University of Nashville - Garnet and Blue Yearbook (Nashville, TN)

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Eff I - - Rf RGJSE DRY X. - Qs cc H, you needn't look at her. She won't condescend to notice anything less abstruse than a Greek verb or an Analytics problemf, The speaker was john NVoods, a junior, who was doing the honors of the college to a new student, Clarence King-not a Freshman, be it understood. He had H passed off 'l enough work to admit him into the exclusive circle of the Senior Class, hence the junior's patronage. The remark of the latter was in answer to a question from King, whose atten- tion had been caught by a young lady just entering the chapel. The girl would have attracted attention anywhere, not only by the undeniable beauty of her face, but by the intelligence of her expression and a certain distinguishing dignity and grace of carriage. Somehow beside her the other girls appearedcrude and rustic. She passed quietly to the Senior corner, now and then exchanging a greeting with an old acquaintance, but not actively sharing in the noisy intercourse of the other returned students. All through chapel exercises Clarence watched the girl, who was seated not far away. The atmosphere of quiet dignity and self- poise about her grew on him, and he resolved to know her. H What is her name? he asked of the friendly junior. W'hose? Oh, Miss Martin? Still looking at her? It's no use, I tell you, she's a con- firmed blue-stocking. Shels strong-mindedg despises men and receptions and all such frivol- ities. All the boys are afraid of her. Can't you introduce me? Really, I don't suppose she ever saw me. She would look straight over my head. Come on and I'll introduce you to some jolly girls. By this time Miss Martin had left the chapel, so Clarence allowed himself to be led off to meet the jolly girls, mentally resolving, however, to know the girl who had so aroused his interest. I With this end in view he attended all of the opening receptions and haunted everv place where he thought there was a probability of meeting her. He met a great number of charm- ing girls who smiled kindly on him, but never that one. To his delight he found that she was in some of his classes, but when weeks had passed he was not even sure she had ever seen him. He soon found that john Woods had expressed the opinion of the college as to Alma Martin. H Brilliant but unapproachablega star! he said to himself, and continued to worship at a distance. Once he picked up a handkerchief which she had dropped, and ran after her to return it. She met his gaze, smiled pleasantly, and seemed about to speak, but

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turned suddenly and, with a cold Thank you, walked away, leaving Clarence with a feeling of disappointment out of all proportion to the occasion. After this they exchanged bows on meeting, but that was all. Time passedg intermediate examinations were likewise passed-or not passed, the second semester began, wore ong examinations were again approaching. One morning as Clarence entered the college, he was surprised at its festive appearance. The chapel was beautifully decorated, students were promenading the halls, and on every shirt-waist and coat lapel roses were blossoming. At the chapel door a lady-one of the instructors-was presenting roses from a great basket to each student as he came in. A U What does it mean? asked Clarence of an acquaintance. H Oh, it is Rose Day. Didnlt you know it is the twelfth of May ? Yes, I knew that, but I do not know what Rose Day is. I never heard of it. No, it is peculiar to this college, I believe. It was the thought of the wife of a former Chancellor for our students, that on this day, which is Memorial Day, every one should have one or more roses. Its significance is something like this: amid the intellectual struggles of college life students are likely to forget the softer and tenderer traits of character-love and sympathy and humanity, to exalt brain above heart, and neglect the simple lessons of nature, and Rose Day is a message to remind us of these things. A pretty idea, isn't it? Clarence did not reply. He was thinking of Alma Martin. Glancing up, he saw her standing quite near and looking at him, with a softer light in her eyes than he had ever seen there before. In her hands were a number of roses, and one was fastened in her beautiful, brown hair. At her glance he impulsively stepped forward, and, pointing to his coat, said: See, I have been slightedf' To his unbounded surprise and delight, she selected a rose from those which she held, and actually pinned it on his coat! You know its message? Yes, but I hardly think I am in need of it. So the mote is in your brother's eye! H Itls a beam-and it is in my sister's eye. Are you sure? Everybody says so, and my observation seems to confirm it. H What everybody says is usually incorrect. But you never attend receptions ? I' Cl yy Nor mass meetings ? H No. 'l You don't belong to a society nor attend the boys' societies, nor watch ball practice, nor take campus, nor talk in the library. Therefore- The conclusion is inevitable. H Lo, a Daniel! May I ask what the conclusion is ? Why, that you have shamefully neglected one side-or, rather, all except one side-of your college life, that your have ignored your social duties for the sake of your intellectual