The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1922-09-14
THE GREATEST
BY AGNES G. BRoeAN

of Byron.
1t was proud of its continued Byron
ancestry; here greatgrandsons now
their fathers. So in conversation one
might hear:
"Lucy is very like her grandmother
at that age" or
civilian will never be the man his
grandfather was"
Again, Byron gave promise of send
ing to the world two gifted members.
Everyone knew that Phyllis Benson
would have a musical daughter. Phyl-
lis herself had been their exhibit at
the piano. Now the girl, grown to
young womanhood, was going away to
study.
"Not yet abroad" Phyllis mother
explained; "she will try first the best
teachers in Boston"
Close following Phyllis, in time, was
Matte Mathers' daughter. Mattie's
daughter Gwendolin could sing beau
tifully. No church social or school en-
tertainment was complete without
Gwendolin on the program.
But" Mrs. Mathers explained, I'VE
did not consider Ovens voice seri-
Ously until the glee club director Of
her college insisted that she have the
best possible training. We are send
ing her in to the city to learn first
from him"
Mrs, Benson and Mrs. Mathers
hne,l ;v, 90,
Then came another qualification.
Nancy Leslie's daughter Linnet
evinced promise as writer. Byron
ties recalled that Linnet had written
more or less for various town publica-
tiOns. Her stories in the school maya
zine were commended, her poems re-
cited from the school stage But that
story of Linnet's had now actually
appeared in a magazine gave certain
proof of her calling. Already, in her
mothers eyes, Lipnet wore the laurels
of the towns two famous authors.
"NOw, how" asked Linnet, "do you
ever suppose l happened to hit that
editor just right?"
"There was no happening about it,"
her mother Indignantly. replied. you
have talent-like your Uncle Sidney.
| shall send you to the city at once,
where you may touch elbows with
writer's, and learn of them. Your
Uncle Sidney is a newspaper man, and
may be able to direct you"
"Oh, mother,o said Linnet wistfully,
"if you only knew how happy I am"
she smiled-"in poverty and obscurity,
you would never send me away"
But Linnet went to the city, and
after time paper came to Byron.
1t had a pretty little story, with Lin
net Leslie's name beneath it. The
newspaper was Uncle Sidney's.
When the three girls came home for
vacation week; they were feted and
exhibited socially. Linnet was pale
and thinner; her mother Importantly
explained that she had been working
too hard at her profession. Soon after,
the Byron paper reported that Miss
Phyllis Benson would be obliged to
discontinue for some time her musical
studies. She had suffered break
down under the strain of many reci-
tails.
Gwendolin Mathers, unfortunately.
had been called home because of her
mothers frail health, and would not
therefore take her anticipated journey
abroad. So Byron was privileged to
enjoy its own celebrities in recitals
given at home. The new principal of
Byron Hill school helped much in the
inspiration of these entertainments.
He was young. single and good look
ing. Moreover, he was said to be at
work, in the seclusion of Byron upon
some wise treatise for publication.
Then. suddenly and peacefully, Nancy
Leslie died. 1t was difficult for the
neighbors to realize the sad fact.
Why, only yesterday she had read to
them an encouraging letter from Lin
net. Linnet, she said, had sent her
twenty-five dollars. "She must make
mother had said, ito spare me so
much"
The girl was quiet and very brave
when she was summoned home-they
had expected that.
"You will go back to the city of
course" they said.
~ am not going back" she told
them gently, because there is no use.
l had no talent whatever In writing
Uncle Sidney tried to help me-all of
them. II was not in me. could not
disappoint mother by telling her just
then. have been working in an Of
tice," added Linnet. She smiled ap-
pealingly, begging their pardon for
failing.
"I-never will be great in any way"
she deplored.
From the shadows of the room a
man came and took her hand. 1t was
the school principal.
Miss Leslie" he said, his kind eyes
upon her, greatness lies In character
and strengthen truth. So you are
great indeed this day. We are going
to be friends, you and l." he added
warmly.
And Lime knew that this was TO