Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-06-08
Among the Apple Trees
o.ce ~ n Story Of
Icy SA2AiO1u W Farm, Life
Gregory Copyright ss 1870 s... BY american
CHAPTER VIII.

" gu, c e sec he 5;, girls;
with you" she said You look hap
pier than ever. and that's good deal"
81 don't see how any one eau help
being happy" said Gladys. There's
so much to do. and it's SO much fun
TO do 1t. and. anyway. it's fun just to
be alive"
"At college especially added Mabel.
"Therc's something happening every
minute. and it's all SO very Interesting.
But you look as If something was the
matter, Beth Aren't you well?'
Beth made pitful attempt to
smile and burst out crying After a
moment she controlled herself with
an effort. II ought not to tell"
she said, land l wouldn't to any one
but you. but its--it's Harold"
"Whatw exclaimed Mabel. "He isn't
sick!'
Beth shook her head. II almost
wish he was" she said. 'instead of
this"
The girls waited sympatheticnlly for
her to 60 on.
Harold got in with fast set at
college," Beth continued after q mo-
ment. "You know how open hearted
and easily Influenced he was? Well.
as soon as the boys found out that he
had plenty Of money they got him to
join what was supposed the most fash
ionable fraternity in school, but which
must have been the wickedest. Har-
old isn't the kind Of u boy to do any
thing halfway He thought he must
do everything the rest of the boys in
his set did. and he got to leading a
pretty wild life, Pm afraid"
Beth paused for moment and then
went on. HE went into athletics and
soon became a football star, whatever
that is. OF course he was immensely
popular" was note of pride in
her voice-'but with this popularity
came more temptations to get away
from all the best part Of college life
and go in simply for the sporty part
Of it. The end Of it all was that he
got to gambling and got into debt SO
badly that he was almost afraid TO
come home. Papa gave him an awful
lecture"-she shuddered at the recol-
lection-"and Harold finally got an
cry himself and said he couldn't be
young but once, and he was going to
enjoy life while he could.
Then mamma talked to him. and
he finally broke down and promised
to do better. Papa wanted to take
him out of school and put him to work
at something, but he finally agreed to
give him one more chance"
None Of the girls said anything fot
a long time after Beth had finished
Harold could be such Il splendid
man if he would only try" said Gladys
at last with the ability he has
why. he might be the best lawyer in
the state
Maybe it isn't altogether his fault
said Mabel. ut must be hard tC
stand out against all the rest Of the
fellows"
That's the trouble" said Beth. HE
got in with the wrong kind of Grove
to start with"
II don't believe the boys at Ames
are that way" said Mabel. "at least
none that | know"
Gladys smiled There are a whole
lot there that you don't know" she
said. There might be great deal OF
Improvement In the Ames boys; but
all the same, don't believe there
could be any other school as nice as
Ames. Why can't you come dowr
with us next term?" she added. turn
ing to Beth.
Beth shook her head. I'm going tc
Iowa City" she said. Maybe | car
help Harold. It's going to be Il hard
enough fight for him anyway"
'Are you really going to the uni
versity" asked Gladys. We'll come
over and see you the day of the Min
nesota game next fall IL we get ar
invitation" she added.
'l'll give you standing invitation
now that is good for any day in the
year" Beth answered. And ! W Ssh,