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

I
eleven of the sterner sex"
"I'll be No. 2l, the superhuoui
man." called Creighton, from Mis-,
Denean's side. I'll attend to the
conveyance and assigning partners
&c, and make myself as useful a.
my beauty viii permit :"
"But | don't think / viii CO." said
Ruth in lofty tones.
"0h, Ruthie, you must. Why
you've always been eur very best
speller," cried Kathie Brandon.
1--WE shouldn't stand a ghost of q
chance cf beating, if you are not
with us, Ruthle, put in little Down
ing.
Better go, Miss Ruth, and look to
your laurels," said Creighton, 8otfc
uoce. 'Holcombe's got a flame out
there that be says they'll put against
a whole city-full, and Webster's Tn
abridged thrown in"
Miss Denean flashed uneasiIy. Up
to that moment she had never, in
her thoughts, associated any person
but herself with Rex Holcombe.-
True, be never attended any Of their
gatherings, but his home being out
Of the city, accounted for that, and
the possibility of bis spending his
evening with any other companions
had never occurred to her. He was
approaching her at that moment. 81
say, Holcombe, was that your divin-
ity who is to vanquish US all to-mor-
row night, that 1 saw you helping
off the train this morning? / almost
felt ready to acknowledge myself con-
quered in advance. Such eyes, and
lips, and hair!" And Creighton
struck an attitude indicating COM
plete helplessness at the mere recol-
lection.
Holcombe looked annoyed as be
answered:
"Have done with Your nonsense,
Creighton. Reserve those attitudes
until we see whether tney do not be-
come real. Miss Dehean, l hope to
have the pleasure Of introducing to
you, tomorrow night, friend of
mine, the lady in question, and also
to the other members Of the class,
he added hastily.
"Oh, that's understood said Belle
Burgoyne. Ruth Grst-the rest Of
US following in her train. intend
to stand next to her when she gets
the medal, commencement day-re-
feet honors, you know"
Ruth was indeed looked upon by
all the class as the medal girl, :"
while Holcombe's prowess was not
disputed as first among the other
sex.
"I'll bet on Ruth Denean," was
heard from among group OF boys,
in Jones Taliaferro's shrill tones
$50 will j, . s1ase fsosn several eager
voices.
"You see, Miss Ruth, the polls are
open and betting's lively. You'll
have to CO." said Ruggles who was
standing near.
"Why, you have not thought Of
refusing, Miss Denean?" interrogated
Holcombe.
l cannot decide yet. | will let you
know in the morning. Now | must
go to my music lesson, Herr Goetz is
painfully punctual," and she moved
of, while, as Belle had said, the rest
followed in her train.
When morning came she had made
her decision. Yes, she would GO
She wanted to see this rustic beau
ty" Of Holcombe's she said, with a
fierce pain at her heart; be had call
ed her his friend; no doubt it meant
more than friend; but Ruth Denean
drew her fine figure up TO its full
height, as she thought how she conld,
if so minded, eclipse this rustic beau
" by her accomplishments; for Ruth
was an only child, upon whom ad-
vantages had been showered, but
who, from choice, was pursuing the
of the public High School,
,onfessedly the first in whatever she
attempted.
When, next morning, she passed
Holcombe in the hall, and met his
questioning look, she nodded, bright
y, an affirmative, and passed into
ler class room.
1t was arranged that Holeombe
should go out on the usual train and
,ut all things in readiness for their
eceptioD. Ruth had scarcely given
|. thought as TO their manner of
eaching there. and it was therefore
With no surprise that she found
Creighton waiting for her in the
'arlor "My number is changed"
aid be as be rose to meet her. I'm |
ither two or twenty, according to
whether you're FIRST or nineteen.-l
Congratulate me upon being 10 su-
'erhuity. you see, he went on ex-
'lanatory, "Holcombe's going in ad-
snce left US an even number. He
aid be thought it better for him 10 |
20 on, to perfect arrangements, bat |
hrewdly suspected that q certain /
title lady who goes out on the train |
vas partly responsible for his zeal. |
often see them together. She comes
q twice a week to the Art School. /
1ope you're in good trim for spelling
o-night, Ruth" be went on. "We
must beat them. But here's the bus.
hear Bellies voice. She's got Tai
aferro in tow" And Ruth followed |
i'm out to the conveyance, which
'roved to be the leng-drawn-out We
icle OF Institute, procured 1
Trough the untiring efforts Of Curly. |
A chorus of voices greeted their
Are all here?" asked 4
Ruth as Curly assisted her up the 1
teps. Yes, you're the last on the
ist,n said one of the younger boys
lear the door. BEST wins, you |
now, Miss Ruth"
"0h Ruthie, we're so glad you de-
ided to come We know you'll get
he prize" cried Katie Brandon
You know its a Webster"
my father said he'd sit up to help
ne in with it," said Belle Burgoyne,
but ! told him l wouldn't put him
o that trouble"
Here. Creighton. you can sand
sicb Miss Ruth in between me and
2uggles, and You can stand and i'm
,roye the opportunity to grow lit