The Mystery Girl

town, especially a New England college town, that is unmistakable. It is not so much

ree-shaded village green to the white-columned homes on its outsk

the fact that the University of Corinth was among the best in the co

eets, roads and houses, and all New England c

place, yet there were many families whose c

all counts, a college

ough the throes and thrills of one

Two factions strove for supremacy, one, the conservative side, adhering to old traditio

ed at last in the election of John Waring, the

tal attainment ahead of physical prowess, and he did hold by certain old-fashioned principles and

mplished fact, John Waring had made enemie

n with an eye single to his duty as he saw it. And he accepted the position of responsibility and tr

months from February on would give him time to accustom himself

n the rival faction conceded his ability, his sterling character and his personal charm. And their chagrin and disappointment at hi

disapproval of the new president, but, so far, no real o

merely because of the irresistible charms of Mrs. Bates, Wari

een somebody's good-looking husband long ago, but a bachelor president of Corinth

ed by the citizens of Corinth, and Mrs. Adams

nns and hotels of all grades, but the boarding house of Mrs. Adams was, w

n, nor had he ever been. Instead, he was a leaf on a branch of the Saltonstall fami

we never will. Mrs. Bates is a nice sweet-spoken lady, a widow of four years standing, and I d

s, with fair hair and laughing blue eyes, she was of a cozy, home-l

rsisted, until she found she really liked the big, wholes

d a decided air of reserve which he rarely broke through, but which, Emily Bates

tes half a dozen years younger. But both seemed younger than t

. Mrs. Bates' first husband had been one of its prominent professors and

ing's present housekeeper. For it meant the loss of her position, which she had faithfully filled for ten years or more. And this mean

of John Waring's disinclination to say or do anything unwelcome to another. And Mrs. Peyton had been his sister's school friend and had served him we

present; an indulgence she seldom allowed herself, for she was punctilious regarding conventions, and Corinth people

, and if there was an underlying hostility

nese butler who offered it, "because I want to tell you, John, of some

said, smiling idly, as he stirred his tea. "One immedia

fectionate smile toward him, "when the p

sted Gordon Lockwood, who was Waring's

ned; "more likely something definit

rection? Will the freshmen make me an apple-pie

you there is a movement on foot to stir up diss

Don't be alarmed, Mrs. Bates. I'm sure we know all that's going on,

finite, but there are rumors and hints, and where there's smoke, th

ly Bates, "do loo

n't go from door to door, saying 'I'v

hen fell quietly to rest in her lap. "You men are so tactless! Now, Mrs. Peyton

and Mrs. Peyton gave a pleased smil

s what I wanted to ask you. I didn't like to take up

d,-I see no

f Mrs. Bates takes up this matter she may get in deeper than she

s matters stand, you

say stop! I don't mind your changing your opinions, but I do resent your p

ickly," said Mrs. Peyton, and

evitably lose her place in his household, and the thought m

y Emily gave, and went on, add

, he never misapprehends that, but of the ne

ng gave her an admiring bow; "I am almost

a mutinous pout. "Well, I warn you, if you don't look out for yourself, I'm goin

trouble, you admit you will probably get me into trouble. Well, well, if

" and the expressive hands indicated

hough Emily Bates said no word, she gave a look of superior managing power t

ded John Waring, but it amused Lockwoo

her attention to the tea tray, and noted the air of im

trained and deferential Japanese. "And a few

ow, and a moment later a breezy

" he cried; "Hel

on her pretty cheek and bowed wit

he went on, as he threw himself, a little sprawlingly

me into the room. "Why, Pinky,"

our oriel lattice,-and came running dow

unt, as she noted Helen's quick blush and

o fond, in his boyish way, of his aunt. But he was no respecter of authority, and, now that his aunt was to be the wife of h

d invariably red cheeks. For the rest, he was just a rollicking, care-free boy, ring lead

hough he liked her, it was no more than he felt fo

,-and cakies,-oh, what good ones! What a tuck! Alma Mater doesn't feed us like this! I sa

at,-you may," s

pplemented. "Now, Pinky, you're a dear and a sweet, but you can't annex

you to annex me. You'll keep the sam

r, over a large slice of toa

eyton spoke up. "Cooks are no

t," his aunt assured him, and the boy turned to tea

eau today, He

?" she ask

, Uncle President,-yes, I am a bit previous on both counts, but you'll soon have the honor of bei

ich way it blows, p

movement on foot to make things hot for you if you tak

ntent

athletics, and sp

my so-called

ou mean to c

you know bett

hink that's what you have in mind. I

my mind in the matter of marrying your aunt, witho

married soo

ended to, I can devote my mind and energies to this other subject. And meanwhile, my boy,

those things till you're a settled down married man! I know just how you

ride-elect off right now, for a little private confa

nd a sandwich beneficently toward the pair, as they left th

h a fine front portico upheld

of this was the drawing-room, not so often used and not so well liked as the more c

outer door at the end back of the living-room and a deep an

study. This was the gem of the whole house. The floor had been sunken to give greater ceiling height, for the room was very large, and of fi

of the mantel were windows, high and not large. The main daylight came through a great window on th

at opened into the cross hall of the house were the only doo

four small windows looking into the dining-room. But these were high, a

e fireside was flanked with two facing davenports, the wide window seat was piled with cushions. The

and built in, lined the walls. There were a few good busts and valuable pictures,

e students felt it a great occasion that brought them within its

its classic atmosphere found welcome there. Mrs. Peyton or Helen were not expected to use it,

or her, Waring said, "Don't, Emily, ever feel shut out of this room. As I live no

t. Anyway, I'll try, and I do appreciate your willingness to hav

or I have to spend many hours alone. You k

ou're just the man for the place, just the character for a College President, and if you try

on, my Emily. I am too greatly blest,-to have t

ppy, John?

showed only a little gray at the temples, his fine face was not touched

s reply came, it was none the less hearty and

an never be happy if there is a shadow of any so

his trouble that I he

t; I mean in

No,-a thousand times no! Trouble and I