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CHAPTER X.
Wi t !! the speech was ended, Meta
her 1”. ii- fm-e around.
“It is like Mr. Desmond's music, father: it
seems to creep every where," she said, as she
gras[>ed her father's hand.
“I must s< e him, Meta. If it is Walter
Cameron of the school, it is of no use for me
to go farther. In- etui take charge of you the
balance of the route."
This sudden news was so painful to Meta
she cried out:
“< th, father!"
"Wait here in the ladies' parlor and I will
find out if is your teacher."
Metii scarcely had time to wipe away her
tears before her father returned with the
speaker.
"My daughter. Colonel Cameron. "
Was it the warm, kindly light in his eye or
the few heart-spoken words that made Meta
at home in an instant with one who was to
mould her young mind in the future. The
hour of waiting was almost gone; Meta was
clasped in her father's arms » moment, then
tbev parted—one northward, the other re
turning home.
* * * * * V + *
The evening sun shone upon a massive col
lege building: even outwardly it bespoke the
substantial character of the men ami women
who were to become the first professors in
the most solid institutions of the day.
Far over the red hills floated the mellow
horn, the greeting from Harvey the stage
driver, who was bringing in his biennial
freight of bright-eyed college damsels. in
less than half an hour his red coaches stood
before the president's mansion, and in a very-
few moments were emptied of their valuable
contents.
Meta recognized her old teachers, as they
stood on the eo'lonade. watching the new ar
rivals. and she moved hurriedly from the
crowd of girls, to speak to them.
"Meta Glenn!" exrlaimed M>ss Desmond,
"how glad I am to see yo r familiar face!
You have indeed taken us by a happy sur
prise brother, Mr. Stinson, see who is here."
Mr. Desmond stepped up quickly to his sis
ter and joined in her Welcome to their old
pupil. Mr. Stinson stood still and Ills face
Is came ashy- white: then recovering himself
he went forward and greeted Meta in kind
accents. Ilia moment, he was gone, and in
the secrecy of his chamber gave vent to his
emotions.
• Foiled, foiled! Dear child little does she
know what she has done! Must I fly from her
again; Must I stay here at my post and
bravely endure what I can never conquer in
her presence;"
"Why did Mr. Stinson leave so quickly? I
scarcely spoke to him. Father sent me here
In-cause he found you and Mr. Desmond anil
he were coming. Can you think Miss Des
mond what Berwick’s will be now without
you three ?”
O! I hope they will not be discommoded.
I hear Mr. Berwick has already a full corps
of fine teachers.”
"Yes, I knew he would supply vacancies,
but none can fill your places as you did your
selves."
Miss Desmond smiled, “I am glad you think
so Meta, ” said she. “we have a natural am
bition to reach the most enviable places, yet
1 often think regretfully of leaving Berwick’s,
for our going appeared to give them such real I
pain.”
"Yet who could blame any one for coming j
to this beautiful spot; Father concluded to j
send me as soon as he saw tile names of the i
professors, but I think had I known of these i
lovely scenes, I would have been anxious to j
come any way.”
Meta was conducted by the matron to a :
large airy room, furnished with every neces
sary comfort. There were three girls already |
in the room—Miss Sarah Jones, Miss Angie |
I
Taking one of the small boats he was -■ oil
alongside the little craft and speaking ip no
gentle tones to the sulky Miss Jones, bad* —r
use her oars as he commanded.
Before the conclusion of this week It. fae
ulty met to debate on the affairs of the col
lege. Among the other unpleasant business
that arose for adjustment was the general
conduct of Miss Sarah Jones, and her possi
ble ii-fluei oe for evil. After due consultation
these wise heads concluded to pluck out from
their midst this offending branch; so- Miss
Joints bore to her parents a letter, which,
doubtless they deserved for the "bringing up'
of this their hopeless scion. Home other lu-
; lality, some other unfortunate beings, were
condemn-:-1 to endure the fierce temper of the
unci mi luered Sarah.
The last evening at the college was devoted
| to music and tableaux fertile pleasure of that
select number who had all the year been the
Friday evening guests of the college,
"1 have never played alone before at any
! exhibition, and 1 would much prefer doing
so before a large crowd than in presence of
the critical few who will come to-night." said
Meta, 6s she arranged her wreath of exotics.
