Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-17

sSGTI'T'

stood her ground, while her allles
rushed wildly for the staircase. Oh,
Trix where did you come from? How did you
get in hcre?"
'Joe Pepper brought me in a potato bar
rel replied Trix.
"A potato barrel?" repeated Kate, think
ing her companion must be out OF her mhc'
Yes. | could not get in any other way
because everything was locked up Tor the
night, explained IriX, hastily: and Joe
was bringing some potatoes and said, If Id
get in one of the barrels he could smugsle
me in without any fuss. For a horrid old
woman had nearly killed me to get my ruby
ring
Nearly killed your" echoed Kate, who
seemed to be unable to make an original
mark
And I've been hiding here ever sincc,'
continued Irlx. Il was afraid to venture
out until everything was quiet, for the cook
came very near catching me, as it was Oh,
I've had an awful time!" concluded Trix,
drawing long breath; but L brought the
things safely. You can have the party after
all. ~
And IriX held up her bag in triumph 1t
was burst IN two or three places; the lemons
were crushed, the cake crumbled and the
candy reduced to a sugary paste but Trix
had kept her word and stood by her friend
to the last
-. 1t was not her fault that there was no fes.
tive assembly in the cellar Discretion was
thought to be the wiser part, and the girls
crept back as quietly they could to their
rooms and munched the battered dainties un-
der the bedclothes,. while the story of Trix's
adventure was whispered from one to the
other and her fame established at Northwood
forever
- Perhaps the hardest trial of all to honest
IrlX was when good Miss Martha brought
hef plate, of milk toast for breakfast ard
hnr o;,,,,, IL
o'clock. lest she should have a return of her
chill. TrlX felt then that if it had not been
all.
The days went on, and the cold deepened
and strengthened until it was winter indeed
such winter as Irix had never known
-, The snow fell, and drifted and froze. until
the Institute appeared surrounded by walls
and oattlements OF dazzling white.
1t seemed to Trix sometimes as il her heart
were freezing, too. she felt so cold and hard
as the dreary days went by and no word came
from those she had left in the warmer world
below.
There was nothing for her to do but stndv
so she studied we'll Bright in mind as she
was bold In spirit, she soon stood ahead of
all her classmates, and even the stony uoze
OF the professor sometimes softened into
irlendlness for this brilliant pupil, who could
answered so quickly his Sphinx-like questions.
The professors head was bald and his ewes
were dim, and he was much more Interested
In chemical aftnities than human svmnathies.
but he struck up an odd sort of friendshD
with Trix.
More than once after a particularly good
recitation, he stopped her in the hall 10 sin
some fossil-like dainty into her hand. Once
it was box of cough lozenges-so black and
bitter that Trix could not have swallowed
one for her life. Another time, half n dozen
ginger cakes, that she felt convinced were at
least six months old. Again, a couple of
oranges, that he had kept in his pocket until
they had cutie shriveled up. Ill vi
On her side, Trix kept watch on the snac-
taces and snuff box that the professor va
always putting out of the way, and saw that
he was tormented no longer with the point
less pencils and nibless pens the girls had
been in the habit of preparing for his use.
Dull and prosy as her absent-minded teach
er was, Trix felt he liked her, and her warm
heart responded to this one friendly gleam
in the chill gloom around her, just as the
spring flowers peep through the snow at the
sun.
Christmas was drawing near, and Christmas
at Northwood Institute was celebrated by an
examination. 1t was, perhaps, with some
vague idea of stimulating his pupils through
the dismal days of winter that the professor
gave handsome prize at this season, instead
of at the close of the year.
was something which any pupil might proudly
win and wear, 1t was shield of gold, richly
chased and engraved with symbolic design
and attached to chain of beautiful workman
ship ,on aoiDo 10 trv for it,Y os,oa K.t,
Kirke of her roommate, the night that the
examination was announced
~'Yes. of course" said Trix. won't you?'