Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-05-04
PASSING ON THE OTHER SIDE.

PASSING ON THE OTHER SIDE.
80, dearp' sighed Pauline Van Cover,
after chattering industriously for half an
hour. "All seem able to do is to talk
about doing"
Willis Van Cover, ten years her senior
and tease, heaved an exaggerated sign.
"Words, idle words,'" he quoted, "in
stream like the torrent that came down
at Lodore-battIing and rafting, pouring
and roaring"
A muffled sound came from behind Mr..
Van Covers newspaper. He had read
the market reports four times, and was
still ignorant of the price of wool.
Pauline turned from the living-room
mirror, where she was adjusting her hat
on fluff of yellow hair. She ignored
Willis and addressed herself to the news
paper.
"But consider the difficulty I'm in !! All
the other girls have begun TO do things,
and can't find anything to do" Un-
consciously an injured tone crept into her
voice. "You are all so healthy, and there
are no poor families to carry things to,
and no cripples to read to, and ] can't
nurse, or sing,"-Pauline turned from
the broad expanse of newspaper toward
the hall door, talking as she went,-"or
teach, or sew for the missionary barrels,
or Go"
The outer door came between her au-
dience and her estimate of her own abli-
ties. The audience with one accord burst
out laughing.
"What under the sun is that child driv-
ing at ?" Mr.. Van Cover dropped his
paper and looked at Mrs. Van Cover.
al don't wonder you're mystified, "
said Mrs. Van Cover. Then her face fell
into lines of gravity. "But am anxious
to see what Pauline will do. Pm not
helping her out this time"
"Out of what ?" demanded Mr.. Van
Cover.
"I'll explain" began Mrs. Van Cover,
briskly; and after she had explained, Mr..
Van Cover looked interested, cleared his
throat, said. al see," several times, and
returned to the market reports.
But there was one thing which his
daughter, flying down the snowy street,
failed to see, and that was what part she
was to play in the plan which was being
unfolded to her father.
"Now last ar,"-Paullne was talking
to herself for lack Of more extensive
audience, when we denied ourselves
candy and such things, and gave the
money, could do more than any one
else. But now dear me all the others
can do more than | I"
The self-denial referred to was exer-
cised by Pauline and nine other girls
during Lent OF the previous year. These
ten were the most recent graduates OF
the high school, and under the leader
ship OF their tavorite teacher, Miss Court
ney, had organized themselves into a
Circle Of Daughters of the King.
"To give yourself" pursued Pauline,
forlornly, turning down Lowe Street, "is
more difficult than going without candy
and giving the money, especially when
you don't know in what direction to give
yourself, and there doesn't seem to be
much Of you to give"
That was Miss Courtney's idea for the
Circles Lenten sacrifice, the daily gifts
of themselves is some service for others.
"a beautiful idea," sighed Pauline,
"but-"
Here her thoughts suffered an untoward
interruption. In her abstraction her feet
had carried her down the east side OF
Lowe Street, whereas, for reason well
known, but not often confessed, the ma
jority of people crossed over and travelled
on the west side. The reason was now
apparent at front window of the Lon
, nard house.
Gracious p calculated Pauline to her
self, in dismay. "Why didn't think to
90 over on the other side? Now ! sup
pose must 60 in and talk until my throat
is sore u
A wrinkled and querlllous old face had
appeared at the window and wrinkled
old hand was making vigorous passes at
Pauline The face was the face OF
Granny" Lonnard, and Granny" with
her beckoning hand, was the substantial
ghost which made the east side of Lowe
Street unpopular.
al catched you this timel" Granny an
nounced, in triumph, as Pauline entered
her room. "Now come here and talk to
me. Set on this side. This is my good
ear. don't wonder that you've forgot
which il is. You never come in to see
memo one does unless catch 'em,-
and next to nobody goes on this side OF
the street. Now tell me what's going on.
There was an item in the county paper
that said Jim Wiley was making over his
house. How's he fixin' it ?"
Pauline drew a long breath and raised
her fresh young voice until il penetrated
Granny's dull ears, andfor an hour Granny
feasted-literally feasted-on the news
of the village. But her appetite was in
satiable. Whenever Pauline made a
movement to rise, the wrinkled old hand
grasped her skirt and the querulous old
voice eagerly put another question.
Her two masters, rheumatism and deaf
ness, had dealt hardly with Granny Lon
nard. The former had shut her up in her
room, and although il was the large, sunny
-