Ruth

To Thine|Own Self be True By Ruth Savage Hilton

Verlene Taylor's frank, grey eyes were gleaming with new hope, and the positive mouth was screwed up to a determined pucker, as she seated herself in the rear of an almost empty street car. Slowly they moved down Spring street. It was a rainy afternoon, the gloom of which made the traveler wish she were home. She felt a vague pleasure on finding the car so nearly vacant. Tired of crowds and hurry, she wanted to talk to Verlene; that was Verlene's way, she always smoothed out the wrinkles of those early schooldays by deliberately putting the question up to Miss Taylor. And now for the problem. Slowly unrolling a newspaper, she read:

— "Wanted A competent English teacher to instruct boy of 12 years. Periods one hour three times weekly. Good pay. Efficient work expected. Call 1248 Budlong Avenue."

"0, I wish I could get it," she ventured half aloud. — — "Could you do it, milady? Why yes 0! of course, I could do it." She turned abruptly around and looked out of the car window, but it wasn't the slippery pavement of a busy city street she saw; instead, she seemed to be looking at the little brown village of her childhood, the place where ambitions which brought her to the busy city were fostered. A mere ham- let on the banks of the Little Colorado, in Arizona; just where the river makes a sharp turn emerging from a jagged canyon of rocks as it flows into a picturesque valley of growing things. Dimly she saw the fields, the familiar road-ways, and the old schoolhouse. But very clear was the picture of the dear old rock house with its long stone path leading to the gate. And there was mother, that sainted soul with large brown eyes whose mellow light brought peace and a feeling of security to all who met her. Now she could see the family assemble for evening worship, the worship of a simple "Mormon" home. After sing- ing and scripture reading, the humble, impressive, benediction of the day, was offered by her father. Verlene's slender form was shaking with emotion. How had she been able to leave them all? She well knew that this very night that little group would unite their faith in humble prayer for her, her well being, her success at school, her safe

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return to the home fireside, and then pray that all would en- dure faithful to the end. For an instant she closed her eyes. She felt a comforting assurance that in her mad scramble for personal culture, she was trying to live true to the heritage such a home and parents had made hers. True to the hope she — — had of a home of her own some day yes, that home with the man whom she loved, for somewhere out in the desert — Daniel Brown, a clean, intelligent "Mormon" boy was strug- gling under a new irrigation project; reclaiming the wastes. "Budlong Avenue!" This, from the hoarse conductor, brought Verlene scrambling to her feet. At 1248 she was answered by Lindy, the colored house- maid, who showed her to the study where Mrs. Stein was read- ing. The rich widow proved to be that type of fascinating per- sonality, which with few words and beaming smiles makes you feel as if you have always known and adored her. So, before Verlene was aware, she was telling this lady of her early school life in a little Arizona town; how she had come from that high school to the university of Southern California with hope of completing her college work there. She didn't have money; consequently had worked at most everything possible for a student to do. "And now," finished Verlene, "So near the graduation just one more term — this June. You see, it will mean so much to me if I can make ends meet just a while longer. However, lessons are becoming heavier each day, so now the clerical work I am doing, for board and room, is a real burden. The honest simplicity of this young girl, with the en- thusiasm she showed for her work attracted the woman of wealth. So, after an hour's planning, it was agreed that Verlene should come to live at the Stein home. She would give, for pay, the assistance young Kirk was needing in his work. She fitted so easily into her new home that the weeks fairly flew by. Byron, the elder of the two boys, was just en- tering college and proved such jolly company. The mischievous, grinning, Kirk filled a real vacant spot in her heart. As for Mrs. Stein, she seemed almost ideal to Verlene. Her influence was unlimited. Ever agreeable, in fact almost over anxious to help the young student, she soon became the girl's constant ad- viser. One day Verlene came home in a whirl of excitement. "No one home?" she called. "Wal, I guess not," answered Lindy from the kitchen. "O! you're here, then; just listen to the news. "Professor Andrews came to me, in person, advising that I try for a place on the "commencement day orations;" I've been wanting to for a long time. You know I want to do something in that line so badly."

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The happy girl danced off to her room, while Lindy was saying: "Wal, miss, I jes knows you can do great at dat spression o' yourn. Yous all'll be some big spressionist one o' de days, fir sho!" She decided to discuss child labor conditions in Los Ange- les. As all material must be collected individually by each con- testant, Verlene threw herself whole-hearted into the task at once. The big thing in her life for the next two months was that oration. She visited factories, canneries, fruit picking and packing places; talked with newsboys and juvenile officers, visited courts where minors were on trial, etc., until Byron de- clared that Verlene was surely reaching her second childhood. During these months of excitement a visible change came over the country girl. Something new and different crept into her life. Each week she found it easier to miss the little mis- sion Sunday service, and rest at home or go motoring with Mrs. Stein and her amiable son. Byron always found time for these weekly rides. Even her letters to the dear old home were shorter and written less frequently. Once she was almost piqued when her mother's letter sounded a warning against the influ- ence of her new friends. She also realized that Dan's letters were a constant source of irritation. Of course, dear old Dan was the only man Verlene ever loved. But how, she reflected, could she ever go back to the life he represented? She felt as if she must succeed in her chosen line. The ideal of home and family was slowly, but surely being pushed to the background, while more and more Verlene dreamed of a ca- reer in the world of vocal expression.

The school orchestra ceased. Slowly the curtain in the huge auditorium was raised amid peels of applause and a per- fect shower of June roses, from whose fragrance the very air seemed bursting with perfume. The rising curtain disclosed the university graduates arranged in two semi-circles on the stage. The unusual program was well under way, when Dr. Will- son announced: "The first place for our Spring Contest in Oratory will be decided tonight. Our contestants have been through several previous tryouts, hence only three remain for the final test." Rollo Stevens appeared first, followed by Alice Stivers. As Verlene's name was announced she felt almost stiff with fright. Slowly she began "We, the American people, are proud of our industries, our cities, our towns; proud of our natural resources: forests,