Middletown transcript., 1906-01-13

-houndered, failed
1t was the last recitation for the day,
and as the Seniors flied out, the report Of
Miss Herseys last escapade spread like
wild.f throughout the corridors. A
crowd surged in. the direction Of Glass
room D, but she had speedily envelopetls
herself in long wrap and slipped away
quite unobserved.
Antoinette sat by the open fire in the
students reception room, for the evening
was chill. She still wore the quaint cos
tune OF the morning. A stray lock crrpt
away from the smooth bands of hair and
crinkled lovingly around the girIish fore
nead She started involuntariiy as the
door-bel pealed sharply and Austin en-
tered unannounced. An unusual light
glowed in the lteadfast gray eyes.
''Antcinette, what could have induced
yen to masquerade in that absurd costume,
tile whole college is in an uproar r.
Antoinette carefully adjusted fallen
brand in the fireplace, tt:sse;; eeahnly
raised her innocent blue eyes.
"Aren't you trile unreasonable P''
She questioned mildly. "When be-
ribboned. be-frilled, be-Pompadoured
creature like myself
Il was blind blundering idiotl'' in
terrnpted Austin passionately. How
could l ever have presumed to criticise
vou, you who are so immeasurably my
superior in swift intuition, in fine percep-
tions OF the fitness of things2 | must
have been mad How can hope that
you will ever pardon me !"
Austin paused in his rapid strides to
and fro, as Antoinette held up her small
fore-fnger imperatively.
'Tf you would obtain my full and free
forgiveness, redeem your promise of four
years ago. Times up, Mr.. Everett Aus
tin, SO answer your catechism. Question
number one, why, oh why, did youchoose
Wilton when all your family traditions
and your particular training pointed
straight to Yale p
Austin paused before der, his hands
clasped loosely and his grave lips unbent.
Because l made sure that the girl
loved had chosen Wilton for her Alma
Mater, and simply couldn't endure the
thought Of four years separation" he
answered promptly. "Next question,
Antoinette."
Next question, Antoinette," he re-
peated softly after minute of unbroken |
silence-"Now it is my turn to catechse,"
tenderly prisoning the fluttering fingers
in firm clasp, and for the first time
in her life, Antoinette Hersey's ready re-
partee utterly failed her.
At the close OF the college year, Wilton
University experienced shock of sur
prise unparalleled in the annals of that
venerable institution. After the Com
mencenent Exercises, the Dean requested |
the Senior class to repair to the chapel. |
The members of the Faculty occupied |
their accustomed seats upon the platform.
The walls were tastefully decorated with |
the class colors. Della Forester presided |
at the organ, and, mystery of mysteries,
the glorious chords OF Mendelssohn's |
Wedding March peaIed triumphantly
through the gray old arches. A breeze
of utter aInazenent swept through the |
class ranks, as Antoinette, still in cap
and gown, moved slowly down the cenral |
aisle, leaning OH her fathers arm. Austin |
met her at the altar and All awed silence |
prevailed as both knelt before tile Dean,
who extended his hands in blessing above
their bowed heads and pronounced the |
solemn words Of the marriage service. A
brief but fervent prayer, benediction,
reverent hush, and then perfect BIheI !
of tongues.
"Who could have dreamed that Tonic
Hersey would go off in that eccentric !
fashion In cap and gown, too, and |
she's always been ultra fastidious about
her dress. Everything must be just pat
to the OCCASION"
"What could be pat-ter (than cap aud |
gown in this instance, I'd like to know, |
Sue Clifford? Hasn't it been regular
college courtship, Alpha to 0 mega p
"Not bit Of it n retorted Sue stoutly. |
"Cupid shot that particular arrow in tile
old High School days, as | happen to
know"
"Cruel creature !n drawled Hal WORTH
ington, stroking an incipienG moustacie ,
and readjnsting the chrysantIlemIm in
his buttonhole. Ive a mind to call Austin |
out and order coffee and pistol for two, = ;
1 have 'pon my honor p
Goodbye, little playmate, ''murmured +,
Godfrey Vancouver. as he bowed low over
the brides hand. We've had many
happy hours together" And he turned
away regretfully, the shadow of an ex-
tinguished hope dimming his merry eyes.
But it was Dell Forester who hal the
last word, as she held Antoinette in
lingering embrace, and gazed lovingly
down into the serene blue eyes
"Undine has found her soul p she said. |