The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-05-19
A WILL AND A WAY. .
BY MRS. ETHEL THOMAS,
The Story OF Girls Courage .
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time the willful young lady had left.
"And we didn't any of us get to
sec her,' exclaimed one.
"What was she likeq Was she
pretty9" asked another.
"Bue eyes and golden hair, and
the loveliest mortal l ever laid nv two
eyes on,' declared Mrs. Crone un-
llesltatingly, whispering to her con-
science that she was describing "the
other Miss Drake"
'Well! L never heard Of purity
girl before that didn't want to 90
INTO s'clety,' chimed in another. bu;
the housekccpcr swept from the room
with high head and haugnty air,
without another word.
With what conflicting emotion did
BOY, IN the privacy Of her own room
that night, prepare the pads so nee
cssary to her masquerade. She had
refused all offers Of nclp from her
aunt, knowih" full we'll that the good
woman preferred having as little to
do with the whole business as possible.
a numb pain was at her heart, and
she irownrd at the pads, thinking Of
how uncomfortably warm they would
be during the warm summer months,
only just begun. con. dear! how will
it all end, | wonder? Why was ever
born, ! do wondcr? And if I had to be.
why wasn't 1 boy? Prior wrote truly
when he wrote:
Who brcathcs musl suffer
And who thinks must mourn.
And he alone is blcst
Who never was born.''
Then hcavin@ sigh she laid her
dresses away in the bottom Of her
trunk and took ont one Of the neat
working" suits that had belonged 10
Cousin Will. laid it on chair ready
for next days wear and retired. Sho
slept but little that nj "ht. but was M
very early next morning and when
the bell rang for breakfast the
lamb was dcckcd for the sacrifice. -
She looked in the glass long and ear
ncstly, and thus, she addressed the
image reflected there:
"Wcll, Paul Burton, you are quite
Il harnSomc critter' I'm bound to
admit; but sir YOU are making a
desperate venture and T nope you will
not scorn friends advice. You
look a little pale, and I'm sure Won
are just a little 'wobbly' in the
knees. Now l know that you are plav-
ING desperate game and that vour
%iZzard shrinks from so much ncccs-
sary deception, but remember that it
was forced upon YOU. and if YOU are
courageous and come out successful
II won t he so bad after all. And RIGHT
mere lrt me impress upon You The ab-
S"lutc necessity Of kecpin" up your
courage. for my dear fellow if that
should fail you are IL goncr.
- No, never despair. whatsoc cr be thy
lot.
If fortunes gay sunshine ilumine is
not;
Mid It's gloom. and despite its dark
burden Of care.
II thou canSt not be cheerful, yet,
Never Despair.
II thou ranSt not be cheerful. vel.
Never Despair. " Boy paused for a
moment in deep and serious Thought.
Her face palcd. What if she really
should fail after allq Again she
spoke aloud to her reflection. "I
Will not be a coward I will look ait
this Undertaking from every side. T
am honestly doing what seems best.
And if | do fail--oh,
"'l If in the strife for highest good
My loss should be anothcr's gain;
II some weak soul, in sorrowine mood,
It's peace should purchase through my
pain.
Shall / repine?
Or if some thought born Of my woe,
a benls"n to others prove,
Though walked to life by ficrccst throe,
Should it another's pang remove,
Can [ be sad7
The answers plain, and yet ali me
The human heart has human needs,
And when '%ainst reasons high de-
For self and happiness it pleads,
What can avail?''