The Opelousas courier., 1905-08-19

~&SSJ~ -4h NtS tlC COilSt0l
aE y passing of footsteps an
) ~ @ the sound of merry Iaugl
j ter in the halls of Mr.
~CS McCallum's rambling oil
fashioned house; a snatch of colles
song, sung by fresh young voices. tioa
ed up from the moon-f1ecked road; fro1
tie distant gymnasium came the thro
or dangerous music, but the ten youn
women in one Of the upper rooms O
tie college boarding house were oil
ilvious to outside sounds.
1Ee little feast was over, the candle
were burning low beneath the daint
pink shades, the scent of fading rose
was heavy OH the air, but still the,
sat absorbed in the recital of wlla
use each had made of the ten year
That INTERVIEWED between their gradua
ton and this night.
Delight Everett sat with 1ushet
cheeks and shining eyes, and as on
and another spoke, sympathy, admira
Won and affectionate pride were mir
rored in her changeful face. How
l!obly the girls had lived, how vel
they lad fulfilled the promise of theil
college days! And through it all shs
felt the familiar influence of the dea1
room that once she had shared will
Lctticc Clayton, who now presided a
this feast of remembrance.
1t was kind Of Mrs. McCallum to ar
range matters so that the reassemblins
should be in the place that had wit
l!essed the last gathering of their col
iege days; it was thoughtful of the
present tenants to relinquish the room
to these returning girls of '94. And
then, at that instant, she was conscious
or The gala sounds that proclaimed the
nigh tide of the college commencement
ana for an instant she forgot the years
that separated her from that night So
long ago.
Nine signs of relieved tension greet,
cd the conclusion OF Judith Graves ex-
citing story of the winning of her first
case, and Il babel Of questions and con.
Sratulatlons rose about the table.
Surely Judith's triumph shed Il reflect.
cd glory upon those intimate friends
who had always appreciated the bril-.
llant intellect, eve in the old college
days. Did not the waiting toast to the
most successful belong to her? Dc
light wondered.
But then there was Henrietta, SouIe,
already taking an important place
among the faculty of her alma mater;
and Mary Lowell, a successful physi-
clan, spending every moment that she
could spare from her large practice in
work among the suffering poor. The
balance wavered here.
And what of Lettice Clayton, SPEND
ing her time and strength in a college
settlement; and Dorothy TAFT, whose
delightful kindergarten made a spot of
brightness in barren little lives:
Eleanor Day, just returned from Paris,
fresh from the triumph her spirited
pictures had won; Laura Dennison
and Rose Abbott, happy i'll their mar
ried life and the love ard care Of little
children; and Cecilia Merton, whose
lovely voice not long since had thrilled
them with its richness and it's power?
Delight sighed again from excess of
Joy. The day had been full of the
happiness Of revisiting beloved scenes
and renewing old friendships, for the
of Oh had returned in large
numbers, and class feeling had proved
itself strong to withstand the years.
But this evening was the crown of
all, and III a few moments they would
carry out the old resolve to toast the
one Of their number who had made the
best use Of her time aud talents since
they had parted. But oh, how diff
licult it would be to choose!
Delight suddenly awoke from her alb
sorption to find laughing eyes turned
upon her.
Il beg your pardon"! she stammcred,
with a bright flush. did you speak
to me?!'
I'VE are waiting to hear your story,
Delight Iaettice said. gently. "Then
we will put the question to vote"
MY story!!" Delight had forgotten
hat she must testify. And what could
say? All, what Il pitifuI, meager
beside those of these fuller,
lives! None of the hopes with
which she had crossed the threshold
IF college life had been fulfilled; she
lad made no name for herself, had
lone TO great work for humanity; had
no talent until it had become
4 minister to the sum of beauty.
She rose, as had the others, but stool
twisting her fingers in The
Did way that the women about her re-
tenderly. Then she looked
lppealingly about and laughed-a
little laugh.
"Dear girls" she said, a bit INSTEAD
II, Il have no story to tell, for I have
lust lived along in Durhanl,s and the
record of life. in Durham would not
interest yeu."
Before any protest could be raised,
they Were surprised by a tap at the
loor. and Delight, b%eingaupon her feet,
moved to answer it, glad Of the inter
.uption.
20 Mrs. McCallhm..' sthey heard her
say, with sweet cordially in her tone.
Then she stepped into the hall and
:reW the door shut. Ne one spoke or
until the door swung open
asain and pelIggist stood holding the
Knob.