CHAPTER XVI. OUT OF COLLEGE AT EAST.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 304, 3 October 1888, Page 3

CHAPTER XVI. OUT OF COLLEGE AT EAST.

Two years sped rapidly away, bub they were improved to the utmost by both 'Gladys and Geoffrey in their efforts to secure a solid education. They saw but comparatively little of each other during, this time, for Geoffrey was so bent on gaining his year that he made the most he could • of every recess and vacation. , But they corresponded regularly, each hearing .from the other every week, and ' their letters were a source of great comfort and joy to them, , Everet Mapleson, too, worked harder during these two years than he had ever done before. His ambition had been fired by what , Gladys had said that evening at Mrs Brevort's reception, and he had determined " then that he would bend all his energies toward securing the first honours of his class. He was more strenuous in this, perhaps, than he would have been if Geoffrey Huntress had not succeeded in gaining his year ; for when^ the juniors became seniors our young hero^ took his place in the class with a record to show that he would be no mean antagonist. Young Mapleson flushed an angry red the first time they met in the class, and returned Geoffrey's courteous greeting with a haughty, supercilious nod. They had not met until then since the evening of Mrs Loring's reception, and the • present year did not promise anything very pleasant in the fact that they would be members of the same class. During these two years Everet Mapleson had seen considerable of Gladys, for he bad resolved that he would cultivate her acquaintance upon every possible occasion. During his long vacations he had managed to follow the Huntresses to the sea-shore or mountains, where, mingling in the same circles, they had been thrown much together. His shorter recesses always found the young Southerner in New York city, > where, being a favourite 'in society,- besides diligently cultivating Miss Loring's acquaintance, he managed to see a good deal of the beautiful girl upon .whom he had set his affections. But as yet he had not succeeded in establishing himself on very intimate terms with her. Gladys always treated him courteously and in a friendly way, but still managed to ..hold him at a distance, and he had, as yet, „ never presumed to address one word, of love to her. It chafed hi;n that he had not been able to do so. It galled him to think that he could 1 not conquer her unvarying reserve, " and make her yield to the fascinations that had never yet failed to win wherever he.had made up his mind to win. He still cherished his secret hatred for j Geoffrey, and was always on the alert for *sbme way to vent it upon him ; but no opportunity had'prSseifted itself, and he^was forced to »concea,l his feelings as, "best he -could. >. j*> -* : - , *■■> „■*--*■ - - ' He had tried several' 'times when in New York to' firid the flower- woman Margery. Tndee'd, heiSeve'r. passed a flower-stand now without peering beneath the hat or bonnet of the- -Vender in search of that sorrowful and wrinkled visage. But he had never seen it since that first time on Broadway, and he ' beg&n to fear that she was dead, and thus he would never, be able to learn the secret of Geoffrey Huntress's early life. The first .of April drew near. ' ' There were now only about three months •before commencement at Yale, and every ■>* ambitious t senior was doitig his best to acquit himself honourably. Geoffrey, however, nad not been obliged to work nearly so hard this year as during the two previous ones ; those had been the • test of his course, and he had strained every nerve. It had'been a little doubtful at the close of his last" year about his entering the senior •class!' ' ! 5 " Th'erprofessors, fearing for his health, had advised' Kim 'to relinquish his purpose to do so. Mr3 l 'Huntress, too, was anxious abqut him, for fiv.had been|losing fleph and ' for severaMionths, but Geoffrey very quietly 'remarked, in the presence of the professors, that he would do his best during the summer vacation to prepare forhis examinations for the senior class, and if he failed in them he would cheerfully remain the extra year. Mr Huntress would not curtail him in any of his privileges, and so again sent him to a pleasant spot in the country with a tutor, a boat, and a couple of saddle-horses, and the coaching went on as faithfully as ever. The result was that Geoffrey passed his examinations without a condition, and then felt that his hardest work was over ; he would need to burn no more midnight oil, and when there came a recess he would feel at liberty to enjoy it as others did, and gain a little of -the rest he so much needed. He was not idle, however. Gladys had told him that she should ex- ' pect great things of him, and " great things" he meant to accomplish, if it were ; possible, for her sake. At the beginning of the year Huntress and Mapleson were dubbed " the twins " of their class, and not long afterward if was whispered that they stood about equal in the race after the firot honours. Some were inclined to think that Huntress would win the day, others that Mapleson would be the favoured one. When the verdict was finally rendered in i • favour of Geoffrey, Everet Mapleson swore an angry oath, although his own' name stood second on the list. 