The Rebel of the School | Page 2

week ago.
She doesn't pay any of the fees; she has no pretence to being a lady. Oh,
here she comes! Did you ever see such a face?"
A slight, shabbily dressed little girl, with her satchel of books slung on
her arm, now appeared. She looked to right and left of her as though
she were slightly alarmed. Her face was beautiful in the truest sense of
the world; it did not at all match with the shabby, faded clothes which
she wore. She had large deep-violet eyes, jet-black hair, and a sweet,
fresh complexion. Her expression was bewitching, and when she
smiled a dimple came in her cheek.
"Look--look!" cried Mary Denny. "Isn't she all that I have said?"
"Yes, and more. What a pity we can't know her!" said Alice Tennant.
"But can't we? I really don't see why we should make the poor child
miserable," said Mary Denny.
"It is not to be thought of. We must worship the beautiful new star from
afar. Perhaps she will do something to raise herself into our set; but as
it is, she must go with Kate Rourke and Hannah Johnson and Clara
Sawyer, and all the rest of the foundationers."
"Well, we have seen her now," said Mary, "so I suppose we needn't
stand talking about her any longer. Will you come home and have tea
with me, Alice? Mother said I might ask you."

"I wish I could come," said Alice; "but we are expecting Kathleen."
"Oh, the Irish girl! Is it really arranged that she is to come?"
"Yes, of course it is. She comes to-night. I have never seen her. We are
all pleased, and expect that she will be a very great acquisition."
"Irish girls always are," said Mary. "They're so gay and full of life, and
are so ridiculously witty. Don't you remember that time when we had
Norah Mahoney at the school? What fun that was!"
"But she got into terrible scrapes, and was practically dismissed," said
Alice. "I only hope Kathleen won't be in that style."
"But do you know anything about her? The Irish are always so terribly
poor."
"She is not poor at all. She has got an uncle and aunt in Chicago, and
they are as rich as can be; and her uncle is coming to see her at
Christmas. And besides that, her father has an awfully old castle in the
south-west of Ireland. He is never troubled on account of the Land
League or anything else, and Kathleen will have lots and lots of money.
I know she is paying mother well for giving her a home while she is
being educated at the Shirley School."
"I can't imagine why she comes to our school if she is so rich," said
Mary. "It seems almost unfair. The Great Shirley School is not meant
for rich girls: a girl of the kind you have just described ought not to
become a member of the school."
"Oh, that is all very fine; but it seems her mother was educated here,
and swore a sort of vow that when Kathleen was old enough she should
come to this school and to no other. Her mother's name is Mrs. O'Hara,
and she wrote to Miss Ravenscroft and asked if there was a vacancy for
Kathleen, and if she knew of any one who would be nice to her and
with whom she could live. Miss Ravenscroft thought of mother; she
knew that mother would like to have a boarder who would pay her well.
So the whole thing was settled; mother has been corresponding with

Mrs. O'Hara, and Kathleen comes to-day. I really can't stay another
moment, Mary. I must rush home; there are no end of things to be
attended to."
"All right," said Mary. "I will watch for you and the beautiful Irish
heiress--"
"I don't know that she is an heiress."
"Well, whatever she is--the bewitching Irish girl--to-morrow morning.
Ta-ta for the present."
Mary turned to the left, and Alice continued her walk. She walked
quickly. She was a well-made, rather pretty girl of fifteen. Her hair,
very light in colour, hung down her back. She had a determined walk
and a good carriage. As she hurried her steps she saw Ruth Craven, the
pretty foundation girl, walking in front of her. Ruth walked slowly and
as if she were tired. Once she pressed her hand to her side, and Alice,
passing her, hesitated and looked back. The face that met hers was so
appealing and loving that she could not resist saying a word.
"Are you awfully tired, Ruth Craven?" she said.
"I shall get used to it," replied Ruth. "I have had a cold for the last few
days. Thank you so much, Miss Tennant!"
"Don't thank