Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-06-13

northeast. Again she climbed a fence
and was on the open road. For an in
slant she leaned against the fence, star
ing before her, then turned and looked
back. Behind her lay the land on
which she had been born to drudgery
and a mother who made no pretense
Of loving her. Before her lay the city,
through whose schools she hoped to
find means of escape and the way to
reach the things for which she cared.
When she thought of how she looked
she leaned more heavily against the
fence and groaned. When she thought
Of turning back and wearing such
clothing in ignorance all the days of
her life she. set her teeth 1rmly and
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.
81 finished last spring at Brushwood
school, district No. g." said Elnora.
II have been studying all summer. l
am quite sure l can do the first year
work if 1 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 it 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. 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
Eve had seen. The floor sloped down
to a yaWning stage, on which a 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 at the
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 ill.
Then out Of the mass she saw a 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 a row of
vacant front seats.
She heard the giggle behind her.
The knowledge that she wore the only
matter Of moment and some Of none
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
at the door touched her sleeve timidly.
"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. "Ill
wager you are the first person I meet
when I find It," she said and stopped
short. "Not that! Oh, I must not do
thatw she thought in dismay. make
an enemy the first thing I do-oh. not
THAR
She followed with her eyes as the
young people separated in the hall.
some climbing stairs, some disappear
ing down side halls. some entering