10 THE ACORN found her eyes wet with tears. Four days after the Alumni exercises, the whole Fielding: family went to the shores of the lake to spend the summer. When school commenced next fall, some of the rosy tint had left her cheeks and that is why so much care was taken to let her have a merry time in Preston during the holidays. Her Senior year was a little happier but yet there was that something- gone. Maybe she could forget it; if she taught school in the country next fall. So a pleasant little school was secured and Miss Fielding was the school "Marm." She had many happy times with the school children, at balls, sleighrides and so on. The young men did not believe in letting diamonds slip through their fingers. When school was over, Leila prepared for home. She arranged her engagements so she might be home in time to hear the college class program. She also received an invitation to the Alumni Banquet. When the evening of June seventh came, Leila dressed herself in that dainty pink gown so becoming and attended the Banquet. After the short program was over she saw some stranger walking through the hall in front of her. "I'll catch up to him, and see who he is," thought Leila. He didn't need "catching," all he needed was one smile. "Leila Fielding!" "Harry Stanger!" "Who ever would have thought it?" They walked down stairs in silence and sat side by side at the table. After supper was over, Harry said: "I had planned to walk home your way tonight and I haven't changed my mind yet." "Oh, that's alright," was the cheer- ful answer, and homeward they went. "Do you know, I do not believe ourj Alma Mater likes her children to be] so separated, do you?" said Harry. "No, I don't," replied Leila. "I won't be a haughty senior any! more," Harry pleaded, as he pressed her to his bosom. Before they parted that night, they laid the foundation tdl a little world of their own. MARION BELNAP. '05. PRIZE STORY. JIM BROWN'S NUGGET. The lingering days of autumn were drawing to a close; nature had almost completed her work of garnishing wood and glen with red and gold; the western sky had on its evening dress of scarlet and it could be plainly seen that Morpheus was stretching the curtain of night over the fading landscape. On just such an evening as this Jim Brown returned from his hard day's work in the lumber regions of Oregon. His home was of the crudest make, situated at the foot of a hill, and made from logs hewn by his own hands. In fact it was a dismal spot, for no living sound could ever be heard except the chirping of the cricket or the hoot of an owl, which seemed to add to the dreariness. No little children greeted him in the evening with their smiles and laughter, and the small room looked though it needed the touch of woman's hand. Jim had lived in this forsaken place for years, working and toiling to gain some headway in life, but all plans failed and it seemed that he was for- THE ACORN 11 ever doomed to failure. If anything went wrong in the nearby village he was generally blamed for it and perhaps this is the reason that he preferred a solitary life. But these conditions were not to last forever; a brighter day was coming in which all would see the qualities which had so long lain dormant. A few weeks and months passed slowly by and nature ushered in the season of spring with all the beauties that could be imagined. Jim watched the reawakening for it brought with it new hopes. One night he strolled from the lowly cottage and his soul seemed to be carried away with emotions for he had never noticed before the beauties that surrounded his simple home. The leaves slowly unfolding from their winter's slumber were dewey with nature's tear drops; the fragrant violets were bowing their heads as if in silent worship; and the birds were seeking their new built nests to retire for the night. While his mind was absorbed in these thoughts he was startled by the sound of foot-steps. He turned quickly and there stood the brother who he had thought dead and who had been so kind to him. The meeting was a happy one for he had come to take Jim to a place where he could have companions and make a better mark in life. Jim considered the question very carefully and at last decided to leave the little home and go with his brother to take up a claim in one of the mining regions of northern California. All went well now and he won many frineds. One morning not long after his arrival in his new home, he took his pick on his shoulder and started to the foothills to do some prospecting. The sun was just rising, purpling the east with splendor; the birds were singing their joyous melodies; the water was dashing over the huge rocks and joining the brook on its way to the river. He gazed at these scenes a moment, then loosened a large rock with his pick, and down in a crevice he could see something that resembled the long looked for metal. He loosened it with his pick and there was a large nugget. He hurried to the camp yes it stood the test and he knew that it was pure gold. A few days later a poor woman came to the camp and in her distress asked them to help her. She had been driven from her home by a drunken husband, while trying to protect her little child. The miners pitied her and promised to 'shelter her and she in turn showed her thanks by cooking for them. After a few weeks, however, she became sick of fever and died, leaving the little five-year-old Jenny in the hands of the rough men. The mother was buried with the greatest respect and the miners decided to auction the child, the one paying most to have her. The men all took their turn but Jordan Synn, a very rough man bid the highest. Jim could see the results, so bid his wonderful nugget to save her from the rough character of Synn. That evening he tried to decide what to do. He knew that he must leave the camp and get the child in better company. By the next morning a preparations were made for leaving and he bid the men good bye. He was jeered by some of the men but he knew a soul had been intrusted to his care and his duty was to watch and care for it. The cold season was now returning.