Evening star., 1923-03-25

box. 1t was a letter: Upon seeing
her. he extended it, with his ready
grin.
"Gettin' more'n your share this
week, amt you?" he asked.
Got your regular on Tuesday. an
now this one. Abe's good boy at
writin'.''
yes" Margaret agreed, as che
grasped the white envelope. Indeed
he is"
What could be the meaning, che
was wondering, OF this unexpected
letter? The thin paper in her hand
looked ominous.
.'Yes, sir" Joe was chatting on,
"he ought TO he quite a scholar by
now. Smart boy Abe always was. Be
about graduatin' this spring, won't
he?"
Yes" said Margaret, this June, If
all goes we'll"
THAT 50? An this is the middle of
April Already. Timen soon come
round. Well, I must be gettin'
along" And he slapped the reins
over the while horses back.
x =
A1ARGAREI hurried pack to the
Asl kitchen with a frightened feel
ing. She caught up her glasses from
The table and dropped upon a chair
10 read. Her lips moved as she
nervously pronounced each word
Dear Mother: I couldn't wait to
tell you what has just happened. The
honors were announced this morning
in chapel, and 1 come first. I worked
hard. but l never expected this, and
I'm feeling pretty happy over 1t. Not
the least of that happiness, as you
may suppose, is the thought Of your
pleasure.
cit will mean now. according to the
custom here. that I'll have the big
Grafton at commencement And this
settles il. You've just got to come.
Save the butter and egg money from
now on for yourself. l won't need
another cent. I'm tutoring a fellow.
and I'll get enough out of that to
clear the rest OF the bills at the end.
Remember, I'm counting on you be-
ing here. Love. ABE"
Margaret read 1t twice, and then
jumped to her feet with the letter
cIasped to her bosom. Abe had taken
before all the others whose ways had
been easy. Abe, who had ploughed and
narrowed before his slender shoul-
ders were strong enough: who had
worked patiently away at his books
in the evenings when high school had
been impossible; who had walked
three miles in all weathers to and
from the little country school where
he had earned the precious college
money by teaching.
Her widest dream had been merely
that he should graduate. And now
he was irst-hono man! After all
the years of struggle there had come
this crowning triumph. The JOY and
pride OF It thrilled through her like
an intoxication, and merged at last
in one great impulse-to give ex-
preston to the swelling emotion
within her.
Over the hills David was ploughing.
She knew only too well what his at
titude would be, and yet better to
pour the news out to him than to
the unhearing pear trees and lilac
bushes, even If she had to leave
swiftly to escape the torrent Of sar
cas1n she knew would follow.
She hurried down the steps and
started along the path, when her eyes
caught an object and remained rivet-
ed. It was the old dinner bell that
hung from it's weathered wooden
framework beside the back fence.
with a cry, she sprang toward il
and caught the rope. Over the quiet
10 o'clock countryside rang the res
rynant peal Margaret's face was
aiming, exultant. So they rdst have
ruH< who sent the voice of the old
liberty ~pcf1 echoing. She was ring
sng out a paean of victory for Abe
And for herself, in each lifting tone
s1,ore was relief from the constraint
and disappointment of years. Stronger
and stronger she pulled on the rope
ho her it seemed as II the universe
was flooded with the sound.
Suddenly over the top OF the hill
appeared q figure. 1t was clad in
nine shirt and overalls and was
curiously bent. 1t was hurryfne
kapidly. It was David, her husband
lAbe's father.
AS soon as he was within haiiins
6istance he raised his voice.
swhat's wrong?" he shouted.
Margaret did not answer, but she
sappsd pulling the EopA