CHAPTER VI.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 294, 29 August 1888, Page 3

CHAPTER VI.

(ihOJTREY ENTERS COLL.EGK. August Huntress and bis gentle wife, Alice, deserved to be happy, for they had devoted the best of their lives to the" work of rearing two children who had been &o strangely thrown upon their care. Of course, it was but natuial that then, love for Gladys should be deeper, stronger, and more sacred than for Geoffrey, for they had taken her to their hearts as theii very own when she was but a (,iny babe, and having had no other children sent them to share their affection, their every hope had long been centred in her. But they felt very tenderly toward the hapless boy who had first aroused their sympathy for his misfortune, and subsequently won their love by his gentleness and confidence in them. Mr Rivers, Geoffrey's tutor, was very glad of the opportunity to remain with his"pupil during the summer vacation, for it was simply a pleasure to teach one so eager for knowledge ; while, too, being in limited circumstances, he needed that pecuniary benefit accruing from the arrangement. Mr Huntress sent bhem both into the country upon a farm, where they could have iresh air and country living "to strengthen their bodies, while storing their minds with knowledge. Mr Rivers was most faithful in fulfilling his duties as a tutor, while Geoffrey was indefatigable as a student. He applied himself early and late ; lie dug to the very root of every problem and question, while he possessed the power of concentration to such a degree that he got over the ground much more rapidly than most students. At the beginning 1 of September he was pronounced qualified to enter a private institution for young men, where the principal, after learning the circumstances regarding his early misfortune and inability to study, allowed him special privileges. Here ho remained for a year, overcoming every obstacle with an iron will and unflagging perseverance, and surprising everyone by his progress. He developed in other ways also, becoming more mature physically, and acquired a dignity and thoughtfulness almost beyond his years, yet at the same time possessing a peculiar gentleness and courtesy of manner that won every one. At the end of the year he was qualified to enter college. Mr Huntress told him that he might remain where he was if he felt the least sensitiveness about entering a university ; but he was ready and eager now to take his place in the world with young men of his own age. Geoffrey had a consciousness within him that he could hold his own anywhere, and he decided he would go to Yale. He passed his examinations, and waa'

