The morning call., 1892-05-23

aside unseen, and up the stairs through the
| hall, so rapidly filling with smoke from some
unknown quarter
what are you following me here for?"
Belle haugh!ily asked, as CliSty entered the
room.
IT'S a frep' C'listy answered. with a
quick cleuching of her teeth at the tone.
Belle dropped her essay and rushed for
the door but C'listy caught her by the arm.
picked up the paper and hurried her from
| the room. At the door Belle hung back IN
terror at the cloud of smoke.
Come with me. We can get down If we
hurry Hold your breath. C0me! And
she fairly dragged the terrified girl after her
through the binding smoke rolling up to-
ward them "Get down." she commanded,
hoaTsely. We've got TO 60 down back
ward on our hands and knees or We'll
choke. Come on!'
C'listy clutehed Belle firmly and forced
her to her side on the floor.
"And that's the way ! found 'em-half
way down the last fight Of stairs" said the
fireman who had dashed into the building
when the two were missed.
The only thing that saved them, too, in
all that smoke, getting close to the floor !;
sensible thing to do, for smoke alters rises.
Mighty lucky for them the gal thought
ont" said another.
They will come out all right 1t is only
the fright and reaction said ths doctor,
as he examined the half-stupefed girls, who
were hastily carried to their homes.
bellies eSsay-it's in my pocket. mother"
said Clisty that night send it right to
her. She'll take the prize. 1t is best, L
know. L shall not go. My essay Is
burned"
bursting in at the open door. The desks
were only just scOTched and | found it.
Here il is; and the exercises will go on at
the hall, and Mr.. Price told me to give you
their thanks, and he would send for you
tomorrow.
That was all, then, yet C'listy felt that it
was more than she expected, even when
she reached the hall the next day late, and
was hurriedly assigned a seat at the eud Of
the long row Of classmates upon the stage.
Neither could she fail to notice that, as
usual, the seat next TO hers was vacant
I The girls still avoided her, she thought,
bitterly, though Emma Howe smiled pleas
sntly from the seat beyond. Belle was not
| anywhere to be seen.
The exercises proceeded, each speaker
| being gracefully conducted 10 the front by
the one al her right; AID C'listy felt lump
rise in her throat as she saw there was no
one 10 perform that office for her 1t would
be so always. Her eyes filed so that she
could net see distinctly as her own name
was called; but she arose, struggling Tor
cOmpOsure, some one took her hand and ac
c0mpanied her 10 the front, where loud
burst Of applause greeted her. and gave her
/ time 10 regain Seif-cOntrOl. Yet her v0ice,was
pathetically tremulouS TO the close Of the
impssscned plea she put forth for "Recog
milton; and when she closed, she found
her seat amid renewed applause.
Then Belle Prices name was called. and
she saw that il was Belle who now occupied
the seat next her.
Was it she who had escorted her? The
question asked itself again and again rs she
listened to the essay in tumult Of feeling.
But she was not prepared for what fol-
lowed
as Belle took her seat, Mr.. Prize srose to
award tie prize.
In awarding the prize" he said, "the
judges have considered 1t as living between
the last two contestants; but one has honor
ably Withdrawn, stating 70 the committee
that her effort was assisted by the criticism
Of another Therefore, we feel that the
prize is due in all respects tO-Callsta
Weston"
C'listy stared at Belle in amazement. but
the latter only nodded; while Mr.. Price
continued, after the storm Of hand-elapping
had ceased
'This is not all, a gold medal has been
privately prepared for the one who has led
her class ID scholarship and department as
she also leads It from her seat to-day upon
this stage, in magnanlmity and her0ism-
Calista Weston"
There was no doubt this time It GER
tainly was Belle V no escorted her TO the
front 20 receive her h0nors. 1t was Belle
who stood by her through the misty closing
ceremonies. and it was Belle who afterward
introduced her to those who gathered round
for congratulations, as
MY friend, Calista Weston"
"Can such people be anybody" wills
pered Dave Howe, misehieyously, in Bellies
ear, later.
Being somebody rests with the person,
after ali" she quickly replied; "and Calsta
has proven that true worth will compel
recognition. IS. 2. 5.