Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-03-31

first one and then the other triumphantly
surmounted words which sounded fatally
difficult to less instructed ears.
1t is at such crises as these that manly
nerves win the day. Out of the corner Of
his eye Ray saw the flush rise and deeper
on Mary's cheeks, and her fingers CLASP
and pinch each other. She was getting
fustered in another moment she must
blunder. Suddenly a generous impulse
took possession of him. She cared so very
much for this plaster thlng Why noBfol
once give in, and be content to come out
second? 1t all passed through his mind
in flash, and his resolution was taken.
''Pentateuch," gave out Mr.. Ashe.
To the unbounded establishment of the
audience, Ray Pelham rose and spelled the
word thus: ssP-e-n-t-a-y- t-u-k-e.
There was roar of laughter, in which
every one joined except the bewildered
Mary. Her wonderment lasted but a mo-
ment. chased by triumph and pleasure.
Mr.. Ashe placed the ''Union Refugees
in her arms; the boys and girls crowded
around her.
''I'm real glad, Mary" said Ray heartily
care you, Ray? That's good of you, -
she said. Her cheeks were flushed with
excitement, her eyes sparkled becomingly.
Several old ladies went home declaring
that Greatly, now, Mary Alger was most
a handsome girl. She looked as pretty as
a pink with them fggers in her arms. 1t
was pity she was so dull and stuck-up,
for she wasn't so bad-looking, after ALL
Ray was of their opinion, only he didn It
agree with them as to the 'stuck-up."
That evening of the spelling match dated
a change in Mary's life. She did not know
how it was, but peple seemed kinder and
life easier and the world pleasanter from
that time on. Were the boys and girls
really more friendly? Did the sun shine
more than it used to do? Were lessons
easier, and was her own shy stiffness more
manageable? Or was it that Ray, with
his frank face and good-natured ways,
seemed to turn up at her side everywhere,
doing things for her, explaining, cheering,
bringing her, as it were. en- rapport with
herself and other people? 1 do not know;
Mary could not have explained; but some
thing must have been at the bottom of this
altered world, with its pleasant chain of
sequences; and certain it is that in the
course Of few months she and Ray grew
to be great friends.
d. No more spelling matches were held in
Duxbury, but the memory of this famous
evening did not die, and Ray had to bear
frequent references to his blunder. Boys
who envied or did not like him, or who
were temporarily disaffected with some
thing said or done, were apt to soothe their
souls by dragging the word "Pentaytuke''
into their conversation. Ray bore these
small shafts philosophically; his friends
felt them more keenly.
How did you come to make THAT daraed
mistaken" Indignantly demanded Harry
Platt one day, dragging him off under
cover of the woods which bordered the ten
acre lot they were moving. cit rifles me
like anything. There's that little whippy-
snappy Jack Pomeroy always at you with
'Pentaytuke' in his teeth. How did it
happen, Ray?" YOU'RE the best speller of
us ALL"
EASY enough to make mistake,'' re :
piled Ray, whipping a mullen from its
stalk with a blow Of his scythe.
''Pshaw not a mistake like that. Why,
little Peter Potter knows better. And
YOU"
'sHal, if you give me your word not to
tell, I'll say something's
"Well, do. What is it?''
81 dad know better. Pm not such fool
that can't spell 'Pentateuch.' I missed
on purpose that night. had reason. y
GA reason!-what?''
But Harry demanded in vain. Ray ex-
planned no further. After while they
walked back to the hay field
Their conversation had an auditorium
unsupported one. Mary Alger was perch
ed in the tree under which the boys stood
as they talked. 1t was an oak-tree, low,
broad, easily climbed, and bearing aloft,
ten feet or SO from the ground, gnarled
bough whose crotch made a comfortable
seat. For years it had been Mary's habit
to come to this spot and there study her
lessons, read. or dream; but it was habit
which she carefully concealed. She was
far too big to climb trees now, said her
mother. Mary admitted 1t; still she
climbed.
She made pretty picture, half sitting,
half lying, among the branches, the sum-
mer wind waving the folds of her dress,
her face full of the puzzle caused by Rays
overheard confession. Why had he t'missed
on purpose?" What was the ''reason?'
A sudden flood of red broke over her face
at last. Had she guessed the truth? She
could not rest till she knew. ~
When a woman wishes to carry point,
she usually takes the offensive. Mary took
it. 1t was the very next evening. She
choir practice.
Ray" she said, turning upon him,
"why did you misspell that night at the
match misspell on purpose?"
ssI-I-What makes you think did?"
stammered Ray, taken off his guard.
81 kq.oao you did. Tell me about it.''
"You can't know" said Ray.
"Well. if you won't tell me, I'll tell you
shall 1? You saw that girl wanted the
prize very much, and you felt generous.
And so, because you were a man-Oh, Ray,
it was very good of you; but you must
take the group back. 1 can't keep i'll
can't indeed! You must take it,"
''Now, Mary, don't get excited" said
Ray, guiding her towards messy log and
seating himself besideher. "We'll discuss
this matter Suppose it was as you say
(Which I don't admit, the prize would be
VOurS all the same
sNot bit; it would be yours. You're
a splendid speller, Ray-a great deal better
pose. It's your right to be first; I'd rather
be second after you; really would-a great
deal rather. I'll never forget what you
did, Ray-never; but you ought to have
the Refugees, and you must take it.''
every well, . said Ray, his eyes lighting
w, III on odd tui,,11a. ssT will Rut If 10