Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1919-07-31
Keeping a
Record

Note down every important event
OF each day." directed profound and
systematic Julius Thurston, professor
Of philosophy at the Durham Institute.
AT the end Of the year go over II and
sift out and preserve an epIt0me Of
the. bearing OF those incidents which
have had an influence I'm building up
character and mental strength"
in other words. keep a diary"
whispered madcap Blanche Deming 20
her close chum. lola vardaman, but
the latter was coyertly viewing the Sc
rious. Interested face of Chester Mas
sey
She was the daughter OF the local
banker, he the son Of q struggling farm
ei. He was masterful enough. how
ever. to work his way through school,
and was no burden on his aged par
ents. An uncle Of some means had
agreed TO finance him as soon On he
graduated, In starting him in as a
lawyer, and there was no doubt among
the professors that Chester Massey
was destined 10 make his mark In the
world.
II was few days after that when
Chester. entering the little stationery
store near the school. found lola there.
Their errands proved similar. Both had
come 10 buy a neat. compact pocket
FLANK book following the suggestion of
Professor ThurstOn.
a En-. h.. e. a .
she said pleasantly. and, as she re-
ceived her purchase: "Do you know
what my first entry il to be? This
day Chester Massey patiently devoted
on hour TO constituting my Greek for
me and won me high marking"
"And I shall write that the most
kindly and gracious young lady in the
school hOnored me an helper and
cheered me with her appreciation" re-
sp0nded Chester calamity.
As the weeks went by Chester and
lola saw a good deal Of one another.
Several times they met at little school
and college functions and seemed 90
pair OF naturally. At least once a
week Chester was included In invita-
lions to tennis and archery at the
handsome Vardaman place, and the
banker father Of lola took a decided
liking TO Chester when, incidentally IN
conversation. the latter mOdestly dis
cussed the subject Of trade acceptances
with Mr.. Vardaman, both being inter-
ested In the possibilities Of that new
discounting system.
A closer bond was cemented between
the two young people through the fact
that they graduated together. the high
est In their class. The wealthy uncle
OF Chester was present at the exer-
cises. ana before he left Durham ar
ranged for Chester TO start into pro-
fessiOnal life In q good way. Chester
fingered q week away from home amid
a series OF frolics and parties given
the class. The last day Of his no
Journ In the village he invited lola
to row down the river. She accepted
In her pretty, pleasant way, and his
heart thrilled as he fancied she was
sorrOwful over his prospective depart
ure. and told him frankly she would
miss him. A certain sense Of sadness
oppressed both as finally. shipping the
oars, ChestcR allowed the boat 70 drift
at win. They were each silent. n
conscious restraint affecting them as
they realized that parting was soon to
come. Then suddenly the boat veered
past an island that divided the stream.
1--WE must get ashore. and quickiyf"
he spoke. without oars we should soon
be 10 peril" lola uttered a cry meant
to be deterrent. but the next moment,
throwing of his coat. Chester sprang
Into the water. floated the boat toward
the island. forced Il upon the shelly
Ing beach, and emerged from the wa
ter. staggering and breathIess.
"You can rest In the boat until I re-
turn with another one" he said as
soon as he could recover his natural
poise.
"But how"
81 can swim TO the mainland"
"Oh, no! mol" She had arisen TO
her feet In the boat In a pleading at
titade. You would risk your life"
But we cannot remain here inden-
nitely. No one might discover us
through the whole day."
"Oh. don't go-pleasel r. but with q
light laugh Chester ran down into the
water, struck out, and, her heart In
Der mouth. lola watched him with fear
and trembling until he had reached
the other shore. A great sigh OF re
lief swept her lips. She noticed lit
tie book lying In the bottom OF the
boat IL had fallen out OF the pocket
Of Chester's discarded coat. As Il
opened In her hand she read her own
name. once. twice. thrice. Then.
flushed and half shamed that she had
herself TO read what was
aeyer intended for her eyes, she sat
and clasped the little book In Devil
iered and delicious daze.
For the memoranda pages here and
there told Of the growing love I'm the
soul Of the writer. lola was 80 en-
crossed I'm thought that she did not
notice the arrival OF Chester with the
relief boat until he leaped out and |
came toward her. He observed that
she was swayed by some intense emo
tion- She arose and rendered him the
book.
II have read inadvertently" she said.
would Il not be only fair to read
what have written. alsof''
lola drew from her pocket her own
little volume Of confessions. A great
cry Of Joy issued from the lips Of |
Chester Massey as he traced hope,
happiness, love In the crowded lines. 4
He opened his arms. and she nestled
Into them. 1
Aelnht Of Clouds.