Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1880-01-31

trlumpnantly SuTillOuHIeu WOIuS WHICH
sounded fatally difficult to less instruct
ed ears.
1t is at such crisis as these that man.
" nerves win the day. Out of the cor
ner of his eye Ray saw the flush rise and
deepen on Mary's cheeks, and her fingers
;lasp and pinch each other. She was
getting fiustered; in another moment
she would blunder. Suddenly gene :
'us impulse took possession of him. she
ared so very much for this plaster
hing! Why not for once give in. AMI b.
Ontent to come out second? 1t al
'assed through his mind in flash, an
is resolution was taken.
"Pentateuch." gave out Mr.. Ashe.
TO the unbOunded establishment
ie audience, Ray Pelham rose up an
oelled the word thus: ''P-e-n-t-a-y
t-u-k-e."
There was roar of laughter, i'm While
ery one joined except the bewildere
NJ Try. Her wOnderment lasted but a
loment. chased by triumph aud plea-
lre." Mr.. Ashe placed the "Uni0n Ref
u ,ees" in her arms; the boys and girl
rOwded around her.
"Pm real glad Mary" said Ray hearth
y.
"Are 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
declaring that really now, Mary Alger
was most 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 the spelling match dated
a 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. We're the
OOys and girls really more friendly?
Did the sun shine more than it used to
do? We're 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 altered 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.
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 disaffected with some
thing said or done were apt to sOOthe
their souls by dragging the word "Pen-
taytuke" into the conversation. Ray
bore these small shafts philOsOphically;
his friends felt them more keenly.
'HOw did you come to make that darn
ed 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 lit
tie 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 a mistake" re-
piled Ray, whipping mullen from its
stock with blow of his scythe.
"Pshaw! not a mistake like that. Why
little Peter Potter knows better. And
you"
"Hal, if you give me your word not to
tell, I'll say something"
"Well, do. What is it?"
81 did know better. Pm not such
TOOL that can't spell 'pentateuch.' miss
I'd on purpose that night. L had 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 auditor
Mary Alger was perched in the tree I'M
der 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 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 a
habit she carefully concealed. She was
far too big to climb trees now, said her
mother. Mary admitted it; 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 missed ON purpOse?" What was the
"reasOnY A sudden flood of red broke
over her face at last. Had he guessed
the truth? She could not rest till she
knew.
When woman wishes to carry a point
she usually takes the offensive. Mary
took it. 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 misspell that night at the
match-misspell on purpOse"
'EI-what makes you think [ did?"
stammered Ray, taken off his guard.
II know you did. Tell me about it,"
you can't know" said Ray.
''Well, if you tell me, I'll tell you
shall /? 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. | can't keep
it, can't, indeed! You must take it,"
snow, Mary, don't get excited" said
Ray, guiding her toward a messy log
and seating himself beside her. We'll
discuss this matter. Suppose it was as
you say (Which don't admit) the plize
would be yours all the same"
"NOt bit; it would be yours. You're
a splendid speller, Ray, great deal bet
ter than | am-when you don't miss on
purpose. It's your right to be first; I'd
rather be second after you; really L
great deal rather. I'll never
forget what you did, Ray, never; but you
ought to have the refugees, and you
must take it."
very WE'LL" said Ray, his eyes light
ing up with an odd twinkle; 81 will. But
it's on one condition, Mary" He grew
cry red. "Ill take it if you'll own it
In nartnnrchin with mo Mhat,c nnounh