The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-11-11

good night. At that time all the spots
were confessed ana grieved over. Some
times sad Il am so sorry" would be
sufficient to wipe the spot away. At
other times humble prayer and peni-
tent promise were needed.
1T is always SO much easier" moth
er used to say, ito blot q day than 1t is
to take the blot away" And then came
the Friday night when no word or tear
seemed enough to undo the bitter err
rof Kneeling by her mother poor
Marjie sobbed out the story of her
cruel wrong.
Il was going to surprise you, moth
er. | was going 10 show you how hard
had tried. It was this way: A week
ago Miss Hobson said that this Friday
she was going to give prize to the
girl who stood highest in all her stud
les. You know Miss Hobsons prizes
are worth trying for, but more than all
else | wanted to show you how was
improving. Well, today at noon, Ruth
Martin and | were exactly even and
we two were ahead of all the others!
Then came arithmetic That is my
worst study. and It is Ruth's, too. She
was sitting next me and she looked so
pale and shabby that | was ashamed
to have her there
oh! my dear little grill" They
were the first words Mrs. Lee had
spoken since Marjie began. but they
were full of sorrow.
Don't speak like tnat, mUther,"
pleaded the small penitent; 81 simply
cannot bear 1t. Press my head closer,
mother / need II more than ever"
Mrs. Lee smoothed the tumbled curls
and kept very quiet
The worst is coming, mother, and IL
you take your hand away, | do not
know what | shall do. When the
states were given out glanced at mine
and | saw Ave great. long examples.
just shuddored. Then | looked at
Ruth's and hers were as easy as easy
could be. She was getting her pencil
from her desk and quick as a flash
took her slate and gave her mine"
The gentle hand on the bowed head
made no sign, but deep sigh followed
the confession.
When we passed the states in saw
Miss Hobson look surprised, then she
said: Marie, your examples are all
correct-and Ruth has several errors,
so, of course. you have won the prize.
But these examples are much simpler
than | meant to give you. | have
made mistake. However, It Is too
late now to remedy the error and
congratulate you upon your success
took the prize, mother, and walked
hack to my seat, while all the girls
clapped. | thought my heart would
break. Then / looked at Ruth. Her
face was very pale. and | saw that she
knew. But, mother, she was clapping
and smiling. | have never liked her,
but when | saw her bravery and
strength, just hated myself | could
not show you the prize, mother. hid
1t in my desk at school, There Is
nothing TO take this blot away, is
there mother?"
Where does Ruth live, dear?" Mrs.
Lee spoke softly and gently.
"On Franklin terrace. do not know
where it Is"
II do, 1t is over in the poorest part
of town. You have rarely spoken of
her. What do you know about Ruth?"
Not much, mother. She has not been
at school long. She dresses shabbily
and never talks about herself. The
girls sort of leave her alone"
Marie, 1t is only o'clock. You
and ! must see this poor child to-
night"
An hour later in the parlor of
cheap boarding house Mrs. Lee
waited while Marie went up stairs
TO see Ruth, whose head was aching
so badly that she was lying down.
Marjic found her lying on hard couch
in cheerless hall bedroom.
Ruth" she whispered. The little
sufferer opened her eyes and started
UP.
Marie Lee!" she gasped, what is
the matter?"
I've come-oh Ruth, what can
say? I've come--but you know all, you
brave, strong Ruth, Only, please,
please forgive mel"
In an instant Ruth was off the couch,
forgetting her own pain and grief.
Marie Lee, you must not say another
word. Just to see you when feel so
sick and lonely is enough"
But, oh! Ruth-the slate!"
81 know, Marie, but any other girl
would have waited until Monday.
have been most unhappy thinking of
how miserable you would be over this.
or course | wanted the prize awfully
for | knew it would make father so
happy. He goes on long business trips
and since mother died 1t makes him
so miserable because he must leave me,
If anything nice happens to me while
he is away he is gladder about it than
!. But knew that you would make
it right long before he came back.
have always liked you, Marble, better
than all the other girls and to have you
here is lovely"
When the two little girls came into
the parlor Mrs. Lee had her plans laid,