The Meeker herald., 1906-02-17

!
they, my family, talk Pennsylvania
| Dutch"'
4 Agatha's hand stole into Helen's as
she whispered,
But in your heart you know they
want you, Helen. You will write and
ask them. any way"
But Helen said nothing. She turned,
after moment, and began talking to
| the girl oil her other side. Her lips
J were set In a sullen way TINT Agatha
knew well. There was no use saying
amy more that evening, or. rs 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 la too hurried to realize how much
1t hurts to go away.
Then toward the end the relatives be-
gin to arrive, welcomed 80 joyously by
those to whom they belong. and re-
garded with such frank curiosity by
those to whom they do not belong.
There ran an awed whisper through
college, Have you seen the Shells
mother?" There were rumors-not ILL
natured, merely startled and wonder.
| ing-of n bonnet of imposing plumage.
| of a gown of most curious manufac-
ture, of coiffure belonging to the
fashion of faded family daguerrotypes,
of heavy, vacant face. of the English
I'M ,ry,yo cnr In a W. ~ mo- Lnfnrn
heard in those high halls of learning
This was Helen Shellhammer's mother!
Kate" said Agatha. one afternoon,
why do you suppose Helen doesn't in
troduce me to her mother?'
Il 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 prelImlnaries.
Tell me. Helen" she said. ~
"Miss Ainsley is going" 'THT
"And you. Helen?"
"Oh, I don't know. Mother Is here,
you know. and can't tell her. She
thinks I'm going home now to 1--WE.
But. Agatha. I can't give up college!
I love 1t so!'
Agatha spoke with n strange STERN
ness: "If You loved 1t 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
wearlness.
DO you ask me,r whispered Agatha.
at would give up college for the sake
Of my mother?' 3fl
Just then came tapping at the door.
and some one entered who started back
shyly OH seeing 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 basque. The
black mitts showed the hands of the
farm wife who works along with her
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