The unconscious influence

Chapter I

E DITH had been sitting in the twilight for a short time, thoroughly enjoying all the peace and comfort that a cozy living room could afford.

Half unconscious of all her surroundings and nestled down in a luxuriously padded chair, she was watching the fire in the grate as it threw its cheerful rays of light into the room of which she was the sole occupant.

As she sat meditating on this particular evening, many roseate dreams and new ideas kept crowding into her youthful mind; for as she had an exceptionally sweet voice, she was looking forward to the time when some day she might become famous in the musical world.

“Voice and beauty,” Mr. Melton would often say to Mrs. Melton, “are enough to make many girls fickle, but we know, mother, our Edith is not one to be easily flattered and we must not at any time let her know that she is a charm for any home and one of which we can be rightfully proud.”

Edith, as she sat there absorbed in deep thought, suddenly was aroused by the voice of her mother, announcing the even¬ ing meal.

It was one of those dreary, chilly, and drizzling rainy days of December, when the outside is dull and gray and the moan¬ ing and whistling of the wind fills one with a sort of melan¬ choly feeling such as is often experienced on an early winter day.

1 ‘From all indications this promises to be a dark and blustery night, ’ ’ said Mr. Melton, as the family were seating themselves at the supper table.

Mrs. Melton replied that she was indeed glad that they were all indoors, and was truly thankful for all the comforts that their home afforded.

The Meltons lived on a fair sized farm in the beautiful valley of the Ohio and not far from Yorkville, a town of about three thousand inhabitants. This farm home was exception¬ ally attractive and picturesque and was the source of much comment from those who passed its vine clad walls. No home in all the surrounding country had more flowers, better kept lawns nor was neater in appearance than the Melton home. It was not so large and commanding as many country homes were but it had that general appearance that gave it the ‘ ‘ home feeling’’ which appeals to us all.

David Melton, his wife, Edith and Guy composed this noble household.

Mr. Melton was not a rich man, nor yet was he considered a poor man by any means, as he had been very successful in raising thoroughbred hogs and was recognized as a prosperous and influential man in his community.

Edith was now a lass of almost eighteen and two years Guy’s senior, and would finish her high school education at Yorkville the coming June.

She was endowed with that character of mind guided by high ideals and a strong determination of right thinking and living, which had been instilled into her mind by her parents from her early childhood. She had inherited the sweet loving disposition of her mother and the strong personality of her father which created in her a most charming type of character.

She possessed two beautiful, deep, brown eyes that revealed volumes of wonderful intellect and masterly will power. An abundance of beautiful black hair and the lingering blush of the rose on her cheeks gave to her that rare beauty we so seldom see in the gentler sex of the twentieth century.

“Edith, did you rest well last night?” inquired her mother, as she entered the breakfast room the next morning.

“Yes, mother, or at any rate I think I did; I was some¬ what worn out when I retired as I had sat up a trifle late working on my lessons for today.”

“Well, Edith, as this is your senior year in high school your father and I have been considering the matter of having you discontinue your vocal lessons for the remainder of the term; we feel they are too much for you, and that you are overtaxing yourself to a certain degree.”

“You know we want you to keep up your grades, and as your work in school takes most of your time, we may see fit for you to drop your music for a while,” added Mr. Melton.

To this Edith made no reply, for it certainly was a serious blow to her, as she took great delight in her vocal lessons and was especially fond of the way in which the instructor had encouraged the culture of such an unusual voice.

With a sad and heavy heart, but with the same sweet smiling face as of old, she kissed her mother good-bye, and she and Guy, seated in their Ford coupe, sped away toward Yorkville.

As Mrs. Melton busied herself with her morning’s work, she could not keep from thinking of the expression that flitted across the face of her daughter when she had told her they might deem it best for her to drop her music for a while. “However, her father and I are in a better position to know what is best for her; yet, at the same time I could see by that expression it would not meet with her approval, — but not¬ withstanding the fact there was the same sweet smile as of yore when she bade me good-bye and I love to think of her with that smile on her face, as it is balm for any mother’s heart,” mused the mother.

“Well! Hello Edith!” called Emily Carter when they met at the first intermission, “what in the world is the matter with you this morning? You do not seem like yourself; for you are always on hand, ready to give us a panacea for all our ills, and a smile for all our frowns. ’ ’

“Well, I did not know that I was the Dr. Cure All, and a pleasant pellet ready to take at any time,” replied Edith.

