The Fresno Bee from Fresno, California • 29

THE FRESNO BE Qdicn tii NOBLESSE There Are Some Who In Defeat Stand Gloriously Victorious SUNDAY October 1 1933 JTe was talking very exictedly hla ahyness forgotten hla pleasant blue eyes fastened eat neatly upon her eye "And you've been so from the very first I didn't have anv i'ra of how to put things down on paper and h-i -1 ms believe me Miss Munn I appreciate -Ir hands mot across the desk They wera both In a 'mendmii stale of two workers sharing an riuliusinam for the same hallowed rause And from th: moment Bent rice Munn ventured forth with a new an I astounding faith This was a faith in herself in her modest Insignificant self as a rival to the incomparable Me rent Thomas O'Neill himself knew nothing of this lie still looked slightly bewildered slightly moonstruck when got Anderson came unexpectedly into his vision But left alone he wandered about until he had found Best rice having found her he was content to rest quietly In her company for long minutes not exchanging a word with her not even looking nt her Beatrice and not Thomas knew the Intimacy that was woven into the fabiie of their silences And so she waited saying nothing resolutely assuring herself that she was being strictly hunnrahlc This was war and did she not have the smallest and the most pitiful of weapons to employ against all the bright bj argot it at fang fling helpfexJy "Veu mutt forgioc me jne Mir "Dul inn' I he the ticcclctl fool of a pup )' i EA TRICE MUNN sat frowning at her typewriter with her neat little fingers on the neat little key John Griffith Anderson her employer waa postponing sixteen engagements because Margot Anderson hia youngest daughter was coming home Beatrice had never seen Margot Anderson The latter had been In the West for almost a year and Beatrice had -been in the employ of the steel magnate for less than six months But John Anderson's -daughter became startlingly alive In the conversations of Mrs Daugherty the housekeeper "From the day she was born she was In a class by herself" said Mrs Daugherty firmly "She was altogether different from other tables" "Different? In wbat way demanded Beatrice slightly annoyed "Oh different She was a sort of proud baby" There was a silence between them Then Beatrice spoke aloud and suddenly "It all seems so unfair so wretchedly she said Mrs Daugherty bit off a thread with teeth which were she often said her own "What? she asked mildly "This whole business of being rich and adored and spoiled" Beatrice said slowly "I hope I'm not bitter about It Mrs Daugherty but I am not much older than your Margot and when I compare my life with hers My sister and I were sickly kids because my mother rouldnt afford to feed us properly But your Margot-even the servants in this house talk about the car she drove when she was 14! Ko It doesn't seem fair exactly" And against the older woman's silence Beatrice's anger flared "Tou should have lived in the Middle Ages Mrs Daugherty! You'd like Margot Anderson to be a pi In-cess of the blood with all the villagers curtseying when her carriage deigned to drive past 'em You know you would!" "I believe In democracy as a matter of said the housekeeper placidly "But after all is said and done I do think that John Griffith Anderson is finer then most men And I think that Miss Margot Is more more like a princess than other girls her age I think lots of very rich people are like that but I think the Andersons are They'd be that way if they were dog poor They're like nobility used to be" "Oh!" cried Beatrice Munn flushing "I don't agree with you at all I'm afraid There isn't any noblesse oblige these days Mrs Daugherty!" "Maybe there isn't" said Mrs Daugherty very quietly maybe there Is" "I'm sorry" said Beatrice and for a moment she put her prim little hand on Mrs Daugherty's arm "I'm sorry I said anything I like your being loyal" And this ronvirtion was honest enough Indeed Beatrice herself was possessed of a queer exritement as the hour of Margot Anderson's arrival drew nearer Margot came She came dramatically and splendidly It was as if she had come without because always after she had been away she was a surprise and a bewilderment A few little poets of the hour-had tiled1 to desi'ilhe Margot She was like a rush of wild scarlet poppies down a hillside in Spiing She was like the crash of a wave on sands shining bright in the sun She was like laughter itself She brought with her suitcases and a golf beg hat boxes and trunks and a young presenting the latter to her father with a most unwonted shyness The young man was called Thomas O'Neill and she explained he had begun to make quite a name for himself in medical research Beatrice looked at Margot She was very tall and she held herself proudly Her hair was dark and sleek over an arrogant need 'Her skin was dark too and when she smiled