The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-07

~ Overwhelming llullpeIS. lie
underworld seems always to be
over-populated and valued &C
cordingly. But progress in the high
school, by rigorous enforcement of
the survival of the fittest, brings ulti-
mately chance for identity. Emmy
Lou, a survivor, found personality
awaiting her in her sophomore yeaS.
Henceforth she was to be Miss Mac
Lauren.
The year brought further distinc-
ton. Along in the term Miss Mac
Lauren received notification that she
had been elected to membership III
the Platonian society.
son account of recognized literary
qualifications, the note set forth.
Miss MacLauren read the note with
bushes, and because OF the secret joy
its perusal afforded, she re-read it in
private many times more. The first
fruits of fame are sweet; and as an
Athenian might have regarded an invi-
tation into Olympus, so Miss Mac
Lauren looked upon this opening into
Platonia.
AS freshman, on Friday afternoon,
she had noted certain of the upper
pupils strolling about the building
after dismissal, clothed. in lieu of hats
and jackets, with large Importance.
She had learned that they were Pla-
tonians, and from the out-courts of
the unelect she had watched them, in
pairs and groups, mount the stairs
with laughter and chatter and covert
backward glances. , She did not won
der, she would have glanced back
ward, too, for wherein lies the satisfac-
ton of being elect, but in knowledge
of the envy of those less privileged?
And mounting the stairs to the
mansard, their door had shut upon the
Platonians; it was a secret society.
And now this door stood open to
Miss MacLauren.
She took her note tn Hattie and RI
Rosalie, who showed a polite but
somewhat forced interest.
OF course, if you have time for that
sort of thing" said Hattie.
AS If there was not enough of
school and learning, now, Emily" said
Rosalie.
Miss MacLauren felt Disconnected.
the bubble Of her elaton seemed
pricked, until she began to think
about 1t. Hattie and Rosalie were not
asked to become Platoniars; did thew
make light of the honor because it was
not heir honor?
Each seeks to be victor in some field
OF achievement, but each is jealous of
the others field. Hattie thought Ro-
sale frivolous, and Rosalie scribbled
notes under the nose of Hattie's bril-
liant recitations. Miss MacLauren
on the neutral ground of a non-com-
blatant, was expected by each to fur
n1sh the admiration and applause.
Hattle's was the field of learning
and she stood with obstacles trod un
der heel, crowned with honors. Hat
Tie meant to be valedictorian some
day. nor did Miss MacLauren doubt
Hattie would be.
Rosalies was a different field. Hers
VAS streWn with victims; victims
7 whose names were boys.
1t was Rosalies field, Miss Mac
Lauren, in her heart. longed to enter
But how did Rosalie do it? She
raised her eyes and lowered them, and
lne victims tell. But every one could
not be a Rosalie,
And Hattie looked pityingly upon
Rosalie's way of life, and Resale
laughed lightly at Hattie.
MISS MacLauren admired Hattie,
but, secretly, she envied Resale, If
she had known how, she herself would
nave much preferred boys to brains:
one is only a Minerva as second
TO be sure, there was William. Oh.
william: He is taken for granted, and
beside, Miss MacLauren is becoming
sensitive because there was no one huf
William. ~
The next day she was approached by
Hattie and Rosalie, who each had 2.
note. They mentioned it casually, bur
Hattle's tone had ring. Was it
sausIactlon? And Rosalie's laugh
was touched with qualification, for the
notes were official. inviting, them,
TOO, to become Platonians
Thinking 1t over" said Hattie, "I'll
JOIN; one owes something to class
It's SO :allurlng-the sound" said
Rosai1e. "A secret anything''
MISS MacLauren, thinking it over.
herself, after she reached home that
day, suddenly laughed.
IL was at dinner. Uncle Charlie
looked UP at his niece, whom he knew
40 l.,
MISS MacLauren. He had heard her
laugh before, but not Just that way:
generally she had laughed becous..
other people laughed. Now she
seemed to be doing it of herself There
is a difference.
Emmy Lou was thinking of the
changed point of view of Hattie and
"Tt's-it's funny" she explained in an
sWer TO- Uncle Charles look.
No., NO so :. SAD 1le Uncle Charlie. "And
What on earth was Uncle Charlie
talking about? ii-
congratulate YOU" he continued
1t Will never be SO hard again"
WHAT asked Emmy Lou.
anything" said Uncle Charlie.
What was he talking about
A sense of humor'' said Uncle
Charlie, as tho one had spoken.
Emmy Lou smiled absently. Some
OF Uncle Charles Joking which She
was used TO accepting as nystifying.
But 1t was funny about Resale an5
Hattle; she was smiling again, and she
both - 'iieli
Miss MacLauren was still feeling he,
superiority as she went to school thf
next morning. 1t made her pleased
with herself. 1t was a frosty morning
she drew long breaths, she felt BUOY.
ant ana scarcely conscious Of the pave
ments under her feet
At the corner she met William, Wit,
another boy. She knew this other how
but that was all; he had never show,
any disposition to have her know hin
better. But this morning things wer,
dIferent. William and the other bo,
joined her, William taking her book
Wnlle they all walked along together
Miss MacLauren felt the bow TAX,
sldeWlse look at her Sometime
toid her she was looking we'll AM
an lntultlve consciousness that tb
boy stealing look at her, thought SO
TOO, made Miss MacLauren look BET
ter. "
Her spirits scared intoxicatingly
Inls was a new sensation Miss Mac
Lauren did not know herself, the SCUM
or her gay chatting and laughter wa
Stfange to her ears. Perhaps it wa
an unexpected revelation to the others
too. William was not looking please6
but the other boy was looking At he1
Something made Miss MacI,aure,
feel daring. She looked up-sudden1
lat the other boy-square. To b
sure, she looked down quicker. tina
part being involuntary, as we'll as. tn
blush that followed The hl,Is1, ua