The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-05-16


III you break your WORD with me
again, you know what l shall do" he
exclaimed. and his usually quiet. al.
most 'tolid, face fairly blazed with
passed.
"All right" said Willis briefly, not
turning around. Then after moment
or silence he faced Edward with a
queer look.
II may not stay in college another
that may mean leaving here for good
So l won't bother you very much lon
ger"
And then, to his great surprise, vii
lis sat down near his table and said:
"Ned, old boy, l have made a big
fool Of myself, but I'm going to turn
over q new leaf, and don't want you
TO go back on me. You won't, will
your
you've turned over SO many new
leaves that don't have much faith III
you"
81 don't blame you, Ned. But honest
ginger, | mean it this time. Want to
See Whit i Cuu uO! Juot NdtCh ihe
for the rest Of the term"
Edward made no answer, and Willis
opened his books and began to study.
1t was after this scene that Edward
received great surprise in the shape
of q remarkable letter from Mrs. Pres.
ton.
Willis had been even better than his
word. He had cut entirely loose from
his fast friends, had stopped going
out nights, and to the real astonish-
ment of Edward he had applied him.
self with zeal to his studies. Not q
man In all Hope could have excelled
Willis at that time for real, downright,
hard, faithful study. He was agreea-
BILE, too, so much so that Edward be-
gan to have pleasure in anticipating
the intervals between study and reci-
tation, periods when he could talk with
Willis and especially hear him describe
events in his short army experience.
he chose to do so he knew how to
make himself very agreeable. The
girls, with most Of whom Willis was
a great favorite, always spoke Of his
manners as fascinating, and he seemed
to be especially gifted in this direction
during that short time Immediately
following his last talk with Edward
and his promise Of reformation.
Edward opened Mrs. Preston's let
ter to him, expecting a line or two Of
thanks for his continued influence over
Willis. He had received a long and
very gratefully worded letter at the
time he went back to room with VIII
that time.
But he had read only a short dis
lance when he was startled by some
news that upset him completely:
l feel that 1t is only right to tell you something
of Willis future plans. even II he has not con-
fded everything to you. And am quite sure he
will forgive me II speak word in his behalf.
1t may be no secret to you that Willis has al.
ways thought a great deal Of your sister Freeda.
Before he sailed for the Philippines he confessed
to me that he loved her and hoped some day to
marry her. When he was at home. after the loss
Of his arm, found this feeling had undergone no
change, unless to become even more emphatic.
You know he carried that little volume OF poems
with him through all the fighting around Manila.
There is no question that his feeling for your sis
ter is more than fancy. 1t is a real. deep, hon.
orable feeling that am sure has helped to keep
him from much that is evil.
Now what ! am about to say may take you by
surprise; but for the sake Of Willis l pray that
you will not dismiss 1t as unworthy of your
thought.
Willis is determined to leave college this sum.
mer and enter a business to which his uncle In
New York has invited him. 1t is really very
good position for young man, with an assured
salary and a prospect OF promotion. Willis is
competent to do the work required. My brother
wants him to become a member Of the firm
eventually.
This is what hesitate to tell you but 1t Is
what want you to consider calmly. Willis wants
your sister to leave college, to marry him and go
to New York to live. Foolish as this sounds at
first, as | have already told him, there is some
thing to be said for it. In the FIRST place, Villa
is older than the average college student, and so
is your sister. The loss of the college is q
serious thing to consider, but other young people
have occasionally done this, and they have had
happy, useful homes. OF course there Is the mat.
ter Of your sisters feeling. ! know nothing about
her thought OF Willis. Probably you do. My
only thought Of the matter is that II she does
care enough for my son to become his wife and
leave her college course you will not dissuade her
pended on the wife he has. II he should he dis
appointed here, there is no telling
There was a step outside, the door
opened, and Willis entered.
"Hello, old man! What are you read
ingT he asked as he noted Edward