An honor girl

Book 2 5 v^o- Copyright N°

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Amy eagerly read the card tied to the roses. — Page 13.

BY

EVELYN RAYMOND

BOSTON

LEE AND SHEPARD 1904

Cooyrfsrht Entry

CLASS CL.‘ XXo. No.

S U Cj I

COPY B 1

^4// rights reserved

Berwick & Smith Co.

U. S. A.

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XXI. The Way It Ended

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page

Amy eagerly read the card tied to the roses.

( Frontispiece ) •

Seated in a child’s rocking-chair, a gingham

apron tied under his chin

Her brother was beside her, seizing Jeannette’s struggling arms

“ Why, this isn’t rowing at all ! ” . . . .

“ Let’s rest a few minutes and let the horses

drink.”

A heavy hand clutched her shoulder fiercely .

“ Why, it’s Nugent, isn’t it ? ”

“ Oh, Madam, you have done all this for me !” cried the lad

83B ? isj

Chapter I

On that warm June evening the large dressing room of the Music Hall was filled with white-gowned girls, chattering after the manner of their kind, while they waited for Commencement exercises to begin. Florists’ messengers were continually arriving with some fragrant tribute to a graduate and, as a particularly small boy staggered in with a particularly large armful of American Beauties, Harriet Lord exclaimed :

“ Oh ! what roses ! Whose ? ”

“ Amy Barnard’s, of course. I can guess that without looking at the card,” answered Edna Merton.

“ I don’t know why ‘ of course.’ Seems as if she’d had her share.”

“ The success of success, I suppose. The less one needs the more one gets. Now I ”

Edna caught a mammoth bunch of pink and white peonies from the long table which was heaped with bouquets, and extended it at arm’s length.

“ Who sent it, Ned? ”

“ Who but I, myself ? ”

“ You didn’t!”

“ Indeed, I did. Do you imagine I’d be the only bloomless maiden in the procession? No, I thank you.”

“ But why peonies, of all flowers? ”

“ Cheapest. Fact. I ransacked every market in the town, for I couldn’t afford a florist’s shop even to one faded carnation, and in these I secured the biggest bargain for the money. So the dealer told me and so I believe. Fifty cents that posy cost me, and I call it ‘ sweet pretty.’ Or if I don’t the man did.”

“ But, Edna, with your allowance, you ought to be ashamed.”

“ Yes, Mistress Harriet, I ought to be ashamed most of the time, only I forget it. Ah! here she comes! Isn’t she just too sweet for words ? ”

A carriage had drawn up before the wide

II entrance and from it now descended a lady and gentleman, a girl in white, and an awkward youth in evening clothes which he wore with the discomfort of a first appearance in such attire. The girl joined her mates in the dressing room, but the others passed through the lobby and were assigned to forward seats in the auditorium.

“ Oh, Amy ! How dear you look ! ”

“ That’s the true word for you, Miss Lord ! Observe the get-up of that organdie. This takes the crispness off my vanity,” said merry Edna, stretching out her own rumpled skirts and viewing them with a comical expression.

Amy laughed and clasped her friend’s waist affectionately. “ But you’re looking lovely, dear, and I dare say your clothes cost far more than mine. Oh ! what heaps of flowers. More than I’ve ever seen at any Commencement. Isn’t it fine to have our class so far ahead of all the others? I’m so proud of it.”

“ And it’s so proud of you. But speaking of flowers — how’s this ? ” demanded Edna, again seizing her peonies and swinging them about in reckless disregard of her neighbors’ ribbons and ruffles.

“ They’re beautiful — to paint.”

“ And they’re designed to ‘ paint the lily.’ I being the lily. The lily is tall and heads the procession, but the peonies shall head the lily. Thus! But it’s too bad to rouse your envy, poor Amy. Come see your own insignificant bouquets.”

“Have I any? I didn’t expect them;

else ” She hesitated, remembering with

regret the money expended on the carnations she had brought with her. Then she reflected that it was the only time she would be graduated and that it had given her mother pleasure to furnish her with the flowers, even at the cost of self-denial.

