The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-11-06


white and their eyes looked unusually
large, but they smiled and clapped
noiselessly, and Keith blew her lit
tie round kiss, They did not think Of
her as a grind! She had become one
OF "us." She was frightened, they
must help her out.
Orpha turned 10 the audience with
a smile that made her dimples peep
out. Frightened? No. but stirred as
she had never been before. She had
sacrificed dear desire to help the
girls. Her act should not be useless.
But most of all she thought not OF
her own success or failure, but OF
Keith and the others who had trusted
her so. Perhaps that is why she did
not fail.
For she inspired the rest of the
cast with powers they had not shown
at any rehearsal, and she captivated
every girl in the hall. She seemed
really one of that brave mimic
world that Shakespeare drew" The
play was a mighty success.
AS the curtain fell the audience.
unable TO contain itself longer, gave
a rousing cheer. They shouted for
Keith, for the committee, and for the
cast. Then some one by the door
cried. What's the matter with Or
pha. the best actor ever in this hall?"
With the answering, She's all
right" the girls swept upon the
stage.
They almost tore little Rosalind
to bits shaking and hugging her.
Good for you, Orpha!" You're
a regular starr" they cried. She had
made their play JOY to their friends
and an envy TO their foes; what else
about her mattered now?
An impulsive freshman flung her
arms about the amazed actress, fairly
shouting:
Miss Ainsley, you're a peach;
fuzzy. downy peach!"
The older girls disapproved OF such
slang, but IL was permitted to impul-
sive freshmen.
Orpha stood quite still through all
the excitement. She felt dazed. All
at once she began to laugh and talk
and hug everybody. just as the other
girls were doing. What she was say
ing, IL any one had heard her. was:
"Oh. oh, you're SO nice! Why
didn't | know It! Oh, I'm so glad
do now" This sounded wild, but it
really meant that Orpha had come to
her senses.
1t was not that the praise satisfied
her ambition. She never once re-
membered that she had proved her
superiority. IL was the realization at
last of the loyal and warm comrade-
ship, based on mutual need and mu-
tual help--the very heart and secret
of college life - which made her
happy.
She needed just such a vehement
demonstration OF college spirit TO
rouse her out Of her selfish self. The
love of the girls had reached her
heart at last.
The tired. but triumphant, COM
mittee was going home to Main Hall.
Say. Tilly, were you ever SO sur
prised in all your days as at orphan"
said Marcia Grennell, in a low voice.
Il knew she had stores and boards
OF knowledge, but / never supposed
such a grind could act"
1T was because she Is grind"
Tilly's voice was that OF one working
out a problem. Did you see how
nervous she was at the start? She
just pulled herself In. though, and
acted her little part as she works
over Allen and Greenough-with all
her vengeance. It's that grinding
that's given her such grip on her
self. Do you suppose / could have
come out of regular panic like that?
No. sir, Id have scattered into igno-
BILE bits right before the assembled
populace!"
"Well, sirsl" calculated the aston
isbed Marcia.
"Oh. know It's queer for me, but
It's true. all the same. This all play
and no work may be great JOY. but 1t
won't give you what Orpha Ainsley
has - and that's character, I've
fooled away two years here now. and
nobody's had more fun than 7, but
tonight -" Tilly stopped, then
spoke very quietly, with uncommon
seriousness: Marcia, I'm going TO
work after this more than I ever did.
II will please my father. and maybe
give me some character-like Or
pha."
Marcia was too wise 20 answer.
Both pretended 10 be interested In
the others girls talk.
Those ahead were still discussing
the great success OF the play.
Its just gay tonight" sighed
Keith. but, oh, me! Monday when
we have to rid up the place and re-
turn the 'borrowedsn
Don't you care!" called some one
whose Joy no gloomy visions, even OF
Monday, could daunt. 1T won't take
long,"
ut takes hours, always!" retorted
Keith. Il have four recitations. ex-
ira lab special topic and an essay