The Newtown bee., 1892-01-29

rows was remiss in these matters; but her husband possessed a power for en- tering child's heart, which, though as loving and faithful as he, she did not have.
 Mollie Barrows was q womanly and accomplished girl of 1.-the pride and joy of her fathers heart. She had for some time been receiving the attentions of Robert Austen, a poor, but unusually promising young student at the univer- sity. He was now in his second year and his plans were laid for long and most thorough course of study.
 Rev MT Barrows was not little inter- ested in the young man, as he was in all trying to row against adverse winds. He watched him closely-especially of late; and from certain things in him, remind ing him of the shoals on which he had nearly grounded his own bark when young man, he felt he must utter warn- ing. His own experience likewise sug- gested that he could best do this through his daughter, thence this story to her and us.
 s'I have told you,'' MT Barrows at once began, "that was poor boy and had to work my way through college; and you know the romance that grew out of my wicked hazing, by the timely rescue of strange Miss, for l have often re- peated the story to you-so we may open at chapter two or three"
 II see,'' cried Mollie teasingly, 'mam- ma saved your life and so you married her-that is an old, old story!'
 ''Not exactly,'' laughed her father. "I hope to show you a deeper and better motive. We'll, as I have intimated, our friendship began at this time, and it con- tinued to grow in spite of the fact that Miss Phelps was the daughter of a wealthy merchant and l only a poor, awkward, country boy, boarding myself and doing all the odd jobs I could find to help pay my way. To be sure l did not have as much time to study as some of the boys with more substantial back ing; but just the same, l stood at the head of my class and could feel that my tutors admired and respected me.
 But some way, every time 1 saw Miss Phelps, my coat suddenly looked rustier and more ill-fitting than usual-my pants crept several inches nearer the tops of my coarse cow-hide boots, while my toil- stained hands seemed as big as palm-leat fans.''
 ''Oh, what picture !" laughed Mollie Lit is worthy of Mast"
 But have not exaggerated; and had these most uncomfortable feelings too in spite of the fact that Miss Phelps al ways gave me the same friendly smile whatever she found me doing.
 Leap Year Day of that first year vii ever be red-letter day to me. A dainty perfumed note, asking the pleasure o1 my company for ride put my heart il a terrible flutter of ecstasy; but glancins down at my threadbare, and now, alas patched suit-the only one l had-n( money, no credit to get new one, wa filled with unutterable dismay and cha grin.
 Recovering little, felt it would be burning insult to her to accept this de lightful invitation in my condition, and at once sat down to pen refusal. spen
 some 60 minutes and nearly quire o , paper trying to frame one that suite
 me; and after all, in my weakness o
 strength, which was it, dashed off shor
 note of acceptance"
 'Good for you, father, l alW avs kne' t you were brave," exclaimed Mollie clal
 ping her hands.
 f "Of course 1 had to go just as I was p only 1 brushed and sponged my clothe - till they were several degrees thinne , and made my old, coarse, mended boot : fairly glisten. And, mind you, l ha
 not white shirt to my name, jus
 gingham ones, but, mixing my rust black necktie and donning paper co - lar, l resolved to make the best of it."
 ''Dear, dear!' and some sympatheti e tears stood in Mollie's soft brown eye - "Well, I had a very delightful time
 for Miss Phelps was cordial and frient , ly and, being dressed very plainly, tf = contrast was not as glaring as l ha
 feared. Once or twice after this, cal
 ed to return books she had kindly lei - me and saw her no more until the begil
 ming of my second year.
 r That vacation worked for an uncle C s farm, hoarding up every penny ear
 ed and using every leisure moment f.
 study. Perhaps I do not need to te d you that I often found myself thinkiI ,r of Miss Phelps; and l resolved that si 1t should have no occasion to be ashamt ,o ,ao of me the coming year."
 "But she hadn't been," interrupte
 Mollie warmly.
 n. h. 'sNo; but foolishly thought she w ,e just a little, you know, or at least tn a. she would enjoy my company more ii 'k was better dressed. Then l wanted u Ill boys to look up to me. So invest ;r some of my scanty, hard-earned wag a. in real nice suit of clothes, some s ry nicer than I could afford, got ha re dozen white shirts, fine shoes and st ', 'n fish hat, together with the many oth e. ct ceteras of genteel outfit. also T
 solved that I would not 'chore it a
 longer, though much to my chagrin
 saw that I must continue to board m Ir self. However, I wisely chucked [ e, old clothes into my trunk, in case of rk emergency"
 d ssAnd did it come?'' was the deeply
 terested inquiry.
 ,u s.Oh, yes, and before the year Wal d quarter gone; for, you see, the bo to finding the rust pretty well rubbed C