Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1934-10-25
by
Anna Mcclure Sholl
Copyright by W. @. Chapman
WNU Service
CHAPTER I

sHAs 10 ScnoOl In such q lonely
region.
from ner bag she had taken more than
once the clipping of an advertisement.
pinned to the letter which had so
greatly aroused her interest and had
resulted In her burning her bridges
ana coming to this unfamiliar region to
teach English literature and rhetoric.
The advertisement had first caught
ner attention because of it's odd word
ing:
"Lostland academy. Famous in its
time In the Fingerlake region. It still
adneres to classical education; and re-
CARDS an acquaintance with Horace as
privilege to be sought, not evaded, In
the interest Of urbanity. A new fac.
ulty Is being brought together; and
the honor Of aiding in its composition
Is open to early applicants. College
graduates only need apply. A teacher
OF English literature and rhetoric is
needed; also teacher of mathematics
and chemistry"
Inc letter, signed Gordon Haskell,
was more circumstantial:
MY Dear Miss Mercer:
Your letter of application for the
post OF teacher Of English literature
and rhetoric in Lostland academy
pleased me greatly. You seem well
qualified for the position, and should
Judge that you were young lady not
easily disturbed or excited, and fully
equipped mentally to earn the generous
salary of three hundred a month for
the eight teaching months, which is
the standard salary for my teachers. I,
believe that If you desire talent you
must be willing to pay for it; and the
noble work Of educating our future
citizens should never be underpaid.
ITO reach Lostland academy you
must change cars at Oteaga and take
a branch line. We have but one train
day, which leaves Oteaga at 10 a.
m. and arrives here at A. Unfortunate
ly it has neither pullman nor dining
car, so you would do well to bring a
station lunch box. You will be met
at Blade-perhaps there will be an
other member Of the faculty travel
ing down at the same time"
Janet had looked her fellow-passen.
gers over several times In the hope of
identifying another member of the
faculty.; but, no one fitting in her pre-
conception, she chose q man about
twenty-seven years old, in whose coun-
tenance she thought she detected abil-
ity to solve mathematical problems.
He, too, had brought station lunch
box; and about noon he examined it's
contents; but he ate mechanically,
and then settled to the examination of
q letter. After time he made jour-
ney down the rocking aisle of the
train to the water tank, where he had
infinite difficulty in clawing out a
paper cup, then in shaping it and con-
veying the nicked rim to his lips.
With an air of relief and some water
on his vest he came down the aisle.
The train was rocking and rafting
over the curved track as If apprehen-
sIve that it would never reach its
destination.
AS the train turned a curve, the
young man passed Janet's seat, and
was nearly precipitated into 1t. Stimuli
taneously he regained his balance and
saw the letter outspread on her lap.
I'm so sorry" he apologized in a
delightful voice. "And will you think
me very impertinent? May l inquire
If you are on the way to Lostland
academy"
Eyes. l am the teacher of English
literature and rhetoric"
"And I'm slated for mathematics and
chemistry"
"Won't you-sit DOWN.
Thanks" He smiled boyishly as If
really grateful to her for the invita-
ton. Beneath the smile she read a
certain bewilderment, mingled, when
his eyes were turned toward her, with
frank and friendly admiration. He
was thinking that she was very pretty.
He liked her blue serge suit and her
close little velvet hat from under
which her eyes regarded him kindly.
Rather strange landscape" he ven
tured. "But it's all strange-my sud-
den coming-the letter-the large sal
ary-and every one on the same
basis"
Eyes, 1t is apparently a standardized
sum. wonder how many teachers are
on the faculty? Mr.. Haskell's ex-
penses must be very heavy-but then
he probably has q great many stu
dents"
Arthur Fleming was regarding her
with meditative, admiring eyes. Some
how It all seems rather ideal-the lone
ly country-a number Of people with
common purpose marooned among
these hills. I don't like cities. am
looking forward to cross-country walks
skating. Do you skater"
"Yes-I am very fond Of outdoor
sports"
sand I suppose you love your sub
jects; or you would scarcely be teach
ing them"
English literature, especially.
feel as II / were a mistress Of cere-
monies, and should wave a wand,
blind man with beautiful thoughts and
visions would enter; or a melancholy
poet with the heart Of child and