The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-05-23

Better decide 1t, then; the sooner the
better. God bless you, Blake. Good
| by"
"Goodby, sir" and Edward put up
his umbrella and marched up the hill
through the rain which was now pour
ing down steadily.
He went up to his room for a few
moments before supper, thinking about
Professor Clark's last words. They
had been very few; but, coming so
soon after Wheaton's, they affected
him more. He had great respect for
Professor Clark and believed in the
sincerity of his Christian life. He
could not help wondering II he spoke
to other students as he had twice spo.
ken to him. 1t was or had been such
an unusual custom for the professors
ever to say anything about Christian
ity to the students in Hope college that
Edwak may be Eardoned II he had
some feeling of wonder over the Incl
dent In his own experience.
After supper he went over to the
ladies' hall to take Freeda to the prom
enade concert. This was usually held
on the campus, but when it raned as
1t did that night the concert was trans
ferred to the chapel halls and became
more like a reception.
Miss Seton had bad headache and
could not go. Edward felt much disap-
pointed at first, for he had been looking
forward to the evening and anticipat-
ing her company with Freeda.
AS he and Freeda went along togeth
err toward the chapel Freeda said,
whom they were In the middle Of the
walk by the library:
"Ned, do you remember what / said
about Ida and-and Willis once?"
EYES," replied Edward, wondering.
"Of course there was nothing in that.
1t was the nearest to lie that l ever
came. Only at the time was trying to
get the better of my own feelings.
know that Ida never cared for him."
Then she added as they drew near the
chapel: 81 know your secret, Ned. Is
that the reason you understood my
trouble so wellY'
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 a
few simple words of greeting.
you're going home this summer,
understand, Blake?"
Eyes, sir. I've sold my route and ex-
pect to buy another one in the fall
Mother needs me on the farm this sum-
mer."
was coming up, and the president lean
ed his tall form over and said in low
tone that only Edward could hear:
"My boy, l have been praying for
you all this year that you might be
Christs man. 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.
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 talkative. 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? I was just coming up and had
to wait q minute"
"He spoke to me about being Chris
tian. That's the third person who has
spoken to me about that today"
Freeda was silent a moment, and
then she said quietly: "Let me be the
fourth person, Ned. Why aren't you
Christian? I've had good many anx-
ious thoughts about you this year.
Mother would be so glad too. Some
times I think it's the only thing you
need to make you perfect"
"'One thing thou lackest,' ehT 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 I'D the stems.