Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-06-17
CRATER II.

her lord. and quite a motherly interest
in MS boys, she having no children Of her
own.
The manner Of these good people was
kind towards all. but their treatment Of
! Madeline Graham was blended with a
sense Of restraint almost bordering on
fear. 1t was obvious that they had rsen
instructed to treat her, with more than
ordinary soIicitude, and it was equally
obvious that they were literally paid
/ for so doing.
When she broke from all restraint, as
was the ease occasionally their concern
for her personal welfare was not unmlx-
ed with fear lest open rupture might
rob them Of the installments derived
from their wealthiest pupil Madeline,
on her side. was perfectly conscious Of
this: but, in justice, it must be said that
she seldom took undue advantage of her
position.
The more | saw of Madeline Graham,
the more the thought of her possessed
me, and blended with my uuetest
dreams After that first interview. she
held somewhat aloof for many days, bnt
her eyes were constantly watching me in
school. She seemed DESTROYS Of keeping
me at a distance Gradually, however,
we came together again.
Madeline had not exaggerated when
she boosted of excelling the other schol-
ars in brightness and intelligence. Her
memory was extraordinary, and tasks
which taxed all the energies of boyhood
were easily mastered by her quick and
restless brain.
1t so happened hat | myself although
| in many things duh and indifferent. was
alao gifted with memory Of uncommon
tenacity. In all tasks which demanded
the exercise Of this function took
/ foremost place. Madeline was my most
I formidable rival, and we began, quietly
at first, but afterwards with energy, TO
/ Gght for the mastery.
The competition, instead Of severing.
f! brought us closer to each other Made
line respected the spirit which sometimes
yubdued her, and /. for my part. loved
| her the better for the humauizing touches
which my victory frequently awakened.
We had been friends six months. the
quiet round Of school life had become
familiar and pleasant to me. when. one
day, at breakfast. ! noticed that Nun
ster wore "A very troubled expression,
as he broke open the largest Of num-
her Of letters lying before him. Within
the letter was a smaller one. which he
handed to Madeline silently.
With impetuous eagerness, she opened
and read IT, 1t was very short As she
glanced over il. her bosom rose and fell
her eyes frightened and filed with tears
To hide her troG6le, she rose and left
the room.
A whisper had passed round the
sehool--"M Madeline Graham is going
away" Going away? Whittier? To
thar fardistant. that mysterious land
whence she had come, aud whittier
might never follow her? Going away
forever Passing westward, and taking
with her all that made my young life
beautiful aud happy. Could this be?
shall never forget the agony Of that
day | have had blows since, but none
harder. have felt desulation since, but
none deeper. After school, / hung round
the house, haunted every spot where she
might be expected TO appear yeaned
TO hear the ruth from her own lips.
paced and fro like a criminal awaiting
his sentence. / could not bear the sight
Of the other boys. hut kept TO the secret
places moo " and distracted.
Quite Ia in the evening | wandered
into the garden favorite resort Of
ours THE sun had sunk. hut his slowly
fading light was stjll tiuting the quiet
place, aud the shadows of trees and
bushes were sta distinct upon the
ground
had no, been here long when heard
the foot | knew, aud turning hehcld
nay b,te friend fastening toward me.
She was pale. but otherwise composed.
and said at once,
Have sou beard that | am going
away2 J have just got letter from my
father. | anu 10 go back home immcdt
ately. See
80 saying. she placed in my hand the
email Enclosure which she had received
from Munster in the morning | rcmem.
Ser every word Of it now. 1t was writ
, tim in large, bold hand, and ran as
follows;
MY own Darling Little Madeline:
''Yon will hear from the good people
with whom you are living thar you mus
come home ut once, Wish a kind good
bye to all your friends IN England, per
haps you may never see tbem again
, Come without delay To your loving faith
cr. RODEKICk GRAHAM"
: Prepared as | had been for the blow
: it aid not fail so heavily rs ii Nigh
j, have done. | struggled with my feelings
/, and checked down a violent tendency 81
4 cry. She perceived my CONSIDERATION
and was herself moved. Bui there was
10 quick strange light ia her eyes, IS if sh
We're contemplating something far away
Z Il have prayed many night that m
h father would send for me, she said
II thouehifully. land now he has done 81
.c scarcely feel glad. Snail you be sorry
Z Hugh. when ! goa"
IA AZ this omen question I broke dow
/. utterly, and burst iuto a violeu suh, III
lf pat her hands jn mine aad 10 liked earn
RI estly into my face.
,r Il thought you would be sorry. Non
] Of them viii miss me s0 mucA as YET
e. We have been great friends | ucve
D. thought I could Dee such friends with
boy | shall tell my father az you, an
W. he r,l ljba you. tao, VIII yoa kiss IN,
"A Hugh and say good byeg"
L l could NOT answer fer tears, bus
y put my arns round ber meek. and =.
A. Kiss hsr--a pure truc. loving boys his
worth n million Of the kisses men bu
IA or steal in the broad wosld My teal
ie moistened hcr cheek as | did SO, but 81
10 did not cry herself
rs She was altogether calm s.d suporio
in bowing down 40 my eoyheod, compa
es sionayins and cherishing M. Sac "