The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-05-18
so BLUE.
A Story of a Girton Girl

UlleU every nope L cNcI lOl iIt't VI '''''
l knew, when l sent you to Girton, that
you could not fail to acquit yourself
well, but did not look for this"
Magdalen Foster blushed with pleasure
at her fathers words, as well she might,
for the letter in her hand announced
that the papers sent up by her at the
recent Classical tripos entitled her to the
ninth place in the First Glass The fact
of her womanhood stood in the way OF
the B. A. degree being actually confer
red upon her, but that was matter OF
no consequence whatever to Il girl who
had worked solely for the love of knowl-
edge implanted and fostered in her by q
scholarly father.
'.Well, Magdalen, Tn sure | congratll-
late you heartily" said her sister Nora;
land all the more SO because ROW, at
last, suppose ycuwill consideryourself
blue enough"
The blush of pleasure now faded from
Magdalen' checks. Il never wanted to
be blue she said, nervously.
''Then I'm afraid you have succeeded
without the wanting" laughed NORA
s.Why, my dear, you are blue of the very
deepest dye; and you not only are it,
but YOU look it. You don't 90 about in
cap and gown, or with spectacIes and
inky fingers, but there is no mistaking
in you the model of a sweet girl gradu-
ate"
There was certain amount OF truth
in this. Magdalen, especially by the
side of the pretty if rather doilish-
featured Nora, was notwithstanding,
to saw the least She was tall and
ri; +I,n,5.ra.
clear was colorless, and she had the re-
Elective, .tn1 look that is not unfrequent-
ly the sign of habitual study. Yet her
face was singularly sweet in expression,
the open tranquil brow seemed incapa-
BILE of frowning, the brown eyes might
be dreamy, but never irate.
''Magdalen," asked her father, after
a while, care you still willing to become
nv amanuensis@
80, papa" returned the girl, eager
ly, Il shall be so proud sif you will let
me-
Mr.. Foster was an eminent student of
the classics, and it had always been
Magdalen's great ambition to help him
in the preparation of his valuable works.
She did not foresee all the results OF
her college achievements, and Of this
new relation to her father. 1t did not
occur to the simple-minded girl that
there was anything III what she had done
to ALLEVIATE her from her old acquainS-
ances. Yet so it was, quite ysi'c1EaC."us-
ly she awed her cotenp0raries. who,
girls and young men alike, fought shy Of
50 distinguished a ''blue-st0cking." -
Married women, again, found her igncr-
o,+ of +loir jOt N,iip she
was too timid to open out to elder men.
Children alone, unable to comprehend
the talk about her learning. were guided
by the simple sweetness Of her face, and
fearlessly made plaything Of her. With
them she could be happy. but in the
midst of people who insisted upon pay
ing her compliments and treating her
with Difference, her manner became still
and distant for very shyness. Society
became distastefUl 10 her, and gradual
" people left OFF inviting her, under the
mistaken impression that she was above
caring for any entertainment they could
offer. She remained Miss Foster only
in name; to all intends and purposes
Nora was the elder sister. While Mag
dalen had been pOring over her books,
Nora had studied the art OF making her
self agreeable, and assiduously cultivat-
ed various gifts. She was musical, and
clever with her pencil, could ride and
play tennis well; also she had the bright,
attractive beauty that trebles the value
of all such social accomplishments. And,
above all, she knew exactly how to turn
every one of her good points TO the best
possible account. 1t will thus be seen
how easy it was for her to keep Magda-
len in the background, and by skillful
insinuations throw her own good quail
ties into greater relief than ever.
One evening they were taken by sur
prise by the unexpected arrival OF Will
Fairbairn, an old friend and playfellow.
Dinner was Just being served, and the
young man took his seat among them,
laughing and putting up his hands as il
| to petition against the volley OF ques-
! tions and eXclamations with which he
was saluted.
Il haven't distinguished single word
any one has said,'' he declared at last.
sBut l imagine you are asking where
spring from and what I've come about
Briefly, then, I'm Off to the Cape in {
months time, and have come to bid y0u
all long farewell"
Farewell! The Cape" exclaimed thl
Fosters. ''What do you mean?''
1--WE had $4,000 left me by an aunt, ,
Will proceeded to explain; ''aud a fricnt
has strongly advised me to invest it ii
ostriches. He says they pay tremcn
dously, and the life is delightful. [ haV,
consulted every possible authority, on'
really don't see that Icould DO better.
hate Office work, | haven't the brains Il
take up profession, and farming il
England is no go. And consider an
rather cut out for n coionist."
He ended in II tone OF modest self-ap
probation, which was not unWarranfed
for he was Il man of splendid physique
Besides which, all his tastes fitted hin
for an occupation demanding physica
rather than mental ability. He had nevc
cared for study. So long as he coult
scrape on at school and college withou
disgracing himself he WAS content, am
devoted his heartiest energies to til
athletic sports in which his soul delight
ed.
! Dinner over, Mr. Foster rose aimos
Immediately from the table.
Can YOU spare me an extra hour thi
evening, Magdalen?" he asked.
'.Certainly, papa; will como atonce.
'.Magdalen is a good dead changed,
remarked viii, as he and Nora strolic
out into the garden together. Nora q
fered her own explanation, taking ear
to speak in the most atfectiOnate, sister
ly tone.
Yes" she said; ''you are right. Yo
see, ever since Magdalen returned frol
Girton she has been encouraged i'll hC
devotion to study. People express II
greatest admiration for her talents; the
papa has made her his secretary, and 81
without being in the least conceited, 81
naturally feels that she is superior to tt
girls she ordinarily meets. You know
WILL can't help thinking it was a mi
take to let her grow SO very learned.
think it is woman's part to be helpfr
and domestic, to take interest i'll the gOC
management of small matters, and
the welfare of those about her"
''Why can't Magdalen be domestic ;
well as inteIlectual?' demanded WI
: moodily. Il don't see the incompatible
ity.''
Il Nora did not choose to tell him tn