Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1910-06-23

through the summer on a farm
up in Minnesota and had not
been home since he first went away a
year before. An occasional letter told
them that he was enjoying his school
work and getting along much better
than he had dared to hope for, hut that
was all.
Gladys and Mabel put into their col
lege work all the energy with which
their live young bodies were charged
and enjoyed it immensely. The other
girls were not at all stuck up" but
just happy, healthy girls like them
selves. and they made friends easily.
Outside Of study hours they let off
some of their bubbling spirits by play
ing basketball, and they did it so eff
GENTLY that before the first term was
over they had both made the team.
But, after all, they were glad when
the term was over and they could go
home for four weeks vacation. 1t
was good to get back to the little farm
home once more and doubly good to
see the dear old father and mother
again.
1t was lonely at home these days
with both the girls gone, but Mr.. and
Mrs. Sanders bore it uncomplainingly
We've got no call to worry, moth
err" said Mr.. Sanders one evening.
"It's lonesome, but it's whole lot to
have girls you can depend on. And
then it'll be vacation in two weeks"
he added. and his wife echoed his
smile
And when the girls, a little taller, a
little straighter. but not quite so rosy.
came rushing in in the same old breezy
way-well, the old house took on a
new joyousness.
"If you girls don't keep still and go
to bed" said Mr.. Sanders some time
within an hour or two after the clock
struck II, I'll want to pack up and
start for college myself"
The next morning as Mr.. Sanders
was starting out TO the barn to milk
he met Gladys coming in with brim-
ming pail in either hand.
"Just to show you l hadn't forgotten
how" she said, with a laugh. Its
such fun to be home again"
Mabel was already up and getting
breakfast. and if some of the cakes
were burned it wasn't because of care
less cooking, but rather indicated her
proficiency as a fire builder.
After breakfast Gladys went out to
the barn and had a long talk with
Mollie, and if Mollie didn't understand
because she didn't listen attentively.
Then Mabel came out, and they hitch
ed up to the cutter. and Mollie took
them up hill and down at pace that
made the sleighbells jingle merrily.
They laughed reminiscentfy at each
familiar road and field. 1t seemed as
If they had been away for years in
stead of only for one short term.
When they reached home again and
Mollie was carefully stabbed and fed
they went out to the orchard Every
tree was a friend, and a true friend.
too, for none other would uncomplain-
ingly furnish the funds to send them
to college.
'Look how papa's been caring for
them" cried Gladys. Hes wound
every one with cornstalks to keep the
rabbits and mice from gnawing them.
I'd never thought of that"
He's doing all he can to help us,
even If he can't give us the money"
CO III Nabal ssI couatip1aS xpondor 20
we ought not to stay here and help
him and mommie so they wouldn't
have to work so hard. Then think Of
the nice things they could buy with
the money we're spending"
Gladys looked serious. 81 never
thought of it that way" she confessed.
Lets go and ask them about it."
Their father shook his head decided
ly when they preached the subject to
him. "Stay out of SCHOOL," he cried.
"Of course not, girlies. Mother and
l are too proud of our college girls to
think Of such thing for a moment
Aren't we, motherT
Mrs. Sanders nodded smiling as
sent, and the girls were satisfied. for
the time at least. They were too
young to realize what the loneliness of
their absence really meant to the old
people.
Gladys was out feeding the pigs that
evening when JEFF came riding up the
road on Nancy. That year and half
at school had done wonders for him.
as Gladys had predicted. He was
man now and so strong and self re-
liant that Gladys was almost afraid
Df him.
THAT curl hasn't learned to keep
out of your eyes yet, has it?' he cried
gayly as he leaped to the ground. I'D
know you by that anywhere"
IL couldn't say as much for you"
said Gladys. There isn't thing about
you that hasn't changed since / saw
you last. You seem like a different
Jeff."
I'm sorry" said JEFF contritely.
I'm not" she replied promptly.