Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-06-03

CHAPTER TX.
II am on my way to San Francisco
to see Willis" Mrs. Preston began
looking at Edward earnestly, "and ]
could not resist the inclination to come
to Raynor Oh the way and see you."
ION your way to see Willisw Ed.
ward exclaimed in great surprise
"Why, l did not know he had come
home"
"He was badly wounded in an en-.
gagement shortly after that one of
which he wrote you. He may lose an
arm. He is to be sent home on one of
the hospital transports that is expected
In San Francisco in about two weeks.
The time Of it's arrival is uncertain. |
am going on, so as to be with him as
soon as he arrives"
Mrs. Preston looked earnestly at Ed
ward, who returned her look grayely.
Her face bore marks of severe suffer-
ing.
when he wrote last, he confessed
that he was sick of the campaign and
would be glad to come back to Hope
college again. That is partly what
came to see you for. l want you to
continue to room with Willis. He said
In his letter that he didn't think you
would care to. 1t will relieve me Of a
great source of anxiety to know that
you are together"
II am sure l am willing to do what
can to serve you, Mrs. Preston" Ed
md c,niI in, l,,ry
troubled little at the possibility Of
Willis coming back. partly on Freeda' s
account and partly ON his own.
You will promise me to do all in
your power to help Wills, won't you:"
Mrs. Preston asked anXiously.
Eyes. madam, T. Edward hesitat-
ed a little. II am afraid you eXag
gerate my influence over him. do
not have much in some directions"
II am sure you are more of a help
to him than you realize" Mrs. Preston
replied eagerly. willis thinks every
thing Of you and thinks you are nearly
perfect"
"Of course will do all cam" re-
piled Edward, looking at the presi-
dent and remembering what had been
said in the little talk about the Chris
tian life compared with morality.
81 feel quite sure. Mrs. Preston"
said the president cordially, "that Mr..
Blake via help your son in every way
possible"
Mrs. Preston looked and spoke her
thanks, and in answer to several ques-
lions from Edward she described as
well as she could the facts concern
ing Willis as they had been forward
ed to her by the regiment.
II don't think that even the loss of
his arm will prevent his coming back
here next fall. For one thing | am
glad. rejoice that he has had enough
even Of the fun and glory of war.
Evidently his wound has sickened him
of it,
Mrs. Preston remained little longer
and then rose to 60. She wanted to
call upon two of Willis society friends
to whom he had sent messages. and,
as they roomed on the floor above. the
president went up and introduced her
to them and then came down to Ed
wards room again. Edward was sur
prised when lie heard him say that
there was a matter he would like to
talk over with him.
He sat down n little way from Blake
and looked at him earnestly. yet with
a slight movement of uncertainty at
first that was new to Edward. When
1t passed away. the president faced
him with the strong. open look that
was so characteristic Of him. The first
thing he said revealed to Edward the
fact that the president more than
guessed at the trouble he was having
over the feeling he was beginning To
experience for Miss Seton.
BLAKE. want to question you frank
~ about your studies For the last
two months have noted very seri-
GUS falling off in your efforts. what
Is the matter? Are you working too
hard at other things? What are you
doing in addition to your paper route?
Edward told him in a low voice and
with an embarrassment that was SO
evident that even stranger would
have seen it.
wv nat are your plulS Iol eiiS 7"'AA
mer" the president asked abruptly.
Edward was surprised.
II haven't made any yet. ] suppose
shall do as | did last year-remain
here and carry my paper and do any
thing else | can get to add to my In
come"
The president was silent moment
still looking at Edward keenly.
ITS disappointment to me, Blake
that you have dropped down In your
studies. You don't seem to be inter-
ested in them as you used to be. Tell
me. my boy. honestly now, are you
keeping something back from me that
l have any right to know? I'm not a
priest, and Pm not asking you to SIT In
confessional" - the president said II
with smile that made Edward feel
easier-"but am genuinely interested
in your welfare, and ! want to help
you If you are in need. as perhaps you
are, of little wholesome. kindly coun'
sci. OF course you needn't confide I'D
me unless you want to, and then you