The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1913-02-27
A GOLDEN SILENCE.
BY Flora Swetnam.

Girls, there comes Hattie Haines;
let's hide from her. She will spoil
all the fun II she comes here. / don't
want her." declared Lucy Long as
she saw Hattie coming toward them.
81 just can't bear her." began one
Of the girls: then bit her lip when
she noticed that Hattie was within
hearing distance. and must have
heard every word.
Marjory remained silent, but smil-
ed a welcome to Hattie, motioning
her to a place beside her in the gar
den swing. But Hattie passed on her
way with a very bright spot on each
cheek.
90 girls" cried Marjory, chow
could you? believe she heard every
word you said"
Cant be helped now" said Lucy.
at may have been wrong for me to
say it, but don't like Hattie"
perhaps you would If you knew
her better" rejoined Marjory gent
ly; land anyway, mamma has taught
me so thoroughly that Silence is gol-
den,' that always try to remember
it, 1 am sorry she heard, for she
looked so hurt
Lucy fidgeted uncomfortably. "Of
course, I did not mean for her to
hear me, l didn't realize she was so
near. But she is so stupid"
"Hattie is very timid," replied Mar
jory, "but really, she is not stupid.
I am glad she did not hear you say
that"
Lucy laughed little. "Well, am
glad she did not stop, anyway. 1t
would have spoiled our Saturday af-
ternoon, and it is precious, now that
we have to be in school"
Monday found the girls standing
about in groups evidently very much
interested in some discussion. Hattie
would join none of the groups, how
ever; she sat apart. pretending to be
deeply absorbed in her books. Mar
jory called to her, and tried to attract
her attention, but she only bent lower
over her book.
''Let the sulky thing alone" whis-
pered Lucy; what is the use of max
ing such a fuss over her? She has
been a queer fish ever since she came
here"
AS Marjory stood looking at her
she saw the wistful look in the eyes
raised for just one fieeting glance,
and going to her quickly. she placed
an arm about her. ''Do you know"
she whispered in her ear, "that Mr..
Thornton has offered a medal for the
best story for our school paper-one
that will illustrate some old proverb?
You must try with the others, it will
be such fund
Hattie's cheek flushed. and she
was silent for a time: then just as
the bell rang, she answered timidly:
"I had heard about it. I think you
are very kind to ask me to try, and
perhaps shall"
Lucy laughed when she heard that
Hattie would compete for the medal.
"She couldn't write rule for mus
cling a poodle dog she said lightly.
eff she were my only opponent. l
should have nothing to fear"
''Tll tell you what proverb to
choose, Lucy" teased one girl slyly.
CHOOSE. Brag is good dog, and So
forth-you know the rest"
''Thank you for your suggestion.
but I'll be kind enough to give It back
to you. I have already made my
choice. What are you going to write
about. Marjory?" she won't on coolly.
'Im not going to try" answered
Marjory; 81 know my limitations. I
guess I'll just stick to algebra and
Latin"
"Well, am going to try" con-
tinued Lucy In a superior tone. "and
my story will illustrate the proverb.
1T is never too late to mend Con-
graduate me right now. Can't your
fancy picture how becoming the med
al will be pinned on my best white
dress?"
"Here's luck to you smiled Mar
iory kindly. "You always have been
the literary genius of our class,
Lucy"
There was no doubt in LucY's mind
that she would win the medal. She
thought her opponents scarcely
worth considering. especially Hattie.
She labored painstakingly with her
story till it was completed, and when
she had read and re-read it hun
dred times, she became still more