The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-04-22
Keeping a
Record

eystemauc JuhuS ThurStOn, professor
of philosophy at &he Durham Institute.
AT the end Of the year 60 over IL and
sift out and preserve an epitome Of
the bearing of those incidents which
have had an influence In building up
character and mental strength"
I'm other words, keep a diary"
whispered madcap Blanche Deming to
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 struggling farm
er. 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 as he
graduated, in starting him in as a
lawyer, and there was no doubt among
the professors that Chester Massey
was destined to make his mark I'm the
world.
1t was a few days after that when
Chester, entering the little stationery
store near the school, found lola there
Their errands proved similar. Both had
come to buy a neat, compact pocket
blank book following the suggestion of
Professor Thurston.
eve seem to be on the same Grand"
she said pleasantly, and, as she re-
ceived her purchase: do you know
what my first entry is to be? This
day Chester Massey patiently devoted
an hour TO constituting my Greek for
me and won me high marking"
"And / shall write that the most
kindly and gracious young lady in the
school honored me as helper and
cheered me with her appreciation" re-
sponded 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 to
pair off naturally. At least once
week Chester was included in invita-
tons TO tennis and archery at the
handsome yardaman place, and the
banker father Of lola took a decided
liking to Chester when, incidentally In
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
AZ a~ he
cises, and before he left Durham ar
ranged for Chester to start into pro-
fessional life i'm a good way. Chester
fingered N week away from home amid
series OF frolics and parties given
the class. The last day OF his 90
journ I'm the village he invited lola
to row down the river. She accepted
In her pretty, pleasant way, and his
heart thrilled rs 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, Chester allowed the boat to drift
at will. They were each silent. a
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 quickly !"
he spoke. without oars we should soon
be In peril" lola uttered a cry meant
to be deterrent, but the next moment,
throwing Off his coat, Chester sprang
into the water, fioated the boat toward
the island, forced Ii upon the shelv-
ing beach, and emerged from the wa
ter, staggering and breathIess.
you can rest In the boat until re-
turn with another one" he said as
soon as he could recover his natural
poise.
"But how"
"I can swim to the mainland"
"Oh, no. no." She had arisen to
her feet in the boat In a pleading at
titude. You would risk your life"
But we cannot remain here indefi-
nitely. No one might discover us
through the whole day"
"Oh, don't go-please but with a
light laugh Chester ran down into the
water, struck out, and, her heart In
1Old WdlCAlcd Will 1CdE
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 1t 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
allowed herself 10 read what was
never intended for her eyes, she sat
and clasped the little book in bewil-
dered and delicious daze.
For the memoranda pages here and
there told of the growing love in the
soul of the writer. lola was SO en-
crossed In 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
ton. She arose and rendered him the
memorandum book.
81 have read inadvertently" she said.
Would 1t not be only fair to read
what have written, alsoT