Year: 1859




all his life Arthur Stone had never look
ed on face or figure so pleasant or cap
tivating. But as he watched her, she
raised her eyes to his face. In mo-
ment the pretty seriousness which had |
rested SO becomingly upon her features
was gone. A provoking smile curled up
her rosy mouth, and went with sudden
rush of triumph over her whole face, di-
lating her finely curved nostrils and
sweeping like very sunshine over the
blue of her eyes, making such rare dim
Piles about her chin, as one might have
supposed to have been fitted by the cum
ming forefnger of Cupid himself.


Arthur Stone was yexed, but he was
too much man of the world to allow
the young girl to know how much she
was capable of annoying him, and so af-
ter the first fame of petty anger had
died out from his cheeks and forehead, he
said i'll a voice the GOODNESS of which
surprised even himself


Can be of assistance to you Miss
Hawkes.?


None, sir, thank you. | have quite
conquered my exercises alone to-day


Foolish fellow! The very GOODNESS of
his manner betrayed the secret which he
strove to hide. There was little need of
coverts if there was nothing to conceal.
And so it was that the forenoon slipped
unpleasantly away, and the afternoon
came in its stead. The teachers rule
so far was a good one. The school was
remarkable for its quietude. If Anna
Hawkes. had not been present, Mr.. Stone
would have counted it a success, but as
it was, he was in a constant tremor of
fear.


A raised hand in the neighborhood of
her seat, and timid application for as
sistance was met with something like an
unreasonable frown. In hurried, ner-


vous way he proceeded to explain away


the difficulty TO the timid applicant, anx-


ions to be free from such dangerous sur
: roundingS. Just as he was congratulate


ing himself upon his success, and about
turning away, rapid, whispered volley


of words ratified past his ears. There


was no avoiding it. He knew the source
, from whence they came as well as did
J every scholar that heard them. He
could not pass though.lessly along.
: The dread alarm had come with such 6
5 sudden distinctness as to surprise hin
] into an involuntary start. Every pail
/ of eyes in the school-room were turned
= inquiringly and curiously to his face
e He was forced into doing his duty. Tht
t heavy beard about his mouth was friend
y to him then, for it covered a suspicion
: pallor that settled there as he turned
e about and rested his eyes sternly upol
5 the blushing, piquant face of Anna Haw
a kes. She was the picture of innocenc
l. Just then, with her brown lashes drooper
o low upon her cheeks, and the pearl
e white teeth crushed cruelty down upo
d the crimson of her lips.
e Miss Hawkes., can you tell me VIII
ID whispered moment since?'
2 Yes sir The white lids were throw
y wide open, and the clear eye fixed frank
le ly upon his own.


st who?
ut 4 sir


N win you obIige me by stepping tn


way a moment? He led the way out
lie to the floor.


Or Yes, sir, certainly She folIowe
er him promptly, pausing beside the des
t. and resting one hand prettily upon
OF top.


1g I suppose you listened to nay rule
a this morning.


k Yes, SIR


r. You understood it too, doubtless?'
vo Yes sir, perfectly
:


lis Understanding it perfectly, then, "
lit have been pleased to break it. Can "
a name my duty?


i'm 1T does not admit of question. Fe
en- ule me, sir She commenced drawn
as a slender gold ring from her left han
lt- This hand?' she asked suddenly, loo
nd ing up into his face.


er We have plenty of time, Miss Ha
III, kes; do not hurry he said, evading b
SITS question, l have something to say
in you


lis She leaned her elbow upon the de.
Ely and her burning face upon her hand.
ght shall be happy to listen to you,' she sa
ne 1 will not trouble you but nome
1g. only to say that regret more than l /;
- able to express, that scholar whom