The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-10-27
SHY MISS HOLT
BY MoLLlE MATHER

when the new teachers come TO Ban
burg. BeSs and I-BesS is my chum-
like them young and pretty and laugh
ing. We have enough of sternness
from what we call the "oId guard
those who remain in authority year
after year; these teachers are regular
Banburgers. Paul, that's my minister
brother, is always anxious for fear the
right persons do not have my .disci-
pine in charge. You see poor Paul is
my only guardian since my mother.
who was his young stepmother. died
And | must say that Paul has had a
hard time of it with the criticism from
his congregation and all that +
couldn't even have my hair bobbed
when Bess did-Decause they thought
it looked hOydenish in member of a
parsonage household Well, when we
saw the new teacher who was To I'M
dertake much of the responsibility of
our minds and morals-Bess and
grinned, then we sighed.
Not" remarked Bess mildly, lust
what one would call pretty"
Decidedly" l contributed.
why" pleaded May Sales. will she
wear these mammoth trimmed glasses?
Glasses is glasses but | fail TO see
why one should shrek them"
And her hair" went on Bess, Its
so straight combed back, / really don't
see how Miss Holt can open her eyes"
she's plain shy, that's what she is, y
put in the Sales child eff you ask
nae, I'll say she has never been out of
her native vilIage-wherever it may
be. When l tried to walk with her
after school the other day she seemed
not unpleasant--iust sort of diffident
and at the teachers meeting, Dad
said, she was afraid TO open her
mouth
"AIl the better fer us" laughed
Bess. as they jumped TO their feet, and
departed.
Paul came out of his study 81
would not discuss my teacher in that
manner, Isobel," he reproved. Il heard
all you said. 1t might be better to ex-
tend kindly hand to new and per-
haps lonely little teacher
This was strange from Paul. who
usually mentioned only respect due.
Have you met Miss Holt2'' I asked
him.
Yesterday" he replied, Il had a
few moments conversation with her"
Next day the finest looking young
man came to Danberg. He was TO be
at our tennis match in the afternoon.
/ almost wished for the name of the
school that Margaret Holt would not
come in that horrid best brown pOplin
of hers. But she did and sat far back
under tree. She kept her eyes, rude
ly, thought, on her book when Paul
went kindly over to talk to her. The
stranger, who turned out TO be an i'm
portant lawyer from the city, for
tunately did not see our teacher at all.
In the evening. Miss Carruth came
down the bride path one her pony.
"Nick," and Miss Holt enthused so
over him that Miss Carruth was
tickled. and asked Miss Holt If she
could ride. We gfggied at the thought
Of our teacher up on Nick's back, in
her long prim poplin-but In a jiffy
she was there and off down the road
on a gallop. When she came back
there were only Miss Carruth. the
stranger. and Bess and myself waiting.
"Will you look at Margaret H0lt. 7"
ayind pncc-ovd lnnIyad ho
was different
THAT was like old times she be-
gan. then stopped as If frozen at sight
of the lawyer
He went forward to assist her TO
alight. Then with bow he took Miss
Hollis arm, and went walking off ar
her side. Miss Carruth rode home.
what does it meang' I asked Bess.
The shy Miss Holt looks like one who
has lost her disguise, while the stran-
ger and she seem well acquainted.
was still more mystified when Bess
had. gone, and | sat meditating near
the hedge. Supper had not been called
and l was waiting Miss Holt and the
stranger seated themselves on the OPP
posite side of the hedge, and l am hon.
est in saying that / did not mean TO
And you thought you could hide
here behind a pair of spectaclesp' the
man asked.
Il did not try TO hide" our teachers
voice replied. Il only desired to be-
forever more-a plain nobody; 1 only
"And you have found it?' the mans
tone was sharp.
l was surprised at the pain in Mar
garet Hollis voice.
Can murderess know peace?" she
asked him.
"A murderessi You take things too
Was IL your fault that a
love-mad boy killed himself bs cause
you refused to marry him?"
II could hear her stified sobbing.
'Oh, the pity Of it," she murmured.
And determined that l would never
again cause innocent suffering. with
drew into myself was dulI-ugly."
But, nevertheless. love came again"
the man spoke brusquely. Is it not
SOP
lit is the young minister of Ban
burg that / have dared TO love. John,
put 1 sent him away unknowing. Ny
Owe Is too great to link his name with
scandal"
l did not wait TO hear more-I was
toward Paufs study. found
him there. his head bowed In his arms.
Paul." cried, incoherentIy at first.
she does love you-littIe Margaret
Holt; she IS out by the hedge. Go
iuick, brother. and bring her in to
supper. Between US we will coax her