The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-01-18
"a NEW STUDENT"
by H0rtense Madden, 9th Grade
Pupil i'm Mt. Pleasant School.

MISS MARIE sinclair But Ned did
not even raise his head. A light foot
step fell suddenly upon the floor, and
a low, sweet, gentle voice was heard.
All were silent while she spoke, and
gazed with eagerncss, but Ned still
did not raise his head even to get a
glimpse of her, only listened and
heard her sweet voice. But somehow
he felt strange, something in his heart
although he kept his nerve until she
finished. Then he raised his head
slowly and caught glimpse Of her as
she walked away. Ned did not see
her for almost a week, but she was
ever in his thoughts. One evening as
Ned sat alope on the porch while the
other boys were having such fun, size
walked on the porch and sat by him.
AS he was alone, Sho inquired why
'hc looked so solemn, but he gave her
as few words as possible and walked
away. Every time she saw him She
would try to start n conversation, but
he tried in vain to shun her. How
very cruel he thought it was, but said
to himself, 'I can never love both
women and books at once" but as the
sun was slowly fading in the western
horizon he stood by a big tree which
he had loved best for his companion
of his college days. He stood there
all amazed, while sudden footstep
he heard and 4 low, sweet voice which
seemed to have comfOrted his thoughts
1t was Marie, OF course; she wore q
lovely gown of pink and was the beau
ty of his thoughts. This time he did
not try to shun her or run away fl ON
her for 1t seemed in vain. They had
a very short conversation, and as it
grew dark they walked the short dis
tanco back to the college and as she
told him goodbye, they departed
This was the last time he saw her
until about the close of the session,
and how his heart longcd for her, I
cannot tell. Two months before the
end of the session, on a Tuesday morn
ing, he heard one OF the boys say,
There is Miss Marie, where has she
been all this time$' He did not turn
his head at once, but don't forget that
ho had never ceased to love her. She
spoke to him and passed into the
building for she was in a hurry, al
though he now began to realize that
she did not care any more for him,
and how his heart felt and ached.
Gone! gone forever" he murmured
In a low tone. He could hardly real
ize 1t and only prayed to God that
some day he might win her. He tried
to be happy with his classmates, but
his heart was laboring under a heavy
burden of sorrow. Weeks slipped into
months and the months seemed almost
years to him. "If could only see her
before Friday" he said, how we would
plan for the reception which would be
the last ono given by the students this
session. He could not bear to think OF
anyone elso having date with hcr
that night, although it seemed impos-
s1ble for him to see her before then
Friday came and all he could hear
was about tho dates with the girls that
night. He did not join the crowd for
he had no date, so walked off, alone,
TO the big tree. lie had not reached
the tree before he heard soft voice
call, Wiley, Ned!" He turned and
whom did he see but Marie. coming
over the lawn toward him. He wait
ed for her, and in moment they were
on their way joy-riding. But soon
they were back and as he helped her
from the car, and stood holding her
hands, he looked down into her lovely
face. She was of medium height, and
the graceful outlines of her perfect
figure added to her beauty. The last
rays OF setting sun played yellow and
goldon in her silken hair, which was
blowing In the gentle breeze, the play
full smile on her delicately tinted lips
died to sober attitude OF concern as
she saw tho far-away look in his eyes
He no longer saw her beauty or even
the girl herself as he was thinking
of The future.
Il must go, Ned" she told him, and
as she left. whispered, "Ill be waiting
for you tonight"
That night was a bitter one for Ned.
How he hated to give up his little
Marie! She was everything to him,
although he was not a brave man as
to ask her to be his wife.