The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-10-26

ffe! Why. Agatha and the red in
J Helen's cheeks deepened. lat home
they. my family, talk Pennsylvania
| Dutciln:
Agatha's hand stole into :5elen's as
she whispered:
But in your heart you know they
want you. Helen. You will write and
ask them. anyway"
But Helen said nothing. She turned.
after moment. and began talking to
| the girl OH her other side. Her lips
| were set in sullen way that Agatha
knew we'll. There was no use saying
any more that evening. or. as Agatha
discovered. saying anything more in
the days that followed. for Helen
steadily avoided further condolences,
and Agatha could only wait.
Those last two weeks are the busiest.
the most bewildering in all the four
years. 1t is just as well. perhaps. that
one is too hurried to realize how much
it hurts TO 90 away.
Then toward the end the relatives be-
those to whom they belong. and re-
garded with such frank curiosity by
these to whom they do not belong.
There ran all awed whisper through
college. Have YOU seen the Shells
mother?" There We're rumors-not i'll
at,l:rt'. r!crely startled and wonder.
ing-of Il bonnet of imposing plumage,
Of 4 gown of most curious manufac-
ture. of coiffure belonging to the
fashion Of faded family daguerrotypes.
of heavy, vacant face. of the English
language spoken in way never before
heard in those high halls of learning.
This was Helen ShellhammerS mother!
kate" said Agatha. one afternoon,
"why do you suppose Helen doesn't in
troduce me to her mother:'
II suppose because she's ashamed Of
her. I told you that Helen doesn't
appreciate either you or college"
There were many thoughts in
Agatha's head those last days. but one
thought never left her, and that was Of
Helen. Still no opportunity to speak
to her, to find out, to know-not until
the very morning of commencement.
Fifteen minutes before the time
when the class must assemble for the
entering march Agatha knocked at
Helen'S door, and found her standing
before the bureau. just putting on the
black gown and bachelors hood.
Agatha wasted no preliminaries.
'Tell me, Helen," she said.
"Miss Ainsley is going"
"And you, Helen?"
ooh, / don't know! Mother is here,
you know. and 1 can't tell her. She
thinks I'm going home now to live.
But. Agatha, I can't give up college!
I love it sor'
Agatha spoke with strange stern
ness: "If you loved it more you could
give it up"
Helen turned upon her. "Would you
give it up-to go home, to my home
you, Agatha?"
Agatha raised wide eyes to Helen's
face, and in them there was-for the
first time to Helen's view-a great
weariness.
"Dt you ask me- whispered Agatha,
eff would give up college for the sake
of my mother?"
Just then came tapping at the door,
and some one entered who started back
shyly on seeing a stranger. The bird
in her bonnet was purple and orange.
The hair was drawn from the temples
in little braids looped over her ears,
from which dangled jet earrings. Her
dress was made with a basque. The
black mitts showed the hands of the
farm wife who works along with her
maids. She spoke with drawl. and
with a softening of SIS and am inter-
change of w's and VS..
Agatha held out both her hands. II
am so glad to meet Helen's mother"
she said. "I'm Agatha
ooh, have heard my Nellie speak Of
youw cried the mother. "You are the
one she loves the best of them all. She
is good girl, my Nellie-and smart"
Call that face dull or vacant, ali
alight with love as it was!
"Now she comes home at last to
her papa and me. Papa says. when he
put me on the cars, At last she comes
home to stayr Papa he couldn't come,
and Nellie thought maybe I'd get tired,
but 1 guess mammas don't get tired.
And now we 60 home together! 1t is
quiet in the house without Nellie, and
four years is long at home alone. The
others are all gone away. Nellie is our
baby"
She turned from Agatha to gaze
proudly at her tall daughter. Helen
was quiet, looking into the mysterious
dark eyes that met hers in the mirror.
The two weeks battle was at it's crisis;
it was to be fought through now.
The mother spoke again to Agatha:
"Sometimes worry. do not say 1t
to papa, but sometimes 1 think Nellie
will not like to stay at home. 1t is not
like her school, Perhaps she will not
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