The L'Anse sentinel., 1922-07-07
THE GREATEST
BY AGNES G. sRooAN


proud of Its talent. Two noted au-
thors and one famous singer came out
of Byron.
It was proud of Its continued Byron
ancestry; here greatgrandsons now
lived in the same old stone houses of
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 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 I'm Boston"
Close following Phyllis, in time, was
Matte Mathers' daughter. Mattie's
daughter Gwendo.in could sling beau.
tifully. No church social or school en-
tertalnment was complete without
Gwendolin on the program.
But" Mrs. Mathers explained, 1--WE
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 10 the city to learn first
from him."
Mrs. Benson and Mrs. Mathers
basked In fame-almost won.
| Then came another qualification.
Nancy Leslie's daughter Linnet
evinced promise as a writer. Byron
ties recalled that Linnet had written
more or less for various town publica-
tions Her stories in the school maga-
zine were commended, her poems re-
cited from the school stage. But that
story Of Linnet's had how actually
appeared in a magazine gave certain
proof of her calling. Already, in her
mothers eyes, Linnet 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.
1 shall send you to the city at once,
where you may touch elbows with
writer's, and learn of them. Your
Uncle Sidney is newspaper man, and
may be able to direct you"
"Oh, mother" said Linnet wistfulIy,
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 pretty little story. with Lin
net Leslie's name beneath 1t. The
newspaper was Uncle Sidney's.
When the three girls came home for
a 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 a break
down under the strain of many reel
tails.
Gwendolln 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, lie 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
good deal with her stories" the
mother had said ito spare me so
much"
| lhC Eltl was uuItt very DTuNt
when she was summoned home-they
had expected that.
"You will 20 back to the city OF
course" they said.
81 am not going back" she told
them gently, because there is no use
had no talent whatever In writing
Uncle Sidney tried to help me-all OF
them. 1t was not In me. could not
disappoint mother by telling her just
then. have been working in an Of.
fce," added Linnet. She smiled ap.
pealIngly, begging their pardon fol
falling.
"I-never will be great in any way
she deplored.
From the shadows Of the room q
man came and took her hand. II 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 goinf
to- be friends. you and l." he added
warmly.
And Linnet knew that this was te
be true.