San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-06-17
CHAPTER ii.
NEMESIS INTERVIEWS.


In my hasty sketch of school, have made
little or no mention of the schOOlmaSter and
his wife. Indeed, so far as my present re-
trOspectiOn is concerned, they are nOnenti-
ties; and they form part of my story only in
50 much as they affected my relations with
the leading actress in the life drama to which
these chapters are the prelude.
Munster was feeble-lOOking but talented
little man, with a very high forehead, which
he was constantly mOpplng with cold water,
to subdue inordinate headaches; and Mrs.
Munster was kind creature, with an enOr-
nous respect for her lord, and quite moth
erly interest in us boys, she having no chill
dren of her own.
The manner of these good people was kind
toward all; but their treatment of Madeline
Graham was blended with sense of restraint
almost bordering on fear. 1t was obvious
that they had been instructed to treat her
with more than ordinary SOlicitude, and it
was equally obvious that they were literally
paid for so doing.
When she broke from all restraint, as was
the case occasionally, their concern for her
personal welfare was not unmiXed with
fear lest open rupture might rob them of the
installments derived from their wealthiest
pupil. Madeline, on her side, was perfectly
conscious of this; but, in justice it must be
said, that she seldom took undue advantage
of her position.
The more saw of Madeline Graham, the
more observed her manners and general
bearing, the more the thought of her possess
ed me, and blended with my quietest dreams.
After that first interview, she held some
what alOof for many days, but her eyes were
constantly watching me in school and at
meals, though without any approach to fur
Their familiarity She seemed DESTROYS OF
keeping me at distance, for reasons which
l could not possibly penetrate.
Gradually, however, we came together
again.
Madeline had not exaggerated when she
boosted Of excelling the other scholars in
brightness and intelligence. Her memory
was extraordinary, and tasks which taxed
all the energies of boyhOod were easily mas
tered by her quick and restless brain.
She was taught with the rest of us In the
open school, and was generally at the head
of her class
1t so happened that myself although in
many things dull and Indifferent was also
gifted with memory of uncommon tenacity.
| In all tasks which demanded the exercise OF
this function took foremost place. Made
line was my most formidable rival, and we
began, quietly at first but afterward with
energy, TO fight for the mastery.
The competition, instead of severing,
brought us closer to each other.
Madeline respected the spirit which some
times subdued her, and ], for my part, loved
her the better for the humanizing touches OF
passion which my victory frequently awak-
ened.
We had been friends six months, the quiet
round of school life had become familiar and
| pleasant TO me, when, one day, at breakfast,
noticed that Munster wore very troubled
expression, as he broke open the largest Of a
number of letters lying before him. The en-
velope was of peculiar yellow paper, and the
] post-mark looked foreign.
Madeline, who sat close by, turned white
and eager, and her great eyes fixed them
selves on the strange misslve.
Within the letter to Munster was smaller
one. which be handed to Madeline silently.