'He has seemed like some evil spirit ' pursuing me with some evil purpose in view, ever since he entered college,' he muttered, distorting facts that would have seemed just the rever.se to anyone else. ' 'If 1 could only find out the secret of his* •> life I might ruin him, even' now, before the - ; year is ended. I?d give half of my expectations if I could find that old woman ; but I'm afraid she's dead and all that mystery ! buried with'her. , ♦ ' Well, I must calmly submit to his good 'jfortune'in excelling all his' competitors,' he continued. ' I'v,e done .my best to wuTand' 1 stand' next, \rhich is some comfort. 'If I fcouldbave stood first I would have gone to tiladys and told her' that I had worked for her sake, and perhaps she might have listened tome. ~ J w,onder if .she will stand first in her class. '^ I "must v run up s to 'Po'ugbkeepsie to see'the^littlela^dy graduate j th^commencement there comes a few days earlier than ours this year.' „-t, f , mucKv/Eyeret .^jMapleson -. inv^rdlyj.. regretted/, ifche.v loss* of , ''the first honours, he betrayed iktono'oneelse—he apv ' ''pearecl Ho J take^'tfiSJdifea^pmnyMWb ,as',a. matter of tcoiirse"and4sp^^ 4 ncr^painB to--1 4 mikferhis r ovm rdratibh 'worthy^ arid" brilliant..<>*Btt'ti>underneath (< :alli-thisWputwardl: alli-thisWputward1 calm",

thefe lay. a relentless purpose to some day" have ample' revenge upon ihis. rival for his^ disappointment. . . , \ „ " - ;r As soon as Geoffrey learned, of his good fortune^ he hastened to telegraph the newf to Gladys. - , - ' « 'I- shall not disappoint you— the firsfc honour is mme !' were the words whicli went flying over the wires to the beautiful girl at Vaspai\ ' 5 ' Gladys had just come, in from a walk when she received it, and the principal, as ho handed it to her, marvelled at her exceeding beauty. The rich glow of perfect healbh, deepened a little by exercise, was on her cheeks ;' a happy smile wreathed her lips. Her hair had been tossed aboub a trifle by the breeze, and lay in a light fluffy network low oh her brow, which gleamed white as ivory | beneath it. Her hand trembled a little as she took the telegram and opened it, but as she caught sight of the cheering, words within she seemed almost transfigured. Her eyes digh ted and sparkled with unusual brilliancy ; the vivid colour ran swiftly up to her temples and she laughed a clear, musical, happy laugh, that rang through the great hall like some sweet silver bell. 1 You evidently, have some good news, Miss Huntress,' the principal remarked, his usually grave face involuntarily relaxing into a sympathetic smile at her delight. ' Indeed I have, sir,' she returned. 'My — a friend has taken the first honours for this year at Yale. 5 She flushed agaiu, for she had almost forgotton to whom she was speaking, and neai'ly said, 'My dear old Geoffrey,' but checked herself and called him a friend. ' Yon need not have corrected yourself, replied the professor, with a twinkle of his eyes. 'If the ' friend' is your brother you should not allow your modesty to prevent your acknowledging it.' Gladys's eyes drooped half guiltily at this. She could not explain that Geoffrey was not her brother, but something far dearer, and yet her sense of truthfulness made her shrink from giving a wrong impression, ' You will be able to send him as pleasant tidings in return, will you not ? You have also been appointed valedictorian, 1 believe?' the gentleman continued. t * Yos,- sir. ' 'lam almost inclined to think that two valedictorians out of one household are more than a fair allowance, especially for one year ; your parents must be very proud of two such brilliant children. Are there any more of you to keep up the credit of the family?' the principal inquired, laughing. ' No, sir, Geoffrey and I are all there are,' Gladys answered, and then tripped away to reply to Geoffrey's telegram with a jubilant letter. ' I am delighted with you, dear Geoff,' she wrote. ' Your telegram has made me the happiest girl at Vassal", though my heart failed me a trifle before I opened it, fearing that it might contain bad news. How proud I am of you ! for you have climbed mountains of difficulties to attain your goal. ' Now let me whisper a little bit of news in your ear. I haA r e won my spurs too — if I may be allowed to use that expression — and as, 1 shall