Evening star., 1915-03-07


that dinner is waiting and that it is my wish that Mr.
Willard dine with Their conference can be
tinued later"
MRS. NORWOOD gracious hostess, and the
IVA slight embarrassment that Willard had shown at
his introduction to the First Lady of the State dsap
pearcd before her kindly cordiality.
Dinner over, and the little party had gone into
small that adjoined the dining The Cover
nor sat before the open fire. cigar in his mouth He
looking at the blazing logs with meditave
ing eyes. His secretary was wandering impatiently
about the Willard standing beside his hostess,
examining case of books.
"There is fine collection in the large library" said
Mrs. Norwood. "This little room is our family sitting
room and the books here personal possessions
Willard had drawn book from the and
turning the leaves. "Cever illustrations" he began.
Then he gave exclamation "Grandon Edwards!H
He read the written the 1yeaf He raised his
eyes to Mrs Norwood's, almost boyish smile of
pleasure his strong young face "You knew Grandon
Edwards?"
The Governor Strengthened in his chair and his keen
eyes turned toward Willard. The secretary took
quick step forward.
"Yes knew Grandon Edwards. The words were
slow and tense. Mary Norwood's hands clenched
at her sides
Wizards eyes were on the written name "Grandon
Edwards" he said, "was of the best friends
had. To him owed heavy debt of gratitude. And
vet he saw me only once, and probably remen1-
bered my name"
The Governor leaned over the of his chair his
ewes fixed Wizards face The secretary took step
nearer the Governors wife. Mary Norwood's face
white and rigid. The only sound in the the
cracking of the logs in the fireplace.
"In what way-was he-your friend?" The words
came abruptly from the palid lips of the Governors
wife
Willard was turning the leaves Of the book with lin
gering carcssing fingers. "The first time saw Grandon
Edwards, he said "was twenty years ago, when
co1leu of lie a tirnea metn
of Congress, president of great bank, and of the
most prominent and influential men in the Western
State in which he lived. He gave address to the
students of the college the boys ideals and the mans
ambitions He brought to the experiences of the
successful who had worked his way from poverty
and obscurity to wealth and high station, and had
carried with him his hard journey the ideals of his
boyhood. 1t not the stereotyped speech of the
famous man to the struggling youths that Grandon
Edwards gave those college boys 1t the life story
of the man who understood work failure, temptation,
disappointment disillusion, and heartache-every step
Of the way toward power and honor.
But the greatest thing he told us was that every
in his youth formulate set of ideals and these he
must carry with him through life; that no consideration
Of personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT must weigh for moment
against these ideals, and that by them only should he
realize his ambitions.
"I was senior at the time and expected to be gradu-
aed in few weeks had been offered place in the
office the big political boss of the city. had political
ASPIRATIONS and had been making speeches and attend
ing meetings for several months The boss had shown
a friendly interest in me, and when he offered
place with him felt that successful political career
assured. But the boss had methods that did not
like tried to tell myself that all fair in politics,
and that squearnishness in the game was childish.
had almost convinced myself that the boss ways
wise ways when Grandon Edwards spoke at our college.
"After that address walked the streets all night
trying rcajust the arguments had used to convince
myself which Mr. Edwards words had almost shattered.
His train left at early hour in the morning and was
at his hotel at daybrcak. told him my whole story
poverty aspirations the boss offer, my reluctance, and