The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1948-10-21
Success Story (; S @.1.s'1 ~4 7S.,'

a great deal. However, during the
last year, Harriet had watched
Nancy become less and less sure of
herself. She was growing shy and
almost awkward. This was difficult
for Harriet to understand. She her
self had been very self-confident as
a girl
"Do you think I'll be o. K. as
a waitress tonight" asked Nancy.
I'm sure you will, DEAR" said
Harriet.
The lights were on in the school
gym as they neared the building. A
group of young people were stand
ing at the door as they went in.
Anita's lovely flaming hair was in
the center of the group. Several
boys stood around admiring her.
Other girls were trying Intellectual
ly to get the boys attention. Mrs.
Barnstable looked at Anita. She was
lovely. Her hair fell around her
white shoulders in deep, natural
waves. She had delicate, perfect fea-
lures, and a poise that was far be-
yond her years.
Harriet found seat at one of
the long tables facing the speakers
table.
A faint, indistinct memory stirred
in Harriet's mind as she looked at
Linda Cromwell. She was striking,
slender woman, dressed in a gold
suit, Her features were indetermin-
ate, but her smile was one that
would not soon be forgotten. 1t was
sincere and utterly charming.
Harriet noticed with satisfac-
ton that Nancy had drawn the
speakers table to serve, but she
also saw her daughter looking
nervous and harasSed as she came
in with the tray of fruit cocktails.
Linda Cromwell was talking earn
estly to the principal and to Anita,
and occasionally Harriet heard her
voice. It was low and clear and
earnest. AS charming as her smile.
Linda Cromwell. Linda Cromwell
She wished she could remember.
Nancy was passing the plates Of
rolls at the speakers table. AS Nancy
stood behind Anita's chair, Harriet
saw the red-haired girl turn quickly.
The tray teetered in Nancy's hand,
and several of the hot rolls slid off
the tray into Linda Cromwell's lap.
Harriet saw her daughters face
flush deep scarlet, and she saw her
lips move in an agonized apology.
Anita was looking at her mockingly.
Linda picked up the rolls from her
lap, and smiled at Nancy with her
sweet, sincere smile please don't
feel badly" she said. Harriet strain
ed to hear every word. "Once when
I was about your age I spilled cof-
fee at banquet, and the person it
happened to was very crusty old
bachelor. I'll never forget how awful
it was" She went on, "You are very
much as I used to be when 1 was a
girl, my dear. Please don't worry
about the accident Those things
happen to all of us"
Harriet remembered now who she
was.
Nancy and her mother walked
home arm-in-arm. NancyS voice
was warm and vibrant when she
spoke.
Mother, wasn't she wonderful"
"Anita?" asked Harriet brusuuely.
Linda Cromwell Can you re-
member her now, Mother? Was she
really like me?"
eyes, do remember her. 1t came
back to me when she was telling
you about spilling that coffee. Yes.
she was quite bit like you, dear"
do you think I'll turn out like
that when I'm old?"
Harriet smiled in the dark.
tits very possible, darling"
Harriet decided not to tell her
daughter the reason she hadn't been
able to recall Linda was because she
had been colorless and shy as a girl.
And Harriet wouldn't have noticed
her much anyway. Because Harriet
had been the Anita Hanson of
Crosby high school.