Columbia College - Columbian Yearbook (Columbia, SC)

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SPRING TIME I have seen the glorious splendor Of the autuinnls changing leaves: I have felt in many a woodland Summer's soft caressing breeze, l have seen the snowy crystals Falling, pure and dazzling white, But to me, of all the dearest Is sweet springtime, joyous, bright. VVhen I lie beneath the willows, By a sparkling, dancing stream, VVeaving loving, tender fancies Into happy, youthful dreams- VVhere the scent of woodland flowers, Floats upon the gentle breeze, And the world is filled with music From the tops of budding trees- Then my soul is lost in rapture, And each cool alluring grove, Filled with heart refreshing beauty, VVhispers of a FELthG1',-S love. - M . 90

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THE DOCTOR 'S S TOR Y N .ff T 'T P HE man who had just been talking leaned forward and r flecked the ashes from his cigar over the banisters, then 'Fitz settled back comfortably in his chair and watched the effect .2 i of his story on his companion. However, so far as he could --Ti. see in the dim twilight, there was no change ot expression on the other's face. He was a man who did not show his feelings-the doctor. Sometimes people said he had no feelings. Yet he was a man of .wide experience. He had served in many positions in his lite, from being a prison doctor at one time to practicing awhile in China and other heathen countries, not as a medical mis- sionary, however, but only to gain experience. The two men remained silent tor sometime. Across the sands in front of the hotel piazza the echo of merry voices came to them on the soft suminerbreeze. The continual, mighty roar of the surf niade solemn music in their ears. The night was perfect. They had been comrades in college, these two. They had not met since then until now, nearly thirty years later. The doctor's hair was snow-white, even though his face was still young. Time had not used the other so badly. He still appeared almost a young man. His lite, the story ot which he had just been relating. had been a very happy one. Atter leaving college. he had bought a ranch out West and had taken his girl-wife out there to make a honie l'or biin. She was still there, waiting 'tor hiin to come back l'roni a business trip, he had said. Oh. no. she was not alone. Three of the tinest boys in the world were with her: also waiting for the 1'eturn out him, their itather. lt was a. happy picture. The silent inan in the other chair reached out and grasped his old CO1lll'?lflC,S hand. There was no need 'l'or anything to he said. lt was an old college trick out theirs, and each understood. But, now, old boy, it's your tiine to tell a story, the younger inan insisted. l have no story to tell ol' niysell'. the doctor said siniply. You know what niy lite has been tor the most part-one experience after another, one country a l'ter another. My love story was short-and sweet. You know about that. Alec. It ended long ago-when the little mountain girl l loved sent ine out in the world to live 'tor us both--while she went back to her mountains ton- The other nian nodded and the doctor did not finish. But there is a story l will tell you it' you would like to hear it. he went on after a pause. The other nodded again. and. throwing his head back and gazing 'tar over the darkening sea. the doctor began. There was a girl, he said. not so pretty was she and rather sinall. yet the kind of a girl that made you l'eel her strength by the very lirst words she spoke: more than that, just by looking at you. lt was at one out those Sunnner C'onterences 91

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I must never use my voice. I must forget that I have one. Don't you see it is the only way? I know I will conquer myself after awhile, and I can be happy. I know I will. I can give up all things, even the whole world for my Iiordf her voice rang out triumphantly, then faltered, 'hut it is hard-right-now.' Honest, old man Alec, fl' don't think it is altogether unmanly to let the tears come sometimes. 'CAifter that 'I' traveled far and wide and saw many strange lands and men and women. At times the girlts face, as she looked when she said those last words. would come hack to me. I did not expect to ever see her again, however. Then, one day, years afterward, away out in the interior ot China, I happened in at a Christian service in a little chapel. I watched the two missionary ladies as they came in. I was suddenly struck hy something oddly familiar ahout one ol' them. I watched her, puzzled, throughout the service until they hegau to sing. Then I noticed an odd expression cross her face--a taint hut real repetition ol' an expression I had seen long ago on a girlish lace. It was no longer a look ol' real, pain, however, hut only a vague, unsatisfied longing. 'fAiliter service l went up and spoke to her. She recognized me at once and remembered our eonversation. 'fl have never ffzcitc contjuered,, she contessed. fhut I. will some day. l am very happy in my work and would not have it otherwise l'or anything. and it is just only wfien they sing,-she hroke oil? suddenly. IVe talked on other suhjects awhile, and then l lel't her. That afternoon l, was called into the very worst part ol' the city to visit a sick child. 'l'he hovel was indescrihahle, so da1'k and lilthy it was. 'l'he little hrown hahy was hurning with QliCVGl'. The 'frantic mother held her in her alms and would not let her go. I tried, hut it seemed l could do nothing I'or the child. She cried unceasingly. and l could not quiet either the hahy or the mother. l had almost lost hope aml was ahout to leave in despair. when suddenly my l'riend stepped in at the door. She seeined to know just what she was ahout. Soon she had duicted the mother, hut it seemed that even she could not calm the child. Suddenly a thought struck the missionary. She took the crying hahy in her arms. She tlashed me a strange look. almost trimphant it seemed to me. and then ,l realized what she w'as going to do. Yes. she sang! l shall never again hear notes so sweet. lt was a simple lullahy. sung in her own tongue: 'See th' shadows 'gin to creep. Shel yo' eyes and go lo sleepf f'She went on through the whole song. hut the very lirst notes seemed to allect the child. .X l'ew hroken sohs. and she lay quiet. listening. The song was linished. aml another. and still another was sung. l looked at the child. She slept. 'l'he poor mother crouched. dumhly thankl'ul. at the singer's ,l'eet. The missionaiy leaned toward me. her lace radiantly happy. 93