Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-07-17
out Edward found bis mind going back
more and more to Willis. AS the days

III ~
he Instantly turned and orappled 10TH a
went on he did not feel satisfied. He
met Willis In chapel and on the grounds
and in the halls constantly. His face
bore heavier marks of dissipation, and
he was evidently running fast pace
with the fast set.
Mrs. Preston had also written again,
urging Edward If possible to go back
and room with her son. Il am sure"
she said, that Willis would welcome
you, and you could keep him from
many wrong things. know he still
has great respect for you. Your recent
action in the matter of the gamblers
arrest evoked his admiration. he
wrote me strong account of it and
defended your motives, although, alas!
fear he himself was one Of the fire.
quenters Of the place. Can you do
anything? If 80, will you not do 1t for
the sake Of Willis, If not for me? l
cannot help feeling that he is going
from bad to worse. But just what l
fear I cannot define. seem to be
waiting to hear Of some final disgrace
that he will suffer. In Gods name,
do all you can, Mr.. Blake, and l will
pray FIR you as ask you to pray for
me-"
Edward read this letter with a feel
ing Of shame, as he had always felt
more or less on reading Mrs. Preston's
letters. She wrote, always assuming
that Edward was a conscientious
Christian and she always appealed to
more than his morality. Edward did
not call himself Christian, and there
was nothing in him that could respond
to part of her appeal. Nevertheless,
he was moved so much by it that he
was exceedingly unhappy. He even
sought to see Willis that evening. He
decided to go and have talk with him
and see If their former relations could
be resumed. But when he went up to
the old room, Willis happened to be
having a card party Of fellows most Of
whom were distasteful to Edward. So
when Willis opened the door and Ed
ward saw at glance who were in the
room he said briefly: II wanted to
see you But won't come in to-
night
Willis stepped out into the hall and
shut the door. He was putting a ciga-
rette, and looked more than usually dis
sfpated-
Anything in particularr' he asked,
not unkindly.
Edward hesitated. Eyes, but can't
talk with that crowd around
'1'll send 'em away" said Willis
carelessly.
you needn't do that" said Edward
slowly. Afterward he was sorry he
had not taken Willis at his word, for
Willis turned and went back into the
room indifferently, and Edward slowly
went down the stairs disappointed and
more unhappy than ever.
1t was perhaps a week after that
that Edward was hailed by one of the
men In his hall as he came down to
breakfast.
"Say! Heard the news? Preston
and Williams and Hawley and half
that gang were taken in last night and
are likely to get fired for good. They
stacked Wheaton's room, burned up all
his Bibles and wound up by painting a
lot Of ballet dancers on the chapel tow
er. TheyWere caught red handed and
have confessed. Prexy won't stand
the desecration Of the chapel, and he'll
give them their final papers, guess"
Edward listened in silence. He felt
glad Of the news If it meant the dismiss
al Of the fast set that were no credit
to Hope. But he could not help won
dering about Willis. He had known
Of his INDUCING in various pranks,
| such as tearing students. room to
| pieces and piling the pieces up in the
| center of the room. which was called
stacking" but he had never known
him to be guilty of such an immoral
act as the one ascrfbed to him in con-
nection with the chapel tower
| Later in the day the morning rumor
was confirmed, and more too. It was
said that Willis had confessed himself
to being the principal offender in the
chapel dissertation. 1t was also said
that the college authorities could not
pardon it and that Willis, with halt q
dozen others in his set, would be not
only suspended, but expelled from COL
lege..s'
| On hearing the news, which came
direct from good sources, Edward de-
termined to see President Royce. He
was not altogether clear In his mind
concerning what he wanted to see him
for. But he seemed impelled to 60 to
him In Willis behalf. Perhaps Mrs.
Preston's letter had something to do
with It.
He went over to the office at the usu-
ii hour in the afternoon when the
president was In for students and
Knocked In answer to the summons
to come In he entered and found
Wheaton in earnest conversation with
the president ~. ..-
Its all right IL Blake hears your
story, Wheaton, isn't it7'' asked the
/ president. .s..s =.
~Yes, SIR" replied Wheaton. noddina
| 1t Edward. T..
.Go on, then" continued the presi
dent gravely. It was very sti1l In thu