"You have certainly a good deal to do:
you will play two of the most important
pieces alone, sing one song without assistance,
and join in the chorus or some other part in
every other song."
“I hope I will not bring the blushes to Mr.
Desmond's face, but Angie, 1 will tell you
and you way be prepared for it when I rise
to sing that song, I am going to fail. I told
Mr. Desmond so but he insists that I will not.
i can play instrumental pieces, for then 1 am
screened by the piano a little, but I am never
sure, when I stand up there, with that es
pecial little group of people, the last one a
critic, I will lose my self-posession. for I feel
it already."
“Ah! then 1 know what we will do, we will
engage Mr. Stinson to stand on one side of
you and Mr. Desmond on the other. Meta,
there never was a pupil who could repose
such confidence in a teacher as you do in Mr.
Stinson. He rises to any height, and by
some wonderful power you can ascend where-
ever he does."
“If that is true. Angie, and I hope it is-,
then am 1 the most fortunate of girls in hav
ing such a guide, f often ask myseif if he is
valued bwe as he was at Bern let’s or if all
ihag-fli know, ai Ido. -whas an io. on n«\c
"He is certainly highly appreciated. Mr.
Cameron never does anything without his
advice, and the girls arc more respectful,
studious and docile under his teaching than
with the other teachers. To you, Meta, he is
has had you ill charge so long
do yi u know
that possibly J am. am
has discovered it."
•‘Dear Meta, what iile
moth-1 would tell you t- >
the flatteries and ceiisur
whom you know to lie -
Clyde, and a littie nondescript whose name
escaped Me*a as the matron pronounced it.
Miss Jones was seated in a window devour
ing one of n basketful of apples held in her
lap.
j “Look here this bed is mine. I've done said
so," remarked Miss Jones, pointing her long
fingers to the bed where Meta had laid her
hat and shaw I.
Meta looked at the other bed which appear
ed from the burden it bore of travelling con
, veniences to be already in use. "f’lease tell
me who is to Is- my bed-fellow she asked.
"Well I r- ekin' I'll hev to lie. as them
others lias gone eif took that bed there.”
Meta glanced at the very tall girl, and
shiunk from contact with her as room mate
and more so as a bedfellow.
"This sleepin w ith strange folks is powerful
bad. I told Priscilla Smith I'd never git over
her disapintin me an'goin off to Balem. She'd
■ a been my lied-fellow. an’ then I'd a not had
no trouble about it."
Meta glanced at the girl who was becoming
disagreeably unhappy over the prospect of
sharing the bed w itii her. Without troubling
her with the information that she was herself
i an unwanted mate Meta begun to survey the
1 other two who were to occupy the same room
with her.
A pretty little brunette was diving into a
huge “Saratoga" for some article which she
declared "mother has left out."
The third and last occupant was seated in
the large window opposite Miss Jones. She
alone w..s calm, with nothing to <lo but to
survey the movements of the others. Her
neat travelling outfit, gentle appearance and
beautiful face at once attracted Meta's at
tention. Happy to discover that one at least
of her room mates would possibly prove a
1 congenial companion, Meta went quietly to
, arranging her dre.-s for supper.
When she was ready. Miss Clyde said:
! “Will you walk with me in the campus,
Miss Glenn ; I have been sitting here tracing
out the plan, and 1 think we would find it
pleasant walking."
"Yes, with pleasure,” said Meta us she
! arose and accompanied her lit w room-mate,
They walked for half an hour, tracing out
i the German walks on foot, which had inter-
1 ested Miss Clyde from the window.
The great bell sounded, and Meta and her
companion followed in the wake of about a
1 hundred girls who were going in the direction
I of a large, square building. In this ball three
long tables, running parallel to each other,
(stretched across the room. Mr. Cameron
, anil a bl ight little lady occupied the head
and foot of the first table. Mr. and Miss Des
mond the second. A fat little man in black
t was busy giving seats to the gil Is. He placed
I a No. iz card in Meta’s hand anil asked her
I to find a chair with that number written
| thereon, which lit- told her would be her seat
! for the year. Meta reached X* 12; she found
j Sarah Jones seated in No. 13. In a moment
j more Miss Clyde came, and drawing No. 11,
! took her seat’on the right of Meta.
