The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-10-13
CHAPTER II-Continued

~
the candidates and determine their
worthiness; hence, Stanton's portrait
OF the boys personality was compare
lively complete AS Pledge, Jordan
had been generous and sincere: though
light-hearteG. certain gravity had
given him stability and sense of pro-
portion. He was amenable to correc-
ton. his cheerful disposition blending
we'll in the fraternity. AS scholar.
he was capable bu' not brilliant. with
out much enthusiasm for study. He
had normal appetites; he drank to be
sociable, though not to excess and en-
joyed an occasional risque joke. Es-
sentially. however. he was refined and
clean minded. He had no enemies
among members of the chapter. of
which the president knew.
AS to his attitude toward the oppo-
site sex. Stanton was uncertain. The
boy had attended only one dance since
he was pledged. that of the past Sat-
urday; then. he was unaccompanied
Without being aloof. he had not min
gled much In the merriment of the
affair. Yet. when he danced. his evil
dent enjoyment indicated that he was
quite at ease In the company of
women. There was no girl with whom
he had seemed especially well ac-
quainted or toward whom he displayed
preference.
At the conclusion of the sketch,
Rankin expressed his qualification.
"Excellently done, Mr.. Stantonl But
can you give me no further facts about
the boy than you have already? What
about the other PLEDGES" tte detec-
tive suggested. "Their interests and
his were mutual: he might have made
one of them a confidant."
But Stanton shook his head. "Hard-
ly, sir. after less than a months ac-
quaintanceship. Besides. the rest are
all freshmen and he's a junior-the
only upper classman we initiated this
year They've nothing in common TO
cause any close friendship. there"
Would the records" Rankin asked.
"add anything valuable to what I've
learned? Those Jordan filed on en-
tering the university Even a little
light on the case should be important
When can see his papers?"
The supervisor pursed his lips. mot
until morning. I'm afraid" he said
dOubtfully. "The Office of admissions
is closed: and the clerks are more
familiar with the files than l. Still.
If you must have them now they can
probably be located. :"
"NO, | guess they can wait till to-
morrow" Rankin returned agreeably
ST have enough to occupy me here. as
It is" He paused and looked alb
stracted. with these records" he
then went on, "vou might also send
me the names and addresses of anyone
now studying here, who formerly came
either from Aberdeen college or the
boys home town, Vandalia. don't
want TO disregard any possible source
of information"
When Mr.. Warwick promised Ran
kin he would receive all the requisite
documents early in the day, the latter
faced Stanton.
eft might be helpful If saw Jor-
dams sponsor" he proposed. "Mr.
Patterson. isn't It? Did he know him
before your rushing season."
'No. he was assigned to take charge
of him quite by accident" the presi-
dent answered. college fraterni.
ties differ from civic societies. where
the sponsor proposing the candidate
F.. is usually close friend. Here. we
don't even meet our prospects before
our first smoker. unless 1t happens
casually in classes"
"Still. I'd like TO put few questions
to Mr. Patterson. Will you please
have him brought here"
Stanton dispatched his roommate.
who returned with tall and striking
young man. whose angular face, dark
to the point of swarthiness. had un
usually heavy and coarse bristles.
Both complexion and looks revealed a
nervous. dissipated condition. Above
a weak chin. his heavy mouth held
lines that could only come from irrep.
ular living.
He was obviously Ill at ease, and
Rankin began without offering him q
chair.
''In a dreadful affair like this must
rely on all the assistance | can OBJ
tain. believe you stood beside Jor.
dan In the chapter room when the
poison took effect?"
Patterson replied abruptly. mo.
wasn't near him nowhere near
when he FELL" he contradicted Ran.
kin. His lips twitched nervously. 81
was at the initiation. but not in the
line with the rest of the sponsors"
Not with him?" Rankin's startled
demand disclosed his surprise Then
where were your"
The president was even more as
tonished. 81 could have sworn that
was you with Stuart" he declared
"Who took your place as sponsor
Ned?"
For an instant, Patterson CROPPED un.
certainly. Il hadn't been -. well
all day.. he explained. 81 had
splitting headache since class this
morning and l didn't feel much like
attending the ceremony. didn't wan,
TO make a fuss about it, so | asked
Paul Whitaker to substitute for me
at the ritual. He dressed In my room
and just before the PLEDGES marched
down to the chapter room. he fell into
file to guide Stuart"
"But you joined US later" The pres
ident's words held an inquiry. Il re
member you helped George Patten carr!
him upstairs. after his collapse"
"Yes, did slip In about eight