The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-01-19

flashed upon her that this was the
evening of Miss Fessenden's party,
and that these girls had attended it.
Then the leader, whom Kitty
strongly suspected was Laura Cary,
opened the door. 1t was found af-
terward that they had bribed the
cook and obtained her pass-key.
As they all crowded into the hall,
still as mice, Kitty bringing up the
rear, there stood Prof. Montrose in
the door of his study, the bright
lignt from within shining fall upon
the girls, and making each face per-
fectly distinguishablel As the pro-
fessor threw up his hand, there they
stood. looking like so many monks
in their long black cloaks.
where have you been, Miss
Cary?" inquired the professor in
tones that made even the bold Lau-
"a tremble.
I'VE have been to Miss Fessen-
dens party" she replied, after some
deliberation.
There were seven in this group,
and three Of the number were so
frigened or so conscience-stricken,
that they began to cry. Then the
professors eyes fell upon Kitty.
Miss Bache!' he exclaimed look
ing like 4 man who had been struck,
and starting forward a step or two,
as if to make sure his eyes had not
deceived him.
For a moment kitty's self-posses-
entirely desterted her. and she look
ed the guiltiest one Of the party.
She was so completely tired out
that she had no strength left for this
trial, and her heart sunk within her
as she found-probabIy for the first
time in her life-that she was act
ually unable to speak a word.
She leaned against the door for
support One of the girls, who saw
how pale and weak she was took
hold of her arm, and tried to lead
her away. She was afraid she was
going to faint, and doubtless thought
Kitty had as good a reason to keep
her own counsel. Several times
Kitty opened her lips to speak, but
was powerless 10 aFtieulate a single
. sentence. Then the professor spoke
again.
Young ladies, 60 to your rooms.
viii see you in the morning" :"
/ Oh, how sad and grieved his voice
sounded, Then Kitty tried to move
along with the rest but there seem
ed to be something right before her
all the time-something tall and
dark, that would certainly knock
her down ifshe took another step.
How she ever climbed the stairs
and reached her own room she nev,
er knew, but Catharine was aroused
from q troubled dream by some.
thing falling On the threshold. and
when she hastily turned up bel
light there was poor little Kitty in {
dead faint.
For an houror more, Catharine die
everything in her power for tn,
girls restoration, and was Just on
the point Of summoning the matron
when Kitty recovered a little.
How can / ever live till morn
ing and have the professor believe
me such a bad girl?" she sobbed.
But Kitty, how was it possibl,
for you to 60 off with those girls
anyway said Catharine, sobbins
too.
"Et t, Brutus.n said Kitty, rails
ing herself on her elbow and lookin:
Catharine full in the face. Il stea
away to a party!-N Why, Catha
rine, you have broken my heart"
But where have you been, dear? p
inquired her companion, tenderly.
Ethel Lee was much worse. anC
Mrs. Coleman came after me-
" ! wonder if you can ever forgive
me. Kitty said Catharine. 90
course, it seemed impossible, but
when ten o'clock struck, and the
monitor came around rs usual. anC
told me with tears in her ewes that
she feared she should be obliged to
report YOU with the rest of the run.
aBays, ] was nearly frantic. She
finally promised me that she would
wait till tomorrow, and see what
account you would give of yourself
Then Catharine made a hastv tot
let, and before Kitty knew what she
was about left the room. She ran
down stairs qickly, determined il
she saw light in the professors
study to ask permission to make an
explanation.
There was no light there, and
Catharine concluded that the pro-
. feSsOr had retired.
He has gone TO bed, | suppose,
said she, on her return, and we must
be patient until morning"
There was very little sleep for
either of the girls, but Kitty was
able TO rise, though still looking
very pale and worn.
After breakfast. she sought the
professors study to make an expla-
nation. Three times she went. but
there was no answer to her timid
rap.
Then she went to the matron's s
room. and found her out. Then re-
ceiving no summons to the profes-
sor's presence she waited until it
was time for the geometry class,
and entered it as usual.
The truants belonging to the class
did not appear, and it was some
time before the professor came in.
When, he did. and his eyes met
Kitty's he seemed for a moment un-
decided what to do. Then he said
very slowly, but very distinctly, the
rest Of the class looking on in mute
astonishment-
Miss Bache, how dare you pre-
sent yourself in my presence this
morning unannounCed p"
Kitty's finger pressed her book
like little clamps as she answered /:
Because, professor, | am not
guilty of the disobedicnce with
which you accuse me. l have en-
deavored to see you all the morn
ing, but failing to do this, could
see why, having committed no sin
against YOU or the institution, |