Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-08-20

writing my own name. l must have
been O little nervous. Please excuse
me-"
She went to the board, swept of the
signature with one stroke. then. with
out n tremor. rewrote 1t clearly. MY
name Is Comstock." she said distinct
ly. She turned to her seat and, follow
ing the formula used by the others.
made her first high school recitation.
The face OF Professor Henley was
study. As Elnora took her seat he
looked at her steadily. 1T puzzles
me-" he said deliberately. "how you
can write as beautiful demonstra-
ton and explain 1t as clearly as ever
has been done in any Of my classes
and still be 80 disturbed as to make
mistake in your own name. Are you
very sure you did that yourself. Miss
Comstock?"
ut Is impossible that any one else
should have done It." answered Elnora
steadily.
I am very glad you think 3d." said
the professor. Being freshmen, all OF
you are strangers to me. I should
hate to begin the year with you feel
ing there was one among you small
enough to do q trick like that. The
next proposition. please"
When the hour was gone the class
fled back to the study room. and FL
nora followed In desperation because
she did not know where else to go.
She could not study rs she had no
books, and when the class again left
the room to 70 to another professor
for the next recitation she went also.
At least they could put her out II she
did not belong there. Noon came at
last, and she kept with the others un-
til they dispersed Oh the sidewalk
She was so ubnormally self conscious
she fancied all the hundreds Of that
laughing throng saw and jested ut
her. When she passed the brown eyed
boy walking with the girl Of her en-
counter she knew, for she heard him
say. did you really let that gawky
piece Of calico get ahead Of you" The
answer was indistinct.
After noon she returned to the high
school, followed some other pupils to
the courtroom. hung her hat and found
her way to the study where she had
been in the morning. Twice that after
noon with aching head she faced
strange professors in different branch
es. Once she escaped notice. the sec
ond time the worst happened. She
was asked q question she could not
answer.
Have you not decided on your
course and secured your books?" In.
Quired the professor.
81 have decided on my course" re-
piled Elnora; II do not know who to
ask for my books"
"Ask?" the professor was bewildered.
II understood the books were fur
nished," faltered Elnora.
"Only to those bringing an order
from the township trustee" replied the
professor.
mo! Oh, nor cried Elnora. II will
get them tomorrow" and gripped her
desk for support, for she knew that
was not true. Four books, ranging
perhaps ut a dollar and half apiece!
Would her mother get them? OF
course she would not, could not
Did NOT Einora know the story by
heart? There was enough land, but NO
one to do clearing and farm. Tax on
all those acres, recently the new gravel
road tax added, tho expense OF living
and only the work Of two women to
meet all of It. She was insane to think
she could come to the city to school
Her mother had been right. The girl
decided that If only she lived to get
home she would stay there and lead
any sort Of life to avoid more Of this
torture Bad rs what she wished to
escape had been. 1t was nothing like
this. She never could live down the
movement that went through the clhss
| when she inadvertently revealed the
| fact that she had expected her books
| to be furnished Her mother would
not get them. That settled the ques-
| ton.
But the end Of misery Is never In a
bury to come, for before the day was
over the superintendent entered the
room and explained that pupils from
the country were charged tuition OF
500 q year. That really was the end.
Previously Elnora had canvassed .
dozen wild plans for securing tho mon
ey for books ranging all the way from
Offering to wash the superintendenta
dishes to breaking into the bank. This