Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-07-01
p III.

SIlAI l. EN- IL.
Munster was a feeble-looking but tai
ented little man, with a very high fore
head, which he was constantly hopping
with cold water, to subdue i~nordinate
headaches; and Mrs. Munster was a kind
creature, with an respect for
her lord, and quite a motherly interest
in us boys, she having no children Of her
own.
The name 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 been
instructed to treat her, with more than
ordinary s%olicitude, and it was equally
obvious that they were literally paid
for so doing.
When she broke from all restraint, as
was the case occasionally, their concern
for her personal welfare was not unmix-
ed with a 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 l saw of Madeline Graham,
the more the thought of her possessed
me, and blended with my ~quietest
dreams. After that first interview, she
held somewhat aloof for many days, but
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 that I myself, although
in many things dull and Indifferent, was
also gifted with a memory of uncommon
tenacity. In all tasks which demanded
the exercise of this function l took q
foremost place. Madeline was my most
formidable rival, and we began, quietly
at first, but afterwards with energy, to
fight for the mastery.
The competition, instead of severing,
brought us closer to each other. Made
line respected the spirit which sometimes
subdued her, and l, for my part, loved
her the better for the humanizing 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, l noticed that Nun.
ster wore a very troubled expression,
as he broke open the largest of a nun.
Der 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 1t. 1t was very short. AS she
glanced over it, her bosom rose and fell
her eyes frightened and filled with tears
To hide her trouble, she rose and left
the room.
A whisper had passed round the
school-"Madeline Graham Is going
away" Going away? Whittier? TC
that far-distant, that mysterious land
whence she had come, and whittier
might never follow her? Going away
forever! Passing westward, and taking
with her all that made my young life
beautiful and happy. Could this be?
l shall never forget the agony of tina
day. I have had blows since, but none
harder. / have felt desolation since, bu'
none deeper. After school, l hung round
the house, haunted every spot where sh;
might be expected to appear. l yearnet
to hear tho truth from her own lips,