The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-06-09

totDiCSoiJ luiA iiVHl ACuI Stut.
"0h, Jonesy, if you can stand it,
will try and sit STILL" laughed Belle
as she nestled down rather content
edly at Curley's elbow.
''DiG you know, Ruth, Rugglei
has brought his violin along, at Hol
combe's request, and we've to try
the terpsichorean after we've sen
those bummers to their last orthog
raphieal account, said Creighton.
Tread the may on the light fan
tastlc, interpolated Taliaferro.
That's charming. Mr.. Ruggles, >
said Ruth, whereat Ben blushed vio
lently.
"And katie's brought the music O.
those divine waltzes. We're 20 have
both piano aud violin,n and Belle
hummed bar from favorite.
Meanwhile they were rapidly leav-
ing the city behind them. Presently
they reached the avenue where were
few miles Of splendid drive. The
horses hoofs rang right merrily, and
Jests and laughter, and snatches OF
song foated out on the still air in
pleasant harmony Leaving the av-
enue they entered upon a road less
level.
"Once more unto the breach, ("
screamed Taliaferro, as a sudden
lureh precipitated him between Belle
and Curly.
'Toliver, be calm; maintain your
equilibrium suggested the latter.
II see the lights of the viii age, f"
said Jones as be regained his foot
ing.
"Gieaming through the mist of
your Imagination, l fancy" /" said Belle
testify. Il believe if we were to up.
set, Jones Toliver wouldn't forget to
quote. "
"He saw stars I've no doubt when
be fell, said Creighton, "and thought
they were the lights of Waverly."
Before Jones could quote a fitting
reply the others announced that be
was right, and soon they were enter
ing the main street of a Struggling
village They drew up before a plain
white ediiice which proved to be a
church for Sundays uses, but which
was made available for all festal gath
eriDgs Of the village folk
There's the elite of Wayerly,
drawn up in rank and file 20 meet US,
with Holcombe at their head" said
Curley to Ruth, as they prepared to
alight She felt her heart beat un-
comtortly as she saw Holcombe's
tall fern in the broad stream of light
which issued from the door. But her
hand was firm as she laid it in his
extended palm and spraug lightly to
the ground.
"In good time" be said heartily,
eve had not yet begun to be impa
TENT
Ruth felt q little jealous pang, as
she thought be was too well enter
perhaps, to note the time
She wandered which of the faces
about the door was that Of
the rural champion" as she Eow
disdainfully styled her. There was
a good deal of rustling and shaking
of drapery, as the city girls prepared
TO follow Holcombe into the church.
Ruth designedly held back until they
had all passed in. Then she took
Creigbton's arm and with her utmost
swept in. HoIcombes
quick eye noted her manner, but ig-
noring it be stepped forward, saying
cordially, Miss Ruth, one Of our
referees has not yet arrived, We are
the time by becoming ae-
j." and he introduced several
of the young people standing near.
Ruth threw q searching glance over
the room and saw Curly in the act Of
making his best bow to q slight girl
whose face was from her. Immedi-
ately she turned, Rutb's heart sank
She had time to see q sweet spiritual
face lit up by liquid eyes and framed
in by fruify masses Of hair, the whole
surmounting a small dark robbed
figure with o certain nameless grace
in contour and motion. They were
coming her way and Holcombe's
voice was heard to say:
"Ab, here Miss Ruth, permit me.
Ny friend, Miss Dinsmore, Miss De-
1eane, Raehie." "
"Yoar name is not unfamiliar to
ne, Miss Deneane," said Rachael
Dinsmore, in her sweet flexible tones.
II trust you ladies will become
friends before you become rivals in
he coming contest" said Holcombe.
L must leave you now. | see cur
.eferee has come" and be hurried
away.
Creighton remained and Ruth no.
iced curious consciousness about
lin that she could not recall in all
Ter previous acquaintance with him.
lie was not his own sunny self, and
IS for herself, Ruth found it impossi-
,les to unLend before this frail girl
Who chatted with unaffected ease for
heir entertainment. She was soon
by the meeting being called
o order. A referee was chosen from
he ranks Of the city class-it was
2uggles, and Ruth saw to her sur
rise that as the contestants ranged
themselves on their respective sides
# the long room, with the visitors
occupying the seats between, that
Iolcombe was to pronounce for
hem. In few words he explained
hat the difficulty of bis position was
He could not fgat against
lis present class being one of them,
on II other hand, be could not
fray himself against the school
mates of his earlier days They !
lave settled the matter for me By |
,uttiog me here under protest. How
;ver, | shall try to meet out justice !
md hard words to all, although
make no choice of the words myself, /
,ut simply pronounce the list as Sc
ecied."
A moment of expectant silence,
md the contest began. After half
lours' spirited work, the ranks were
edaced 10 one-third Of their first di- |
nensious. Ruth saw Dean Dupress
ink down with her usual noncha-
anee, after missing the word Be
.iron enarreiic fnr ha- 2 rhisnerad |