Bradford Academy - Chimes Yearbook (Haverhill, MA)

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NINETEEN THREE 95 your duty to them! But what nonsense-you are fooling, and I have taken you seriouslyf' You know I am not foolingg far from that, Raynor. There is no reason why I should not go. I have no parents, no one who needs me, and I am sure I could do something there. When I have talked about having a goal in view, a purpose in life, it has been an ideal, but now I see my way clear to make it a reality. I-ler eyes shone with enthusiasm, and as Raynor Waldo watched her he knew she was deeply sincere. But Grace, think! he pleaded, what it all means. I can hardly understand it yet myselff' Yes, that is the reason I told you it was to be a secret, because very few would understand. What do these people whose lives are bound up in society scandals and the latest fads know or care of the way people in foreign lands live and die? Many will condemn me and think I am a fanatic, or slightly unbalanced, perhaps, but what of that? I shall L. Yes, yes, broke in Raynor, but do you realize the dangers? There is one thing I shall insist upon-if you go, I go too. He rose and stepped to the window. It is raining. May I order the carriage and see you home? Yes, and at once, please. I did not realize it was getting so late. I will be ready in a moment. She hastily bade her hostess good-night and withdrew. For a few moments Grace and her escort drove on in silence. Only the pattering of the rain on the carriage roof or the splashing of the horses' hoofs disturbed the quiet. After a few seconds of thought Raynor turned toward her, and in a voice which was almost a command, he began, 'fGrace, I beg of you to stop and consider. If you finally insist upon going, then remember I shall go too, but I want you to fully realize what you are doing. Yes, Raynor, I do realize it all. Iam no longer a child, and I have weighed the whole matter carefully, but, she hesitated a moment and her voice trembled, I had not thought you cared as much-as much as this.

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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,

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96 THE CHIMES Oh, Grace ! You know I care-and yet that is not the word to use. I care so muoh I cannot begin to tell you how I feel about it, but my proof that I 'care,' as you call it, is that you shall never go alone. Give up the idea, Grace, and make me happy. Say you will. Her eyes filled with tears. No, we will talk no more of the matter tonight, but I am determined, and I must tell you now that you cannot think of going with me. It would be impossible for me to accomplish the work I am undertaking and yet be with you. Tlren, too, what would the world say? You must see it is quite impossible. I shall be gone three or four years, but when I come back, then if you still feel the same-perhaps-but here we are at the door. I am very tiredl Good-night, and I appreciate your kindness far more than you can realize. Good-night, he murmured, as he lifted her .fingers to his lips and kissed them. 'tGood-night, and may heaven guard you. The sun had just dropped down behind the topmost peak of the Molino mountain range. It was the twilight hour and the streets were deserted. Occasionally someone came out of a house and loitered about the door for a few minutes, but for the most part no signs of life were visible. The little town of Popayan was quiet after its day's Work. The heat of the noon-time was over and the earth was reviving in the evening shadows. The door of one of the low houses opened and a girl came out upon the veranda. Her dark hair caught for a second the last dying radiance of the sun, and her face, lighted by the reflection from the summer sky, was very beautiful. Seating herself on the steps, she leaned back against the pillar of the veranda and looked across at the wood-covered mountains opposite her. Her hands lay idly in her lap and her whole attitude showed complete fatigue. Three years ago tonight, she mused, I was leaving New York for South America. How far away that time seems. Three years! No, three hundred years. And yet tonight I can seem to hear their voices, see them and mingle with them as of old, the loved ones at home. They are rising from the table and gathering before the open tire, Uncle and Aunt and the children. Possibly