fter the opening prayer, Anne felt herself
drifting further and further away. She was a little boat on a troubled,
restless sea, with the noise of the waves in her head, and only
occasionally did she hear some one's voice reading a graduating essay or
making a speech--she couldn't tell which. She remembered there was a
piano solo, very loud and crashing, it seemed to her, and there was a
tremendous humming sound. The sea was growing very rough, she thought. A
storm was brewing somewhere. Then the wind died down again, there was a
complete and utter silence and she seemed to be entirely alone.

"I have great pleasure in announcing," she dimly heard a voice say,
"that the annual freshman prize, so generously donated always by Mrs.
Gray, is awarded this year to one of the most brilliant and remarkable
pupils who has ever studied in Oakdale High School. My language, in this
instance, may appear to be rather extravagant, but the pupil, who has
been under the eye of the faculty for many months because of her most
excellent standing, has achieved a unique success in the history of the
school. I may say that she has turned in a set of examination papers
absolutely perfect in every detail, and it is with real delight I
announce that she has won not only the usual smaller prize of
twenty-five dollars, but the premium always offered at the same time,
but never before won by any pupil of this school, of one hundred
dollars, for a flawless examination. I would, therefore, ask Miss Anne
Pierson to come to the platform, that I may have the honor of delivering
both prizes to her."

Such a shout as arose after this remarkable speech had never before been
heard at a high school graduation. The freshman class was fairly mad
with joy, while Hippy and Reddy yelled themselves hoarse.

"Anne!" cried Grace. "Wake up, Anne! Are you asleep, child? Go up to the
platform. Miss Thompson is waiting for you."

Tears of joy and relief were rolling down Grace's cheeks as she urged
Anne to rise from her seat.

Anne stood up, half dazed, still wondering what it was all about, and
made her way through a sea of faces to the platform.

"Hurrah!" roared the pupils of the High School in one voice.

"Hi-hi-hi! Hi-hi-hi! Oakdale, Oakdale, HIGH SCHOOL!"

This was an honor usually accorded only to football and baseball heroes.

When Anne reached the platform she appeared so small and plain, in her
simple white muslin frock, that people looked at her wond