The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1901-12-13

did not send you the money to pay the
first terms bills. am sure that was
the understanding when we left home.
You have given me all the money and
not kept any for yourself"
Edward explained that their uncle
needed the money to buy stock for the
farm but Freeda was evidently very
much disturbed by her brothers con.
fession.
"At any rate. Ned, you have been
tempted to take this route against your
convictions because you need the mon
ey so much. And | feel to blame for
your having done so much for me. |
could get place to work somewhere
In private house instead of paying
for board and room here in the hall"
1T isn't necessary" replied Edward
doggedly, 80 long as ! am making this
three and half q week. and there will
be some money coming to me from the
farm in January"
T, Freeda was silent moment and
then said timidly:
"Do you think you will go on with
the route?"
Eyes, suppose So"
Freeda did not say anything. A num-
Der of students came into the parlor,
and the brother and sister were not
able to talk together privately any Ion
ger. Among the newcomers was Will
lis, jolly and as noisy as he dared to be
with the principal of the ladies' depart
ment in the little room adjoining the
general parlor
Somehow as Willis came up and
spoke to Freeda and made her grave
face smile with some nonsense lightly
spoken by him Edward felt n dislike
for his roommate that he had never
experienced before. He resented his
Easy going. happy carelessncss. There
seemed to be disagrceable familiarity
on Preston's part with all the girls. but
Edward Blake noticed it for the first
time in connection with his convCrsa-
ton with Freeda. 1t was Preston's man
ner, and Edward on this evening cspe-
cially was probably more than usually
sensitive.
He rose to go earlier than usual, and
Freeda went out into the hall with him.
Il don't feel quite right about the
route, dear Ned" she said as he took
his hat up from the hall table, but if
you feel easy about til suppose
She hestated for fear OF seeming to
discourage him from the only thing that
seemed possible for him to do in order
to make his way.
"If could find anything else to do, l
would do it," said Edward moodily.
Don't you worry about it, anyway.
don't want to spoil your happiness
''The only unhappiness l can have
Ned, is to see you unhappy" Freeda
replied impulsiyely, and then she kiss
ed him, thing she seldom did, but the
girls heart was sore ut the sight Of
what she truly imagined her brothers
struggle.
Willis lounged into the hall with two
or three other students just as Edward
went out.
"Wish l had a sister In college," he
said. with provoking smile.
Freeda Redeemed. and after mo-
ments pause she turned and went di-
rectly up stairs. The boys with Pres.
ton laughed louder than usual, and
Miss Charming, the principal, opened
her door and came Into the hall. She
looked at Willis sharply and said:
Mr.. Preston, IL you don't obey the
rules as to order on calling nights you
will rot be permitted to come any more
this term"
Willis smiled good naturally.
"Now. then, Miss Claiming. am | to
blame IL the other fellows laugh at my
witty remarks? What makes you al
ways pick on me, a poor, inoffenslve
little juniorY
Miss Claiming looked at him and
tried to be severe, but Willis looked so
absolutely and contentcdly happy that
she relaxed her own look and came out
into the hall for a chat, and In few
minutes she was laughing with the 9TH
ers at an imitation on Willis part Of
one Of the professors who was exceed
ingly unpopular with both faculty and
students. Afterward she reproached
herself for letting Willis Preston i'm
pose on every one. But that was not
the first time he had had his own way
at the ladies' hall.
Edward Blake went out across the
campus and started toward his room.
Before he put his foot on the steps of
the building he had gone over the
whole matter of the paper route again.
His sisters evident distress for him
had moved him very deeply. In spite
Of the fact that he had not actually lied
to the proprietor of the paper or to any
one else he knew well enough that he
had let Rankin do the lying for him,
which was the same thing. Out there
IN the dark he fought the battle out
going over on the steps Of the chapel
opposite Rankin hall. As he sat there
he was not able to thinl; Of any one In
the whole college who could give him
any help 20 sottle the question. lie
was not q professod Christian, al
though he always had respect Tor reli
eious lifc aud had attended the college
prayer meetings and association gatb
crings several times since entering thp
college. SO me- WAS not fighting oui The
question of right and wrong ON any
basis Of Christian faith. Ills mother
siSier were members of church