The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-20
The sophomore

~ dow seat smoking his pipe. The
foot ball team had just broken
training and the bliss Of undisturbed
smoking had not worn off. He did not
say much, but anyone could see that
he took a quiet satisfaction in being
the only sophomore named for the ALL
American event.
The sophomore never did say much,
anyway. His recitations were models
Of brevity. The two occasions on
which lie spoke to girls are college
history. But these are stories in
themselves.
1t had showed all night and the
crossings were banked knee high. The
snow had turned to sleet; now the
sleet was changing to rain. Now the
cutters were mill races. merrily whirl.
ing little RATS of slush to their de.
struction at the corner.
1t is not in the least al original
thought, yet I often marvel on what
threads a mans destiny hangs.
What impulse turned his eyes out
of the window at exactly the same
instant a trim figure stopped on the
curb? The sophomore's backbone
Strengthened with q jerk.
In one second he had noticed the
green tailor-made gown, the puff Of
brown hair covering her ears; he had
noticed that she had neither rubbers
nor umbrella and had seen the help
less little glance she gave at the knee
| deep snow.
The next he was half way down the
stairs. He hustled into his coat and
overshoes and jammed on his ROOM
mates best hat. The landlady's
| a r1Y tnfn nd
front of the radiator warming.
A sudden idea stopped him short:
he stuffed the rubbers into his pocket
and the macintosh under his arm.
He had reached the sidewalk before
he realized what he was doing.
The girl looked surprised at his sud-
den appearance, but did not move. He
| walked straight to her.
| II beg your pardon" he began. 's
am going to get my sister; these are
hcr things" He fished up the rubbers
and coat. II am going your way, and
If you'd like to wear them they'll keep
you dry"
! She looked appealingly across the
street and then at him. Someone had
once told him that he looked honest.
1t flashed into his mind now, and
he wondered what she thought.
That was the girl that his ROOM
mate was always talking about.
| Kate Carlyle!"
| There was a pause. He looked at
| her keenly, and she blushed. Il am
going to lunch with my sister, but"
| Then he went on: perhaps you
! know her. She's-er-Kate Carlyle"
The sophomore shuddered,
"Oh, Pm so relieved; I might have
known he was all right"
She clapped her hands gayly and
looked at him again. "You are Kate's
brother!"
The sophomore grunted indistinctly.
She slipped into the things and ram
bled on easily. "Why, Kate has been
| wanting me to meet you for ages!
Won't it be fun telling her?"
She stamped her foot to make sure
the last rubber was on and came un-
der his umbrella.
At one downpour heavier than the
rest he felt hand resting lightly on
his arm. He heard disjointed SEN
tences as if dreaming-cars blocked
no carriage-foolhardy creature-tried
to walk home-everlasting benefactor
but did not heed them.
ITS worth the -isk," he muttered
to himself. They walked slowly under
the dripping trees and climbed the
steps. She was thanking him and
smiling and looked at him all at once.
He was dizzily happy. II am so sorry
that the family is all away. 1 wanted
you to meet them"
his breath came quicker: he was play
ing for big stakes-"Td much rather
stay here" The blush deepened, she
tapped her fingers together as if she
We're annoyed. II know perfectly we'll
that is unheard of, and please don't
think that I'm always so Internal
rude
He had the sort of voice that women
like. strong, deep. with tender places
in it, She touched the bell. He stood
behind her without moving, and the
corners of her mouth grew tense. A
man opened the door, and she stepped
in, pulling at her gloves. She turned
quickly, saw his disappointment and
laughed. aren't you coming in to get
your sisters clothes?" Then, after a
violent tug, Martin, Mr.. Carlyle and
I will lunch at once"
The sophomore pushed back his plate
and folded one hand over the knuckles
of the other. II am a scoundrel''-he
low of water and shook the tumbler
absently. "There are times when
hitherto honorable men will do despi-
cable things-and not experience the
least regret. Their training and all
their ideals may be revolted, but under
the same circumstances they would do
precisely the same thing again"
lie paused, but she evidently did not
wish to Snaa1S 'HNha praataSt pOmpli.
ment a woman can pay man is to
trust him. If he has q spark of man
illness it should bring it out--and yet
and yet jump at the chance to do
the same thing tomorrow. Therefore,
] am brute"
"Tne strongest power is strongest;
we must find 1t at last; everything
weaker must give way to it. I have
lied to you. He said the word slowly.
as If it cut him. II shall remember
this day as long as I live. l am an
orphan and have disgraced no one but
myself" He finished in a steady voice.
She leaned forward and held out her
hand. II respect you for what you
have just said" she said. simply. II
have trusted you, and do yet. But
if there is any blame. will bear half"
He was soberly balancing two spoons
on his finger and did not see the de-
mure twinkle in her eyes or the half
timid, smile that played on her lips.
II roomed with Kate Carlyle three |
years at Smith-and she never had "A
brother"
The spoons fell jingling to the cloth,
and their eyes met squarely,
The sophomore got up and walked |