A bevy of classmates gathered about her, their pride and favorite, and one thrust under her nose a cluster of white roses, explaining :

“ Mrs. Ripley.”

“ The minister’s wife? How kind.”

“ Very; yet don’t feel too elated. She’s sent the same to each of us who belongs to her husband’s church. Now these! If the messenger boy had been a trifle smaller and the roses a trifle heavier there’d have been an ambulance call : 4 Crushed to death ! ’ ”

Amy eagerly read the card tied to the roses, and, in amazement, cried out:

“ My brother Nugent! The darling, extravagant boy ! However did he do it ! ”

“ How could he help doing it for such a sister ? ”

“ Easily enough. With his small salary and his own expenses this means positive self-sacrifice. And he’s come to our Commencement, too, though he hates all such affairs. Well, I was happy before, but now I’m overflowing. I must hug somebody.”

Away went the roses upon the table and around the waist of the girl nearest went Amy’s arms. But these were promptly loosed as a sarcastic voice remarked :

“ Please excuse me from being that somebody.”

“ Why, Jeannette ! I thought it was Edna. Beg pardon, of course, if you dislike it. But have you seen my flowers ? They are so many, from people whom I did not dream cared at all for me, that my head is fairly turned.”

“ I dare say. Light ones are, easily.”

“ Jeannette! But I forgive you. Now, where are yours ? ”

“ I have none.”

“ What ? There must be some mistake. Have you looked ? ”

“ No. Why should I? Nobody would remember me,” with an unpleasant emphasis upon the “ me,” “ and I’d not buy my own flowers, like silly Ned.”

Amy was chilled by the expression which darkened her classmate’s face and marred even its extraordinary beauty; but it seemed incredible that there should be no bouquets for Jeannette, who had hosts of relatives, while there were so many for her, who had almost none. She turned again to the table, whence the ushers were rapidly removing the flowers to rearrange them upon the platform of the auditorium, and vainly searched for even one bunch bearing the name of Herburn.

By this time most of the girls had selected such bouquets as they wished to carry and were taking their assigned places in the procession, which Edna was to lead, with her banner and her peonies, providing that even Edna could manage two such burdens. Jeannette and Amy were to follow her, but Amy delayed, stopping an attendant to beg:

“ Wait, please. I must have these, and these, and, oh ! yes ! these.”

The gentleman smiled as the girl measured her “ Beauties ” against her own slim figure, to find that their heavy heads rested upon her shoulder while the ends of their stalks dragged on the floor.

“ My ! They quite eclipse poor mother’s delicate carnations, but they must march in the parade, even if they do. These other two bunches, of lilies and of roses, are for you, Jeannette.”

However, Jeannette had now retreated to a window and with folded arms stood silently looking out. Amy crossed to her, saying :

“ Here, partner. These are yours.”

“ Mine!”

Jeannette whirled about and before Amy could prevent her had caught the presentation cards and read them. Then she almost threw the bouquets to the floor in her impatience, while the disappointment that even her pride could not conceal showed in her averted eyes.

Amy’s arm, that was not filled with flowers, went again about her partner’s waist.

“Jeannette, why keep it up any longer?

i6

To-night’s the last time we shall be in class together. I’m sorry if I ever seemed to crowd you or take away anything you wanted. It’s been an even race between us and if — please take these poor little blossoms and bury the hatchet in them.”

“ But they were given to you.”

“ Then they are mine — to give to you.”

“ I would rather not. I — can’t.”

“ And I would rather you did. You — must ! See? Look across to that mirror yonder. You are the loveliest girl in the room, dear, and the flowers make you perfect.”

It was not the noblest of arguments, Amy felt, but time pressed and, save through her vanity, Jeannette seemed invulnerable. The mirror showed that the argument was working and the innocent casuist followed its advantage.

“ Think how monkey-like I should feel, if you carry none and I walk beside you loaded with all these.”

“ Why do you load yourself, then? ”

Amy held forth first one, then another of her bouquets.

