Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-06-20

III you break your word with me
again, you know what shall do" be
exclaimed. and bis usually quiet. al.
most stolid, face fairly blazed with
passion.
."All right" said Willis briefly. not
turning around. Then after moment
Of silence he faced Edward with q
queer look.
II may not stay in college another
year. I've got plan for the future
that may mean leaving here for good.
So won't bottle" you very much Ion
ger"
And then, to his great surprise. Will
lis sat down near his table and said:
"Ned, old boy, l have made big
fool of myself. but I'm going to turn
overra new leaf, and l don't want you
to 20 back on me. You won't, will
you"
you've turned over so many new
leaves that don't have much faith In
you"
II don't blame you, Ned. But honest
ginger, l mean 1t this time. Want to
see what can do? Just watch me
for the rest Of the term"
Edward made no answer, and Willis
opened his books and began to study.
1t was after this scene that Edward
received a great surprise In the shape
of a remarkable letter from Mrs. Pres
ton.
Willis had been even better than his
word. He had cut entirely loose from
his fast friends, had stopped going
out nights. and to the real astonish-
ment of Edward he had applied him
self with zeal to his studies. Not a
man in ali Hope could have eXcelled
Willis at that time for real, downright,
hard. faithful study. He was agreed
bic, too, 50 much so that Edward be-
gan to have q pleasure in anticipating
the intervHts between study and recl-
tation, periods when he could talk with
Willis and especially hear him describe
events in his short army experience.
Willis was good talker, and when
he chose to do so he knew how to
make himself very agreeable. The
girls, with most of whom Willis was
n great favorite, always spoke Of his
manners as fascinating, and he seemed
to be especially gifted in this direction
during that short time Immediately
following his last talk with Edward
and his promise of reformation.
Edward opened Mrs. Preston's let
ter to him, expecting line or two of
thanks for his continued influence over
Willis. He had received a long and
very gratefully worded letter at the
time he went back to room with Will
lis and one or two short letters since
that time.
But he had read only short dis
lance when he was startled by some
news that upset him completely:
feel that it is only right to tell you something
of Willis future plans. even if he has not con-
fded everything to you. And am quite sure he
will forgive ne if speak word in his behalf
1t may be secret to you that Willis has al
ways thought great deal Of your sister FreAa.
Before he sailed for the Philippines he confessed
to me that he loved her and hoped some dag to
marry her. When he was at home. after the loss
of his arm, found this feeling had undergone no
change, unless to become even more emphatic.
You know he carried that little volume of poems
with him through all the fighting around Manila.
There is question that his feeling for your sis
ter is more than fancy. 1t is a real. deep. hon
orabIe feeling that I has helped to keep
him froIn much that is evil.
Now what | am about to say may take you by
SURPRISE but for the sake Of Willis ! pray that
you will not dismiss 1t as unworthy OF your
thought.
Willis is determined to leave college this sum.
mer and enter Il business to which his uncle in
New York has invited him. 1t is really very
good position for young man. with an assured
salary and prospect Of promotion. Willis is
competent to do the work required. My brother
wants him to become member of the firm
eventually.
This is what I hesitate to tell you. but 1t Is
what ! want you to consider calmly. Willis wants
your sister to leave college to marry him and so
to New York to live. Foolish this sounds at
first. as have already told him. there is
thing to be said for it. In the first place. Willis
is older than the average college student. and so
is your sister. The loss of the college course is
serious thing to consider. but other young people
have occasionally done this, and they have had
happy, useful homes OF there is the mat
ter OF your sisters feeling. ] know nothing about
her thought Of Willis. Probably you do Ny
only thought OF the matter Is that II she does
care enough for my son to become his wife and
leave her college you will not dissuade her
from 1t. Somehow ! feel as il Willis future do.
pended on the wife he has II he should be dis.
appointed here. there is no telling
There was a step outside. the door
opened, and Willis entered.
"Hello old man! What are you read
ingr" he asked as he noted Edward
standing by - Z-.nnnT with - s~.s-
In his hand.
"A letter from your mother. Want
to hear it?" asked Edward grimly.
eyes, 60 ahead" replied Willis, care
lessly sitting down at bis own table
and putting bis feet up on 1t, as bis
custom was
TO BE CONTINUED