THE SKIES BRIGHTEN.
Having opened school that morning in the usual manner, Prof. Richardson
rose beside his desk, on which he tapped lightly with his knuckles, and
surveyed the scholars over his spectacles, which seemed to cling
precariously to the tip of his thin, aquiline nose. There was a slight
bustle of expectancy all over the room, and then the scholars settled
themselves down almost breathlessly to hear what the principal would
say.
Having cleared his throat, Prof. Richardson began speaking slowly and
distinctly, as if weighing every word. He did not look at first in the
direction of Stone, who sat there flushed and chilled by turns, keeping
his eyes on an open book which lay before him. There was sternness as
he expressed his sentiments regarding the person with a bullying
inclination who took pleasure in abusing those physically weaker than
himself; and, although Sam Rollins’ name was not mentioned, every one
knew at whom those open remarks were directed.
Hunk knew, and in an effort to appear unconcerned and a trifle defiant
he was openly brazen. Soon, however, his eyes drooped before the
accusing gaze of the old professor.
The principal continued by commending with some warmth the individual
whose impulses led him, regardless of personal danger or the chance of
being misunderstood, to stand up in defense of one who was being
mistreated and abused. He went on to say that such a thing had occurred
upon the previous afternoon, and that through undue haste on his own
part, which he now regretted, he had been led to misunderstand the
situation and condemn the wrong person. He even displayed his own moral
courage by offering an apology.
Ben Stone’s cheeks were burning now, and his heart pounded so heavily
that he fancied every one near him must hear it. He did not move as his
grinning little seatmate reached over slyly to pinch him, whispering:
“That’s for you, old feller.”
Prof. Richardson was still speaking, and now he was telling of the
remarkable heroism of a lad who had rushed to the defense of a little
girl beset by two huge and vicious dogs. The principal’s words were
simple and straightforward; he made no effort at eloquence, and yet his
language was singularly graphic and effective. He made them shiver at
the picture he drew of little Amy Eliot besieged by Tige Fletcher’s
ugly pets. He caused them to see in imagination the dauntless defender
of the child rushing to the spot and beating the brutes off.
“It was a very fine thing to do,” said the professor, who was at last
looking straight at the lad whose eyes remained fixed upon that open
book. “It was something not a few men might have hesitated about doing,
or, at least, might have done in fear and trepidation. It is really
marvelous that the heroic lad escaped untouched by the fangs of those
snarling beasts. By this deed he established beyond question the fact
that he is a boy of fine courage, possessing the instincts which lead
him unhesitatingly to face gravest peril in defense of those who are
unable to defend themselves. I have certainly learned a great deal
concerning this lad, who apparently has been much misunderstood in the
past, and I am proud of the fact that he is a student in this school. I
am speaking of Benjamin Stone.”
A sudden hand-clapping broke out all over the room, and the professor
did not check them nor reprove them for it.
There was, however, at least one who did not join in the burst of
applause. Bernard Hayden’s face was pale and cold, but in his bosom
there was a raging fire of wrath and resentment.
Ben was overcome. His head bent lower, and he blinked his eyelids
rapidly to scatter the blurring mist which threatened to blind him. His
effort to smile simply contorted his plain face a trifle, and there was
nothing noble or heroic in the picture he made.
“Gee!” whispered Ben’s seatmate. “I never knew the old Prof. to get so
enthusiastic before.”
As the regular routine of the day was taken up, Ben still sat there
without daring to look around. He did not know when Bern Hayden,
complaining of illness, asked permission to go home. Like one in a
trance, he tried to study, and finally succeeded in forcing his
attention upon his lessons. It truly seemed that the last shadow had
been dispelled.
At intermission the boys came flocking around him, and some of the
girls smiled upon him in a friendly manner. They found, however, that
he disliked to talk of his exciting encounter with Fletcher’s dogs.
“The town fathers orter present you with a medal for killin’ old Tige’s
big cur,” said Sile Crane.
“It may not oc-_cur_ to them to do it,” chuckled Chipper Cooper.
“Permit me,” grinned Chub Tuttle, “as a token of my high appreciation
and gratitude, to present you with a genuine fresh roasted,
double-jointed California peanut.”
Even Spotty Davis hung around and sought to be familiar and friendly.
Seizing Davis by the elbow, Sleuth Piper drew him aside and whispered
mysteriously behind his hand:
“Listen to the deduction into which I have been led by the present
surprising turn of affairs,” pleaded Sleuth. “Take it from me that this
man Stone will become a member of the great Oakdale eleven, which will
be much strengthened by his marvelous prowess and undaunted courage.”
“Mebbe so,” nodded Spotty; “but it ain’t going to set well in Bern
Hayden’s crop.”
Walker, Ben’s seatmate, who had once felt it a sore affliction to be
placed beside him, now hovered near, seeking to enjoy a little
irradiated glory.
It was all very strange and unusual for Stone, and in spite of his
pleasure in it his natural shyness continued to make him appear distant
and somewhat sullen.
When midday intermission arrived Ben hastened to leave the academy,
rushing away before any of the boys could join him. That day his cold
lunch tasted sweet indeed, and his little bare room looked strangely
attractive and homelike.
He returned late to the academy, arriving barely in time to escape
being tardy. All the afternoon he studied hard, and in his recitations
he was well prepared.
School over for the day, he was not given time to get away before the
others, Eliot capturing him on the steps.
“Come on over to the gym, old fellow,” urged Roger. “This time you’re
going to practice. I know the place for you in the line.”
“Come on, come on,” called several others; “we must get at it early
to-night.”
Hayden was not with them; he had not returned to the academy since
leaving on the plea of illness.
Again in the dressing room, Ben was supplied with football togs from
Eliot’s locker. He dressed silently, listening to the chatter of the
boys around him. They were all talking football now.
“I wonder where Bern is?” said Berlin Barker. “I should think he would
want to get out with us to-night.”
“He was taken suddenly ill,” grinned Chipper Cooper. “Wonder if he has
had a doctor?”
Stone felt a chill at the mention of his enemy’s name. He was
congratulating himself over Hayden’s absence when something like a
shadow seemed to come over him, and he looked up quickly to discover
the fellow in the open doorway.
“Eliot,” called Bern, stepping into the room, “I want a few private
words with you.”
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