isa-normaladvance-1903-00176

Description:	176THE NOEMAL ADVANCE.Mere Happenings.The robins were breaking their hearts with joyin the orchard trees beyond, those giddy robinsdrunk with the morning air. The spring sunshinefiltered through the maple trees and fell in gaysplotches over the smooth, grass-bordered path andworn steps of the old-fashioned porch where thered honeysuckles ran riot. As the robins sang thecoral blossoms swayed back and forth, reachingdown with a serious sauciness to caress the brownbraid of the girl who sat there. She was unconscious of it all—of the sunlight that discoveredgold in the clustering waves of hair mocking atthe demure part, of the shadows which fell, nowinto her eyes to add a deeper depth of gray, nowupon her lips, serious in spite of the roses there.She was not listening to the robins as she supported her rounded chin in the palms that fittedit so snugly. She was deaf and blind to the clamorous, extravagant spring, which rioted fromflower and tree and blossomed triumphantly in herface in open defiance of the older seasons in hereyes. She sat looking out beyond the spring to theland of lofty thoughts and serious ideals. It wasa vision of truth that she saw, a vision which hadnothing to do with the color of a rose or the lightsong of birds, and nothing to do at all with hiswords.She did not even look at him as he loungedagainst the post and twirled his straw hat impatiently on his finger. He knew it was springand he knew that the coral in the honeysuckleswhich waved above her was no deeper than thaton her lips. That was why he leaned forward andbroke a spray off half rudely.No, dont talk to me that way, the fingersdoubled into the palms and the mouth closed in astern, red line, there is so much more in life thanmere happiness. She looked steadily over thehills where the clouds were weaving fantasticshapes of soft white billows.What ? He straightened a little and lookedsteadily at her.She did not answer for a moment—not until theslight shade of annoyance passed from her faceand then—0 lots of things! Study and work, and,—and,—lots of things. One has no right to quiteverything just to be happy when there arc somany who are not and when there is so much to bedone, and,—well, one oughnt to be.I cant see how that will help matters, besideswhat has that to do with you and me ?She still watched the clouds and he leaned backagain and looked at her while a fresh breeze camefrom the orchard and the honeysuckles brushedher hair.Teddy, girl, there was a gentle, earnest notein his voice now that caused the palms to fall fromthe chin which turned to him, dont let foolishwhims spoil you. They dont care for you, allthose people you want to help, and I do. I needyou awfully, little girl, I need you to help memake my life. Cant you find it in your heart todoit?She threw back her head and laughed as sheclasped her hands about her knees—You foolish, jealous boy! Of course theywont spoil me and of course you arc forever andalways my very best chum.Yes I know—thats not quite it. He rose andshook himself—I guess this is good by—youll begone when I come back again. Four years is along time, little girl. I suspect youll be quite anelegant lady, then. He patted the part in herhair and lifted her long braid, and this will be inpuffs and all sorts of things. Well, dont forgetyour old chum,—and good-by.She walked down the path to the gate, where sheshook hands simply and watched him swing downthe shady street.There were lofty hopes pictured in her face asshe walked slowly back to the porch. She lingeredthere a moment then entered the quiet little study,which she seemed to almost fill with her strengthand young life. She flung her arms protectinglyaround the stooped shoulders of the old men who
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/33990
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

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