Part 35 (1/2)
”Oh, no; I am glad to be of service to you.”
”Good-afternoon, then,” said Deborah, abruptly, and she left the store.
”Drive home, Abner, as quick as you can,” she said.
”I haven't had any dinner,” Abner remarked, ”You said you'd get some at the tavern.”
”Did I? Well, drive over there. I'm not hungry myself, but I'll pay for some dinner for you.”
Poor Aunt Deborah! it was not the loss alone that troubled her, though she was fond of money; but it was humiliating to think that she had fallen such an easy prey to a designing adventurer. In her present bitter mood, she would gladly have ridden fifty miles to see the false Ferdinand hanged.
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE PLOT AGAINST FLETCHER.
The intimacy between Harry and Oscar Vincent continued, and, as during the former term, the latter volunteered to continue giving French lessons to our hero. These were now partly of a conversational character, and, as Harry was thoroughly in earnest, it was not long before he was able to speak quite creditably.
About the first of November, Fitzgerald Fletcher left the Prescott Academy, and returned to his home in Boston. It was not because he had finished his education, but because he felt that he was not appreciated by his fellow-students. He had been ambitious to be elected to an official position in the Clionian Society, but his aspirations were not gratified. He might have accepted this disappointment, and borne it as well as he could, had it not been aggravated by the elevation of Harry Walton to the presidency. To be only a common member, while a boy so far his social inferior was President, was more than Fitzgerald could stand. He was so incensed that upon the announcement of the vote he immediately rose to a point of order.
”Mr. President,” he said warmly, ”I must protest against this election. Walton is not a member of the Prescott Academy, and it is unconst.i.tutional to elect him President.”
”Will the gentleman point out the const.i.tutional clause which has been violated by Walton's election?” said Oscar Vincent.
”Mr. President,” said Fletcher, ”this Society was founded by students of the Prescott Academy; and the offices should be confined to the members of the school.”
Harry Walton rose and said: ”Mr. President, my election has been a great surprise to myself. I had no idea that any one had thought of me for the position. I feel highly complimented by your kindness, and deeply grateful for it; but there is something in what Mr.
Fletcher says. You have kindly allowed me to share in the benefits of the Society, and that satisfies me. I think it will be well for you to make another choice as President.”
”I will put it to vote,” said the presiding officer. ”Those who are ready to accept Mr. Walton's resignation will signify it in the usual way.”
Fletcher raised his hand, but he was alone.
”Those who are opposed,” said the President.
Every other hand except Harry's was now raised.
”Mr. Walton, your resignation is not accepted,” said the presiding officer. ”I call upon you to a.s.sume the duties of your new position.”
Harry rose, and, modestly advanced to the chair. ”I have already thanked you, gentlemen,” he said, ”for the honor you have conferred upon me in selecting me as your presiding officer. I have only to add that I will discharge its duties to the best of my ability.”
All applauded except Fletcher. He sat with an unpleasant scowl upon his face, and waited for the result of the balloting for Vice-President and Secretary. Had he been elected to either position, the Clionian would probably have retained his ill.u.s.trious name upon its roll. But as these honors were conferred upon other members, he formed the heroic resolution no longer to remain a member.
”Mr. President,” he said, when the last vote was announced, ”I desire to terminate my connection with this Society.”
”I hope Mr. Fletcher will reconsider his determination,” said Harry from the chair.
”I would like to inquire the gentleman's reasons,” said Tom Carver.