The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-12-30
CHAPTER IV-Continued


warned her that the superintendent
would be visiting her school, she had
gone cautiously; had been ready, at
an instant's warning, to have the chill
dren suddenly busy at the blackboard
''doing tables or something like that.
But as i'll luck would have it, it was
on the very afternoon of his visit that
she had become so entrancingly en-
crossed in her wide departure from
sprescribed branches" that she never
heard his knock on the sch0olroom
door, never saw him enter land God
only knew how long he had been
standing there watching her wild per-
Torrance, when suddenly the faces of
the children warned her. Her back
twas toward the door at the moment.
but she did not have to turn to know
3 was standing there! Horror of
prrors! That he should have caught
at such a moment as this, after
hey precautions! She was so
lnned with embarrassment she
lid not have turned around If her
had been the forfeit for not doing
Pretending to be unaware of his
essence, she moved stiff1y to the edge
Of the platform and spoke family, d.
recting the several grades to the or
thodox blackboard or tablet work with
which she had planned to propitiate
him on Ills visit--though she knew she
was just several minutes too late,
now, to deceive him. She'd been
caught red-handed-oh, oh!
Seating herself at her desk, her
back still toward him, she awaited
his approach. But he did not come.
A hope leapt up in her heart that she
had been mistaken. But she was still
too terrified to look around
A step on the platform just back
of her chair-and she barely sup
pressed shrek.
He stood before her, hat and gloves
In one hand, the other held out to her.
Blindly she rose and gave him her
own. not daring to look up and meet
his eye.
AS she did not invite him to be seat
ed, he had to take care of himself
with your perNission?" he said as
|he drew chair forward and, motion
ang her to be reseated, sat down at
}her side-and she realized with fresh
embarrassment her remissness in
Schoolroom hospitality.
Laying his hat and gloves on the
desk, he leaned back comfortably, as
though settling himself to stay a
while, folded his arms and-waited.
Heavens what was she expected
to do? Perform pedagogically for his
inspection. no doubt. Well, she
couldn't; she wouldn't try! But just
to sit here Ought she converse with
him, entertain him? She stole a swift
side glance at 'him. His eyes were
thoughtfully contemplating the school
room. She might pretend ignorance
of who he was; take him for parent
visiting the school.
But her protracted silence seemed
to give him an idea. Perhaps must
introduce myself? Mr.. Creighton,
your superintendent"
swell, cannot tell lie and say
I'm glad to see YOU'RE she Historically
brought out, "for Pm mott"
He grinned. They all hated his
visits. the county teachers, but they
did not, as a general thing, frankly
shrek at himl On the contrary
Palavered over him, fiattered him, pre-
tended to be pleased to death to see
him.
"Whyr he asked. "Got a guilty
.c0nsclence?"
She repressed start. A guilty con-
science she certainly did have and
with good reason, but he could not
know that reason. What a cultivated
voice he had-like st. Croix'-but
with grave thoughtfulness in his
tone that interested her. She took
bit Of comfort from the twinkle in
bis eyes. HI difference from St
Has q picuous enough-here