Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-09-11

have a good sleep, and baby'll be al
| right in the morning. So that's ALL
and the lock of glad relief that came to
the tired mothers face was ample re.
ward for the girls self-denial.
But Chris was not to do all the good
work of the world. While she was
reading her essay that night to the
professor. Con Livingston called a Sc
cret session of Session of Seniors in the
dressing room. Girls. said Con, T've
found out something splendid to do.
Do you now Chris has got to graduate
in a calico? Our sewing-girl knows
them, and she has seen it.. She says it
is jgst sweet as calico can be, but
Chris felt awfully about it at first, of
course, then she gave 1t all up. Now
you all know Chris is just as she can
be and has helped every one Of us at
some time.'
That's so.' SAID Fan Elllss.
And she's got a splendid essay, CON
tinued Con; Miss Markham says So;
and now lets each one engage one or
two friends to throw her boquets, so
she'll be sure to have as many as any,
body and be as happy as sac deserves;
will you agree y
The girls promised in chorus. And
let's get hear fan, said one. "A pretty
plain white one. She'll be so pleased
So that was settled, and the, confab
broke up, and every listening mouse
kept the surprise form Chris.
1t must be confessed that she made
a very pretty picture at home, the trim
black-kid boots, the jaunty dress with
flimsy ruff at the throat and pale rose
bud in place Of jewels; but as she came
to the great building and saw the crowds
ofgayly-dressed ladies and elegant gen.
tlemen going up the steps her heart
sank a little, and she stole up the back
stairs to the recitation room where the
class were to meet. They were all
there when Ceris opened the deor, gro
rifying it, the girls thought, for a mo-
ment with the bright flash and glimmer
of the trailing robes.
Here she is, girls exclaimed Con-
ME, catching sight of q figure in the
door. How late you are, but come
here, please; we have something sweet
10 tell you. Come, Fam
'Please accept this, Chris, from your
classmates, said Fan, gently. We all
wanted you to remember US, and the
daintily-gloved hand laid the pretty box
in Chris ungloved one, and then they
all eagerly watched the little blushing
face with smiles and tears chasing over
it as she unfolded her gilt, and were
mere than thanked.
Then Con led her into the dressing
room. L brought flower on purpose
for your golden locks, dear; let me put
it In. There, that's lovelyv
You thought Of me?' Said Chris
lifting wondering eyes.
why, Of eourseyou, pet! and then
the dream came true, for the beautiful,
dainty, Con folded her right into all the
delicate finery and kissed her again and
again. You have helped RE to be a
better girl, Chris. and l thank you for
1t always
Then they all went down together and
took their seats on the platform, and as
one after another came forward to that
most dreadful ordeal, reading her essay,
and was thanked by thoughtful friends
with boquets and applause, Chris was so
happy for each, and ever her fan, and
Cons kiss, that her speaking face was
fairly radiant; and when her name was
called, the seventh on the list, she had
no thought of fear, but her sweet, clear
tones rendered the essay full Of feeling.
1t was a tender, pathetic thing, and ma
ny hearts were touched by Its simple
words, but when. 1t was finished, and
Chris turned to go, there was perfect
storm ei applause, led by Judge Living
ston, and the boquets came fast and
thick. Chris sat down with her lap full
in a perfect maze, and every one of her
classmates found occasion for the hand |
kerchiefs they had provided only for an
ornament. And so Chris learned that
wearing love IN the heart makes fair in
all eyes the simplest dress.