Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-01
Educating Patricia"
By CORNELIA Fl. MILLER.

! where it rested With each one to make
a life worthy of thu training received
from her alma mater. They we're left
1 with somewhat desolating sensation
1 OF impending care and responsibility.
Each one was filled, at least for the
moment, with the desire to give her.
self to an existence which should have
| seif-sacrifice and remuneration as its
! dominant notes.
| The sun Of commencement morning
I smiled upon the procession of earnest
/ young girls clad in white which COW
cred the knee caps las directed), who
moved in single file out under the
aTbor hung with waving feStoonS OF
wistaria in fun bloom, to the stirring
strains of the March of the War
Priests" More than one young heart
ieaped In response to the stately music.
It had been decided 10 hold the clos
ing exercises in the open If the weather
permitted. The piano had been moved
out under the trees. chairs were lined
in rows on the grass before a platform
which was occupied by Miss Stanhope
and the august parsonage from New
York who had been imported for the
commencement address.
The class song voiced Its final utter
ance, with every one standing The
august person rumbled on for an hodr.
uttering hopes and further suggestions
tor the future OF young lives. Bees
aroz1ed IN the wisteria. programs rustled
the audience tried not to stir restlessly
on the uncomfortable camp chairs, the
trees cast shadowy silhouettes across the
grass Somehow there was an air Of
finality about it all.
Then the august person drew out a
large gold watch. cleared his throat and
adjusted his eyeglasses to peer at the
rolls OF parchment, resplendent with
the bows Of white ribbon. piled impos-
ngly on the table at his elbow
There was an expectant hush. Peo-
pie in the back rows of chairs peered
around the obstructing shoulders of
those in front.
Then the girls were filing up in an
swer to their names, to receive their
diplomas and make their curtsies.
1t was over. Another class had passed
INTO the limbo OF school memories. Miss
Stanhope offered O few words of fare
Wen and dismissal, and the audience
dispersed
Patricia marshaled the Miners into
her room for final talk. They tried to
settle into their accustomed places as if
nothing had happened, but It was a
sorry failure. 1t was hard 10 talk with
a lump in ones throat that would keep
choking back the words. Peggy, Eliza
beth and Frances fingered the ribbons
OF their diplomas. trying to retie the
BOWS which had been undone in their
easeriaess to read the words. Converse
taon ianguished. There was so much to
say. yet none could trust her voice,
AT last little EloiSe BiSbee burst into
tears 1T is just too terrible" she
vailed. TITO think that I m-rnay
never se-ee any of you ag-gain."
1t was all that was necessary. With
one accord they all followed her ex-
ample and wept copiously, some on
NEARBY shoulders. some in solitary
splendor: 1t was an orgy of woe, which
finally cleared the air.
Patricia stumbled TO her suitcase.
which awaited its articles, found a
clean handkerchief and blew her nose
WITH vengeance.
1T is perfectly ridiculous for lis all
TO sit here bawling like idiots. Just be-
cause our school year is over Is no rea-
son why We have to act as If it were the
end OF the world. There are still trains
running and ell we need to do to see
each other once In while Is to get
aboard. Besides we are all going to
Fannies 10 help her get married and if
We continue this performance we'll
drown the bride"
The girls looked at one another
sheepishly and laughed little hysteri-
caliy, dabbing at their eyes with sod
den handkerchicfs.
Il suggest that we start a round
robin letter" announced Louise,
What Is it?" came In a chorus.
TITS this way. I'll write q letter and
mail 1t to Siiz. She puts one In, mails
1t TO Eloise and so on until every one
has had 1t and added her own letter.
When ii gets around to me again / take
out my old one and put in new one.
1t keeps on going indefinitely
Perfectly splendid" every one agrees.
That is the most hopeful thing have
heard today. We shall keep in touch
with one another until We are all old
and gray with our grandchildren on our
knees. Let's give three cheers for good
old Weesy and three more for our school
days."
THE END