The Meeker herald., 1906-02-17
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Iuey were DOtH quiet again, tDluk'
Ing of the dend mother of whom
Agatha never spoke, whose picture
never appeared anywhere in her room
After while Kate said. "Your
mother would be glad about you,
Agatha" and then, because she felt
that she had started memories that
made Agatha wish to be alone, she
pressed light kiss on the brown curls,
md went out.
To the chair that Kate had left, the
chair OH which Agatha had bowed her
head, there came gracious presence.
AS in the days five years before,
Agatha sat by her mothers knee in the
twilight fire-glow. She felt hand
upon her hair, she looked up into eyes
Agatha had In all those Ave years
which she had not spoken into the ear
of that shadow mother. "She knows,
she knows, she knowsv" said Agatha
to herself.
Now Agatha spoke low: Mother. is
1t true what Kate says? In any crisis
Helen would not choose right?' Be
cause. IL that is true, then have
failed, and you told me to take care Of
Helen-you told me to take care of
her four years ago. I've only two
weeks left to be with her; but you'll
help me, won't you? You've helped all
the time. 1t ought to do some good.
somehow, all my wanting YOU"
Agatha pressed her tense hands over
her eyes and buried her head deeper
in the chair cushions, but there were
no tears; there never had been any
tears In Asatha's loneliness.
The gongs changed out o'clock,
and Agatha rose and lighted the gas.
and began dressing for dinner. Half
nm hour later dainty little person in
white muslin OF Partisan make, n
little person whose eyes and cheeks
glowed brightly, and who hummed n
bit of n Brittany sailor song. passed
out of Agatha's door, and went tripping
down the hall.
Other girls, rustling out for other
doors at the dinner summons. called
Agatha to wait for them. and linked
arms about one another's waists, so
that they were six abreast by the time
they reached the dining room. But
there in the doorway another girl was
waiting for Agatha. and for this girl
Agatha slipped away from her other
friends.
Helen had stood there waiting for
fully five minutes. not unconscious.
for all that dend-eurnest face of hers,
of the admiring glances of certain
freshmen. and the more familiar. but
also more hattering glances of her
classmates. She heard the words OF
one Of these last, knowing that 1t was
more than half-meant that she should
hear them:
what stunning creature the Shell
is. to be sure.' Little did the freshman
dream that any one had ever dared
to call the glorious Miss Shellhammer
"Dutcly.'
Kate had been right when she called
her most regal young person. Big
she was. most certainly, but graceful
and stately. Beneath her dark hair
her black eyes burned eagerly.
AS little Agatha slipped hand into
hers, Helen's face frightened. and the
two walked together down the hall,
and seated themselves side by side.
1t was beautiful dining room. with
its dark, CARVED wainscoting. its great
fireplaces, its old English windows, its
candle-lit tables. Never before she
came to college had Helen Shellhum-
mer seen any of these things.
Helen was eager with her news.
"What do you think, Agatha? Prexy
sent me summons to-day, and told
me that Miss Ainsley is considering
giving up the secretaryship. in order
to live abroad with her invalid brother.
1t isn't settled yet. Miss Ainsley is
taking two weeks to decide; but il she
take the position. O Agatha, think of
being able TO stay here in college!
can hardly stand the waiting"
cit would be beautiful, Helen" an
swerei Agatha. Butt" she added.
"hut how viii your family feel about
having you stay on here?"
They're expecting me to he Mt
home" answered Helen. dark shad-
ow coming over her glowing face.
Have you written them about it?"
mo"
But you will?"
"why?"
"Because-" But Helen Interrupted
in low, eager tone: II couldn't give
up the chance IL 1t comes. can't. You
don't know what 1t means-you who've
had all this, and much more, all your