Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1910-09-23

ing him toward her during the whole
of his college course. Each year he
was growing older and at the time of
his graduation had attained the season
when one begins to think of his domes-
tic future. His thoughts during this
period were all of Lucina Clark.
While in college Humphrey took one
u two scholarships which brought
him monetary assistance but beyond
this he had too much cn his hands to
study for prizes or honors in his class
AT the time of his graduation nearly
all his friends at Atherton. including
Lucina Clark, went over to attend the
exercises at the college. Rose Wyman
had become the principal of a school
for small children, and the exercises of
her own pupils prevented her from
seeing her friend graduate.
Humphrey had studied enough law
while in college to enable him to get a
situation in an Office that would pay
him meager salary and give him such
a legal education as may be obtained
from Office practice. Therefore he did
not attend law school. He preferred
to stop the payments Of his unknown
friend. He therefore directed his moth
er to return the first payment made
after he began his duties and ask the
cashier of the bank from which it came
II he might not now know to whom he
had been indebted. The cashier after
taking time for consultation with his
principal returned and answered that
whenever he felt abundantly able to
repay the amount the donors name
would be given him. Until then there
could be nothing gained by furnishing
the desired information.
Humphrey was much disappointed.
He thought of charging Bob Clark
with being party to the matter Of his
benefactions; but, thinking that If his
sister were involved without his
knowledge it might raise delicate
complication, he desisted. Since the
only clew he had was in connection
with the Clark family there was no
one else for him tc consider. In his
perplexity he remembered that he had
been guided by Rose Wyman's judg
ment thus far and it would perhaps
be better to take counsel with her be-
fore going any further.
Rose confirmed his idea that if Lu-
Gina Clark had had anything to do
with the matter, should he speak to
Bob, complications might arise. In
deed, Rose was of the opinion that if
any woman had been the donor the sit
uation might become very embarrass
ing. She advised Humphrey not to let
the benefaction influence him in the
matter of love. II he loved Lucina he
should tell her so, shutting his eyes to
the fact that she might have secured
for him the assistance which had ena-
bled him to obtain a college education.
If he did not love her for herself with
out this (hypotheticaD favor he should
not propose to her on account of it.
Humphrey left his friend, having
gained a new item of knowledge. He
had spent four years at college and
come home to learn that a girl with
common school education had more
sense than he had. He felt like saying
with the poet, knowledge comes, but
wisdom fingers
| He made up his mind not to act in
! the matter without Roses sanction
But he seriously considered offering
himself to Lucina Clark He believed
that there were nine chances in ten
that she was at least indirectly con-
cerned in the matter, and If she were
the whole would make very pretty
romance. But. not being sure Of his
love for her, he concluded to wait. 1t
struck him. moreover, that he would
not like to confess to the practical
! Rose that he was Influenced by this
supposed pretty romance" He had
come to dread Roses unromantic way
! of looking at things. He thought that
| if she had only had little Of the ideal
in her nature he might have consid-
cred her sweetheart instead Of a
friend
But Humphrey could not make up
his mind that he loved Lucina Clark
| exclusive of the gratitude he felt for
her supposed favor. One day he went
to Rose and told her this. He also
told her that he had borne the un-
certainty attached to the secret long
enough and it was time he was re-
ieved of it. He also desired to com.
mence to make small payments return
ing the amount he had received. To
do this he must have the name of the
donor and he had been told that ii
would at such time be proper for him
to make inquiries to that end.
Rose considered awhile replying, then
advised him that If such was his In
| .t.Nfxr ne,l,
the cashier if he would reveal the Sc
cret. Humphrey was so delighted that
he was about to go to the bank at once
when Rose stopped him.
You have plenty of time" she said
81 make it the rule of my life to sleeI
over important decisions whenever II
is possible. Go tomorrow"
"Just like you, Rose" he exclaimed
mo impulse, no romance! But you
make up the deficiency in mighty good