The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-08

her life she set her teeth firmly ana went hastily toward Onabasha.
 She approached the great stone high school building, entered bravely and inquired her way to the office Of the superintendent. There she learned that she should have come the week before and arranged for her classes.
 "I finished last spring at Brushwood school, district No. g. said Elnora. "I have been studying all summer. am quite sure 1 can do the first year work if I have a few days to. get started"
 "Of course, of course," assented the superintendent. Almost invariably country pupils do good work. You may enter first year. and if you don't fit we will find 1t out speedily. Your teachers will tell you the list of books you must have, and if you will come with me I will show you the way to the auditorium. It Is now time for opening exercises. Take any seat you find vacanAs He was gone.
 Elnora stood before the entrance and stared into the largest room she ever had seen. The floor sloped down to a yawning stage, on which band of musicians, grouped around a grand piano, were tuning their instruments. Every one else was seated, but no one paid any attention to the white faced girl stumbling half blindly down the aisle next the farthest wall. So she went on to the very end facing the stage. No one moved, and she could not summon courage to crowd past others to several empty seats she saw: At the end of the aisle she paused in whole forest of faces, most of which were now turned upon her.
 In one burning flash came the full realization of her scanty dress, her pitiful little hat and ribbon, her big, heavy shoes, her ignorance of where to go or what to do, and from a sick ening wave which crept over her she felt she was going to become very i'll. Then out of the mass she saw 8 pair of big brown boy eyes three seats from her, and there was message in them Without moving his body he reached forward and with a pencil touched the back of the seat before him. Instantly Elnora took another step, which brought her to a row of vacant front seats.
 She heard the giggle behind her. The knowledge that she wore the only hat in the room burned her. Every at all cut and stung. She had no books. Where should she go when this was over? What would she give to be on the trail going home!
 Before she realized what was con- ing every one had risen and the room was emptying rapidly. Elnora hurried after the nearest girl and in the press at the door touched her sleeve tmidly.
 ''Will you please tell me where the freshmen go?' she asked huskily.
 The girl gave her one surprised glance and drew away.
 Same place as the fresh women," she answered, and those nearest her laughed.
 Elnora stopped praying suddenly, and the color swept into her face. 'I'll wager you are the first person meet when find it," she said and stopped short. 1sNot that! Oh, must not do that"' she thought in dismay. "Make an enemy the first thing do-oh, not thatv'
 She followed with heY eyes as the young people separated in the hall, some climbing stairs, some disappear ing down side halls. some entering doors near by. She saw the girl over. take the brown eyed boy and speak to him, and he glanced back at Elnora, and now there was a scowl on his face. Then she stood alone in the hall.
 Presently 8 door opened and young woman came out and entered another room. Elnora waited until she return ed and hurried to her. Would you tell me where the freshmen are?" she panted.
 Straight down the hall, three doors to your left" was the answer as the girl passed.
 "One minute, please-oh, please" beg ged Elnora. "Do knock or just open the doorw
 "Go in and take seat," replied the teacher.
 'eWhat if there aren't any seats" gasped Elnora.
 "Classrooms are never half filled. There will be plenty" was the an- swer.
 Elnora removed her hat. There was no place to put it, so she carried it in her hand. She looked infinitely bet ter without it. After several efforts she at last opened the door and, step ping inside, faced a smaller and more concentrated battery of eyes.
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