The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1900-06-01
: A: Lesson in Art
% A DVICE-you'd like my advice,

~ you say. Advice is the opinion
of a friend which one asks when one
has made up ones mind what course to
pursue"
Mr.. Fenton's smile broadened into
laugh as the pretty girl who stood be-
fore him flushed slightly, turning her
head away with little impatient
movement.
II thought that you were my FRIEND"
said Olive West, reproachfully, with
her face still averted.
"And you were right there, my DEAR
said Mr.. Fenton. But you know per-
fectly we'll that you have made upVour
mind what course to pursue"
"How could make up my mind with
out hearing what you have to say to
me on the subject of my going to Lon
dom" said she. 'Aly future is serious
enough to me, Mr.. Fenton. and l fan
cied that you might also"
"And so I should, my little friend,
if 1 didn't know you as we'll as I do.
Come, now, tell me all that troubles
you. Is it art or Dick this time?"~
II like Dick" she said, but"
"Ah!"
Eyes, 1 like him very much, but"
''Quite so. You mean that you shrink
from the commonplace aspects of a
future to be spent in this neighbour
hood. You long fer the larger life
the wider horizon in the higher realms
of art? Isn't that what your but
means?"
Exactly" she cried. II feel,inclined
to ask what is the good of being born
into the world if one cannot achieve
something higher than is within ones
reach here?"
II have now and again asked myself
the same question:" said Mr.. Fenton.
IF we could suggest any adequate
answer to that question, we should
have solved one of the greatest prob
lens of the universe. Have you never
heard of the waste of nature?"
ITO live in Hazelbury is not to live
in the world. it seems to me-" said the
girl. II feel that I was made to do
something in the world-the world
that is not Hazelbury. Hazelbury is
hopeless"
"And yet Hazelbury has reading So
ciety, hasn't it? If you don't get
through a volume of Carlyle in a month
you are fined dime; if you are lured
into reading a novel you have to pay
quarter"
1.-THE reading society is piece OF
foolishness.'
"Then there is the Church Choral
union"
Olive laughed.
"A rookery with a sore throat" she
said. 'Oh, I'm sick of Hazelbury. ]
want something larger-fuller-Iw want
life. I want to live"
"And so you won't marry Dick Over
ton?" suggested Mr.. Fenton.
"I'm afraid not" said Olive, shaking
her head. marrying Dick would mean
booming myself to future in Hazel
bury
II can't deny that. His fathers banl
is here, and he is in the business. Hell
be partner in three or four years
OF course, if yon don't marry Dick
someone else WILL
There was a considerable pause be
fore she said, with little frown:
II hope they will be happy"
THAT'S very kind of you, but I'6
rather hear you express a wish te
scratch her face. I suppose the CIR
will be Lottie Shepherd"
given quick flash.
II hope they will be happy she sale
again, but in quite a different ton.
from that which marked her previou:
expression of the same hope.
"Ah, that sounds healthier; there's
promise of scratches in every word
Still, it might be Mary Marchmont."
II hope not. If cannot marry Dicl
myself" \
"But you cam.
She shook her head in way that
suggested certain chastened pride
She knew that Dick wished for nothing
better than to marry her. ~.
II see it is hopeless looking to yor
for advice" she said, sadly. Even yot
do not understand me, though fanciet
you did. I vii not trouble you any
longer, Mr.. Fenton." -
,'''Sit down again. and don't be :
goose" said he. II knew that you hat
made up your mind what to do, and yet
you said you came to me for advice
Now it so happens that quite agre.
with you in this particular matter. II
would be ridiculous for q girl will
such aspirations as you possess to mar
~ the son Of I banker at z place sucl