Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-01-25
COED COURTSHIP.
BY SYLVIA TURNER.

FEMININE pursuits tnat Sne was unutteu
for her life role of wifehoOd. The
doctor took an entirely different view
Of the situation, as he told Hilda the
night before she left.
'Dear girl, you've lead lonely. mo-
nOtOnOus sort of life ut this old place.
with Just Jean and myself. You need
cOmpaniOnship Of boys and girls your
own age. Long ago your mother.
bless her, was a student at Sycamore.
You are to have the same room she
had, and her seat in the dining hall.
Have a good time and don't have too
many love affairs. BY the way, you
may find a stepmother here when you
come back. one whom know you Will
love-"
you mean Mrs. EverdOn, dadT" she
asked, a little break In her tone.
II mean Paula Everdon," he re-
sponded. quietly.
When she had been at Sycamore
just two weeks, far too busy to dwell
upon her own personal troubles, she
was one day on tall mountain spur
overlooking the Hudson for miles. A
storm had been brewing and she had
been trying to make the college
grounds before It broke. But In her
hurry, she stumbled on the rocks, lost
her footing and fell. She tried to rise,
but could not. and suddenly there came
a drenching downpour Of rain. with q
crash Of thunder.
She wore a short military cape. and
threw this around her like a poncho
trying to shelter h.rself from the
dOwnpOur. All at once she felt her
self lifted bodily in strong arms and
carried on q run to the shelter OF an
old. deserted shack used by workinen
who had been blasting.
1t was dark inside the hut, SO DARK
that she could hardly discern the face
of her rescuer. The terrific noise out
side barred any attempt at converse
ton, but he had removed her cape and
was busy trying to light a fire on the
old stone hearth. When the blaze
flared up she caught a glimpse Of hii
face. 1t was q strong young one. HI
turned and smiled at her. feeling heI
scrutiny.
"We're apt to be here for some time
You'd better make yourself cOmforta-
BILE. I hope you're not far from you
home"
"Just Sycamore" replied Hilda, hold
Ing out her hands to the fire. I'm
afraid 1 can't help myself very much
My shoulder and ankle both seemet
to catch it when I fell. Perhaps whe!
you 90, you might leave word at tn
college, so they'd send for me. I'd b.
awfully obliged"
II think / can manage to get yo'
over, myself" he said; "at least a
far as the gates; then can run dow
after you In the deans car"
1t. did not seem Akhat they we're to
gether long before the storm cleareS
vet three hours had passed when Hid
finally reached her own room.
"Isn't he a perfect darling" sal
Anne Rathburn, her roommate, whel
Hilda was snug on the big couch
drinking tea. II haven't seen him q
any of the classes. He must be
senior"
1t surely gave her prestige anon
the other freshmen. this being care
for In cavalier fashion by a senior.
His name was Ralph, she found on
from some of the other boys, Ralp
Kingslake. After she grew to kno,
him better, he told her something Q
his own life. Hilda had been feal
fully curious over the visits of
very handsome woman in black VIII
came and left the college grounds 1
large touring car every Sunday.
"Oh, that's the mater" Ralph toll
her. ashes fearfully good to mi
She's Just my stepmOther. but we'v
been regular pals ever since my fl
Their died. She put me through co
lege, and we rather keep an eye o
each other. You see. by the terms q
my fathers will, II she marries befor
I'm twenty-five. she loses all but he
dover right in the estate. But the
again, If 1 marry before I've estal
lished myself under twenty-five. r
lose a whole lot and she wins"
Hilda looked at him appreciativel.
81 should think II would be splel
did to go deliberately against such
will" she said.
The months passed, and June loome
ahead. Hllda viewed its coming an,
iously. Her fathers wedding was g,
Tor the latter part of June.
Somehow she felt that she could N
go home and find a stranger in HI
mothers place. Ralph told her h
plnns one night when they were wall
ing up the embroidered campus.
From habit they went into the 1itt
room used as college post Office. Thel
was q letter in each Of their boxe
Hilda finished hers first.
"Oh. Ralph. dads married Mrs. E
erdon !" she cried. I'm so glad we d
cided that we had q right to our ow
happiness"
Ralph's brown eyes twinkled.
1.-THE matters name Is Mrs. Everdo
: She dropped the Kingslake when 81
went into business for herself and toe
J her maiden name. BY jove. isn't
funny?"
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