The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1921-03-19
A Quiet Path to
the Pierian Spring
BY DOROTHY CANFIELD
(copyright.)

perate. Even the girls. who had had
sisters in college and knew all
about college traditions had never
heard of such disorganized state of !
things.
Suddenly a sophomore dashed up
the steps her face glowing with lmpor
lance what do you think?' she !
cried to the first group she encoun'
tered. you remember Annette Walk |
err who was to graduate with last !
years class, and went home at the
end Of her junior year to come out in
society? Well, was down Mt the
station just now, and l saw her get
off the train, and, sure as / live and
breathe, it looked as though she was
coming back to graduate.
The news ran along the corridor
like an electric shock. Annette Walk
err Was It possible that she was 10
the college, whose disappearance at
the command of wealthy and worldly
parents had been such blow to the
class before them-Annette Walker
who was regarded as the type of the
girl of their college, the girl who could
do everything, and did? AS though
every one had spoken out, there rose
unanimous sigh Of relief at a prob
lem solved. Thank heaven that she had
come before the class election.
As If making stage entrance for
dramatic effect, this was the moment
when up the steps ran lightly tall,
athletic girl with an alert, aquiline
face, already marked by drawn lines
of nervous concentration. Behind her
came a man, evidently her cab driver
The first really aruculate question
which rose above the clamor came
from Gretchen Hartmann and IT was
artculate because her deliberate, leu
tonic speech forced attention. why
Annette" she asked with an unimpas-
stoned interest how did you happen
to come back?'
Annette turned her head to answer,
but she was overwhelmed in the Choir
US from the others Without even the
most momentary council of war both
parties Of the seniors were asking her
to be their candidate for the class
| presidency
And, oh, Annette, won't you be
Cyrano in the spring play? I'm in for
/ everything this year. It's my last
/ chance"
"Oh Annette, how did II happen
that you could come back to college?'
asked Gretchen Hartmann.
Annette opened her mouth TO an
swer, but the words were drowned in
a sudden onslaught from a fresh group
Of girls in outdoor costume, who ar.
rived breathIess. "Why, Annette. You
old DEAR You are back We wouldn't
believe it, Say, will you be candidate
for the captain of the basketball
team?"
who's playlng?' asked the girl, and
listened with a shrewd and calculating
attention to the names and positions
rapidly reeled Off. At the end she
nodded with a mans quick decisive.
ness I'D be fool not to captain a
team like that. II you can elect me,
III take it,
Gretchen Hartmann stirred 10 action
again. SAY, Annette, why did YOU
Gomez" she queried Il thought your
people wouldn't let you. | thought
YOU had to-"
She turned away into the little
room, opened and full of girls by this
time, and sank down on the couch
Her dauntess young eagle face
showed haggard lines.
"Why Nettie, you don't look a bit
in good condition. cried ONE Of her
admirers anxiousIy. "You seem fair.
| ~ ragged You've been living in
doors too much. Up here you must
get out more. Oh, say, won't You
help me 10 start hockey clubf
Annettes thin body Strengthened IL
self with snap. "Ill do it!' she ex-
claimed reSolutely
Gretchen Hartmann sat down by the
Girl and took her thin, dry hand In
her own plump one. Annette, you
haven't told me yet why you came
back TO college
Il know il, Grettie. I've started 10
dozen times, but somebody keeps
putting in. Why, you see the mater
got worried about
A girl dragging a cello passed along
the hall in front Of the open door As
she caught sight of the occupants OF
the room she gave a loud cry OF
amazement,
MY sainted mother If It's not
Annette Walker dropped down from
heaven in our hour Of need Annette.
are you real? Are you flesh and blood?
Glory be Our first violin is provided
for! Herr Radelheimer has been tear.
ing his hair, He'll drop dead of joyl
Just wait till tell him.
Gretchen Hartmann turned again TO
her friend, but Annettes face CON
tracted into petulant srimace Of
nervous fatigue.
"Grettie Hartmann, If you ask me
that again, III shake you--and | won't
promise not TO bite youl You know
Fin as nervous as witch, anyhow,
and you've been asking me that one
question Just like clock ticking.
Now listen and I'll tell youw She
spoke with a tired emphasis of exas.
,.nrnAinn ihn limos nhnnt hnr n1nnlh