Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-12
Muriel's Test

yOu!
Elinor Chester, who had great deal
of dignity, as befitted the class pres!-
dent, answered.:
I'VE never give reasons, Grace.
Grace colored and laughed.
Fl suppose oughtn't to have asked, =
she admitted; by and by shall know
what a new girl may and maynt do.
But she's so sweet and charming, so
dear and kind, and so pretty. and
A look warned her to be silent. The
object Of her praises had come into
the room.
Just a book" explained the new
conner, whose pretty face flushed
slightly as the others turned to look
at her. II forgot you had this pre-
cious meeting here this afternoon.
IT'S the twenty-flrst," murmured one
of the girls.
Muriel took her volume of history
and vanished. Grace rose.
Il oughtnt to be here, | suppose,
she said.
yes, you may stay till three. Then
business begins" answered Elinor.
Grace moved toward the door.
ITS nearly that now" She glanced
at the clock. But Elinor rose.
Wait a minute, Grace" she said
seriously. Il feel as II you ought not
to leave US with wrong impression,
ought she, girls? She's new
Mary Andrews, plump, dark, mer'
ry sorority sister, nodded.
so we'll tell you" went on the pres
ident. that the sorority stands espe-
cially for the truth"
Grace was so interested that she left
the door.
And no girl is elected who has ever
said what isn't true?' she cried.
1T isn't exactly that, though that
represents our ideal" Elinor went on.
But she must take the right stand.
It's long time, as far as we know,
since Muriel-since She
Ribbed" put in Mary dryly.
But she defends fibbing,' Elinor
continued. "She says we are too par
ticular. And when the principal gave
us leave to have sorority, 1t was on
condition that it should stand for that.
But isn't Muriel right, and really
more sincere than those who don't
agree with herr" demanded Grace. do
any of you get on without ever saying
what isn't-exactly so?"
"Elinor does" chorused several in.
dignant voices Mary, too, and Emily
and Kate,-yes, its possible, Grace"
"Well, I know I'm not eligible, as
I'm new" said Grace, but l don't
think I'd want to be member of any.
thing so solemn" ..
As the sorority numbered the gayest
girls In the school, this accusation
brought a burst OF laughter, in the
midst of which the clock struck three.
Grace once more turned to the door.
She was prevented from making an
exit by the entrance of Miss Dare, the
principal. The girls all rose at once.
Miss Dare was evidently very much
troubled. ;.
"Ars you all here-all the seniors?"
she asked.
"All but Muriel," said Elinor. This
is sorority meeting
"And was just going," added Grace.
II want Muriel here, and all of you,
said Miss Dare. sitting down. Her
hand was trembling. sf
Mary ran out of the room, and re-
turned with Muriel. The girls glanced
at each other with dismay. What had
happened?
IlllS, SdIu IAc pAlAClPdi, Wh0A lh0
senior class in its entirety was be-
fore her, you came to my room for
your class an hour ago."
Yes, Miss Dare" Elinor spoke for
the class.
There was a small box of candy on
the mantelpiece."
"Yes. Miss Dare"
"And I went out Of the room when
Dr. Graham telephoned.'
Eyes, Miss Dare"
"Please," the principals shaking
hand went up to her forehead, tell
me II any girl touched that box Of
candy" v
There was a chorus of indignant
mos a..
But I must be very sure - very
sure, indeed" said the lady. II am
going to ask you, each one in turn, and
beg that you will tell me. L shall
not blame or scold you, but l must
know"
She turned to Elinor.
"You, Elinor?"
'T did not touch 1t, Miss Dare"
The principal was evidently re-
lieved - little. She turned to the
next. r.
Nary" Z
mo, Miss Dare" $780,.
Muriel was the last. Then Grace
saw what it meant to have reputa-
ton for truthfulness. Her II didn't
touch it, Miss Dare did not give the
comfort and relief of the other mega
tives. -@s-
Don't think I mind. dear" said
Miss Dare. ooh, Muriel. please tell
me If you did = If you took single
one! If you even opened the box! Did
YOU dear? I must know" ,.-
Indeed, I didn't. Miss Dare"
Muriel's eyes filled with tears. please
believe me-"
II must have the truth" said Miss
Dare, rising. ~
II have told you the truth" -
Muriel had begun to cry - "and you
won't believe me- III
At that moment the door burst open
roughly, and DR.. Graham, the school
lost one of it's noblest men.