Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1901-04-19

book was her furtiveiy hidden conpan-
lon. from which. when no one was no
ticing, she selected for constant review
the words OF foreign derivation and
those which she herself designated as
having been thrown togsther In the
dark.
Il can spell all the rommo ones
without looking at them. J-u-d-g-
m-e-n-t." she spelled. leave out the
e' before 'ment.' Separate looks easy,
but sOmc'l spell II with an e every
tine
Ia early Novemter Or. Randall. q
genial. retired practltioner. a MAJ who
had won the distinction OF being the
philanthropist Ct the village had Of
fercd tuition and oil legitimate CT.
pcnses FOR one year at Douglass semi-
nary to any young man Dr. Oma who
should spell all others down Ia an cid
fashioned contest. This VIVA TO he held
al the high school building about the
middle OF December. II made DO dif-
ference whether the contestants nj
tended school or not. the only require
ment being that they couldn't be over
81 and must reside IN town.
That Ethel Maynard or Ralph Ucl.
man or perhaps George Lewis would
get Il was the forcsonc conclusion In
the minds OF nearly ali the Inhabitants
Of the village.
"Just you wait. Perhaps you'l be-
mistaken" was Mans sollloQuy after
hearing the matter thus prematuTely
settled. II don't care for the oil tut.
ton; wouldn't hive It anyway. but II.
show you I can do something" and gh,
nodded her head dp1antly to an lmagl
nary. unsympathetlc audience.
IAN rcndyT' asked Or. Randall the
evening Of the contest. Flancing at the
z faces about him. II think So"
he added. Ethel Maynard and Ralph
Holman may tc captalus and choose"
Amid intense excitement long lines
II s~tieIt.tn were soon IN their places.
ANY one else Ike to spell who hasn't
'r'en dsawnT' And DIR. Randall looked
over his gold bowed spcctncles inqrlr.
ingiy III just walt II moment"
fhrtr Was o slight rtlT hack In the
corner aud Nan Eascall slowly arose.
she here Nan EaEcall!" nnd a tit.
ter ran fa;ihii the SOM.
Naa's face flushed With Indignation.
Mildred caught her eye and smiled
approval
Your turn to choose, Mr.. Holman"
said Dr Randall.
Ibid Miss Maynard choose laStl
Very well Nan flascHil."
spell your best" whispered Mil
icd and she pressed Mans hand as
III rlrl hurried by. her look OF anger
chnnrrd almost to a smile IVY M!ldred's
q: mpathy
"TIl give you an easy word FIRST"
And "dagucFrrotypc" was given out.
"lf that's rnsy. I duu't know what be-
calls = hnrl onc." I:ct Ralph spelled 1t
correctly
'IdIosyncraslcs" followed. Three
missed on parallel" and Nan spelled
II.
"Cac OF the easy ones" sic whIs.
pcrrd.
Word after word was given cut until
only four spoilers remained o1 the
hoor. the iwo captains. George Lewis
aud Nan IlascaIi.
Mildred wax never more anxious. Il
do hope" She WAS too interested to
finish her sentence.
For ten minutes each spelled ecu
rately every word that came e. him.
"Neophytr."
George hesiiatcd. then spelled It with
an l.
"N-roph.y.t-e.' spelled Nan calmly.
There was hardly q breath In the
room. so great was the suppressed cx-
citemrnt.
During the next Owe minutes Ralph
took his seat. brateu.
well. wrli!' II was Judge HiltoD's
ejaculation Of surprise.
"MrtamOrphosls."
Ethel began. hrEitated. looked up In
transformation. spelled it-wroag.
Miss HaScall. mctamorphosls."
"M-rt-a-m-O-r.p-h-O-s.I-s. confidently.
AS she finished Nan was greeted with
q round ar applause such as had never
before enIGnated from q Weichville au-
dIencc. Again nnd Ngaln as I; began
TO die out It was Increased with great
er Intensity
Mildred slipped on TO the door and
gently drew Nan to a seat.
II knew you'd win" she whispered.
I'm proud
"Of meY' interrupted Nan passion
ately Then then I'll take the prise
aud aud Tx EOmrbodyT'
Your mother was always right
maj al spelling" Twas job Has
calls husky cOnGratulatiOn as he
clunisliy pared Mans yellow braid.
II decided 'twOuld he Indeed a meta
m%Orphosls when l saw your look Of
anxiety and knrw you cared" confess
Ell Nan she day VI Der graduation. III
II hadn't been for that--Oh. Mildred. !
shuddcr 10 ihlnkF'-ForwaTd