Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1934-11-22

something queer about the place that
he knows and we don't"
"Wen have to talk this over later,
Arthur said, looking at his watch
Let US stop at Mrs. Denver's door
and, If she's ready, go downstairs to
gether."
Janet knocked. Mrs. Denver" she
said gently. There was no answer
They knocked louder-a draught from
the windows, perhaps swung the door
it softly opened. They had a glimpse
OF a made-up bed, of an orderly small
collection of toilet articles on the
bureau; of neat black bag at the
foot of the bed. but the occupant OF
the room was not there.
Let us go down. too," Payne said.
It's a quarter to eight l should
think hungry pupils would be wait
ing breakfast"
The silence reigning over the great
house was profound.
"Really." Arthur remarked, this is
getting on my nerves."
and stood uncertainty In the hall; then
Janet looked through the glass door
Of the study room. The figures were
absent
"Ah, breakfast?"
Turning they saw their principal,
with a fresh flower in bis buttonhole
and an air of amiable concern for
their health. did you sleep well? The
first night in new place is always
trying. Miss Mercer, you look some
what pale. A cup Of coffee 1 pre-
scribe for you-at once"
He led them to really bright and
pretty breakfast room flooded with
the morning sunshine. The white pam
eled walls and bright chintzes were
like a guarantee of normality. Even
Wilton began to wonder If they had
not been over-excited. Steaming cof-
fee, scrambled eggs, mullins, MARINA
lade and fruit were on the breakfast
table, hot plates and spirit lamps keep
ing the cooked food at a point Of per-
lection. They found they were very
hungry.
Midway Of the meal, Janet put down
her fork with sudden realization.
"Oh. where is Mrs. Denver-has she
breakfastedr
Long agol She is a very soldier,
that little woman I foresee reveille at
six, taps at nine. Mr.. Wilton Payne,
more coffeef Have you in your psy-
Geological studies tabulated the effects
Of caffeine and other drugs upon hui
man conduct-for example, the actions
Of the same person on a day begun
without coffee7 Personally should
not be responsible for my actions ON
day initiated without this wonder
full coffee beanl More eggs, Miss
Mercer?"
They were all feeling better; half
ashamed Of their suspicious. Only
Payne was narrowing his eyes a little
as If over a problem. Janet wondered
what kind Of girl he would event.
ually marry; and she pictured one with
quiet eyes and still manner beneath
which the keen-eyed Payne could not
readily see. And Arthur? His DOM
nance would search for a creature
equally strong.
"Are all new teachers favored with
breakfast with the principal on the
first morning7" she ventured to ask.
"Where is the general dining-room of
the faculty?"
"Oh, Miss Mercer, we are the faculty
we coy four. am a hnguist, a
historian, I've delved deep into the
ancient ramifications Of the unfolding
spirit Of man. You teach English
literature and rhetoric; my good
friend, Wilton Payne. psychology; Ar
thur Fleming, mathematics and chem
istry. Are not all the arts and sci
ences, at least by proxy, represented"
"Of course, with receptive pupils
four teachers can do wonders" Arthur
commented. "But we are very anx-
ious to meet our pupilsw
'You speak Of pupils, Mr.. Fleming.
In this respect also the academy is
ahead Of the times. What would you
consider the most important element
In education?"
Arthur reflected for a moment, quite
intent on the honesty of his own an
swer regardless Of consequences. His
clear gray eyes looked out on the wild
and rugged hills as If in their pro-
foundry purple depths he could read
the royal rule Of all Instructions. II
should say, sir, development Of charac-
ter-the making of splendid citizens"
"And you, Miss MercerT
Her smile had the fieeting, lovely
quality Of a wood nymph pausing to
answer an intruder from a dead and
settled world. II should say all edu.
cation should make people more en-
chanting and-enchanted."
AS she uttered the words her eyes
met Arthur's In one of those glances
between two young people which are
like dissolving scene in the theater.
Almost they held their breath with
the wonder of it. They were to be
here together through the long autumn
days, hidden from the world with an
extraordinary chief, and education
turned perhaps into real magic--the
education OF the heart-as well as
the head.
"Enchanting-and enchanted" the
schoolmaster repeated. "Ah you show