Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-22

FIFTY CUBIT."
1t was luncheon hour at Hilton
Academy. and excitement was high
among the pretty girls who were .re-
pairing for presentation of the Can
tata Of Esther.
who's that coming?" asked one,
suddenly.
"oh, that is the girl from Shelby"
"That backwoods place. No won
der she looks as If she came out of
the ark
The girl from Shelby was drawing
near timidly. and paused as she saw
the forbidding faces. Tall and stoop-
shouldered, with hands that told of
hard work. 1t was hard for Ruth AL
den when she wanted to be like other
girls; hard to wear that old dress
with outgrown sleeves and skirt eked
out.
She wished she knew how these
girls did their hair so prettily. but
there wouldn't be time, even if she
knew. She must use every minute
before school. for her invalid mother
must be made comfortable. and din
ner left cooked for the children, and
at night there was even more to be
done.
She knew what the girls were talk.
Ing about so earnestly, but stepped
back. perceiving herself unwelcome.
A moment later Harry Foster ap.
preached the group. He had the part
OF Haman In the cantata, and was
sentenced to be hung on the gallows
fifty cubits high.
Here comes Haman. Long live
Haman!" hummed one of the girls.
And there goes Fifty Cubit,''
laughed Helen Avery as Ruth Alden,
tall and awkward. retreated slowly,
wondering how it would seem to be
one OF the girls" if only for day.
Hush!' whispered Harry. "She's
not to blame for being so tall saw.
let her have some part with the rest
Of you"
"she can't; she hasn't a decent
dress of any kind"
We'll, l know one thing" retorted
Harry, angrily, you girls would bet
ter look out. Professor Harrison SAYS
she will be the head of the class next
year"
Don't stop to QUARREL said Angie
Fenner What shall we wear?" And
all began talking at once.
Kings and queens wear royal pur.
pie, trimmed with ermine."
We'll get purple cambria, and for
ermine cut white cotton batting into
strips. and ink it for ermine tails"
And what for crowns?'
Gid pasteboard with gold paint.
VIII Newton's shirt stud can be the
Kohinoor."
Good! We girls will wear white
muslin"
III wear my new silk" said Angie
Fenner. who was to be prophecies.
How You would look, prophesying
In an applegreen silk! You must
have costume"
You needn't talk about II! I'm
going to wear the si.ik!"
Ruth Alden wasn't asked to take
any part, but one of the girls had
said Fifty Cubit might be useful in
the dressing-room and told her to
come.
On cantata night the hall was
packed to the doors. The girls dres.
slng-room was foam of white muslin
and Fifty Cubit was here, there and
everywhere helping to make the
othes beautiful.
When the curtain rose, the King,
standing on Mrs. Fenner's best rug.
looked royalty impressive in his duet
win Haman. The chorus sang their
song of JOY" and then the "proon-
e'ess appeared in her silk, fluffy with
lace and garniture of roses. As SHE
bowed. her dress fiuttered against a
naring Candida scream and she ran.
smut the door after met" pealed
a voice; and Fifty Cubit burst
through the dressing-room, threw An.
gle to the floor, and catching u, lie
rug. ro'lel her over and ever. An
other instant, and Angles father
dashed over the footlights to his
darling.
Angie was saved. but Rrth's hands
ard arms We're badly burned. and onl
her woolen dress s.v> d her from !,
worse fate.
"oh. Ruth. What can We ever dc
for you?" faltered Angles mother
That night Ruth slept in Angles
room. and next mornins Mrs. Femme,
said. Ruth. dear. We have sent !
good woman to your mother, AMI yo,
must stay here and :est. Angie net d.
Just such sister rs YOU
Here's something for you." sait
MI Fenner. laying down curiou.
looking paper. I'm not man q
MANY words. It's no use trying to tel
| you how | feel"
What is it?" asked Ruth.
IT'S the deed of Pine Hill cottage
I give it to you"
When Ruth began to understand
| she could hardly believe herself alive
That pretty house, risht in town, I,
be hers.
All day long she lay on the couch
With song in her heart. until Angie
came from school. but not alone
there was roomful of girls crowdin:
around her.
you dear, splendid girl" the,
cried in breath. DO forgive u