Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-11-13

open a confession of her pain and
chagrin.
Georges eyes sparkled with mischief
as he looked at her.
'Ill do it, he thought. 'It will be
capital joke, aud will give the girls
something to talk about for the next six
weeks
AT this moment the counting of the
votes was concluded, and the school
master announced that George Chanuing
aud Henry Lisbon had been elected by a
tremendous majority.
Amid the loud applause the two sue
cessful candidates took their places in
the two first forms, on each side OF the
room.
There was breathless hush. The
room was so still that the big clock over
the blackboard could be distinctly heard.
George had received few more votes
than Henry, and therefore had the priv
iege of the first chance; but for a mo-
ment both young men were silent. Then,
"Debby Rawley," cried George, in a
clear, ringing voice.
Poor Dcbby! She could scarcely be-
leye her ears. Her face flushed, then
grew deadly pale. 1t did not seem pos
sible to her that she had been bonored
with the first call by this handsome young
fellow with the laughing brown eyes
She made a motion to rise, then sank
back in her seat again, trembling all
over.
George saw her confusion and was
touched by it.
"Come, Debby," he saidikindly; "lm
waiting"
She rose and then took her place by
his side, too much dazed and bewildered
to see the contemptuous glances which
were directed toward her.
There was subdued whispering
among the girls for a moment, but 1t
ceased as Henry Lisbon called for Rose
Addison, and the rest of the choosing
proceeded rapidly until aII'were enrolled
upon one side or the other.
The schoolmaster took upi the spelling
book and the battle began, those who
misspeled a word being obliged to sit
down at once. One by one they were
vanauishe1, until at the close of an hour
and a half Henry Lisbon, George Chan
ming and Debby Rawley were the only
ones left standing.
The excitement ran high and all eye;
were riveted on the remaining contes-
tants. Debby's cheeks were flushed, her
ewes shone like stars and she had forgot
ton her shabby clothes and the neglect
with which she had been treated in the
beginning of the evening.
"We mustn't be beaten, Debby, whis-
pered George as the schoolmaster paused
to turn over a leaf. II depend on you,
remember"
"rll 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 Libsor
failed on common word of only two
syllables, and a deafening cheer re-
sounded through the old schoolhouse, al
with forced smile he took his seat.
All was confusion at once; everyone
crowded around George to congratulate
and shake hands with him; but he was
not too much engaged to notice that
Dcbby had left his side and was trying
to force her way through the crowd tc
the door.
He fastened after her and stopped hel
Just as she was going out.
"Surely you are not going yeti" h'
said.
ayes, l must" she answered
"Grandma will be anxious about me"
.'But you ought not to leave me t.
bear the burden of our honors alone" hi
said, laughing. "You ought to stay and
take YOUR share. If it hadn't been fol
you our side would not have won. You
surprised me, Debby. didn't think
there was any one in Grundy County ex
cept the schoolmaster who could spell
down Henry Lisbon"
~ study at home at night" sale
Debby, in a low, unsteady voice; anc
with little nod she walked away from
him and went out into the night.
At 10 o'clock the schoolhouse wa'
empty, and the first spelling match OF
the season-which was to have result
of which George little dreamed-wa'
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, 81 want to speak
to you"
George shouted "Whoa," pulled VI
his horses and jumped out of the wagon.
"Anything wanted in town." he