The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-11-15
What Doris DidNot Know

By ELIZABETH ROBBINS

when they were the same age that we
are, II. They interested me very
much, and / thought they would you,
so | asked mother to let me send them
to you, think your mother must be
lovely" -
Strange to say, Doris was only mild
ly interested, even though she knew
very little about her mothers girlhood.
Mrs Eastman had never been one to
say much about herself. The paper was
yellow with age, but what pretty
writing!" Did mamma use to write like
that?" She looked at the dates, so as
to begin the first one. Thirty-fve years
ago! 1t seemed long time to Doris.
Girls at that date must have been very
crude.
MY dearest friend" the letter be-
gan, 81 have the most delightful, the
most wonderful news to tell you. You
know-and you only, till lately, there
seemed so little chance of its ever
coming to pass-how | longed and
longed either to have a college educa-
tion, or to study to be physician. Not
merely because love to study, but be-
cause it has seemed as if, with these
advantages, could be of so much
more use in the world and do so much
more good. What will you say when
| tell you my widest dreams and fond
est hopes are coming true, and even
better than ever dared dream or
hope? | am to do both-go through col
lge and then take four years medi-
cal course! Aunt Clara has offered to
furnish the money. 1t was great sur
prise, for | had supposed that she was
opposed to the higher education of
girls, and would be Mortified at the
idea Of girl studying medicine.
Il waited about telling you till l
had passed my college examinations.
My percent came this morning.
had trembled for fear would not pass,
but they write me that l did splendid
ly. Mother has begun to plan my
dresses. am perfectly happy. l feel
so settled, now that | know what life
work is to be, and oh! how / will
work! Write me and tell me that you
are glad for me. Your true friend,
Annie"
Doris looked up from the letter with
dazed expression on her face. That
letter from her mother? 1t seemed
incredible. But she never went to coll
lege or to the medical school-indeed,
till this minute Doris had never known
that she had even contemplated go
ing What had prevented? She knew
that Aunt Clara had lost the greater
part of her fortune, but that had hap
pened a good many years later, after
her niece's marriage. Then Doris be-
thought herself that probably the 9TH
err letters would solve the mystery, and
she took up the second one.
Dear Friend: How can | tell you
Two weeks ago, few days after my
last letter, my sister Ruth informed us
that Henry had been offered a fine po-
sition in South America, and they had
decided to be married at once, so she
could so with him. This was quite
shock, as they had thought their en-
gagement would be long one. Two
days later DR.. Elliot came to me and
told me that my dear mothers health
was so far from what 1t should be that
she must be spared all the care and
work and excitement possible il we
would keep her with us. He had not
told Ruth or the boys-not even ia
Their. OF course I saw at once why he
had told me. 1t was very hard to give
up my dream of an education, but that
was nothing compared to my anxiety
for mother Now that my attention
had been CALLED to i, | could see my
self that she was not at all strong, but
Ruth's going would make everything
harder for her. So l told them that
had decided not to accept Aunt Claras
generous offer, but to stay at home
and be domestic. l saw that mother
suspected l did 1t on her account, but
put on such a cheerful air then aud
since, that think l have entirely al
layed her suspicious
so now to learn to be housekeep-
er-something, as you know, that
have no taste at all for. But I am
going to try very hard to like it, and
If cannot conquer my aversion to it,
nobody shall suspect that do not pre-
fer it to any other work in the world
With much love, Annie"
The third letter told briefly and
pathetieally of the mothers death,
eight years later. Doris eyes filed
with tears as she read it, Then she
replaced the letter in the envelope
and sat very STILL thinking. Once she
murmured, IF my eyes wouldn't stand
nface work how. did thinl, they could