Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-23

accused of different crimes and had been
locked up for years, many of them never
having their innocence proved. 1t was a
terrible fix for him. All this went
through his mind while the others were
consulting.
Finally DR.. Lawrence, the president.
turned to Hal and said:
Mr.. Case, it is terrible thing for all
of us to have to consider a matter Of
this kind. 1t is one Of the few occasions
in my life when / would rather be any
one else than the president of Lowell
University. Whoever 1t was who per-
formed this theft may have to answer
finally for the conviction of an innocent
YOU of this crime. In fact, I wish you
to understand thoroughly that we do not
accuse you now. At the same time the
circumstances are such that we cannot,
we regret to say. exOnerate you until
the matter is fully cleared up. You your
self admit that it looks bad for you. II
does. But we will not permit ourselves
10 believe you guilty until every effort
has been made to clear it up. Meantime,
however not as punishment for this
matter. but to put it on a basis, which,
while not justifable, is nevertheless ex-
plainable as the result of your intention
to absent yourself from the university
without leave, we have decided that you
must consider yourself off the varsity for
the period of one week. We rely on you
investigation. l am sorry
He shook Halls hand warmly after this
dignified speech and expressed the hope
that the matter could be cleared up soon.
He assured Hal that no expense or labor
would be saved in that direction.
Then they let him go home, and it was
the saddest trip Hal ever took in the
direction of Mrs. Malcolm's house.
Whether they considered him guilty Of
the greater crime or net. he was c.s-
na1 hoy
punishment, to give an impetuous young
fellow for simply wanting to go home
and for the reason that Hal thought he
had.
He went up the stairs to his room with
heavy heart-a heart that ached In
every way. He felt that he was done for.
Hans door was open, and he heard Hal
come in.
Been up on the green carpet?o' asked
Hans. That's what they say, isn't It,
when he sends for you like that?"
YES" said Hal, detected.
Whats the matter now! Nothing
about the medal or our trip to Boston,
was it?" went on Hans. But before he
could answer Hal broke down and went
all to pieces. I'm disgraced," he al
most shouted in his agony.
Tell me what happened said Hans
when he had quoted him down some
what Then Hal told him all that had
pawnbroker's story and everything, wind
ing up by repeating the presidents
speech, which he could recite almost
word for word. so forcibly had every
syllable sunk into his brain.
I'm disgraced,'' he concluded.
Hans was thunderstruck. Did they
connect him with 1t in any way? Was
his name mentioned? Why didn't they?
1t was preposterous! He had Hal go
over different parts of the story again
and again. They didn't believe Hal
guilty, yet they put him off the team
for a week.
I'VE must clear this up said he
finally, when he had a little time to
think. I'VE must clear it up within q
week. How l don't know, but it must
be done Don't worry about being sus-
pended for week. No one but Hughie
need know. You can fix it up with him