The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-11-06
THE SOPHOMORE PLAY.
By GRACE MARGARET GALLAHER.


\ lulely smut out OF ner days. Sne
would have none of the widening, pol
ishing process, due TO the daily inter-
course of girls from all countries and
| of all kinds with one another. She
would have none of the deepening
and strengthening of sympathy which
comes from knowing the longing and
struggles of many different lives.
Saddest of all. she refused every
chance TO aid those struggles. Col
lege offers uncounted ways TO be help
full and unselfish and loving. Every
day all a girls gifts, from the
humblest to the most ideal, may be
used-to help out sudden hurry, 10
quicken to hope sullen discourage
ment. Few girls have ever again so
many people to whom they may be
"neighbors.
But Orpha, blind to all the beau
tiful opportunities. resented the
smallest hindrance to her chosen pur-
pose. She shut herself away in her
room behind the sign. Engaged" I"
and even regarded the necessary con-
versation at meals as an intrusion on
her time and thoughts. Every day
she grew less of loving. lovable girl,
and more of a selfish pedant.
She had gathered up her notes for
/ the English lecture this particular
afternoon. when some one knocked.
She stared as Keith Mcknight en-
| tered.
There's a cut in English" began
! the visitor, for Orpha looked ready
| to flee.
Orpha stared more than ever.
Miss Ainsley, I-ah-will you do
| me great favor? I'm the head OF
our Sophomore Dramatic Committee.
you know, and / want you to be one
| Of the members. Please be, We must
, have this play fine, our freshman one
| was such a disgrace. You are so
clever and so well-read, you'll know
about all the old dramas and be able
wore, and-oh, help every way"
Keith ended with a smile that never
| failed to win whoever saw il.
This invitation was one OF the hon.
ors and glories of college, had Orpha
known it. Her only feeling. however.
| was one of rage that any one could
! for a moment suppose she would be
| drawn into such silly waste of time.
Yet when Keith left, after a weary
half-hour in which she was Invary-
| ingly sweet, but persistent, and Orpha
| by turns scornful or appealing, the
| latter had yielded a reluctant promise
| to come to the first meeting. The
committee were all present when
Orpha entered Keiths room that
night. Her first look told her that
the girls were the brightest in the
class, those whose scholarship had
gained even her critical admiration.
How can they waste time so?" she
thought, scornfully.
A thorough look about the room
, showed Tilly Ingersoll curled up on
the couch. Orpha despised Tilly as a
mindless person who could not lead
even the simplest problem in "trig" to
triumphant issue.
Great use she'll be-" she thought,
with scorn.
|
| busily setting forth a feast. OF much
size, evidently. Keith was nowhere
to be seen.
Il beg PARDON" began Orpha.
"Come in" hailed Tilly, ""we're
| just waiting for you. Keith smashed
, the olive-bottle a minute ago. She's
in the bathroom, picking out the
glass from the olives"
81 think these are undar@ged, +"
said the hostess. entering. Good
evening. Miss Ainsley. It's ever SO
nice TO have you here"
What promiscous kind of food are
we to have tonight, Keith?" asked
Marcia. You remind me of the Kip
ling man T'no 'clawed together a meal
he called dinner
Don't quarrel with your food
admonished Tilly. The rest of US
haven't had supper in town. We're
thankful for anything"
Anything! My beautiful oysters,
my tasty chicken sandwiches! cried
the giver of the feast. "rhe last time
l came TO one of your balls had two
crackers and an orange!"
Orpha sat very stiff and prim. For
the first time in her self-satisfed life
she felt inadequate to the situation.
She could not sing, or tell funny
stories, or make witty replies. She
could not even laugh In that easy, in
fectious way the others did.
When the girls began the discus
sion of the play. she was no happier.
Her knowledge of the classic drama
did not seem especially helpful in
staging a college play. She went
home determined to come TO the next
meeting and show tn girls how really
superior TO them she was.
She ct-ae to the next meeting. and
TO rehearsals in the hall. She did
not grow any more comfortable. how
ever. The girls were so capable, so
tactful In managing one anotherl To
Orpha, coming dazed from a world