The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-11-06
What Doris DidNOt Know
By ELIZABETH ROBBINS


I that?" She looked at the dates, so as
to begin the first one Thirty-five years
| ago! 1t seemed long time to Doris.
| Girls at that date must have been very
crude.
MY dearest friend" the letter be-
gan, Il have the most delightful, the
most wonderful news to tell you. You
| know-and you only, till lately, there
has seemed so little chance of its ever
coming to pass-how l longed and
longed either to have college educa-
ton, or to study to be a physician. Not
merely because love to study, but be-
cause 1t 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.
81 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 | did splendid
ly. Mother has begun to plan my
dresses. | am perfectly happy. 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 col
lege or to the medical school-indeed,
till this minute Doris had never known
that she had even contemplated 60
ing. What had prevented? She knew
that Aunt Clara had lost the greater
part of her fortune, but that had hap
pened good many years later, after
her niece's marriage. Then Doris be-
thought herself that probably the 9TH
er 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 fine po-
sition in South America, and they had
decided to be married at once, so she
could go 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 it should be that
she must be spared all the care and
work and excitement possible II we
would keep her with us. He had not
told Ruth or the boys-not even fa-
ther. Of course 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 1t, I could see my
self that she was not at all strong, but
Ruth's going would make everything
harder for her. So told them that I
had decided not TO accept Aunt Clara's
generous offer, but to stay at home
and be domestic. | saw that mother
suspected did it on her account, but |
| put on such a cheerful air, then and
since, that | think l have entirely al
layed her suspicious.
$50 now to learn to be housekeep-
er-something, as you know, that
have no taste at all for. But | 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
pathetically 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
office work, how did Tthink they could
stand college work"
The sun set, the electric lights
flashed cu. over in the square, and
Doris room grew quite dark before she
heard her mothers latch key in the
front door. Then she started up and
went downstairs with a rush.
Her mother did not think 1t any
thing strange when Doris. gave her a
hug, though it was more emphatic than
usual, but when Doris helrbd her
with her wrap and hat, and made her
sit down and have her rubbers taken
off-the ground was damp from a re-
cent rain-she did look surprised.
Doris scanned her mothers face at
the tea table, and choky feeling came
in her throat and made 1t hard for
her to swallow. Why, oh, why had
she not noticed before how pale and
tired and worn her mother looked? She
hardly ate anything, either, and small
wonder, for the toast was burned, the