Center Rush Rowland

ed to be from

over to 16 Goss about five and play with u

tation was strong, but he knew that he ought to at least get acquainted with some of the books piled there beside him. It

imate with fellows who smoked. Doubtless Mart was one of the "smart class" at Parkinson, and Ira wasn't "smart" and didn't want to be. No, on the whole he guessed he'd let Mart Johnston slide. He was a little bit sorry, for the gay-hearted chap with his queer phrases and ready laughter was certainly likable, and an existence containing only Nead as an intimate didn't look enticing. He didn't even know Nead's first name yet, he reflect

w that he had seen him. He was a finely built chap of eighteen or so, of middle height and with rather an engaging countenance. It wasn't until the visitor had nodded smilingly, closed the door behind him

do?" he resp

deepening. "Mind if I sit down? I've had three sets of tennis and

Ira, trying not to sound surpr

ht as well drop around and talk things over. Say, where did yo

y if I hurt you much. Maybe I hit

at do you mean by the woods, though? Oh, I know!

a lumber camp, but I've spent some time in them. The lumbermen are mostly pretty han

ne woods," said Gene Goodloe ruefully. "Well, w

you say,

I can't just take a walk, say, tomorrow morning early, eh? Do you know where the brick-yards are, over

an," said Ira, "but I can

he West Gate. It's on our way. A

West Gate's the one over tha

ith you, I don't mind. I'll do the same, if you like

did think of Nead, but somehow Nead didn't appeal to him in the r

ckled Goodloe, "and I hope it'll be the latter way. No use in fighting ro

hink

that-well, I guess I want to apologise, Rowland, for anything I sa

d Ira. "Maybe I was

were about as cool as they make 'em. Do

"I guess so-sometim

her jolly room you've got here.

fellow named Ne

thought you said you didn't know any

e doesn't-" Ira hesitated and his

e getting back to hall. Much obliged for that note, you know. Glad we got together so nicely, too. I guess there

departure, leaving Ira looking perplexedl

fied. Then what do we scrap about in the morning?" But there was no satisfactory answer to that conundrum and he went bac

he room to his bed. "Gee," he said in disgust, "I hope you're

. "By the way, Nead, what's yo

mph

. Mine'

ere?" laughed Nead. "I was named for an uncl

ed the name. I confess I'm not fond of it, but it mig

ll hole. Played some pool over on Gree

he?" as

lay and I took him on. He was a shark, too. I only go

school fello

ol chaps at pool without much trouble. Say, there's a reception or something

ructors said we ought to. By

e a pill. I've got a date with h

uctor. I'm to confer tomorrow at ele

l. This guy I played po

re i

n, on Maple Street. Want to star

marking his place and closing hi

The Algebra's review stuff. I've had it already. And the Latin's eas

h until next year. Languages were always hard for me. I've elected Gree

Or French, either, for that m

nt from German. I mean, it's a

hat's time enough. My idea is that they try to te

o to college," said Ira. "I'

waste time at a prep school, believe me. College is fun, old man. You take m

nd black-oak panelling and cheerful pictures of hunting and coaching scenes. But after the room had filled up Ira had an uncomfortable feeling of being in the wrong place. His modest order brought an expression of disdain to the waiter's face, and when he glanced o

time I'm going to have one of those planked steaks like the fat guy over there has. Bet they cost about two dollars. They ought to

ke tea much, and coffee

d Nead. "I meant a real drink,

Ira shortly. "And if you tak

glass of beer with my

Nead. You're not allowed to do it h

o sit there awhile and talk, but Ira wasn't comfortable and Nead grumblingly consented to leave. When Ira handed the waiter fifteen cents, which was the c

study. It doesn't do to be a piker in a place like that, Rowland. They remember it, and the

oubledly. "I don't like the place. And, anyway, I wouldn't hav

but they expect it, you know, and they think

orry me a bit," replied Ira, smiling. "I

etty decent dive for a town like this. They do know how to charge, though.

look around and find a g

busted by that time," he chuckled, "and you can chalk it up at Alumni until the end of the term. It's nearl

there about a quar

he outer door, and was humming a queer tune as he trundled the steaming goose up and down the pressing board. Ira fumbled his way up the dark staircase to the floor above and then went along the hall with

War was 430, wasn't

n apparition, drew back in surpris

ed the stranger in the doorway

replied Ira apologetically. "Bu

of a thin, earnest face and a pair of big spectacles. Ira smiled as he climbed the next stairway. From the room across the corridor came the muffled strains of "Boola"

oodloe and the idea of standing up to him and trying to flatten his nose for him seemed somewhat ridiculous. "If only he hadn't come around and called," thought Ira. "He seemed such a decent chap, and apologised so nicely! Wonder why he wants to fight. I'm sure I don't. Well, I suppose I'll h

w moments and then passed him over to Mrs. Lane, a rotund, cheerful little woman who invited him to tea on Friday next at half-past four and asked him what church he attended. Ira was afterward in doubt whether he had accepted the invitation or not, but concluded that it didn't matter. He met Professor Addicks a minute later and was flattered to discover that the professor remembered him. The professor, although Ira didn't know it, always remembered everyone and everything. After that he met many other members of the faculty, many of whose names he promptly forgot, and talked, without being introduced, to a number of lonesome looking fellows whom he found standing around in corners or flattened against walls. Most of the guests were, of course, first year s