“ These are my mother’s ; therefore. These

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are my brother’s — the first he ever gave me; likewise, therefore. Now, come, be good, and — you will be handsome ! ”

“ Young ladies! ”

It was the voice of authority which they had obeyed for the four years that lay behind them, and it was natural that they should obey it now; “ for the last time,” thought Amy sadly, as catching Jeannette’s hand she led that selfwilled maiden to her place behind the leader and fell into step to the music which floated toward them from the great hall.

Edna, the irrepressible, moved forward with great dignity and sweetness of bearing, yet found time, none the less, to whisper over her shoulder :

“ Sisters, be on your guard ! The ‘ Poly ’ boys are yon ! ”

The “ Poly,” otherwise Polytechnic, students, indeed ; and a goodly number more from every other school of learning in that enterprising town. For the Commencements of the Girls’ Latin School were the prettiest of all which crowded the days of early June. Its standard was high, its graduates still in the first flush of youth and enthusiasm, and mostly were the daughters of parents who were themselves cultured and intellectual.

The stage, whereon were already seated the faculty and guests of honor, seemed a wide garden of palms and towering plants, gay with electric lights and a foreground of the choicest blooms obtainable. Before it the long procession of white-gowned maidens came to a brief halt; then each pair separated and passing to the ends of the platform ascended it from either side, to group themselves in a semicircle about their instructors and friends.

A Commencement similar to countless others with some slight local differences of detail. Jeannette was salutatorian and Amy valedictorian, as befitted their class-standing; though Jeannette felt that these honors should have been reversed, and Amy that she desired neither. Yet both acquitted themselves well; Jeannette’s stately greeting suiting her handsome presence as perfectly as the gown she wore, while Amy’s little tender word of farewell brought a mist to the eyes which gazed upon her. At Jeannette’s conclusion there was an audible “ Ah — h ! ” from the “ Poly ” boys, followed by a measured stamping and handclapping, which was promptly suppressed by the gentlemen in charge. But when Amy’s voice died away in a sort of smothered sob, the applause of not only the students but the whole audience burst forth tumultuously.

“That’s for you, darling! and you deserve it ! whispered Edna, with a slight quiver of her own lips.

“ No. It’s for the whole school. Shh ! Professor Gray wants order.”

The desired order was long in coming, but it came at last, and the remaining exercises were soon over; yet, having an agreeable surprise in store, Dr. Gray delayed the benediction and raised his hand for further attention. His fine face beamed and his voice was proud as he advanced and addressed his audience, thus:

“ Ladies and Gentlemen :

“ To-night I have the happiness to inform you that a scholarship at a leading American college for women has been presented to our school. It is a gift for which I have long hoped, but of which I had almost despaired. Even now I am forbidden to make public the donor’s name, though I trust that this ban will some time be removed. The disposal of the scholarship has been left to me and my colleagues; and, after due care and deliberation, we unanimously award it to our beloved valedictorian — Amy Barnard. Miss Barnard will kindly step forward and receive the congratulations of her school and her community.”

For a moment there was absolute silence; then Amy felt herself pushed gently toward the expectant professor, who took her hand and bowed to her with a respect that seemed odd as coming from him. She returned his salutation mechanically, for as yet she realized nothing save that something wonderful and unexpected had befallen her, and that the walls rang with a deafening uproar.

“ Barnard ! Barnard ! Hip-hip-hooray ! Barnard has it ! Three cheers for Latin Amy ! ’Rah, ’rah ’rah! ’Rah, ’rah, ’R-A-H! ”

The “ Poly ” boys began it, of course, and ended it, for that matter. As was quite natural, since the two school playgrounds adjoined each other, and there was always friendly rivalry — and courtesy — between them. But there were grown-up voices cheering, also, for the honor that had come to their young townswoman was an honor to them all.

Then the silence of dismissal, the kisses and hand-clasps of classmates, the tender embrace of a father, the hearty slap on the shoulder and “ Good enough, girlie ! ” of Nugent, and Amy was in the carriage once more speeding homeward.

Her heart was as full of beautiful dreams as her arms of roses, and she was trying to realize to the fullest the future which opened before her.

