The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1907-01-08

The Choice
of a
Destiny.
4 By Florence v. Mead. 7
Observation-Disclosures.

There's no denying that Frances
is the life of this club. and 1t won't
be half so much fun to go without
her!" said Marian Ward
That's So" agreed Ruth Pember
and Alice Bean. and the other five
girls nodded their heads in doleful
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
dear, and I'd be awfully proud of
her If she were my mother: but she
is so digniied and sad and knows so
much that | confess I'm a wee bit
afraid of her You know they say she
can pick up a 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 in
q body, and that Miss Marian Ward
be appointed to present"
81? Mercy, no! / decline the honor
emphatically. You do it, Ruthie, dear.
You have such a sweet voice and such
an insinuating way of twlning your
self round ones affections" saidMar-
ian, in honeyed tones.
Ruth titled her pretty head in af
fected scorn
Il presume that might be termed a
polite way of calling one a serpent"
she retorted. 81 am quite impervious
TO your flattery, 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
grieved 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, td
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
ura1ly, but her manner seemed forced,
and she started nervously as there
was sound of the soft rustling of a
woman's skirts in the hall, and Mrs.
MattOcks entered the room. She was
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-
oupying their thoughts had already
been discussed between Frances and
her mother.
Nevertheless, Mrs. Maltochs had
scarcely concluded her greetings be-
fore Ruth burst forth impetuously:
20 Mrs Mattocks, can't you let
Fances go just this once? We are
going TO have such a 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 Il was I'm the middle OF
the week, but I teased her into It."
Il was Mrs. Mattock's turn to flush
slightly
II have no Wish OF intention to
appear to criticize your mothers ac-
lions by mine, and am very sorry
TO disappOint YOU as well as Frances
but / cannot think IL best to allow
her to go lt comes Wednesday even
ing. and Frances has several import
ant lessons TO prepare for Thursday"
There was a hnality about Mrs
Mattocks's words. and especially her
manner. that was extremely discourag
ing to further argument, and the girls
drew an inward breath OF relief when
Mrs. Mattocks tactfully changed the
mbiect TO one less personal
A noticeable air OF restraint prevailed
De room. however. and scarcely had
be door closed behind the last one Of
DO Nine Pins" before Frances again
threw herself down on the couch.
you have no idea how hard It is for
me, mother!" she walled. her head
buried in the sofa pillows. "Byery
day after school the girls 90 down to
Drew's for ice-oream OF up to Ruth's
and have q gay time while 7 have 20
isavo them and Tudge home to say
those stupid lessons 70 Professor
lhaw. Then the evenings ere full %