Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-04

fore any one had a chance to speak to
HIM IAN right" he called back, as he
ieaped down the steps.
The party was to start from the post
office. and half the boys and girls were
tnere when Gregory arrived and a gay time
they were having, choosing their places and
securing good share of the fur robes and
the straw. Gregory saw there was a place
between Ada and Maud, and he sprang In
lightly and asked If the seat was reserv-
ed 1t will be when you occupy it,,
laughed Maud, while Ada with half-averted
face. moved the least little bit to make
room for him.
He cRatted gaily with Maud and did not
appear to notice that Ada addressed none of
her remarks directly to him. All the while
he was gathering courage to make his
peace with her. The merry party was
chatting and laughing 50 busily that Greg
DRY trusted to be unheard. Lucy had made
1t easy for him to convince Ada of his in
nocence. but when he began to speak he
blurted out the very words he had per-
suaded himself he could never speak
Ada. l did say what the boys reported
1t was awful rude of me, and 1 shall not
blame you If you refuse to forgive me, but
hope you will not" His head was whirI-
Ing SO that he feared he should not be able
to hear Ada's reply.
Ada looked at him frankly: "You are a
gentleman, and never knew you to speak
rudely before, so l am going to forgive
Thank you." said Gregory, and his head
began to clear again
Presently Ada leaned toward him a little
and said, Il know you made that speech,
for l heard you.
AS one wrong word or act brings another
in Its train, so does good word or act, and
Gregory at the last moment jumped up
abruptly and shouted to the driver:
Hold on" Then to the company 81
have some work to do tonight, and 1t
won't do to put 1t off,
There was CONSERVATION and many excla-
nations. but he passed up his fare and
leaped over the side of the sleigh saying
to Ada and Maud. II don't think / ever
wanted to do anything so bad as want to
go this straw ride
He hurried home and studied until 1890
when he had everything in "Ship-Shape," as
he told his mother in answer to her in
curry as to how he was getting along
Your father Is going to start for your I'm
Gle Williams tomorrow morning" she said
and he will take you with him: the trees
are ready to be tapped and the camp will
be ready. Your father has just come in
and told me of his plans: I am so glad
the lessons are all right
One of Gregory's bright dreams had been
a visit to Uncle Williams maple sugar
camp; he was weak for moment think
ing how near he had come to missing this
chance. He knew his father would not
have allowed him to go If his lessons had
been neglected.
At the station next morning Gregory
found Mr.. Millay and Lucy and her two
brothers bound for the same destination
and a merry party they made. When they
were well under way, Mr.. Millay asked;
''Have you heard of the accident the sleigh
ing party met with last night? They had
an upset just before they reached Thomp-
sons. Harvey ellison came out of 1t with
broken arm and one of the girls was
stunned
Gregory drew hard breath and did not
speak for some time. then he said What a
little thing makes a big difference"
And Lucy said, Yes" without in the
least knowing what Gregory was thinking
about.