Bradford Academy - Chimes Yearbook (Haverhill, MA)

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NINETEEN THREE 93 The Decision of Fate. BY HELEN GOULIJ BROXVN. I-IE grand drawing-rooms of Mrs. Rush Errington were a blaze of light. This was the third Tuesday of the month, and she was 'fat home'l to her many friends. The rooms were beautifully decorated, with palms and Easter mics forming a screen behind which a German orchestra softly lingered over a dreamy waltz. Gorgeously dressed ladies stepped from their carriages and were announced by servants in livery. Gentlemen in evening dress gaily laughed and talked with each new arrival. As the last strains of the waltz ended, a gentleman's hearty laugh caused several to turn in his direction. Seated in an alcove with her head thrown back upon the upholstered chair, sat a young girl, and by her side a middle- aged gentleman. Evidently she had amused him by some unexpected remark, for he was still laughing, but her face was perfectly sober. f' No, she was saying, I am in earnest, Mr. Trask. I believe we are put in this world to accomplish something, not to drift, and yet it is so easy to float along. just think! I am twenty-four, and I have never done anything worthy of mention. Oh, do stop laughing! I can't be serious a moment with you. No, my dear, you can't, for I have been through this all before, the aspirations of youth when all seems possible, the doubts and shadows which follow, then pessimism, and at last sanity, when you stop trying to solve these great questions and accept things as they come-a blissfulindifference, you know. Pass from one stage to another, little girl, as quickly as possible, and finally arrive at the last. You 'll be happier there. Oh perhaps, but I hate to believe it-and there-I won't let myself think it is sol No, not another word! I will not admit that you are right. Why Miss Grace, what's this? exclaimed a voice from behind them. I have not intentionally been eavesdropping, but as I approached I could not help hearing the last few words.

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94 THE CHIIVIES Miss Armstrong has been trying to convert me, laughed Trask, and to make me believe that we all should have an aim in life, a goal to reach, you know. Funny conversation for a place of this kind, isn't it? Ah, there 's Mrs. Trask. You will excuse me? And thank you for our little chat. I-Ie bowed and leisurely joined a group of ladies in the rear of the room. t Raynor stepped forward and took the vacant place. What 1 at it again? he asked. Being serious again? Well, I thought better of you than this. What's up now?,' - Her face was flushed from excitement, but her eyes were earnest and thoughtful. He realized that she was in no trifling mood. I beg your pardon, Grace, I was careless. Will you excuse me? he asked. Yes, certainly, she responded, leaning forward and speaking in a low tone, and to show you that I trust you and believe in your powers of serious consideration I am going to tell you something. Listen l Far away in a distant country, among people of a foreign tongue, most of them strangers to us and to our country, where few white persons care to live, there I am going. Stop I I have not Hnished. There has come to me the realization of my worthless- ness, of flzeir great need. They, those to whom I am going, are suffering, even dying without hope of a future life. They are lepersf' Lepers E he exclaimed, ' Yes, lepers, she went on, you know the rest-the awful anguish, the poverty and the filth, and worst of all, they are friendless, isolated, outcasts. They have no hope of recovery here, and they go when death comes out into hopeless, eternal darkness. I have had this brought to my attention. I also have been told of the work I might do if I only would. Nothing that money could do would be wanting and, perhaps, if I really tried, help and strength would be given me to succeed in making these people less miserable. Wait! One word more. This is a secret between you and me, and because I knew you would keep it as such I have told you.'? Good heavens, Grace! What are you thinking of? he cried. You in such a place l Impossible I It shall not bel I refuse to let you. It is a preposterous idea! Why, think of what you are doing, think of your friends,