“ All my life Tve longed for it, this college course, this higher education, this chance in the world. But I dared not expect it — how dared I ? for it’s been all my parents could do to give me these last four years — there’s so little money in their pockets. Now — it’s come, it’s come ! ”

Then the carriage stopped before their own gate, Amy sprang out, and, turning, saw her mother’s face.

Chapter II

The street lamp opposite the gate revealed that face with clear distinctness and its expression astonished Amy. For it was an expression of bewilderment and anxiety, whereas the daughter felt it should have shown but pride and happiness.

“ Why, mother! What ”

But the perplexity had already vanished and Mrs. Barnard’s smile was radiant as she exclaimed :

“ Take care, Nugent ! This precious diploma is worth more than all these flowers, lovely as they are.”

Then she held the white-ribboned parchment high above her head, out of reach of any crushing blossoms, as her son clumsily gathered the bouquets from her lap and started for the house.

A moment later they were all in the little parlor, realizing that the great event was over, and mentally “ getting their breath,” as Amy observed. Realizing, too, the fatigue of emotional excitement, they heaped their flowers upon the table and each dropped into a convenient chair to rest and talk it over. Mrs. Barnard still retained the rolled diploma and sat with it held caressingly against her cheek, though her eyes had an absent look and her thoughts were not upon the scene about her.

Mr. Barnard broke the brief silence : “ Well, well, daughter, I’m proud of you. To think that my own little girl carried off first honors! Well, well.”

“ Your valedictory was real good, Sis, but you mumbled a good deal. Anybody who’s going to speak in public ought to do it so folks could understand.”

Amy smiled. “ Thank you, Nugent. Before I pose as an orator I’ll take lessons in elocution. This time caught me unaware, you see.”

“ Did you have any idea what Professor Gray was going to spring on you at the end ? ”

“ Not the slightest. Nobody did, I fancy. Even yet it seems like a dream.”

“ How’d you feel when he called you up front, eh?”

“ Didn’t feel at all. Just was numb and stupid. Seemed as if I were walking on some other girl’s feet when Edna pushed me forward.”

“ Likely you were. Jeannette Herburn’s, no doubt.”

“ Poor Jeannette ! She’s never liked me, and this will make things worse. I’m sorry. I don’t see why whoever gave one scholarship couldn’t have given two, so she could go.”

Mrs. Barnard rose rather hastily.

“ Come, come, my dears. It’s late and there are all these flowers to take care of. Nugent, please bring two or three large pitchers and pans to the pantry and fill them with water. Amy, I’ll help you off with that dress before we attempt to fix the bouquets. Ah ! my daughter, I’m proud of you, too. Proud that you should have won the love of all these givers. There must be a dozen, at least, and the air is heavy with so much sweetness.”

“ Better close only the outside shutters and leave the windows open,” suggested Mr. Barnard, as he went about locking up.

When, at a much later hour than common, the house was finally still, Amy yet lay long awake, restless and excited.

“ Must be ‘ rose leaves ’ in this bed ! Else I should have been asleep the moment I touched it, for I’m very tired. Rose leaves of too great success and too much flattery. I can’t help thinking, though, how odd it was. Every one of my family said : ‘ I’m proud,’ but not one said : ‘ I’m glad.’ Maybe they didn’t think it necessary and that I’d take it for granted. Anyway, I’m glad — glad — glad ! That higher education — mine, mine, mine. After school the college; after college — who can guess how wise and great I may grow to be ? ”

Once started on this theme the dreams of the ambitious girl wandered far afield, and these waking dreams merged into those of sleep; where she seemed herself to be the central figure of an endless succession of Commencements, each more brilliant than the other; till in a jumble of ribbons and gossamer gowns, of cheers and jubilant music, of blooming plants and flaming lights, she passed into the sounder slumber that was natural to her.

2 6

“ Well, dear, I must wake you at last. The breakfast positively will not keep fresh any longer and your flowers need attention. ,,

Amy sat up and rubbed her eyes.

“ What time is it ? ”

“ Nine o’clock.”

“ Why, mother ! Then I shall be late ! Oh ! I forgot. I shall never be late again. I declare, I thought I should be so glad about that and I’m not. I’m sorry. Dear old Latin School ! I believe I love its very walls.”

