Middletown transcript., 1906-01-04

at her home across the Campus. Il va
the night before the final Greek exam
Della Forester sent regrets "wrurg from
her very soul, she declared in much an
giisi Of spirit. i haven't Tonie's mem
ory that sticks like abarnacle to ever.
fact that comes her way, and l fee
shaks, she frankly confessed, so In
just going to grind r
No ~fiunk" had as yet dilnned he
! fair record. and j6st now much was a
stake. Old Colonel Forester was an ex
tremely iiMuIgent father nthe main, bu
Della fully realized that any loss ofstand
ing on her part would result in Snmme
OF constant study under tile best Of tutors
in place Of the delightful trip abroad
which was the present family plan. s.
after experimenting Antoinette's toilet
she donned comfortable tea-gown ant
resolutely seated herself at her desk, witt
a box Of "Hnyler's Best" at her elbow
.sas source of refreshment between
verbs. .
She had accomplished two hours o
satisfactory work when Antoinette burs
in, her face aglow with excitement.
'i0h, Dell, such jolly evening Yor
don't know what you've missed. And
what do you think. His High Mightinesl
actually danced l couldn't believe my
ears when heard his May / have the
pleasure, at my elbow. But I managed
to observe quite composedly. 'Ah, dc
you waltz, Mr.. Austin ? 'Preadventure,
lifting those heavy eyebrows Of his. And
then he added in the incest way. 4 be.
liese could undertake a,aythtag with y0u
t. pilot me, Miss Antionette.' He did,
really Isn't he improving? ~
''Degenerating, I should say,n COM
mented Dell, carefully selecting bon
bon, THAT sounds too much like Hal
Worthington.''
But such waltzing Dell, just wait till
/ show you I've heard that they teach
bears to dance on a hot iron platform,
and I'm positive he had the same dane
ing-master." And Antoinettee gathered
UP her train and pirouetted round III
room picking up her small feet in moi
absurd fashion. You're a star OF tfI
first magnitude, I'll admit, Mr.. Eyere
Austin, but oh, you can't da a-ance
Sinking en- divan from shere lack
breath. ------
"Go to bed, and leave me in peae
you ridiculous child, +" scolded Dell, b
tween her irrepressible bursts of laughtf
Else these mortal eyes will ne'er b
hold dear Par-ree,' that Hal Worthins
ton raves about
Thus in the miniature world OF COLES
life, the years whirled on, each da
crowded with arduous work, fun and frol
roseate hopes and trembling fears. Their
were happy home-goings for the long VI
cations, jubilant returns to the believe
Alma Mater and interviewer with all thu
formation of strong friendships destine
to become lifelong.
Antoinette and Della. now fully fledgez
Seniors, sat at the writing-table in thef
private study, carefully revising thei
thesis. Della broke the long silence
as she briskly collected her scattered
papers.
It seems to me, Tonic dear. that you
and His High Mightiness are progressing
rapidly. You were both so enerosse5
that you quite ignored my small presence
in the library this morning.
''Mr. Austin was explaining tlfat Latin
idiom that puzzled me yesterday.
didn't half understand Prof. Bergen's
rendering" replied Antoinette quietly
wiping her pen with unwonted concern.
Il do wish Dell, you'd drop that ridicu-
lous nickname Mr.. Austin really has an
exceptionally fine character and it isn't
respectful"
- Well r. calculated Della in comical dis.
may, as Antoinette swept from the room
and closed the door with unusual deci-
sion, "Sets the wind in that quarter !?
Well, wonders will never cease. Cordelia
Forester, my poor child, yo,tr nose is out
Of joint
1t was the evening of the last mid-term
reception, Grand Dress Parade, :"
according to Sue Clifford. A radiant yis.
ion in pale-blue shimmering draperies.
Antoinette lightly trailed down the long
stairway to the deserted parlors, to await
the coming of her escort. She had barely
crossed the threshold when Austin was
announced. She caught bis glance of in-
voluntary admiration instantly, tempered
by some inner criticism. Was it shade
Of disapproval?
Free your mind, l beseecli you, she
said. s.Perchancer is my hair awry, or
can it be that my brand new gown is a
wretched misfit p she added tragically.
Nothing about you Is ever awry or
misftting. Antoinette" replied Austin
gravely, but since you done me the
honor to consult me, aren't you perhaps
a bit exaggerated, Ia little too be-rib-
boned, ,-be-frilled, bel Pompadoufed y be
continued hesitatingly.
Antoinette giided across the room to
the tall glass and surveyed herself criti-
caliy.
Possibly. I'H reef sails and try the
effect, !" she said laconicaIly.
Throughout the evening she was as
usual the gayest Of the gay. Only Della,
who was qnick to read the signs received
the thoughtful deepening Of her blue
eyes, believed by the roguish smile that
hovered round her mobile lips.
when that particular dimple appears,
there's always mischief incnbating, and
it'Il hatch into lively times for some
body" mused Della With wise nod Of
her head.
The next day Antoinette's place was
vacant in Senior Greek. Dell Forester
+