KATHERINE AND THE JUNIOR LEAGUE.
Soon after entering Hilton Seminary, Katherine was invited, as was
customary, to become a member of the "Junior League," a secret
club or society organized and sustained by the junior class. Its
object was twofold. First: improvement, to keep themselves
informed of and in touch with current events and literature; and,
second: sociability.
But it was hinted, now and then, by some of the more serious-
minded members, that "a rollicking good time" had more attractions
for the majority of its constituents than anything else.
Their meetings were held once a fortnight, when some member was
expected to read a paper on a subject previously selected by a
committee appointed for that purpose, after which a short time was
spent in a general discussion of the theme, then the remainder of
the evening was given over to social enjoyment; or, occasionally,
to "a spread," which is so dear to every boarding school girl's
heart.
Twice during the year the league formally entertained the faculty
and the "Senior League," a similar organization, which as often
returned these courtesies.
Katherine accepted the invitation with thanks, and at once threw
herself heartily into the methods employed to entertain the club,
particularly into the literary work, always carefully preparing
herself upon the subject to be discussed. But she soon found that
the main object of the organization was being perverted, the
topics being superficially written up and argued, except by a very
few. Less and less attention was being devoted to improvement and
more to a good time, together with much school gossip, until the
meetings were fast becoming a farce.
She deeply regretted this, and talked it over with some others as
earnest as herself, but without achieving any satisfactory
results. Upon one or two occasions she gave a thoughtfully
prepared synopsis of the subject, but these efforts were received
with shrugs, nudges and significant smiles and glances; and, while
no one was openly discourteous to her, it was evident that, with a
few exceptions, she was still regarded as a person to be shunned
even by her own club.
One evening, on making her appearance, she observed that there was
an unusual flutter among the wilder members of the league, and
that she at once became the object of their curious regard.
The exercises progressed as usual until the discussion was over,
when, as was the custom, the president called upon the chairman of
the literary committee to announce the topic and the name of the
member to treat it for the next meeting.
The chairman arose and said, while an ominous silence fell upon
the room:
"Miss Minturn has been appointed to give us a paper for our next
gathering, and the subject chosen is, 'Christian Science and Its
Transcendental Tendency.'"
An audible titter ran around the room as this announcement was
made, and every eye was fastened upon Katherine, who instantly
suspected the situation had been planned for the sole purpose of
making her uncomfortably conspicuous and bringing her beloved
Science before the club simply to be ridiculed.
She was naturally quick-tempered, though years of discipline had
taught her how to hold herself well in hand upon most occasions.
But now, for the moment, her whole soul arose in arms and was
ready to flash. forth in fiery indignation.
She flushed crimson and a dangerous gleam leaped into her usually
gentle eyes, while she trembled from head to foot.
"See! it has hit her in a tender spot!" whispered Ollie Grant to
Sadie Minot. "Look out, now, for a tempest from Miss Propriety!
Won't it be fun?"
But the unaccustomed emotion passed almost as quickly as it had
come. It was like the flash of summer heat that is followed by no
thunder. Her momentary resentment was bravely quelled, and, after
a brief denial of error, she arose to her feet, the flush still
hot on her cheeks, but a sunny smile parting her red lips and
chasing the temper from her eyes.
"Lady President and comrades," she began, bowing first to the
presiding officer, then to her companions, and there was not the
slightest evidence of anger in her sweetly modulated tones, "there
is nothing that I love more than Christian Science, and if I
thought you also were really interested in it, and I could,
consistently, give you some information regarding it, it would
give me great pleasure to do so. But you are not interested in it-
-you do not believe in it; many of you think it absurdly
transcendental, as your topic indicates. Thus you have nothing but
ridicule for it. So you can understand that what is very sacred to
me I could not discuss in such an antagonistic atmosphere.
Besides--"
"Oh, but we really do want to learn something about it," here
interposed Ollie Grant, as she gave Sadie a nudge with her elbow,
"and--and"--with mock demureness--"if we have wrong ideas about
it, why, you can perhaps set us right."
"I am sure it would be very interesting," Clara Follet observed,
with a sly wink at her nearest neighbor; "it is so--mysterious
and--creepy; like spiritualism, you know."
Katherine had seen both nudge and wink; but neither now had power
to move her to any feeling save that of compassion for the
thoughtless offenders.
"You are entirely mistaken, Miss Follet," she gently returned.