“ I can understand that. They’ve been four happy, care-free years you’ve spent among them. They ended in a little burst of glory, too, and that will be something good to remember. Now — vacation and — home.”

“ I shall love that, as well, for a time. Then more school, more study, more — oh, mother! Isn’t it splendid to be alive and all that richness stretching out before one? I am so happy, so happy ! ”

“ Yes, dear. I understand,” again responded the mother.

But to the daughter there seemed something missing in the tone, a lessening of the sympathy which had always met her own moods. Yet how could that be since they were all in all to each other and the joy of one had meant the joy of the other? Then she smiled, whimsically :

“ I wonder, motherkin, if a body can get a bit too much philosophy into one’s head, at sixteen ? or if being an ‘ honor girl ’ sets one prying into — into her insides too much? All sorts of notions were in my mind last night and they’re popping up again this morning. A why — why — why about everything. Why you, nor father, nor even Nugent, said you were glad about the scholarship, for instance.”

“ Foolish child. A sensible breakfast will regulate both your mental and material ‘ insides,’ as you so inelegantly express yourself. A fragment of ‘ higher education,’ I suppose.”

“ Mother! You, of all people, to turn sarcastic ! ”

“ Come. Don’t dawdle. There’s no sarcasm in that. It’s a busy morning and Rebecca has a ‘ misery ’ again.”

Mrs. Barnard went smilingly away and Amy dawdled no more. Rebecca was the one servant of their household; a faithful and capable colored woman, but arbitrary as many capable persons are. For the past year she and her “ miseries ” had led Mrs. Barnard an uncertain life, the mistress never knowing just when an attack of some sort would keep Rebecca at her own cottage, whither she went of nights, or if she did appear in the morning whether she would be of much assistance.

“ Oh ! dear ! How provoking ! I know mother had ordered strawberries for canning to-day, and needs Becky more than usual. It won’t make things any pleasanter to have me keep breakfast behind, either, even though it’s but one to serve. Well, I’ll try to lend a hand. A girl who can win first honor ought to be capable of hulling strawberries.”

Hurrying to the dining room she made short work of her belated meal and set herself to clearing the table. At which Becky smiled, entering to do that task herself, yet also grumbled :

“ Well, honey, ’low steppin’ round’s good for young legs. Won’t hurt you none to know how victuals is handled.”

“ Oh, Rebecca! Victuals! What an unpleasant word. So suggestive of ‘ cold ’ and mendicancy. How can you ? Don’t you know I’m a * sweet girl graduate ’ and should be treated delicately? ”

“ Hey ? What’s that ? Them was good victuals and they wasn’t cold. I kept ’em hot myself in the warm oven. And I don’t know nothing ’bout mendicatin’, ’less that’s what your poor ma’s doing most the ’during time. And I ’low now you’ve got done studying all them books you’ll be taking the needle outen her hands into your own. It cert’nly is fine for all we Barnards you finished all them outgoing, day after day. Now I hope you’ll get sense into you and grow up a woman.”

They were both steadily clearing away and setting the pleasant room to rights, Amy singing in a low tone and Becky talking in a loud one, when Mrs. Barnard looked in and remarked :

“ Why, my darling ! I didn’t intend you should begin to work this very first morning. Except, of course, to arrange your flowers and not to hinder us.”

“ But I want to work, motherkin. I want to do every single thing I can to rest you while — while I am at home. For four years I’ve done nothing but study, and a change of programme will be good for us both. Three months goes so quickly, and Wellesley — why, mother ! ” Again that strange expression was on the mother’s face and, as if to hide it, she turned toward the kitchen.

“ I’m hulling the berries out on the back porch. You’ll find me there if you care to come.”

“ Of course I’m coming, to help you. I’ll be quick with the flowers.”

But the girl sang no more. Indeed, she became so preoccupied that she forgot to “ brush the crumbs,” as she had promised Rebecca, and went away leaving the dustpan in the middle of the floor. Where, coming into the darkened room from the sunshine without, Nugent promptly stumbled over it and bruised his shin against a misplaced chair.

