Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1922-05-04
CHAPTER XII.

Dora seemed to be well founded, Dut
at the beginning Of the second sem
ESTER he found her to be a fellow
member of a class in biology. More
than that, this class had every week
q two-hOur session in the botanical
laboratory, where the structure Oh
plants was studied under microscope
dissection. The students worked IN
pairs, a special family of plants being
assigned to each couple; and the In
structor selected the couples with an
eye to combinations of the qulck with
the slow. D. Yocum land r. Milhol-
land (the latter in strange state or
mind and complexion were given two
chairs, but only one desk and one M
croscope. Their conversation was
strictly botanical.
Thencefortn it became the most
pressing care Of Ramsey's life to pre-
vent his roommate from learning that
there was any conversation at all,
even botanical. Fortunately, Fred
was not taking the biological courses,
though he appeared to be taking the
sentimental ones with an astonishing
thoroughness. and sometimes, to Freds
hilarious delight, Ramsey attempted to
turn the tables and rally him upon
whatever last affair seemed to be en-
gaging his fancy. The old Victorian
and Victorian plague word pet
ticoat" had been revived in Fred's
vocabulary, and in others, as skirt"
The lightsome sprig was hourly to be
seen, even when university rulings for
babe, dilly-dallying giddily along the
campus paths or the town sidewalks
with some new and pretty Skirt. And
when Ramsey tried to f1uster him
about such matter Fred would pro-
TESS his ardent love for the new lady
In shouts and impromptu song. Moth
ing could be done to him, and Ramsey,
utterly unable to defend his own sensi-
bilities in like manner, had always
to retire in baff1ement. Sometimes he
would ponder upon the question thus
suggested: Why couldn't he do this
sort of thing, since Fred could? But
he never discovered a satisfying an
swer.
Ramsey's watchfulness was so care
full Oest he make SOME impulsive adj
mission in regard to the botanical lab
oratory, for instance) that Mr.. Nit
chell's curiosity gradually became al
most quiescent but there arrived a
day in February when it was piqued
into the liveliest activity. It was Sun
day, and Fred, dressing with fas-
tidiousness ever his daily habit, no.
ticed that Ramsey was exhibiting an
unusual perplexity about neckties.
keep the black one on" Fred said,
volunteering suggestion, as Ramsey
muttered fiercely at a mirror. Its in
better taste for church, anyhow.
You're going to church, aren't you?'
"Yes. Are your"
mo. I've got luncheon engage
ment."
"Well, you could go to church first,
couldn't you? You better; you've got
q lot of church absences against you"
"Then one more won't hurt. No
church in mine this morning, thanks
G'by, ole sox; see you at the frat
house for dinner"
He went forth, whistling syncopa-
lions, and began brisk trudge into
the open country. There was pro-
fessor's daughter who also was not
going to church that morning and she
lived little. more than three miles
beyond the outskirts Of the town. I'm
fortunately, as the weather was threat
ening all others of her family aban
doned the idea of church that day, and
+ Fred found her before coy fire, but
surrounded by parents, little brothers
and big sisters. The professor was
laxative; Fred's mind might have
been greatly improved, but with a win
dow in range he preferred melan.
choly contemplation of the snow
which had begun to fall in quantity
The professor talked until luncheon
throughout luncheon, and was well un.
der way to fill the whole afternoon
with talk, when Fred, repenting all
the errors Of his life, got up to go.
Heartily urged to remain, for there
was now something just under bliz.
yard developing, he said no, he had q
great deal of curriculum work" to
get done before tomorrow, and passed
from the sound Of the professors hos
pitable voice and into the storm. He
had a tedious struggle against the
wind and thickening snow, but finally
came In sight of the town, not long
before dark. Here the road led down
into depression, and, lifting his head
as he began the slight ascent on the
other side, Fred was aware of two
figures outlined upon the low ridge
before him. They were dimmed by the
driving snow and their backs were
toward him. but he recognized them