The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-12-25

GAIL right"
Janis was a nervous wreck. What
did l do with that story? Suppose
anybody would find it?
True, the story was missing and it
was never found by Janis, but at that
very moment Vera Conley picked up
some papers from the locker room
floor.
"Why, somebody-why, Janis lost
her story. I'll do Boy Scout act
and drop it in the contest box at the
office and tell Jan about it later"
For that reason Janis never found
her story and Vera forgot to tell her
about it.
Finally, the day of the Christmas
assembly came. The winner of the
Story Contest was to be announced
for the first time, and then "The
Coker" would be distributed.
Janis and Melba sat listening at
tentively to the program, when it was
announced that the next number
would be the naming of the prize
winner of the Contest.
81 know that everyone is anxious
know the winner" continued Principal
Grey. 81 have the honor of present.
ing the prize of $40 to Miss Janis
Bailey. Will Miss Bailey kindly step
forward?"
"Why, JAM" exclaimed Melba.
But JAMS ears were deaf; her
eyes were unseeing. Somehow she got
up amid loud applause. With shak-
ing knees she walked forward. The
applause grew greater, greater, great
er, and then silence.
"Janis Bailey has we'll earned this
prize" continued Mr.. Grey, "and I
am sure everyone will agree after you
have read her story in "The Coker. -
Mr.. Grey was actually handing her
$40. Her eyes grew misty; if only
the applause would stop! In the row
opposite from where Janis sat, sat a
student clapping louder than the rest
If only Jan knew that Jim really
meant it.
"The Coker" having been distribut-
ed, everyone read the story rapidly.
It was a masterpiece, but Jan didn't
know it. 1t really poured out all
that she was thinking; her hearts de-
sires and pains, woven around beau
tiful Christmas setting.
"Jan, that's great" yelled Melba.
"You're another authoress, JAM
exclaimed Vera.
But Jan did not hear or understand.
Don't forget the game, Jan, to-
night" was Melba's goodbye.
By that evening Janis Bailey was
new person, for by now she fully
realized everything.
Eight o'clock found the Columbia
Hi School packed with students from
Columbia and Princeton. In the crowd
was Jan, her heart hardly having
room to beat.
The game was on. Columbia 2,
Princeton 2! Yells, yells, hard fight
ing; Columbia 16, Princeton "a; more
yells. Just listen to that Princeton
side, and look-just look at that
score-Columbia 18, Princeton "a.
And finally Columbia "a, Princeton
"a. The noise was deafening. One
minute to play and James with the
ball.
WARD! Ward! Ward!" yelled the
Columbia rooters, and Jan really
yelled.
Columbia 26, Princeton "a, and
James Ward the hero of the game
"Wasn't he great?" sighed Jan to
Melba as she saw Jim standing with
Vera.
"Oh, Janis! Janis!"
Janis stopped almost with fright
1t was HIS voice. James was really
calling her. He was already by hel
side.
"Janis, you dear! You helped me
through my whole junior year and
never Sealized it till 1 read that story
Jan, you're a wonder. It's a true
story, isn't it?" yelled James above
the noise of the crowd. "Jan! the
boy in the story was meant to be me
and the girl you, isn't that right
JAM"
eyes, Jimmy; all but the ending.
"Then let me make that true, too
Jan, dear; may I take you home like
|, in the story?"
AS she consented, Jim whispered
"Jan, at last I've discovered a rea
treasure. I was too proud to lei
myself realize it before"
: -Alcohi- Mirror, Cumberland.