The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-09-27
Fate's Decision

A coQLlnuOuS EuuLu VI eayetJ
theatres. parties, teas, and the like
had made Zelma a frivolous carefree
person. Nothing ever worried her.
Things seemed to be ordered to her
liking. Her slightest wish, even from
childhood, had never been ignored, and
now at the age of 81, after a critical
examination Of her past existence, she
realized with shudder what worth.
less butterfly she had been-livfng
the life of a doll with not one noble
deed to her credit.
For the moment she was immensely
dlspleased with herself, and for the
first time in her young life the idea
came to her that life was meant to be
more than a mere frittering away
OF time.
How could she have ignored SO
long the sutferings, the trials OF the
people about her, she questioned.
To be sure 1t never occurred to her
that there could be unhappiness In the
world, for was she not always happy?
Being a self.centered person, her
greatest anxieties were how she might
create new sensation at this or that
affair; and as for charity AFFAIRS, why
they were good chances Of making
pretence at philanthropy to show
the rest of her set that she could do
something, but as for ever having
genuine interest in them-that was
never dreamed OF.
In a fash, It seemed, new interest
in life had taken possession OF her
and she began to take notice OF her
surroundings, the people she saw, the
Indebtedness she witnessed In some
quarters as she went to drive, and
all these made deep impression on
her.
She saw herself as the selfish per.
son she had been, and with a deter
rlination new TO her she resolved to
perform at least one worthy "ct.
To escape the attentions of a
young man who was ardently persis'
tent, her parents thought it best to
take her abroad for a season until his
ardor should have time to cool. To
that end they set sail Immediately for
the sunny climes Of southern Europe
They were enjoying TO the full the
wonders OF the semI.tropical climate
Of lower Italy; the marvels OF the
great Gardener who endowed this land
with such muniticence, and sooner,
far sooner than she expected, her
helated opportunity presented itself.
In the incredibly short space of 80
seconds what was once beautiful city
was laid. out mass Of wreck and
ruin; magnificent churches and dwell
lings were RACED to the ground; g
thriving, happy people was thrown
into the direst confusion; the deal
lay about in vast numbers, some pin
ned to earth by the railing Of heavy
timbers, once supporting the new
destroyed buildings; others vera
caught up and carried along by the
enormous tidal wave which broke
over the doomed city, and struggled
for a last hold on the life that they
had valued only minute before at
no great cost, But the struggle was
not for long. The fury of the elements
was not to be abated by the mere will
or enforced strength of insignificant
ran.
Many who escaped the terrors OF
the falling buildings, of the dreadful
rush of waters, were suffocated, hav-
ing been caught in buildings which
had taken fire before the onslaught
of water had reached that far.
Volunteer aid was eagerly sought
and was willingly given. Among the
first to proffer her services for the
volunteer nurses corps was Zelma
Seville; at last her opportunity had
presented itself and she was determin'
ed to take advantage Of it, at the
risk of her life, If need be. Despite
the entreatles Of her parents and
friends she insisted on going where
she was most needed, and the works
Of rescue and of charity which she
performed will make good reading
in the pages Of the history yet to be
written.
Nothing could daunt her. She was
first to undertake the most hazard
Gus risks, and when her mission was
finished and she reported at head
quarters, the wonder there was that
such a slip Of a girl could display the
courage and command the strength
TO accomplish her self.imposed tasks
Only she knew what it meant to
give up her life of ease and comfort
for the solace of the afflicted, and
their prayers and well wishes gave
her the strength to persevere. but her
browning joy was the letter she re.
ceived from Fred Salisbury, telling
her how he had heard Of her wonder.
full feats and that he was coming on
the very next boat to claim her. his
long.lost treasure Frances Kelley.
Improved Window Dressing.
An observing person who often