Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-05-04

route with conflicting feelings. He
had not actually said word to the
proprietor or to any one else about the
ownership of the route. and he tried to
quiet his conscience with the thought
that he was justified in earning the
money needed to carry him through
college. And still he was not able to
silence that little voice. His home
training had been too exact. His IA
Their had been called by some of his
overparticular in the matter
of tluthfulness. If he had not been so
particular, they said. he would have
got on faster Edwards mother and
Freeda had the same habit Of scrupu-
lous exactness, and Edward had never
been able before to satisfy himself
with any statement that stopped short
of absolute and perfect frankness. He
was not satisfied now, but he was
struggling to make the matter seem
reasonable and persuade himself that.
as Willis said. he was ''too finicky."
For a week he worked on the route
with all his energy. Matters in regard
to Cuba and SPANS administration OF
that unhappy island were growing
more and more important as news.
People in the limits Of the newspaper
route who had never taken a paper be-
gan to subscribe. Before the week was
out Edward had increased the sub
scription list by the addition of % new
names.
When Rankin paid him at the end Of
the week. according to their contract
he was much pleased. He volunteered
so cents extra Oh the So, and Edward
silently took it.
I'm willing to make it a regular
thing" said Rankin. IF you can keep
up the list through the winter. Looks
now as if there might be war with
Spain. and if there is people will want
the news right along. The papers will
probably have BOOM"
"Probably they will.' replied Edward
briefly.
That was Saturday night. and. as his
custom had been since entering college.
he went over to the girls hall to see
Freeda.
When she came into the parlor, she
noticed Edwards unusually grave face.
He was habitually grave. but not SON.
Der, and Freeda was quick to see the
difference.
what have you been doing. Ned
You've been working too hard"
mo; haven't" Edward hesitated
to tell her the real cause of his trouble
because he did not want her to know
anything about the real struggle he
was having to meet his expenses. But
Freeda was a persistent girl. and Ed
. wards old habits of frankness finally
prevailed, and he told his sister briefly
about the newspaper route and his con
tract with Rankin.
Freeda listened. and her face grew
more and more distressed as he wen
on. They were sitting in corner OF
the parlor, for there were other callers
present, and Freeda said in low
voice:
Ned. you never told me that uncle
did not send you the money to pay thu
first terms bills. am sure that wa!
the understanding when we left home
You have given me all the money ant
not kept any for yourself"
Edward explained that their uncle
needed the money to buy stock for TN
farm. but Frceda was evidently yer!
much disturbed by her brothers con
feSsion.
AT any rate. Ned. you have beef
tempted to take this route against you
convictions because you need the mon
ey so much And | feel to blame TO
your having done so much for me.
could get place to work somewhere
in Il private house instead of payln:
for beard aud room here in the hail.
ut isn't necessary" replied Edward
doggedly. 80 long as am making thi
three and half a week, and there will
be some money coming to me from TIN
| farm in january"
| Freeda was silent moment ant
then said timidly:
DO you think you will 60 on witt
the routeY
"Yes. I suppose So"
Freeda did not say anything. A mum
Der Of students came into the parlol
and the brother and sister were no
allie to talk together privately any lor
ger. Among the newcomers was WI
lis, jolly and as noisy rs he dared to b
with the principal of the ladies' depar
ment in the little room adjoining til
general parlor.
Somehow as Willis came up an
spoke to Freeda and made her gray
face smile with some nonsense light
spoken by him Edward felt dislik
for his roommate that he had neve
experienced before. He resented hi
easy going, happy carelessness. Their
seemed to be disagreeable familiarlt
on Prestons part with all the girls BIT
Edward Blake noticed it for the frs
time in connection with his converse
ton with Freeda. 1t was Preston's maj
ner, and Edward on this evening esp
cially was probably more than usual
sensitive.
He rose to 60 earlier than usual. an
Freeda went out into the hall with hin
II don't feel quite right about til
route, dear Ned" she said as he too
his hat up from the hall table, but
| vo,, fanl eoSv ahOut fl gIInnOSe"-