The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1892-03-17

mo her ended her appeal, with burst Of
tears. An hour passed before she rose
from beneath the oak. tree where she had
thrown herself. Then she went back to
the house with set lips and pale face,
IN do it, she simply said
The next morning she WAS back IN the
school room, outwardly unmindful Of
the cold looks, withdrawn skirts, aud ny.
turned noses Of the girls.
1t soon became evident that the Gay
School pupils must wake up. 1t wsa IT.
rilating TO think of C'h-ty Westons push
ing them back while she went forwsr1 :
but she was doing 1t, and, when one day
she gained signal victory over Belle
Price, who had been first IN all thugs
before that, open warfare WAS declared.
But she pressed brayely on until Dave
Howe could not resist speaking TO her a
sac PASSED him.
e BOD for your pluck, C'listy.'
What do you care for my pluckf2 Fl
flashed back dehantly. You SIT them al
me from the first"
Now, C'nsty," drawled Dave, plant
ing himself before her. Pm bigger
barker than bitter any day. Eve got to
make fun of somebody. I'd do 1t OF
Emms Howe herself And you do know
You looked odd as Dicks maitland that
day, but you've changed nightly, and ]
do like pluck anywhere. just you STICK
to it, Clisty, and you'll pull through.
Girls are queer animals"
And bows, too" C'iisty could no help
saying to herself, with a queer feeling
compounded Of anger and gladness. 1t
was something, at least, to have galued
one friendly word. She would keep on
al. Dri1 unppnadqd nprfgrflN
making her miserable. She looked upon
the despised girl as her rival now, aud
her influence was all-powerful with the
others.
Then came the offer of prizes to the
girls for the best essay. C'listy knew
that she could write. and the prize meant
so much pecunisrily. SO she set to work
Belle, also, was one OF the contestants,
and determined rival,
The day rapidly approached and
Bellies admirers took occasion to state
openly that their friends production Wa
not to be excelled. C'listy WAS ABOUT dis
couraged that afternoon before the day
set for the exercises. or what use to
strive longer
Suddenly cry rang through the school
room
Fire. Fire"
There was mad rush for the doors
The teachers presence of mind enabled
them to get out safely the occupants OF
the rooms but once outside, 1t was dis
covered that C'lsty and Belle were miss
ing.
For minute, as the lines passed out
rapidly, Ci'isty had hesitated She kne"
that Belle had slipped of secretly to the
ecture-roo on the last floor for final
rehearsal by herself But what if she
had? 1t WAS none OF her business, C'llsty
thought. Some one else would tell her,
and Belle would not trouble to save her
from ANYTHING she bitterly though, a
she remembered all the Sights she had
endured
She had reached the foot of the stair
way with the lines whtn suddenly she
dsrted aside Unseen, and up the stairs
through the hall, so rapidly filling with |
smoke from some unknown quarter.
"Whst are you following me here foi?'
Belle haughtly exclaimed, Us C'listy EN-
tered the room.
It's fire" C'listy answered with a
quick clenching 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 smoke.
Come with me. We can get down If
we hurry. Hold your breath. Come"
She fairly dragged the terrified girl after
her through the binding pail rolling up
toward them.
Get down. she hosrsely commanded |
We've got to 90 down backwards, on
our hands and knees, or we'll choke.
G me on -
C'listy cluched Belle firmly, and forced
her to her side upon the floor.
"And that's the way found'em, half
way down the last flight 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 gettlrg close TO The
floor, -sensiblest thing to do too; Tor
smoke alters rises. Mighty lucky for
them the gal tho't ont" said another.
They will come out all right. 1t Is |
only the reaction and fright said the
doctor, as he examined the half stupe fled |
girls, who were hastily carried to their
homes.
Bellies essay,-its in my pocket,
mother" said Clisty that night. SEND
it right to her. She'll take the prize.
Is lne oebt, hnoW' snaIi NOV 49, 'iH
essay burned"
No, 1t didn't" Dave Howe exclaimed,
bursting in at the open door. The desks
mad only scorched, aud | found it, Here
it is; and the exercises will 90 on at the
nall and Mr.. Price told me TO give you
their thanks, and he would send Tor you
tomorrow.
That WAS all then; yet Clisty felt that
: bap b,l py ph
she reached the hall the next day late, and
was hurriedly assigned seat at the end
of the long row of classmates upon the
stage. Neither could she help but notice
that, as usual, the seat next hers was va.
vacant The girls still avoided her, she
thought, bitterly, though Emma Howe
smiled pleasantly from the seat beyond.
Belle was not to be seen.
The exercises proceeded, each speaker
heing gracefully conducted to the front
by the one at her right; and C'listy felt
lump rise In her throat AS she saw there
was no one to perform that Office for her.
It would be 50 always. Her eyes filed so
that she could not see distinctly as her
own name was called; but as she arose,
struggling for composure, some one took
her hand and accompanied her to the
front, where a loud burst of applause
greeted her and gave her time to regain
self control. Yet her voice was pathetic.
ally tremuous to the impassioned plea
she put forth for "Recognition;' and,
when she closed, she found her seat smid
renewed applause.
Then Belle Prices name was called, and
she saw that it was Belle who now occu-
pied the vacant seat
Was il she who had escorted her? The {