The girl opened the envelop with trembling fingers and read: 

“My dear little Mennonite maid:  We have rather suddenly decided to go abroad in July—­my husband needs the rest and change, as do we all; and I want you to go with me as companion and friend, and to help me in the care of the children.  In the meantime there is much to be done by way of preparation for such a trip; so can’t you arrange to come to me at once and you can have the benefit of the spring term at the Normal.  I needn’t tell you, dear child, how glad I shall be to have you with me.  And what such a trip ought to mean to you, who have struggled so bravely to live the life the Almighty meant that you should live, you only can fully realize.  You’re of age now and can act for yourself.  Break with your present environment now, or, I’m afraid, Tillie, it will be never.

“Come to me at once, and with the bearer of this note.  With love, I am, as always, your affectionate

“‘Miss Margaret.’”

When she had finished Tillie looked up with brimming eyes.

“Doc,” she said, “listen!” and she read the letter aloud, speaking slowly and distinctly that he might fully grasp the glory of it all.  At the end the sweet voice faltered and broke.

“Oh, Doc!” sobbed Tillie, “isn’t it wonderful!”

The shaggy old fellow blinked his eyes rapidly, then suddenly relieved his feelings with an outrageous burst of profanity.  With a rapidity bewildering to his hearers, his tone instantly changed again to one of lachrymose solemnity: 

    “’Gawd moves in a mysterious way
    His wonders to perform!’”

he piously repeated.  “Ain’t, now, he does, Tillie!  Och!” he exclaimed, “I got a thought!  You go right straight over there to that there Board meetin’ and circumwent ’em!  Before they’re got time to wote you off your job, you up and throw their old William Penn in their Dutch faces, and tell ’em be blowed to ’em!  Tell ’em you don’t want their blamed old school—­and you’re goin’ to Europe, you are!  To Europe, yet!”

He seized her hand as he spoke and almost pulled her to the store door.

“Do it, Tillie!” cried Fairchilds, stepping after them across the store.  “Present your resignation before they have a chance to vote you out!  Do it!” he said eagerly.

Tillie looked from one to the other of the two men before her, excitement sparkling in her eyes, her breath coming short and fast.

“I will!”

Turning away, she ran down the steps, sped across the street, and disappeared in the hotel.

The doctor expressed his overflowing feelings by giving Fairchilds a resounding slap on the shoulders.  “By gum, I’d like to be behind the skeens and witness Jake Getz gettin’ fooled ag’in!  This is the most fun I had since I got ’em to wote you five dollars a month extry, Teacher!” he chuckled.  “Golly!  I’m glad you got here in time!  It was certainly, now,” he added piously, “the hand of Providence that led you!”