The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-08
THE PITY OF II.
A Life story.

The sun shone brightly, the breez
gently swayed the branchFs OF the gra ne
Old trees, making dancing shadows OF
the thick carpet Of grass beneath. Crowul
OF people wandered in gay, chatteripg,
laughing groups in every direction ove
The campus, the varied tints of the ladies
dresses causing kaleid oscopic effect bs
wiidering to an intent observer. Above
all and mingling pleasantly with the
daughter and snatchess of song car
rolled forth by irrepressible Juniors, was
the music of instruments stationed in q
shady nook near the center Of the
grounds. 10 Roy Claiming as he crossed
the campus, after escorting some friends
to the street, Ii seemed the gsyest, most
successful class day since he entered col
leae. Another year and he would. him
self be assisting in doing the honors Of
class-day. AS he reflected on his three
years. residence In the old college town,
he wondered how he had managed to
make so few acqu aintsnces, in the lengt h
OF time. Unless change should take
| place he should regret only his college
| life, when the time came for him to leave
for his life work. However, he recollected
that many students who had been very
retired for the first three years of tn cir
course, blossomed out into quite socia
creatures in the senior year. lie thought
no should not care for society much any
way, only II seemed pleasant for the fell
lows to have SO many jolly friends as
some OF them had.
Through all these thoughts fioa.ed the
music and the laughter ana he was
aroused from his abstraction by the sound
of familiar voice and the sight OF
small white hand extended towards him
as the owner exclaimed, "Wby Roy
Claiming, here you are after all, have
wondered where you could have hidden
yourself! Let me make you acqusinted
with my friend; Mr.. Claiming; that Miss
Vsne"
Roy's eyes had been wandering during
his trends greeting, TO her COMPANION,
and ON receiving the introduction he
bowed low over frankly extended gloved
hand with a con fused idea Of tall slen.
der form, clad in pale pink lawn with falls
of delicate white lace; OF lustrous dark
eyes, OF wealth of dark brown curls
and Of = sweetly ex pressive mouth which
softened the otherwise rather naughty
face.
Ii was exceedingly pleasant on raising
bis eyes to see the kind face of Mrs. Red-
mud, as she said laughingly. "ShaIl
tiespa's too much on your Kindness IL
ask you to take care of Miss vane for
few minutes while try to lind Mr.. Red.
muno? Meet me in about half an hour st
the music standp'
Then, with a smiling wave of her hand,
she was of. and Roy Claiming wnlkos
straight into the gates of paradise opened
for him by Myrtle Vane.
She was just the sort Of girl to fasci-
nate Roy, who was too fattidious to have
been EASILY captured by the airs and
graces of ordinary telles. Digniied
but gracious, reserved, but pleasantly
social, she ut once set the young man
at bis ease ana LED him into one of the
most njoyable conversations ne ever re-
mem bered 10 have had.
indeed. they both forgot the time as
they slrolled slowly around the grounds.
nodding here and there to friends, but
oil the timo exchanging thoughts on all |
sorts OF subjects. constantly surprised
that they agreed so perfectly. But at last,
they realized that they must have teen
talking more than half an hour and i'm
haste found their way to the music stand,
where Mrs. Redmund met them with an
amused smile and a playful scoldlrg.
She introduced her husband to Myrtle,
whoss acquaintance with Mrs. Rednund
was confined to the church circle whera
Mr.. Redmund was never found.
"Now Myrtle my dear!" said Mrs. Rel.
nund, "It is really getting late and
must go home, and az / am accountable
20 your mother for you, / must take you
oo' / had begun to think should have
o send an officer around to hunt up
'oung lady with lovely eurls and a de-
idedly Princess airl"
She laughed mischievously as the rosa
lush spread over Myrtls's face, while she
aid earnestly, 81 assure you Mrs. Red
nond | am very sorry to have caused you
n instant's anxietyp'
She rally looked distressed ana Msr,
'edmund laughed again as she said gaily,
Don't worry my deari I haven't lost
ny flesh on account Of my responsibili-
y IL was my own fault IL there was ,
ny In leaving you at all, but was aware
had left you In good care. But now, :
10 must say good-byp' a
Myrtle, still with heig htened color said I,
uietly, "Good-by Mr.. Channinc, 1 d
,ank yoo for very pleasant hourp'
"lndeed, the greater pleasure was
ine" cried the young man eagerly,
and, IL you please, Miss vsne, 1 should
, SO delighted to continue our acquaint- .
ice II you will allow me to call at your /,
ONE Mrs. Redmund will assure you OF :
y respectability .
"Ob, yesi" assented Mrs. Redmund, 81
have known Roy since he wore dresses (,
I'd long curls, and he has always been a q
GOD boy. know his mother intimately !,
"A all a. e., |