STORY SO FAR: It's 1925. Ida, fourteen, and her brother Felix, seven, attend a one-room school in Elk Valley, Colorado. When they arrive, the teacher warns of grave news.

The twenty-year-old schoolhouse consisted of one square room. To the side of the front door was the boys' wardrobe. On the other side was the girls'. Miss Fletcher's desk stood on the left, close to a small, wall-mounted blackboard. An aspen switch_for discipline_hung alongside the board. Nearby was the school's library, a small bookcase containing some fifteen tattered books and a few magazines. Most of the room was filled with ancient low benches and long student desks etched with countless initials.A round, iron wood-burning stove stood to the right, opposite the teacher's desk. Kerosene lamps were fastened on each wall along with pictures of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, as well as a chart of the Palmer script alphabet. There were also pull-down maps of the United States, Colorado, and the rest of the world.As Miss Fletcher stood by the door, the eight students came in, put down their lunch pails, hung up their coats, and took their places. Mary and Felix, being first and second graders, sat up front. Ida and Tom, eighth graders, were in the back row. The other four children_fourth, sixth, and seventh graders_were scattered between.Mr. Jordan was standing in a corner examining Miss Fletcher's school account book. A portly man, he wore overalls and a blue shirt with a string tie. Riding boots were on his feet. A straw hat was in one of his pudgy hands.Ida, using a trick she had long since mastered, whispered to Tom without moving her lips. "What do you think he's doing here?""Don't know," Tom replied in the same fashion. "But my old man says he's as miserly as a sleeping marmot."Ida suppressed a grin.Miss Fletcher stood before her desk. She smiled bravely. "Good morning, children," she began softly. "I'm so glad the whole school's in attendance. Particularly you, Herbert Bixler."Herbert roused himself. "Miss Fletcher, it's my dad. He's always needing me to work with him.""Well, yes, we shan't discuss that," Miss Fletcher returned. "Now, children, this is Mr. Jordan, head of our local school board. Please greet him warmly.""Good morning, Mr. Jordan," the children chorused."I'm afraid," Miss Fletcher went on, "I must share painful news with you."The children squirmed on their benches."Last Friday," she said, "I received a telegram telling me that my mother, out east in Iowa, is very ill.""Oh, no!" Felix murmured loud enough for all to hear."Naturally," Mr. Jordan cut in, "Miss Fletcher needs to be there. And since there's only a month and a half till term ends, the school board won't be looking for a replacement. As soon as she departs . . ." He turned to the teacher. "When will that be, Miss Fletcher?""The Wednesday train," she replied."After which," Mr. Jordan continued, "school will be closed and won't commence until fall term, assuming, of course, we can hire a new teacher."Ida's eyes darted toward Tom. They exchanged looks of shock.Mr. Jordan cleared his throat. "This means you can all have one long summer vacation. I'm sure," he chortled, "that despite our sorrow at losing Miss Fletcher, that'll cheer you up."Tom raised a hand."Yes, Tom?" Miss Fletcher said."I'm awful sorry for your trouble, Miss Fletcher. I am. But does that mean Ida and I won't be taking our exit exams?"Miss Fletcher turned to Mr. Jordan for the answer."I suppose not," he said after a moment. "Can't get a new teacher in time. You'll have to wait till next year."Silence filled the room. Ida lifted her hand."Yes, Ida?" Miss Fletcher said."Mr. Jordan," Ida said, "if Tom and I don't pass the exams, we can't go on to the high school in the fall."Miss Fletcher turned to Mr. Jordan. "I'm afraid she's right," she said."Now, Ida," Mr. Jordan answered, "as an adult it's my bounden duty to inform you that life teaches many a hard lesson beyond school. No doubt this will be inconvenient for you. May I suggest you think less of yourself and more on Miss Fletcher and her ailing mother. Besides, I'm not sure a girl needs a high school education. Any more questions?"No one dared ask.After gravely shaking hands with Miss Fletcher, Mr. Jordan left.The children gazed at Miss Fletcher."Miss Fletcher . . ." Ida began."Yes, Ida?""I . . . I'm also truly grieved for your mother. But my parents told me if I didn't get to high school this year, I might never go. You know I want to be a teacher. I have to graduate. This is my chance. What am I supposed to do?""Ida," Miss Fletcher said, speaking sadly, "I begged the school board not to close the school. Regarding your graduation_and Tom's_I can't say what will happen."(To be continued.)

<i>Coming Friday, April 27th - Chapter 3</i>

Text copyright &Copy; 2000 AviIllustrations copyright &Copy; 2000 Brian FlocaReprinted by permission of Breakfast Serials, Inc.www.breakfastserials.com