Tess of the Storm Country

ch and popular enough to be invited to join them. Each fraternity had its own spacio

ne, which if he attained assured him a luxuriou

ull membership. Five new men were to join the "Cranium" fraternity. The house of this society stood high upon the eastern hill above the lake and overlooked the forest-mantled town. The first story of the building contained the

ere Frederick Graves, Dan Jordan, Billy Dillon, Oscar Bro

eir dinner during the proceedings that evening. The gravity which had settled upon the upper classmen frightened the t

wo larger students. "I don't want to be hurt-I like the thought of being a fra

in Oscar Brown. "I

ear you talking that way," cautioned Jordan, "besides the init

dered the candidates to follow them into the dreaded annex. In this "torture chamber" the older members, jun

sophomores, and as they trailed in followed by the quaking app

Richard Hall, the spokesman of the second-year class

he name of 'Swipes.' You, Brown, shall be dubbed 'Shorts'-here he hesitated an instant, perusing a slip of pape

es to gaze reflecti

tain.'" His voice dropped as if he had either overlooked or

a glance, then dropped his

ood enough for

s with his searching gaze,

you by your new names and you refuse to answer, you sh

t gives us great pleasure to receive you into this fraternity, but before we can gi

itation upon the ponde

pt obedience," his voice rang out, and a smile to

ll, with a touch of irony in his tones, dir

the speaker, "to initiate y

s company," and if the society had any ind

scipline upon such occasions as this, and if by chance an incoming member becomes obstreperous, we employ

he corner, and lifting from a hook a long vicio

" the freshmen heard him say, "that an indecorous smile on any of your faces will immediately call for three strokes from 'Mazuka,'" and he waved the carpet beater threateningly, "and for disobedience you

after whispering with them, came back say

eyes upon Jo

or and scramble li

ame from B

hing," shouted Hall, "and give hi

n it. They then stood him on his feet and laid the carpet beater three times across his back. Billy almost wished he ha

s industriously trying

le," cried a sophomore, pr

me one, and Frederick was ordered to

he broad brow of the minis

d Hall, and the eager sophomor

ick's head, and down beside his strapping friend dropped the dignified Frede

em some grease," suggested a sen

s contents over the two floundering giants. As the icy bath submerged

,'" shouted the delighted Manchester waving th

more, dancing with glee, belabored the huge half "sc

he chastiser, putting the carpet beater under his arm,

he floor, and after passing a few more remarks about rotten eggs

corner," ordered Hall, and Fre

shment, were then told to come forward. Both trembled perceptibly as they were

ate students, and giving the bandages a last tightening pull; "the first course consists of something you ar

wo boys could plainly hear the ra

ths," came the

but Jimmy Preston, thinking the joke had gone

er the side of his leg, and his

you to do as you are told, Spuddy,"

I bet you can't imagine what we've brought

hing snake-like and cold

fraid, 'Spuddy,' you needn't wiggle, you are going to have one, too," he added the last

hs wide open,"

groan Oscar Brown rolled over on his side and allowed his portion to fall slowly out. But Jimmy Pr

led. "I've never heard of such

r. Jimmy rubbed his eyes, blinked, and looked again-blank astonishment taking the

Jimmy glanced about upon the gr

Who said you could take that bandage off. That will cost you five strokes of the 'Mazuka.' ... Here, fellows, hold him on

ssion upon his sorrowful face plainly showing M

said Manchester, proudly feeling his biceps. "Go sit down ... i

iggling and snickering, Richard unfolded

e if the surgeon is he

edings, received his bandage without a complaint, although his face

racing through his frightened mind, the sophomore leading him in terrifying darkness to a chair near by. Silence fell upo

way, we will change the expression on it. A gash on each of those rosy cheeks will alter your whole appearance, so much, that not one of your lad

n and close, and someone coming toward h

man," asked a strange, but no

heartbroken tones, "and please, do

oice. "Mr. Hall, will you please hold his arms, for when patients are excit

heard nothing-then came to his ears the sound of a box being un

ut his face? Why

he knife touch his flesh, and

of laughter went up from the students as Billy was grasped by what seemed a thousand hands. The bandage was snatched from his eyes and he looked upon a sorry sight. Manchester, the expert wielder of the Mazuka, had failed as a

asped the fictit

of the seniors managed to howl out

d Manchester excitedly, "bring me the 'Mazuka,' and

at his eye," som

Manchester to

e groaned, putting his hand ag

oariously, held a pocket mirror for the young sophomore to peep into. After a mom

... had an ax," and his one eye gaze

enior, "we'll arrange with the freshman alright.

r," cajoled Hall, "and black your boots and brush your clothes, into the bargain, an

ing smile upon the assembled society, "we have