Year: 1859

sweeping like very sunshine over the Dlue
of her eyes, making such rare dlmples
about her chin, as one might have sup
posed to have been fitted by the finger OF
Cupid himself.


Arthur Stone was vexed, 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 after the first
flame of petty anger had died out from his
cheeks aud forehead, he said in voice,
the GOODNESS of which surprised even him


"Can be Of any assistance to you Miss
Hawkes.?


None sir, thank you. l have quite con-
quered 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 where there was nothing to con-
ceal And SO it was that the forenoon
slipped unpleasantly away, and the after
noon came in its stead. The teachers rule
so far had been 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 1t
was, he was in a constant tremor OF fear.


A raised hand in the neighborhood OF
! her seat, and timid application for assist
ance was met with something like an un-
reasonable frown. In hurried, nervous
way he proceeded to explain away the timld
applicant, anxious to be free from such
dangerous surroundings. just as he was
congratulating himself upon his success,
and about turning away, "A 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 every scholar that heard them. lie
could not pass thoughtlessly along. The
dread alarm had come with such sudden
distinctness as 10 surprise him into an in
voluntary start. Every pair of eyes in the
school room we're turned inquiringly and
curiously to his face. He was forced into
doing his duty. The heavy beard about
his mouth was friendly to him then, for it
covered a suspicious pallor that settled
there as he turned about and rested his
eyes sternly upon the blushing, plquant
face Of Anna Hawkes. She was the very
! picture of inuoce nee just then, with her
brown lashes dropped low upon her cheeks,
and tie pearly white teeth crushed cruelty
down upon The crimson of her lips.


Miss Hawkes., can you tell me who
whispered moment SINGER
1 Eyes SIR" The white lids were thrown
wide open, and .he clear eye fixed frankly
upon his own.


! "Who?''


81, sir


"Will you oblige me by stepping this
way a momenL?" He led the way out on
t. the floor.


eyes, sir, certainly" She followed him
promptly, pausing beside the desk and
testing one hand prettily upon its top.


Il suppose you listened to my rule this
morning."


Yes, Sir"


"You understood it, too, doubtless?"
"Yes, sir"


Understanding it perfectly, then, you
| have been pleased to break 1t. Can you
name my duty?'


! at does not admit Of question. Fer
ule me, sir" She commenced drawing
slender gold ring from her left hand
"This hand?" she asked, suddenly looking
up into his face.


"We have plenty oftime, Miss Hawkes.;
do not hurry he said, evading her ques-
tious, Il have something to say to you"


She leaned her elbow upon the desk, and
her burning face upon her hand. 81 shall
be happy 70 listen to you," she said.


s'I will not trouble you but moment,
only to say that 1 regret more than l am
able to express, that scholar whom L
have endeavorcd to treat with uniform cour-
tesy aud respect, and in whose advance
ment had felt lively interest, should,
by so glaring a misdemeanor, such an utter
contempt for my wishes, avow disregard
for me as teacher and friend. Such a
display is unpleasant enough if mere
child wilfully breaks the rule of school,
but when, instead, young gentleman or
lady so far forgets him or herself, 1t is in
tensey painful. l can assure you that l
deeply regret this


Anna bowed gracefully as Mr.. Stone
ceased speaking, Again her white teeth
were dented into her lip, while the brown
lashes trembled close upon the deep burn
ing red of her cheeks.


Your hand, if you please"


The little white hand was reached forth
as though it were to receive caress in
stead of blow. AS it lay so tenderly and
trustingly upon the broad palm OF the
teacher, he inwardly cursed his stars
He called himself brute, tyrant, a
monster. He had a mind to get down
upon his knees and pray for big mouthed
earthuuake to come and swallow him, for a
su dden flash of lightning Tin the winter
time) to melt him into nonentity; FOR a
whirlwiud to sweep him with its rapid
rushing storm from off the face of the
earth. Strike that little dimpled hand with
a cruel two-inch rule? He had rather
cover, ay, blister it with kisses, instead
1t trembled within his grasp, and about the
mouth of the owner little white line was
'islanding the redness of her lips. For q
moment he thought he would kneel before
her, and ask her to give the pale prisoner
, To him. II would be his hand then, anc