“ Hang it ! What does that old Becky mean, setting man-traps about, like this ! ”

From the adjoining pantry Amy called:

“ Boy-trap, not man-trap, laddie dear, and I wish you would hang it, for I forgot to. ’Cause ’twas young Amy, not old Becky, who left it there. Come in and help me, will you? ” “ Can’t. I’m going fishing. Have you seen my rod anywhere ?” Yet he did enter the pantry and stood for a moment regarding his roses, whose stems she was clipping and placing in a great glass vase. “ Kept pretty fresh, didn’t they? ”

“ Indeed, they did. And I didn’t have half a chance to tell you last night how much I love you for giving them. Only, Nugent, I felt just a trifle sorry you should have spent so much money for me. ‘ American Beauties ’ cost lots, don’t they ? ”

“ Never look a gift horse in the mouth, Amy. But say, have you seen my tackle ? ”

“ No. I wish I had. Hark! Who’s that?”

“All creation, I should say. A crowd of your girls. Don’t let them come in here. Amy! I say don’t you let them come in here! Amy! ”

But he was too late. His sister had sped across the dining room and opened the long blinds which gave upon the piazza, and through this window a half-dozen or more of Amy’s classmates had entered, laughing, explaining, questioning, all in one breath. To escape them was impossible unless he were willing to be seen running away or shut himself within the pantry.

He chose the latter alternative and closed the door with such energy that the china rattled on the shelves ; and with such careless haste that his coat caught on the thorns of his own roses. Turning back to cast one anxious glance upon the narrow, fast-barred window, his own movement precipitated a catastrophe.

Crash! Splash! The rattle of breaking glass, a growl of impatience.

Every girl in the outer room was stricken silent, then Amy sped pantry- ward, crying :

“ My flowers ! My vases ! It’s that dreadful cat of Rebecca’s ! ” For she had supposed, so far as she thought at all about it, that her brother had disappeared at first sound of her friends’ voices. He “ hated girls ” and avoided them consistently.

Then she swung the door wide and there he stood, furious, scarlet of face, and with the awkward angles of his figure accentuated by the predicament in which he found himself. As Rebecca frequently remarked : “ Our Nugent has the makings of a man in him, if he ever quits growin’,” but at the present stage of his existence these “ makings ” did not fit each other very gracefully.

“ Oh ! what a pretty cat ! ” cried Edna, following close on Amy’s heels.

“My! See the cat! Can the cat run? Yes, the cat can run,” echoed Molly Sargent; both girls speaking with more fun than malice.

“ Does the cat bite and scratch ? The cat will bite and scratch — if it gets a chance,” tossed Edna back again.

“ Girls, stop ! You shall not be so horrid ! ” pleaded Amy, as sorry for her brother’s mishap as for her broken vase. But they held the door ajar and her single strength was unequal to theirs.

By this time Nugent was able to see the absurd side of the affair and to retaliate in some sort. Seizing a monster “ Beauty ” he threw it straight at Edna, his chief tormentor, who caught it, pricked her fingers, screamed, and returned the charge.

Then and there was fought a “ War of the Roses,” with such spirit of devastation that when it was ended and the conquered “ Cat ” forced to beat a retreat through the very ranks of his enemies, there remained of poor Amy's lovely graduation flowers but broken stems and scattered petals.

“ Oh ! oh ! ” was all she could say, and the tears were very near her eyes as she gazed upon the ruins about her.

The fun was all over and Edna full of selfreproach. “ Amy, Amy, what shall I do to make amends? It's all my fault — I am such a simpleton! Forever acting first and thinking second. And what a looking room we've made. Come, girls. At least we can carry away the debris. But did ever anybody see such a silly boy as Nugent Barnard? Afraid of just plain girls. Come on, Molly. You carry the rest of these 4 Beauty ' stems. They’re the thorniest and you and I deserve the worst.”

They went at the task with a will, even Amy assisting, if somewhat sadly, and when even the last petal had been gathered into the lifted skirts, she marshaled her forces:

“ This way, to the garbage-box.”

“ Yet they were so beautiful, only last night, and we so envious of you, pet,” sympathized Harriet Lord.