Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-08-22
CHAPTER XIV.

II Al
LID night. which her mother called
~ pouting.
I've thought all night" said the
girl ut breakfast, land l can't see any
way bUt to borrow the money of Uncle
Wesley and pay 1t back from some
that the Bird Woman will owe me,
when I get one more specimen. But
that means that can't go to-that l
will have to teach this winter, II l can
get city grade or country school,"
Just you dare go dinging after Wes-
ley Sinton for money" cried Mrs. Com
stock. You won't do any such thing!
II can't see any other way. I'VE got
to have the money"
"Quit, tell you"'
II can't quit-I've eone too fart"
well. then, let me get your clothes.
and you can pay me back"
But you said you had no money"
"Maybe / can borrow some ut the
bank. Then you can return it when
the Bird Woman pays you"
"All right" said Elnora. 81 don't
hare to nave expensive things. 1t
will te warm. so l can go bare
headed"
Then she started to school, but was
SO tired and discouraged she scarcely
could walk. Four years plans going
in one day! For she felt that If she
did not get started to college that fall
she never would.
After that the days went so swiftly
she scarcely had time to think. but
several trips her mother made to
thing was all right. satisfied Elnora.
She worked very hard to pass good
final examinations and perfect herself
for the play. For two days she had
remained in town with the Bird Wo-
man in order to spend more time prac-
ticing and at her work.
Often Margaret had asked about her
dresses for graduation. and Elnora had
replied that they were with a woman
in the city who had made her white
dress for last years commencement
when she was a Junior usher. and
they would be all right. So Margaret,
Wesley and Billy concerned them
! selves over what they would get her
for present. Margaret suggested a
beautiful dress. Sinton said that
would look to every one as If she need.
ed dresses. The thing was to get a
handsome gift like all the rest would
have.
: 1t was toward the close Of the term
when they drove to town one evening
: to try to settle this important question
They tknew Mrs. ComstOck had beer
!. alone several days. SO they asked heI
to accompany them.
While they were searching the store:
for something on which all of then
j could decide Mr.. Brownee met Wesley
and stopped to shake hands.
e Il see your boy came out finely" ht
! said.
j. Il don't allow any boy anywhere tt
be finer than Billy" said Sinton.
Il guess you don't allow any girl t.
surpass Elnora." said Mr.. Brownlee
"She comes home with Ellen often. ant
my wife and love her. Ellen say.
she is great in her part tonight. Bes
thing in the whole play. OF course
you are in to see 1t. II you haven't re
served seats you'd best start prett.
soon. for the high school auditorium
Only seats thousand"
why. yes. Of course" said the be
wildered Sinton. Then he hurried t.
Margaret. Say" he said. there Ii
going to be play at the high schoo
tonight. and Elnora Is in It. Why
hasn't she told us?"
D ri don't know" said Margaret. "bu
I'm going"
$50 am l." said Billy.
'AIe. too" said Wesley. "unless 20,
think for some reason she don't wan
US. Looks like she would have told Us
= I. she had. I'm going to ask her moth
err"
Eyes. that's what she's been staying
{ in town for said Mrs. Comstocll
ITS some sort Of swindle to rais'
money for her class to buy some silly
thing to stick up in the schoolhoust
hall to remember them by. don
Z but there's something Of the kind t.
i be DONE"
I "Well, it's tonight" said Wesley
land we are going. It's my treat, ant
we've got to hurry or we won't get In
There's reserved seats. and We have
none. so it's the gallery for us. but
Z don't care so l get to take one goot
Q peep at Elnora."
I "S'pose she plays?" whispered Mar
garet in his ear.
"Ah. tush! She Couldn't" said Yves
: ley.
Q "Well. she's been doing 1t three year.
0 in the orchestra and working like .
. slave at It,"
i "Oh. we'll. that's different She's II
t the play tonight. Brownlee told me so
Come on, quick! Wen drive and hitci
d closest place we can find to the build
ing"
Q Margaret went In the excitement o.
: the moment, but she was troubled.
When they reached the building
4 Wesley tied the team to a railing ant
I Billy sprang out to help Margaret
, Mrs. Comstock sat still.
"Come on. Kate" said Wesley. reach
! ing his hand.
!. I'm not going anywhere" said Mrs
J. Comssock. settling comfortably bach
J. against the cushions.
It All Of them begged and pleaded. bu
It was no use. Not an inch would Mrs
Comstock bulge. so they left her.
8 They found seats near the door wbsr,
Il ~. a. 80