Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-06-25

AS he and Freeda went along tOgetll-
er toward the chapel Freeda said.
when they were in the middle of the
walk by the library:
"Ned, do you remember what l said
about Ida and-and Willis once?"
"Yes," replied Edward, wondering.
"Of course there was nothing in that.
1t was the nearest to lie that ever
came. Only at the time I was trying to
get the better of my own feelings. l
know that Ida never cared for him."
Then she added as they drew near the
chapel: Il know your secret, Ned. Is
that the reason you understood my
trouble SO well?"
EYES," said Edward simply as they
went up the steps.
The president was holding an ami
mated though informal reception in the
lower hall, and after chatting with the
other professors and students Edward
came up and shook hands. The crowd
was very noisy, laughing and talking
very loud, and the president was stand
ing very close to Edward as he said q
few simple words Of greeting.
you're going home this summer,
understand, Blake?"
Eyes, sir. I've sold myroute and ex-
pect to buy another one in the fall.
Mother needs me on the farm this sum-
mer."
He moved away as another group
was coming up, and the president lean
ed his tall form over and said in low
tone that only Edward could hear:
"My boy, have been praying for
you all this year that you might be
Christ's man. l want to see you start
right next fall. Better begin tonight.
Goodby, and God bless you"
Edward moved on and spent the rest
of the evening with the other students.
About 10 o'clock he went out with
Freeda, and as it had cleared up they
strolled around the familiar walk past
the library and out upon the middle
campus. Freeda had refused several
other invitations from the students to
go with group down on the hill walk.
She preferred being with Edward on
this last day of the term.
They walked quite long way with
out speaking, and then Freeda began
to talk about their three years in col
lege. Edward was more silent than
usual at first, but afterward became
quite laxative. He grew confidential
and told Freeda something about his
feelings for Miss Seton. Freeda could
not give him much consolation, al
though she said she thought Ida admir-
ed Edward greatly.
"What was the president saying to
you" Freeda asked as they finally
turned back to the library walk and
went on toward the ladies' hall.
"He asked me about my summer
plans. You know I've sold the route
to Rawlins in order to get Barnes
route. It's nearer college and prac-
tically as good as the avenue route"
81 mean what he was saying to you
as he leaned over and spoke to you all
alone? l was just coming up and had
to wait a minute"
"IIe spoke to me about being Chris
tldu . tuC tAllIu pClSOA W aO Lay
spoken to me about that today"
Freeda was silent moment, and
then she said quietly: "Let me be the
fourth person, Ned. Why aren't you a
Christian? I've had good many anX-
ious thoughts about you this year.
Mother would be so glad too. Some
times think it's the only thing you
need to make you perfect"
zone thing thou lackest,' eh?" said
Edward, with unaccustomed levity.
and then he lapsed into silence, which
was unbroken until they reached the
ladies hall.
AS he said good night to Freeda he
added, 81 don't want to disappoint you
and mother, Freeda."
81 hope you won't, Ned" she replied
gently as she went up the steps.
He walked slowly back to his room
and went in and for few minutes sat
down by his window in darkness,
thinking over the events of the day.
Then he got up and lighted his lamp.
As he turned from the table he hap
pened to think of his letter box that he
had not looked into since noon.
He went over to the door and found
one letter there. He was glad 1t was
from his mother. He sat down at the
table at once and opened the letter.
His mother did not write to him very
often. She was not a college bred wo-
man and had lived a life Of hard phys
lcal labor, but there was no one in all
the world who had more influence
over Edward, and he always read her
letters with a reverence and respect
that he never felt for any other person.
The letter contained short account
Of affairs on the farm, then went on to
speak of Edwards uncle and aunt and
finally referred to Edwards and Free
da's college course:
It has been Joy to me, Edward, to think Of
rou and Freeda receiving an education. In your
asst letter you spoke Of feeling OF regret on your
part that was shaving SO hard on the farm, while
you and your sister were having such an easy
time in college, but you ought to know, dear son,
that count 10 hardship OF any account by the
tide OF the love I have for you. You may be
wondering why am writing this letter now, 90
hear your home coming and at time while you
must be so busy, at commencement time, but
Two nights ago as lay awake, toward morning.
had an experience that prompted this letter. I
Ieemed to hear a voice say to me: "Your son
Edward Is q good boy, truthful, honest, unselfsh