received without a condition, and he could not help experiencing,! a feeling of -triumph that at last he was on the l honie-bCretch,' so 'to apeaK'i'ftir c S oa 'l toward tfhich ho* had for years so longingly and enviously .looked. •'* '''' ' '•■ - " . '■ i i "' Now fief Was only 'oho year behind Gladys/ and he hoped-to be able to* lessen the distance between them before he was through with" his course. At all events, if his health was spared,, lie would now have a finished education, 'and would nol need to feel that' he was' beneath her in point of intellect, ' , , As for Gladys herself, ibhe was as proud as sho could be when Geoffrey told her of his success. ' ' ' 'Just lo think of at,' she cried, with shining eyes and flushed, .cheeks, though a little' mischievous smile* played over her red lips ; 'only six years ago 'l taught yon your letters, arid now you arc almost at the* top of the ladder ! , Oh, Geoffrey, I'm afraid you are very smart !' "■Afraid, Gladys?' • Yes, and please don't drive your chariot too fast, even now. Why, if you had had the opportunities that have fallen to my lob, you would have been so far above me by/ this time that I should never have dared so | much as to lift my eyes Lo you,' the young girl returned with mock humility. He bent and" 'looked earnestly into her eyes. , i , ' Gladys,' he cried, ( under , his breath, ' 1 am sometimes almosCaldd that I was cast adrift upon f 'tl'i e world.' 1 Glad ?■' Why, Geoffi?' she exclaimed, astonifehod and i^qjiderjng at his intense mood. ' You think that rather an extravagant statement,' he saM, smiling, ' but if my life had run along smoothly in my own home, like other boys', 1 might ncvei have learned what mettle there was within me ; and, besides, 1 might never have known you — you who have been my good genius and my inspiration. ' Gladys shot one startled glance up into those earnest eyes looking into herb, 'then her own quickly dropped, and a vivid scai let shot up to her brow. Geoffrey had never spoken like this before, and the suppressed passion in his voice betrayed volumes. The unexpected glimpse of his heart set her own to beating with strange emotions. She had always neen fond of him in a sort of tender, compassionate way, which oi late had developed into something of pride for his smartness, and the character he exhibited ; but she had never dreamed that she could ever learn to regard him other than as a dear friend or brother, or that he would ever entertain anything but fraternal affection for her. She was sti angely affected by this discovery of a deeper sentiment, It thiilled her not only with surprise, but with a sudden consciousness that ho was worthy of- the fondegt love that any woman could bestow upon a man. But with inimitable tacfc she warded off any fui ther confession — she felt that she wa& not ready for | it ; she could not truthfully respond to it yet, and she did not wish him to commit him.self further. ' I am afraid you overrate the help I have given you,' she said. ' I had no intention of making a boast of what I have done. But don't you sometimes feel an irresistible desire to know something more about yourself?' ' Often,' Geoffrey replied with a sigh. ' Many a time I have rebelled over the mystery that surrounds my birth and early life, but I have little hope of ever having it solved,' 'If you could- only find "Margery or " Jack," ' mused Gladys. ' Can you remember how they looked,,? ' i 'No \ I have,, an indistinct rememb rance of a homely but - faced woman, who petted and made much, of me, and of a dark, burly-looking man, whose loud voice and rough manners frightened me. I dream sometimes that JVlargery comes' (<o my bedside and bends over me as -she used fco, when she put me to rest at. night, and it is all so vivid and real that 1 wake witha start and a thrill^ half, expecting to find her there." ' Geoffrey had grown pale and troubled as he dwelt thus, upon the indistinct past. It was ever a painf til' topic to him. 'Don't let it worry you, Geoff,' Gladys said, kindlyj and laying her small hand gently en his arm. 'I, know paua has always felt that you were sent to him in place of his omi son that he would have been glad to have, and I am sure I do not know what we would do now if anyone should come to claim you from us. 1 have no doubt that there is a tantalising mystery to you, but truly, it is a mystery that I hope will never be solved, if the solving would take you trom us.' 'Oh, Gladys, do you mean that? 1 Geoffrey cried, his face growing luminous. 'Of course 1 mean it, though it sounds dreadfully selfish, doesn't ib ?' she returned gaily, but flushing again at his eager tone. ' It is a selfishness that delights me,' he murmured. ' You know I am watching your career with a great deal of interest,' Gladys interposed huriiedly,' and 1 should be very jealoufb if anyone should step forward now to take trom papa the credit of turning you out a prodigy. ' Geoffrey's face suddenly fell at this, and he said gravely, and with a hot flush : 1 1 hope you are not laughing at me, Gladys ; you know I am no prodigy.' 1 You are,' she declared with energy. 'Just think what you have accomplished since you came to us ' It seems marcelloits j to me.' I 'But I owe it all to youi fathor and to you — a life-time of gratitude would never cancel the debt,' replied the young man, earnestly. Geoffrey cntercdnYale the first of September, and began his four years' course with the greatest of enthusiasm. Mr Huntre&s had , secured some very pleasant rooms^fbf him /-and had these furnished with every comfort, and even with much of elegance, although, Geoffrey had begged him not to spend so much money upon him ; he could do without carpets and pictures, and he did not need more than one room. But Mr Huntress good-naturedly poohed at all such economical ideas. ' You are the son of the house, Geoff,' he said, 'and l look to you to help keep up the credit and dignity of the family. I'm not going to let you .study in the same J room wheie you *lcep, nor get homesick staring at blank walls, or clumping over bare floors ;' so the rooms were selected and furnished feo suit August Huntress' idea of the fitness of things. Geoffrey had been hard at work at ! college a little over a week when one evoning, while he was deeply absorbed in Uie preparation of the morrow's lessons, there came a quick, sharp rap upon his door. 'Come in,' he said, though a slight frown contracted his brow at the interruption. JEvery moment was as precious as gold-dust to him. He glanced up as the door opened, and was astonished to see half a dozen fellows from the sophomore class enter and station themselves at different points in the room, while one, who appeared to be the leader of the company, slowly advanced towards him. In an instant it flashed upon Geoffrey that he was about Lo be subjected to that terror of all freshmen — hazing — it being be-

