The Dawn of a Dream by Ann Shorey Read Free Book Online Page B

make your acquaintance, Belle. I’m Luellen . . . McGarvie.”

    Luellen heard a tap on her door the next morning and opened it to see Belle standing in the hallway. She slipped into the room and brushed her hand across the skirt of her green calico print dress. “Look, no hoops. You won’t write my mama and tell her, will you?”
    “I’ll keep your secret.” Luellen smiled and turned back to the mirror to slip a silk net over the coil of braids at the back of her head. “After breakfast, would you like to accompany me to the Normal School? I need to make residence arrangements as soon as possible. At two dollars a night here, I’ll run through my savings in no time.”
    “The very thing I planned to do myself.” Belle faced Luellen, excitement sparkling in her eyes. “I’m so pleased we met. I want to be a teacher in the worst way, but must confess to being frightened at leaving home.”
    Looking at her, Luellen felt older than her years. “You’re fortunate to obtain your schooling while you’re still so young.”
    “Twenty-one’s not young. Most girls my age are married.”
    At Luellen’s surprised expression, she continued, “It’s this round face of mine. People treat me like a child. I worry that I won’t be able to enforce discipline when we do our practice teaching—that’s a big part of the training here.”
    Luellen’s stomach tightened. “Right now, I’m worried about all of it. The course listing mentions zoology and botany—they weren’t taught in my school.”
    Belle tilted her head. “Do you understand algebra?”
    “A little.”
    “We’ll help each other. If we register together, perhaps they’ll allow us to share a room.” The brown curls at the back of her neck bounced as she opened the door and preceded Luellen down the stairs to breakfast.

    The campus of Allenwood Normal School spread over a broad grassy area. Graveled pathways formed a T in front of a four-story red brick building that dominated the landscape. Maple trees grew at regularly spaced intervals across the lawn, their leaves showing the first tints of autumn. At one end of the path stood a broad two-story building. The school chapel, a square edifice with a cross atop the bell tower, faced Chestnut Street.
    The words “Allenwood Hall” were carved into the stone frieze above the double front doors of the administration building. A bronze plaque set into the brick entry read The highest object of education must be that of living a life in accordance with God’s will.
    “The drawings in the brochure didn’t do justice to the size of this place,” Luellen said, awed.
    “The state capitol at home in Springfield isn’t this tall, but it’s much grander. I’ve visited there with my papa more than once.”
    Surprised, Luellen glanced at her new friend. Perhaps they had less in common than she first believed.
    After the two women entered Allenwood Hall, they followed an arrow pointing toward the registrar’s office. Their footsteps echoed along the passageway.
    “It’s quiet here. I wonder if we’re the first students to arrive,” Belle said.
    “Maybe. We’re a week early. I wanted plenty of time to get settled.” Luellen clutched her acceptance letter, hoping her moist palms wouldn’t smear the ink.
    A young man looked up from a desk covered with papers. “New students, or returning?”
    “New.” A wave of joy swept over Luellen. She was really here, registering for school. “Here’s my acceptance.” She thrust the wrinkled envelope at him.
    “Here’s mine,” Belle said. “I’m new too.”
    “The registrar will see you one at a time.” He smoothed his sparse moustache and lifted Luellen’s letter. “You may go first. Take this with you. Dr. Alexander’s office is directly to your left.”
    The registrar rose when she entered. His height and his wiry hair reminded her of Uncle Matthew. “Welcome. You’re the first student to register for this term, Miss—” He took the envelope,