Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-07-26
NUMBER 30.

sitting on the back steps.
Il came over to say goodby," he said.
'Tm going to start to school tomor.
row.
mo; Pm not going to Ames," he
went on in reply to Mabers question.
II have an uncle at Minnesota uni
versity. and he'll give me my board
for taking care Of his horse"
Il suppose you'll forget all about us
when you get away to college," said
Gladys.
"You know me better than that"
JEFF answered. II wish you were 60
ing along"
GLADYS shook her head. 81 think
we had better go to Ames," she said.
"But we won't go till next year any
way and maybe not then II the apple
crop isn't good"
you'll be a good boy In college.
won't you. Jeff?" said Mabel.
"You don't need to ask him that"
said Gladys. JEFF would never do
anything he wouldn't come over and
tell us all about, would you. Jefr?'
JEFF Strengthened up his long back,
and the awkwardness Of boyhood
seemed to slip from him in an instant
leaving in its place the responsibility
md purpose Of young manhood.
"A fellow that couldn't amount to
something when he had two such
girls as you to back him up must be
pretty poor sort to start with" he
said. Then he held out his hand.
Good night and goodby." he added.
and a moment later he was gone.
1--WE won't know JEFF when he comes
back" said Gladys. college Is going
10 make a lot Of difference In him."
do you know" said Mabel. 81 don't
feel the same way about him that
did about Harold. JEFF will be true
to his ideas of right whatever happens,
hut Harold Oh. ! hope he gets start.
ed right!
The next spring the girls, following
the advice Of Mr.. Pearson. top grated
about half Of the Wealthy trees with
scions of hardy winter varieties. When
these came into bearing It would SIM
plIfy the work Of marketing very
much. They decided not to try cab
bage growing again. but instead seed.
ed the entire orchard to clover.
While not quite so good an apple
year as the previous one had been,
the returns from the crop were never.
theless large enough to increase the
girls bank account to such an extent
that they felt that they could start to
college.
Gladys was in town couple OF
days before they were to start, when
she met Harold on the street. 1t was
the first time she had seen him since
he had acted as their champion when
they were peddling apples the fall be-
fore He raised his jaunty little cap
as she approached.
1T seems good to see you. Gladys"
he said. Wont you let me take you
out home In the autoT
IF you'll wait an hour" Gladys re.
piled. 1--WE lot to do yet before I'll
he ready"
Promptly at the appointed time Har.
old drove the auto around to the dry
goods emporium and helped Gladys
and her many packages TO the seat
"The apple orchard must have done
extra well this season." he remarked.
with smile. as he surveyed the seat
full Of bundles
Not quite so well rs last year." she
replied But were getting ready to
90 away to school. and it takes lot
Of things, you know
Yes: Harold knew He had spent a
couple OF uncomfortable hours that
morning trying TO convince his father
that all the things" he had spent his
money for the previous semester were
really necessary
II hope you'lI like college" he said
after Il moment. "and that the apple
orchard will he equal 10 IFS task"
"Oh. think ii will. all right. re-
piled Gladys-"that Is. II II keeps on
doiug rs well rs il has done so far"
Harold looked al her quzZically for
n moment. Yes" he said slowly, Il
think II will-with two such girls as
you and Mabel"
"Do you know" he went on. leaning
back In the seat and drawing deep
breath, ITS refreshing 10 get TO talk
TO Al real. genuine girl once more afte.
seeing SO many Of those artificial cr' =
tlons that pass for girls at college"
81 don't think that's nice way to
talk about the university girls" said
Gladys reprovingly. They are prob
ably rs nice us the boys"
81 dare say they are" Harold an
swered. But II the girls had any
thoughts and ideals higher than clothes
and balls maybe the boys would be
better. With girl like you, now, 10
look at a fellow once in awhile-well,
It makes 1t easier to decide just what
things are worth while and what ones
are not. You're getting prettier every
day. too" he added In lighter tone,
looking at her admiringly.
"Now you're making foolish speeches
again." reproved Gladys.
"I'm not foolish" persisted Harold.
II mean what say, Gladys" he let
20 Of the lever and seized plump lit
tie hand which lay conveniently near.
Wont you be my guardian angel
Gladys" he said, "until-until we've
finished school and you can be some
thing dearer?"
Gladys drew her hand away
Hadn't you better turn out for that
teamT she said sweetly.
Harold turned the machine aside
with jerk.
You haven't answered my question
yet" he persisted after they were safe
ly back In the road once more.
II don't think 1t needs answering,
said Gladys, looking at him gravely.
"Tll always be your friend. Of course,
but, as for being an angel. I'm afraid
I'm not good enough. And. as for the
rest, that's something little boys ought
not to be talking about nor little girls
listening to-"
Harold threw In the high speed
clutch with a savage jerk and said
nothing more until they had reached
home
Maybe you'll be sorry for that an