Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-27


until her first day in school, stirred
the faintest question in the mind of
Hephzibah Drew And if it had, she
would have answered it as she an
swcrcd the fact that Katherine's hair
was yellow and curly while her own
locks were pale and straight. Ones
name belonged, that was all.
But that first morning in school,
long ago, temporarily upset her faith
in IT, necessity of things as they are.
She came pattering home with ques-
tioning in her soul, and on her face
the look of tears deferred. Her moth
er was asleep in hammock at the
end of the long veranda, but Hephzi-
bah was not looking for her mother,
To the Drew children a mother was i
frail, beautiful being, to be loved, adj
mired and waited on, but never to be
bothered. So she crossed the veranda
on tiptoe and ran down the hall to her
fathers office.
Her father sat at his desk, writing.
"Well. chicken. how did school go:"
he greeted her.
She brushed the question aside.
When tears are coming, words should
be used sparingly; they strain the
food-gates. He must come with her
to the minister's While she got anoth-
er name. Hephzibah was funny
name. They had laughed, and-the
flood-gates broke
Great Scott" the doctor muttered,
gathering the quivering little form up
into his arms. "See here baby, don't
You know that the incest names in the
world are those that belong to the
incest people?' He carried her across
the hall into the library. your name
is beautiful to me because it belonged
to beautiful woman once-up there
in the picture, you know"
Hephzibah knew. She loved that
portrait Of Grandmother Drew above
the fireplace. She always "chose" it
when they were playing their little
game, and she meant to have curls
like that when she grew up, with a
blue ribbon twisted in them, just like
that.
Il wonder if you won't look like my
mother when you're a young lady" the
doctor considered. Hephzibah smiled
MOSTLY.
You have her dark eyes" he went
on, finding tiny handkerchief in a
tiny pocket and making dabs at the
wet checks. Yes, and her-that is
light hair. 1 think you ought to keep
her name, don't you?"
She hooded doubtfully. But l wish
her name was Lily Belle. Lily Belle
McGinnis is such a beautiful name"
The tears started again.
Doctor Drew caught up Bible from
the table
And look, chicken" he said, "your
name is in here, but Lily Bellies isn't,
nor katherine's, nor Virginia's. nor
Pollys."
He found the place and showed it to
her, with the words in the margin
which he helped her to spell out: MY
delight is in her"
That is what your name means.
dear. Isn't it beautiful? 1t means"
The doctor hesitated; he was not much
Of preacher. 1T means that YOU
make us glad, you know. Let's not go
to the minister's. Let's just keep Heph-
Iibah, ard make it come true. Shall
we?"
Yes Hephzibah decided. II like
Hcphzibah better than Lily Belle.
think l do she added And she
marked the place in her own little
Bible with a blue ribbon like the one
in Grandmother Drew's hair
Hcphzibah was nineteen when her
graduation day came at last. She had
won no honors, but the old-fashioned
doctor was just as proud of her as he
mad been of his family valcdictorians
OF other years. That evening. when
they were all together on the vCranda,
he told Polly that he supposed Heph-
Zlbah would he going back to college
with her in the autumn.
Hephzbah was sitting on the top
step, with her head resting against her
fathers knee She was too tired to
take much part in the conversation.
Her eyes, when they were not closed.
were watching the fireflics flashing in
the thin river mist down in the mead
ows.
Il don't want to go back with Polly"
she said, without moving. But please
lets wait, dad. I'm too tired to talk
about it tonight.
For answer he took her in his arms
and bore her straight up the stairs to
49, o''' i'''i'' WiiNiC ny put IltI CART
fully down in the big chair by the win
dow.
"Now, my sweet girl graduate" he
said. opening her bed with practised
hands. its all sails set for slumbcr-
land, and bon voyage" He lighted the
candles on the dressing table and drew
down the shades. Il guess you're all
he decided. looking the
room over.
"Ay. ay, sir" she laughed. but, O.
dad as he started for the door
would you mind-that is, l think
promise ycu won't Taught" she finished,
lingering her long string Of pink corals
mis- graduation gift.
He held up his hand. Hope to die"
ne Solemnly affirmed.
Il Know / should sleep better If
you'd take those things away" She
indicated the schoolbooks on the table.
he desk, the window-sll
The doctor understood. "Of course
you WoulG,' he said, gathering the dis
quoting books UP in one big armfuI.
They're enough to give a wooden In
Ian the nightmare. I'll go lose 'em
Good night"
Hephzibah sprang up to kiss him.