mo ment. With n quick movement he walked to the blackboard, caught mp q section of SheepSkin. and began eraSing the symbols of the days in- Suuctions
 Well. l suppose there's reward in heaven" he said to himself, as he set the little schoolroom in order. There isn't much here, The farmers will pay a man more to doctor their sick sheep than to teach their children, If others can take the chance can take if too, If it were not for her l would go tomorrow"
 The last remark seemed To unlink n new chain of thought. The gray eyes lii up again. He wielded the broom briskly for q minute. then toss cd it in corner fastened the win dows, slipped little folder into his pocket, locked the door behind him and swung in rapid stride down a hy-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 point where the sky stood up. pale blue evasive. through the trees The next moment he was at the waters edge, and lmpid lake stretched away 10 where the forests of the farther shore mingled hazily with sky and water He glanced about, as though expect ing someone; he whistled line of popular song, but the only reply was from saucy eavesdropper which, perched on nearby limb, trilled back it's own liquid notes in answer
 "I may as we'll improve the mo- ments consulting my chart" he re- marked to his undulatlng image in the water. "This thing of emharking on two new seas at once calls for skill ful piloting." He seated himself on stone, drew from his pocket the fold CT. and spread II map before him.
 In few moments he was so en. crossed that he d.d not hear the al- most noiseless motion of canoe as it thrust It's brown nose into the blue wedge before him. kneelng near its stern. her paddle held aloft and drip ping, her brown arms and hrowner hair glistenlng in the mellow sun. her face bright with the light of its own expectancy, was 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 It's nose in the Nelvety 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 yo1r studies." she cried,