The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-06-05
said apologetically, after she had bestowed
thnt srniln Of cnnnrat11latinn ON Molly


that smile of congratulation on Molly.
"Ah! was sure there must be some ex-
cellent reason for the remarkable confusion
of your paper" observed Baroko suayely.
1t was too bad, but he did not believe in
Alicia's headache, and she knew it. This
was the more trying because she had told
the truth.
Molly, half amused and half penitent,
fingered moment when the class was over
to speak to Baroko. There was book he
had promised to lend her.
"Well, Miss Drummond, l hope you are
content with your victory" said the Pro-
fessor, who was.
II have vexed Alicia, retorted Molly
serio comically. at couldn't help it,
could I?''
Certainly not. Miss Hargreaves will
recover from the blown time, " said the
Professor, who could not resist the oppor-
tunity of giving his enemy stab, even
when she was not there. 81 am very
pleased with your success.
"Oh, l am glad some one is pleased" ;"
said Molly half dolefully.
Baroko looked at her kindly.
"You must learn to be less sensitive" |"
he said in cordial, almost brotherly tone
at doesn't pay, Miss Drummond.'
"Oh, how can l help it?' exclaimed
Molly, the tears springing to her eyes
Baroko watched her for few seconds in
silence. Then he reused himself.
"Here is your book, Miss Drummond
Don't fret about Alicia. She will get over
it. fear you are too generous with your
sympathy-not a very common falling"
The satire returned to his voice with the
last words, but Mollys grateful, wistful
look charmed it away again.
Goodbye" he said. He shook her
hand more warmly than usual-it was gen.
orally like shaking hands with fish to
shake hands with Baroko and hurried
away.
CHAPTER II.
1t was near the end of the summer term.
The higher local examination was over, and
Barokos logical girls, four of them, had
won through Group ID almost by a miracle,
and satisfied" heexaminers. Only Alicia
Hargreaves passed with second-class honors,
and the Professor congratulated her before
the others in the blandest of all bland
tones, while Molly, listening, smothered a
laugh, for she, like the rest of us, was not
averse to sarcasm when it was levelled at
people she did not care for.
But Molly was leaving the academy.
She was eighteen and an accomplished
young lady. Her conduct, all the masters
said had been eminently satisfactory
through the term Baroko said so. Arc
turus had taught her botany and geology;
he said so too. There had been botanical
excursions lately, which were very enjoy
able
The summer term closed with garden
party, which was, every one said, tre-
mendous success. But with the bulk of
the proceedings | have nothing to do;
suffice it that the weather was glorious,
and that the grounds were really excellent
for garden party, with tennis lawn and
shrubberies and green alleys, down which
the guests wandered at their will
Molly was present, of course, looking
extremely charming in white dress, with
her favorite red geraniums at the throat.
She had never been like schoolgirl; but
to-day she seemed to have lost the last YES
tige of the type, for was it not her eigh-
teenth birthday, and she thought that she
was growing old? She played in tennis
match, and Baroko looked on. When it
was over he went up to her. She had
several cavaliers already. All the girls
brothers wanted an introduction, but Mol
ly was not given to forsaking old friends,
and she turned from the the throng to
greet Baroko.
II am tired" she said.
"Come into the shrubbery; it is cooler
there" said the Professor, in his old tones
of calm authority, and the two marched
away. Molly's young cavaliers were dis
mayed and indignant, but they were Ba-
roko's pupils at the neighboring college,
and too much in awe of him to follow. So
Baroko and Molly wandered down one of
the green alleys together, and there was a
smell of sweetbrier in the air.
$50 you are leaving us, Miss Drum
mond?' said the Professor rather curtly.
"You are not sorry?
''Indeed 1 am, exclaimed Molly warm
ly. Sometimes think should like to
go to school all my life. [ have enjoyed
everything this term"
"You will soon recover from the pang
of parting, and in six months all you have
learned will have slipped blissfully from
your memory" said Baroko unkindly. 81
promised, Miss Drummond, never to be
sarcastic; otherwise l should say that your
attainments were more brilliant than last
ing, 1 never had more promising pupil;
but however quickly you have learned,
trust me, you will forget much more
quickly"
knowledge is not everything" said
Molly little proudly, for she thought the
thrust uncalIed for. at does not make
one happy. I known shall forget; but 1
shall not forget the pleasure | have had,
nor the kindness. You have been very,
very kind to me, Professor Brandon. 1
shall not forget that.
"You think not?" observed Baroko
dryly.
ii don't think know" said Molly
Indignantly. "Why are you so unkind to
me on this last day? Twas so happy, and
now you have made me miserable"
81 did not mean to be unkind to you, !"
said the Professor quietly, but with a sud
den strange warmth at the heart. "You
have no truer friend. l am old and cyni-
cal"
"No !" interrupted Molly hotly.
"Old and cynical" repeated the Profes-
sor, sand universally detested. That you
have been able TO place some confidence in
me has afforded me great pleasure. | was
wishing for an opportunity to tell you
| Ahr'
He was conscious that sudden thrill
passed through the frame of his compan-
ion, and glancing at her face, he saw it
irradiated with a new light The reason
was not far to seek. At the other end of the
green alley Arcturus was advancing-hand-
some and radiant-witha a new fossil cepha-
lopod in his hand that he wished to show
Molly. In moment he was at the girls
other side.