White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1928-01-06
CHAPTER IV-Continued

Ever since Mr. Schwenckton had
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 III 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
"prescribed branches" that she never
heard his knock on the schoolroom
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
was toward the door at the moment.
but she did not have to turn to know
he was standing there! Horror of
horrors! That he should have caught
her at such moment as this, after
all her precautions She was so
stunned with embarrassment she
could not have turned around If her
life had been the forfeit for not doing
So!
Pretending to be unaware of his
presence she moved stiflly to the edge
of the platform and spoke family, di-
recting the several grades to the or
fhodoX blackboard or tablet work with
which she had planned to propitiate
him on his 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 permission?" he said as
he drew chair forward and, motion
ing 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 O
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 JUS
to sit here Ought she converse with
him, entertain him? She stole swift
side glance at him. His eyes were
thoughtfully contemplating the school
room. She might pretend Ignorance
Of who he was; take him for a parent
visiting the school.
But her protracted silence seemed
to give him an idea. perhaps I mus
introduce myself? Mr.. Creighton
your superintendent"
"Well, cannot tell lie and say
I'm glad to see you'll" she hystericall!
brought out, "for Pm not!"
He grinned. They all hated hi.
visits, the county teachers, but the.
did not, as general thing. frankl!
shrek at himl On the contrary
Palavered over him, flattered him, pre-
tended to be pleased to death to se'
him.
"Why?" he asked. SCOT a guilt.
conscience?"
She repressed start. A guilty con
science she certainly did have ant
with good reason, but he could no
know that reason. What cultivated
voice he had-like st. Croix'-bu
with grave thoughtfulness in hi
tone that interested her. She tool
bit of comfort from the twinkle l.
his eyes, His difference from 81
Croix was conspicuous enough-her
was no air of superiority, no self-con
seriousness; but an offhand directnes
which took 1t for granted that he wa
on your level, rather than that he &C
cepted you on his. He impressed he
on sight as being genuine
II can't teach before your she ez
claimed, as though accusing him O
our famous American 'mOral turp
tude." T just can't and that's a
there is about It'll" (She made a
effort to pronounce her as as in al
rather than as in art, as her nature
speech, she knew, would seem highl
unnatural for Kutztown Norma
school graduate and teacher In thi
vicinity.) -.
"But-" He turned in his chair an