The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-05-12
so BLUE
A Story of a Girton Girl.

filed every hope ever formed Of you.
l knew, when | sent YOU to Girton, that
you could not fail to acquit yourself
we'll, but did not look for this"
Magdalen Foster blushed with pleasure
Mt her fathers words, Is we'll she might,
for the letter in her hand announced
that the papers sent up by her at the
recent Classical tripos entitled her to the
ninth place in the First Class. The fact
of her womanhood stood in the way of
the b. A. degree being actually confer
red upon her, but that was q matter of
no consequence whatever to a girl who
had worked solely for the love of knowl-
edge implanted and fostered in her by
scholarly father.
"Well, Magdalen, I'm sure / congratu-
lato you heartily" said her sister Nora;
"and all the more SO because now, at
last, suppose you will consider yourself
blue enough"
The blush of pleasure now faded from
Magdalen's cheeks. II never wanted to
be blue" she said. nervously.
Then I'm afraid you have succeeded
without the wanting" laughed Nora
"Why, my dear. you arc blue of the very
deepest dye; and you not only are it,
but you look it. You don't go about in
cap and gown. or with spcctacles and
inky fingers, but there is no installing
in you the model of a sweet girl gradu-
ate"
There was n certain amount of truth
in this. Magdalcn, especially by the
side of the pretty if rather dollish-
featured Nora, was notwithstanding,
To say the least. Sho was tall, and
stopped slightly, her complexion though
clear was colorlcss. and she had the re-
Elective, juH look that is not unfrequcnt-
~ the sign of habitual study. Yet her
face was singularly sweet in expression,
the open tranquil brow seemed incapa-
BILE of frowning, the brown eyes might
be dreamy, but never irate.
"Magdalcn," asked her father, after
a while, "are you still willing to become
my amanuensis?'
40, papa" returned the girl, eager
ly, II shall be so proud if you will let
me-"
Mr.. Foster was an eminent student Of
the classics, and it had always been
Magdalen's great ambition to help him
in the preparation of his valuable works.
She did not fOrcsee all the results of
her college achievements, and of this
new relation to her father. 1t did not
occur to the supplemented girl that
there was anything in what she had done
to ALLEVIATE her from her old ac1uaint-
ances. Yet so it was. Quite unconscious
" sho awed her contemporaries, who,
girls and young men alike, fought shy OF
so distinguished u .'blue-stOcking."-
Married women, again, found her ignor'
ant Of their domestic interests, while she
| was too timid to open out to elder men,
| Children alone, unable to comprehend
| the talk about her learning, were guided
| by the simple sweetness of her face, anC
fearlessly made plaything of her. Will
them she could be happy. but in Tho
midst of people who insisted upon pay
ing her compliments and treating he
with Difference, her manner became stif
and distant for very shyness. Societ,
became distasteful to her, and gradual
ly people left off inviting her, under tn
mistaken impression that she was allow
caring for any entertainment they coul'
offer. She remained Miss Foster onl..
in name; to all intends and purpose
Nora was the elder sister. While Mag
dalen had been porting over her books
Nora had studied the art of making her
self agreeable, and assiduously cultivat
cd various gifts. She was musical, an
clever with her pencil, could ride an
play tennis well; also she had the bright
attractive beauty that trebles the valu
of all such social accomplishments. And
above all, she knew exactly how to tur
every one of her good points to the bes
| possible account. 1t will thus be see
| how easy it was for her to keep Magda
len In the background, and by skillft
insinuations throw her own good quail
ties into greater relief than ever.
One evening they were taken by SUI
prise by the unexpected arrival OF Wi
Fairbairn, an old friend and playfellow
Dinner was just being served, and til
young man took his seat among then
laughing and putting up his hands as
to petition against tho volley of que
tions and EXPLANATIONS with which b
was saluted.
IL haven't distinguished single woI
any one has said," he declared at las
"l}ut imagine you arc asking where
| spring from and what I've come abou
y Briefly, then, I'm off to the Cape in
| months time, and have come to bid yo
all long farewell"
Farewell! The Caper' exclaimed Il
Fosters. what do you meanP"
. "Pve had f500O left me by an aunt,
Will proceeded to explain; land africr
;. has strongly advised me to invest it
ostriches. lie says they pay trcmc
dously, and the life is delightful ha'
consulted every possible authority, al
really don't see that could do better
hate Office work, haven't the brains
take up a profession, and farming
England is no 90. And / consider a
rather cut out for colonist."
If ended i'm tone of modest self-a
probation, which was not unwarrante
for he was man of splendid physiqu
y, Besides which, all his tastes fitted hi
for an occupation demanding physiC
rather than mental ability. He had new
- cared for study. So long as he cou
scrape on at school and college witho
disgracing himself he was content, a
devoted his heartiest energies TO t
n athletic sports in which his soul deligl
ed.
Dinner over, Mr.. Foster rose almt
Immediately from the table.
"Can you spare me an extra hour Il
evening. Magdalenp" he asked.
Certainly, papa; will come atonce
"Magdalen is good deal changed
remarked Will, as he and Nora stroll
out into the garden together. Nora
fnE M