Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-05-15

be zone. IT yoe~ Su5r s.s~ s---'. .----
right here you'll see what mean"
Edward read the paper through and
saw that 1t was transfer Of the paper
route to him. entire, be agreeing to pay
500 for the route at his own conven'
fence.
But" he said. understanding Willis
motive. this route is worth seven
times as much"
II don't care II it's worth 100 times
as much. You pay me 500 on 1t at
your own convenience and it's your
route. II I'm killed in the war, you
can pay It to mother. We made the
arrangement together. You've prom
ised to do it," continued Willis as Ed.
ward made gesture Of refusal. Il
shall feel very much hurt if you don't
take it. So will mother. We are rich.
The money is of little account to US.
But you've got your way to make. and
the route Is the best one In Raynor.
You can make enough on 1t to pay In
the 500 inside Of six months. and
here Willis hesitated curiously and
stammered q little-"and you can at
ford to have your sister 60 back to the
hall. Don't refuse me, Ned. It's the
last favor may ever ask Of you"
Edward had nothing else to do but
accept the offer. He signed the paper,
and Willis turned the route over to
him, giving him the original contract
properly signed and attested.
The next morning Wills was due at
the camp to report for final marching
orders. He had packed few OF the
things remaining after sending some
of his effects home and leaving other
articles in the room under Edwards
care. and as Edward came In after
his irst lecture he found Willis trying
to decide on a few articles such as
he might possibly carry with him. lie
was going over the things he had
packed and expressing his regret that
he had to leave so much behind.
Finally he made his selections and
began putting things in the small
handbag. AS he dropped In one thing
after another he picked up a small
volume of poems which somehow look
ed strangely familiar to Edward, who
was standing by his table silently
looking on.
Willis looked up and after moment
of hesitation he said: Il might as well
say that this book of poems isn't mine.
1t belongs to your sister. She didn't
give it to me, of course. picked 1t
up in the classroom one day. Pm 60
ing to take it with me if you don't OBJ
ject."
Edward was startled by the unex.
pected revelation of Willis feeling to-
ward Freeda. He had never seen them
much together. and he had never had
the slightest suspicion that Willis cared
anything for her. Freeda was old for
her years. In spite OF her poverty she
always knew how to appear we'll dress
ed. She had an attractive personality,
was popular among the students and
was good talker. Edward thought he
knew and had given credit for his sis
ter's personal attractions, but he had
never dreamed that student like Will
lis would ever be moved in any way to
a deeper feeling toward her than mo-
mentary pleasure in her company. He
was so upset by the revelation that he
did not reply to Willis, who still stood
with the book in his hand looking at
him.
"If you don't object" Willis repeated.
"Why should object?" replied Ed
ward stitiiy.
81 don't know, but l thought you
might" muttered Willis. He slowly
dropped the book into his bag, and
then looked up again. Edward was
clearly veXed and disturbed.
You needn't worry over this any,"
Willis said, with an attempt at indif-
ference that was poorly acted. "She
doesn't care rap for me. She's too
far above me; same's you are"
Edward did not know what to say,
and, according to his habit when he
felt that way, he kept still The whole
incident was painful to him. Finally,
when Willis was all ready to go and
had gathered up his few belongings,
Edward asked him when the regiment
was to start.
TO BE CONTINUED