The Holly chieftain., 1903-07-17
MRS. HAROLD stage.
copyrsh. ~ ~ Rossr Bonner. Soma

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 aunt
fcers of instruction.
The Stages were given seats next
to Miss Johnson. who presently rose
to say few words of grace Before
she spoke. one could have heard a
pin drop in the large hall. The mo-
ment after she had finished there was
perfect babel of voices, to the tune
OF which a file of young men and
young women disappeared in the
direction of the kitchen, from which
they emerged, moment later, with
plates of soup
The students take turns in wait
ing upon each otber," Miss Johnson
explained to Emma. Every week
there is fresh corps of walters and
Mattresses.
Il should like to ask If good looks
are requisite for admission, Miss
Johnson" said Harold. 4 should
judge that they are, from the number
OF fine-looking young women | see
among the professors as well as the
students" he added, as his glance ran
along the tables where the instructors
OF whom at least one-half were of the
gentler sex, were seated. In their
case there was no separation of the
men from the women.
We believe, too. that they are as
meritorious as they are progresses
ing, answered Miss Johnson.
And not one of them, SO far as |
see, wears boomers. My wife," he
said, in loud whisper intended for
Emma's ears. expected that they
would all be homely and in bloomer
costume
What rubbish, Harold" Mrs.
Stagg murmured, but she could not
help looking little confused.
Miss Johnson attempted to reliey 9
the situation by saying that he must
surely be exaggerating. for the rea-
son that Mrs. Stagg was at least
aware of her niece's charms, which
brought guilty blush to Emma's
cheeks. But Harold diverted atten-
ton from her by exclaiming:
1T does sound, though, little like
menagerie"
And the women are certainly the
most noisy, said Miss johnson.
There is distinction you must try
to obliterate, Miss Baldwin, my dear,
when the reins are in your hands"
The dinner was plain, but good. At
its conclusion, Miss Johnson invited
the visitors to take their coffee In her
apartment, and afterward Eleanor con-
Quoted them through the dormitor-
les and over the gymnasium, and fin-
ally to her own quarters. which con-
sisted of a snug little parlor with an
adjoining bedroom. 1t was veritable
students den. Books and paper were
in the ascendant, with a sufficient
sprinkling, however, of feminine eff
fects to produce an impression of
coziness also. The bay window was
supplied with window-seat covered
with cheerful chintz. A bust of the
young Napoleon looked down from
the mantelpiece. on either side of
which were etchings by artists Of
repute.
Eleanor lighted another tall lamp
with a variegated shade and poked
the fire into renewed energy.
Here you see me" she exclaimed,
gayly, "in the midst of my household
GODS
And very well off you seem to
be, too" answered Harold, as he set
tied himself in one of the easy chairs
and looked around him.
For few moments Eleanor alb
sorbed their attention with an in
spection OF her belongings, but pres
netly. when Emma and she had fol-
lowed Harold's example and seated
themselves, she said after pause:
Il am very glad that you were able
to pay me visit, Uncle Harold. be-
cause there is a matter | wish to
speak to you about, especially"
CHAPTER XVIII.
AS Eleanor finished, Emma rose
demurely and said that she thought