Evening star., 1902-03-01

IN his pockets, therefore. he turned up the
long slope Of Cottam street, at the top of
which the little academy of kilgour was
situated.
There was still slight contraction be-
tween the eyes, the result of his interview
with Veronica, but as he neared the aca-
deny that also cleared away, and he be-
gan to hum tune. The boys heart leaped
strangely within him. There on the roof
was the bell which he had SO often pulled
thrice day during the last years of his
puplship. For with all his STIFFNESS of
discipline Henry Colstoun had so won upon
the lad that, perhaps because he felt him
self neglected at home, he had begged to
be allowed to do any office for the man
whom he loved and honOred.
Yet why did this friend of Henry Col
stouns turn aside from that foot battered
door, by opening which he might have
found himself clasping his masters hand
In another ten seconds? Why did he so sud
denly drop into listless stroll which car
ried him just the length of the boys play
ground and back again? Why did he re-
gard with such mighty assumption of in
difference the long slide of 'sloy, cleaning
black among the white and trampled snow,
and regard with such interest the broken
ramparts where the flrst-class boys had in
trenched themselves and flown their flag in
defiance Of the rest of the school?
TO the returned Bachelor Of Arts all this
was doubtless most interesting. but what
induced this dignified collegian. matriculate
and graduate of King James College to ex-
the infant department? The pupils therein
assembled had been but babies in arms
when John left the academy Of Kilgour.
But stay, is not slim figure in severest
black bending over bunch of children
whose simple literature is confined to words
of one syllable
Presently however. as John passed the
window Of the infant school for the third
time. he saw the bending figure in black
standing erect. and revealing single
gretchen braid of fair hair tied with a pale
blue ribbon, decorous bow of the same
being pinned under a girlish throat. And
the window. an answering pink futtered
out upon a pair Of cheeks a little pale with
a school-room's confinement and Overmuch
la boring with child.
girls gretchen pigtail and the accurately
tied blue bow: pendant almost at her waist
But the pretty shoulders were definitely
squared for duty, and with a sigh the young
man turned away toward the main door of
the academy. Friendship is one of the
pOblest passions of which the human bosom
is capable. so John decided that he would
60 and see his friend and benefactor, Henry
Colstoun.
AS he opened the door of the classical de-
partment he held 1t a minute on the jar. en-
1oying the momentary spasm which came
over him with the thought that he was
late. For he could see the first Latin class
tOeing the well-remembered chalk line.
Henry Colstoun was striding up and down
along the front OF his class as of old, using
his desk as a kind Of pivot.
What John Glendonwyn! Any news
from the old Couth Brig?" he cried. Are
you this year?'
AS the words were being spoken Joh . was
shaking his old master by the hand xmid
the hushed awe Of the school. Of ali u. w.
4ieges Of Being-Grown-Up this seemed to
khem the greatest. To laugh, even to Joke
I'm MI. colstoun, standing easily the