The Story of Sugar

ed it would and despite the absence of athletics Van Blake foun

had made for him. Now he must fulfil his promise, Van argued. So although the call of the springtime was strong and difficult to resist he had been faithful to his work, "plugging away," as he expressed it, with all his strength. To his surprise the task, so irksome at first, became interesting

cted friendliness that they were after all ordinary human beings and rather likable ones at that. They were moreover amazingly symp

ham to the other everybody knew that Van Blake had disobeyed the school rules and had in consequence forfeited his place in out-of-door sports. Van, however, was a great favorite and the manly way in which he accepted his penalty provoked not

nt, and that remark was the only encouragement hi

erily giving advice as to the make-up of the school teams and even coac

he himself had escaped from the fate that had overtaken the child. On the small lad's side it had its root in gratitude and hero-worship. In Tim's eyes Van Blake was an all-powerful person. Was it not he who had picked him up and carried him to the hospital? And had not this same big schoolboy bought the beautiful wheel-chair that enabled one to travel about the house and yard almost as readily as i

for some of the families in the town, might have had a permanent and much more lucrative position elsewhere had it not been for leaving her five little ones; as it was, she clung to her children, struggling to meet her living expenses as best she could. It had been a

all gratitude. Of all her chi

the roadside to die," she would exclaim over and over.

of the welcome he unfailingly received there aroused in him an answering friendliness. Many a

out that," or "I mu

ing read to him or that he heard he would instantly appeal to Van, whom he was sure could right every sort of dilemma that might arise. But too often the unlucky Van was forced to blush and falter that he would have to look

et there was a tang in the game that rendered it very interesting. He found, too,

spring

tland had also written; but what he did not know was that with the fearlessness so characteristic of him Bob Carlton had taken the time and trouble to pen a long note to Colorado as a plea for his chum. It was a remarkable composition from a boy so young-a letter full of affection and earnestness and voicing a surprising insight into his friend's character and disposition. Mr. Blake read it over three times, and when he finished sat in a reverie with i

tant fear was that the Carltons would be unwilling to spare Bob from home for such a long time. To their surprise, however, Mr. Carlton welcomed the plan with enthusiasm. A trip to Colorado would be a wonderful opportunity, the educational value of which

in high spirits. Both had passed the examinations with honors, and as Van thought of his achievement again and again he wondered if it

s friend go. But Van promised there should be letters-lots of them-and pos

ces on the train and began the attempt to fathom the reams of directions Mr. Blake had sent them; pages and pa

rney alone because I believe your c

hat is," remarked Van humorously. "I guess that is about all the recommendation you need from

" echoed B