her teeth seemed extraordinarily white Then after she had met John Anderson's youngest daughter little Insignificant Beatrice Munn looked diiertly into the pleasant blue eyes of Thomas O'Neill The eyes of Thomas O'Neill were no bluer than other people's eyes Nor was he remarkable In any way at all Yet Beatrice Munn while she murmured something cool and polite was being dauled by a great light snd deafened by a great roar There had always been a romantic Impulse In Rcn-trire small breast hut it had been an impulse guarded veiy soberly and carefully Beatrice who waa sensible and thrifty about everything else was sensible snd thrifty shout her emotions as well Sha waa In no way responsible fur the daxxling light and the deafening roar But in precisely this fashion love came to her To mention the name of Thomas O'Neill was both a torment end a solace But not weighing the cost of the' torment or the worth of the solace Beatrice sought the company of Mrs Daugheity to whom the name might in safety be mentioned Mrs Daugherty slipped a thread of apricot-colored silk through an infinitesmal needle's eye was always her shoulder said the housekeeper smiling "She always did yank them right off" It was funny Beatrice thought how everybody liked to wait on Margot Anderson "You were talking about observed Beatrice with a ceitaln wrv humor "Why yes Didn't I say? And then laughing: I I'm like an old mother eat with her one kitten But I've always been that way "Goodness knows I was soft enough about the others-the two that's married hut from the first Miss Margot was my favorite" "Toil'll miss her when she's gone for good" Beatrice said slowly "Oh hut she won't he going as far away as the others have If she marries this young chan they'll he living right In New York I Imagine Or I wouldn't wonder If Miss Margot's father wouldn't persuade 'em to stay right here in the "You think she'll msriy Dr O'Neill?" asked Beatrice knitting the words heatly and carefully over her agony Mya Daugherty fashioned an invisible knot in the thread of silk "Yes I really do -between you and me" "Rut I Imagine" Beatrice persisted "that she's had all sorts of chances" "Well naturally! But never been like this shout any of 'em I ought to know my "Rhe doesn't act that said poor Beatrice "She's slwsvs laughing and all 'Rhe wouldn't show It!" said Mrs Daugherty pinurily never show it when she waa feeling anything real" "I see" said Beatrice dully "Right now she's out on the court teaching him how to play tennis" said Mrs Dsughertv chuckling "I never saw her bother with anybody who wasn't any good before" Margot Anderson came In from the court ss fresh as a with young Thomas O'Neill trailing rather wlltedlv behind her Margot was wearing a sleeveless frock of white linen and little woolen socks were tolled over her ankles Around her dark head was a bright green ribbon She was very flushed and more than ordinarily good to look upon "I'm going to make Tom Into another Tilden" she assured her father "Just wait Watch us grow!" John Anderson greeted this hosat with one of his mighty laughs clapping his huge hand on the younger mnn'a shoulder "Hns she worn you out old chon?" "A little out of breath O'Neill admitted rrhie-tantiv "Oh that reminds me -we were talking last night you remember-Miss Munn I wonder if you'd mind taking on an extra job? Dr O'Neill ia anxious to get shead with some articles he's writing for a medical journal while he's staying with us I suggested that If he were to "Of course" said Beatrice half fearful of the great privilege thatwes shoitly to be hers No one else probe hly would have considered It great privilege Thomas (VNeill's fame waa email enough-end li" Hnsclf wne timid aa embarrassed ex a boy by the booming of hie own voice by the deferentially bent heed of the girl who was making Impoitant loop and whirls of whnt the voice proclaimed "Ro many of the words era difficult for he said apologetically I don't mind! I can get the Idea and look them up afterwards If I'm not sure" she told him "As a matter of oh I beg your pardon I'm bieaklng Into your trend of "No please go on What were you going to eay?" "Well it sounda silly I didn't mean you to think as a matter of fact I waa only going to sav that I was terribly Interested In what you're doing Of enures It's not at all the same thing there's no comparison naturally but at one time I waa seriously considering being a nurse" McClure Fiction "You'd have made a splendid nurse I he esid Rhe met his eyes helplessly not knowing how to hide the bright color in her cheeks "You're so quirt Miss Munn" he said gently "I Imagine no one knows very much about "We're both quiet" she said quickly "That Is I didn't mean he confessed suddenly wish I could get over it Stammering for instance Maybe you've noticed I stammer when I get "Yes And I get cold hands get just like ice" They