Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1907-02-22

French. 1 thf TX we might have been
friends in sat1e of it, don't you?" she
added, wistfully.
Martha's lips suddenly quivered al
most to her own surprise, and her
eyes were mistily responsive. But
why did Penelope speak of the possi-
bility as nothing of the past?
And the Glee Club really needs
your voice" the girl went on earn
estly. I've heard you sing III chap
ell. / should think that, for the hon
or of the college, you would want to
help!" Such different point of view!
Some one had certainly been wear
ing crooked spectaclesi
"Oh, you don't, you can't under
stand." cried Martha in sudden aban-
don. I'm not like you! l think ev-
cry one is against me or making fun
and it strangles me. -
You poor, sensitive child" Pen
elope put her arms around her, and
Martha, although if anybody had
told her she would do such a thing
she would never have believed it!
Martha dropped her head upon Pen
elope's shoulder and cried: Its
only your temperament! It's only
self-consciousness and it is con-
quered so easily, just by mingling
with people and remembering that
they are thinking about themselves
rather than about you, and that every
thought they have for you is proba-
bly, only the kindliest AS for being
a country girl, you are not the only
one here, and they always take the
highest rank in scholarship! Oh, if
| only had your brains, things would
be SO different for me and-and for
others, now. It's of no use to ,alk
about it, but never should have had
the courage to come to you for help
if l hadn't been taken out of myself
by trouble! I'm glad did come.
am sure, now, that we might have
been friends"
Martha kissed her for answer, ac-
tually kissed Penelope Reese! She
would have held her, as she slipped
out at the door, but Penelope could
not stay. Why should they not be
friends? The world was glorified to
Msrtha's vision by the possibility.
Penelope's friendship. her cheerful
common sense, had been like ma
gician's wand The morbid bitter
ness had dropped from Martha like a
mantle.
Another girls step and another
girls tap at her door. This was a
day of wondersi The visitor was
Grace Lounsberry, of all girls Grace
was one of the rich girls of the Fresh
man class, peculiarly dainty and ele-
CANT of appearance and always wear
ing little, critical. fastidious frown.
Martha had always felt herself with
cred by the elegance and the frown.
DO let me in, won't you?" she
begged, as Martha held the door only
slightly ajar, with firm hand Oh the
knob. There is such trouble for
the Freshman class and for the whole
college. And you can helpi" Mar
tha opened the door wide. Even in
her bewilderment her heart warmed;
she could help, She was no longer
outside. In flash she regretted
that she had written that letter to
Uncle Caleb saying she could not
stay.
Penelope has to leave collegei"
Grace dropped upon chair and, with
elbows on her knees, she propped her
chin upon her palms refiectively.
There was no pose, no elegance about
her now! Her father has failed in
business and there is no money to
keep her here! And now she feels
dreadfully because she has no chance
to learn anything so that she can help
herself You know the kind of girl
that Penelope is, SO quick to catch at
everything that she doesn't learn any
thing thoroughly. But now, if she
could have a special course, Italian
and music. am sure she could earn
her living by it. And she can do it
herself-all but the start. She can
sing in church and teach music, you
know. Every one In the town will
help; she has not been here a year
and everyone loves her
'sYes-yesi assented Martha
eagerly. and unconscious of the sob
in her throat that made the other
girl look up wonderingly.
I'VE want to give her a benefit con-
cert-the Glee Club, you know. We
went to let as many people as we can