The Holly chieftain., 1903-07-17
CHAPTER XVII.

amazingly in tle two years since they
had met, and that she was certainly
very finelooking woman. She fol-
lowed her niece down corridor
which led to what Eleanor styled the
visitors room, pleasant apartment
in which a cheerful fire was burning.
Here they were received by the senior
professor of the college an elderly lady
whose white hair was twisted at
either temple into a trio of fat ring
lets. and who was still Miss Johnson.
There was something. however, SO
gracious and affable in her bearing,
she was SO simple and free from af
fectation, that Emma who at sight
OF her had put on toplofty man
ner, let herself down inch by inch
until she lost herself in genuine sur
prised admiration of her hostess
tact and gentility. AS for Harold, he
and Miss johnson hit OFF capitally at
once, SO much SO that the moment he
was out of hearing on the way to
their rooms he exclaimed:
She is a regular old trump, Flea
nor. Have you any more like herr"
She is certainly very agreeable
woman" Emma added, with a medi-
tative air. "One can hardly expect to
find many more SO attractive as She"
I'VE shall be very comfortable here,
I'm sure Emma added. as she glanc-
ed around the parlor into which Flea
me- had ushered them, with the
statement that it was for their use
and that there was bed chamber
opening out of it.
Dinner will be ready in half an
hour, and l will come shortly before
that. so as to take you about little
beforehand. My room is close by"
well, Cherub," exclaimed Harold,
as he attacked his valise after Eleanor
had closed the door, Il expect that
before We are ready to go home. you
will be beseeching me to move out
West, bag and. baggage"
Don't be absurd, dear. wonder"
she added thoughtfully, moment
later, why Eleanor is uncertain about
accepting the presidency. Did you
notice how confused she looked when
you referred to the matter?"
The poor child is naturally modest.
She is not used to having honors
thrust upon her.
''It wasn't mere diffidence. l tell
you, Harold, she has something on her
MIND. There is some secret reason
for her hesitation. shall believe
until l am convinced to the contrary,
that the cat in the meal is q man"
What mani"
r,an eofJ bouo ,oA %1,a -
motest idea who he is. l am waiting
for her to tell us that"
Harold laughed.
There is no one like woman to
ferret out what is in another woman's
mind. Well, dear, hope you may
be right, for then you will be able to
say 1 told you so!'"
"on the contrary, fervently hope
that am mistaken"
"Why..I thought that you were
eager for her to be married"
Il wished her to marry Owen Page
five years ago, but do not wish to
see her marry Tom, Dick or Harry,
and Western Tom. Dick or Harry
at that. Though, come to think of 1t,
ii she will marry Westerner and
stay West, do not so much care"
Harold laughed again, so that his
fat sides shook, and said, as he ad-
justed the pearl pin that adorned his
necktie:
You women are fearfully and won.
derfully made"
Eleanor returned a few moments
later and carried them on a tour of
inspection before dinner. There was
an air of complete tranquility in the
house at the moment, for the reason
that the students had all gone to
their rooms to make preparations for
dinner, SO that they had an excellent
opportunity to see what there was to
he seen. free from the distraction of
human agencies. AS they were emerg-
ing from the last recitation-room the
clang of bell announced that 1t was
meal time and Immediately after
there was rush of steps and hum
of voices, which caused Emma to
prick her ears with curiosity despite
her preconceived intention to be
shocked In another instant a surging
troop of youths and maidens was
sweeping by in prattling but orderly
concourse. Except that they were
mixed, there was very little to dis
tinguish them, either In their dress
or bearing, from any body of students,