looked at each other smiling he said "I've never made that confession to snybody else 1 feel so at ease with you Miss Rhe couldn't eay anything Sha stared down at tha loops end whirls Not In ell her life before had Mice Munn been aware of the besting of her own heart "I think It's fine work you're she told him fervently one day over hrr note hook "If not spectacular like great aurgeon'a work But it's much more thrilling really much more worth "Do you reallv think sn?" he demanded eagerly few people outside the profession heve any "Of course they haven't!" she said scornfully most people are fools You don't care about their opinion do you "No-o Not exactly" He smiled a llttla ruefully Hia eyes wandered to the great window which gave out upon the sloping Iswns and to tha tennis court beyond Margot was a danrlg stroke of light in the distance course In a way I'd like to make a splendid name for myself to he the famous Dr O'Neill driving up to my own hospital He hesitated In order to regard this day dream with an expression of object misery and Beatrice Munn resisted a tremendous Impulse to pull his rumpled head to her own prim and mairlpnly little breast It was Mar-got of course who wanted him to be splendid and famous! And Thnmns? He would be Margot's husband and old John Anrleraon's son-in-law Before veiy many years he would think of himself in no other way Beatrice wne sitting primly at the desk her pencil poised over her note-book The moment that Thomas O'Neill gave voice to a thought it would ha down on the notebook held reverently but firmly at the point of Miss Munn's pencil "Come in!" said Thomas to the knock on the door "Oh I am so cried Margot "I didn't want to Interrupt your work but tbia ia really now there he Within the space of one minute a small Airedale pup had dashed Into the arms of Beatrice Munn had upset an Ink-bottle over her note-book and had art-ambled across the desk to lick the fare of Thomas O'Neill Beatrice rescued the note-book lighted the Ink bottle aopped up the ink with her own handkerchief and turned with great dignity upon Margot the Airedale end the whole situation It had been her Intention to say something But she looked at Margot and said nothing at all Margot waa leaning against a table Margot waa wearing a black riding habit Rhe had flung her gloves hr crop and her little tri-cornered hat on a chair And sha waa laughing helplessly "You people must forgive me" she said "But he the sweetest fool of a pup you ever saw?" Beatrice said nothing -but rhe-smiled Against-her will she smiled And Thomas O'Neill leaned over awkwardly to pat the nose of the pup who responded to this overture with such a frenxy of gratitude that Margot promptly gave way again to her bclpleea mirth "Down Paddy down!" Rhe had a way with dogs of course The pup came obediently to her feet where he lay with hla head on hla paws and only a faint quiver in hia tail to Indicata that youth and the love of life were In him But Thomas wai not looking at the He -era looking at Margot "He' a pup I've bought for Dad's Mrthdsv The man brought him 'round while I was riding He's grand I had to show h'tn to you But I've Interfcipted you!" weapons In Margnt Anderson's command? Would she pot have rarriflrrd her heart ilvclf if the ssrrifiring would have been the best thing to do for Thomas O'Neill? Well then But in spite nf this reasoning sha was troubled and a little alrald Rhe was a walling the day when Margot should notire the recret quiet opposition in her kingdom and should smirch that opposition with one laugh with one wave of her hand But If Margot saw she gave nn sign Rhe was ss rniir'eoiis and ns charming and aa supirmrly Indifferent to Miss Munn ns she had alwnyn been The day came at last Inn Beatrice had known if would) when Thoms O'Neill Innkrd down suddenly upon hr flushed face her steady faithful ryes her neat little brown silk head anil Jus! as suddenly stood stock-still with the tremendous renlixalinn that the small Beatrice Munn had been destined for him from the beginning of histnry "And all the lime" he antd never aaw I never thought the dearest quietest little thing But even now with his arms shout her she could not he utterly content It seemed to her even now an Incredible and presumptuous thing to possess anything in the world that Margot Anderson might wish to posses "But Margot" sha faltered nt last "You're sure that it's fair to you're nf rn gaged to Margot Anderson?" Ha stnrad at her In myetification and rhurkled softly hefnre ha answered her "Am I engaged to Margot? Am engaged to tha moon In the "Blit Margnt might "Do you think that Margnt wntild look for one mlnula at me?" he demanded lnrrcdiiloiialy Even now in this fashion did ha unwittingly hellttl her and her victory But Beatrice forgave him haf With the air Indeed of a tigress protecting her young she brought