Ward Hill the Senior

L FOR

e," said Henry when Jack and his new room-m

had remained as if he had something he wished to speak about. "Well, Pond

tell so many things about it, that it doesn't seem exactly like a new place to me. And he's tol

en, if he's told you about the boys. I'm sure the l

heard him say one word against you, except that you didn't work very hard. He declared he never

s touched by the evident earnestness of the boy before him

r I'm going to

phically as if such feelings were an every-day ma

and help to keep me out of the clutches of the 'Tangs,' or some such things. I don't know just what

g with them. But his heart was not entirely free from fears or misgivings when he thought of the possible consequences for himself. And here was Pond's younger brother coming to him with the utmost confidence for protection against the very boys whom he most feared h

my best for you," he finally said, unable to resist the unspo

Pond, rising from his chair and

ng with the boys was what troubled him most. He had been in trouble when the preceding year had closed, and unpopularity was something of which Ward Hill stood in greater fear than of anything else. How he would be

r rooms to secure their books before they ran swiftly up the walk which led to the chapel. Even then there was the usual delay on the part of some of the

ack, as he caught sight of Ward and Henry, meanwhile

ear, and ceasing to run, he approached the building more slowly, thus giving Jack and the other delinquents an

there then, and others whom Ward had deeply respected. Was any one looking up to him as he had looked up to that marvelous class which had been graduat

asion on which he had listened to the same "lecture" from the good old man. However, the words were well worthy of repetition and Ward was soon interested and listened attentively. Directions were given the new boys concerning the rooms and places in which they were to report, and then each class was told what was to be expected of it on that day, and the boys a

Glad to see y

xpressed upon his face. He looked at Ward just a moment and then, ignoring the outstretched hand and

t been expelled from the school? Did not every fellow in the school know just what he was? Had any one forgotten the escapades of the coarse-fibred boy? Ward's heart sank quickly, however, when he thou

and realized then just what he would have to face. Tim Pickard's anger, the enmity of the "Tangs," and a serie

t recognition as he hurried into the Latin room and took his old familiar place. Jack already was in the chair next to hi

ust you keep in mind what I told you about the condition of your ver

angry as he recognized what lay before him, perhaps more angry than hurt, but he was determined now not to be crushed, or "downed," as he termed

m, Jack said: "Ward, will yo

ke, but he could not entirely conceal the depression which now swept over him. "Never mind, Speck, don't worry about me," he quickly added as he saw the sympathy expressed upon

tily, evidently appreciatin

h and success as an athlete added greatly to his power over the boys. He could not repress the wish that Doctor Gray had not permitted Tim to return, for he must have known what every boy in the Weston schoo

he succeeded in a measure, and when two hours later Henry entered, Ward had much of his work done. So fa

g himself in some work. When he went down to the boarding hall he had

had seated himself before his study table to write his firs

ou to speak to you before. W

y far away," replie

e present even the friendship of Big Smith was not to be lightly cast asid

solemnly. "I sincerely trust you are going

added solemnly, and striving to imitate exactly the tones

Ward, I'm not so much afraid of you as I am of Tim Pickard. I don't see wh

rt rose upon his lips, but he restrai

r the nine, we all know that; but I fear he may be a disturbing element in the s

ent, though, as he afterward explained it,

in. My brother informs me that he and some of his cronies have begui

aiting for his question to be answered he seized his hat and ran swiftly out of the room. Down th

se to aid him, and now that the lad was suffering at the hands of Tim Pickard two feel

d as he came near the ball ground he stopped as he heard a shout of laughter coming from that direction. It seemed to h

fore him. He could see that four or five boys were there and there was something in the midst which at first he could

boys call. "We have here the finest specimen of the

dingly say. The voice was that of young Pond an

and with a rush the boys started with

s more than he could bear. In an instant he started down the hillside at h