graduate a few days before you take your degree, can't you come to Vassar to honour the occasion with your presence ? Papa and 'mamma will be here, but the day will not be complete without you.' Geoffrey replied that nothing would keep him away ; that he would be with her. bright and early on commencement dayi but would have to return to New Haven at three in the af ternoon, as he still had much to do to prepare for the final exercisea'ofj* his own class. ' *♦*'* But notwithstanding his promise, thfe train on which he left New Haven was"Relayed two hours, and he did not arrive at Vassar until after the exercises v/ere opened, and so had no opportunity to see Gladys before, as he intended to da An usher led him into the crowded room, but the only available seat was far in the rear, and so situated that he could scarcely see or be seen. One of the graduating class was singing as he entered, and for a few moments his attention was arrested , by th,e young amateur who gave promise of becoming something more by-and-by. But presently his eyes began to wander about; in search of Gladys, for she, of course, was the centre of attraction for him. She was sitting near one end of the platform, at the head of her class, and looking fairer »than he had ever seen her, in Jier virgin white. . . Herdress was of finest Indian mull, sheer and fleecy as a summer's cloud. It was very simply yet daintily made, one gauzy thickness alone shading her soowy neck and rounded arms, which gleamed fair as ala-, baster beneath. She wore no ornaments save a soring of ■ costly pearls around her neck and a bunch of snow-balls in her silken belt. Her face was slightly flushed, her eyes glowed with excitement, and her lips were like polished coral. Ever and anon*her eyes wandered wistfully over the sea of faces before her, as if in search of someone. All at once they rested upon a familiar face and form. She gave a slight start, her countenance lighted for an instant, then she gave utterance to a sigh of disappointment, although a little smile curved her lips and she bowed in a friendly way to someone in the audience. She had seen Everet Mapleson. and a* the firstglance had thought he was Gfeoffrey> but catching bis eager look of • recognition > she realised her mistake and felt almost angry with him for being there, while she feared that Geoffrey would not come at all. She did not catch sight of her loveruntil just a moment before she was called up to deliver the farewell address to class and faculty. Geoffrey saw that she was anxiously looking for him, and shifting his position he leaned forward and fixed a fond magnetic look upon her. She seemed to feel it, and turning her glance in that direction, their eyes met ; a rosy flood swept up to her brow, a brilliant smile wreathed her lips with one glad look of welcome," and the next moment she was standing before the audience, her whole being thrilling with ' delight, and' with the determination to do her best for Geoffrey's sake. ' And she did ; her effort was the crowning achievement of- the day. ' The rapt and breathless attention of the hundreds before .her, testified to that, and when she '.concluded a perfecc storm of applause showed their appreciation and how completely she had swayed them by Her eloquence. x> * More , than"* ' this, numerous floral tributes ..were borne forw.ard and laid at" her feet. n: These she: acknowledged 'with' " a blushV ' and ';,- smite, v, and bow ; when' at the/ very last an exquisite bouquet 5 jo£ 5 lilies 'of the 1 Valley, tot lowed- the/ more. '< pretentious offerings) fshe 'leagerly^ Btretbh"ed''forth - ' r her -.white-gloved Kand'/and/tob'k*4JJ" : fjbmHhe v bearer. i: /] \i j '.: _' They <w t ere her fay6unte^flow,*ers,' ahcTshe knew that " Geoffrey; 5 KadT se~nt % them r teyen .Without'tKe^'evidlencetof f theltiriy ;ndte' that

layltfwiji ted^ in vtheir- loaidab arid .concealedfrom'every eye but lierg:' **^ x J " il n , \] , „ Evereb Maplesori's card was abtaohed bo an elaborate basket.of japonicasV roses, and heliotrope. ''MrVHu'nbrfesa ' had senb up 4 ; harp, of pansies atjd similax and two or three of Gladys's admiring classinatfes liad con} tributed' lovely -bouquets, "bub her" little bunch of lilies, tied with snow-white ribbon!, was prized above them all., , j , It r was all over at last," diplotnas, were presented, the usual remarks" niade and * advice given, and then * admiring friends crowded about to offer congratulations and express their pride and pleasure in their loved ones. - - , • In the mist of 1 this ~ confusion Gladys stepped aside a moment to ascertain what her little billet contained. r "My darling," it said, "I would not have missed this hour' to liave secured a fortune, and yob I camo very near it. X will be in the recoption-room below after, tho are over. Come and rcceivo my verdict there. G^OFF."