The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-06-30
CHAPTER II--Continued

,
The very purpose of the discipline
preceding initiation was to appralse
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-hearted, certain gravity had
given him stability and sense OF pro-
portion. He was amenable to correc-
ton, his cheerful disposition blending
well in the fraternity. AS a scholar,
he was capable but 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 &C.
quainted or toward whom he displayed
a preference.
At the conclusion of the sketch,
Rankin expressed his qualification.
"Excellently done, Mr.. Stanton! But
can you give me no further facts about
the boy than you have already? What
about the other pledgees?" the detec-
tive suggested '"rheir interests and
his were mutual; he might have made
one of them a confdant."
But Stanton shook his head. "Hard-
1y, sir, after less than months .ac-
simultaneously. Besides, the rest are
all freshmen and he's 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 l 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 I. Still,
If you must have them now they can
probably be located. :"
"No, guess they can wait till to-
morrow" Rankin returned agreeably.
81 have enough to occupy me here as
it is" He paused and looked alb
stracted. with these records" he
then went on, "you 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. l 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.
st 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
is usually close friend. Here. we
don't even meet our prospects before
our first smoker, unless it happens
casually in classes"
"Still, I'd like to put a few questions
to Mr.. Patterson. VIII 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 irrec-
ular living.
He was obviously i'll at ease. and
Rankin began without offering him a
chair.
''In dreadful affair like this I must
rely on all the assistance 1 can OBJ
tain. believe you stood beside Jor-
dan in the chapter room when the
poison took effect?'
Patterson replied abruptly. "No, /
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 mora as