“Well, you are,” retorted Emily.

“Say, Edith, that solo you sang at church Sunday evening must have been something beyond the ordinary, as I heard a party say he seldom found time for church going, but he felt well paid for his effort in the enjoyment of your exceptional voice. He furthermore said he did wish his daughter had a few of your charming accomplishments and he would be proud of her.”

“Now Emily, please come and tell me who it was that made such a remark as that ? ’ ’

“Well, if you must know, I’ll tell you,” retorted Emily, “it was my dad.”

“Really?” said Edith, “then if he enjoyed my singing so much, perhaps it may be an inducement for him to come again, and by the way, Emily, why don’t you folks ever come to church ? ’ ’

‘ ‘ What do you do on Sunday, or where do you go ? ”

Emily’s face reddened somewhat as she tried to answer her friend the best she could. “We are not in the habit of church going,” she replied, which was a rather lame excuse and yet very fitting to those who are seldom seen inside a sanctuary. It is an evident fact that habit becomes a second nature to all of us, and Emily did not propose saying anything further about the church or anyone or anything connected with it, as the questions Edith had plied her with had caused her no little embarrassment.

It was with a sigh of relief that afternoon that Edith heard the dismissal bell, for she could not tell for the life of her how it was that she had managed to drag through her recitations of the day. The unexpected statement that had fallen from her mother’s lips that morning was a somewhat serious blow to her, for, without a doubt she derived more pleasure from her music than she could ever hope to obtain from her high school work.

Her unhappy mood had been very noticeable to all her class members, and especially had one of them been deeply concerned as to the nature of her trouble. For some unknown reason she decided she would walk to the post office after school and inquire for the afternoon mail.

This one act afforded an opportunity that a certain Hugh Carter had long been waiting to seize, so needless to say he leisurely strolled down the street by Edith’s side.

Having finished the evening chores, Mr. Melton found time to look over the daily paper before supper as the children had not arrived home from school.

Mrs. Melton busied herself with some fancy work she was trying to finish before Christmas.

Suddenly Mr. Melton peered over the rim of his glasses, dropped the paper from his hand, and asked if she did not think it was time for the children to be home. “Do you sup¬ pose something has happened to them?”

“Can it be six o’clock, David? I have been so intent on my work that I had not taken time to stop and consider what time it was getting to be: you know it is so unlike Edith not to phone me if she has been detained in any way.”

This observation added fresh fuel to their already troubled anxiety for the safe arrival of the children.

‘ ‘ It may be,, mother, that they were detained on account of the class play, and do you know, I see no material need for such things. They have a tendency to lessen their interest in school work, ’ ’ observed the worried father.

“Yes, David, and not only that, but it fills their minds with a lot of nonsense and fool love affairs that they can have ample time to learn about after school days are over,” said Mrs. Melton.

“Speaking for myself,” she continued, “I’d much rather Edith would not take part in the play; but what can we do? It seems as if it takes all these non-essentials to get a student through high school regardless of the worry on the part of the parents. ’ ’

Just then, glancing through the dining-room window, Mr. Melton caught a glimpse of a light from a car and said he thought they were coming.

On hearing footsteps Mrs. Melton opened the door for Edith and Guy and inquired as to what had kept them so late as supper had been waiting some little time. Edith soon ex¬ plained that they had been detained after school to make further arrangements regarding their play, and as the days were so short it had made them quite late in coming home.

She did not tell her mother that Hugh Carter had walked as far as the post office with her, and not at a rapid gait; nor did Guy disclose this secret either, as most young brothers would have done, but he kept perfectly mute in this matter, as he had utmost confidence in Edith’s capability of attending to her own affairs, and doing it in the right way.

Neither did he say that Hugh Carter had asked his sister to attend a movie with him on Sunday evening, and that she had given him a flat refusal. All these things were flitting through Guy’s mind at a rapid rate as he prepared for the evening meal.

Not many miles distant, in a certain home, a certain young man was pondering in his mind how Edith Melton could have so flatly refused his company when all the girls in town were just waiting for a chance like the one she had turned down. He had always been quite popular with no few of the feminine sex, so really this was some setback for a young man of his caliber, thought he.

‘ ‘ I suppose she thinks she is better than the average young lady, but I will not be daunted by this first attempt, for the old saying is: ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,’ ” he meditated.

With these thoughts uppermost in his mind he hastily dressed himself, and was soon on his way to Miss Grace Moore’s home where he found her waiting to attend the dance with him.

