Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-06-01

their i've young bodies were charged
and enjoyed it immensely. The other
girls were not at all 'stuck up" but
just happy, healthy girls like them
selves. and they made friends easily.
Outside of study hours they let of
some Of their bubbling spirits by play
ing basketball. and they did it so eff
GENTLY 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 q four weeks vacation. It
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 it uncomplalningly.
We've got no call to worry, moth
err said Mr. Sanders one evening.
Its lonesome, but it's a 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 straightcr but not quite so rosy,
came rushing in in the same old breezy
way-wcll, the old house took on n
new joyousncss.
"If you girls don't keep still and go
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 as 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 laugh. ITS
such fun to be home again"
Mabel was already up and getting
breakfast. and if some of the cakes
were burned 1t wasn't because of care
less cooking. but rather indicated her
proficiency as fire builder.
After breakfast Gladys went out to
the barn and had a long talk with
Mollie, and If Mollie didn't understand
all the secrets she was told it wasn't
because she didn't listen attentively.
Then Mabel came out. and they hitch
ed up to the cutter. and Mollie took
| them up hill and down at pace that
made the sleighbells Jingle merrily.
They laughed reminiscently at each
familiar road and field. 1t seemed as
IL they had been away for years in
stead Of only for one short term.
When they reached home again and
Molie was carefully stabbed and 1ed
! they went out to the orchard. Every
tree was friend, and a true friend.
too, for none other would uncomplain-
to college.
look how papas been caring for
them" cried Gladys. Hes wound
every one with cornstalks to keep the
! rabbits and mice from gnawing them.
| Id never thought of that"
| Hes doing all he can to help us,
even II he can't give us the money"
said Mabel. Il sometimes wonder If
we ought not to stny here and help
him and mommie so they wouldn't
have to work 30 hard. Then think of
| the nice things they could buy with
the money we're spending"
Gladys looked serious. II never
thought Of 1t that way" she confessed.
Let's so and ask them about It"
| Their father shook his head decided
| ly when they preached 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 a thing for a moment,
| Aren't we. mother?'
| Mrs. Sanders nodded a 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 on Nancy. That year and a half
at school had done wonders for him,
as Gladys had predicted. He was a
man now and so strong and self re-
liant that Gladys was almost afraid
of him.
THAT curl hasn't learned to keep
out of your eyes yet. has itr' he cried
gayly as he leaped to the ground. I'D
know you by that anywhere"
Il 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 jeff contritely.
I'm not" she replied promptly,
Tt's-it's q change for the better"
jeff laughed heartily. I'm glad to
hear It," he said. There was lots of
room for Improvement But how abou,
yourself? There wasn't room for 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
like 1t at the university"
Jeffs face lit up with enthusiasm
"There couldn't be anything thai
would suit me better" he said
"There's something In the air there
that fills fellow with ambition. witt
a desire to do something worth while
l often fancy that 1t is the spirit Of
opportunity urging us to put up oul
doors to be knocked on"
And did you hold yours up?" ask
ed Gladys.
JEFF sat down on the fence. II dom
like to talk about myself" he said