Thomas O'Neill to the houaekreprr's rooms in which Maigot was having tea "We knew vou were having a little tea Beatrice said diffidently "We didn't want to disturb you Rhe hesitated while Mis Daugherty's mouth set In a smile as Impenetrable as tha smile of' Egypt Itself Beatrice read her mind easily enough Never If she were tortured for ft would Mrs Duugheriy admit the virtory of a Munn over an Anderson But now Beatrice in hep new-horn strength had turned to Margot pioudly picpaird for the Olympian ahsft of the goddess Rot Mnrgot was giving one hand to Beatrice end clapping th other in hep father's fashion on the slim shoulder of Thomas O'Ntlll "I am so glad" she said eimplv h1sa you my children! And I shell wheedle the last tattle of champagne nut nf my distinguished parent we must pledge them In champagne Mis Daugherty!" Mrs Daugherty ghinced at Beatrice Munn and the glance waa swift and fierce and scornful Thera waa the shadow of a proud wing against little Mlsa Munn's happiners There was something Mrs Daugherty had said one something to da with a French but the remark eluded her and tha aharfow lifted two minutes!" Margnt was promising and in har Voire was the bright sound of laughter As she paused her hand on the knob nf the door a small handkerchief fell from the ailk cuff of her dress Margot glanced at the scrap of linen and lace on the floor But hefnre she could move before the others could move little Beatrice Munn had drted forward Margot pushed the handkerchief hark under her cuff you Miss Munn" said the daughter of old John Anderson caielcssly (Copyright 1913 McClure Newspaper Syndicate) "No No you haven't" said Thomas O'Neill stuffy in haie and when you come in It's like a free b-b-reexe" Obviously thought Beatrice he had foigot'ten her presence Rhe rustled the papers that she was arranging on the desk But Thomas O'Neill had hen sufficiently emharrasred hy his own gallantry' He looked sheepishly st Margot who came quickly across tha room to put a very gentle hand upon his arm waa thoughtless of she insisted 'Til lake Paddy and run along" "rieae let me come with you I don't want to -ortc anv I can't honestly If you'd like to play tennis-" sn old dear" sh fold him But her voire was gruff aa voire ia gruff when he labors to disguise emotion "But whv" persisted Beatrice Munn In conversation with Mrs Daugherty Margot Anderson always have everything and other people have nothing?" Mrs Daugherty put down a fat feanot and spoke to the little secretary with the patience nf one who argues with a child "Did you ever watch Margot Anderson In a tennis tournament?" she demanded "No" said Beatrice sighing a little wearily "Well said Mrs Daugherty "you never saw Margot Anderson rush up to the net and shak hnda with the girl Just heat her If It weant chalked no on a score-hoard never know that Margot'd been beat That's Margot" "I see vour point But the fart remains that other people might behave just aa well in In a given situation- "No" Mrs Daugheity contradicted flatly "You and might do the same thfnra and say the same things hut we couldn't carry It off the way Margot could It's not in "I'm afraid you're said little Miss Munn Rhe felt railed upon to say this much But she left the housekeeper's rooms with great politeness Rhe had another hour before ehe was to work with Thomas O'Neill In the library And this hour she spent in changing fiom a pale yellow drese Info a pale blue dress and In rr-hear ling (as ah sat on the edge of hrr bed) the little speech which she was planning to deliver to young Thnmns O'Neill It was easier in deliver the speech than she had anticipated Thomas himself unwittingly provided an opportunity think this will ho the last nf the work Miss Munn" he had said "I've come to the end of the notes I'd made In Chicago A whole year's work and only four llttla printed columns to show for Whereupon Beatrice sailed Into her speech "I'm disappointed that you aay that Dr O'Neill" sha said "I've just been rending a bonk about Pasteur and and other people like him They didn't expect to have their names In the newspaper because they'd worked for one little year You know that as well ns I do When we first talked about your work you didn't feel aa you feel now You didn't want money and fame and all that And you were much happier then when you talked about it I admired you so much!" It had been a very brave perch It had gone on very quickly and It had ended In faint squeak Miss Munn turned her eyes from' her audience and atared hard at a very good etching nf Westminster Abbey When she looked at Thomas again aha found him regarding her if aha bad appeared ftom nowhere into hie existence "Miss he said "I can't fell you've no idea what this means to me! A if my own conscience were Sitting there in a little blue dress I don't know why but 1 had rather gone off the trark But )ow did you.