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

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work II / have q 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 II you don't
ft we will find 1t out speedily. Your
teachers will tell you the list Of books
you must have, and II you will come
with me 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 q 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
desperation as she stared back ut the
whole forest Of faces. most OF when
were now turned upon her.
In one burning fash came the full
realization of her scanty dress. her
pltlful little hat and ribbon, her big,
heavy shoes. her ignorance OF where
to 70 or what to do. and from a sick
ening wave which crept over her she
felt she was going to become very III.
Then out of the mass she saw pair
Of big brown boy eyes three seats
from her, and there was u message In
them. Without moving his body he
reached forward and with pencil
touched the back of the seat before
him. Instantly Elnora took another
step, which brought her to q 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
matter of moment and some Of none
at all cut and stung. She had no
books. Where should she go when
this was over2 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
nfter 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
Elance and drew away.
same place as the fresh women"
Ehe answered. and those nearest her
laughed.
Elnora stopped praying suddenly. and
the color swept into her face. '"lll
wager you are the first person l meet
when / find It," she said and stopped
short. "Not that! Oh. must not do
that" she thought in dismay. make
un enemy the first thing ! 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
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 door opened and a 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 areT she
painted.
straight down the hall. three doors
TO your left" was the answer as the
girl passed.
Zone minute, pleas-oh. please" beg
|, ged Elnora. "Do knock or Just open
the door?"
"Go In and take seat" replied the
teacher
"What If there aren't any seatsT'
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 1t. 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 In
charge of the class, and then. because
he saw Elnora was desperately EN-
barrassed, he proceeded to lend her a
book and to ask her II she had studied
algebra. She said she had little, but
not the same book they were using.
He asked her II she felt that she could
do the work they were beginning. and
she said she did.
That was how It happened that three
minutes after entering the room she
wa1 compelled to take her place at the
blackboard beside the girl Of the hall
whose flushed face and angry eyes
avoided meeting Elnora's. Being com
PEELED to concentrate on her PROPOSE
ton, she forgot herself. When the pro
/ fessor asked that all pupils sign theiI
work she firmly wrote "Elnora Com
stock" under her demonstration. Then
. she took her seat and waited with
white lips and trembling limbs as one
after another the professor called the
names on the board. while their own
ers arose and explained their PROPOSE
fiona or aunked u they bad nM &gee