Middletown transcript., 1906-01-04
A COED COURTSHIP

BIZ MARION 8. PIcKERINd


There was an unusually large entering
class at Wilton University. The vide
old corridors were alive with thrnngs oi
merry students, exchanging glad greet
ings and lively badmage. Here and
there, grave senoirs, in their newly
ifledged dignity Of cap and gown proaii-
naded by twos aid threes. Anon canI-
pany Of bewildesed Freshmen threaded
its way through tile gay crowd under the
convoy Of patronizing Sophomore.
A single bell-note echoed througii the
main hall There was general rush fo'
Glass room B. A slender girl. her bright
face aglow beneath a tonsled mass Of fair
hair, skinned lightly down the corridor,
notebook in hand. AS she turned to
enter the classroom, tall stndent with
bent head unexpectedly darted around
the corner. There was collision, a fis.
Ing notebook and profuse apology. The
girl raised her dancing blue eyes, which
suddenly sobered with utter amazeinent,
" You here? Mr.. Austin 2.
Even 50, Miss Hersey," viii, a pro.
found obeisance as he restored her miss.
ing property and courteousIy drew back
for ler to enter.
Antoinette iIersey fitted across the
classroom as Disconnected as was possible
to a Young woman OF her general self.
poise and assurance. She sank brpalhessly
into seat beside her sworn friend and
ally, Deha Forester.
so, Deli Who do you think is here
You'll never, never guess, Ills High
Mightiness n
Della Forester carefully adjusted her
glasses and rolled her big brown eyes
'Are you sureG"
Perfectly. nearly annihilated lliln,
in the hall just now, so ! can't be mis-.
taken, but already Professor Bergen
had risen from his chair, and notebooks
and pencils we're instantly in rpquisition
amid silence that could be felt.
At the close Of the lecture, Antoinette
grasped Della firmly by the arm aud raced
her through the long corridors until they
reached the seclusion OF the Gifts Study.
She threw herself among the cushions ia
the coy corner and elasped her hands in
mock despair
q Twas exer thus from childhood's
hour Z Here I've planned for four ne
IieAssfd years of fun and frivoI, and |
must needs run straight into Mentor,-at
the very first corner, too. What pos
sessed this High Mightiness to choose
Wilton for his university 2 So incousis-
tent He prepared for Yale"
Della calmly produced a tiny box Of
chocolates from her chatelaine, Refresh
yourself, my love. Seriously, Tonic, why
do You let him annoy you2 Why don't you
assume your distant, indifferent role
That always serves you perfectly"
Antoinette puckeret her smooth fore
head.
she doesn't exactly annoy me, Dell.
Everett Austin is a gentleman always
but he's sort Of exterior conscience. l
feel as if I was posing as Undine aud he
was trying to endow me with soul. It's
painful process and don't like il,
with eomical shrug of her plump sllouI-
ders.
"He's MISUNDERSTANDING char" )"
observed Della munehing thougl,tfully.
Oh, he's everything that's eminently
propar-that's the trouble. Ifonly he
develop few peccadilloes like the eein-
mon run Of mankind it would be ptsi-
lively refreshing. My people at home
think he's the Great Mogul You know
he's Brother Ned s chum and comes to the
horse quite often. Papa begins, Fine
fellow that. He's sure tomake his mark,
then Mamma chimes in, Such principle! !!
So superior 2 Then both peer over their
glasses, goodness knows why, at poor lit
tie me ] virtuously agree with b5tl, uf
them, never failing to express my devout
thankfulness that Ned is blessed with the
friendship of this superior being. We
week, l should say, on the average.
The funny part OF it is that Geoffrey VAN
couver is almost sure to pop in directly
afterwards, and We 60 on like couple Of
children TIL relieve the tension of my
nerves."
Della suddenly rose and daBgled her
watch before Antoinette's astonished
eyes.
Latin Comp, Greek Prose. French,
Trig, and the Grand Social on for to-
night -
Antoinette flew to her teet. 'My |
wouldn't be late for anything. Hurry,
where's the key TO our locker?'
Who that has been a student at Old
Wilton will ever forget the first College
Social, the balmy September evening, the
covered walls Of the venerable pile, mel
lowed in The moonlight, the arched en-.
frances framing yistas of light and color,
the broad Campus twinkle with Chinese
lanterns swaying from the branches OF
the great eIms? Professors and students
mingle with the most delightful informal
ity. To Freshman ii Is a revelation.
His Alma Mater opens wide her welcom-
ing arms, and hencefortI he is her loyal
and devoted son.
Antoinette as usual was the centre OF
an animated group. Ia the midst Of the
lively chatter and brilliant repartee, she
was keenly conscious Of tall figure out
side of her immediate circle, patiently
bidding his time. She turned bali me-
chsnically at bis, "Shall we promenade,
Miss Hersey ~ and accepted bis prof
iered arm. 1T is good to be even an In
significant Freshie r. she exclaimed. her
cheeks flushed With excitement, as they
paused on the shreshold to survey the gay
scene.
"supremel5 good, responded Austin
heartily.