News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1900-09-12

4
and the storm was at its height As he
came up to the steps of Rankin hall he
noticed a light in the room. He sud
denly remembered that Willis had said
that he might return on Christmas day
in order to take part in some private
theatricals given by the society men In
one of the houses of a member who
lived in Raynor.
81 ought to tell him all about it. |
suppose" Edward muttered to himself
down at the foot of the steps. And the
thought almost upset him again. He
was ready to make q clean breast of 1t
to his mother. He had already done 30,
and it had lifted a load from his heart.
He was going to tell Freeda, and he
knew that she would understand him
and love him none the less. But his
roommate was another person. The
two incidents Of the paper route and
the football team had undoubtedly Civ
en- Willis feeling of great respect for
his roommate. There was no longer
any doubt in Edwards mind that Will
lis had a deep and honest esteem for
him founded en- the thought he had of
his moral character If now he should
frankly disclose to him the facts con-
nected with his recent experience, what
would become of that respect which
Edward felt he priced at this moment
more than anything else? Would he
ever again have any influence over Will
lis? Would it do any good to say any
thing about it?
But then Edward knew that in spite
of his efforts to conceal his visits to
one of the lowest of the entertainments
two of Willis society friends had rec
ognized him there and might speak of
it any time. Should he wait for a
knowledge of it to come to Willis
through others and so give his room
mate the suspicion that all along he
moral uprightness which he did not
possess? After all it was not trifing
matter, Edward said to himself as he
stood irresolutely on the steps. He
knew very well that he had escaped
a deadly peril, one of the blacklist
bells that ever engulfed young man,
and even yet he trembled at the
thought Of what he had lost, of the
wrong he had wrought upon his imagi-
nation and his memory.
He went on up the stairs slowly,
shaking off some of the snow from his
coat and entered his room:
The minute he entered Willis, who
was trying on a costume of some sort
that he had evidently just pulled out
of his dressing case, turned around and
said heartily: merry Christmas, old
man! Old Santa Claus" he added as
he noted Edwards snow covered form.
"See here what my mother sent you
for a little Christmas present" He
reached down into his dressing case
and pulled out box done up in tissue
paper. "Oh, open it, man, and 1t won't
hurt you. Mother was bound to send
| it."
Edward fumbled at the package and
finally opened it to discover watch
and chain. He silently laid them OF
his table and looked at them.
"It's all right" exclaimed Willis,
laughing 81 told mother about your
old turnip, that can't keep time any
more than a pumpkin pie, and she in
sisted on my bringing you this. 1t
won't be polite at all for you to re-
fuse Not good form in the society we
move ia, and mother will never for
give you If you don't take it. oh,
. | oil G
home. Told mother all about the pa
per route business and the football af-
fair, and / tell you she couldn't be
more grateful if l had rooms with a
clergyman and Sunday school super
intendent and policeman all together
to keep me going straight, and the
fact is, chum," continued Willis, with
kind look that made Edward groan
as he thought Of his past record, "it
does me good to get back. Pm moi
your sort much, but it's tonic for me
to have you around, and one Of these
days when you get me converted III
do you credit. What sort Of time
have you had since I've been gone
Must have been a relief to you to gel
rid of me awhile, guess. But, honest
ginger, I'm awful glad to see you. YOU
do me good!'
Edward had not said word yet. Ii
fact, he wasn't able to, Willis ratified
on at such a rate. But when Willis
paused his wide awake, good natured
face smiling carelessly toward hi:
roommate, Edward said in voice tina
trembled some, give got something t.
tell you that may change your opinion
of me-"
"Eh% said Willis in surprise. HI
! turned and looked more closely at hi
|; chum. The storm outside roared stead
lily over the hall as the two young men
both grave now, stood facing each 9th
er.
Continued next week.
Edorsed by Clergymen.
Gentlemen: Some personal expert