Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-08-02
By Clifford v.
Gregory
CHAPTER VII.

a up In Minnesota and had no
been home since he first went away 9
year before. An occasional letter tolG
them that he was enjoying his schoo
work and getting along much better
than he had dared to hope for. but thai
| was all.
Gladys and Mabel put Into their col
ege work all the energy with which
heir live young bodies were charged
md enjoyed it immensely. The other
irls were not at all 'stuck up." but
ust happy. healthy girls like them
selves. and they made friends easily.
Outside Of study hours they let or
;ome of their bubbling spirits by play
ng basketball. and they did 1t so eff
,iently 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 a 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 1t uncomplainingly
We've got no call to worry, moth
er," said Mr.. Sanders one evening
Its 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. little taller.
little straighter. but not quite so rosy.
came rushing In in the same old breezy
way-well. the old house took on
new joyouSness.
"If you girls don't keep still and 60
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 AZ 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 hadn't forgotten
how" she said. with a laugh. IT'S
such fun to be home again"
Mabel was already up and getting
breakfast. and If some of the cakes
were burned il wasn't because OF care
less cooking. but rather indicated her
proficiency as fire builder
After breakfast Gladys went out to
the baru and had long talk Will
Mollic. and If Moliie didn't understand
all the secrets she was told II wasn't
because she didut listen attenliv"l
Then Mabel came out. and they hitc'
ed up to the cutter. and M"l'ie took
them up hill and down AT pace that
made the sleighbells Jingle merrli!
They laughed remlniScen,ly al each
familiar road and field. II seemed ~
II they had been away for years III
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. Ever
tree was u friend. and II true friend
too, for none other would uncompiain'
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 ami mice from gnawing them
I'd never thought of that"
Hes doing all he can to help US.
even If he can't give us the money,
said Mabel. II sometimes wonder II
we ought not to stay here and help
him and mommie so they wouldn't
have TO work so hard. Then think rf
the nice things they could buy with
the money we're spending"
Gladys looked serious. II never
thought Of it that way" she confessed.
Lets go and ask them about 1t.
Their futher shook his head decided
ly when they broached the subject to
him. Stay out of SCHOOL, he cried
"Of course not. girlies. Mother and
| are too proud of our college girls to
think of such u thing for q moment
Aren't we. mother!"
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 OIL Nancy. That year and half
at school had done wonders for him.
~ Gladys had predicted. He was
man now and SO strong and self re-
liant shat Gladys was almost afraid
IF him.
That curl hasn't learned to keep
ont Of your eyes yet. has it?" he cried
ysyly as hp leaped to the ground. I'D
know you by that anywhere"
II 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 different
Jeff"
I'm sorry" said Jen contriteiy.
Pm not" she replied promptly.
-.Its--it's change for the better"
JEFF laughed heartily. I'm glad to
hear It," he said. There was lots OF
room for Improvement But how about
yourself? There wasn't room Tor you
to grow much prettier. but
Gladys shook her wavy head I'M
patiently. II always thought you
were more sensible than the rest OF
the boys" she said. How DO you
Ike 1t at the universityY'
Jeff's face lit up with enthusiasm.
There couldn't be anything that
would suit me better" he said
There's something In the air there
that fills a fellow with ambition. with
desire to do something worth while.
often fancy that 1t is the spirit OF
opportunity urging us to put up our
doors to be knocked on"
"And did you hold yours upT ask
I'd Gladys.
Jeff sat down on the fence. Il don't