Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-09-21

invitation to the Junior prom. TWO
months ago, and he not only never an
swered the letter, but went to the prom.
with another girl. Such rudeness!
sent back all his presents and never
want to see him again. But, for THAI
matter, / suppose shall. as get home.
He lives just next door, and always
goes home as soon as college is out"
"Why, Ruth" suddenly calculated
her friend, looking out of the window.
Here's your station. Hurry, dear, or
you'll be late. Good-by, and We'll meet
again at Smith in September"
Poor John Baker, Jr.! / pity him
when they meet" she added to herself,
as she watched Ruth seize her umbrel-
la and suit case and hurry off the car.
Harrington, the driver of the old vel
low coach that connected the little out
of-the-way town OF Thorndale with
the rest Of the world. was looking up
and down the platform. His old eyes
frightened when he saw Ruth. ben
hopin' yer'd come on that train," he
cried, taking her baggage checks.
Jump right in. There's only one 9TH
er passenger, and 1 reckon you know
him."
He opened the coach door and the
girl stepped in. With a crack of the
whip they were off, almost before Ruth
had time to recognize In her fellow pas
senger-John Baker, Jr.
Good evening" she said, coldly.
"Good evening"" was his equally chill.
ly reply. John Baker became at once
absorbed in the evenings news. The
coach jolted ON over hills and hollows.
"'Pears to me-" remarked old Far
rington, putting his head In the win
dow, I'VE amt got so much to say to
each other as usual. Your folks goin'
to meet yer at the village, Miss Ruth p
'They don't expect me tonight"
Ruth answered brightly. But Jerry
always comes down about this time for
the mail, and shall ride back with
him."
"John goin' with yer2ya
eff he likes" she said, stit1y.
II shall walk tonight. I'm not going
directly home" came decidedly from
John Baker, buried behind his-paper.
"Oho! said Farrington.y SOFTLY, He
shook his head once or twice. but said
no more. Don't seelyonr wagon, here
abouts," Miss Ruth" he yentured to
remark as he handed down her suit
case at the end Of the, route, aic.,
ut will be right along, and I'm in no
hurry" And she sat down on the post
Office steps to wait. John Baker strobe
Off without word. ~, az q.
Ten minutes passed, but no wagon
came. After time the. postmistress
came to the door. you amt waiting
for your Jerry, hope, Miss Kenyon"
she said, "for he said. this morning he
wasn't coming again to-day"
Thank you," replied the girl, with
rather a vexed lauah rThen II must
walk" She picked up her suit case
and started down the-long. dusty road.
The spirits of our college girl dropped
as she plodded on In the hot summer
twilight. from time to time shifting
from one hand to the other her heavy
dress suit case. She began to think re-
sentfully of all she had crammed into
1t at the last moment, particularly Of
seventeen different photographs Of the
same Yale senior, all of them dated be-
fore that junior prom.
Then there was a sharp step behind
her. Looking quickly back, she con-
fronted-John Baker.
Ruth" he said angrIly. "they told
me you had started, 30 l followed. This
Is no place for girl to be alone" He
glanced about at the gathering dark
ness Let me carry that suit case;
it's too heavy for you."
Ruth Kenyon suddsply straightened