The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-11

Copyright.
Ned RAYMOND was, without doubt, the
best liked unpopular man in college;
made up OF a combination OF blaseness.
independence and good nature, you could
MT help but admire and like him. Yet
he wasn't ike most fellows-matter OF
fact in all things and always looking at
things In such a deep, thoughtful manner
IL seemed strange 10 see him ever swerve
from that path in which he had gradual
ly drifted.
We had arranged to room together
Ned and I. the coming year and were
now comfortably settled in our den"
Returning to the room late one even
ing. after having made somewhat pro-
longd call on a Miss A-.who. by the
way, is ducedly handsome girl.
found Ned hard at work upon some re-
action In chemistry.
Hello Ned" / ventured but the only
response / received in return was short
"H'd'do" Knowing his peculiarities /
/ planted myself in my big easy chair and
/ taking up a copy OF Dickens endeavored
to bury myself. as Il were. In Its con-
/ tents Ii was but short time however
/ until my attention was attracted 10 the
restlessness OF Ned. He closed his book
with a slam. picked up his pipe. lighted
IL. leaned back I'm his chair and gazed
thoughtfully into the fire. He always
did that wh en- he was thinking intently.
and / wondered what was coming.
knew something was.
Say. Frank" he began shortly do
YOU believe college men are 'easy?'"
Ia, al
understand YOU" / answered. This was
something quite unusual for Ned. and
| was interested at once.
20. in matters Olive changed my
mind; don't believe I'll talk TO you
about It,"
About what ?" inquired. in surprise.
About myself and a young-W-e-l-l,
will tell you IL you viii only promise not
10 think me big chump and won't chan
me about It,"
Certainly not. Ned old fellow. per-
haps ! can help you. too-go on with
your little tale
well" commenced Ned after refill
ing and lighting his pipe. TT was just
this way; in the first place she was just
the prettie-t and the cutest little girl /
ever saw"
"Oh, there was a girl In II, was there?
I laughed; why. Ned, I thought you.
of all others, was proof against anything
Ike that and
Listen" continued Ned. "As I said.
she was just the prettiest and the cutest
little girl ever saw. and you can't blame
a fellow for losing himself altogether or
prettiness and cuteness personified: why.
confound 1t. Frank, you would have been
wrecked yourself
Where did I meet her first?
Now. do not get in a hurry old man
and III tell you When ! left college
last June, my parents were about 10
leave for a trip TO Europe; I wanted 10
go very much myself. but being only a
Sophomore they must have thought that
| didn't know enough. so they took my
sister Bess instead-Bess. by the way, Is
Just thirteen. SO I had to content my
self by doing tho sea shore. making UP
one Of the mass OF the great unwashed.
OF course endeavored TO enjoy myself.
whispering sweet nothings to the society
bellies. attending hops and dancing until
/ was frey red In the face and felt Just
like a wet newspaper looks. always sigh
ing and longing. however, to meet an or
iginal sort OF a girl.
had been doing this sort OF society
business for so many seasons. meeting
the same old girls that l began 10 think
they were somewhat like the pyramid
Egyptian. always looked the same and
would never wear out My daily sup
pl!cation was for something new to turn
UP. and 1t did.
Strolling leisurely along the board walk
one afternoon. | was slapped on tho
shoulder by Dick Hodson-you know
Dick and before we parted I was doomed
10 attend another hop at his hotel that
nighl I couldn't refuse him. you know.
l was met my Dick on the veranda upon
reaching the hotel. Gazing through the
open window from the porch at the
throng OF dancers gliding over the floor,
my attention was centured and fixed In
terestingly upon a pretty, and I might
say handsome. little girl in white. sitting
all alone In the corner OF the room.
who is she?" 1 almost yelled In Dicks
ear, at the same time grasping his arm
ln-what the story writer's would say
"a vice like grip"
who's who?" gasped Dick
The handsome little girl I'm white,
over there" l said.
20! ] don't know. and what's more |
no one else seems to. either. She came
only last night. think" he answered.
We'll, l want TO meet her awful bad"
and Dick looked up at me In one of his
peculiar ways that made me feel that I !
had already made fool of myself. And !
what's more--as YOU say-"I continued.
Il m going 10, II pure nerve do it," and |
with the saying off my tongue I walked |
through the room and boldly requested /
OF her, the pleasure of waltz. j ex- /
pected TO be frozen Immediately and I |
was badly hit, when. looking up, she |
answered my request; 81 would be |
pleased"
Now, Frank. just here is where I lost |
my head"
"Cigarette7"
Yes"
Thanks"
Gould she dance gracefully7"
Indeed she could. she was grace itself /
just ina gine clasping In your arms n lit /
tie being light as fairy. tho scent OF \
sweet violets all around and about you.
Sr feet hardly touching the waved floor \
underneath seemingly, the strains OF one
OF strauss fascinating waltxes-why. Il /
was dozen times worse than n combina-
tion OF mooniights on the pier. Frank. /
Her eyes-hrown, I think--were looking \
up into mine. and seemed to say TO me.
II could dance on forever with YOU" .
don't know how long the waltz lasted. but .