Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-08-27
Continued.

seized him to go ahead Of his own
class, and gain admittance to the form
of which his friend was member.
His natural ability, his untiring ap-
plication, together with the assistance
which he received from Cheetham,
won the day, and at the beginning OF
the second year he was promoted 10
the upper form.
The praises he received from his
father, the appreciation expressed by
his instructors, fred him anew, and ne
determined he would stand second TO
no one. He dared to have secret
from his friend-he dared not centend
with one who could bear no such thing
as defeat.
The theme was to De written IN
verse, which came almost as naturally
to him as his mother tongue. He
kept his own counsel toiled diligently,
and won-won the prize, to the aston
ishment Of the whole school and all
the faculty, and to the utter discom-
future of his friend, who had vowed
that nothing should make him fail OF
his desired object.
Richard Byrnholm had not once
dreamed that Cheetham's heart was SO
relentlessly set upon winning. lie
knew the conflict was open to all VINO
chose to try, and ADDISON having been
very quiet and self-contained about
the matter, as he was about all things,
he did not realize the bitterness which
defeat would bring him. Had ne
realized this, his regard for his friend
would have far out-weighted his desire
for the prize.
It would be impossible to describe
the tumult of feelings which ragged in
the heart Of lie conquered hero, or the
expression of blank amaZement and
rage upon his face, when the verdict Of
the examining committee was rem
dered.
"Byrnholm won the prize! I didn't
even know he was trying for it, he
was heard to mutter. as he passed his
hand over his perfectly colorless face.
For a moment it seemed as if very
demon of hate and bitterness possessed
him. His teeth we're locked together
like a wise, his hands clenched until
the nails were purple and his eyes per
fectly frightening in their expression.
Then, unmindful of all rules of order,
he rose from his seat, strobe from the
room, proceeded to his own chamber,
where he locked himself in, and
neither threats nor entreaties from
teacher or pupil availed to make him
open the doors to give them admit
tance.
At the end of twenty-four hours,
however, he again made his appear
ance, with an air of sang froid and
composure that was considerably re-
assuring, although his face was still
very pale from the battle which he had
evidently been fighting with. him
SELF
Richard Byrnholm went to him
instantly, his great, generous heart
deeply panied that his vanity should
have caused his best friend so much
sorrow.
"Old friend" he said, humbly, I'm
no end sorry, and I'd never have tried
if I had thought you'd take it SO to
heart, though did want to do some
thing to please the governor"
For one instant ADDISON Cheetham's
eyes blazed fiercest wrath and hatred
upon his successful rival; the next, a
wan but sinister smile wreathed his
pale lips, as, extending his hand with
an appearance of frankness and
cordially he said, with forced laugh:
Never mind, Rich, now; we'll make
this thing even some other time!"
Richard Byrnholm gratefully took
the proffered hand, believing the re-
Cancellation complete, and voted his
friend the modest fellow alive" never
dreaming that behind those apparently
careless words there lurked a purpose
so deadly and vindictive which only
the rankest hatred could conceive.
To all appearance, the friendship
which this event had threatened TO
destroy was renewed and prolonged
until the young men finished their
course and each had gone their own
way. Excepting the time that ADDISON
Cheetham had assisted Richard to pro-
cure his commission, they had not met
since then until now
Richard had written his friend con-
corning his engagement as soon as it
occurred-a year previous to the open
ing Of our stOry-and had received in
reply the customary congratulations
and good wishes.
A month before his marriage was to
occur, he had written him again,
claiming lOng-prOmised visit and his
presence at his wedding as ''best man."
There was to be a musical conven-
ton in the country town during the
week Immediately preceding the we'd
ding, and knowing Adison's love for
music, he had deemed that this also
would be a rare treat to him.
ADDISON Cheetham accepted that
invitation he came to Linden
Grange" Richards home, with smile
on his lips and devil in his heart.
He was introduced to the fair bride