The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1908-11-12

AS the curtain fell the audience,
unable to contain itself longer, gave
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
regular star!" they cried. She had
made their play a 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; a
fuzzy, downy peach!"
The older girls disapproved OF such
slang. but it was permitted to impuI-
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. If any one had heard her, was:
"Oh, oh. you're so nice! Why
didn't 1 know it! Oh. I'm so glad 1
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. 1t 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 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 l never supposed
such a grind could act"
1T was because she is a grind"
Tflly's voice was that of one working
out q 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-witha all
her vengeance. It's that grindinG
that's given her such a grip on her.
self. Do you suppose i could have
come out of regular panic like that?
No, sir. I'd have scattered into igno-
BILE bits right before the assembled
populace!"
We'll. sirs!" calculated the aston
ished 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 I. but
tonight -" Tilly stopped, then
spoke very quietly, with uncommon
seriousness: Marcia, I'm going to
work after this more than l ever did.
1t will please my father, and maybe
give me some character-like Or
pha."
Marcia was too wise to answer.
Both pretended to be interested I'm
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 'borroweds!
Don't you care!" called SOME one
whose JOY no gloomy visions. even of
Monday, could daunt at won't take
long!"
''It takes hours, always!" retorted
Keith. Il have four recitations, ex-
ira lab special topic and an essay
interview"
Orpha, marching in a sort of Ro-
man conquerOr procession, heard
Keith. Gratitude and the sense of
obligation to the class surged within
her
III do your share of Strengthening
up, Keith" she called. 'T haven't
much of anything Monday" She
tried to have just the matter-of-
course tone the girls used when they
made such offers, but she could not
help her voice shaking a little.
There was an instant's silence. then
Keith answered easily:
"Oh. will you? Thanks. ever 90
much"
And Orpha knew she had received
the seal to her title as a college girl.
with all the privileges and response
bilitieS -YOuth's Cornnanion