Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-04-18
The Transient-A
Boarding School
Story
CHAPTER RI.

uCu Sul llSuluiI DS IuASA ClllC
Gladys's head ached, and she wanted
a dark corner in which to cry. There
were no classes for two hours, ant
every one was free to go in the garden
well, how do you like it?' asked
Catherine, who. with Emily, strolleC
over to the newcomers side.
II don't like some things said
Gladys, slowly. ,n.
Estelle and Hope came up. They
too. had taken fancy to the new
girl.
What don't you like" inquired
Hope
Gladys grew crimson. Estelle
| laughed.
II believe it's u.s." she exclaimed
her eyes dancing with merriment. III
it were the government, she'd say sc
at once"
Four pairs of eyes turned on Gladys
They seemed to her like search-lights
A sudden terror seized her, terror
of these bright young creatures. She
knew how mercilessly they could talk.
She almost shivered at the thought
of a battle with them.
Come, you have to answer civil
question" went on Estelle, banteringly
Don't you like u.s."
Gladys's fear passed. She was again
what her mother had taught her to be
"a girl who could not dissemble.
Il like you very much" she said
promptly, "but not some of your
ways"
We'll, did you ever!" cried Gather,
inc, offended
Hold on, Kitty" said Hope, lets
hear what's amiss with u.s.
"The way you talk of your teach.
ers," ventured Gladys. Her heart was
beating wildly, and her face was GRIM
son.
You asked mel" she almost plead
ed. If they didn't like her. and set
the other girls against her, what a
terrible six weeks she would have!
That's true said Estelle. PLAY
fair, girls. Just what displeases your
highness?" she Knocked, to Gladys.
Eyes, we might improve" drawled
Emily.
mo, don't think you will retorted
Gladys, taking her courage with both
hands, because you think you're
right. But-but," she faltered little,
Il thought one should speak to q per-
son as one spoke Of them! That's
ALL"
There was moments silence. Her
eyes fell. Tears fell, too, on her GRIM
son cheeks. The girls rose and turned
away. She felt an unspeakable lone
illness and desolation.
But Hope turned quickly back.
wait, girls" she said. She's
right
Estelle drew a deep breath. She had
been longing to turn back, too. h''- +var
of her companions sneers had danpt-
ed even a tennis player.
think she u.s. she found courage
to add.
"Oh, we'll, it's the end of the term,
and we're all worn out" so Catherine
excused herself. But Of course, it's
not"
Its not sportsmanlike," cried
Hope. Anything else, Gladys?
But the summons for all who were
not at the games to go for walk, I'M
der Miss Kent's chaperonage, dis
persed the group.
Gladys began to take hold of things
in few days. She formed her own
very clear little opinion Of those about
her, but it was an opinion based on
goodwill, with tendency to overlook
flaws.
Hope coached her in tennis, and. as
one of the more earnest students was
giving up sports to secure safe ma
jority of mathematical marks, Gladys
was allowed to play in her stead. This
spared her the walks under either Miss
Kents or Miss Dunbar's nervous
leadership.
perfect, "
"Oh. you can't make out they're
perfect. any of them,' was Hopes re-
ply to her defense Of the last.named
teachers. But suppose were not
saints Now, try to serve from your
wrist, see?"
The weeks wore on, until there was
but one and half before examination
day. There were three of these, but
the first was so called par excellence!
Those who did we'll on the earlier
papers usually went triumphantly
through the succeeding days. while
those who failed lost heart and ceased
to try very hard.
AS this crucial point in the school
year came closer. even Miss ward
and Hiss Prince fell victim to the
prevailing epidemic Of nerves, nor did
Hope, Estelle or even Miss Damer,
escape. The music teachers. loud
in their laments over broken practice
hours and omitted lessons, INDUCED
in Cassandra-like prophecies of the
Commencement-day music. They hung
outside the examination rooms, ready
to seize their prey, as the prey came
out with ink-stained fingers and
roughened hair. Gladys. who took no
part in the examinations, ran mes
sages. carried glasses Of ice.water,
received the books which the unhappy
students who trusted to last cram
might not carry into the school-room,
and was generally useful
She had been more useful than she
knew. Her little dictum, Don't speak
of people as you don't speak to them .
had been quoted, and had made an
appeal but now neutrality-suspicious.
and principles. theories and practices
seemed fused into one wild atmos
nhere of confusion and GREATNESS