The Slavey Student

暂无简介John and Alma Picket by the death of their mother are left orphans and destitute. Kind-hearted Sheriff Bolles proposes that they come and live with him and his wife until John can get a position. They gladly accept his offer, and a week later, John starts for New York. The superintendent of schools gives Sheriff Bolles a note of introduction to Miss Ruth Graven the head of the Graven Seminary, and Alma, again thanking the sheriff and his wife for their kindness, starts off to the school. She presents the note to Miss Graven, the note making it clear that she wishes to exchange her services for an education. Meantime, in the city. John makes the acquaintance of the young man in the next room to his. Alma has been accepted on the terms of the superintendent's letter, and she starts in with her duties. She makes a good friend in Marjorie Wilford, a young heiress, who invites her to attend a midnight party. Just at this time Alma receives a letter from John, telling her that he is writing from a prison, having been charged with a crime committed by his friend of the adjoining room at the boarding house. Alma is greatly distressed, but Marjorie assures her that she is sure her brother is innocent. A few days later Marjorie's brother Harry is invited to attend a dance given at the seminary. He brings with him a friend, Roy Ashton. At the dance Harry pays a great deal of attention to Alma, and Roy is equally engaged with Marjorie. Roy, in fact, lays direct siege to the girl's heart, and the result is that a few days later she tells Alma that she has promised to run away with him that night, and that they are to be made man and wife by Sheriff Bolles. Alma is asked to be bridesmaid, and finally consents. Meantime John has completed his term in prison, goes to Sheriff Bolles and tells him his story, which the sheriff believes. John is asked to be a witness to a marriage that the sheriff is to perform that evening. John, coming in to do his part at the ceremony, recognizes in Marjorie's betrothed the very man for whose crime he has served a prison term. Ashton confesses, and the sheriff is about to arrest him when both Marjorie and John plead for him, after Ashton has declared that his love for Marjorie makes him desire to be a better man. Bolles tells him that, if he is sincere, the loss of her will be his punishment, and her memory his guide. Then he tells Ashton to go. Explanations follows and the next morning Alma and Marjorie are back at school.