The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-06-02
tvhither the.
" Fates Call.
BY MARTHA coEB SANFORD.
Copyrighted. zoos. by Associated
Literary Press.


Elsie Reynolds had just finished her
first year Of teaching She had not en-
joyed the experience particularly, and
now that the train was carrying her
back to the east, which she loved, she
wondered how she could have even
half pledged herself to return in the
fall. But she had, and at length she
admitted to herself the reason for It
1t was not the work. Work she must
have somewhere, to be sure. but it was
not necessary to seek 1t at so great q
distance from home. No, 1t was not
the work, but the friends she had
made. or, rather, to be strictly truthful
and spare herself no bushes, 1t was
one friend. Gilbert Chandler.
The admission came as a revelation.
For six months she and Gilbert had
been good comrades. and they had part.
ed as comrades, exchanging promises
to write to each other during the long
summer vacation IL 1t were not too hot
and II they We're not too busy, etc.
But Elsie had made the Identical prom.
Use to half dozen other men. more or
less. who had come to the train to see
her off. for Elsie was pretty and pop,
uiar and Gilbert Chandler had by nc
means n clear field.
Had the truth been told him (by any
one save ElsieI he wonld have dismiss
ed 1t with a smile of incredulity.
But Elsie had no intention of telling
him-indeed. having discovered the
state OF her feelings. she had no inten
ton Of favoriug him with information
Of any kind. Gilbert must write irxt
On that point she was infexible. ever
after II month Of anxious waiting.
Other men wrote. but the seals oil
their letters she broke listlessly ani
answered them only In the hope tina
through them she might hear some
thing Of Gilbert At length they serv
ed her purpose.
Over and over again Elsie read th,
unbelievable words. You've doubles
heard about Chambers Illness" tn,
letter ran. Pneumonia has now Sc
In. and that. with the typhoid compli
cations. knocks his chances for recoy
cry about out. and Just as he was lie
ginning TO he looked upon as a youni
lawyer who must be reckoned with
Tough luck
. Elsie crumpIed up the letter an
sobbed her heart out. There was n
one to comfort her. no one who woul,
even understand.
The summer was nearly gone befor
Elsie. received further news. Gilber
had lived through the awful crisis. bu
not to receive his full health. In fac
the doctors had ordered an entir
change Of climate and occupation, an
In consequence he had given up all hi
youthful ambitions. said goodby to tn
world Of friends and activities an
taken up life with his sister on a sma
ranch In Texas
Then TO all who knew her EIsi
Reynolds did u surprising and unaC
countable thing. She resigned her pt
si:ion In the western boarding schoC
and accepted the thankless task G
teacher In a district school in Texas.
Her alleged reason-that she wa
tired Of civilization aud hnngered "a
primitive e:srcrience-was termed shet
madness. Yet there was no one 10 hOl
her hack. She was fatherless aE
motherless and perfOrce self supper
. ing
For the next two years there wer
two very snail institutions In the Lon
star State that prospered amazingl.
one was n forIorn one room schoo
house. the other n pocket handkerchit
ranch which surrounded brave br
unpretentious little bungalow. 10 bot
daily miracles were happening. Th
schooihOuse knew all about the hung;
low. but the latter had never guesse
the existence Of Its wide awake neigl
boF 10 the west.
And when a letter arrived there o.
summer morning announcing that L
sic Reynolds was passing through Tc,
rs on her way east and u conyeniei
would like 10 stop OF for few days
visit old friends the bungalow Opene
wide its doors aud windows with al
constituent and let the sun In like SON
unexpected guest come TO warm an
cheer It's lonely heart.
During the days that must pass IN
fore she should come all was one bus
whIrl Of anticipation. To. Gilbei
Chandler and his sister she actual pre-
cnce OF n friend from their old abaI
tloned world would seem nothing slloI
81 a glimpse Of heaven.
Arrsyed In It's sudden acquisition {
muslin rufIles aud chlntz flowers an
quite consciously proud Of lis hone!
suckIe perfume. the little house flu
I tered and beamed with expectation.
At last the great day arrived. Gl
! bert rose early. his Drowned face ri
dIant with happiness. saddled the ~
horses and went 20 meet her.
r The ride back over the rolling prairi
/ which for each Of them held its spccii
. meaning. vas tremuious with thlnt
unspoken. From full hearts little sa'
! commonplace reached the lips.
. "You have been travelling. ElsieT'
4 81 traveiIng? She laughed back I
. him merrily. "No: same old story. Gl
bert--tcachIng
. But you're brown rs Mexican. an
you don't look the least bit faggc'
Il EHNN. Sit