Molly Brown's Freshman Days

Oldham, two days before the famous spread was to

erate mass of books and clothes, chewing the end of a

y like some kind of strong stimulant with me. It goes to my head, and I seem to get

vited the whole of Wellington College to come here Friday night. And

asked," she replied penitently. "There ar

es And

y no

o were at Miss Stewar

makes catty speeches. That

coals of fire on people's heads, and besides, I just told you, when I get started, I can't seem to stop.

better make out the list beforehand, and then you must

but it's awfully hard to take the pledge when i

and Molly racked her brains to try and r

godmother, is sending me another box of beaten biscuits. She has promised to keep me supplied. You know, I have never eaten cold light bread in my life at breakfast, and I'd just as so

can borrow cups and saucers from the others. But we'll have to do somethin

to be a surprise. And Jennie Wren has promised to bring her guitar and oblige us with a few selections, bu

ance consolingly. "I think I have an idea of something which would i

springing them when she was entirely ready, and wild horses

d old ham had spread abroad. Some of the guests, like Mary Stewart, came because they were greatly attracted toward the young freshman; and others, like Judith Blount, felt on

d that nice, unaffected young woman her

lied Molly. "Your premises would

clever of you! One of you two childre

udities covered with a white cloth borrowed from Mrs. Murphy, and on these were

ed Nance; "she's a

n Molly. "I come of

relatives marry but

dn't say things like other girls. There wa

colored people, and the old ones are almost like relatives, they a

and presently every guest had

out. Presently, Nance, major domo for the evening, shoved all the guests back onto the divans and into the corne

HE COCK OF

s

THE COCK O

ngs and a tightly fitting white cap with a point over the forehead covered his head. His face was powdered to a ghastly pallor with talcum and his mouth had been painted with red finger-nail salve into a cruel red slash across his countenance. Chantecler was of a more engaging countenance. A small red felt bedroom slipper formed his comb and a red silk handkerchief covered h

s splendid shapely wholeness before being sliced into nothingness. Therefore she now proceeded to cut off thin portions, which crumbled into bits under the edge of the carving knife borrowed from Mrs. Murphy. But

tered the room. His knees were bare, he wore a little Scotch cap, a black velvet jacket and a plaidie thrown over one shoulder. But the

rls, for it was difficult to recognize the quiet

uproar there was a l

thinking, perhaps, the kindly matron had for

gth, and almost rested on her chin, like a staff, like the nose of "The Last Leaf on the Tree." Also, she had a crooked back and leaned heavily on a stick. On her head was a high pointed witch's cap. She wore

disguised voice, but it was a very fulsome minute, as Judy remark

h Blount

your weak point. Look

nd several of the girls exchanged glances. Molly, for some rea

hey were very skillful ones, deftly hidden under

ends. Don't ever cultiv

Oldham

ery popular-if you st

The strange witch had gone so quickly from one girl to another

hearts are more than coronets, and simple faith than Norman blood,' and by

Molly, suddenly com

h, breaking through the circle

er back and she fell in a heap on some g

y the arm, and it did look for a moment as if the Kentucky spread were going to end in a free-for-all fight, when

, ten o'clock

put out every light in the room. At any rate, the place was in total darkness for half a minute, and

figures could be seen flitting like shadows over the turf toward the dormitories, for there was

llage as "burglar's terror," and in this flicke

ly exclaimed

s who dressed up as that witch, and I'm

she tiptoed into the room. A long ray of moonlight, filtering in through the muslin curtains, made the room quite light. There was a smell of lavender salts in

called Mo

b that was half a groan a

called Mo

ned her eye

the matter?

n the moonlight she could see that F

" whispered Molly. "Why did

better now. Good night." M

ter all, who had b

ed to think it w

her the benefit of the do

e no doubts i