West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-10-24

Commencement was drawing to close.
The audience, which was large, had
listened and applsuded, and tossed flow
es, and vigorously famed itself for
nearly two hours. The graduates had
read their essays, and the chairman of
the school board had presented their di-
plomas and made short address.
Now it was the turn Of the young mas
ter, and the audience gave him little
round of cheers rs he rose TO speak the
parting words TO the graduates. For
Phil Oakes was certain TO say something
worth hearing.
So he did. The conventional senti-
ments about the voyage of life and the
port of success were FOR once neglected.
The young masters speech, was short,
but good; terse, but bright and interest
ing and amusing.
Amy looked and listened.
She was with her brother and sister
in-law, and she was rather in doubt as TO
the thing she intended doing; but she
did not falter.
How nice he looked And his bright
eyes were turned toward her more than
once. And she had determined to do IL
If it was eccentric.
She grasped firmly the handsome nose
gay of flowers she had carefully arranged,
red and white and yellow roses, with a
border of delicate ferns, and as the young
master bowed, amid sincere applause, she
threw it with vigor directly nc him.
There was general laugh at the novel
feature, and then spreading "Ahw of
CONSERVATION.
The big bunch had hit the rather rick =
ETY. lamp on the organ and knocked it to
the floor. There was the expected crash
Of breaking glass; but worse, there was
burst of flame. The oil had caught
fire.
OF course there was panic. Even
men, in their first fright, pushed to-
ward the door. Women screamed and
children cried.
Everybody was certain that the build
ing would burn, and there was general
rush and hubbub.
But Amy stood still. Her sister-in law
had grown almost hysterical, and her
brother had borne her out, and called to
Amy 10 follow.
But she did not. She stood motion.
less and watched one figure on the plat
form.
Phil Oakes had snatched up the carpet
from the temporary platform, and was
valiantly smothering the flames
Amy waited. She had done it, II he
was badly burned-if he was smothered
lit would be her fault-hers! And
how differently she had meant I'll She
had been foolish, but surely she did not
deserve that her foolishness should be 10
his injury.
The time she stood miserably waiting
waiting till he should see and come 20
her, as she knew he would for he must
know from whom that bouquet had Gomez
the time seemed endless.
When he came, white faced but smiling.
the tears rushed 10 her anxious eyes
81 was such q goose ~ she said. 'What
made me do iti You arc burned-both
your bands-and ] did itl"
mo, no! A small burn or two
nothing" said the schoolmaster. looking
handsome rs he bent toward her. "Donf
think IL! have your flowers, and they
were worth IL Are you alonel Let me
take you home"
She took his arm. He was not much
hurt. and he held her flowers tightly in
his hand, and they were going out into
the cool night together, and she was
almost glad
For otherwise she would be going
home with John and Margaret.
Ny sister-in-law was hysterical with
fright" said Amy. laughing and half-crv-
ing together, and almost hysterical her.
self 'And my brother took her home.
He told me to come, but T."
Your brotherl" said Mr. Oakes.
i,Yes.
"And your sister-in-iawf'
"Why. yes"
"But ! haven't seen them" he ex.
postulated
But you haven't called on me, ANY
retorted. shyly.
And thought you were here alone, ''
he declared
But I'm not " she replied, wonder
ING.
The schoolmaster stopped short and
laced her.
"Is IL possible, he said, solomnly. 49,
'is it possible that That child is your
nephew"
"Of course What else could he be
Amy cried
There was q silence Of some minutes
81 thought he was your--son," said
Phil Oakea, almost inaudiably. 81
thought you were n widow
A widow she gaspod.
She leaned against fence and laughed
until she was weak
II was sure YOU were widow, be-
said. You had on a black dress, you
know
With yellow bows on itw she re.
piled. IN n soft scream.
81 Md lho LITTLE bov ..aa yg;tl, too -