He could not tell why, but it seemed to him that the dance was not as gay and enticing as of old, and did not afford as much pleasure and enjoyment to him as heretofore; but was it really the dance, or was it he himself ?

Often while dancing with Grace Moore that evening, the thought would mount high in his mind, of how much more he could enjoy a dance with a certain little brown-eyed country girl, who at this time had long been in dreamland, for it was now getting along to the small hours of the morning.

Hugh Carter was now almost twenty years old, and would have been through high school long before this if he had only applied himself, for he was an apt scholar, and had a clear conception of things, but was too fond of a frivolous life, and spent too much of his time in fashionable society.

Mr. Carter had advised him of the fact just a few days previous, that if he did not graduate with his class this year, he would not get a chance to finish his high school work, and he would not send him to college to take up the study of law.

“Things are assuming a serious aspect,” declared Hugh, as he bethought himself that the best thing he could do would be to settle down after the holidays, to real business and come out in the end with his class, with colors flying.

The very thought of not attending a law school almost took away his breath, for this would mean utter disaster to all his well-laid plans for his future career.

With all these thoughts weighing down upon him, and with an aching void in his heart, at last at a late hour he sought a few hours of repose.

Edith awoke early in the morning much refreshed by her night’s rest, and as this was Friday, she always arose some¬ what earlier that day in order to assist her mother in doing some of the week-end cleaning, before she went to school.

While she was sweeping and dusting, her voice could be heard singing some of her favorite songs, as she often re¬ marked that ‘ ‘ she could work better when she sang. ’ ’

She was interrupted by her mother, calling to her to come to the phone.

It was Emily calling to tell her that they were to rehearse the play that evening and inviting Edith and Guy to remain in town after school and to take dinner with her.

Edith thanked her and told her that she would let her know when she came to school.

Hanging up the receiver, she entered the kitchen to talk the matter over with her mother, but not finding her there she called to her, and then descended the steps to the basement. ‘ * Mother, we are to rehearse the play this evening, and Emily has very cordially invited Guy and myself to remain in town and take dinner with her. ’ ’

‘ ‘ What did you tell her ? ’ ’

“I told her I would let her know when I came to school this morning. ’’

“You know, Edith, your father and I have never encour¬ aged Emily and you to become very intimate friends on ac¬ count of her brother Hugh, who you know is of questionable character, and if you accept this invitation it will only encour¬ age him to make himself more agreeable than he has hereto¬ fore, and such a thing could not be countenanced by your father and me/’ observed Mrs. Melton. “Simply decline the invitation this time, and tell her your services are needed at home after school.’*

Edith, like most young girls, was naturally disappointed, as she dreaded the thought of telling Emily she would have to decline her invitation. However, she knew what her mother had said regarding the character of the young man in question was all true. Edith was a young woman who thought much and said little.

The two girls did not meet until the noon hour when Emily learned that Edith would not be her guest at dinner that evening.

‘‘ Emily, did you tell her that it was I who had told you to invite her?” asked Hugh.

“No, I should say not,” emphatically replied his sister.

Mrs. Melton was one mother who always tried to make her word good with her children, so when Edith came home from school she found plenty of work waiting for her willing hands to do.

Although Edith was gifted with a rare voice her mother was teaching her to do all sorts of housework, which might in after years be of great benefit to her.

Mother and daughter did many little odds and ends and by so doing lightened the Saturday’s work to a great extent.

“What time do you go in to rehearsal tonight?” asked Mrs. Melton.

“We are supposed to be there at seven-thirty,” said Edith. ‘ ‘ Is there anything more you wish me to do, mother ? ’ ’

“No — only we will sit here and rest a few minutes — or rather, I will, while you sing for me my favorite song, ‘The Did Rugged Cross.’ ”

Edith immediately complied with her mother’s request as she, too, was very fond of this dear old hymn.

As she arose from the piano her mother said, “I feel quite rested now, as music always soothes my tired feelings. ’ ’

“Now, mother, with your permission I will run to the barn and have Guy throw the saddle on Black Beauty and I will take a little ride before supper. ’’

“All right, dear, but don’t go far, as it is almost dark.”

Edith’s father had given her this beautiful animal on her sixteenth birthday and she had enjoyed many rides perched on the back of her noble horse.

Black Beauty had been taught by her young mistress, to perform many cunning little tricks.

It was nothing unusual to see her riding into Yorkville most any time, as she was considered a most graceful rider and had won several blue ribbons at the fair in the ladies’ riding contest.