fore the days when the practice fell infco such disfavour as ,afc present. For a moment he was indignant at this intrusion ; then he said, to himself ; 'If they aie not unreasonable I'll make the best of it, and let them have their fun:' He aro&e from .his table and turned, to meet the young man approaching him, a genial smile on his handsome face. Bui, as if suddenly arrested by some supernatural power, both young men stopped, transfixed, and gassed at each other with undisguised astonishment, while-ex-pressions of wonder passed from lip to lip among those who were, looking on. And it was no wonder, for those two , standing in the centre of the room might well have been twin brothers instead of uttoi strangers, for they appeared to be exactly alike in form, and feature, and bearing. Both wero fair, with nut-brown hair and blue eyes. Both were Lall and well-de-veloped, with a proud bearing that would have made them conspicuous anywhere, although a critical observer might have noticed that Geoffrey was more firmly built, more muscular perhaps ; thus showing greater strength than the other. The intruder was the first to recover himself, however, and remarked, with a toss of his fine head and a long-drawn breath : 'I say. Huntress, this.is downright queer! We came to give you a little surprise party, and you've completely taken the wind out of our sails to begin with. I could almost swear that I was looking at my own reflec tion in a glass. Who are you, anyway? Givq us a history of your antecedents.' ' Gentlemen, you }mve the advantage of mo,' Geofl'iey politely returned, as he glanced from face to face. ' You appear to know me bv name — be good enough to tell me whom 1 have the honour to entertain, then 1 shall be happy to answer your questions.' ' Well, I must cay you're a cool one for a ' frc.-b,' ' returned the other, with a light laugh, ' but we can't stop for formal introductions all round. Since I am master of ceremonies for the evening, i will introduce myself ah Everct Mapleson at your service. ] am a Southerner by birth — son of Col. William Mapleson, of ' Vue de l'Eaw,' Virginia. Now for kyour genealogy, young man.' Geoffrey coloured. Young Maplebon's tone wab offensive in the extreme, while his manner said as plainly as manner could say, ' 1 belong to one of the F.F.V.'s — beat that record if you can,' and Geoffrey's first impulse was to lefuse to comply with his authoritative de mand. But, he had heard something of the indignities which sophomore? sometimes heaped upon unlucky freshmen, and after a moment of thought he quietly replied : ' My genealogy is not a remarkable one. 1 am an orphan, having lost my parents at a very early age, but I have been reared and educated by an uncle, Mr August Huntress, ot Brooklyn, New Yoi'k.' ' Is that so V drawled the young Southerner with languid insolence. ' Then it's a singular coincidence, our being the double ot each*other. Why, one would be almost tempted to swear that the Mapleson blood flows in your veins ; but since my governor and I are Iho very last ot our race, that- cant be possible, and it can only be accounted tor, 1 suppose, '/as a strange freak of nature. ' Geoffrey .simply bowed in reply to these remarks : his blood began to boil at his visitor's assumption of superiority, and his lingers began to tingle to take him by the collar and walk him out of the room. 'However,' young Mapleson lesumed, rubbing his white hands and winking at his comrades, 'we must not be diverted from the object of our visit. We have called upon you, Mr Huntress, to test your powers ot oratory ; you will kindly favour us with a speech. Be heated my, fellow bophs.' 1 Everet Mapleson helped himself to the easiest chair in the room, and waved his hand toward his companions as a signal for them to do likewise. Geoflrey saw by the expectant faces around him that there would be no reprieve for him, and though he inwardly rebelled again&t having his privacy thus unceremoniously invaded and at being peremptorily ordered about by a conceited fellow younger than himself, as Mapleson evidently was, yet he knew ■ lie would get off easier if he made light of hie uncomfortable situation and indulged their caprice, at least to a rea&onablo extent.

(To be Continued. h