Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-15

that he was in no hurry to venture farther, so he seated himself upon tho steps of the chapel, which ad- joined the gymnasium, directly be- meath the. symmetrical finger of the spire.
 To the north he could mark the spasmodic twinkling of the electric towers of Tllica, and there, in the vague purple distance to the south east, lay the Merton farm. g His face was set in this direction when an unusually lively air from the orchestra stirred him from his reverie. With something like sigh he turned towards the gymnasium, and, was soon climbing to the third floor. As he wheeled about to sur vey the room, on reaching the top stair, a gay spectacle met his eye. Great streamers of old gold and blue --the college colors-were festooned from beam to beam above the whirl- ing dancers, and at intervals flags and trophies captured at intercol- legiate meets were suspended. There was general futter of gauzy fabrics and a blending of talk and laughter that ever and anon surged above & dip in the music.
 Among the patronesses, sitting not far from where he stood, Rossiter espied the wife of one of the profess sors, lady who had formerly shown him many kindnesses, and he crossed to speak with her. He then found seat about half way down the room in one of the deep windows. Could anything be more blithesome, more I full of debonair life, he thought, than the scene before him? They I were draining the clearest wine of the cup of youth, these gay dancersl | For an instant the floor at his right was nearly clear, and as his eyes traversed this space they fell upon a woman of middle age and 8 young lady sitting upon an improvised I divan on the opposite side of the room. He started as though touched I by an electric current. Was it--couId | it be? Did his vision not deceive him? He sprang up, but at that in- stant two dancers swept between him and the face on which he had suddenly become strenuousYy intent. IN The dancers passed. Yes, he was not mistaken. It was the girl he had known as Sylvia Densmore. His heart gave throb. One of the ball committee was hastening by, a stu l dent whom Rossiter had spoken with l that day at the fraternity house. l Rossiter seized him by the arm.
 "Can you tell me-" said he, s'who that girl is yonder?" indicating the 1 place with nod. "The one upon the 1 divan."
 The student leaned forward so that l he could see between the spinning couples.
 That's Miss Densmore, of Illica," he answered. "Would you like to be introduced to her2 She's' He stopped, amazed. Rossiter had caught only his first words, and was already making his way around the edge of the gyrating throng. She was Miss Densmore still! A new hope sang in his brain, and his heart began dancing in rhythm to the violins. He was perhaps 20 feet distant when Miss Densmore realized that some one was approaching and glanced towards him, casually at first, then with quick, amazed in tentness. He saw the color (she had more than formerly) recede from her cheeks and then flood back again. She rose little unsteadily.
 "Is it-is it possible? she ex. claimed. ''Mr. Rossiter!"
 "Yes," he answered, beaminp upon her as he clasped the hand which she extended
 She surveyed at glance his trimly clad figure.
 Then you deceived us, after all,'' she said, with shade of reproach in her tone. "You were masquerad- ing!"
 No! mol" cried Rossiter. "If you will permit me, will"
 Miss Densmore seemed suddenly to recollect herself, and presented Ros- sitter to the lady with whom she had been chatting-her mother. With Mrs. Densmore Ca refined, low-spoken woman) Rossiter exchanged a few polite words, and then, at the dauph- ter's suggestion, seated himself by the side of the latter upon the divan. He could but realize that the girl was agitated, and as for himself, his wits
 
 the four corners of the earth.
 Monroe was my college" he aft CT little heard himself saying; that's how it happens that I'm here. There was a class reunion, you know. I'm not in array, as you see but it's so long since I've been at 6 college ball that couldn't resist when I heard the music. I didn't dream of meeting you"
 T haven't attended the college parties for year or two," Miss Densmore replied land it's quite by chance that I'm here tonight. Nam ma and drove out with cousin o1 mine from Buffaland who is engaged to MT. Wolfe, an old Illica friend" Wolfe! That was the name of Miss Densmore's visitor the last night al the Mertons'. It was. burned deeply into Rossiter's memory. But how