The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1907-01-15
Observation-Disclosures
The Choice
of a
Destiny.
BY Florence v. Mead. +
i.-f.+.s--s..f..s-l.ff.f-l.S-.t. .s.-s..i..s.|..f

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There's no denying that Frances
is the life of this club, and it won't
be half so much fun to go without
herl" said Marian Ward.
That's So" agreed Ruth Pember
and Alice Bean. and the other five
girls nodded their heads in doeful
assent
do you suppose it would do any
good if one of us went to Frances
mother and set the case urgently be-
fore herr"
The faces OF the girls frightened
preceptibly. but frown between
Marion's eyes deepened a little. 81
am impressed with the brilliancy
OF my suggestion as muct as
any Of YOU" she went on. after a
moments pause, but who is going to
be the spokesman? Mrs. Mattocks is
a dear, and I'd be awfully proud of
her If she were my mother: but she
is so dignified and sad and knows so
much that | confess I'm n wee bit
afraid of her. You know they say she
can pick up Vergil and read it right
off, and it's been thirty years since
she went to school"
Ruth Pember, who could not even
remember her yesterdays review les
son, clasped her dog-eared copy of that
poet with a groan. 81 move we go i'm
a body. and that Miss Marian Ward
be appointed to present"
81? Mercy, no! | decline the honor
emphatically You do 1t, Ruthie, dear.
You have such a sweet voice and such
an insinuating way of twining your
self round ones affections" saidMar-
ian, in honeyed tones.
Ruth titled her pretty head in af-
fected scorn.
II presume that might be termed
polite way of calling one a serpent"
she retorted. II am quite impervious
to your lattery. Miss Ward, but, ac-
customed to being ground under the
heel OF the oppressor. | meekly sub
NIT. I'll do anything If only Frances
can go. Come. then, before my courage
weakens;" and the eight members of
the "Nine-Pin Club" turned toward
the Mattocks home.
AS they were ushered into the lib
rary young girl rose from the lounge
to greet them. There were marks of
recent tears round her eyes. and a
grieyed almost a surly expression
spoiled the beauty of the fresh young
face.
81 can't go, girls" she began.
Ruth interrupted her: Perhaps you
can. We've come eight strong. tici
plead for you. Even the hardest heart
must soften at the sight OF so much
beauty in distress"
She tried to speak lightly and nat
urally, but her manner seemed forced,
and she started nervously as there
was a sound of the soft rustling of a
woman's skirts in the hall. and Mrs
Mattocks entered the room. She was
a slender little woman. the pallor of
her face intensified by the simple
widows dress she wore About her
delicate mouth were lines Of fatigue
as well as of decision, and the girls
wisely surmised that the matter oc-
cupying their thoughts had already
been discussed between Frances and
her mother
Nevertheless. Mrs MaitoclIs had
scarcely concluded her greetings be-
fore Ruth burst forth impetuously:
20 Mrs. Mattocks, can't you let
Fances go just this once? We arc
going to have such lovely time, and
It will be so incomplete without her.
Just think how kind It is Of Mrs Pow
ers to invite the whole club to the con
cert! All our mothers have said we
may go Mama didn't want me TO at
first, because It was I'm the middle OF
the week, but / leased her into It."
II was Mrs. Mattock turn to flush
slightly.
81 have no wish or intention to
appear to criticize your mothers ac-
lions by mine, and / am very sorry
20 disappoint you. as we'll as Frances.
but / cannot think IL best to allow
her to 60 II comes Wednesday even.
ing, and Frances has several importt-
ant lessons 20 prepare for Thursday"
There was a hnallty about Mrs.
hattooks'5 words, and especially her
manner. that was extremely dlscourag-
ing to further argument. and the girls
drew an inward breath of relief when
drs. Mattocks tactfully changed the
nbject to one less personal
A noticeable air OF restraint prevailed
Dc room. however, and scarcely had
be door closed behind the last one OF
be Nine Pins" before Frances again
threw herself down on the couch.
you have no idea how hard it Is for
me, motheri" she walled. her head
buried in the sofa pillows. Every
day after school the girls go down 70
Drew's for ice-croam or up TO Ruth's
and have a gay time. while I have %
leave them and trudgo home to say
those stupid lessons % Professor
lhaw Then the evenings are fall Of