In compliance with her mother’s wish she did not ride far, but on her return found the family waiting supper for her. She declared she could always boast of a better appetite after a ride with Black Beauty.

Guy informed her he got all the exercise needed to create an appetite by helping his father do the evening chores.

“We will have to hurry, Guy,” said she, “or we will be late for the rehearsal, but by a little fast driving we can get there on time.”

It was a wonderful December evening: the heavens were filled with myriads of stars and the cold frosty air was very invigorating as it helped to add a little more elasticity to the steps of those who were late in reaching home.

This evening might have been partly responsible for the way in which each one acted his part in the play, but at any rate this proved to be one of the best rehearsals they had ever had.

It was on the way home, that Guy informed Edith that he thought Hugh Carter did remarkably well with his part, for, said he, “it seems to appeal to his general make up.”

“How did I act my part?” asked Edith.

“Just splendidly, only I don’t like to see you with Hugh Carter as he is such a bad fellow . 9 9

“Yes, I think about that too, but I can’t say anything as we are both members of the class and you know our parts were assigned to us, not selected by any one in the play. ’ ’

It took her a long time to prepare to retire that night, and every time she closed her eyes to sleep, that play kept running through her mind like a moving picture show. Then, too, the words her mother had uttered were incessantly ringing in her ears, and she took it for granted that no matter how good Hugh’s conduct in the future might be, it would be of no material good for her to intercede for him and thereby some day claim him as her first love. Little did she dream of the heated controversy that took place in her home that evening after she and Guy had taken their departure.

Neither did she know what a hard struggle it had been for her parents to permit her to continue her part in the play, all because she had to be thrown in such close contact with Hugh Carter, whom no one thought her equal in any respect.

It matters not how dissipated a young man may be, or how questionable his associates, be invariably tries to win the esteem and friendship of the purest and best of the feminine sex, especially when he falls head over heels in love.

It was hard for Edith to find sleep, so lifting the cur¬ tains to one side in order to see the starry firmament she then began counting the stars, as she had heard her father say: ‘ ‘ If you try to count the stars you will soon fall asleep. ’ ’

She never could recall the last one she counted as it was not long until her eyes closed in sleep.

Chapter II

T HE NEXT morning the frost in the air of that early winter day, made the heat of the radiator feel more com¬ fortable to Mr. Carter than it had heretofore, as he entered the dining-room and stood warming his hands waiting for his wife to announce breakfast. His deep gray eyes were fixed on the window, gazing into space, all unconscious of the fact that his wife had already announced breakfast was waiting.

“Joe, this is the second time I have told you breakfast was ready,” said Mrs. Carter.

“Oh! I beg your pardon, I didn’t hear you,” and turning instantly he seated himself at the table, while a heavy scowl on his countenance portrayed a great degree of displeasure. Glancing in the direction where Emily was seated and with a sort of sarcasm in his voice he said: ‘ 1 Guess you ’ll not invite Miss Melton to your home again soon, as she so flatly refused your invitation last evening ?

“It is only that she possesses such a rare voice and that the future has in store for her a wonderful career if her par¬ ents see fit to have her voice fully developed, that I sanction your intimate friendship with her.”

Riveting his eyes on Hugh with an expression that indi¬ cated trouble, he continued: “I understand you and Miss Melton have been assigned the leading role in the play; if so, be very careful, that it doesn’t end in some fool love affair, for I am quite sure neither her parents nor yours would sanc¬ tion anything of the sort.

“I hear much concerning her sweet unassuming disposi¬ tion and her unconscious influence which no doubt will win for her many admiring friends, although she lacks one vital ele¬ ment for her future success which I consider the most essential — financial means. ’ 9

Pushing his chair back from the table as he arose he said: “I imagine Miss Melton herself is not to blame. If she had taken a stand, said she would come, like you youngsters do when we advise otherwise, we wouldn’t have been disappointed in our dinner guest.”

Mrs. Carter felt a twinge of unpleasantness at her hus¬ band’s remarks, but knew what he had stated was true, espe¬ cially was this true of Hugh over whom they had very little jurisdiction.

Hugh kept perfectly silent in regard to the disappoint¬ ment, but nevertheless he was harboring many unpleasant feelings for without a doubt her parents were responsible for it all. However he had fully decided he had ample time dur¬ ing the rehearsals to hold an audience with her, and to this aim he lent all his energies regardless of the statement that had just fallen from his father’s lips.

