isa-normaladvance-1903-00064

Description:	64THE NORMAL ADVANCE.books, papers and pencil a vigorous push acrossthe table, and jumped from his chair. He hesitated a minute, looked about, seemingly fearingthat some one had stolen a glance at the samesweet face, but he was entirely alone.I suppose I am making a fool of myself, for Icame down here this time to be interested in nothing but civil engineering, and he shook his headdespondently.Bob was a tall, slender, keen-eyed man. Everyfeature displayed a strong determination. But afirst impression of sternness would be lessened bya glance into his deep brown eyes, which told ofthe big heart that found expression there. He certainly looked the picture of manly perfection ashe strode away this afternoon.When he was nearing his destination, he suddenly remembered that in all the eight blocks hehad walked he had not really recognized a singleperson, so occupied had his mind been. Bob halfunconsciously turned into a large, white house,and, stepping up to the door, he rang the bellwhich was soon answered by Alice herself.And Mr. Wilson, it is you! It does seem goodto see you back again after this whole year awayfrom Terre Haute. No, Im not going to let youtake off your overcoat, she said with a sweetsmile, as he started to the hall-tree. I havesomething for you to do. She glanced hurriedlyat the clock, Yes, it is time I was started now, soIll relate my story on the way.When they were outside the gate, she beganwith, Yes, I know you will be surprised, but Ihave fallen in love with the mission work.That mission work is certainly to be en ,but she stopped him.I do wish you wouldnt interrupt my story.And now I go down every Sunday afternoon andone evening during the week. The first time Iwent with Miss Fairfield,—oh, and I want you tomeet her, she is a dear—through curiosity.But to my surprise^ I found something wonderfully fascinating in the work from the beginning.Those poor people do appreciate what is done forthem, and it certainly does make one happy to feelthat they can do a little good in the world. Andhere we are, as she halted before an old storebuilding with frosted window glass.Bob looked from the bottom to the top. Isthis where your Sunday school is to be held.He had not thought of a church in which Alicewere interested being held in such a dingy looking place as this. If Bob had been questioned atfirst as to whether he really wanted to go, hewould had confessed that he cared nothing for themission, but would willingly go anywhere for thesake of being with Alice. But the more he heardabout the mission, the greater his curiosity grew and now that he found it was to be held here hewas very anxious to see the people that attended.When they entered the room, it was still vacantbut for the janitress, who was busily putting thechairs in order. She was a stooped, care-wornwoman of about forty-five. Her dingy face wascovered with deep lines, and she wore a plainblack dress which was sadly ill-fitting though perfectly clean. At the sight of Alice her facelighted up, and she came forward with her harsh,rough hand outstretched to clasp the girls as shesaid, Glad to see you Miss Alice. But we canalways look for yolu Sundays, rain or shine.Mrs. Murphey, this is Mr. Wilson. But Mr.Wilson received that rough looking hand a littlereluctantly, and soon wondered more than everhow Alice had been able to grip it with such cordiality.Just then the first member of the Sunday schoolarrived in the form of a little girl of about nine,who bashfully edged her way through the halfopen door, and when she noticed the three grownpeople, stood twisting from right to left withdowncast eyes, while her color gradually deepened.Bob was a!t first struck with the comical appearance of the figure before him. She was clad inall her Sunday toggery of which she was painfully conscious and duly proud.This young representative of the Hobbs household wore a straw sailor turned brown with ageand ornamented with a single straight red tip infront and a band of green ribbon around thecrown. From under the narrow brim two shorttightly plaited braids stuck in opposite directions
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/33813
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

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