The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1910-11-11

But we won't go I'LL next year any
way and maybe not then If 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, JeffP"
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
and 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
a 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
to make a lot of difference in him."
do you know said Mabel. II don't
feel the same way about him that l
did about Harold. JEFF will be true
to his ideas of right whatever happens,
but 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 1t would sim
plify the work of marketing very
.-.. uln- 1ootdod not RI FRY Nah-
bage growing again. but instead seed
ed the entire orchard to clover.
While not quite so good an apple
year as the previous n 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 a 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 peddllng apples the fall be-
fore. He raised his jaunty little cap
as she approached.
II SteIIS SOOu " oCC JOo, oiuN y
he said. Wont you let me take you
out home in the auto?'
IF you'll wait an hour Gladys re-
piled. i've a lot to do yet before I'll
be ready"
Promptly at the appointed time Har-
old drove the auto around to the dry
goods emporium and helped Gladys
and her man. packages to the seat.
The apple orchard must have done
extra well this season." he remarked,
with a smile. as he surveyed the seat
full of bundles.
Not quite so well as last year." she
replied. But we're getting ready to
go away to school. and 1t takes a 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.
~ hope you'll like college," he said
after a moment. land that the apple
orchard will be equal to its task"
"Oh, | think it will. all right" re-
piled Gladys-"that Is, If 1t keeps on
doing as well as it has done so far"
Harold looked at her quizZlcally for
a moment. Yes" he said slowly, IL
think it will-with two such girls as
you and Mabel"
do you know he went on. leaning
back in the seat and drawing a deep
breath, Its refreshing to get to talk
to a real. genuine girl once more after
seeing so many of those artificial crea-
tons that pass for girls at college"
81 don't think that's a nice way to
talk about the university girls" said
Gladys re%proyingly. They are prob
ably as nice as the boys"
81 dare say they are" Harold an
swered. But If the girls had any
thoughts and ideals higher than clothes
and balls maybe the boys would be
better. With "A girl like you, now. to
look at a fellow once In awhile-well,
1t makes it easier to decide just what
things are worth while and what ones
are not. You're getting prettier every
day, too" he added In a lighter tone.
looking at her admiringly.
"Now you're making foolish speeches
again." reproved Gladys.
Pm not foolish" persisted Harold.
~ mean what | say, Gladys" He let
go of the lever and seized Il plump lit
tie hand which lay conveniently near.
won't 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
team" she said sweetly.
Harold turned the machine aside
with a jerk.
You haven't answered my question
YET he persisted after they were safe
ly back In the road nee more.
81 don't think 1t needs answering
said Gladys, looking at him g~ravely.
"T'n always be your friend. Of course
but, as for being an angel. I'm afraid