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composed himself for his rest he
came to the desperate decision to
make a personal appeal to her. Per
haps he could convince her of his
ability, when she understood the cir
cumstances. After all, five years as a
teacher did give him some right to
clemency. And next term.
The class was ominously quiet next
morning as Mr. Cornwall (five min
utes late) took his station before it
If there was a tendency to suppressed
mirth on the part of the feminine
members, no inkling of this reached
Mr. Cornwall's mind. He had decided
to make his appeal to Miss Mortality
during the hour of recess. He was
going to ask her to see him, when she
came round on the matutinal inspec
tion. But Miss Moriarity did not ap
pear that morning.
At the hour of recess he sought her.
He tapped timorously upon the door.
"Come in," replied a voice, even
more timorous.
Screwing up his courage, Mr. Corn
wall entered the room. The redoubt
able Miss Mortality was seated at her
desk beside the window. She was
writing very quickly, and Mr. Corn
wall had reached her side before she
looked up, just for an instant. Then
she motioned him to be seated.
"Miss Mortality," began the teach
er. "I want to ask you if you couldn't
reconsider the matter of reporting
me. You see "
"I must do my duty, Mr. Cornwall,"
answered Miss Mary, softly.
"There are new circumstances
which I have never d'ar.ed to bring to
your notice before," he resumed
quickly. "You see, I am wedded "
An extraordinary change passed
over the principal's face. She turned
quite white and grasped at, the edge
of her desk.
"To my studies," he continued, and
suddenly the color Hooded Miss
Mary's face again. "That is why I
have been late so often. I have been
trying to qualify for my promotion
next term. And if you report me', Miss
Mortality, it will mean my dismissal,
and my five years' service will go for
nothing."
Miss Mary looked up at him. Henry
Cornwall was astonished to see how
girlish her appearance was. "Go on,"
she said gently. '-
"Go on?" exclaimed the teacher.
"About the new circumstances,'"
said Miss Mary, meaningly".
That was all she said, but a strange
thrill ran through Henry Cornwall's1
frame. It was years since a woman
had looked at him in that way. Miss
Mary had not said a word to indicate
what she was thinking of, but well
Henry Cornwall knew.
He slid off his chair and down, at
Miss Mary's feet, and drew her down
to him and kissed her on the lips. A
minute and a half after they were
engaged.
"Oh, Henry," whispered Miss Mary
Mortality, "when I got your valentine
it seemed to me the realization of my
dearest dream."
"My valentine, pet?" remarked Mr.
Cornwall, still in a dream.
"This," answered Miss Mary, plac
ing it in his hands.
Henry Cornwall read in astonish
ment: "The fairest rose that blossoms on
' her stem
By unregarding fingers may be torn.
Wall
Flowers may fade, and lilies lose their
shade,
But not the love of your devoted "
"And it didn't take me half & min
ute to guess what rhymed with 'torn
wall,' whispered Miss Mary.
Board of Education Notes To be
principal of public school No. 7, Mr.
Henry, Cornall, vice Miss Mary
Mortality (resigned).
(Copyright by W. G. Chapman.)
Fortune Teller I see by your head
you'll die when you're twenty-seven.
Willie But, my dear woman, I'm
twenty-nine now. Fortime Teller
Why, my good man, you should have
been dead two years. You're living
under false pretenses.
II
