Year: 1859

FEHVLxNd n N a HA T" n AHSs


"Buzz-buzz-buzz!-


wndeed cannot stasd this. You'll
drive me quite crazy with pour buzz. buzz
buzzing. l must and will have silence -
l find that plain, pleasant persuasion will
not do; shall be forced to resort to q
barsher method Now, listen. one and
oil, while assure you that the first schol
At. old or young. miss or master, you"g
gentleman or lady, whom shall see whis
pering without leave ! will ferule."


The teacher, Mr.. Arthur Stone, closed
his bearded lips firmly, and glanced abou.
the old fashioned school room with de-
tsrmined expression, as he ceased speak
ing. He evidently meant just what he
said-meant it in the face Of the stout,
stalwart young gentleman, and the pretty
witching, bright eyed girls about HIM.
For . moment there was dead silence
upon all, while every eye was fixed upon
the handsome, resolute face Of the teacher
But in the little crowd Of eager, upturned
faces, there was but one which his eye
sought, intuitiyely drawn, as it were by
some strange, mesmeric power. One face,
and one at that moment which was pretty
picture of piquant beauty, with its saucy,
inquisitive blue eyes, which met bis own
fully free and daring its strawberry red
mouth pursed up by the most provoking
and daring Of smiles, that said as plainly
- words could have said it-"you won't
ferule me. Arthur Stone, If l whisper ever
90 much"


A sudden fash Of anger REDEEMED up
into the cheeks Of the young man, and
shot from the depths Of his fine gray eyes
- he said determinedly, in answer to the
smile Of the red mouth and blue eyes, and
the toss of the dainty head-''I repeat it
] will ferule the first scholar whom see
whispering without leave"


This time there was no mistaking it
there was . perceptible motion Of Anna
Ha~ke's pretty head, an unmistakable
light in her eyes, and o whole, unbroken
sentence wreathed about the curve of her
lips, as she turned carelessly to her books
"You can ferule me if you choose" she
said, mutely, not believing that he would
venture to do it.


"And l certainly will,' was the silent
reply Of the young man. confident the
while that she would not allow him an op.
portanitv Of putting his threat in execu
ton. But he was i'll at ease as he turned
moodily to the Arithmetic class from which
his attention had been drawn by the un.
usual confusion. Affairs had taken a dis
agreeable turn. An unexpected course
and whatever he might do, he could moi
better them. There WAS but one way fol
him. he must put stern face upon the
matter. He must maintain his dignity as
. teacher, even If he was obliged to thrus
roughly aside his own wishes and inclina.
tious. Anna Hawkes-pleasant, witching
graceful Anna-the one bright star tha
threw so much light upon his .iresomt
duties the warm hearted girl who bat
grown nearer and dearer to him as .ht
dull, wintry days went by; till be hae
dared hope. silently, yet earnestly, tha
sometime be might be more to her thar
any ono else in the world even she, i
she came between him and his duties mus
be sacrificed. 1t was a miserable thought
and he greeted it with long, deep draw
sigh.


Not once during the forenoon did h
venture to look towards Anna's seat, O.
allow himself to pause anywhere in he
vicinity, for fear his ears might be greeted
by provoking odious whisper. Not onc'
say, but must expect the long recess
during which he watched her eagerly, a
she bent over her slate, working out he
Algebrsic problems, apparently lost t.
everything shout her. Two or three time
no half started from his seat to go to he
assistance, as she knit her white brow
perplexedly, but strange new feeling
like pride, kept him back. He though
he had never seen her look half as preti
or loveable as then, as she sat there bend
ing thoughtfully over her book, with on
white hand running rapidly and graceful
over her slate. Her dress Of dark Grim
son cloth, with its full sleeves, confined a
the wrists BY black velvet bands fashione
high in the neck, but in such a manner a
70 display her full, white throat, wa
strangely becoming her. He had neye
thought Of |. before, but there was cer


tain refinement in her taste which win


truly pleasing. II was visible in ever,