by Nell Speed
CHAPTER I.--WELLINGTON AGAIN.
"Wellington! Wellington!"
Molly waked from her reverie with a start. It seemed only yesterday thatshe was coming to Wellington for the first time, "a greeny fromGreenville, Green County," as she had been scornfully designated by asuperior sophomore. She could vividly recall her arrival, a poor, tired,timid little girl in a shabby brown dress, with soot on her face andseemingly not a friend on earth. She smiled when she thought of how manyfriends she had made that first day, friends who had really stuck. Firstof all there had been dear old Nance Oldham; then Mary Stewart, who hadtaken her under her wing and looked after her like a veritable anxioushen-mother during the whole of her freshman year; then the vivid,scintillating Julia Kean, her own Judy; then Professor Green, whocertainly had proved a friend. On looking back, it seemed that every onewith whom she had come in contact on that day had done something nicefor her and tried to help her. Mother had always told her that friendswere already made for persons who really wanted them, made and readywith hands outstretched, and all you had to do was reach out and findyour friend.
Now, as before, the trainload of girls piled out at the pretty, trimlittle station, and there was dear old Mr. Murphy ready to look afterthe baggage, no easy job, as he declared, there being as many differentkinds of trunks as there were young ladies. Molly shook his hand warmly,for, after all, he was really the very first friend she had made atWellington. Her trunk being shabby had had no effect on his manner toher as a Freshman, but he noticed now that she had a new one andremarked on its elegance.
"I simply had to have a new one, Mr. Murphy, 'the good old wagon donebroke down.' It was old when I started in at Wellington, and four roundtrips have done for it."
Next to Molly's big new trunk,--and this time it was a big one, as shehad some new clothes and enough of them for about the first time in herlife, and had bought a trunk with plenty of trays so as to pack themproperly,--and snuggled up close to it as though for protection, was thestrangest little trunk Molly had ever seen: calf-skin with the hair onit, spotted red and white, a little moth eaten in spots, with wroughtiron hinges and a lock of great strength but of a simple, finedesign--oak leaves with the key hole shaped like an acorn. A rope wastied tightly around it, reminding Molly of a halter dragging the poorlittle calf to slaughter.
"Well, well, I haven't seen such a trunk as this since I left the ouldcounthry," said the baggage master, putting his hand fondly on thestrange-looking trunk. "I'll bet the owner of this, Miss Molly, willhave many a knock from some of the high-falutin' young ladies ofWellington. They haven't seen it yet, because it is hiding behind yourgrand new big one. I pray the Blessed Virgin that the poor little maidwill find a strong friend to get behind and to look after her."
Molly smiled at the old man's imagery, and thought, "What a race theIrish are! I am glad I have some of their blood."
She turned at the sound of laughter and saw coming toward her as strangea figure as Wellington Station had ever sheltered, she was sure. A tallgirl of about twenty years was approaching, dressed in a stiff bluehomespun dress with a very wide gathered skirt and a tight basque (aboutthe fashion of the early eighties), and a cheap sailor hat. In her handshe carried a bundle done up in a large, flowered, knotted handkerchief.Her hair was black and straight and coming down, but when your eyes oncegot to her face her clothes paled into insignificance, and Molly, forone, never gave them another thought. Imagine the oval of a HolbeinMadonna; a clear olive skin; hazel eyes wide and dreamy; a broad lowforehead with strongly marked brows; a nose of unusual beauty (there areso few beautiful noses in real life); and a determined mouth with a "door die" expression. She came down the platform, head well up and an easyswinging walk, no more regarding the amused titter of the crowd ofgirls, separating to let her pass, than a St. Bernard dog would havenoticed the yap of some toy poodles. On espying her trunk--of course itwas hers, the little hair trunk with the wrought iron hinges andlock--she quickened her gait, as though to meet a friend, stooped over,picked it up, and swung it to her broad fine shoulder, more as though ithad been a kitten than a calf. Turning to the astonished Molly, she saidin a voice so sweet and full that it suggested the low notes of a'cello, "Kin you'uns tell me'uns whar--no, no, I mean--can you tell mewhere I can find the president?"
"Indeed, I can," answered Molly. "I am going to see her myself just assoon as I get settled in my quarters in the Quadrangle, and if you willtell me where you are to be I will take you to your room and then comefor you to go and see President Walker. Mr. Murphy, the baggage master,will attend to your trunk. You will see to this young lady's trunk soon,won't you, Mr. Murphy?"
"The Saints be praised for answering the prayers of an ould man in sucha hurry! Of course I will, Miss Molly; and where shall I be aftersinding the little trunk, miss?"
"I don't know until I see the president. I think I'll just keep my boxwith me. I can carry it myself. 'Tain't much to tote."
