San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-02-25
THE PLACE OF HONOR,
A short Story for the Young.

| Are you trying Tor the place of
honor, Densil, that you are always so
studious?"
The question was asked mockingly,
and received with a deep flush by the
pale tired-looking boy seated near the
open window.
II am trying to learn all can. Ed
gar, but not to obtain the place you
name" Densil answered quietly, with
out lifting his eyes from the book lying
on his knees.
Edgar laughed somewhat scornfully,
and the LOOK he gave Densil was GER
tainly not friendly one.
You may pretend you do not care,
but | am sure that is the only reason
you have for working so hard"
believe so if you will," Densil said
gently, his calmness unbroken, though
he felt keenly his companions sarcastic
words.
"All the other fellows think with me;
and really don't call it fair, because
you can't expect us to give up our re-
creation hours on purpose to keep up
with you," Edgar continued.
Densil made no reply to this last
speech, but his face colored family
| Come, now, Den, leave that old
book and join in our game" the boy
added, his voice becoming suddenly
persuasive.
mo, really cannot, Edgar, much as
l should like to. This lesson must be
learnt for tomorrow, and have no
other time"
Edgar opened wide his eyes in sud-
den establishment
mo other time" he repeated. "Why,
what do you do after school is over?"
Densil smiled; then grave look set
tied on his smooth brow.
81 have something else to do then.
"Ohr'
Only that one word left Edgar's lips,
but it was full of doubt and quiet signi-
fcance Densil could not mistake; yet
the boy resolutely maintained the same
strict reserve he had always held to-
wards his comrades.
'Then you won't comeP
mo; | cannot"
Ed gar shrugged his shoulders, with
an assumption of careless indifference,
then marched disdainfully off.
Densil could scarcely repress sigh
as he watched the boy move away; re-
greet shone in the dark eyes gazing after
that youthful form, but not for long; in
another moment serenity once more
| shone there.
81 can't make Densil out at all There
he is, always buried in his books when
he should be at play, and yet he de-
clares it is not through any wish to be
/ bofo,o m, -. alaap ~ EJro, a.; NJ,
he neared his school-chums.
II don't believe him. He must have
some reasonm one of the boys answer
ed hastily.
yet he never seems to get on any
better for the extra hours spent in study
ing"
"Perhaps he doesn't study when he
| goes home at night; ne declares he does
notr' Edgar added impatiently.
Surely you are not SO stupid as to be-
| lieve him?" his companion answered
! with an air of supreme scorn.
Still bordering over the mystery sur
rounding Densil, the boys hurried off
to their play, and in few moments
had almost forgotten their former an
noyance.
| Several days passed, and Densil con-
tinued, in spite of many cutting re-
marks, to study whilst the others play
ed; even the masters soon began to no.
tice his singular conduct, and ponder
| over it.
81 tell you what it is, boys" Edgar
said one day, as they strolled about the
grounds; 1--WE must try with all our
united force to prevent Densil from get
ting the place of honor. He doesn't de-
serve it, for he is too reserved and fond
of his own company.
"a agree with you; but how can we
prevent itP"
"By doing double lessons at night; it
won't hurt us, and pay Master Densil
out finely"
Some of the younger boys demurred
at this, but their arguments were soon
overruled by the elders, and. before they
parted, all were of the same mind in re-
gard to poor Densil.
From that day wonderful change
seemed to take place amongst the boys.
Instead of wasting hours at play, they
devoted the whole of their time to assid-
uous work, as if their very lives depend
ed on this task.
Densil partly guessed the reason, and
he heayed many bitter signs when he
remembered how small his own chances
were of ever gaining the coveted place
at the head of tine school.
"What do you do of an evening, Den
slip Surely you do not spend your
time learning lessons already learnt be-
forep" his master inquired one day.
Densil flushed and bit his lip nerv-
ously.
mo, SIR" he answered gravely.
"Then what do you do?'
The boy hung his head, and made nc
reply; so, with careless shrug, Mr.,
Reid turned away.
Perhaps week later, as Edgar and q
few of his chosen companions were
walking home towards nightfall, they
met Densil just coming from small
cottage net far from his own house
"Hallor' Edgar cried, in sudden sur
prise. What are you doing there?"
II have been staying a few minutes
beside poor little Max. He is so weak
he can scarcely move about, and ht
likes me to sit with him."
Edgar laughed, then suddenly, as j
atrucE nv hripht idea instead of fol