Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-06-12

get Freeda to 60 with him to some spe-
cial service down town. ~.t
It was q bright, frosty night, and
they walked both ways. Edward as
usual was silent until Freeda had ask
ed few questions.
care you working too hard, NedW
"No, 1 don't think so. / feel well
enough. I'm pegging away at the de-
bate oil my spare time. 1t comes off
this week Friday, you know"
You have worked very hard on it,
haven't you? I do hope you will win
Il" said Freeda, who, in spite of her
disappointment in Edward, that he had
not made a decision during the evan
gel1stic meetings just closed, still felt
the deepest possible interest In her
brothers success and was very enthu-
siastic in her praise of his scholarly
abilities.
81 shall do my level best. Are the
girls coming out to the debateT'
Edward asked because there had
been in past years noticeable lack of
interest on the part of the girls in the
annual debate.
Are they? Why, they are coming
over in body. You don't seem to real
ize, Ned, that you are very popular at
the ladies' hall"
"Am I?' Among Edwards really
sterling good qualities was an absence
of conceit. If he prided himself on his
morality overmuch, he was at least
free from that pride Of intellectual at
tainments or physical attractions that
distinguished a good many college stu
dents. He was not ladies' man, as
Willis always was, and so far he had
no special friends among the girls ex-
cept Freeda. He did not seem to care
one way or the other. He was one out
of very few men in college who prob
ably never looked over to the girls side
Of the room during chapel. And in
classroom he managed to have seat
at the end Of the row as far from any
girl as he could get. He did not dislike
girls company. He was simply indif-
ferent.
"You ought to have heard the girls
talk about your great football play at
the last game on the home grounds"
said Freeda, who felt little vexed at
Edwards silent Indifference.
Edward laughed a little. "Some day
suppose I'll fall in love and be as big
a fool as some of the other fellows.
You'll have to take second place then.
Unless" he added with a lightness of
speech not characteristic Of him, "un-
less you do the same thing, and then
you won't care"
Freeda was silent, and Edward was
afraid he had hurt her feelings in some
way.
did l hurt you, Freeda?' he asked
more as he used to speak when they
| were together on the farm.
mo, Ned" she replied softly, and
! they both walked on for some distance
| without talking.
81 have little confession to make,
Freeda," at last Edward spoke, his old
habit of extreme truthfulness compel
| ling him to the statement. "Fve had to
study on Sunday lately. I've been so
busy l couldn't get my lectures any
| OIL + way"
Don't do it, Ned" Frecda urged
| after a moment, during which Edward
| had a conviction that his confession
| had affected her disagreeably.
"Don't you?"
mo, don't believe in it,
"Nor Miss Seton, eitherY asked Ed
| ward, a little ironically.
Ida Seton was great friend of Free
da's and was rooming with her this
term.
eyes, Ida studies once in awhile on
| Sundays" said Freeda reluctantly.
II can't make her see it the way
do''
"There's nothing very wicked about
it."
"No, but it's foolish. You don't gain
anything by it in the long rum"
''Then don't see," answered Ed
ward, with a growl, "why the pro-
fessor gives it to us so heavy for. Fri
days they give us double dose, as
If they expected US to study on Sun
day. Ladd told me today that more
than three-fourths of all the fellows
have to study on Sunday"
| ''They think they have to, maybe.
But they don't really have to. Besides,
Ned, you know mother would not like
it, and the president must be opposed
to it."
Hes never said anything against
it."
mo, but he may at any of his Friday
talks. Tell me, Ned, If the president
comes out against it, will you give it
up?'
II will If Miss Seton will,' replied
Edward, laughing.
''In tell her." replied Freeda quick
ly.
"No, don't do thatv' cried Edward,
| feeling alarmed at the idea.
II shall, though. You've promised"
Freeda laughed, and all Edwards re-
monstrances, which lasted until they
parted at the door Of the hall, would
not change her purpose.
"Oh, we'll, she won't give it up any
way" was Edwards parting shot as
he left Freeda.
'I'n see about that" she replied, and
she was silently determined that he
should be made to keep his word If she
had any influence over her roommate.
1t was perhaps coincidence that the
president chose for his Friday talk that
very week the subject Of how best to
spend Sunday in college. Edward
| afterward charged Freeda and one OF
two other girls who felt as she did with
having been to the president and urged
him to speak on the subject. Freeda
did not deny that she had talked with
the presideEt on the matter, and the