The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1900-04-12
EVA,S EASTER.
00ELLIE, didn't you leave that thir-
IMI teenth problem on your slate!
I,to.unao V;,.o~ o-.;ta1ly

=
IN teenth problem on your SLATE:
SN asked Florence Vinton excitedly
as she Joined the girls on the playground,
YES" answered Nellie. 'why!"
Because when l went into the school
room just now, Eva Moore put something
into your desk which l know was your
slate; just know she has copied your
work and will take the honor again this
week; she is mean little sneak. anyway,
and doesn't deserve it! If l We're you,
l should just tell Miss Fenton."
20. Florence! you must be mistaken;
l cannot think Eva would do such a
thing" answered Nellie.
Nellie Blake. do you think l would
have said she did it. if had not seen
herr" angrily retorted Florence; "besides
you never could see q fault in that little
ragmuffin," and she turned scornfully
away.
Florence had neglected her lessons and
disObcyed her mother by leaving them
unlearned, and going down to the parlor
for a game with Cousin Ralph; cOnse-
Quently she came to school all out Of
sorts, and now she was very willing to
blame Eva, who, she felt sure, would
take the honor again.
Miss FentOn's rich and eccentric old
uncle, Prof. Bradley, who had retired
from educational work, and who often
visited his niece's school, had offered a
fve-dOllar gold piece to the pupil who
should receive the greatest number OF
weekly honor cards."
Eva and Florence had kept equal until
the week before. when Eva had come out
ahead.
Florence Vinton, who was dark-eyed.
robust little beauty, was the daughter
of a rich merchant. and had every COM
fort she could desire, but she was am
bilious and worked just as hard for the
tempting gold piece as though it had been
a rare gift. Eva Moore. who was the
opposite Of her rival, was a delicate girl
with large. dreamy blue eyes and tiaxen
curls. She lived with her grandfather,
who scantily supported himself and Eva
by mending shoes. He worked hard and
planned every way to keep his little or
phan granddaughter in school that she
might get an education, and be able TO
support herself when he could no longer
support her.
Florence's wrath knew no bounds when
the honor card was again handed to Eva.
IL think your card would better be
called dishonor! Anyone might get a
prize il she copied other peoples work.
sneeringly exclaimed Florence. as she
hurried past Eva on her way home.
Eva begged for an explanation; but the
angry girl feigned not to hear. and hur-
ried on.
Poor Eva, above all things she could
A. Il. a,,I ..b.
burst into tears.
"Why, Eva, what is the matterT ask
ed Nellie Blake, coming up 10 her.
Between her sObs Eva told her how
Florence had accused her of copying an
others work. and begged her to tell her
what she meant.
Nellie reluctantly told her, and assured
her that she knew Florence was mis-
taken.
Eva then told her how her grandfather
had had to work, and she had only dry
biscuit for dinner. and could not bear
to eat it with the other girls, who always
had nice dinner. but had hid it i'll her
desk till they were all out, and was just
eating it when Florence came in.
Suspicious hearts are always ready TO
grasp whatever points a guilty finger nj
their foes. Florence had not waited 10
notice that Eva sat at her own desk.
which was next to Nellie's.
Poor little Eva. Long abstinence from
wholesome food, and hard work-for she
sat up late at night to get her lessons
and this shock to her weak nerves had
proved too much for her; sAe could
scarcely walk alone.
Nellie put her strong arm p-otectingly
around her. and accompanied ecr TO her
grandfather's door; then kissing her, and
promising to prove her innocerie TO Flor
ence, she bade her good night.
Mrs. Vinton was standing Behind the
lace drapery which screened She parlor
window and fell in folds a:Jund the
bronze flower pot which he'd large,
creamy tinted Easter lily. Hex soft, Jew
eled hand was raising droopiag blossom
when Florence ran up the wTik and en-
tered the hall.
"Florence, my DEAR" called the gentle
mother.
Florence slowly obeyed the summons
with flushed face, and eyes blazing with
anger.