Ward Hill the Senior

ILL'S

he vine-shielded piazza and talked about the experiences of the preceding year at Weston. At times their laughte

topics, were none the less rejoiced at the change which the coming of Jack wrought in their boy. His laugh was the merr

d I can tell you we're going to have the best year at Westo

I thought he had been expelled

ad fellow, you know, after all. He's had too much money and his mother's dead, you know, and so there was no one to look after him besides his father, and he was too much interested in stocks and things to give any attention to his own flesh a

keep it up," sa

the way of temptation and me." And Jack's merry laugh rang out at the words. "Honestly, I don't know about his holding out though. I have my own opinion about that, but I don't mean to prophesy evil of an

d was really taking that means to inform him of some of the problems which would face him upon his

y perfection of quiet and peace. Here there were no "Tangs," no Tim Pickards, no enmities and jealousies; while the presence of his father and mother seemed to him like a shield from everything that was evil. It was so much more easy to keep out of trouble in Rockford than it was in Weston. And yet Ward knew that both his father and mother were intensely eager for him to return to the school and redeem himself. Which was better for him, to go back and face all

ll that would aid him also. At first Ward had pleaded that he might be permitted to go to some other school, but his father had been firm upon that point. He had told Ward that he would do his utmost and his best for

king in upon the silence, "whom d

said Henry. "Perhap

it, if I ever knew. Well, one day I was walking down the street of the city--it's a place about the size of Rockford, you know--and there I came upon his majesty as big as life,

ome that he was in We

aps that's been spoiled by living in a little place, where everybody thought he was a great man because he'd once been away to school. He'd never had a fair ch

unlike Big Smith's home. Perhaps they too had suffered somewhat from the same cause which had brought about Big Smith's unpopularity. Ward, at least, realized in

g Smith's ever had any such homes as you have. He's had all the disadvantages without the advantages you have here, and you have all the advantages without his disadvantages. I don't think you fellows half appreci

he say?" said

ne turned to him and said in that abrupt way of his, 'Smith, that fellow is making a fool of himself, isn't he?' Big Smith fell into the trap and I can hear his graveyard voice as he said, 'Yes, he is, and a big one too.' Upon that Mr. Crane jumped up out of his chair and looking Big Smith squarely in the face said, 'Well, Smith, that's just what you are doing too!' And then he turned and walked straight out of the room. Big Smith la

ack to Weston, is

o make Ward and you just bestir you

said Henry; "but if he overtakes Ward, he'll have to rise some

he himself was the very one of whom Big Smith had made the remark that he had 'been making a fool of himself.' And it was true; that wa

lives in the same place in wh

g somewhere. At least that's what Big Smith said. I hope he'll co

; "but he's not coming back bef

ou heard from hi

he only fellow I've heard from, except Jack here

met, if he does call me up and set me down hard in the Lati

or the first term and try to earn some mo

. "I wonder whether the fresh Pond is as good a ball pl

brother has written me that he's a slight, delicate little chap, an

der better," said Jack. "But I don't want his com

hat?" inq

one now that Tim's going down to Ma Perrins. I need your feath

don't feel hurt, or think it's because I don't want to. But I've been thinking it all over, as we've been sitting here. At first I didn't see how I could go back to Weston, anyhow. I

ow that's just what I came up here for? I was so afraid you weren't going to come that I just couldn't stand it, so I put straight for Rockford. Of course I'm sorry you aren't willing to room with yo

Henry here doesn't mind, I'd like to go in with him and take the same old room in West Hall a

Jack's offer for he thought he understood exactly how he felt about it. He was so rejoic

Come, fellows, let's let off one of the school yells

Jack shouted: "Ward's going back with us, Mrs. Hill! He's going to room with

lief which had come to him. Better than ever before he realized that it meant a severe struggle for him, but the present weight at least was lifted

a sail on the bay, and then the "after

ed from his place on the rear platform of the last car. "

h in Weston as it stopped before the entrance to West Hall, and running lightly up the stairway, soon entere