"Christian Science and spiritualism are as far removed from each
other as the Poles. But I repeat, I cannot give you a paper on the
subject you have assigned me."
"Do I understand, Miss Minturn, that you absolutely refuse to
respond to the appointment?" gravely inquired the president, while
whispered comments and an excited rustle were heard from various
parts of the room.
"Miss Walton, I must," said Katherine, firmly.
"Do you know the penalty of such a refusal?" the presiding officer
queried, while Katherine started and colored crimson as she
continued: "Any member of the league refusing to comply with an
appointment made by its committee is subject to expulsion."
"Provided there is no good reason for such a refusal, I believe
the by-law reads," here interposed a young lady who was beginning
to feel sorry for Katherine, for she knew that she was simply
being "made game of" by those who held her religious belief in
derision.
"Yes, certainly. If you can give a good and sufficient reason for
the stand you have taken, Miss Minturn, you will, of course, be
excused," the president supplemented, realizing there was
something in the atmosphere which she did not understand, as she
had no knowledge of the plot that had been concocted by the
mischief-loving element of the league.
"I think I have already given a good reason," Katherine observed,
with quiet dignity; "Christian Science is my religion, and I have
been asked to treat it as transcendentalism, and--I am inclined to
think--in a perverted sense of that term. Can I be expected to
hold my religion up for ridicule? I do not refuse the appointment
to write a paper; it is the subject that I decline."
"I claim that Miss Minturn's reason is 'good and sufficient,' and
I move that she be excused," said Miss Clark, the young lady who
had previously spoken in Katherine's behalf.
The excitement was increasing, and the president was obliged to
rap vigorously for order before she could make herself heard.
"Does anyone second Miss Clark's motion?" she inquired.
It was somewhat timidly seconded by a weak voice from one corner
of the room; but when put to vote the hands were three to one
against it.
Could it be possible, Katherine asked herself in sudden dismay,
that certain members of the league were taking this way to get rid
of her? Why, then, had they invited her to join it in the first
place?
"It seems, Miss Minturn, that you cannot be excused," Miss Walton
observed, with a deprecatory smile.
Katherine did not mean to be driven out of the club in such an
underhanded manner if she could avoid it; neither would she
violate her conscience.
"I shall be obliged to maintain my position, nevertheless," she
responded, after a moment of thought. Then she resumed, in a tone
of regret: "And since the league does not see fit to release me
because of my conscientious scruples, which, it seems to me,
should be an unquestionable motive, I will state that Prof.
Seabrook, who also does not favor my views, has enjoined me to
silence upon the subject while I am a student at Hilton."
"Comrades, that settles the matter without further action or
discussion," said the president, bringing her gavel down with an
imperative stroke; for this last announcement had created a breezy
flutter among the mischief-brewers, who had planned to have "great
sport" a fortnight hence.
"And now," observed Katherine, again rising and addressing the
chair with charming frankness, "I stand ready to prepare an
article upon any other subject which the committee may assign me."
"Is the committee ready with another topic?" the president
inquired.
That body conferred together for several minutes, after which the
chairman stated with ill-concealed mirth, which appeared to be
contagious, that a paper on "Transcendentalism" would be expected
from Miss Minturn a fortnight from that night.
As she sat down titters and giggles were audible in various parts
of the room, and Miss Walton's mallet again fell heavily upon the
table, while she looked both distressed and indignant.
Before she could speak, however, a tall, handsome girl sprang to
her feet and turned to her with blazing eyes.
"Lady President," she began, in a clear, ringing tone, "I rise to
express my disapproval of the proceedings of this business
meeting. While I am not at all in sympathy with the subject that
has been broached here this evening, I believe in fair play, and
that an insult offered to anyone because of her religious belief
should not for a moment be tolerated. I shall feel justified in
withdrawing from the league if such discourteous treatment is
continued. And"--glancing at Katherine--"I also wish to express my
admiration for Miss Minturn for so bravely standing by her colors.
She might have shielded herself behind Prof. Seabrook's injunction
in the first place and so settled the matter at once; but she made
it a question of conscience for a cause that she loves, and was
not afraid to say so. And now, I move that, if the last-named
topic is distasteful to her, she be allowed to choose one for
herself."
A profound hush had fallen upon the room during this spirited
speech, and at its close there was a vigorous applause from a few
of her listeners, showing something of a reaction of feeling in
favor of Katherine, who observed, however, with a pang at her
heart, that her roommate, Sadie, was not among the number.
