Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-06-18

the room and he was taken i'll just as
the men finished their work. and
made him go into my bedroom. which
they had not touched. and lie down
there until he insisted on going out
again."
The president and Edward learned
afterward that Wheaton had staid up
and tended Willis as carefully as II he
had been his dearest friend.
But Preston was caught with the
rest of the men near the chapel" said
the president.
"Yes. sir; but you see he left my
room after the crowd had done the
work on the chapel. and walked around
the hall right into the midst Of them
only a few minutes before they were
caught. So he couldn't have been
guilty Of the offense."
The president was silent and
thoughtful.
"Why should he confess. then. that
be Is the guilty party? He insists upon
it that he planned and executed most
Of the work."
Wheaton was silent, because he EVIL
IDENTIFY had no good reason to give for
Willis conduct, and Edward spoke up.
II think | can make guess at that"
he said, as the president turned toward
him. "Preston has been borrowing
heavily of his society friends, notably
from Rankin. | have good reason to
suppose that he is good deal in
volved with them. in one way and
another. He considers that this event
will mean his discharge from the col
lege anyway, and he has confessed to
being guilty Of this act of desecrating
the chapel in order to shield the other
mon, who really did it. and to whom
he is under such heavy obligations, in
order to retain their favor. And the
otnor men are mean enough to keep
still and let Willis lie about it, just to
save themselves, seeing he is in so
deep with them on the money ques-
ton"
ITS a shrewd explanation replied
the president, "and you may be right"
In fact, as it afterward came out, Ed
ward had hit upon the exact truth in
the matter, as Willis himself confess
ed. But now the question still faces
the faculty as to the punishment to
be meted out. If Preston it not guilty
of the particular offense Of which he Is
charged, he is more or less of a ring
leader among the worst set in Hope,
and we cannot let such an affair as
that of last night go by unnoticed or
unpunished."
Wheaton looked at Edward and was
evidently disturbed in his mind. But
after Il silence which neither the presi-
dent nor Edward attempted to break.
he said:
CDR. Royce, | came in here on pur.
pose to ask you to allow Mr.. Preston
to remain in college if possible.
have been prayiu" for him all winter
that he might be saved. A number Of
other men in the association are doing
the same thing. We fepl deeply in.
tercsted In him. He will be man Of
great power if the Lord once wins him.
II is critical time with Preston. right
now. and it may prove the turning
point in his whole life"
The president looked at Wheaton
kindly
Then you bear him no grudge 70"
your room"
"No. sir: how can I? Are we not
told to love our enemies? Besides, I
do not regard Preston as by any means
the worst of the set in Hope. have
always had personal dra wing toward
him, and there has not been night for
two years that l have not prayed for
his conversion"
The president was silent again. Then
he turned to Edward.
SIS that what you came to see me
about too"
Eyes, sir" replied Edward in a low
voice. "That Is, Ito tell the TRUTH
hardly knew at first what came over
for. But l want Willis to stay and
have another chance. don't feel quite
easy about my part. l haven't kept
my promise to his mother rs l ought"
1t cost Edward Blake more than the
president could understand to say all
that. There was really struggle
going on In him all the time over his
own duty to Willis. If he pleaded with
the president not to discharge him from
college, there was Miss Seton. who
and then-his own relations to Willis
what could he do more than he had
done?
The president sat eying the two
young men thoughtfully.
II had fully made up my mind be-
fore you came in to advise the faculty
that Preston be dismissed once and for
all. What Mr.. Wheaton has said,
Blake, changes my views somewhat.
What you have said changes them
more. OF course, you understand am
powerless to remit all punishment;
that would not be fair. Mr.. Preston
deserves suspension, at least, for his
part in the nights work. But can
promise this-that his case shall be
carefully considered, and, II possible
without injustice to others. he shall be
allowed to continue his course"
Wheaton thanked the president and
rose to 60. Edward, knowing how busy
the president always was, rose also.
"Wut q minute, Blake. please.