The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-07-29

upon one SIDE or the Otner.
The schoolmaster took up the SPELL
ing-book and the battle began, those
who misspeled a word being obliged to
sit down at once. One by one they
were vanquished, until, at the close of
an hour and half, Henry Lisbon,
George Claiming and Debby Rawley
were the only ones left standing.
The excitement ran high, and all
eyes were riveted on the remaining con-
testants. Debby's cheeks were flushed,
her eyes shone like stars, and she had
forgotten her shabby clothes and the
neglect with which she had been treated
in the beginning of the evening.
"We mustn't be beaten, Debby,"
whispered George, as the schoolmaster
paused to turn over leaf; &C depend
on you, remember"
"I'll do my best,' whispered Debby
in return, smiling up at him.
The spelling continued, and opinion
was about equally divided as to which
would win; but at last Henry Lisbon
failed on common word OF only two
syllables, and a deafening cheer re-
sounded through the old school-house,
as, with a forced smile, he took his
seat.
All was confusion at once; every one
crowded around George to congratulate
and shake hands with him; but he was
not too much engaged to notice that
Debby had left his side and was trying
to force her way through the crowd to
the door.
He fastened after her and stopped
her Just as she was going out.
" Surely, you are not going YETI he
said.
eyes, / must" she answered.
" Grandma will be anxious about me-"
Z" But you ought not to leave me to
bear the burden of our honors alone"
he said, laughing. " You ought to stay
and take your share. If it hadn't been
for you our side would not have won.
You surprised me, Debby. / didn't
think there was any one in Grundy
county except the schoolmaster who
could spell down Henry Lisbon"
81 study at home at night" said
Debby, in low, unsteady voice; and
with little nod she walked away from
him and went out into the night.
AT ten O'Clock the school-house was
empty, and the first spelling match of
the season--which was to have a result
of which George little dreamed-was
over.
The next day George had occasion to
90 to town. His way led by the small
farm of Debby's grandmother, which,
badly managed for many years, yielded
but meager living for the two women.
Debby was at the window of front
room as George drove by; but the next
moment she had thrown open the door
and, without hat or shawl, was flying
down the path which led to the gate.
Stop' she cried. II want to
speak to you"
George shouted Whoa" pulled up
his horses, and jumped out of the
wagon.
Anything wanted in town." he
asked.
"No, no. said Debby. ell only
wanted to thank you for choosing me
last night" the quick tears springing
to her earnest eyes. "It-it was sc
kind of YOU" and the other tears fall.
ing fast by this time, she rushed bach
into the house before he had chance tC
say word in reply.
He stood still moment, staring after
her, then climbed into his wagon again
and drove on. He didn't resume the
whistling of "The Last Rose of Sum
mer," which Debby's appearance hat
interrupted. His face was grave anC
thoughtful.
For nearly mile he let Dobbin anC
Whitefoot choose their own gait. Then
just as the wagon was entering town
bn I,
"Confound it ALL" he muttered,
wish now / had asked her out of kind
ness"
There were several other spelling
matches held in the Pickett school
house during the winter, but Debb,
did not attend them, and George, VIII,
entered college in the spring, saw he
only at long intervals during the mex
five years.
AT the end of that time Debbys oil
grandmother died, and Debby, afte
selling the farm to Norwegian VIII
had recently come into the neighbOl
hood, left her old home forever, tellin
no one whittier she was bound.
Seven years later George Charming
who had become lawyer and was en-
joying an excellent practice in Detroit
was disturbed one morning, while ell
gagged in his Office on a brief, by tn
entrance of a tall, good-looking, wei
, dressed lady, who, instead of returnin
| the business-like bow with which h
greeted her, advanced toward him wit
, both hands Outstretched.
" You don't know me?n she CRIED
l " You don't recognize Deborah Raw
[ ley ?"
| "Deb little Deb of Grundy county!
5 exclaimed George. "It can't be poss
} ble.n
9 =" BE little more respectful, sir, i
| addressing me-" laughed Deb. sd
Rawley, if you please" dropping hi
f little courtesy.
" DR.. Rawley!" repeated Georg'
! Oh, nonsensen
e It's true" said Deb, still laughin,
e g Sit down, and I'll tell you about it,
And then, in few words, she gay
e him the history of her life since she ha
: left her old home. With the procee,
: of the sale of her farm she had gone
n college in Michigan and taken IL
medical course, graduating at the Ell
: of three years with high honors.
n Her money was exhausted by tn
e time; but an old professor who hi
taken warm interest in her from Il
e beginning paid her expenses to Ne
L Xnpk wv ORC oha cnant q yaar in he