Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-11-17
MayFlowers
By FRANK II. SWEET
butterflies. rainbow and ,ipsel. with

butterflies, rainbow and tipsel. Win
thought only for the present moment.
pleasure TO the eye and senses" muir
INJURED Miss Radcliffe. more TO herself
than 10 the professor. There was no
envy In her voice. no sarcasm. only
Just philosophic speculation with per
haps little wonder. And In her eyes
was the same expression as when an.
alyzing a new bug.
The professor regarded her admir-
ingly, respectfully. There WAS much
: the same look OF impersOnal wisdom
in their eyes, and much the same net
work OF fine. studious wrinkles gath
ering along the base OF their brows.
They had delved into the depths OF
knowledge beyond self. and were now
exploring for explorations sake. And
both were comparatively young. with
untaxed strength and untried fields
ahead.
But as the professors gaze followed
hers through the window to the but
terfiies and tinsel. there was an I'M
usual usefulness In his eyes. Miss
, Ratci:ffe's profile was Grecian. without
flaw. The professor never felt any
scholastic diffidence in her presence.
but was always calm and selfcon-
! tained. as when immersed in his stud
les. But as his gaze followed hers out
to the gsylydressed girls swinging
about tie May pole. something very
Like longing showed in his eyes.
They are very happy" he said;
very happy. and Joyous. and bright
colored'
Yes, very happy" assented Miss
Ratcliffe, and very joyous and bright
colored, like butterflies. But they
are young ladies' now, and Miss Charl-
ton is 20, | believe. The butterflies
are irresponsible. however, and mean
ingless JOY is their mission. But some
of them have unusual ability. as Miss
Charlton: and precious time is con-
sumef In arranging tableaux and romp-
ing and swinging around pole like
that.
Miss Charlton has been the main
stay of her home, | understand" said
the professor. gently; and I am told
she earned the money 10 come here
herself, by working in factory"
YES" regretfully. she is a girl of
much force Of character. That Is why
| deplore the scene out there. Life Is
not long enough to learn all that every
one ought to know. and with Miss
Charlton's abilities the idle hours
could be made to yield vast store
OF knowledge for either personal salts
faction or an extra means toward
livelihood"
Sometimes l have felt lately that
our lives may have licked some OF
this color and idleness. and-and fun"
the voice was still gentle. "Of course
| we could not change our lives. even
should we desire: but IL think a
little color added might make us hap
pier"
II have not felt that way at ALL" re-
turned Miss Radcliffe. thoughtfully.
Moreover, | feel that. as head OF the
school. Prof West, you ought to go
out and speak to the girls. They all
have a strange liking for you. and
would listen TO no one else. II is a
crucial time in their lives. and no
better opportunity could be had than
to advise them now. while they are
dancing and singing around the pole.
covered with their May flowers. Really.
It is a duty with you. professor"
Prof. West rose reluctantly. an I'M
mistakable color now In his face.
Well. II you really think SO. Miss
Ratcliffe," he said. 'I-I-of course
the school comes first"
As he crossed the lawn, the whirl-
ing girls paused for moment to catch
their breath. Then they caught sight
of the handsome. strongly-built figure
coming toward them, and several Of
the girls started forward. Miss Charl-
ton alone did not advance. She was
standing by herself little to one side.
Prof. West spoke few words with the
| others, and then went straight to her.
IL would like to say a few words
to you, Miss Charlton" he began. All
this color and gayety and-and fun
out on the lawn, where everybody can
see, seems" as the color began TO
rise In her face, "er-very nice. YES"
more decidedly. very nice. and like
IT. We need more color and fun in
our lives, and you have been very
1 good 10 US In this way since you
came. II am out here to thank
you. My life has been very colorless.
SO far. and lately II have thought"
he was beginning to founder again at
something he saw in her eyes. and
added: Il would rather have some Of