New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-28
4 CRIMSON VICTORY.

Kathleen Ducr, smiling upon him in prefer
"nCc to any one of the crowd Of young men. So
called the "gang"-when Mr. Forester was in
college less vulgar phrases had been used-ac-
cep,ng his invitation to the game, promising to
hi colors, had been charming to behold.
Kathleen Ducr unsmilinG and tacituTn. keeping
her promise indeed wearing the blue but wear
lng il most ungraCously, was altogether differ
ent person.
Mr. Forester did not like college boys. They
were So dlsgracefully young and little
ashamed Of it, They had much more hair on
their heads much less on their faces, than
he could boast Of. They were so exuberant. so
incxcusably cheerful they had 50 little money.
and yet seemed quite unconscious of the vast
superiority of his wealth.
1t had been one Of the many charms of Miss
Duer that she had been auprcciative OF his claims
to consideration; never was she more attentive
and delightful than in the presence OF those
young cubs. There was one young Grant whose
mere appearance at the door always seemed 10
make her especially interested in Mr. Forrcsters
good stories which lie related so often and so
well; a, such times he felt he had never de-
Ugh" ed 20 more absorbed listener.
But today Miss Duey gave scant attention 10
his anecdotes. yaWned little when he quoted
poetry; was Indifferent to the details OF the
games Of his youth. She looked out OF the win
dow when he dropped his voice. and asked II
ne would mind sitting opposite instead Of beside
her. she did not want to crush her skirt Mr..
Forester had not known that tailor made skirts
were crushable.
lie had studied the girl carefully all summer
and all fall and the outcome Of his study was
certain blue velvet case in his waistcoat pocket
hat mi rip yylfh la
mond in il big enough to block the horizon OF
any girl He would not speak yet; 1t would be
santalzing to have her near and yet far
during the game but driving back trumphantly,
his coorS victorious the field. he would say
the important words sitting by her side. Then
the skirt. the great occasion being over. might
be crushed with impunity. OF course. 1t WAS
just az we'll TO have 1t eft" now; Mr.. Forester
was an authority on womens clothes. and liked
everything correct about the girl he honored
with his attentions. There was almost a thrill
under his waistcoat as ne looked at Kathleen
and realized how near he was to sober rapture.
But Kathleen Duer's calm exterior covered a
perfect volcano. Two weeks ago on the night
when Donald Grant had been so particularly and
EXCEPTIONALLY a sheep. had first glowercd over
in the corner and then been unnecessarily at
tentvc to her pretty cousin Sarah. it had seemed
a Simple matter to say that she would go to the
game with Mr. Forester Spurred on by the
glance she had encountered. she had
gone sin further. had promised to wear the
Yale colorS-this. however. in tone not to be
overheard.
Two minutes later she would have given her
pretty h ad 10 be released from her agreement,
but she could not. She had had such a miser-
able time since! Her cousins had been kind to
lint, IL. nod fol hat nd oil no
which generally meant the gang. had been
kind with a plying tolerance that was simply
The browning enormty had been
known 10 them only TWO days-since the Yale
violets began to arrive, and since then the
gang" had never been mentioned in her pres
enCe Coming into the room upon a perfect |
Babel Of voices. her advent had been the signal |
Tor sudden silence Tho gang" all except Rex. |
who va too kindly Of heart 10 crush her COM |
pletcly, had gone back from the familiar Kit"
10 Miss Ducr'-she no longer OF them. she |
was stranger, almost an outcast, perhaps
traitor in the camp.
The two fat horses trotted sobery on If there |
was anything Kathleen hated it was sober we'll !
behaved fat. middle-aeed horses and their own
.rs, Past the laden cars they trottcd cars laden |
With eager excited girls and students Of to-day. |
ma almost eager and excited students Of one !
,nd two generations aWay-al wearing the
'rirnscn all hopeful, hilarious Conviyial, the /
-cry crowd adding to the zcst Of the occasion.
ground her teeth as she looked down !
It the blue gloves. felt the choking OF the blue
lie, was oppressed by the blue rug, stincd by
he perfume Of the blue violcts
The two blue silk flags on the seat before her.
With their staring and obtrusive white US. !