"Is Miss Felton's motion seconded?" queried the president, with a
smile and nod of approval at that young lady.
Katherine, who had been doing some rapid thinking during the last
few minutes, was on her feet again before anyone could speak.
"Lady President, pray allow me to thank Miss Felton most heartily
for her kind espousal of my cause," she said, bestowing a luminous
smile upon her new friend, "but I would be very sorry to have any
unpleasantness arise in the league, and may I ask that no further
action be taken in the matter? I know that many people have a
mistaken idea of what Christian Science is, and regard it and its
adherents with feelings that are regretted when they become more
enlightened on the subject. And now"--a mirthful gleam in her
brown eyes--"let me add that I cheerfully accept the last-named
subject assigned me, and will do my best to elucidate it for the
benefit of the club at our next meeting."
As she concluded and sat down there was another round of applause,
more pronounced this time; while some of the ringleaders in the
mischief looked as if they felt that the tables were being turned
against themselves.
The president appeared immensely relieved to have what had
threatened to be a stormy scene so tactfully smoothed over, and,
as there was no further business to be transacted, she gave the
signal for formalities to cease and sociability to begin.
Katherine at once became the center of an admiring and condoling
group, whose attitude towards her had undergone a radical change
since the brave championship of Miss Felton, who was a power not
only in her own class but in the whole school.
Katherine greeted everyone graciously, but met all expressions of
sympathy and indignation with laughing protests, and as soon as
she could do so without appearing unappreciative, excused herself,
upon the plea that she must look over a lesson before the retiring
bell rang, and slipped away to her room.
It is not to be wondered at that a few bitter tears forced
themselves over her hot cheeks when she found herself alone, for
she had been sorely tried. The struggle with her momentary feeling
of indignation and a sense of personal injury had been severe,
while she had also been deeply hurt by Sadie's evident sympathy
with those who were in the plot against her.
But she resolutely set herself at work to conquer these emotions
and then vigorously attacked the unlearned lesson, after which she
retired, but not to sleep, for thought was busy with what had
occurred and with plans for the next league meeting.
Sadie did not put in an appearance until some time after the gas
had been turned off, when she silently undressed and crept into
bed, and, shortly after, Katherine fell asleep.
Some hours later she was suddenly awakened by what sounded like a
moan of pain.
She sat up in bed and listened; but, hearing nothing more, thought
she must have been mistaken, and was about to lie down again,
when, from beneath the covers of the bed, in the opposite corner
of the room, she was sure she heard her roommate groan.
"Sadie! what is the matter?" she inquired.
There was no verbal answer, but another moan smote upon her ears.
Katherine sprang out of bed and went to her.
"Sadie, tell me, what is the trouble?" she said, laying a gentle
hand upon her shoulder.
"Oh, I have a horrible toothache," she girl replied, adding: "I
did not mean to wake you, but the pain is simply unbearable," and,
throwing back the covers, she sat up and rocked to and fro in
agony.
"What can I do for you?" Katherine kindly inquired, while she
mentally declared that "God never made pain, nor man to suffer
pain."
"Oh, I don't know," was the helpless rejoinder. "I think there is
a bottle of oil of cloves somewhere in my upper drawer, if you
will find it for me."
Katherine lighted the candle, kept for emergencies, and searched
for the desired remedy amid the heterogeneous collection in the
drawer, but failed to find it. Then she looked in various other
places suggested by Sadie, with the same result, greatly to the
girl's disappointment.
"Oh, I remember--I lent it to Carrie Hill last week! What shall I
do?" wailed the sufferer in a voice of despair; for Miss Hill
roomed at the top of the opposite wing, and just at that moment
the clock in the tower of the building struck the hour of three.
She was now wrought up to a state of excessive nervous excitement,
and it looked as if there would be no more sleep for either of
them that night.
"Haven't you something--some camphor or salts, Katherine? I can't
stand this any longer," and Sadie was now sobbing from mingled
nervousness and suffering.
"No, dear. I never use anything of the kind," Katherine replied.
"Do you never put anything in a tooth when it aches?"
"No."
"Do you ever have the toothache?"
"I used to when I was a child; very seldom now."
"What do you do to stop it?" was the impatient query, accompanied
by a prolonged groan.
"Treat it mentally."
