The Raymer enterprise., 1923-08-02
AMBITIONS
sy RUTH LONG


at the heart Of young woman swing
Ing laxily In q hammock under the
trees. A book Of French studies lay
! open on the ground.
That morning she had received an
offer Of the position of French teacher
In the local high school. But the first
Z, burst Of enthusiasm over that had
passed. Now she was asking herself
F, whether It were wise to settle down in
| her home town.
The CHEEKY greeting Of young man
interrupted her thoughts. he vaulted
over the fence opposite, covered the
space between them In three steps and
sprawled himself at lier feet.
"Hello, old bookworm.' he smiled.
Il hear you've landed a position. Con.
gratulations."
Mabel Turner nodded wait. Hor-
ace. was just debating whether 1t
weren't ambitionless to take the frst
offer-and that here at home"
"Why get city ambitions, Mabs!
This may lead to something else" the
young man suggested. "I've landed a
job. too. Old Uncle Harvey 10 to ini-
tiate me into his woolen business.
Pretty soft"
II hope you'Il settle down, them she
scolded. you never took life serious.
ly-'
(which reminds me Of my errand,
Mabs," Horace interrupted, sitting up.
his arms about his knees. "rve fallen
In love-
"And you Just out Of collegei When,
pray. did you fallT "&
almost overnight. You know
Aimee Dupont, the little French girl
who was here last summeri She's
back, visiting her aunt She's bowled
me over. Surprisedie
"Rather. And where do come in?"
"Your French. The language and !
quarrel. Aimee chatters In 1t most Of
the time, and haven't told her my
predlcament. Can't you teach me the
essential-conversationi I know the
grammar. Come"
"Are you sure she Isn't after the
money your father left your" Mabel
asked candidly.
Horace frowned. She knew she hurt
him, but II was for bis good. She
patted his shoulder then and picked up
the French book.
The key to love-" she laughed. "T'll
do my best as locksmith."
The lessons began next day-the
most dlsquieting lessons maid ever
gave to man. When Horace stumbled
Mabel's eyes softened. She watched
his face when he spoke, missing bis
pronunciation.
Sometimes he would return her
glance with the old boy-look crouching
In his eyes, then turn abruptly away
with jest. &
One evening he sent word that
Aimee wanted him. The lesson must
walt.
When Mabel asked for Aimee the
next day In her best conversational
French. Horace replied In the curtest
possible Einglish. He accused Mabel
Of being peevish. and she told him he
vas out Of sorts. He was. and showed
1t. Mabel missed his teasing. too-the
surest proof Of their good fellowship
Aimee absorbed him. Mabel was a re
bellious means to the end.
When the lesson was to begin that
evening, Horace was surprised wheI
/ Mabel threw the book on the table.
"Arc you disgusted with my stupid
ltyf' he asked.
Il am Disguised with everything
Mabel confessed. I'VE are wasting oul
time. Horace. Why not give up the
less0ns3' l..
This Is new side Of you, Mabel,
never knew this side In college. Never
really knew you. It's like getting ac
Iuainted with q new girl"
' "Wonan, you mean, Horace" Mabel
corrected, frozen a little by his forrnal
use Of her name. "You knew the girl
ut school,"
| I'm a bit afraid Of the woman
She's so-elusive It's almost as II Q
man could never offer you anything
worth while enough to hold you away
from the heights. Such a contrast T
ITO whomY She half knew what
he would say by the food Of warmth
that gladdened her.
| Horace evaded. II might have beer
engaged to Aimee this minute II Il
hadn't been for you. She tried hare
enough to lead me on. have learned
to count time BY heart throbs' rathe'
than to murmur par lei; to carr,
away the memory Of your eyes, thu
tone OF your voice rather than j
yis en- espolr,' az i thought ! did fol
Aimee. Mabs. dear, is there the ghos
Of a show for poor clumsy chap like
mei Or are your ambitions beyont
marriagef'
Mabel wondered II Horace coul,
bear her heart singing. Maybe. afteI
all, women are made to All spher'
that men can't" she admitted. WON
an holds her place even though sh'
doesn't speak In congress or discove
a new mineral Children are crylni
all over the world for love, tenderness
and home. That Is woman's plnce-