The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-05-04
TWO PRIZES.

c. was drawing to itA close, and
great excitement prevailed among the
members of the graduating class Of
the high school. 1t was more than
the usual excitement of graduation,
for Mr.. Breen, a wealthy gentleman
who had no children of his own, had
offered to pay the college expenses Of
the boy or girl who came out number
one in his or her examination. There
was little doubt as to who would be
the fortunate one, for every one knew
that the smartest pupil in the class
was a girl, and that that girl was Lii
lie Joyce. Still many others wished
that it might be their good luck to
get it, and among them was boy
named Harry Gray.
Harry Gray was an ambitious lad,
who wished very much to be doctor
His parents were poor and could not
send him to college. How to achieve
his end was sorely puzzling him when
Mr.. Breen made his offer. Here was
the chance he had been looking for.
Lille Joyce also thought much
about the offer. She felt confident she
could win it if she tried hard. She
would like very much to go to college,
but how could she afford the time?
Her mother was poor widow with
four children, of whom Lille was the
eldest. She worked hard to support
her family, and looked eagerly for
ward to the time when Lille, having
graduated, would be able to help her.
Lille knew if she were to win the
prize her mother would make every
sacrifice to let her go to college. This
must not be. Her mother had worked
hard long enough She must help her
now.
Then she thought of Harry Gray
and all he had told her of his wish to
be a doctor. There was no one she
would rather see win than he. She
must attend the examination and pass
them well in order to get the diploma
but she hoped Harry would be num-
Der one.
The day for the examinations came
publicly. The school hall was crowd
ed with public visitors. The examin-
atoms proceeded. Soon the pupils
failed until all were seated except
Harry Gray and Lille Joyce. 1t was
now a contest between these two
close friends. Lille saw Harry was
getting nervous and felt it was time
to give up. When the next question
was addressed to her she hesitated,
then gave the wrong answer Harry
answered it, and amid burst of ap-
plause won Mr.. Breens offer.
That fall Harry went to college and
Lille Joyce was engaged as a gov
erness in the city. She took great in
terest in her work, and the little ones
intrusted to her care were very fond
of her Harry wrote to her often,
telling her of his life in college and
his Vt hope for the future. He
graduated with great honors. Then
came letter telling her he was start
ing out to make a name for himself in
the world. and he would not write
g. again until he had succeeded.
Two years passed and she heard
nothing of him. Her little charges
had been sent to school, and she had
found a position as teacher in her ma.
tive town. With the help of her sis.
ter, she had now a pleasant home for
her mother and the little ones. One
evening there was a knock at the
door and a well-known voice asked
for Lille. Could it be that the tall.
fine-looking man who stood before her
was Harry Gray? Yes, it was he.
After six years he had come back to
see his parents and the girl he loved.
He had indeed succeeded and was
now a well-known doctor in one of
our large cities. Lille and he spent
many pleasant hours together
One day near the end of Harry's
sojourn they were seated near the
high school building. Harry gazed at
1t few minutes and then said:
lille, do you remember our last
examinations in that SCHOOL,"
81 shall never forget Them" she re-
piled.
Say, Lille, I believe you failed on
purpose that day. know you wanted
me to go to college, and feel it was
you who sent me-"
81 could not go, Harry; but you
must not say sent you. You had to
work hard for it yourself"
Lille" said Harry, 81 can wait no
longer. l must tell you that my real
errand here is to yourself. l come to
ask you for something much greater
than a college education. You must
give me yourself. l must take you
home with me as my own little wife,
to share the profits Of Mr.. Breen's
offer. Dearest, will you be miner" he
whispered, putting his arm around
her.
Lille leaned her head on his Shout
der and murmured "Yes."-Boston
Post.