Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-09-01

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superior essay. Some OF the girls had
seen it, and were confident that she would
gain the prize Until this time, N!irian,
had not felt doubt of ker own success
Even now, sic thonght that the merit OF
her rivals essay must be very much cy-
aggcratcd, still the possibility of Jane S
s.tccss was enough to fill her with unca-
siness, and she determines to find out
through her fatterer, Marian Trevor,
how good it really was. Accordingly,
Marian borrowed the essay, and secretly
showed it to Miriam She read it with
i'll concealed dismay 1t was much bet
, ter than her own. In spite of her self
love. she could not help seeing that, nor
did Marian S deprccatins remarks at all
blind her to the fact Without, however,
betraying her disquiet, she requested
Marian to return it, and then formed her
plans.
She remembered that Madame De Lam
cy had warned her that blot would cx-
Glide dill essay from composition. The
thought inspired her with design of I'M
utterablc mcanncss.
That evening she stole into the school
room, and creeping tp James desk, took
out the essay which Jarc had written
with such great care and neatncss, and
daubcd o.ic cf the inside pages with ink.
This done, she hastily left the school
room, and without one thought of her
meahness, thinking only with exultation
that the prise was now hers beyond a
doubt, she retired to bed
The next morning the essays were
handed in. Jane did not again open
hers, therefore was not aware of the fatal
mark which disfigurcd orc of the fair
pages. She was in excellent spirits, for
she knew that she had donE well. Mi
riam might indeed have done better, but
at all events size had done her best, and
that Consciousness would remain, even if
she failed to obtain the prize which she
so ardcnty desired.
Day succeeded day, and at length the
morning arrived when the prize was to
be announced. All eyes was fixed on
Madame De Lancy, when she arose, and
said
Young ladies', you are aware that
three weeks since, | offered prize of an
elegant gold pencil to the writer of the
best essay. ! am very glad to find that
there has been such IN interest manifest
ed, as is indicated by the number pre-
scntcd, Thirty essays. have been hand
ed to me-all of Which | am glad to say
indicate more than ordinary pains on the
part Of the writer's. But the first in point
of excellence, is on the subject of " Self
Reliancei" by Jane Ashton"
There was quite scnsatioa. Jane
blushcd With pleasure. while poor Milan
turned white with astonishmcnt and NOR
tiication,
q thought" sie said aloud, THAT
blot was sufficient to exclude an essay
from competition"
"Well," said Madame De t.dhn-i calm
ly-
WAS rot Jane Ashton's essay blot
ted 2"
:" How do you know p inquired Mad
anne De Lancy, with starting emphasis
L" Good Heavens. ] have betrayed
myself?' thought Miriam, appalled,.
" Young ladies'" said the teacher, ga
mystery is unravcllcd of which have
been seeking IA solution. A week since,
in passing the door Of the school room
saw a girl at Jane Ashton's desk. In the
darkness / could not distinguish the per-
son, but supposed it Jane herself. When
however, | examined her cssry the next !
day, saw the fresh blot, | was led to
Suspect 4 plot Not until this moment
however, have I guessed who lad the
mcanncss to conspirc against her. l as
sighed lict Tie prize, becGusc the blot was
not due to her carclcssncss. Jane Ash
foh, tonic forward md receive the prize
you have so richly mcriicd,"
Miriam rushed from the ROOM In blen-
ded rage and modification, and The mex.
sent for her books. She couldn't |
endure the i'll concealed contempt with
which many who had once 1attercd, now
looked upon her.
Jane Ashton wore her honors mcekly.
Her school girl days are now over, ahd
she is the beloved wife of young physi-
vian at whose expense she was sent to
school.