Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-03-12

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C"F fraternity fraternity and a., more
WON 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 affiliating 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 in his position, he
trembled at the thought of the month
OF probation he must serve to prove
himself a good fellow. and worthy to
wear Kappa Sigma pin. He must be
at the beck and call of the Kappas, col
they babe him he must do; whatever
tahey babe him he must do; whatever
they forbade him he must not do. He
must stand the test, and no one could
say that Tom Rutherford was UNEQUAL
TO 1t.
The rule of "tit for tat" governed
the Kappas, and, in comparison as
Rutherford was difficult to l'edge, so
should 1t be difficult for him to survive
his probation. He merlted his adOp-
denCe. y 80 ~ :
Ore Of the first duties his prospec-
tive frat" brothers set for themselves
was 10 ascertain whether or not Ruth
erfOrd was afflicted with malady of
the Extraordinarily, that is. They
had observed symptoms of an affection
before he pledged himself to them. and
they straightway took steps TO learn
how serious the disorder had become.
S!iss Isabel Lee was suspected of
being the object of Rutherford's af-
fections, although the young man was
very quiet and communicative when
girls or grlolOgy was in question. 1t
was little information they elected
from him on the subject. which very
fact MADE him the more desirable as a
brother
Not ole Of the Kappas could blame
Rutherford for his addiction to Miss
Lee. Sfo was pretty, she was fascin-
ating, she was altogether a girl after
their own hearts; but-RutherfOrd was
on probation.
As soon as the fraternity boys made
certain that Miss Lee was RutherfOrds
fnamorata they asslduously applied
themselves to cultivate her acqunint-
ance. To sheir secret qualification they
discovered that on the third finger of
a very pretty little hand Miss Lee
wore solitaire diamond, and that
every time Rutherford's name was
mentioned she glanced consciously to-
ward it AMI blushed the prettiest pink
imaginable.
That settled matters for Rutherford:
he would be attacked in vulnerable
spot. He was called before a meeting
and inforrred that an important re-
quslte foe eligibility in the Kappa Sig
ma fraternity was a whole heart, one
undamagM by sentiment. In other
words. NO Kappa Sigma could become
engaged or be in that state during his
first year in the fraternity. Putting it
plainly, they told Rutherford that he
must bresk his engagement and deliver
the ring into their keeping until they
should seq At to return 1t.
Rutherford turned few of the colors
in the rainbow at first, then suddenly
he remen bered that he was on proba.
ton, that he was pledged to do their
bidding. he was bound in honor to
obey then.
That evAning, escorted by a body OF
Kappas. nc called on Miss Lee, and,
while they waited out of doors for him.
told her bs must ask for his ring and
release he. from her promise to marry
him. He could not bring himself to
tell her II at he did not love her, but
he said s0mething had arisen in his
life to mike 1t absolutely necessary
that he Freak his betrothal vows to
her. ThOf,e were the words the Kap-
pas put tato lis mouth on the way
there. Rutherford felt the cad he
was acting in Isabel's eyes. but he was
equal to 'he terms Of his probation.
whatever happened. Miss Lee, digni-
fed as hf had never seen her before,
said little but she could not hide the
expression: Of utter establishment ands
incomprel@nslbility in her eyes, and
yes, there was sorrow and disappoint-
ment. too. Rutherford saw it beneath
the pride. He felt that he had never
loved her 10 much.
From that night he led the busiest
life he had ever imagined possible. He
carried the Kappas' books. he ran er-
rands for them, he translated their
Greek and Latin he was dressed in
outlandish costumes and made to
parade the streets; he even had to
clean boots and press clothes for the
fraternity men. But never once did he
waver from his cause. Perhaps it was
well that his hours were fully occupied
or he might have permitted his
thoughts to turn Isabel Lee-ward.
Rutherford had just one week more
Of probation, and he had won the APP
proval Of every prospective fraternity
brother. He was still running a merry
pace to their driving. and he began to
wonder what was in store for him at