Commerce High School - Commerce Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

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“All right, Mabel,” came from the throats of all girls, as they entered the examination room, and in a short time they were busily at work. All know what quiet resigns when examination is being held. The clock ticked the minutes off one by one. Once in a while a sigh was heard, for the test was very hard. Many of the girls sat and pondered over this question and that, and finally despaired of ever getting through. Two hours passed, and the girls were still working, some to recall what they really had learned, others trying to remember what they knew must have been given on the subject. Finally some of the weaker scholars, as is usually the case, handed in their papers; all the others followed, until only Mabel and Lucy were left, still at work. “You are my two rivals,” said the teacher in a pleasant way. Mabel was puzzling over the last question, and at last, with a victorious smile and a sigh, she finished the test, handed in her paper, and left the room. Then Lucy raised her head from her paper, and, seeing that the teacher was busy, cautiously threw a slip of paper upon Mabel Griggs' desk. “Still at work, Lucy? asked the teacher. “No, I am through,” answered the girl as with a beating heart, and a guilty blush stealing over her face she handed in her paper and left the room. “I wonder if he saw me,” thought Lucy nervously, as she went off to her room. “Mabel, you’re wanted at the office,” said her roommate, when she entered the room, two days after the examination. “I suppose to tell me that I failed,” answered Mabel, in a care-free way. She left the room happy and cheery, but wondering why she should receive a summons to the office. Generally the office of Hollow Dale College was a bright, cheery room, through whose windows one beheld a lovely scene. The small lake, now frozen, lay in the distance, the trees of the ground were laden with silver icicles and crystals of diamonds, the wide winding path led up from the road to the main building of the school, and beyond this the distant churchspire rose from the nearby town. The tinkle of merry sleighbells was heard at intervals. Inside it was cheery and comfortable and the principal’s broad, bright smile was a welcome to many a homesick girl. But upon this day when Mabel was called to the office, all was dark and dreary. No sleighbells were heard from the distance. No faint rays of winter sunshine crept in through the windows. A cloud hung over the skies, ready to burst into a heavy snow storm. Mabel’s heart sank within her when she opened the door of the office and perceived that in place of a smile of welcome a grave look covered Dr. Thompson’s face. At her entrance the principal, with a stern though sympathetic voice, said: “Miss Griggs, you doubtless know why you were called here this 107

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3 £uiltp Conscience “T WONDER why Lucy Barrows always walks away whenever I attempt X to meet her, said a winsome girl to a group of college friends who were standing on the campus of the school. The girls made a pretty picture with the early morning sunshine lighting up their bright faces and showing them the embodiment of happiness. But at the mention of Lucy Barrows a cloud seemed to shadow their joy. The girls were perhaps no better than others, but they had prided themselves on the sociability of their college, and especially of their class. But for months Lucy had baffled all their efforts of friendliness, hence this shadow. “Don't all answer at once, continued the speaker, looking around at the girls. “I don’t know,” replied a tall, slender girl, with a characteristic shrug of the shoulders, “but never mind, Mabel, you are all right. Mabel Griggs was dissatisfied with this answer, but while she wrinkled her brow thoughtfully she did not pursue the topic. And as if to dispel the gloom, one of the girls changed the subject. Soon a bell was heard ringing, and the girls scattered to their respective classes. All apparently forgot the incident of Lucy's marked discourtesy. Lucy Barrows was a bright scholar, but as we have seen not very popular among the girls of the schools. This was partly on account of her selfish habits and jealous traits, and partly the result of Lucy’s own choice. One day, shortly after this discussion, the girls gathered on the campus and dressed Mabel as their snow-queen. They were laughing and shouting and evidently having a good time. Their shouts attracted the attention of Lucy Barrows, who viewed the scene from the window, and their display of love for Mabel redoubled Lucy’s obvious hatred for her. I don’t know what people see so attractive about that girl, Lucy muttered, and deep in her heart she treasured a feeling of resentment against the world. Lucy was really a pretty girl, but at this instant her face was disfigured with hate. “Examination day is coming and perhaps they will change their minds,” said she with a knowing shake of the head, and with a sneering, malignant smile she turned from the window. A week later, groups of girls, with thoughtful faces were seen going towards a large room at the farther end of Brown Hall, where examinations were usually held. “Wish I had studied my lessons,” said one girl in a regretful voice. “I am positive that I shall fail, said another, with a forlorn shake of the head. “If you think fail, you will fail, but if you don’t think so, you won’t fail,” answered our friend Mabel, who was making sunshine everywhere with her bright, cheery smile and hopeful voice. 106

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morning? I cannot believe that you would ever be involved in an affair such as this.” Mabel stood bewildered, not knowing what to think nor what to say. What could the principal be talking about? Surely there was some misunderstanding. “I do not understand you. Dr. Thompson; please explain yourself,” said Mabel, who, however, was pale and trembling, thus seemingly proving herself guilty of, she knew not what offense. The teacher, whom Mabel had not seen heretofore on account of the gloom, now stepped forth and proceeded to tell the astonished girl of a suspicion against her. “A small slip of paper containing the answers to the test, and various text book notes was found on your desk,” said the teacher. “I cannot think that you would make use of unfair means, but the evidence seems to say that you are guilty.” ‘‘Why, I don’t know a thing about this,” cried Mabel, and she stood gazing at her two judges with a bewildered countenance. ‘‘We will further investigate the subject,” said the principal, “but you know the rules of the school, so please hold yourself ready for leaving. A paper found on your desk indicates outside help in examination.” “How did that paper get there?” wondered Mabel. Then she drew a dismal picture of the result. To be sent home in disgrace! What would mother, and Tom, and Jack, and father say? She might be expelled from the school where her mother had graduated, the school they both loved and honored. These thoughts flew through Mabel’s head later, as she gathered her belongings together. With every article she packed, a fresh outburst of tears came. Finally exhausted, she stopped her packing, threw herself on her bed, and cried herself to sleep. Meanwhile Lucy Barrows was in misery. She regretted her deed, but was afraid to confess for fear of being expelled. “Dear Lucy, whatever you do, always be true to yourself and to others,” ran incessantly through her head. Those were the last words her dear mother had said to her before she departed from this earth. “Yes, dear mother, I will go and confess this act,” sobbed Lucy. Whereupon she arose and went with a beating heart before the principal. Lucy confessed the whole, miserable affair, in a sobbing voice, and he, good mar., pitied this motherless girl and forgave her. Mabel was then called in, and Dr. Thompson related the whole affair to her. “None of the girls like me, and all seemed so fond of Mabel, so I was jealous,” sobbed Lucy. When Mabel glanced at the sobbing, penitent girl, the hatred which had at first risen on hearing the story all fled, and instead a rush of love surged into her heart. She took the limp girl into her arms and forgave her. 108