Year: 1869

find me an obedient. we'll conducted scholar.
Good evening, sir


With these words Nellie swept out Of
the room with all the majesty Of queen.
Mr.. Rathburn looked after her until she
was out Of sight. and then mattered savage
ly-


Il shall fix her for this :"


That evening. Nellie took a long walk
with her lover; but she did not tell him of
the masters conduct toward her, for fear
that the fiery youth might, in his rage,
might commit an assault on the amorous
pedagogue, and thus get himself into
trouble. Besides, she had promised to aay
nothing about the matter, and she was not
a Girl to break her word Doubtless. on
the occasion referred 10, the lovers uttered
much sweet nonsense. very interesting to
themselves, but of no consequence what
ever TO the reader. When Nellie returned
home, which she did at -easonable hour.
her still handsome mother observing the
rich glow upon her face and he dewy fresh
ness of her lips, remarked


II declare. Nellie dear. these little even
ing walks seem to do you world of good,
child. They make you 50 animated and so
pretty. After the tiresome studies Of the
day, YOU ought to take walk every even
ing"


Il think shall, mother sail the duti-
ful Nellie, demurely. She didn't explain
to her maternal parent that the crimson
hue of her face was caused by tender
whisper from her lover, while he moisture
of her lips was owing to pressure from
another pair Of lips belonging to the same
highly favored young gentleman.


The next day, Nellie ATTENDED school as
usual. The master treated her il his ordin-
ary manner, but occasionally he darted at
her glance that boded her no good. Late
in the afternoon he approached her with a
severe aspect, and sternlv said


''lou have been whispering again. miss,
Do not deny i'll saw you y


1t was true Nellie had, in moment of
foreetfulness, addressed some commonplace
remark to the girl seated next to her Rath-
burn, who had been eagerly watching for
something of the kind, was in ecstasies.
This was Just what he wanted, for it would
afford him pretext to intiict punishment
upon the young creature whom he now
hated with all the intense malignitv of his
cold and cruel nature.


Poor Nellie colored up to the eyes she
knew she was guilty. and she was too truth
full to attempt to deny the charge.


81 confess my fault. sir" she stammered
u did it without thinking. Pray forgive
me this time, and will not offend again
indeed / will not"


"WEen you transgressed yesterday" said
the master, with deliberate emphasis-''I
mercifully let you off with mild punish
ment. This time / must be more severe
If I spare the rod, I shall spoil the child.
Were I to overlook these offences in pupil.
there would be an end to all discipline /
must do my duty to your parents, miss :;
while you are here in this school, l re-
present them-their authority is delegated
to me. So come with me, if you please
there must be a stop put to these infractions
of the rules and regulations Of this educa-
tional institution"


The habit of obedience compelled the
trembling Nellie to arise from her seat and
follow the master out of the scAool-room.
He led the way into small adjoining apart
ment; and having closed the door and
fastened it, he thus addressed the pretty
culprit, who, in spite Of herself, was filled
with vague terror -


"You were out walking last night"


eyes, sir Spoke very family.


'In company with that young fellow,
Lewis"


cit is true, sir"


"You permitted him to place his arm
around your waist, and keep it there


Nellie blushed painfully, and could make
no reply to this.


':When you parted from him at your
door, you allowed him to kiss You repeat
edly."


A still deeper blush.


"And you kissed him in return-repay-
ing him with interest"


Nellie wished that the floor would open
and swallow her SO that she might be say
ed from these torturing questions. She
wondered how the master became acquaint-
ed with all these particulars. Was he
merely guessing at them Not at all. He
had played the spy On Nellie and her lover
the preceding evening; following them III
the darkness, watching their every move
ment, and overhearing great part of their
discourse. Their conversation, being for
the most part Of very tender and aifec-
tionate nature, did not tend materially to
raise the spirits Of the amiable Mr.. Rath-
burn and when he witnessed their sweet
kisses at parting, his jealous fury knew no
bounds. However, he consoled himself
with the cowardly thought that the next
day he would have the opportunity to
avenge himself on the person of Nellie,
when there was nobody on hand to protect
her from his brutality


The enraged schoolmaster continued his
tormenting examination =


"When you parted from your lover last
night, did you not call him your dear Char
ley?"


Nellie was silent. The native fearless
ness of her spirit was beginning to assert
itself within her breast.


''How soon, pray, are you and that
young loafer going to be married?' asked
the master, with bitter sneer.


SIT is none of your business" cried the
girl, her anger now banishing her terror
stake care, sir, or | shall consider that
promise of mine no longer binding. If |
tell Charles Lewis about these insnltinp