Year: 1859

"Will you oblige me by stepping this
way moment ?" He led the way ou,
into the floor.


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


81 supposed you listened to my rule
of this morning."


Yes, SIR h


You understood it, too, doubtless %
/ " Yes, sir, perfectly"


understanding it perfectly, then, you
have been pleased to break it. Can you
name my duty ?"


1t does not admit of question:
Ferule me, sir" She commenced draw
ing slender gold ring from her left hand.
This hand ?" she asked, suddenly,
looking into his face.


"We have plenty of time. Miss
Hawkes. do not hurry" he said, evad-
ing her question, 81 have something to
say to YOU"


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


+" will not trouble you buta moment
only to say that l regret more than l am
able to express, that scholar whom
have endeavored to treat with uniform
courtesy and respect, and in whose ad-
vancement had felt lively interest,
should by SO glaring a misdemeanor,
such an utter contempt of my wishes,
avow disregard for me as a 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 forgeis
him or herself, it is intensely painful. l
assure you that 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
burning red Of her cheeks.


" Your hand, if you please"


The little white hand was reached forth
as though it were to receive a 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 mind to get down
upon his knees and pray for a good sized
earthquake to come and swallow him
for a sudden flash of lightning Gin the
winter time to melt him into nonentity
for whirlwind to sweep him with its
rapid rushing winds from off the face OF
the earth. Strike that little dimpled
hand with cruel two inch rule He
had rather cover, aye, blister it with
kisses, instead. 1t trembled within his
grasp, and about the mouth of the owner
a little white line was islanding the red.
ness Of her lips. For moment, be
thought he'd kneel before her, and ask
her to give the pale prisoner entirely to
him. A thought struck him. He might
strike his own hand instead of Annals
He could shield her and take the blow
himself. The idea was rare one. He
was in mood for cracking every knuckle
that he owned. He raised his ruler
Anna raised her eyes to his face. His
!. fixed, determined expression started her
She would bear his blow without shrink
ing. without starting. she thought but,
o, she would hate him, hate him, hatt
him, SO long as she lived AS the
thought passed her mind, a gay, dashing
looking sleigh drawn by pair of fine
horses, rapidly up to the school house
door.


Lucky, lucky. Mr.. Stone, the ruler
fell harmlessly upon the fair. rosy palm
OF Anna. as he turned his eyes towards
the window, and exclaimed, hurriedly-


The committee, Miss Hawkes.. You
can take your seat now. but remain to-
night after school. Even for this inter.
ruption should not feel justified in let.
{ ting the affair pass"


The last committee man upon earth
, that should care to see T. exclaimed
} Mr.. Stone to himself, as he bowed low
before the pompous young gentleman
) known by the cognomen Of DR.. Wesley
Barker, who raped with his whip on tn,
! door-said young gentleman being on'
/ of wealth and education. But the teach
er did not care fg for his wealth-h'
did not envy him-or anything for hi
} education--his own was quite equal t
! it. But what be did care for was, tha
Dr Rarlar was a uraat ad mirar of nm