Whispering Tongues

tumult. Half a dozen students spoke to him on the way, but he did not answer them. He could see nothin

o so if he had known how deeply his own son was involved in the mischief? It was plain

centered, not on Van Loan, who had betrayed hi

he flame of his resentment. His indignation was so great that it had not yet even occurred

, ready to strike out savagely at anything and eve

ee seated at his table. Certainly no meetin

"I've just heard that absurd story about father's

just happened, and Parmenter was not quite ready to tell him. He replied with force

go if I'd been bright enough to take the hints I've had, and catch the m

do you think of it, now th

speratingly cool

ation in fact or not. At any rate, any suggestion that father could have had any other object in view than to sustain hi

s criticism and opposition? It occurs to me, for instance, that you were about as active in the rus

armenter's speech cut deeply, but he k

o anyone, especially to me. And I repeat that he has nothing agains

eliberately, "have heard him sp

hat do y

ur he has charged me with being bru

," stammered Lee, "some mis

r and walking the floor savagely. "He did it knowingly, de

pon Lee's mind. "Was it a

else to bully me for. It was his last chance

g in Parmenter's breast was begi

in. He was making an effor

hobby, if he has one, and you should make allowance for what he says in his excitement. Bu

say plainly that there seems to be a powerful effort in some qua

are besid

o else is summoned before the faculty for hazing Van Loan, and browbeaten, abused, and insulted? Are you, for instance? Tell me! Had you less to do with that aff

th passion. He strode up and

of danger in it now. "If Van Loan has betra

my doubts whether I was indebted to

Parmenter knew it; but his rage was runni

d Lee. "You know it's not t

outed Parmenter, angrily.

an ingrate, and I shall not

tempt to detain you

rown close and sweet between these young men through two ye

It was the cruellest blow his life had ever known. He would never have dreame

te where his steps were tending. He looked up finally, and found himself in front of President Mathe

n why one should suffer and not both. I will do it, and do it now, while I have t

was bidden to enter. The members of the faculty were still in the room, discussing Parmenter's

that I took part in the hazing

ors stared at him in o

" said the preside

Charley, "anyone else receives for th

" he said, "for coming to us with this voluntary statement. Is the

her, who sat dumb with amazement and grief, "except that

to leave the room, and would have stumbled and fallen had no

Van Loan case. The matter was discussed freely at the dinner tables, on the campus, and in the sections; and opi

letter for him. He delivered it with a few courteous words, and retired as quie

College

red B. P

min E. Van Loan on the night of April 12th. We greatly deprecate so serious a breach of college discipline. We desire to be as lenient

more prize of the present year; and that the competition for honors and prizes in your Junior year be

with

E. Mather,

E. Hagerman,

city, and the distant river to the far-off western hills. They were simply a dark, uneven

the manuscript of his oration now, or burn it up as he chose; he would

and doubtful fun! To be cut off from the prize stage with the hi

in his success. He would have to write to them now that they need n

his hopes and ambitions in oratory. He did not see how

be the golden opportunity, the exhilaration of oratory, the admiration of t

in the clear expanse. Below the horizon there was nothing but dark

vening scene as this. His lips began to quiver, and his eyes to fill with tears. He turned back into the ro

tears had not the effec

nd bitter toward Professor Lee as before; this feeling, strang

f the day before had settled that; and while, in his own mind, he knew that he had

o leave his room until night, nor to converse with a

e corner of South College to go into the chapel, he saw a crowd of student

ed at and commented on, he decided to pass directly to his room. When he was

the final strokes, but Robi

nter already knew all about

Parmenter in surprise

Loan business, you

gave hi

after they got through with you, and accused himself-made a

was too deeply moved to spea

hoes, though I don't know why we need to; you and Charley won't give us away, and Van Loan c

care now," replied Parmenter, i

round liar you can't believe him. Say, Fred, when you're sure of it just let us know; and

cross the campus, and entered the chapel o

d confessed-and had been cut! Parmenter wondered what moti

he only one to suffer. He did not know that he had much sympathy to wa

nd over again without remembering a word that was printed on them. D

city. At the college gate he came suddenly upon Lee, who was walking up alone. H

ced that his face was pale and ha

er, and seemed about to speak; but in a moment he changed his mind, for when Parmenter stopped in hi

the campus, or the street, they had for each other nothing beyon