The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1926-12-23


what do you think about
Lizzie?" he asked.
Lizzie. who had been crying con
fortably, wiped her eyes with tn
sock she was darning.
I'm thinking that anyone tha
can bring the look into Lydia's fac
she's been wearing for twenty-fou
hours, deserves her. Rheumatisr
OF no. down ! get IN my old knee
tonight and give thanks-just 70
the look In that child's eyes"
And now for a while, Lydia wa
content TO live absolutely In tn
present, as was Billy. Surely Their
never was such an April. An
surely no April ever melted so soft
ly into so glorious a May. Appl
blossoms. lilac blooms, vioiets an,
wind flowers and through then
Lydia In her scholars gown, hang
ing TO Bllly's arm, after the days
work was done.
She seemed singularly uninter-
ested in the preparations for COM
mencement, though she went
Through her final examinations with
credit. But the week before COM
mencement she am home one
afternoon with blazing cheeks.
Billy vas at the cottage for supper
and when they had begun the meal,
she exploded her bomb.
Dad! Billy! Lizzie! They've
elected me a member of the Schol-
Iars' club!"
For the love of heaven y eI-
claimed Amos. dropping his fork.
why notY" asked Lizzie.
Lydia. dear, but I'm proud of
you" breathed Billy.
Professor Willis told me. this
afternoon Lydia went on, land I
laughed at him at first. | thought
he was teasing me. Why only high
brows belong TO the Scholars club !
Prexy belongs and the best of the
professors and only a few of the
postgraduate pupils. But he says
| was elected. ! told him lots of
students had higher standings than
|, and he only laughed and said
he knew 1t. And I've got TO go to
that banquet OF theirs next week y
Fine" said Billy.
Fine! Why. Billy Norton, I
never went to a banquet in my life.
| don't know what forks to use,
and | never saw a finger bowl :"
Amos grinned. whats the use
of being a scholar, If that sort Of
thing bothers you?"
81 might get a book on etiquette
and polish up" said Lydia, thought
fully. I'll get one tomorrow, and
practice on the family"
Amos groaned. but TO no avail.
borrowed a book on etiquette
the library and for a week
ate his supper with an array
of silver and kitchenware before
him that took his appetite away.
rebelled utterly at using the
finger bowls. which at breakfast
were porridge dishes. Lizzie, how
ever, was apt and read the book
so diligently while Lydia was in
class that she was able TO correct
as well as Amos at night.
Ma Norton had insisted on max
ing Lydia a white null graduation
dress. She would not let either
or Lydia help her. She had
been daughter-hungry all her life
and since she made her own we'd
ding gown. no bit of sewing had
her the satisfaction that this
did.
So 1t was that Lydia. wearing
the null under her scholars gown.
md with the precepts Of the book
Oh etiquette'in her mind. attended
The Scholars banquet, timidly but
not with the self-consciousness that
She might otherwise have felt.
Billy left her at the door Of the
nall and Professor Willis took her
to dinner. There We're only two
other women there, but Lydia did
lot mind.
When Professor Willis was called
IN for his toast. which was the last
me. he responded:
"My toast is to all scholars
everywhere. but also TO one schol-
IT. in particular. 1t is to one who
vas born with q love of books. to
who made books-good books
so intimate q part of her life
hat she made poverty a blessing,
Who combined books and living so
that she read her commu-
lity Alright. when others failed to
10 so, TO m who is a scholar in
he truest sense of the word-a
'ook lover with a vision. I drink
o the youngest and sweetest schol-
OF us all !" and he bowed to
.ydia.
How she got through the con
and out to Billy. pa
waiting at the main campus
ate. Lydia was not sure. for she
'as quite drunk with surprise and
.leasure. After she had told 1t all
, Billy, and once more they were
under the pine at the gate,
be said:
Billy. will YOU go up with father
nd Lizzie and me to open up the
lree hundred and twenty acres?"
Billy answered slowly. There's
I'd like better. I was born
!, be a farmer. But, Lydia. it
oks to me as #. as a lawyer, I'd
: a more useful citizen, the way
iings are now In the country" $
Lydia shook her head. We've
Il too many lawyers in America, :