The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-09-05
MARGERY NELSON RETURNS.

Margery Nelson was sitting on the
boarding house stairs waiting for the
postman. This was the day she would
hear whether or not she had won the
scholarship. Margery had found a
place to work for her board and she
could earn her room rent; but II she
didn't get the scholarship she would
simply be compelled to go home, for
she had no money to pay her tuition
with, and no loans were made to
freshmen.
A week before she had taken the
examination with a number OF others
who were trying for the freshman
scholarship. Margery felt sure il she
had won the scholarship she would
get the notification that afternoon;
but if she had not, she would not
hear until after the holidays.
While she waited, wondering how
she would get the money to pay her
car fare home if she had failed,
long official envelope was slipped in
through the letter slot of the outer
door. Margery bounded down the
stairs-she knew she had the schol-
arship.
That was the beginning Of four
long, happy years. To earn ones
board and room rent by three hours
of hard work every day outside Of
college, would have seemed hard to
many. But not SO to Margery. Now
that she had the scholarship which
paid her tuition, she did not mind the
hardships, nor the poverty. Was not
this her livelong dream to be in col
lege? And so earnestly and joyfully
did she work that she won her way
to the head of her classes, and into
the most coveted college circles.
At last commencement came with
its receptions and flowers and hosts
of admiring friends.
In the midst of it Margery had a
big share of the attention and ad-
miration.
Almost everybody had heard the
story, how she had worked her way
and won against all obstacles. They
admired her for her pluck and loved
her for herself.
When the graduates had received
their degrees and their friends and
college mates crowded forward to
congratulate them, the last in the
long line that greeted Margery was a
crippled girl.
She impulsively took both Mar
gery's hands and with tears in her
eyes said:
I'm so glad, Margery! so glad!'
"Why, it's Eleanor" exclaimed
Margery, still holding her hands.
s'You entered the freshman class
when l did But soon left, and l
haven't seen you since. Why did you
quit? And where have you been?"
The slow color crept up in her
face; she turned her eyes aside.
ooh, couldn't make it, she said.
''I went back to teaching a country
school up in the hills. I've been
there ever since.
"But I'm so glad, Margery'
eyes again brightened-'that you
amounted to much even if l could
have graduated. But you are sc
strong and splendid. You'll do great
things and the college will be proud
of you You'll do things that will
make your name remembered here.
At the reception that evening
Margery spoke to one of the profes
sors about Eleanor Chalmers.
edo you know why she lief
school?"
eyes," and the professor explained
One day the dean of the college
looked up from his desk as his sec
rotary handed him a card,
s'Margery Nelson"
and smiled, for he was pleased an,
curious to see Margery.
Since her graduation five years be
fore, she had not been back to tn
college.
They looked for her every com
mencement, but she never came
They wondered about it. They ha
all loved her, students and facult
alike. They had all been proud Q
her and predicted great things 70
her. She must have loved the CO.
lege Why then had she never re
turned. Occasionally they heard G
her, read of her. She was succeed
ing in her chosen work.
The dean was still wondering whe
Margery came in, buoyant and happ
as ever.
"Margery," asked the dean afte
the first greetings, why haven't 70
been back?"