The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-04-16
In the Light of Truth.
BY George Madden Martin,

Anne looked about the class room.
She was a new pupil and was won
dering which of the many would prove
the interesting girls.
She based her liking for people on
esting. At least. this was her way of
putting 1t. Not even to herself would
she have acknowledged that they
were interesting according as they
wer firc-Hne in the sense of fashion
and OK show For Anne secretly
lcnged to be fine.
Matilde was fine. She attracted
Anne. She wore charming clothes. and
she wore them with an air. Perhaps
Anne envied her the air more than
the clothes. And Matilde made incl
dental mention of appointments with
the dressmaker.
Anne soon learned about Matilde.
She and her father and her older sis
ter came down from their sugar plan
tation for the winters, that Matilde
might attend school and that her sis
ter might attend society. Every girl
in school had something to tell about
the sister. She was belle, and her
goings and her comings were ever in
the newspapers.
Anne came down from an adjoining
parish, too, for school, going home
every Friday to say until Monday.
Only an unusual price for the cotton
crop had made possible for her this
year at the Gray college preparatory
school. When the year ended-well.
the pupils of the school. and Anne
was ambitious. She was also a stu
dent and worker.
But just now her ambition centred
on things social. She had made up
her mind that Matilde would be
charming friend. But besides being a
leader in her set, Matilde was, per
haps, mocker at things serious and
earnest.
On first meeting Anne she had given
her a preoccupied smile. She evident
ly had many and large interests out
side of those of school, Her conversa-
ton chiefly concerned a dancing club
and schoolgirl box party for natl
nee.
Presently conversation turned upon
the coming recitation of mathematics.
Matilda gave a dramatic shrug.
81 haven't problem solved" she de-
clared "oNt that l mind algebra.
haven't had time. However" Matil-
da's laugh was provokingly charming.
there's nothing like establishing early
the reputation you mean to sustain"
Anne, on the outskirts of the group,
felt nettled Matilde seemed to make
light of worth and work and achieve
ment.
"Really?" Anne said. 81 can't imag
inc any one willingly taking an infe-
rior place in anything"
Matilde flushed. II was perhaps a
new point Of view to her. She turned
and looked at this newcomer.
Anne bore the scrutiny we'll; she was
pretty.
The two girls happened to be near
each other when they were going in
fiom recess. 81 have the problems
solved here II you care to look at
them" SAID Anne. ITS mere detail
to work them out, any way, when
you've got the principle"
why, thank you'll should like to-"
said Matilde. 81 really meant to do
them, but went to dance, and-well
Just didn't" Matilde, flushed and
grateful, was more charming than
ever.
She was clever, too. She studied
the paper up the stairs and into the
schoolroom and through the roll call.
When her time came. she rose with a
smiling readiness and made a clever
recitation of her gleanings. Going
out at dismissal, she slipped an arm
through Anne's.
The next day she asked Anne to
drive with her in her fathers car
riage. She also asked and received
permission to take Anne home to dine.
Matilde's sister apeared in a bewil-
dering gown of trailing gauziness.
With a preoccupied goodby, she bade
them be good children" and left in
the carriage for some more festive
dining elsewhere.
Matilde's father was silent and dark,
anu hardly glanced at his daughters
guest. Afterward Anne told Matilde
that he looked sad.
Sad" the girl replied. "Who?
Father? o Anne, how absurd"
1t was servants meal, just as II
was servants house. There was
profusion, but there were also laxity
and carelessness. But to Anne 1t was
only fine-the glitter, the show, the
form.
Afterward Anne gazed at the books
in the library, although she was used
to books. Then, as IL reminded, she
asked: Our themes for tomorrow
have you written yours?"
Matilde made a little mouth.
Haven't thought of It, hate, work.
I'll scribble Off something in study
hour tomorrow" and her shrug indi-
onted that deeper concern over such a
r'atter was not worth while.
Matilde's estimate of these things
0f such vnomauf IN Anna bar a,,,,r,x,