Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-03-18

bread, butter and cold meat with the
dainty appointments and tempting food
of the tea-tables in their several homes.
my friends" said Kate Hicks, i'm
pressively, "we are gathered about this
festdl board, which, under the circum-
stances, | might call, The Woman's
Board to celebrate our entrance into
this excellent institution. But when
you think Of it," she dropped her ora
torical manner, care not we ourselves
fhe bored? I, for one, wish that / had
remained at home, an ignoramus, feast
ing on whipped cream and angel cake"
The laugh that greeted this attempt
MT wit served to break an awkward ST.
Hence, and soon the group were chat
ting merrily.
Girls" proposed Elizabeth Kingsley,
"'let's agree to keep together as long as
we stay at Lowrie."
1--WE are seven," said Sally Rand, sol
EMMY. Let us never admit an eighth"
Fun, friendship and frivolity; to
these we pledge ourselves" chimed in
Molly Reed.
''To the long life of The Womans
Board " cried Kate; and thus was
formed club which, six months later,
was generally recognized as a strong
Influence in the school. Many girl
longed 10 join it; but The Woman's
Board" insisted that seven was a per-
feet number and refused to add to it.
When these girls were juniors new
girl appeared at the seminary, and in
their class-a tall, shabbily- dressed girl,
with pale, resolute face and naughty
manner.
Her name is Harriet Fancher," an
nounced Belle Simpson.
Her father was missionary in In
dia before he died, and Harriet's going
to be one, too, just as soon as she is edu-
Gated" added Sallie Rand.
Poor thing!" said Bess Kingsley,
the class president. "She must be lone
1y, SO far away from her friends. I'm
going over to speak to her"
I'm not going to wait for an intro
duction," Bess said, cordially, as she
reached the stranger, who was bending
over a lexicon in the schoolroom, al
though it was recreation hour. I'm
Elizabeth Kingsley. Don't you want
to meet some of the girls? It's too
bad to interrupt your Latin, but we are
all anxious to know you. Come, please
dol"
Harriet Fancher looked at the out
stretched hand, and answered, coldly:
''Thank you, but have no time for
social pleasures. l am here for higher
things"
Bess flushed to the roots of her pretty
hair as she withdrew with a murmur
of apology. She walked sIcwly down
the corridor to her room, where Sallie
and Katie awaited her.
II got numerically snubbed, that's
all" said Bess, quietly, in answer to
their questions. Lets not talk about
it."
The girls asked no more, for Bess's
word was law with them, but Sallie
shook her fist at an imaginary Harriet
Fancher, muttering: You mean old
Pharisee! You'llwaft long for your next
invitation from the board!"
After that few girls ventured to make
any friendly advance to the new girl
Trained from babyhood to one great
purpose, Harriet could find no room in
her life for any other interests. Her
dead father was the only person whom
she had ever really loved, and now she
Rugged to her lonely heart the life
work which he had left her, and tried
20 satisfy with this the hunger of a
strong nature.
A course at Lowrie would fit her for
her work, and when IN aunt offered her
the money for this purpose she accepted
It, and left her home in India for two