Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-07-11

her life she set her teeth nrlnly ana
went hastily toward Onabasha.
She approached the great stone high
school building. entered bravcly ana
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.
Il finished last spring at Brushwood
school, district No. g." said Elnora.
II have been studying all summer
am quite sure / can do the first year
work il l have u 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 IL 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 l will show you the way to
the auditorium. 1t is now time for
opening exercises. Take any seat you
find vacant" He was gone.
Elnora stood before the entrance
and stared into the largest room she
ever had seen. The floor sloped down
to yawnng 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
desperation as she stared back Mt the
whole forest Of faces, most of which
were now turned upon her.
In one burning fash came the full
realization Of her scanty dress. her
pitiful little hat and ribbon, her big,
heavy shoes. her ignorance of where
to 80 or what to do, and from sick
ening wave which crept over her she
felt she was going to become very ILL.,.
Then out of the mass she saw pair
Of big brown boy eyes three seats
from her. and there was a 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 Il 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
nf o
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 com
Ing every one had risen and the room
was emptying rapidly. Elnora hurried
after the nearest girl and in the press
ut the door touched her sleeve timidly
evil you please tell me where the
freshmen go" she asked huskily
The girl gave her one surprised
glance and drew away.
Same plnce as tie fresh women"
she answered, and those nearest her
laughed.
Elnora stopped praying suddenly, and
the color swept into her face. "I'll
wager you ore the first person | meet
when ] find IT," she said and stopped
short. mot that. Oh. must not DO
that" she thought in dlsmay. make
an enemy the first thing l do--oh, not
that"
She followed with her eyes as the
young people separated In the hall,
some climbing stairs some disappear
Ing down side halls. some entering
iOors 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 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
painted.
/ straight down the hall. three doors
to your left" was the answer as the
llrl passed.
zone minute, please-oh, please" beg
ged Elnora. "Do knock or just open
the door?"
go IN and take n seat" replied the
teacher.
"What If there aren't any seats?"
gssped 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 1t in
her hand. She looked infinitely bet.
ter without it. After several efforts
she at last opened the door and. step
ping inside, faced smaller and more
concentrated battery of eyes.
BE seated" said the professor IL