Ward Hill the Senior

NE'S EX

ely shake off. The walls of the room seemed more bare than they did in the preceding year, and the undefined dread of meeting his former companions pre

ad been away from it all, and had had the presence of his father and mother to strengthen him; but now he was alone, and all his former feelin

s old and familiar appearance. Up the stairs and through the halls the other boys were rushing, and the sound of the heavy trunks as they were deposited in the rooms could be continually heard.

can do anything more to-night. I think we'd better

It's got to be done, and the

eft West Hall and went over to Dr. Gray's house. The reception room seemed to be almost filled wi

the new arrivals he would find some who would be congenial to himself. His thoughts and observations were both interrupted by the entrance of the pr

to seek out Mr. Crane at once, and ascertain when his examination upon the work in which he had failed was to take place. He said not

ed faithfully all summer long and had felt confident when he left home that he could easily make up the lost work, but now that the testing time had come all his fears returned. There was one thing certain any way, he thought

is. I almost wish Mr. Crane would let me room with him

man whom he so highly respected and loved, would he be any better for it? It would be Mr. Crane's "right" and

, and occasionally the words of a song rose on the still air. The building seemed to be teeming with life and spirits, and somehow in the presence of it all Ward felt a wave of lonesomeness sweeping over him. The East Hall boys all had good rooms,

and Mr. Crane's room was the first one on the left. Summoning

zed the lad standing before him, he held forth his hand and s

ore, and all the memories of that scene came pressing back upon him. The recollection was not over-pleasing, and the troubled boy was hardl

Ward's embarrassment, began to spea

able experience to me. I was alone the most of the time, and more than once I wishe

ent almost forgot the purpose of his visit. Soon it all came back, howe

ver my work. I only had two days off all summer long, and yet I've not felt so bad as I thought I should. At least I don't n

Mr. Crane, with a smile. "Now te

account of all the studying he ha

to ask some question that occurred to him, and at last whe

can pass any examination I

e, that I can pass any examination which isn't any tougher-

u ought to know as much about it as any one, and if

you," faltered Ward.

ass. From what you have told me of your studying, and from what I know of you, I am satisfied you can do th

p from his seat. "And I'm not to take

es

u how much I thank you, Mr. Crane. It's not that I'm afraid of the examinatio

ge to meet your wishes," replied Mr. Crane smilingly. "I've told you, however, j

s he bade Mr. Crane good-night and

hter that came through the open windows of the great dormitory behind him now seemed to voice his own feelings. In

Henry

e boys besides Henry in the room. One was Jack, an

re I put straight for your room. Behold, I looked for you and you were not. You've been looking me up, I

Mr. Crane and fix up my

em all

ever

he added turning to a well-grown lad, evidently of about their own age, "this is Lucius Berry. He

class cordially, and then Jack sa

lmost every boy in the Weston school was very fond, it was also evident that he was not nearly so strong and well as he. Ward wondered that he should ever have been permitted to leave home, and as he thought of t

new members of the school, the rooms they were to have, were all gone over, and W

t his brother expected to return at the opening of the following term and

ink I'd be glad to change places with him myself, that is, if he'd give me his brains in the bargain. Just imagine me if you can, calling out, 'Yes, this calico is five cents a yard. Those eggs are fr

, though, with Pond gone. But Berry here is a good player. He was the captain of the nine in the school he came from before he learned of the advantages of the Weston school. There only can you find such fellows

as he talked, and to Ward his manner and bearing seemed irresistibly dro

ing suddenly before the new boy

"I've told you so on

nd gender of a noun in Mr. Crane's class, haven't I, Ward? Lucius, Lucius," he added as if he were puzzled by the name. "I

-naturedly in the laugh as he said: "I thought I'd shaken that name off when

suddenly, "has Tim

"Yes, Tim's here. He's going to room al

me on, Luscious, we'll have to go over to our room. He's to room with me, you know," he added turning to Ward. "He's come all properly recommended and all that sort of thing, so I've agreed to take him in. Good-

satisfied Jack knew of some coming trial for him. And Ward tried to prepare himself for the trouble which he f