The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-07


next week." complained Sally French
I" Then it would be vacation Have you
learned to- morrows lesson, Charts p
No, l haven't, answered Charts,
briskly. can look it over when we
get home from the party l don't believe
there's anything very hard about it.
Barbara Blunt was standing near. She
knew that the lesson was on page.175.
She knew that the terrible greyhound
example" was included. Should she
hold her peace? Should she let Charts
go unwsrned2 All the more hope of
victory if she did. Barbara's eyes grew
black. 1t was fearful temptation. But
Barbara might be cross; she might be
she was not mean.
We'll fight it out fair and square,
said she to herself.
"Charis," she went on, aloud, 1--WE
worked for fortnight over Example II,
and never got it done till yesterday.
You better be careful"
Cor you will get the prize, after all, +"
answered Charts, roguishly. It's very
politein you to mention il, Barb. Ill
look out and not give you chance
But she went to the party, after all.
Barbara saw her pass, with the other
girls, on her way to the boat. She saw
the little steamer, gay with flags and
bunting, glide down the bay. She could
see the party landing on the other side
Later, the faint sounds Of distant music
came floating to her ears.
The moon shone out round and full
that night, to waken Barbara, and, as she
crept from her bed and peeped out OF
the window, to show her the girls once
more, at ten o'clock and the waggish
old orb actually lent a special beam to
CLINT on small gold locket, with its tiny
turquoise arrow, which Charts Temple
wore at her throat.
l wonder-I wonder if she's done that
sum, queried Barbara.
mo, 1 haven't" said Charts, next
morning, to Sally French, unconsciously
answering Barb's last-nights question
{" If Example IL comes to me, I'M gone.
But my luck never deserts me. always
fall on my feet"
Alas where was Charis's luck to. day
One by one the girls were sent to the
blackboard and Charts remained on the
settee, which was full of pins and nee
dies, and [ sitting on EN-" as she an
nounced afterward.
She grew pale. Her chances were
narrowing.
Example 10, Miss French" said the
teacher; and Sally had escaped the
greyhound"
There were only two girls left. Charts,
her teeth fairly chattering with dismay
was one. Would the next sum fall to
her lot? She was at her last gasp There
was a pause. And now the mistress
spoke.
Example II, Hiss Fuller. Miss Tenn
pie, you may try the 18th
Try it? Charts would make the effort !;
but she knew she should fail. Barbara
knew it too, and triumphant thrill went
over her. The prize was won.
With sparkling eyes she watched
Charis's fruitless endeavors. Then she
glanced at Charis's face Pale, with
wide, troubled eyes and quivering lips
Its her own fault" muttered Barb
warned her. It's but fair she should
fail"
She turned resolutely to her own
work but Chariss face haunted her. The
crayon broke in her nervous fingers. She
bit her lips. The frown between her
eyes grew deeper and deeper Her
breath came thick and fast. Then sud-
denly, with mighty effort, Barb spoke.
If ever her words came from her mouth
" like beans from pop-gun, now was the
time
Miss Stevens. will you let me change
sums with Charts Temple? / want to
explain that twelfth example. I've
new way of doing it.
A singular request but Barbara was
always peculiar. Moreover, the teacher
was very quick -witted.
If Charts is willing" said she.
1t may be truthfully observed that
Charts was willing" Barbara never
forgot the look of relief that came over
her face.
And so Barbara Blunt and Charts
Temple stood even on the rank-list, after
all
Il knew it would be So said the
teacher, smiling and l have provided
two copies of The Lays OF Ancient
Rome -one for you, Miss Blunt, and one
for Miss Temple. l was half afraid,
when | heard of your picnic yesterday,
Charts, that you would be behindhand
to-day"
my luck" began Charts, and stop
ped. A sudden thought flashed into her
mind. She turned round and faced her
rival.