“Ah! I am so glad you have this seat,” said j
Meta, “for I was just la-ginning to dread !
having an unpleasant right hand neighbor." I
Miss Clyde glanced cautiously to Meta’s
left, and smiled in her soft way, asshe under-
stood I he provocation to Meta’s fears.
Meta looked closely among the occupants
of the different tables tor Mr. Stinson, but
she did not see him, nor did he appear at ail
during the nual.
The girls were encouraged to converse
I aloud in quiet, but the least noise
| liaviour was instantly reprimanded,
j When ample time had passed for each one
| to finish the meal, the little fat man rang a
I small bell, the signal for the pupils to retire
| Ten mimitis were permitted for a stroll on
j the campus, then the bell soun led and as the |
I girls entered the vestibule of tile chapel, the |
j little dapper steward was again in phu-e to
see that they entered tli_- chapel with all pos- |
sible decoruin.
tin the rostrum was the organ at which |
Mr. Desmond sat. His sister was a few fiet
b- low him on a line with the pupils. When
the rich muck- and the richer human voice
blended in sacred song, there were few who
rent-mliered tin- fatigue of the day’s travel.
• To Meta it was a renewal of the brightest
I portion of her bright years at Berwick's.
! * * * * * * * *
■ That night long after the young happy
! spirits ill the college had flown to tile land of
■ dreams, a restless, form could be seen moving
' in the dusk on the campus. The quick strides,
I the nervous opening and clinching of the
I hands, bespoke the strong emotions of the
man.
I "Yes! I came here to banish thought, fol
ly! By what [tower am i torn, distracted;
I bade it die, ami it lives! Lives! livts!
against all reason, all bo[K.‘!"
“Ha! Mr. Stinson," exclaimed another, ap
preaching from an opposite direction. “Are
you out in a nightmare, or practising sum-,
nambulism ;’’
“Desmond!”
The tone betrayed vexation and fear.
“Ah! don't lie alarmed; 1 only heard sounds
and saw pantomime. I place my own con
struction upon these and lest I hear more
than you wish I should, I will tell you my
ideas. My sage friend is wonderfully excit
ed by some event—recent, of a nature that
surprises, even astounds him. Hu! this is u
dilemma for our embodiment of wisdom and
learning, ha! ha! After all the “professor"
is only a plain mortal like the rest of us."
“Have you any conjecture of what that
event may be ?” asked Mr. Stinson anxiously.
"How can I unless you tell me ; I only
saw and heard, but could distinguish no
word.”
"I am pleased that you are still in igno
rance. my friend, for let me assure you that
in indulging myself in this excitement no
one is more convinced than I that I am of
the very commonest stuff of which mortals
are made.”
i |-n feller. This ere’ way ain’t no way tall."
Meta as earnestly entertained the same sen
timent. though she prudently remained si-
b-iir.
When each pupil was seated at her desk
Mr. Cameron arose and told them this ar
rangement was a mere form for the sake of
procuring desks with as little cause for com-
plaint as possible. There were no objections
to the pupils exchanging desks whenever they
found it agreeable to Co so.
The words were scarcely off his lips before
Sarah Jones was on her feet swaying down
towards Miss Clyde.
"Kent you change with me? I think you
would git along with that uppish Miss Glenn,
better'll I could;” asked the pertinacious
Sarah.
"Yes. certainly," said Miss Clyde as she
quickly arose to accept the proposition.
In a few moments more Meta was congrat
ulating herself upon her riddance from the
iiate Miss Sarah, whose temper was like a
vestal flame in that it was ever burning.
A week after the school opened, Mr. Cam
eron entered the study ball, just before the
close of the day’s exercises, and taking his
position outlie rostrum in the cent re of the
hall proceeded to make a novel speech.
("Young ladies," said he, bowing with his
most respectful grace, "in many respects this
,/v,iol will stand apart from others. We
propose to copy from other colleges, only
those plans, wtiich appear essential to our
best success. Ill all the state we can find no
school, where the doors of the college parlors
are open to all guests, who possess the right
to enter by respectability of mind and man
ners. We are so averse to this exclusion of
all social life from o’" ils, that we have
determined upon a n. .arture, which we
lienp and lielieve, wL. p rove as beneficial as
it| is original. Each Friday afternoon our
parlors will be open for the reception of visi
tors, from six until nine o’clock. We reserve
was a girl and says I’m just like her. Why I
would not taken hundred dollars for these
receptio s,” said a fine looking country girl
in a [Jain gingham dress.
