ideals
she had shaped for herself upon the teaching and the personality of her
adored Miss Wallace.

The voices on the porch became more curious, and Mary, at last coming to
herself, hurried out to tell the wonderful news. She found the Vigilantes
and Aunt Nan as interested as she herself, and willing to sacrifice her
company for five days for the sake of Bear Canyon's rising generation.
Priscilla offered all the proficiency in arithmetic she possessed; Aunt
Nan hurried indoors to cut and make two aprons for the teacher; and Vivian
and Virginia went in search of pencils and paper. This was Saturday and
there was no time to lose.

On Monday morning at eight they all stood beneath the cottonwoods to watch
a wide-eyed and much excited school-teacher start for Bear Canyon. In a
bag which she hung on the saddle-horn were her pencils, papers, and new
apron; in a package strapped to the saddle was her lunch, packed by
Hannah's interested hands; and in her heart were excitement, misgivings,
and eagerness. She preferred to go alone, she said, as she mounted into
the saddle. They might ride up at four, and come home with her if they
liked, but she must go alone.

They did go up that afternoon at four--Vivian, Priscilla, and Virginia. As
they swung around a bend in the road, and came upon the little
school-house, they were surprised at the stillness. Where was everybody?
The children had not gone home--that was certain--for half a dozen horses
were picketed round about. Had the school adjourned and gone for a picnic
in the woods? That would not be unlike the new teacher, but it would be
very unlike the former traditions of the Bear Canyon school. No sound came
from within and it was long past four. Had the big Jarvis boy triumphed
after all, and made Mary a prisoner?

After five minutes of patient, puzzled waiting they added their horses to
those already grazing among the sagebrush, and stole quietly to the open
window. The new teacher sat in the middle of the battered, scarred, ugly
little room. She held her two youngest children upon her lap much to the
detriment of her new apron. A dirty eager face was raised to hers from
either side of her chair. The others of her twenty charges sat as near as
the seats would permit. The big Jarvis boy had not deigned to move toward
the front--that was too much of a concession for the first day--but he
was leaning forward in his seat, his big, shaggy, unkempt head resting in
his folded ar