Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29
LuciNa S Prize
A Commencement Story.
Lee Wyndham.

you know that you are pretty safe TO-
the general proficiency prize, AM
sure, quite sure. of both Latin an(
French, How she wished this warn
afternoon, as she stood leaning ovel
the gate of Beryl's pretty garden, tina,
she herself had studied hard, from
the very beginning of the year-tha
beginning that seemed SO far away
now. in the warm sunshine.
There is no geography prize" was
counted in with general English sub
jects, and my grammar'-She gave ar
Expressive little shudder.
! We'll, I'd do what l could in these
four weeks advised Beryl Come in
and rest, won't you? I've some extra
studying to do-she gave us double
Latin today, for some unknown
reason!"
"She" was, OF course, the Language
teacher.
NO, thank you. III 60 home" re.
piled Lucilla.
Home she went. with a very sober
little face For two long years she had
been feeling fatherless, because her
father had been at work down in the
Zone" Now he had long holiday
and would be home Just about Com.
mencement Day, and Lucilla would
have no prize to show him. He had
spoken Of his anxiety about her school
work in 80 many lessons, and she had
always meant to put on steam," but
somehow she had not done it, and now
Commencement was four weeks off
and examinations three.
You had better rest before you be.
gin to work, dear" suggested Mrs.
Dean, as her daughter entered.
Mother" began Lucilla. desperate.
ly. Please take out my reports, and
let's 60 over them. want to see Just
where | stand.''
Mrs. Dean went to the desk. AS she
looked at Lucilla's troubled face, she
felt tempted to bid her not worry: that
her father would be so glad to be with
his loved ones that he would not think
much about the prize that wouldn't be
there. But she was a wise mother as
well as tender one. It occurred to
her that perhaps this trouble now
might make her needless little daugh.
ter more Industrious in the future. So
she handed out the reports without
a word and sat down to her work, EN-.
brofdery for Lucillas Commencement
frock.
Lucilla was reading the dishearten-
ing figures, when knock sounded at
the door. She looked up, and gave a
cry Of JOY. There stood her much loved
little cousin, Charlotte Gary.
why, Lottie! How did you get here
alone?' she cried, for Lottie wis only
ten, and her home was thirty miles
Mothers here, too," explained Lot.
n1n,' and her mother came in at that
While Mrs. Gray and Mrs. Dean con-
Ierred over supper preparation in the
Lottie told iher own small
woes to Lucilla. while Lucilla flew
back and forth, setting the table.
Mothers going away, and I'm com.
ing here. want to come here, but / |
1on't want mother to go away" she
explained. her little face puckered
That night when Lottie was safely |
tucked away in a cot in Lucilla' room.
Mrs. Gray told her daughter that her
was travelling West to |
see her twin brother married, and that !
she feared the long trip for Lottie,
who had not been strong. That was
Why Lottie was to stay with them.
The next day, with rather better les
Sons than usual, and proudly chaper-
oning her cousin, Lucilla found the
day go quickly. But Lottie-rather a |
spoiled little girl, if the truth be told !!
had been unhappy. She did not like
her classmates. She could not do the
lessons.
Lucilla coaxed and petted. and fin
ally helped her so much with the les- ,
sons that Lottie went to bed cheered.
The next day, in order to bring !
about, if possible pleasanter relations
oeween Lottie and the other members
Of her grade. Lucilla spent all recess
with them. Only one of the class, Rob-
srta West, seemed able to put up with
Lottie, and she was the very dullest.
Come to our house after supper if /
FOUR mother will let you" proposed |
IuciIla, And I will help you, with Lot
lie.
This proposal poor dull little Rober-
a hailed with JOY. The next day, two
)ther backward children asked to be
allowed the same privilege. Lucilla
'aid. with smile, THE more the mer.
Ter
But mother" she cried. that night
when Lottie was in bed, 81 find my
essons easier not harder for all this
Extra work. Isn't that odd?"
81 Think said Mrs Dean, smiling
that your love for Lottie makes your
,wn less formidable. Your trouble was
always bringing yourself to settle
Town and make beginning"
The three weeks went swiftly by.
lust before Commencement Mrs. Gray
eturned and took Lottie away, but
he evening class for study" as the
title girls, called it, went on till the
were in full swing.
Well sighed Lucilla. the night be-
ore Commencement. which was also
he day Of her fathers expected re-
urn, "T've just not failed; that's all.
But I'm at the foot of those who pas
ed
Next year you'll do better" proph-
sled her mother land don't cry over |