Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-10-15

Hu6 ICQu1tC0 W 6Aa00oeOs A1AASAo
knew she had to have her diploma In
order to enter the college she wanted
to attend. but she did not dnre utter the
word until high school was finished, for
instead Of softening, as she hoped her
mother had begun to do. she seemed TO
remain very much the sama
When the girl reached the swamp
she sat on log and thought bitterly
over the absolute expense she was
compelled to meet. Every member Of
her particular set was having an ex.
pensive photograph taken to exchange
with the others Elnora loved these
girls and boys. and to say she could
not have their pictures to keep was
more than she could bear. Each one
would give to all the others hand
some graduation present She knew
they would prepare gifts for her wheth'
er she could make present In return
or not. Then 1t was the custom for
each graduating class to give a great
entertainment and use the funds to
present the school with statue for
the entrance hall. Einora had been
cast for md was practicing q part In
that performance. She was expected
to furnish her dress and personal ne
cessities. She had been told that she
must have q green dress. And where
was 1t to come fromf
Every girl Of the class would have
three beautiful new frocks for COM
mencement-one for the baccalaureate
sermon. another. which could be plain.
er. for graduation exercises. and
handsome one for the banquet and ball.
Elnora faced the past three years and
wondered how she could have spent 80
much money and not kept account OF
Il. She did not realize where It had
gone. She did not know what she
could do now. She thought over the
photographs and at last settled that
question to her satisfaction. She stud.
led longer over the gifts. ten handsome
ones there must be. and at last decided
she could arrange for them. The green
dress came first. The lights would be
dim In the scene and the setting deep
woods. She could manage that She
simply could not have three dresses
She would have to get very simple
one for the sermon and do the best she
could for graduation. Whatever she
got for that must be made with
guimpe that could be taken out to
make It a little more festive TOR the
ball. But where could she get even
two pretty dresses7
The only hope she could see was to
break into her collection. sell some
moths and try to replace them IN
June. But she knew that never would
do. No June ever brought just the
things she hoped. II she spent the col
lege money she knew she could not re-
place 1t. II she did not the only way
was to try for room In the grades
and teach q year. Her work there had
been so appreciated that Elnorn felt
with the recommendation she knew she
could get from the superintendent dnd
teachers she could secure q position
She wanted to start to college when
the other girls were going. II she could
make the first year alone she could
manage the rest. But make that first
year herself she must. Instead OF SELL
ing any Of her collection. she must
hunt as she never before had hunted
and find q yellow Emperor. She had to
have 1t. that was all. Also. she had TO
have those dresses. She thought OF
Sinton and dismissed It She thought
of the Bird Woman and knew she
could not tell her. She thought OF
every way in which she ever had hoped
to earn money and realized that with
the play. committee meetings. prac.
ticlng and final examinations she
scarcely had time to live. much less to
do more work than the work required
for her pictures and gifts Again FL
nora was In trouble, and this time II
seemed the worst Of all
It was dark when she arose and
went home.
Mother" she said, II have a piece
of news that is decidedly not cheer
full. My money Is oil gone"
"Well, did you think 1t would last
forever7 It's been a marvel to me that
it's held out as we'll as 1t has, the way
you've dressed and gone"
II don't think I've spent any that
was not compelled to-" said Elnora.
"I've dressed on just as little as pos
sibly could to keep going. ! am heart
sick. thought I had over $50 to put
me through commencement. but they
tell me it's all gone"
"In my opinion you'd best bring
home your books and quit right now"
said Mrs. Comstock. "You can't be
fixed like the rest Of them. Don't be
30 foolish as to run into It Just stay
here and let thesejast few days 60.
You can't learn enough more to be OF
my account"
~ can't!r said Elnora desperately.
i've gone on too long. It would make
a break In everything. They wouldn't
let me have my diplomar'
whats the difference7 You've got
the STUFF in your head. wouldn't give
rap for scrap Of paper. That don't
mean anything!"
"But I've worked four years for 1t
and l can't enter--l ought to hnve It
to helr me get Il school when I want
to teach. II don't have my grades
to show people will think quit be-
cause couldn't pass my examinations.
must hive my diplomar'
'Then get itr' said Mrs. Comstock.
CHAPTER XIV.
Wherein Mrs. comstook Hears Elneea
Rl.,. L.. E>kk>.Js Ntnfia