Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-12-30

tentlye to-day" He picked up the
blotted, ill-spelt theme and studied it
with tightening lips.
Suddenly, without warning, her
head fell forward upon her arm and
she burst into tears. The long pent-
up grief which had been struggling
all day for expression shook her as
a tempest
Brenton strobe to the open door to
regain his oomposure, and when he
returned his voice was husky.
"Hushl" he commanded almost
harshly. Then with an uncontrolla-
BILE impulse he gently laid his hand
upon the bowed head,
What is it, Bettyp
Nothing much"
"'Tell mel" he insisted.
1T doesn't really matter" she fal-
tered in confusion. 1T is only that
the girls are planning their gradua-
ton dresses and things. can't have
any--that's all-but it means a lot to
a-girl."
Brenton had completely dropped
his mask. His face was broken by
quivering lines of compassion, but he
spoke in a low-voiced expression.
Pm sorry, little one"
There was long pause, broken by
the loud ticking Of the clock
did you know that Mr.. Sheldon
had offered 500 in gold for the best
theme? Couldn't you try very hard,
Betty2"
She raised her head, her face flush
ing with eagerness.
DO you suppose-oh, do you sup
pose could?" she cried, breathless-
ly.
TRY for it, Try hard! You may
go now, Betty"
Brenton had been appointed to
Judge the themes. There were ~ ard
he arranged them upon his desk with
a strangely beating heart.
The hours ticked themselves slow
ly away He had read them all, yet
one he read and reread, holding it
tightly in his hand. His eyes were
fascinated by the closely written
pages of Betty's theme.
Could he, dare he judge? Was it
fair to the others, who had dreamed
perhaps, even as she had done? His
head bent guiltily until it rested upon
the paper
Suddenly he Strengthened his shoul-
ders, then with quick decision walk
ed across the fields and left the
papers with Mr.. Sheldon.
81 cannot give an impartial judg-
ment," he said steadily. 81 know
too well the hopes which lie behind
them"
A week later Mr.. Sheldon an
nounced the prize winner before a
group of eager, up-turned faces, then
Betty's trembling hand closed upon
the shining gold,
On the day of the graduation exer-
cises Brenton sat at his desk watch
ing the scholars take their places.
His eyes dwelt affectionately upon
the fresh, happy faces above their
dainty white linens and laces. He
pictured, with a warm glow of Ella
tion, the innocent pleasure which Bet
ty would take in her new gown, when
suddenly she appeared in the doorway
with all the glory of her radiant,
wholesome youth, but dressed in her
old blue gingham. washed and starch
ed to perfection of cleanliness, yet
faded and sadly worn.
He drew a sharp breath and met
her eyes in a puzzled scrutiny. But
she nodded brightly as she passed his
desk and seemed to glow with some
inner happiness. He had never seen
her so joyous and buoyant. Light
radiated from her until it seemed to
him that the whole room, became
filled with her presence.
After the exercises were over he
asked her in a low tone to remain.
When at length he came to her, his
eyes grave and questioning.
"You didn't buy the dress, Betty?"
"But I could have" she exulted.
They all know / could have"
why didn't you-dear?" His voice
was very deep; very gentle and tend
er.
There were so many things moth
er needed; she has wanted them ever
so long. did not really-need-
dress"
Then crashing past his rigid code,
the term OF waiting he had mapped
out for himself and her, surged his
mighty love and reverence for this lit
tie, tender creature of his care. He
caught her hand ana it lay within his
own, warm and confident
Come to me. little one," he whis-
pered. Into my heart and ny life.
I've wanted you so long. but I dared
not try to teach you more than you
were meant to know"
She turned her head aside and the
long lashes swept the flushed cheek.
But you did" she murmured.
long ago."-ADELA LOUISE KIM.
BALL