Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1904-04-14

her. IhOSe were the words +tleahap-
pas put into his mouth on the way
there. Rutherford felt the cad he |
was acting in Isabel's eyes, but he was |
equal to the terms of his probation. |
whatever happened. Miss Lee, digni-
fed as he had never seen her before, |
said little, but she could not hide the |
of utter astonishment and |
incomprehensibility 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 so 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
we'll 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 ap-
proval of every prospective fraternity
brother He was still running merry
pace to their driving, and he began to
wonder what was in store for him at
initiation. He fancied that the climax
would be exciting-for him, at least.
After initiation he knew the first thing
he would do. and it did not take him
many minutes to decide what that
was, either. He would see Isabel and
try to explain his attitude; he dared
not think she would refuse to sympa-
thize with his cause.
The Kappa Sigmas did not let time
hang heavily on Rutherford's hands
during the last week. Two nights be-
fore initiation they Informed him that
he must go down to Don's, cafe fire.
quented by students, and act as waiter
for the evening. He was not to rec
ognize any one, and he was to accept
tips in compliance with the custom of
his assumed position, which tips,
furthermore, were to be added to the
''frat' funds.
Rutherford, dressed in the walters
garb, which his friends had secured
for him. was clumsily handing out club
sandwishes and coffee, salads, oysters
on the half shell, pie, and milk shakes,
| when a number of the Kappas came
noisily into Don's. He took their or
ders without sign of recognition, even
| if he did forget napkins and place the
| knives on the left of the plates. The
Kappas, when his back was turned.
nodded approval in his direction. Ruth
| erford was all right-so far, they init
mated.
Presently the door swung open and
| smiling and pretty in theatre attire
Miss Isabel entered, escorted by a
Kappa Sigma, who quietly recognized
his "frat' brothers. They sat down
before Rutherford who was deep ir
the mysteries of concocting a French
salad, saw them. When he looked uI
his eyes met those of Isabel Lee. Fol
moment she stared at him to make
sure of his identity; then, without
sign of recognition, turned to her es
|
questions that she put to the Kappa
but he felt instinctively that they Were
| of him. He wondered whether th'
fellow would tell her. If not. Isabe
would think that he had reached th
bottom of his financial resources. Per
haps she would think that was the rea
; son he had asked for his ring-tha
, | 1,o a
t. too much for Rutherford, but he Sc
his teeth and took their order. Sh
spared him as much embarra ssment a
| possible, and ate as little and a
quickly as she could. He heard he
2 catch her breath as he quietly accepte
5 the quarter tip from her companion
: When he held her coat and slippe
r her warm fur about her neck sh
S looked at him with an expressio
which said, "Wliat does it all mean?
e And he could not tell her. Would
S be too late when he could?
d Never had the Kappa Sigma boy
: been so glad to welcome a man to il
= itiation into their midst as they di
f Tom Rutherford. He had stood th
e hardest test they could invent. The
t were not without an appreciation {
s what they had done to him. They ha
J. taken his sweetheart from him an
k humiliated him before her, but he ha
not been Disconnected.
L; A brief ceremony of initiation ws
e performed before it was announced
6 Rutherford that now, as full-fedge
e. member of the Kappa Sigma fr
g ternity, he must ride the proverbi
le goat and go through the numerous pc
er ilous feats which accompany initiatio
,e It must be admitted that Rutherfo1
is shook little inwardly. Outwardly
it he was as calm as a woman at b
le third wedding.
er They Dlindfolded him, turned hi
" around three times, and raised him
the shoulders of six men. who carri
rs him out of doors and through sever