The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-11-23
CHAPTER III-(Continued.)


Thus far she had answered nothing
correctly, and, feeling puzzled to know
how to proceed, Guy stepped into the
adjoining room to consult with the doc
tor, but he was gone. So, returning.
Guy piled her with questions philoshoph-
ical, questions algebraical, and questions
geometrical, until in an agony of distress
Maddy raised her hands deprecatingly as
If she would ward off any similar ques-
tons, and sobbed out:
'Oh, sir, no more. 1t makes my head
30 dizzy. They don't teach that in com
mon schools. Ask me something l do
know"
Suddenly it occurred to Guy that he
had gone entirely wrong, and mentally
censuring himself for the blockhead the
doctor had called him, he asked kindly
What do they teach? Perhaps you
can enlighten me-"
Geography, arithmetic, grammar, his
tory and spelling book" Madeline re-
piled, untying and throwing off her bon
net, in the vain hope that it might bring
relief to her poor, giddy head, which
throbbed SO fearfully that all her ideas
seemed for the time to have left her.
This was a natural consequence of the
high excitement under which she was
laboring, and so, when Guy did ask her
concerning the books designated, she an
swered but little better than before, and
Guy was wondering what he should do
next, when the doctors welcome step
was heard and leaving Madeline again,
he repaired to the next room to report his
Ill success.
"She does not seem to know anything.
The veriest child ought to do better than
she has done. Why, she has scarcely
answered half a dozen questions cor
rectly."
This was what poor Maddy heard,
though it was spoken in low whisper I;
but every word was distinctly understood
and burned into her hearts core, drying
her tears and hardening her into block
Of marble. She knew that Guy had not
done her justice, and this helped to in
crease the torpor stealing over her. Still
she did not lose syllable Of what was
saying In the back Office, and her lips
curled scornfully when she heard Guy
remark: Il pity her; she is so young,
and evidently takes it so hard. Maybe
she's as good as they average. Suppose
we give her the certificate"
Then DR.. Holbrook spoke but to poor,
dazed Maddy his words were all riddle.
1t was nothing to him-who was he thai
he should be debating thus2 There
seemed to be difference of opinion be-
tween the young men, Guy insisting that
out Of pity she should not be rejected
and the doctor demurring on the ground
that he ought to be more strict. AS
usual, Guy overruled, and seating himself
at the table, the doctor was just com
mencing: 81 hereby certify" while
Guy was bending over him, when the
latter was startled by hand laid firmly
on his arm, and turning quickly he con-
fronted Madeline Clyde, who, with he1
short hair pushed from her blue-veined
forehead, her face as pale as ashes, save
where a round spot of purplish red burn
ed upon her cheeks, and her eyes CLEAN
ing like Goals of fire, stood before him.
HE need not write that" she said
huskily, pointing to the doctor. ut would
be a lie, and could not take it. You
do not think me qualified. l heard yor
say So do not want to be pitied.
do not want certificate because 1 am *
young, and you think I'll feel badly.
do not want"
Her voice failed her, her bosom heaved
and the choking sobs came thick and fas.
but still she shed no tear, and in hel
bright, dry eyes there was look which
made both those young men turn away in
voluntarily. Once Guy tried to excus.
her failure, saying she no doubt wa
frightened. She would probably do bet
ter again, and might as well accept tn
L..k T. Ill.
10 decidedly that further remonstranc
was useless. She would not take wha
she had no right to, she said, but II the.
pleased she would wait there In the bacl
Office until her grandfather came back
It would not be long, and she should no
trouble them.
Guy brought her the easy chair iron
the front room and placed 1t for her b.
the window. With a faint smile sh
thanked him and said: "You are YER
kind" but the smile hurt Guy cruelty,
was so sad, so full Of unintentional re
proach, while the eyes she lifted to hi
looked so grieved and weary that he In
sensibly murmured to himself: POO
child r. as he left her and with the doc
tor repaired to the house, where Agne
was impatiently waiting for them. Pool
poor little Madgel Let those smile VIII
may at her distress It was the first kee
disappointment she had ever had, and
crushed her as completely as many a
older person has been crushed by heavie
calamities.
"Disgraced for ever and ever" she ker
repeating to herself, as she tried to shak
of the horrid nightmare stealing owe
her. "How can hold up my head agai
at home where nobody will understan
Just how It was-nobody but grandp
and grandma. Oh, grandpa, can't ear
that thirty dollars now. most wis
was dead, and AMI am dying. Som,
body-coms-quickp"
CHAPTER w.
Ihara xua a haaxv fall and x,zhila