The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1891-03-12
LOCALS OF FIRE"

GOALS OF FIRE.
"Oh, girls, girls just guess what /
have just overhead Miss Merrick say"
cried pretty Rose Balsam, rushing into
the school room one chilly Spring day,
where about half q dozen girls we're clus.
tered around q smoulderiug fire.
"What, Rose? do tell US quick, there's
"a dear chile You are always hearing
something; say what is it?" ''Guess,"
was the provoking rejoinder, and Rose
drew back step and looked at them
with eyes full of undisguised fun.
"You are only teasing us, arn't you ?"
asked Kate Montague, frail, delicate
looking girl, wrapped up head and ears
in a red, plaid shawl. "On my honor,
no; but before I tell you you must
promise me you will not breathe sylla.
BILE, for if Miss Merrick should find out
I know, alas for the consequences; and
you must also promise, Rose Balsam."
"You are the most provoking creature liv.
ing. "It seems to me if you had anything
to tell it would have been out before
this" said Eunice Hayden, proud,
handsome girl of about sixteen. "Well,
Miss Euuice, the proud settle your
skirts and prepare yourself to listen
AsI was walking through the hall, a
while ago, on the way to my room, hear
ing voices in the CITADEL as the girls
were fond of styling Miss Merrick's
Office, / naturally looked in and OBJ
served Miss Merrick and Miss Katherine
sitting around the ire discussing uome-
thing which I judged vas important,
from the interested look on their faces.
I was passing on, when, hearing Nellie
Gordou's name spoken, and she being
the sweetest girl I have ever had the
pleasure of meeting, I paused.
"tWell, said Miss Merrick, lit will, l
think, be close race "What be q
close race, Rose ?" ''Have patience
and let me fnish.'' eyes," said Miss
Katherine, "'I thiuk it will, for Eunice
Hayden and Nellie Gordon are girls to
be proud of, as far as recitations CO. Il
tell you my plan, Miss Katherine ; it will
be gold medal, to be awarded at Com
mencemeut for the best essay on that
subject" "Whst the SUBJECTS, l do not
know" said Rose, 'but it is to be tried
by the History class, and the winner will
receive gold medal. Now, girls, don't
you think that's something worth tell.
ing" Indeed, it is," WAS the unanimous
opinion. "You are sure she said gold,
Rose 2" asked Blanche Lateral. "Quite
sure" "I wonder what shape it will be {?
I hope it will be a STAR" said Kate.
"There's no use in my hoping anything, :"
said Rose, "for I can't study, but l most
sincerely hope Nell will get it, for she
deserves it.' CHOW we'll it will look on
my white dress," said Eunice, who
seemed utterly unconscious of the chat.
ter about her. The girls looked at each
other in surprise, while Rose said, ssr.
castically: "You seem to be pretty sure
of YOUR ground, Eunice." "Now, Rose
Balsau, you know did not mean that"
but, altering her tone, II do think I
ought to get it, for have worked hard
this year." So saying she arose and left
the room.
"There goes Miss McBryde," laughed
Rose, "and here comes Nellie" echoed
the other girls "oh, Nell, ne have
something delightful to tell you." The
person addressed was tall, supple girl, of
about seventeen; her dark eyes lifted
themselves inquiriDgly as they spoke.
"It must be, from the excitement which
seems to rule" said Nellie. "It GER
tainly is, and you will share our feelings
when we have told you"
They then gave her rehearsal of the
whole matter, concluding with, "and we
do want you to get it, Nell, for you Ger
tainly deserve it," The small hands
clasped themselves convulsively together,
but she never said a word. "Eunice
Hayden wants to get it, but most sin
cerely hope she won't," said Rose.
"Hush, Rose, you should not say that,
for she has as much right to earn it as
any of U.s." Then followed discussion
on the different topics of school girl Cos
sip, in which Nellie did not join, but sat
with far away, dreamy look in her eyes.
Miss Merrick's school was one to which
girl might be proud to 60, for her pu.
pills were few and select. There were
two teachers besides herself; one Ger
man, Miss Schultz, whom all the girl',
excepting Eunice Hayden, heartily
detested. For beneath smiling face
there lay heart aud mind in which
policy, treachery aud deceit made their
abode. To the rich she was all smiles
and compliments, but to the poor she
was cold and scornful. Miss Katherine
of whom I have already spoken, was 8
! warm>hearted little English woman