Year: 1870




India Lester scornfully, as she took vi
olet's arm and walked off.


Excuse me India, said Violet, but
don't you think you were the least little
bit rude just now ? there was no partic-
ular occasion for it you know,


Il don't care Violet, l do get so tired
of their silly chatter. Just because
Professor Morton is not as old as the
hills, they thust rave about his beauty.
You, Violet, are very different from
them, and that is the reason love you
so much


That evening the young ladies assem-
bled in the parlors after tea. The Pres
ident came in arm in arm with the new
Professor, and introduced him to a
great many of the girls who afterwards
declared themselves charmed with him.
India Lester acknowledged the intro
duction with a slight bend of her
naughty head and passed on, but later
in the evening she condeseended to
speak few words to him. That night
Professor Morton wrote to one of his
college friends:


HoLsToN SEMINARY, Sept. 10, 1S--
DEAR PHIL:---I told you l would write
as soon as possible after my arrival here,
and behold me fulfilling that promise
The Seminary is entirely different from
what had expected it to be. l sup
posed it would be rather dull; but l find
myself most agreeably disappointed.
In fact l feel quite at home already.
The teachers and the young ladies all
are very kind. Dear old Mr. Brentford
is one of the best of men. He is an
old friend of my father, and ] have Of
ten heard my dear mother speak of him.
Tonight after tea | met almost all of the
young ladies in the parlor. 1t seemed
rather strange to me who have but late
ly come out of a college, to be sur
rounded by so many ladies. But, Phil,
l saw the fairest face down there tonight
that it has ever been my good fortune
to look upon. Were an artist, should
paint that face and keep it where l
could always see it. As it is, l shall
paint it with my words instead of col
ors. While | was talking to one of
the teachers, my eye wandered often to
a window where young girl sat alone
She was perhaps about eighteen years
of,age. Her eyes were large, dark blue
ones, and her hair was of golden COL
or. Her features resembled those of
that marble Clytie on a bracket in your
room. Do not laugh and call me ro-
mantle Phil, for indeed l am not; but
man may admire a beautiful piece of
sculpture, or fine picture may he
mott"


The Professor began his duties the
the next Monday. He saw that he
would have a great deal of work to do.
There was a good many classes in Lat
in and Greek, some rather far advanc-
ed, others just commencing. A slight
attack of illness kept Violet Vane in
her room for few days.


Professor Morton wondered if the gol-
den haired girl would be in any of his
classes, and why he had not seen her
since the night he had noticed her in
the parlor. His acquaintance with her
began in a rather singular manner.
Wednesday afternoon as he was stand
ing in the lower hall, something struck
him sharp rap on the head, and fell
to the floor. He picked it up it was
ladies slipper. A dainty little affair of
black kid, with large rosette and a
high heel. He placed it upon the
palm of his hand and mused:


Il wonder if that was thrown down
purposely. If so, the lady either want
ed to give me blow on the head, oil
she wished me to admire the diminutiye
proportions of her foot


lie put it in his pocket and went to
his room. That night at tea the Pres
ident said:


Professor Morton has found a kid
slipper; he does not propose, like the
Prince in the Fairy Tale, to try it on
each young lady in order to see to
whom it belongs, but will take the
owners word for it.


There was a general laugh at this an
nouncement, and after tea, when Pro-
fessor Morton was standing on the por.
tico alone, Violet went up to him ant
said:


Professor, l think the slipper you
found belongs to me-


He took it from his pocket and gavt
it to her.


Il am much obliged to you for find
ing it,


Il could not we'll help finding it, re
turned he,smiling, 'as it struck my heat
on it's way to the floor.


Indeed l owe you an explanation
then, for fear you will think it wa