Evening star., 1923-05-28
A President-Elect.

about a college town, especially a
New England college town. that is
unmistakable 1t is not so much
actively intellectual as passively
aware of and satisfied with its own
intellectually.
The beautiful little town of Corinth
was no exception; from its tree -shad-
ed village green to the white-col-
umned homes on its outskirts 1t fairly
radiated a satisfied sense of its own
superiority.
Not that the people were SNUG or
self-conceited They merely accepted
the fact that the University of
Corinth was among the best in the
country and that all true Corinthians
were both proud and worthy of 1t.
The university had just passed
through the throes and thrills of one
of it's own presidential elections.
The contest of the candidates had @
been long, and at last the strife had
become bitter. Two factions strove
for supremacy, one, the conservative
side, adhering to old traditions: inc
other, the modern spirit, preferring
new conditions and progressive enter
prise.
Hard waged and hard won, the bat
tie had resulted at last in the eiec-
tion of John Waring, the candldate
of the followers of the old school.
Waring was not an old fogy, nor
vet a hide bound or narrow -mlnQeQ
back number. But he did put mental
attainment ahead of physical prowess,
and he did hold by certain old-faSn-
ioned principles and methods, whicn
he and his constituents felt to be the
backbone of the old and honored
institution.
Wherefore, though his election was
an accomplished fact, John Waring
had made enemies that seemed likeiy
never to be placated.
pytf
acquired poise were not disturbed py
adverse criticism. And he accepted
the position of responsibility ana
trust simply and SINGER sincerely, S,s win nnms q
honored among the list of presidents
Inauguration. however. would not
take place until June. and the months ms
from February on would give MIN
time to accustom himself to his new
duties and to learn much from the
retiring president . .x,.
Yet it must not be tnousnI tnas
John waring was unpopular. On the
contrary, he was respected and liked
'by everybody in Corinth. Even the
rival faction conceded his AFFINITY, ms
charm. And their chagrin and DIS
appointment at his election was far
more because of their desire lot tho
other candidates innovations anan II
of any dislike for John "arlhs as I"
Now. whether because OF the ex-
igences % of his n new ,,e poSleee irresistibie
asrs1y nbarms ofcaIzs of Mrs Bates, 3. waring
,pected to make the lady his Wite
before his inauguration,
"And a good thing" his neignnor'
Mrs. Adams, observed. oebodv's JONI
GOOD looking husband long ago. but
a bachelor president of Corintn is pGe
of all reason! Who'd stano pS 10
side at the receptions, I'd ike 10
For certain public receptions were
dearly loved by the citizens a oa
corinth: and rscfntion Mrs Adams .loVing % Of all
AS in all college towns, there WeIe
various and sundry boarding houses,
inns and hotels of all grades out tne
I boarding house or Mrs; aoa nniaimed
the most desirable and most noiiie
The good lady's husband, though
known as "Old Salt, was ,d oy he o
means a seafaring man. nor had ne
ever been. Instead, he was a lear on
a branch of the Saltonstan 1amlIS
tree. and the irreverent abbreviation
had been given him long ago. anu
had stuck. or..d
..ve'ye never had bachelor presl-
dent of Corinth and l hope we neNer
will Mrs Bates is a nice sWeel,
spoken lady. a widow OF sh,s loui inst the
~
one for DR.. Warnings wife she mas
dignity, and yet, she's mighty human:
Emily Bates was human. ess MOI uerS
tall, a little inclined TO piunpness'
With fair hair and laughing blue eyes;
she was a cozy, home-loving sort, ana
her innate good nature and ready
tact were unfail1ng.
At first she had resisted John W ar
inp's appeal but he persisted, until
she found she really liked the big
Wholesome man, and without much
difficulty learned to love MIN.
Waring was distinguished looking
we'll made, he had a decided air OF
reserve which he rarely broke
through, but which, Emily Bates dis
covered, could give way to conn
dences showing depths of sweetness
The two were happily matched
Waring was forty-two and Mrs. Bates
half a dozen years younger. but Doln
seemed younger than their years, ana
RETAINED their earlier tastes ana en-
Also both were bound up, heart and
soul. in the welfare of the uni
versity. Mrs. Bates first husband
had been one of its prominent pro-
fessors and it's history and traditions
were known and loved by the CHEEKY
little lady.
Perhaps the only person in Corinth
who was not pleased at the approach,
ing nuplldlS VI Joiih :" ca iho 80
tEmiIy Bates was Mrs. Peyton, War
ing's present housekeeper. For 1t
meant the loss of her position, which
she had faithfully filled for ten years
or more. And this meant the loss OF
a good and satisfactory home, not
only for herself, but for her daughter
lived there also.
Not yet had Waring told his house
keeper that she was to be dethroned,
but she knew the notice would come
knew, too, that it was delayed only
because of John Warnings disincli-
4 nation to say or do anything unwel-
come to another.
1t was very cold February after
noon, and Mrs. Peyton was serving
tea in the cheerful living room. Emily
Bates was present; an Indulgence she
seldom allowed herself, for she was
punctilious regarding conventions,
and Corinth people, after all, were
critical.
The two women were outwardly
most courteous, and If there was an
underlying hostility it was not OBJ
servable on the part of either.
"I came today" Emily Bates said,
as she took her tea cup from the Jap
anese butler who offered 1t. because
rumors I heard in the town. They
say there is trouble brewing for you"
""Trouble brewing is such a pic
turesque phrase" Waring said, smil-
ing idly. as he stirred his tea. One
Immediately visions Macbeth's
witches and their trouble brew"
You needn't laugh" Emily flashed
an affectionate, smile toward him.
when the phrase is used 1t often
means something"
Something vague and indefinite"
suggested Gordon Lockwood, who