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Show THE GREATEST ' By AGNES G. BROGAN K Copyright, IM, Wtrn Ntwpapr Union. The town of Byron had always been proud of. its talent. Two noted authors au-thors and one famous singer came out of Byron. It was proud of Its continued Byron ancestry; here greatgrandsons now lived In the same old stone houses of their fathers. So In conversation one might hear: "Lucy Is very like her grandmother at that age," or "William will never be the man his grandfather was.". Again, Byron gave promise of send--ing to the world two gifted members. Everyone knew that Phyllis Benson would have a musical daughter. Phyllis Phyl-lis herself had been their exhibit at the piano. Now the girl, grown to young womanhood, was going away to study. "Not yet abroad," Phyllis' mother explained ; "she will try first the best teachers In Boston." Close following Phyllis, In time, was Mattie Mathers' daughter. Mattie's daughter Uwendolln could sing benu-tifully. benu-tifully. No church social or school entertainment en-tertainment was complete without (iwendolin on the program. "But," Mrs. Mnthers explained, "we did not consider Gwen's voice seriously seri-ously until the glee club director of her college Insisted that she have th best possible training. We ore sending send-ing her In to the city to learn first from him." Mrs. Benson and Mrs. Mathers basked In a fume almost won. Then came another gratification. Nancy Leslie's daughter Linnet evinced promise as a writer. Byron-Ites Byron-Ites recalled that Linnet had written more or less for various town publications. publica-tions. Her stories In the school ninga-ilne ninga-ilne were commended, her poems recited re-cited from the school stage. But that a story of Linnet's had now actually appeared in a magazine gave certain proof of her calling. Already, In her mother's eyes, Linnet wore the laurels of the town's two famous authors. "Now, how," asked Linnet, "do you ever suppose I happened to hit that editor Just right?" "There was no happening about It," her mother Indignantly replied. "You have talent like your Uncle Sidney. I shall send you to the city at once, where you may touch elbows with writers, and learn of them. Your Uncle Sidney is a newspaper man, and may be able to direct you." "Oh, mother." said Linnet wistfully, "If you only knew how happy I am," she smiled "In poverty and obscurity, you would never send me away." But Linnet went to the city, and after a time a paper came to Byron. It had a pretty little story, with Linnet Lin-net Leslie's name beneath It. The newspaper was Uncle Sidney's. When the three girls came home for a vacation week, they were feted and exhibited socially. Linnet was pale and thinner; her mother Importantly explained that she had been working too hard ot her profession. Soon after, the Byron paper reported that MIrs Phyllis Benson would be obliged to discontinue for soilie time her musical studies. She had suffered a breakdown break-down under the strain of many recitals. reci-tals. Gwendolln Mathers, unfortunately, had been called home because of her mother's frail health, and would not therefore take her anticipated journey abroad. So Byron was privileged to enjoy Its own celebrities in recitals given at home. The new principal of Byron Hill school helped much In the Inspiration of these entertainments. He wns young, single and good looking. look-ing. Moreover, he was said to be at work. In the Feclmdon of Byron, upon some wise treatise for publication. Then, suddenly and peacefully, Nancy Leslie died. It was difficult for the neighbors to realize the sad fact. Why, only yesterday idie had read to them an encouraging letter from Linnet. Lin-net. Linnet, she said, had sent her twenty-five dollars. "She must make a good deal with her sterles," the mother had said, "to spare me so much." Ihe Kiri was quiet and very brave when rhe was summoned home they and expected that. "You w III ko hack to the city of course," they said. "I am not coln back," she told them gently, "because there Is no use. I bad no talent whatever In writing t'nele Kiitaey tried to help me all of them. It was not In me. I could not disappoint mother by telling her Just then. I have been working In an office," of-fice," added Linnet, She urnlled appealing, ap-pealing, begging their pardon for falling. "I never will be great In nny way," Rhe deplored. From the nhudows of the room a man came and took her hand. It wua the Reboot principal. "MIhs Leslie." lie paid, his kind eyei upon her, "greatness lies in character and strength In truth. So you are great Indeed this day. We are going to be friends, you and I," be added warmly. And Unnet knew that t Ills wag to he true. |