"Oh, no, I wouldn't do that," said Molly, hardly able to keep back thelaugh that she was afraid would come bubbling out in spite of her. "Itell you what you do: let Mr. Murphy keep your trunk until you find outwhere your room is to be, and in the meantime you come to my place; thenas soon as you are located we can 'phone for it." The girl looked at hernew-found friend with eyes for all the world like a trusting collie's,and silently followed her to the 'bus.
"My name is Molly Brown, of Kentucky. Please tell me yours."
"Kaintucky? Oh, I might have known it. I am Melissa Hathaway, and ampleased to make your acquaintance, Molly Brown of Kaintucky. I come fromnear Catlettsburg, Kaintucky, myself."
"Well, we are from the same state and must be friends, mustn't we?"
There were many curious glances cast at Molly's new friend, but thegiggling at her strange clothes had stopped and the spell of hercountenance had in a measure taken hold of the girls. Molly spoke tomany friends, but she missed her intimates and wondered where Nance was,and if any of the others were coming back for the postgraduate course.At the thought of Nance she smiled, knowing just how she would take herbefriending this mountain girl. She would be cold at first and perhaps abit scornful in her ladylike way, and end by being as good as gold toher, and perhaps even making her some proper clothes.
The door at No. 5 Quadrangle was ajar and Molly could see Nance flittingback and forth getting things to rights. What a busy soul she was andhow good it was to know she was already there! The girls were soonlocked in each other's arms, so overjoyed to be together again thatMolly for a moment forgot her guest; and Nance did not see her as shestood in the doorway, a silent witness to the enthusiastic meeting ofthe chums.
"Oh, Melissa, what am I thinking of, leaving you standing there so long?You must excuse me. Nance Oldham and I always behave this way when weget back in the fall; and now I want to introduce you two. Miss Oldham,this is my new friend, Miss Hathaway, also of Kentucky."
Nance shook hands with the quaint-looking new friend and awaited anexplanation, which she knew would be forthcoming from Molly as soon asshe could get a chance. Melissa was quiet and composed, taking ineverything in the room. Her eyes lingered hungrily on the books thatNance had already arranged on the shelves, and then rested in a kind oftrance on the pictures that Nance had unpacked and hung.
"Nance, I have some biscuit and fudge in my grip, if you could scare upsome tea. I am awfully hungry, and I fancy Miss Hathaway could eat alittle something before we go to look up the president. She does notknow where her room is to be, and I asked her to come with us until sheis located."
"You are very kind to me, and your treating me so well makes me feel asthough I were back in the mountains. We-uns--I mean we always try to begood to strangers, back where I come from."
Nance was drawn to the girl as Molly had been.
"She knows how to sit still, and waits until she has something to saybefore she says anything," thought the analytical Nance. "I believe I amgoing to like Molly's 'lame duck' this time; and, goodness me, howbeautiful she is!"
Melissa was glad to get her tea, having been in a day coach all nightwith nothing but a cold lunch to keep body and soul together until shegot to Wellington. Nance noticed that she knew how to hold her cupproperly and ate like a lady; her English, too, was good as a rule, withoccasional lapses into the mountain vernacular. The girls were curiousabout her, but did not like to question her, and she said nothing aboutherself.
Tea over, they went to call on the president, leaving Nance to go onwith her "feminine touches," as Judy used to call her arrangements.
Miss Walker was very glad to see Molly, kissing her fondly and callingher "Molly." "It is good, indeed, to have you back. Every Wellingtongirl who comes back for the postgraduate course gives me a complimentbetter than a gift of jewels. And this is Miss Melissa Hathaway? I havebeen expecting you, and to think that you should have fallen to the careof Molly Brown on your very first day at college! You are to becongratulated, Miss Hathaway. Molly Brown's friendship keeps one fromall harm, like the kiss of a good fairy on one's brow. Molly, if youwill excuse me, I shall take Miss Hathaway into my office first and havea talk with her and shall see you later."
Molly was blushing with pleasure over the praise from Prexy, and wasglad to sit in the quiet room awaiting her turn.
Melissa was closeted for some time with the president, and in themeantime the waiting-room began to fill with students, some of themnewcomers tremblingly awaiting the ordeal of an interview with theaugust head of Wellington; others, like Molly, looking forward withpleasure to a chat with an old friend. Melissa came back alone with amessage for Molly to come in to Miss Walker, and told her that she wasto wait, as the president wished Molly to show the stranger her room.
"Molly Brown, how did you happen to be the one to look after this girl?It seems providential."
"Well, Mr. Murphy attributes it to himself, and declares it is thedirect answer to his prayers," laughed Molly, and told Miss Walker ofthe little calf trunk and the old baggage master's sentimentality aboutit.
"I am going to read you part of a letter concerning Melissa Hathaway,and that will explain her and her being at Wellington better than anywords of mine. This letter is from an old graduate, a splendid woman whohas for years been doing a kind of social settlement work in themountains of Virginia and Kentucky.
