The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-03-02

tripped up. The word "benzoin" proved
too much for him. Only Ray and Mary
were left. The audience held its breath
as first one and then the other triumph
antly surmounted words which sounded
fatallyadifficult to less instructed ears.
1t is at such crises as these that manly
nerves win the day. Out of the corner
of his eve Ray saw the flush rise and
deepen on Mary's cheeks. and her fingers
clasp and pinch each other. She was
getting fustered in another moment
she would blunder. Suddenly a gen.
erous impulse took possession of him.
She cared so very much for this plaster
thing! Why not for once give in, and be
content to come out second? 1t all passed
through his mind in a flash, and his reso-
luton was taken.
"Pentateuch," gave out Mr.. Ashe.
To the unbounded astonishment of
the audience, Ray Pelham rose up and
spelled the word thus: "P-e-n-t-a-y -t-u-
! ke."
There was roar of laughter, in which
every one joined except the bewildered
Mary. Her wonderment lasted but a
moment, chased by triumph and pleas
ure. Mr.. Ashe placed the " Union Refu-
gees in her arms; the boys and girls
/ crowed around her,
Pm 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 becom-
ingly. Several old ladies went home de-
claring that Greatly, now, Mary Alger
was most a handsome girl She looked as
pretty as pink with them fggers in
her arms. 1t was pity she was so dull
and stuck-up, for she wasn't so bad look
ing, after all. Ray was of their opinion,
only he didn't agree with them as to the
stuck up"
That evening of the spelling match
dated change in Mary's life. She did
not know how it was, but people 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 with
other people? | do not know; Mary
could not have explained; but something
must have been at the bottom of this al
tered world, with its pleasant change of
sequences; and certain it is that in the
course of few months she and Ray
grew to be great friends.
No more spelling matches were held in
Duxbury; 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 disafected with
something said or done were apt to
soothe their souls by dragging the word
Pentatuke" into the conversation. Ray
bore these small shafts philosophically;
his friends felt them more keenly.
How did you come to make that
darned mistaken" Indignantly demanded
Henry Platt, one day, dragging him off
under cover of the woods, which border
ed the ten acre lot they were moving.
" 1t rifles me like anything. There's that
little whippy-snappy Jack Pomeroy al
ways at you with Pentaytuke' in his
teeth. How did it happen, Ray? You're
the DeSG SpelIeT OF us all.
Easy enough to make a mistake"
replied Ray, whipping mullen from its
sock with blow of his scythe
"Pshaw! not mistake like that.
Why, little Peter Potter knows better
And you"
Hal, if you give me your word not to
tell, Pll say something"
Well, [ do. What is it,"
:" l did know better. Pm not such a
fool that | can't spell Pentateuch.' |
missed on purpose that night. | had a
reason"
A reason-what?
But Harry demanded in vain. Ray
explained no farther. After a while
they walked back to the hay field.
Their conversation had an auditorium
unsupported one. Mary Alger was
perched in the tree under which the bows
stood as they talked. 1t was an oak tree,
low, broad, easily climbed, and bearing
aloft. ten feet or so from the ground, a
gnarled bough whose crotch made a com
Portable 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, said her mother. Mary admitted
it; still she climbed.
She made a 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 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 woman wishes to carry a point,
she usually takes the offensive. Mary
took 1t. 1t was the very next evening.
She and Ray were walking home from
their choir practice.
Ray" she said, turning upon him,
why did you mispell that night at the
match-misspell on purposes
"I-I-What makes YOU think did ?"
stammered Ray, taken off his guard.
I" / knoa0 you did, Tell me about it."
You can't know" said Ray.
Well, if you won't tell me, tell you
shall |? You saw that girl wanted
the prize very much, and you felt gener-
Gus. And so, because you were man
oh, Ray, it was very good of you; but
you must take the group back. / can't
keep i'll can't, indeed! Youmust take
itp'
"Now, Mary, don't get excited" said
Ray, guiding her to a messy log, and
seating himself beside her. "We'n dis
cuss this matter. Suppose it was as you
say (Which | don't ADMIT, the prize