The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-03-11

y \ fraternity, and more
NON strenuous pace than they
had mapped out for him
during his month of probation was yet
to be imposed upon U. OF n. college
man.
Rutherford had been rushed more
than any man Of the year, but he tact
fully avoided afllliating himself with
any fraternity until now. During the
last few weeks the rush had been be.
tween the Kappa Sigma and the Sigma
Chi boys. and much interest had been
manifested In the result.
Now that his decision was made.
Rutherford was relieved, but. like
many another man I'm his position hc
trcmblcd at the thought of the month
OF probation he must serve 10 prove
himself good fellow, and worthy ia
wear a Kappa Sigma pin. lie must be
Mt the beck and call of the Kappas. col.
they bade him he must do; whatever
tahcy bade him ne must do; whatever
they forbade him he must not do. He
must stand the test, ana no one could
say that Tom Rutherford was unequal
to IT,
The rule of "tit for tat" governed
the kappas, and in comparison rs
Rutherford was difficult TO pledge. so
should 1t he difficult for him to survive
his probation. He meritcd his adop-
ton. but he must substantiatc his cvi.
dcnce.
one OF the first duties his prospcc.
tive frat brothers set for themselves
was TO ascertain whether or not Ruth
crford was afflicted with malady of
the -sentimcntally, that is They
had observed symptoms Of an affection
before he pledged himself to them. and
they strnightway took steps to learn
how serious the disorder had become
Miss Isabel Lee was suspected Of
being the object Of Ruthcrford's af-
fections. although the young man was
very quiet and uncommunicativc when
girls or girlology was i'm question. II
was little information they elected
from him on the subject. which very
fact made him the more desirable as a
brother.
Not one OF the Kappas could blame
Rutherford for his addiction to Miss
Lee. She was pretty, she was faScln-
ating, she was altogether n girl after
their own hearts; but Rutherford was
on probation.
As soon rs the fraternity boys made
certain that Miss Lee was Rutherford S
inamOrata they asSlduously applied
themselves to cultivate her acQuaint-
ance. To their secret qualification they
discovered that on the third finger of
a very pretty little hand Miss Lee
wore solitaire diamond. and that
every time Ruthcrford's name was
mentioned she glanced consciously TO.
ward it and blushcd the pretticst pink
Imaginable.
That settled matters for Rutherford
he would hC attacked in n vulnerable
spot lie was called before n meeting
and Informed that an important re-
Qustc for eligibility in the Kappa Sig.
ma fraternity was whole heart one
undamaged by sentiment. In other
words, no Kappa Sigma could become
engaged or he in that state during his
first year i'm the fraternity. Putting Il
plainly. they told Rutherford that he
must break his engagement and deliver
the ring into their keeping until they
should see tit to return il.
Rutherford turned n few of the colors
I'm the rainbow at first, then suddenly
he remembered that he was on proba
ton. that he was pledged to do their
bidding. lie was bound in honor tC
obey them.
That evening escorted by n body OF
Eappas. he called on Miss Lee. and
while they waited out Of doors for him
told her he must ask for his ring and
release her from her promise to marry
him. lie could not bring himself &c
tell her that he did not love her. but
he said something had arisen in his
life 10 make it absolutely necessary
that he break his betrothal VOWS e
her. Those were the words the Kap
pas put into his mouth on the way
there. Rutherford felt the cad ht
was acting i'm 1sabers eyes. but he was
equal 10 the terms OF his probation
whatever happened. Miss Lee dgni
fed as he had never seen her before
said little. but she could not hide tn,
expression OF utter astonishment ant
incomprehensibility in her eyes. and
yes. there was sorrow and disappoint
ment. too. Rutherford saw II beneath
the pride. He felt that he had nevei
loved her so much.
From that night he led the busies
life he had e.er magined possible. III