Meta had passed her time, mostly, convers
ing with a young lady who had very gentle
manners, and a very pretty face. J! iss ('lyde,
“Angie,’’ as she had bet otne to M--ta, was
called on to entertain a young physician, who
was exceedingly stiff in his ways, and whose
reputation was based u[ion the possession of
the most fixed and primmest morals.
During the entertainment the teachers
moved among the pupils, seeing that all re
ceived their share of the pleasures of the
evening, and watching carefully, lest the least
indecorum might escape them.
The result of this Friday evening sociable,
and the others that followed was to promote
ease anil self-possession and acquaint the
young ladies with the manners and modes of
thought and expression used by people in re
fined social life. To some of these young girls
this opportunity was the only one they could
ever have of gaining an idea of the refined
ways of the world. Such returned to their
ol(score homes, the better prepared to use
what they had learned in enlightening and
civilizing the rude and ignorant around them.
When Meta, passed her examination, in
the presence of the faculty, she was assigned
to the junior class, her room-mate Mis- Clyde
CHAPTER XII.
In the second story of the recitation house,
was a large hall yvhere each pupil belonging
to the collegiate department had a desk. The
first duty of the second day was the allotting
of tiie desks to the pupils. The desks were
numbered and corresponding numbers placed
in a box. Each pupil passed by the Professor
who held the box and drew therefrom a num
bered card. Meta drew twenty and passed
on to the desk bearing that number. In a
few minutes the tall, swaying figure of Surah
Jones, loomed just in front of her, and bent
down now and then to examine the different
desks. As Meta met her piercing gaze she
exclaimed impatiently: ‘"Where’s 21 any
how ; I kent find the thing.”
Poiuting to the desk next her, Meta inform
ed her that was the number.
Sarah pounced into her seat, and proceeded
to censure the yvhole arrangement. “Why
kent a body choose their own place and their
passed also to the same department. T - file
j happiness of both Sarah Jones was placed
among the sophs.
The year was spent in arduous study, in
recreations near the beautiful artificial laky,
and in various other sources of amusement
I and instruction.
The last week approached for the pupils to
remain at the college before the short winter
vacation. As there was no examination,
tin's week was varied by different pleasures.
-s—1 vc ! Mr. Cameron gave an afternoon picnic on 1 them to marry from home instead of going
the exclusive privilege of selecting our guests, j his favorite lake. The banks, fringed ith j back to become t h*- wives of cousins, and
just as all parents should in well regulated 1 willows, were thronged with the townsfolk. 1 such rude people r.s their ancestors have been
homes. j who watched the little boats plied from shore I before them."
tl wish each one of you to understand that ; to shore by the girls. Uiie of these boats was I “Well. Ido not presume to dispute Mr.
vie encourage 110 idle dissipation or revelry, j guided by Meta’s skillluli hands, the other Cameron's logic, though it is new. 1 dare-
hut sensible pleasant social intercourse with j rocked to and fro from Sarah Jones inn er- 1 say he know- more of life than manv parents
the best people whose society may lit-lj> to * ' 1 4I ‘ - *“ - " f “ " ! ,
mould your mind anil manners rightly. We
’ bought of mv marrying iq
\ngie: there
1- 1 enjoyed
and vair.lnal.
an idea sometimes
hat Mr. Stinson
Now, my go
ware equally of
of all, save people
.itud in sentiment
mil principle. "The flatterer is always false
and the eensurer envious.”
"Where is my music, Angie; I gave it to
you at the chapel."
“In m v portfolio. We would do well to go
down to the purler now. lor I hear the girls
talking there. Here, let- me pin this little
bouquet m your broach.”
“Is not that the gift of Dr. S.?”
•‘Yes, but I give it to you. I wish the
doctor to see it, for 1 do not wish him to
think I wear it, though I esteem him, some
what."
“If the doctor persists in being so openly
attentive, Angie, the result will be that Mr.
Cameron will strike off his name from the
list -<f visitors."
“Yet, Mr. Cameron has advised me to
:t certain course. He says that when he se
lected the few young men as guests worthy
of invitatii^j, he considered carefully the
possibility of their becoming attached to some
of the girls, and therefore he chose those
whom he thought would bring no distress on
a family if they did forma lifetime alliance—’’
“You surprise me! Mr. Cameron said
that!’’
