The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-05-09


his conversion"
The president was silent again. Then
he turned to Edward.
"1s that what you came to see me
about too?"
eyes, sir" replied Edward in a low
voice. :'That is, Ito tell the truth,
hardly knew at first what came over
for. But I want Willis to stay and
have another chance. don't feel quite
easy about my part. I haven't kept
my promise to his mother as ought"
It cost Edward Blake more than the
president could understand to say all
that. There was really a struggle
going on in him all the time over his
own duty to Willis. If he pleaded with
the president not to discharge him from
college, there was Miss Seton. who
and then-his own relations to Willis
what could he do more than he had
done?
The president sat eying the two
young men thoughtfully.
81 had fully made up my mind be-
fore you came in to advise the faculty
that Preston be dismissed once and for
all. What Mr.. Wheaton has said.
Blake, changes my views somewhat.
What you have said changes them
more. OF course, you understand l am
powerless to remit all punishment;
that would not be fair Mr.. Preston
deserves suspension, at least. for his
part in the nights work. But l can
Al tIAA l,fc .I,nn bA
carefully considered. and, if possible
without injustice to others, he shall be
allowed to continue his course"
Wheaton thanked the president and
rose to go. Edward. knowing how busy
the president always was, rose also.
"Wait a minute, Blake. please.
want word with you" said the presi-
dent. And Edward sat down again as
Wheaton went out.
81 want to ask another thing about
your relations to Preston. You have
not been rooming together now for sew
eral weeks. Do. you think you could
help him by going back and resuming
your old relations?"
81 might" Edward answered slowly.
"Then | would say by all means go
back to him."
"That is, supposing he wants me to
come back"
"Of course" replied the president
quickly. 81 do not know how he feels
toward you. That is for you to find
out. But if the faculty of the college
are to help Preston we must ourselves
be helped by any of the students who
have it in their power to use good in
f1uence. Besides, you said you felt as
if you had not quite kept your promise
to his mother"
eyes. sir. | said 1t, and | can't help
feeling that might do more"
whatever that is. Blake, rely on
you to do" said the president gravely
as he turned to his papers on his desk.
Don't forget that the future destiny
Of soul may rest with you to deter
NINE" And Edward, with this last
sentence impressed almost painfully on
his mind, went out of the Office.
He walked slowly over to his room,
went in and sat down by his table. He
was really having fight over his per-
sonal inclinations and his sense Of
what he really owed to Willis and his
mother at this particular time. He
really did not care to room with his
old chum again. He had come to like
the quiet of rooming alone. He had
grave doubts concerning his influence
over Willis in the matter Of drinking
although he was obliged reluctantly TO
confess that he had probably not ex-
erted all his influence to its full limit.
But all through his conflict Of feeling
he could not shut out the generous side
Of Willis nature, and certain passages
in Mrs. Preston's letters at different
times appealed to him.
At last he got up and went out and
crossed over to Rankin hall.
The living room was in great con-
fusion, and there was an open trunk
standing near Willis bedroom door,
Edward did not see any one and at
first thought that Willis was not In.
But as he took a step into the room a
number of articles. including a hair
brush, a pair Of tennis shoes and
sweater, were thrown out Of the bed
room toward the trunk. The sweater
and the hairbrush dropped inside. but
the shoes missed and fell on the other
side of the trunk near q number Of
other things that had evidently been
flung near the middle Of the room in
the same way. Suddenly Willis ap-
peared at his bedroom door with an
armful Of things. AS he caught sight
of Edward he pulled up rather hastily,
and then threw the whole armful In a
heap into the trunk.
"What are you doingW asked Ed
ward, rather unnecessarily.
Willis laughed boisterously.
Don't you see? I'm getting ready to
abandon Hope to quote from Dante.
I'm going to anticipate being fired by
going off before the trigger is pulled.
as the gun said to the little boy who
thought 1t wasn't loaded. Goodby
scholars, goodby school, goodby Prexy
no, | don't think the rest OF 1t Is right
to say. He's always treated me square
enough. I'm the one that's been n
fool"
Edward walked over to the table and
sat down on one corner of 1t.
81 came In to see you about matters
generally. don't think you need to
leave college"