The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-04-16

NOfWlch up, was the school comment
before long. but none except Anne
knew II was because she was making
school life easy for Matilde.
When the school year was half
over. Miss Henry said to the class in
English one day, II wish a special
theme this week upon original lines.
roctor Gray desires to note class pro-
gress as compared with earlier work
Of the year"
Anne worked early and late on her
theme. She spent a night with Ma
tide. delving into volumes for, ex-
cerpts and quotations. She meant to
win by her theme the notice of Doc
tor Gray.
Matilde produced her sentiments.
They were sparse and abbreviated.
Her head was filed with thoughts of
the coming dance on Friday. do
help me, Anne!" she begged.
Anne laughed, and taking Matilde's
essay, said 1t was merely notes" She
placed the pages in her book, promis.
ing to put them into shape. But be-
ing incapable of surring anything.
and not averse to impressing Matilde,
she threw herself into her friends
point of view, and wrote the essay.
1t was bright, 1t was clever, 1t was
humorous.
Anne was proud of the work, but
she was prouder OF that which she
did for herself. 1t showed more
study.
Pick out some quotations for II
when you copy It," she begged Matilde,
who embraced Anne and promised.
But the dance intervened.
A month later Doctor Gray an
nounced to the school that on these
themes the faculty had based their
choice for the Groly scholarship in
English.
The assembled class gave breathless
attention; the announcement came as
a surprise. Anne flushed, and was
conscious that more than one girl
glanced her way.
Doctor Gray continued: "And in
making the choice known, would say
that 1t is not only on the merits of the
actual theme in hand, which is marked
by clearness, simplicity and a rarer
uuality-humor-but because of her
fine showing in English as compared
with earlier work of the year that the
scholarship is awarded to Miss Ma.
lacking the simplicity and humor of
Mis- 'Levereaux's work, stands the work
OF Miss Anne Norwich"
AS 1t was Friday, Anne went home.
Home meant a low, broad house in
group of live oaks and pines. Home
meant father working early and late
for cotton crop. Home meant young
er sisters and brothers, and sacri-
flee by all to give Anne her year at
school. Home meant mother, never
strong, today lying on her couch, her
hand at this moment on Annes head.
which was buried against the sofa
while Anne sobbed.
But it's mine, mamma, don't you
see-it's mine, for my work won the
scholarship. OF course-I know-you
think did wrong-and all that-but
that's not the point; 1t wasn't for
morals or deportment-it was for Eng.
lish-and it's mine-I earned it"
Earned 1t, Anne?" There was pain
In the tone of questioning.
But Anne did not notice It. For
the credit of the scholarship, Matilde
owes 1t to Doctor Gray to tell-if for
nothing else. owe it to him-if she
doesn't speak, mother"
why, you, dear, will not. Don't
you see? Be honest to yourself, my
child. Your punishment is silence In
confession now, Anne, lies only self.
| interest"
Matilde had laughed Historically,
uncontrollably. She had seized Anne
| after school, in the cloak room, and
could only speak in snatches for laugh.
ter. "Irs-the funniest-sltuation |
ever dreamed Of, Anne. II only we
could tell 1.-THE joke-to the others!
1.-The despair of the faculty-I-I
don't want it. It's honors thrust upon
me. I'll be buying me a cap and
gown some day, Anne"
There was no comprehension of the
bitterness to Anne. But then Anne
had to remember that she had made
light Of these very things with Ma.
tide. How, then, could Matilde know?
AS for the falseness of the situation,
that, to Matilde. was plainly the fun
niest thing OF all.
But by Monday Matilde had changed.
She looked across the schoolroom sew
oral times wistfully toward Anne. At
recess she drew her aside, and told
her that Doctor Gray had met her
father on Friday, and had informed
him about the scholarship before Ma
tide reached home.
| "And-and-you won't believe what
1t meant to father. Anne!"
Matilde's eyes left Anne's in embar.
rassment; she was one to hide emo.
tions and deeper feelings.
''He--papa-he kissed me on the
forehead-twlce. Papa-think of it!'
Was Maltide pretending to laugh
through tears?
"He-he said he had been mistaken
about me; 1t had been his unhappi