“Yes, he did: and more too, he said that
while he was determined by the force of cer
tain obligations to prevent an engagement if
possible, that he regretted the necessity, for
he believed that but few of the young people
who meet here are apt to enter into any life
time compact while here, and if they did. he
thinks probably it would be best for them
every way."
“Why. that is an idea! ThenMr. Cameron
would encourage matrimonial alliances hc:e
in the college if he could. Why that is
treason against all precedenst!"’
“Yes, but in his originality Mr. Cameron
is often treasonable against old established
customs, in this matter he says that so
many of the girls came from obscure country
homes, where their parents move in the old
narrow-beaten paths of tlr-ir ancestors. He
thinks that it would be a lucky fortune for
expect, and in fact demand, that you will use
this privilege us a means of improvement.
\\ e make it in truth of equal importance,
With any one of your daily exercises.”
This new uml unexpected rule was receiv
ed with universal pleasure by the girls—Fri
day afternoon found a building full of neatly
nuireil, and happy young creatures. Grey
headed men anil women, lawyers, din-tors,
divines, young ladies, and gentlemen of the
bt ! st society of the town, assembled, by ex
press invitation, to meet the young girls, and
by the powerful force of exum|m\ to teach
them the way to the places they themselves
filled so well. With that unpretending euse,
common to people of culture and good society,
e'en the most uncouth of the pupils were
made to feel comfortable, while those already
accustomed to a higher circle were charmed
beyond'measure by this pleasure, so nearly
like the refinements of their own homes.
“Was there ever such a good, kind old man
as Mr. B.’’ exclaimed a plaiu, unsophisticated
girl alxiut an old lawyer, who had taken
pains to talk with her half an horn-, and re
late a numlier of little pieusing incidents that
delighted her greatly.
“O! but did you become acquainted with
rocked to and fro from Sarah Jones' inn er
tain rowing, and the tit of temper into which ofthe girls. There is one thin-' however I
she had fallen through some littl- offense nm confident of, and that is that mv father
from one of her companions. Her boat was . , v ,,ulil dislike the thought of mv marryim
dipping water and Meta, frightened by the here, lit least of mv engaging myself because
danger, drew up her oars and cried, “Miss 1 h e would wish to know all aliout the fnniiiy
Joues, stop your oars, drift until the rocking ! [-,[ marry into, besides the man himself "
ceases or you may capsize your boat. I “1 daresay his case would not be exception-
“Mind your own biz’ness an’let mine alone,” : al. But look, here we are at the chajiel. and
cried the rueful Sarah, with face aflame and see. there is Dr. S. with another boquet.
eyes of tire. ' Will lie give it away or keep it, I wonder;"
“Excuse me,” said Meta, not heeding the At this moment Mr. Cameron led the way-
angry words, “but I must tell you yon are into the chapel and as Angie passed along
in great danger.” *'
Well, I’ll jest thank you to shet up your
mouth: you’r always tryin’ to show off your
smartness.” ’
Meta, finding wordsunavailing, sat silently
watching the boat, which was in the centre
of the lake—its occupants ignorant of rowing
save the irate Sarah, whose temper arnl ex
citement had confused her.
“Miss Jones” Meta was trying to pro
ceed with a third remonstrance when the en
raged Sarah screamed out. “Mind your bus
iness, I tell you, mind your buisiness!”
At this instant one of the occupants of the
rocking lx>at, losing all control through fear,
gave a shrill scream which brought Mr. Cam
eron to the bank. He saw the danger and
commanded Miss Sarah to drop her oars,
his wife? She knew my mother when she : by-their use she only added to the danger.
with the others, the rare, lieautiful exotics
were placed in her hand by the doctor.
“He does not know the fate of the one mu
you are wearing, dear Meta. Really liow
kind he is though. These are so very beauti
ful- I am sorry indeed that he troubles him
self to show me such kindness.”
“Let me tell you something you do not
know,” said a bright flashing-eyed girl to
Meta and Angie. “The faculty are going to
give gold and silver prizes to-night to the
first and second best in each class, and Meta,
a little bird told me you are to be the first
honor junior,”
The laughing, excited girl slipped back to
her seat on the rostrum.
“If that is so, she is sure to la- the first hon-
Continued on M h page.