Mr. Carter conducted a large department store, and his name in connection with the article of purchase was a guaranty of good quality, as he could boast of an up-to-date establish¬ ment and was recognized as the wealthiest resident of Yorkville.

He spent his entire time in his business interests, put his whole heart into his work, took pride in doing it well, and enjoyed the routine of a busy day at the store as well as most men do.

The fact he had been successful in his business pursuits would lead us to this conclusion, for it was business, first, last, and always with him.

Since he had heard Edith sing there were times he grew weary and shrank for a moment from the daily monotonous repetition of details, and looked forward to a quiet hour at home with his family, “Much as a desert traveler views from a distance the tall palm trees of an oasis under whose shade he hopes soon to sit and quench his thirst at the crystal spring. ’ ’

“These are mere daydreams/’ he would muse as he tried hard to banish them from his mind; but somehow that sweet voice he had heard sing had left a lasting impression upon him, and, try as he might, he couldn’t forget it.

True it was that Edith and Emily were both members of the Senior Class and their acquaintance was ripening into a deep warm friendship although wholly unlike were their home environments, and for this reason, the Meltons wished for some break between the friends to widen with the passing of the days. These were the early days of December and the Senior Class play was to be staged just a short time before the holi¬ days : all were busy studying their parts, as it promised to be the best of its kind the Senior Class had staged in many years.

Just why Hugh Carter and Edith Melton had been se¬ lected to play the leading roles in the play, was a mystery her parents could never solve — but, nevertheless, it happened thus — and to Hugh it strengthened hope, invigorated spirit, and helped develop a hidden character.

Hugh Carter was a young man of fine intellectual quali¬ ties, and possessed enough pep and push to make of himself something of the lasting quality if he would only apply him¬ self. Nevertheless he was not prone to wander in places where were to be found characters of estimable quality, and had you been influenced by him, you would have found yourself in questionable company and places.

The Meltons were aware of the character of young Carter and were not agreeably pleased that Edith had to be thrown in constant contact with him during these rehearsals.

It was unfortunate for the parents that Hugh had heard of their displeasure, as it only made matters worse for he redoubled all his efforts in order to accomplish his aim. Many sweet tender memories are clustered round these class plays, and in after years when we recall them they impart a sort of balm and quiet restful feeling that soothes like a sweet lullaby borne on the breezes as evening draws near and all is rest.

Especially is this true, when we recall some romance that had its beginning here. Heretofore Hugh had been a frequent caller at the Moore home, but now Grace was looking upon his actions of late with scorn and displeasure for fear all her pretty wiles and cunning devices she had used in spinning her web, hoping to entrap him as her victim, might end in utter failure.

Grace’s father was a gambler and her family in general possessed no stability of character and she was of that gauzy, butterfly nature whose sole aim was to vamp Hugh Carter, edge her way into the Carter family and thereby establish her¬ self in the aristocratic society of Yorkville.

Mr. Carter had been very much vexed with his son’s actions during the past few months and on this particular evening advised him of the fact; if he didn’t take into con¬ sideration the thought of remaining at home part of his evenings, lie saw no further need of his trying to get through school this year.

“Oh, Dad!” exclaimed Hugh; “don’t you know we are going to give our class play and that will take much of our time till the holidays; beside I forgot to make mention of the fact that after that time I have decided to apply myself and finish my high school education this year.

“Now, Mr. Carter, with your permission I will accom¬ pany your daughter to the rehearsal this evening.”

A smile of approval flitted across the father’s face as he nodded his consent and the program was carried out to the letter. After the children had taken their departure he spent a short time with his wife and the two younger children, J. Edgar and Mary Elizabeth, before returning to the store to look over some mail matter that had just come in. As his wife entered the room where he had been seated he said: “Who were you talking to over the phone?”

She answered: ‘ ‘ Grace Moore. ’ ’

‘ ‘ I suppose she wanted to talk with Hugh ? ’ ’

“Yes, and I am really glad he was away.”

“Well,” said Mr. Carter, “I do wish something would turn up that would put a stop to this fool boy of ours giving so much of his time to the frivolous and inconsistent Miss Moore and so little to actual business propositions. I tell you, wife, my patience is just about worn threadbare with him and I for one am ready to let him get out and hustle for himself, for it requires no small amount to supply his many demands. ’ ’ He arose abruptly, strode toward the hall, picked up his hat and was gone before his wife had time to say anything.