Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-12-14
EXPELLED
FROM COLLEGE
But There Was Com.
pensation
By F. A. mitchell

A carriage was driven up to a hand
some residence in rural England. An
old man was assisted by lackey to
alight and was met by another old
man on the terrace. There was a
striking likeness between the two, who
embraced with great emotion.
Edmond Stanhope, earl of Cumber-
valid, the host, and his brother, the
Hon. Charles Stanhope, had not met
for many years. The earl's wife from
the date of her marriage set herself to
break up his relations with the mem
bers of his family and with her own.
One by one through her connivance
they had become estranged from him.
The last one the lady drove away was
his brother, Charles, whom he loved
and who loved him better than all the
world.
And now, Lady Cumberwald having
passed away. and the earl, having lost
his children save younger daughter,
being alone, had sent for his brother.
There were no differences to make up,
Charles understanding that his broth
er's wife had come between them and
that Edgar had simply been unable to
withstand her. Charles asked no rea-
son for his brothers having ignored
him for so many years, and Edmond
gave none. There was tacit under
standing between them.
When Charles had been with his
brother several days Edmond sat down
with him to consult as to what should
become of the title after his death.
Edmond's daughter, the only one OF
his children still living, had married a
Canadian against her fathers wishes,
and he had never seen her since. She
had one son. Richard Darlington, now
youngster of eighteen. Charles had
n son, who had gravitated to the Unit
ed States, and this son, Hugh STAN
hope, had married and begotten a
daughter. Gladys.
BY u dispensation Of Providence Dick
and Gladys of the third generation OF
the family Of Stanhope and Caring
| ton met at an American university
composed Of a mans and woman's
college. There are many Carrngtons
and n goodly number Of Stanhopes IN
America. and there was no reason for
either to suppose that there was kin
| ship between them. Besides, It Is Ques
tionable II either knew anything about
their progenitors beyond their parents
and relatives of their own generation.
But to return to the old gentleman
in England. There was some question
us to who would inherit the Cumber
valid title and estates at the earl's
death. Gladys Stanhope was the he'll
in the direct female line, while Dick
Darlington was the heir in the tndirec
male line There would arise at the
earl's death other claimants whom ht
wished to ignore. After conference
the brothers decided that It was desir
able to unite the title and estates by
marriage between Dick Darlington
and Gladys Stanhope.
Within Il week after the conference
between the brothers an agent was dis
patched to America to find young Mr.
Darlington and Miss Gladys Stanhopt
and convey to each the intentions o.
their grandfathers.
One morning there was commo
ton at Meredith hall, the name b!
which the women's college was known
where Gladys Stanhope was being edl
Gated. The night before half dozeI
young ladies', contrary to the college
rules, had left their dormitories. met n
many studentA Of the parent institu
ton, Hart university. and gone for i
straw ride without chaperon even o
the same material as the cushions o
the wagon. One Of these girls, Gladly!
StanhOpe, had not escaped the vigilan
eye Of a college duenna, who had fol
lowed her just In time to see the waS
on drive away. The duenna had re
mained on watch till 2 o'clock in thu
morning, when she had seen Miss Stan
hope return under the escort Of a youn,
man who had climbed, waterspout
let down rope and assisted her t
mount. He had then descended ant
made tracks across the campus.
Gladys Stanhope was called befor'
the dean Of the college, upon who's
brow sat thundercloud. Being inter
rogated as to where she had been tn
night before, she confessed that sh,
had been ON straw ride composed o
half dozen students Of the mems col
lege and as many Of the women's col
lege. They had not stopped anywher'
for supper. but after enjoying them
selves innocently had returned to thei
rooms.
The next question propounded t.
Miss Stanhope was the names Of the
other five girls who had been engaged
In this scandalous infraction Of college
regulations. These Gladys refused t
disclose. After intlmtfng that II sht
continued In her refusal she would
surely be expelled from college ant
, her good name furnished for life thu
dean ordered her to her room to thinl
the matter over.
The outcome Of the straw ride wa!
mt once communicated to the mere mel
Of the party. and meeting was called
in the room Of one Of their number t.
i, deliberate as to what should be done
to help the girls out Of the scrnpe
Dick Darlington, who was one Of them
was selected to make 1t known to TIT
dean of Meredith hall that every ont
of the men who had taken part In TIT
ride would sign an affidavit that ther'
had been not the slightest impropriet.
in the escapade; that the party ha
, come together simply for the purpose
Of q moonlight ride and had separated
after the ride, each to go to his or he
own quarters.
1t was expected that Mr.. Darlington
would take this preliminary step with
out making himself known. Instead
he called upon the dean and gave he
the message in person. He further ad
mitted that he had helped Miss Stan
hope to mount to her room after tn,
ride. He told his story in such .
Straightforward. manly fashion tina
, the dean was convinced that the affai
was an innocent frolic, and she wouit
doubtless not have taken any further
action in the matter had 1t not beer