Smyrna times., 1929-07-31
Arresting the Pretty
Teacher
By CLARISSA MACKIE

schOolhOuse and stolen several
things belonging to pupils and to
Link Larrabee, the school teacher.
And so John Wayne, one of the
trustees, had called on the sheriff
and in his close-mOuthed way
vouched the information that it
would be well to keep an eye on
the schoolhouse.
And the first moment that
Sheriff Harry Gray turned a pair
OF handsome, though honest, blue
eyes toward the schoOlhouse he
scented clew. Presently he heard
Footsteps on the bare boards inside,
the door opened wider and a big
girl stepped out, closing the door
softly and locking it.
On her arm she carried some
clothing, one or two coats and a
bright wool cap.
She glanced hurriedly around,
listened for an instant and then
darted around the building and
took the trail that led back through
the trees toward the river.
The sheriff smiled grimly, and
shook his head He was a very
young sheriff, and it had not been
so many years since he had attend
ed that little schoOlhOuse him
self.
"Gee, it's my luck to have to
catch girl, first throw" he grum-
bled, as he mounted his horse and
started up the trail after the girl.
"She's a mighty pretty one at
fhat-haif. lilo hrop1n e.o,,a
colorl What's she doing with a
bunch of old rags-heyl" he called
abruptly as she stood aside to let
him pass.
"Well?" she asked coolly, but he
saw the scared look in her eyes,
and hated himself.
where you going with all those
clothes and things out of the
schoolhouse?"
"You want these?" she asked,
amazed, holding them out.
He took them from her willing
hands, placing them awkwardly
across his saddle bow. I'm right
sorry to have to do this"
'If you have what you want you
had better ride on" she said, step
ping back.
81 don't know but what l shall
take you along, miss" he said
gravely.
'Take me?" There was terror in
her voice.
"Yes'm. I should arrest you"
"You? Arrest me?" He was
surprised to see that she was hold
Ing little blue-steel weapon in
her right hand.
SCOT me covered, eh?" he
laughed, but his eyes did not laugh.
swell, are you coming with me?"
he asked after another moment.
"No."
you're under arrest, ma'am.'
She frowned a little and then
smiled in a friendly way that de-
lighted him. He asked himself
why the smile of a mere girl-a girl
he was taking to Jail, too-should
set his heart to galloping.
"Yes, I remember that. 1 will
walk beside you if you don't mind"
He slipped to the ground and
rendered his mount. Its some
little ride, miss" he insisted.
Presently she consented, and he
lifted her into the big saddle.
"Do you know Mr.. Wayne" he
asked after they had Travelled
awhile.
She hesitated. "You mean the
school trustee?"
"That's right I'm taking you to
his place, Flat Hills. He sent me
r. -nl-
bing the schoOlhouse, and worse
luck, / found you right away, so
you've got to see the old gentle
man. and if he says lookup, why
I'll be hanged if 1 take you there!"
'That's good of you,'' she said
gratefully.
"You can't be from Armadillo
county: you wouldn't hold on to
a saddle that way" he told her.
"What way would you hold it?'
she asked demurely.
"Not at all. Armadillo girls ride
like little squaws. Here's old
Wayne's place now. If you don't
try to squirm out of it, miss. I'll
do the best I can for you. but you
better come clean and tell me the
whole thing" he pleaded earnestly.
She bent her head and smiled.
then she lifted it proudly. ''Tm
not trying to squirm out Of any
thing. 1t is simple. / left some
things in the schOolhouse-in fact.
my trunk was left there by mis-
take. and I couldn't get anyone to
take it to the ranch, so | needed
some clothes and I went down and
took them out of my trunk. Some
one will come for my trunk tOmor-
row, and now" She smiled at
him wickedly.
"Who are you?" he asked alb
ruptly.
''The new school teacher-stop-
ping at Mr.. Wayne's if you please,
Mr.. Sheriff, and now that we are
here, may / have my things? And
oh. thank you!"
She watched him ride away, ad-
miring the swaying grace of horse
and rider. 4He said he was
sorry" she smiled to herself. 81
know he isn't sorry, and am glad,
but I was afraid at first. thought
he was real bandit" She leaned
against the post and laughed help
lessly,