Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1916-07-21
eRacE,s RETIcENcE.

n: iaI.o it INC fai-u.c Was l1e-ciy NC
& us. &c waz-.'t ;.ayuhorn Ground
from The tine sl,c IVES 81 iafGnt anu
to-. tie rc:S c? C.rGcTi!la. while all
1y,c oi-!cr children wee ncre falrles'
r. The tire she led the grand march
With the rost sought youns IN ana
was Leading lacy il thu Class play
Grace had never known from a near
view what the background locked IKE.
So when she came back from her va
e:.tion and began to fulfill her social
tiles ker friends sat ck in amaze
iacnt, for something he'd as3uredl'
happened to Grace.
The whole set had begun to grow
rather impatient for Grace &c open uD
Tic season with her usual party. NO
one dreamed of taking from her inc
glory of the first function, for hereto
fore she had been SO prompt, but time
gas flying and there had not been to
Ghost of an announcements.
II grew so bad that finally one ~
.Io girls decided that she'd give q
small luncheon. and invite Grace and
few Of Grace's most intimate friends
and try to find the trouble.
Grace arrived at the luncheon and
after quietly greeting the gir's, settled
back in chair in complete silence.
"IIy isn't it late il the season." tx
c:.in!ed Frances, adding with wonder
| full originality. How time does fly"
Then she went CT: NEARLY two
months have passed and nothing ex-
citing has happened yet" She paused
aad glanced coyertly at Grace. But
Grace made no reply, tho she had
leaned forward attcntiyely as Frances
spoke.
"We ought to begin things pretty
soon," declared Viola, darinSly speak
| irg almost directly to Grace. who
:hereupo1 turned her whole attention
70 Viola, with so eager al expression
sbat young woman relapsed into. ST.
Isacc in sheer establishment. To have
Grace listen to you in that intense
say was diseoncarting, to say the
least, and Vio,a was naturally piece
q. the BACKGROUND and much preferred
It's safe obscurity.
Several others offered their CONVEX.
sationaI contributors to the general
cause. But it was difficult to talk at
C.racc-to hint gently-whcn Grace
herself sat with he: eyes fastened I'M
biinkingly Oh the speaker, as tho her
very soul thirsted for every spoken
word.
Don't you think" began Bessie,
g,ancing around i'll general sort IL
way until her gaze fell on Grace's RAFT
tounterance turned full upon her.
Then the carefully thought out SEN
tence fled from her mind and she stop
ped.
For some seconds every one sat still,
each waiting for some one else to
speak and all glancing wondeimgly &c
Grace.
Finally Grace spoke: "Do tell us
| about your vacationr' she urged Viola.
Viola colored and stammered. Then
she laughed. "What on earth Is the
,natter?" she demanded of Grace. "You
liI.now, I didn't go away at all-and IL
| I had gone away it would be rather
late to inquire so solicitously about
summer vacation two months after 1t
was over"
az should say SOL" exclaimed
Frances, gaining courage from the or
dinariIy timid Viola. "Tcll US what on
earth is the matter
/ Grace swallowed hard. II
she began. ooh please let me alone"
she finished desperately, If somewhat
rudely.
| "Are you going to give the first par
ty, or can -" inquired Bessie, with a
show of impatience.
Her impatience passed into amaze
rlent as Grace resumed her smile OF
Interest ard replied: "oh, Bessie you
give such charming luncheons! DO
give the first one, won't you?"
Then 1t was that Sally rose to the
occasion. For goodness sake" she eX'
claimed rising and standing before
Grace, 81 implore you to deliver US
from this mystery. What on earth has
happened?'
Grace wfIted. ooh, girls" she said
from the depths Of her handkerchief,
you've got to help me. I--I-didnt
know was so dreadful. But it's per
feet agony-and you make 1t so much
harder. I've got TO overcome myself
I've got to forget myself-to be inter
ested in every one else, and not to talk
:. bit about me. And here you won't
talk ut all! When want to follow
YOU all stand still for me to lead.
"You see, Pm-I'm- going to marry
n minister, and you know how minis
ters, wives have to be-and I'm learn
ing how. It'll be wonderful, the result