"'I am sending you the first ripe fruit from the orchard that I planted at least ten years ago in this mountain soil. You must not think it is a century plant I am tending. I gather flowers every day that fully repay me for my labor here, but, alas, flowers do not always come to fruit. Melissa Hathaway is without doubt one of the most remarkable young women I have ever known, and has repaid me for the infinite pains I have taken with her, and will repay every one by being a success. She comes from surroundings that the people of cities could hardly dream of, in spite of the slums that are, of course, worse because of their crowded condition and lack of air. But in these mountain cabins you find a desolation and ignorance that is appalling, but at the same time a rectitude and intelligence that astonish you; and unbounded hospitality.
"'A generation ago the Hathaways were rather well-to-do, for the mountains; that is, they owned a cow and some hogs and chickens and did not sleep in the kitchen, but had a second room and some twenty beautiful home-made quilts. A feud wiped almost the whole family off the face of the earth. Melissa's father, grandfather and three uncles were killed in a raid by their mortal enemies, the Sydneys, and the grandmother and Melissa were the only ones left to tell the tale. (Her young mother died in giving birth to Melissa.) Melissa was eight years old at the time of the wholesale tragedy, which occurred a few days before I came here to take up my life work. I went to old Mrs. Hathaway's cabin as soon as I could make my way across the mountain. The old woman received me with dignity and reserve, but some suspicion. I asked her to let Melissa come to school. She was rather eager for her to learn, since she was nothing but a miserable girl. She was bitter on the subject of Melissa's sex. "Ter think of my bringing forth man-child after man-child, and here in my old age not a thing but this puny little gal ter look to, ter shoot down those dogs of Sydneys!"
"'This child of eight (Melissa is now eighteen, but looks older), came to school every day rain or shine, walking three miles over the worst trail you have ever imagined. Her eagerness for knowledge was something pathetic. I realized from the beginning that she had a very remarkable intellect and gave her every chance for cultivation and preparation for college, determined that my Alma Mater should have the final hand in her education if it could be managed. And now, managed it is by a scholarship presented to my now flourishing school by the Mountain Educational Association. I am sorry her clothes are not quite what my beautiful Melissa should have, but she would not accept a penny for clothes from any of the funds that I sometimes have at my disposal. "Money for my education is different," she said. "I mean to bring all of that back to the mountains and give it to my people, but I cannot let any one spend money on clothes for me. They would burn my back unless I earned them myself." She was that way from the time she first came to me. I remember she had a green skirt and an old black basque of her grandmother's, belted in on her slim little figure. I wanted all of my pupils to have a change of clothing, as from the first I was trying to teach cleanliness and hygiene along with the three R's. I asked the children one day to let me know if they had two of everything. Melissa stood up and proudly raised her hand. "Please, Miss Teacher, we'uns is got two dresses; one ain't got no waist and one ain't got no skirt, but they is two dresses."
"'I know that my dear Miss Walker will do her best to place my girl where she can make some friends and not get too homesick for her mountains. I wish she had clothes more like other people, but, since she is what she is, I fancy the clothes in the long run will not make much difference.'
"That is all of interest to you," concluded Miss Walker. "Miss Hathawayis, to say the least, a very remarkable young woman. Her entranceexamination was unconditioned. And now to get her into a suitable room!I had expected to put her in one over the postoffice, but she would beso isolated there. I wish she could have the singleton near you in theQuadrangle. I, too, have some funds at my disposal that would enable meto give her one of these more expensive rooms, but do you think shewould accept it?"
Molly, rather amused at being asked by Prexy herself to decide what todo with this proud girl, smilingly answered, "I am proud myself, butlots of things have been done for me without my knowing about it, andwhen I do find out I am not hurt but pleased to feel that my friendswant to help me. I can't remember being insulted yet."
"Well, my child, if I have your sanction about a little mild deceit, Ithink I'll put Miss Hathaway in the singleton near you. I believe she isgoing to be a credit to Wellington. Kentucky has been good to us,indeed."
"I'll do all I can to help Melissa," said Molly, her eyes still mistyover the letter concerning the childhood of the mountain girl. "Sheinterests me deeply."
Then Molly and Miss Walker plunged into a talk about what Molly was tostudy. English Literature and Composition were of course the big things,but she was also anxious to take up some special work in DomesticScience, a new and very complete equipment having been recentlyinstalled at Wellington and a highly recommended teacher, a graduatefrom the Boston school, being in charge.
"Miss Hathaway is to do work on that line, too, and I fancy you will beput into the same division. She is preparing herself to help hermountain people, and I think they need domestic science even more thanthey do higher mathematics."
Molly escorted Melissa to her small room in the Quadrangle, where shewas duly and gratefully installed. Her shyness was passing off withNance and Molly, and now they noticed that she never made the slips intothe mountain vernacular. But on meeting strangers, or when embarrassedin any way, she would unconsciously drop into it, and then become moreembarrassed. She never let herself off, but always bit her lip andquickly repeated her remark in the proper En
glish.
"She is really almost as foreign as little Otoyo Sen," said Nance.