Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-07-17
CHAPTER XVII.

self the fact that she had filled out
amazingly In the two years since they
had met. and that she was certainly
very fine-looking woman. She fol.
lowed her niece down corridor
which led to what Eleanor styled the
visitors room. pleasant apartment
In which 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 n trio of fat ring
lets. and who was still Miss Johnson.
There was something. however. SO
gracious and affabie in her hearing.
she was SO simple and free from ar
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 gentiiity. AS for Harold. he
and Miss Johnson hit of capitally at
once. SO much SO that the moment he
was out of hearing on the way to
their rooms he exclaimed:
She is regular old trump. Flea
nor. Have you any more like her?'
woman" Emma added. with a medi-
tative air. One can hardly expect to
ind many more SO attractive ms She"
I'VE shall be very comfortable here.
I'm sure" Emma added. ms she sianc-
ed around the parlor into which Flea
nor had ushcred them. with the
statement that II was for their use
and that there was bed chamber
opening out of IL.
Dinner will be ready In half an
hour. and l will come shortly before
that. 10 as To take you about little
beforehand. My room Is close by"
well. cherub." exclaimed Harold.
as he attacked his vaiisc after Eleanor
before We are ready to 40 home. you
will be bescechins me to move ou,
West. bag and baggage"
Don't be absurd. dear. I wonder" !"
she added thoushtfuily. n moment
later. why Eleanor Is uncertain about
accepting tho presidency. Did you
notice how confused she looked when
you referred TO the ma,tcr!"
The poor child il naturally modest.
sho il not used to having honors
thrust upon her.
Il, wasn't mere difidcncc. tell
you. Harold. she has something on her
mind. There is some secret reason
for her hesitation. I shall believe
until am convinced To tho contrary.
that the cat In the meal Is man"
What mang'
a man. I said. have no, tho re-
motsst idea who he is. am waiting
for her To tell as that
Harold laughed.
There is no one like a woman to
ferret out what Is in another woman's
ttiad. Well. dear. l hope you may
be right. for then you ~ill be ahle to
say I told you so,'''
On tho contrary. frrvca,iy hope
that | am mistaken
way. thought tina, yoa were
eager for her to be married.
Il wished her to marry owcn PAGE
ave years aso. hat ! d. rot wish to
sr,, her marry Tom. Dick or Harry.
sns Western Tor. Dick or Harry
at that. Though. come TO think of Il.
II Ahe will marry a wcstcFncr and
stAs West. do NO, so much care
Harold laughed again. so that his
ia, sides shook. and said. as he aa.
iasscd the pearl pin tina, adorned his
necktie:
"iou women arc fearfuiiy aud won.
dertully made"
Eleanor returned 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 20
thcir rooms 10 make preparations for
dinner. so tina. they had an rxccilcu,
opportunity TO sec shat there was TO
he seen. free from the distraction of
Luman agencies. As they we're -snerg.
ing from the last secitation.roon the
clans Of bell announced that It was
meal time and Immediately after
there was a rush OF steps and hum
Of voices, which caused Emma TO
prick her cars with curiosity despite
her preconceived intention to be
shocked. In another instant sursins
troop of youths and maidens was
sweeping by in prattiing but orderly
mixed. there was very little to dis.
,iBsuish them. either in their dress
or bearing. from any body Of students.
save that the sight of so many young
women together vas novel to both
Of the Stages.
Eleanor puFposely detained her
/ guests until the last of the procession
Lad passed. and then escorted them
into the large dininsroom. on either
side of the central aisle of which
were rows of tables. The aisle was
the dividing line between the sexes.
| ON the right OF II were the young
men. and on the left the young wo-
men. At the farther end of the room
were two other tables. slightly raised
above and at right angles with the
rest. TO one of which Eleanor con.
Quoted her uncle and her su,t.
These were reserved for the chief of.
fcers Of instruction.
The Stages were given seats next
10 Miss Johnson. who presently rose
to say few words of grace. Before
she spoke. one could have heard a
| min drop in the large hall. The mo-