Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-09-01
III.
INTERVIEWS

In my hasty sketch of school, l have made
little or no mention Of the schoolmasier and
his wife. Indeed, so far as my present re.
trospection is concerned, they are nonenti.
ties; and they form part of my story only in
so much as they affected m relations with
the leading actress in the life drama to which
these chapters are the prelude.
Munster was a feeble-looking but talented
little man. with a very high forehead, which
he was constantly hopping with cold water,
10 subdue inordinate headaches; and Mrs.
Munster was a kind creature, with an enor-
nous respect for her lord, and quite a moth
erly interest in US boys, she having no chill
dren of her Owl
The manner of these good people was kind
toward all; but their treatment of Madeline
Graham was blended with a sense of restraint
almost bordering on fear. 1t was obvious
that they had been instructed to treat hei
with more than ordinary solicitude, and il
was equally obvious that they were Literally
paid for so doing.
When she broke from all restraint, as was
the case occasionally, their concern for hei
personal welfare was not unmixed with a
tear lest open rupture might rob them of the
installments derived from their wealthies,
pupil. Madeline, on her side. was perfectly
conscious OF this; but, in justice it must be
said, that She seldom took undue advantage
Ut her position.
The more | saw Of Madeline Graham. the
more i Observed her manner and general
bearing. the more the thought OF her possess
I'd me, and blended with my quietest dreams.
After that first interview, she held some
what aloof for many days, but her eyes were
constantly watching me in school and at
meals, though without any approach 10 fur
Their familiarity. She seemed DESTROYS Of
keeping ME at a distance, for reasons which
| could not possibly penetrate.
Gradually, however, we came together
again.
Madeline had not exaggerated when she
boosted of excelling the other scholars IN
brightness and intelligence. Her memory
was extraordinary, and tasks which taxed
all the energies OF boyhood were easily mas
tered by her quick and restless brain.
She was taught with the rest OF US in the
open school, and was generally at the head
Of her class.
1t so happened that l myself, although in
many things dull and indifferent, was also
gifted with a memory of uncommon tenacity.
In all tasks which demanded the exercise of
this junction | took q foremost place. Made
line was my most formidable rival, and we
began, quietly at first, but afterward with
energy, 10 fight for the mastery.
The competition, instead OF severing,
brought Us closer TO each other.
Madeline respected the spirit which some
times subdued her, and |, for my part, loved
her the better for the ~humanizing touches OF
passion which my victory frequently awak-
ened.
We had been friends six months, the quiet
round of school life had become familiar and
pleasant TO me, when, one day, at breakfast.
l noticed that Munster wore a very troubled
expression, as he broke open the largest OF a
number OF letters lying before him. The en-
velope was of peculiar yellow paper, and the
post-mark looked foreign.
Madeline, who sat close by. turned white
aud eager, and her great eyes fixed theT-
selves on the strange missive.
Within the letter to Munster was q smaller
one, which he handed To Madeline silently.
With impetuous eagerness, she opened and
read II, IL was very short. As she glanced
over il, her bosom rose and fell, her eyes
frightened and filled with tears.
To hide her trouble, she rose and left the
room.
Meanwhile Munster evinced similar sur
prise and CONSERVATION He bit his lips as
he read his letter, and passed his hand nerv-
ously through his hair. Then, with a sign:f-
cant look, he passed the letter to his wife,
who. reading IL, In her turn became similarly
troubled.
AS no passed the letter to her, something
I dropped Tist.;sg 70 the teor. and Munster,
looking rather red, stopped and picked 1t up.
1t was a ~curiously printed paper, and looked
like the note OF some foreign bank.
Breakfast was misunderstood begail-bnt
Madeline did not appear. Munster still look
81 tdgety and annoyed.
As for myself, I was torn by sensations 10
which my little heart had been hitherto a
stranger. i felt on the brink OF q precipice,
! down which all that | held dear was disap-
pearing. l could not eat, l could not say my
tasks, | could not think. What was going
to happen? 1 asked myself wildly again and
again.
At two o'clock, when We were summoned
10 dinner, no sight OF Madeline. But by this
time some hint Of the truth was Forcing IL
self upon me-.
A whisper had passed round the school
madeline Graham Is going awayF
Going away? Whittier? To that far-dis
tant that mysterious land whence she had
come, and whittier l might never follow her:
Going away forever! Passing westward,
and taking with her all that made my young
| life beautiful and happy. Could his ey
shall never forget the agony OF that day.
/ have had blows since, but none harder. ]
have felt dcsolation since, but none deeper.
After school, I hung round the house
haunted every spot where she might be ex'
pected b appear. ] yearHed to hear The truth