Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-08-02

"Whatw exclaimed Mabel. He isn't
Eick?'
Beth shook her head. II almost
wish he was." she said. 'instead Of
this"
The girls waited sympathetically for
her to 90 on.
Harold got In with a fast set at
college," Beth continued after a mo-
ment. "You know how open hearted
and easily Influenced he was? Well.
rs soon as the boys found out that be
had plenty of money they got him to
Join what was supposed the most fash.
ionable fraternity In school. but which
must have been the wickedest. Har.
old isn't the kind Of boy to do any.
thing halfway He thought he must
do everything the rest Of the boys in
bis set did. and he got to leading a
pretty wild life. I'm afraid"
Beth paused for moment and then
went on. HE went into athletics and
soon became a football star. whatever
that is. OF course he was immensely
popular" was note Of pride In
her voice-"but with this popularity
came more temptations to get away
from all the best part Of college life
and 60 In simply for the sporty part
Of 1t. The end Of 1t all was that he
got to gambling and got into debt so
badly that he was almost afraid to
come home. Papa gave him an awful
lecture"-she shuddered at the recol-
lection-"and Harold finally got an
cry himself and said he couldn't be
young but once. and he was going to
enjoy life while he could.
Then mamma talked to him. and
he finally broke down and promised
to do better. Papa wanted to take
him out of school and put him to work
at something. but he finally agreed to
give him one more chance"
None Of the girls said anything for
a long time after Beth had finished.
Harold could be such splendid
man if he would only try" said Gladys
at last. with the ability he has
why. he might be the best lawyer In
the state"
Maybe 1t isn't altogether his fault"
said Mabel 1T must be hard to
stand out against all the rest of the
fellows"
THAT'S the trouble" said Beth. HE
got in with the wrong kind Of crowd
to start with"
81 don't believe the boys at Ames
are that way" said Mabel. "at least
nose that ! know"
Gladys smiled. There are whole
lot there that you don't know" she
SAID. There might be great deal Of
Improvement in the Ames boys: but.
all the same. I don't believe there
could be any other school as nice as
Amrs. Why can't you come down
with us next termT' she added. turn
Ing to Beth.
Beth shook her head. I'm going to
Iowa CITY," she said. Maybe | can
help Harold. It's going to be hard
enough fight for him anyway"
Are you really going to the uni
verslty?" asked Gladys. We'll come
over and see you the day of the Min
nesota game next fall If we get an
invitation" she added.
"I'll give you q standing invitation
now that is good for any day In the
year" Beth answered. "And ] wish"
she added. that you would talk to
Harold before hp goes back. He has
whole lot Of respect for you girls
and your opinions"
Then the talk drifted to other things
dresses. music and that great un-
known that is so close and yet so far
away that people call the future.
Gladys brought some apples and the
corn pepper. and they sat down on
the floor before the open tre-Mr.
Sanders had insisted Oh building IT.
tie fireplace In the guest chamber
and popped corn and roasted apples
and talked until the night was far
gone.
Gladys had a headache--an unusual
thing for her the next day. 80 Mabel
hitched Mollie to the cutter and drove
Beth back to town. Harold came
down to the gate as he saw them
drive up He lifted his cap In the
same old jaunty way. and the same
smile fingered about the corners OF
his mouth as he talked. but 10 many
o+ber ways he Was greatlr changed.
BE had grown and was superbly mus
cled. As be lounged against the gate