"Shucks!" and Miss Minot threw herself violently back upon her
pillows with an air of personal injury mingled with supreme
contempt, while Katherine kept on working for harmony in her own
thought.
"Katherine, I simply cannot stand this until morning," the girl
cried again, after a minute or two of forced endurance, as a fresh
paroxysm seized her.
"Shall I go to the matron and ask her for something for you?"
Katherine inquired.
"Oh, I don't know; it seems a shame to send you way down to her at
this unearthly hour. It is bad enough to keep you awake," said
Sadie, remorsefully.
"Never mind me, dear. I am willing to do anything you wish, and
I'm not afraid to go anywhere in the building," was the kind
response.
"Perhaps if I had some water to hold in my mouth it might relieve
me," Sadie suggested.
Katherine brought her a glass and she filled her mouth, but
expelled the water almost instantly, as the bare and sensitive
nerve rebelled against such radical treatment.
"Can't you do something?" she gasped, clutching her companion's
arm with a spasmodic grip.
"I'll go to Miss Williams, or some of the girls for--" Katherine
began.
"No, I can't bear to make a stir--oh, heavens! oh! treat me--your
way--anything--anything to stop this unbearable torture!" and
Sadie buried her face in her pillow to smother the moans she could
not repress.
"Indeed I will," said Katherine, with a heart-throb of
thankfulness for the appeal; and, dropping her face upon her
hands, she went to work with all her understanding for the
sufferer.
Ten minutes passed; then it seemed as if the intervals between the
moans grew longer. Another five minutes and she was sure that the
hand upon her arm was relaxing its convulsive grasp. Not long
after the restless form grew still, the hot hand on her arm
slipped down upon the bed, and when the clock in the tower struck
the half hour after three, the regular breathing of the girl told
of quiet and restful sleep.
But Katherine continued to work for several minutes longer, then
stole softly to her own couch, where she also was soon locked in
slumber, and neither awoke again until the rising bell rang its
imperative summons to the duties of a new day.
Katherine was nearly dressed before her roommate manifested any
inclination to rise. She looked bright and serene, however, and
there was no swelling or other evidence of the previous night's
broken rest and suffering.
"I believe I'm all right, honey," she thoughtfully observed, after
watching Katherine's operations in silence for a while.
"Of course you are," was the cheery response, with a happy heart-
throb at the old familiar form of address.
"That was a right smart rumpus, though," Sadie added, in her
Southern phraseology.
"The less said about it the better," was the brief reply.
"Why?"
"Because it is nothing now, and you neither need nor wish to live
it over."
"I reckon I don't. But, do you believe you cured me?"
"I know that I did not; but I also know that God healed you."
"But you did something."
"Yes--what I did was--well, you may call it prayer, if you like.
But I think we must not talk about it because of Prof. Seabrook's
command, which I am inclined to think I may have already broken in
the letter if not in the spirit," said Katherine, gravely.
"Well--I don't--know. It all seems very queer to me!" Sadie
observed, reflectively, as she slipped out of bed and began to
dress. "I wouldn't have believed I could feel so well this morning
though. I'm as fresh as a daisy, and my face isn't at all swollen.
I can't understand it. I'm inclined to think that--after all, the
ache just ached itself out and left of its own accord."
Katherine smiled faintly but did not pursue the subject.
"I'm downright obliged to you, Katherine, for being so kind and
patient with me in the night," the girl resumed, after a few
moments of silence; "and--honey," suddenly facing her and looking
her straight in the eyes, though her cheeks were crimson, "I feel
mighty mean over our tiff the other day, and--and about what
happened last night in the league."
"Never mind, Sadie--it is all past now--" Katherine began.
"But I shall mind; I'm going to eat the whole of my humble pie,"
interposed Sadie, between a laugh and a sob, "for I--I was in the
plot with the others. You see, I hadn't quite gotten over the
other affair, and--"
"But you have now, Sadie?" Katherine interrupted, "wistfully.
"How could I help it when you've been so perfectly sweet? Only I
want--"
"Well, then I'm happy!" cried Katherine, with a joyous laugh, "and
I'm not going to let you eat any more 'humble pie,' for--the North
and the South are reunited, and that cancels everything."
"Katherine, you are the dearest--" But Sadie's voice broke
suddenly, and to cover her emotion she bounded into the closet and
began a vigorous search for some needed article.
There were fair winds and cloudless skies after that, and nothing
more was heard from the defective tooth, which, later, was filled
and preserved for future usefulness.