Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1922-09-27
"A Il.
Fallen Idol

BY ELLA SAUNDERS
IIlllI,,llIuIIIlHIlIllIlIIlIliullIi,IlIuj

- Aou w toFo 4Aulllblc, uOu( you
Johnny" asked his mother, behdlng
down to kiss him. ~
"Very much, Mumse, but love
Miss Rogers tceny little bit more,
COS she's SO nice to me-"
Mrs. Adair watched the little fig
ure depart upon Its way to school
with ap old pang at her heart. She
had had two children, but one had
been taken from her, and she had
clung to her little boy with all the
devotion Of the mother OF one.
Miss Rogers, capable, cool, efficient,
yet seemed poor substitute for her
self in Johnny's affections.
Had she not shaved for him, given
up every minute Of her life to himP
She had watched the little figure
asleep with passionate love. And now
he loved Miss Rogers little bit more.
For a moment she almost hated the
school-teacher. She would have liked
to have torn her hair, scratched her
face, committed any excess cf out.
ragged mother-love. Then common sense
came to her aid. After all It was
probably childish fancy.
"Mumsie, dear. what shall give
Miss Rogers for her birthday tomor-
row?'
"fIow do you know It's tomorrow
Cos she told me. She'll be twenty
four" Mrs. Adair smiled. So even effi-
Client Miss Rogers was not above WON.
anly deceptions1 "And l can't fink
whether to give her pin-box or some
flowers. And I've got forty cents"
"What did you give Mumsle last
birthday?"
"But forgot It was your birthdays
protested Johnny. "You should have
minded me-"
Mrs. Adair hardened her heart. She
choked down her distress. "I'm afraid
that's matter that you'll have to de-
eide for yourself. Johnny" she an
sWered.
Johnny pondered iover the problem
all the way to school next morning.
When he entered the classroom his
mind was still not made up He
glanced up at Miss Rogers, presiding
over the little boys and girls. How
beautiful she was, with that smooth
curl on her forehead He loved her.
He had never dared to tell her so.
lie wondered If she could guess how
much he loved her.
Johnny, sit up!'
Johnny sat up In cOnsternat tion. Miss
Rogers Ind never spoken to him quite
so GROSSLY rs that before. Tears came
into his eyes. How sorry she would
feel when he gnvc her her present.
J}nt what chr,,II Eno ~
give her the pin-boX the next morning,
or should he give her the bunch Of
flowers2 lie could not possibly make
up his mind. Which would Miss Rog-
ers prefer? Suppose he gave her
flowers and she would rather have Ind
the pin-box!
Johnny, come here What do you
mean by lolling In the class like that
for2"
Johnny stood In the middle Of the
room, painfully conscious Of the scorn-
full glances Of the other children. He
began to cry. His Miss Rogers-to
trent him sol He fought down the
tears, but his lips trembled.
Miss Rogers was really upset that
day. She had had quarrel with her
sweetheart But, Of course, Johnny
could not have been expected to know
that.
"Johnny, you've been adlfng and
dreaming all through the lesson. Now
repeat to me what I've taught you"
1t was true. Johnny could not re-
peat single word. How should he,
when he had not heard one9 His
thoughts had been far away-tlream.
Ing about the flowers and the pIn-box.
"You really are very idle, bad
boy. Now go to your seat and try to
pay attention to what tell YOU"
Johnny went back. He felt the tears
running down his face. He could no
longer contain himself
"Cry-bnby" whispered the little
girl next to him. He slapped her face.
Johnny - Amazed, Miss Rogers
bore do on him. "Lcave the room at
once. If you don't behave yourself
I shall send you to the principal"
lie stood miscmbly outside till the
class was over. a terrible scolding
succeeded 1t. 1t was n wretchcd little
figure that went drcarily away in the
wake of the ether boys mid girls.
1t frightened as 1t drew nearer
home. Mrs. Adnlr, waiting on the
porch. stretched out her arms to tho
little figure.
"Why, what have you got in that
parcel, darllng2" she asked.
"A pin.box. And It's for you, Num-
sic, stead Of Miss Rogers. COS I love
you ever so mucll-ever so much bet
ter than her"