at a college where they are fortunate enough to enjoy the old dormitory system. To borrow articles of wearing apparel from each other is not at all unusual. Dress suits and patent-leather shoes are most frequently in demand. One young man at this college, whenever he went to call on a certain lady one fall, invariably drew on his chum for his light overcoat, which was much finer than his own. It was here that a student was discovered vainly endeavoring to crowd a number eight foot into the number six patent-leather pump of a friend. One man was present at this function who had not sufficient funds at his command to permit him to board out. He supplied himself with what he considered the necessities of life in his own. room at an expense so insignificant that it would seem ridiculous to many. He grew thinner and whiter as the years went by, but conquered at last, and lived to reap the reward of his noble selfsacrifice.

This party was given by the ladies of the group. There was an understanding that they were to manage the indoor gatherings, while the "walks" or "tramps" and the excursions by wagon and train, to say nothing of the sleighing parties in season, were to be in charge of the young men. The girls, feeling that they had the easier end of the burden, would sometimes steai a march on the boys in their particular domain. For instance, on one occasion, when there was to be an excursion by rail to a nearby place of note, the girls scurried to the station far in advance of the rest of the

party, and secured, not only their own tickets, but those for the whole company. In the present affair all the arrangements had been made in advance. To the girls it was a sort of a campaign, and they were the generals. It was decreed that every one must have a good time; there should be no exceptions. Hence it was arranged that they should take turn about in endeavoring to make. that "poor, bashful Mr. Schwartz have a good time." It was self-sacrificing and by no means easy; but when the evening was spent, they undoubtedly felt well and slept the better for it. Mr. Schwartz went home that night with a happy feeling in the region of his heart. As he crept into bed by the side of his sick brother, who had been unable to sleep, he told him that he had never spent such a delightful evening in his life, and that he felt he was making appreciable progress in social lines. Blessings on the girls!

A large part of the time was spent in conversation and singing. At times, when there was a lull, some especially brilliant conversationalist would entertain the whole company; at other times they would break up into little conversation groups. There is a decline in the ability, as well as the desire, to converse in these days. There ought to be a school to cultivate love for this lost art and skill in its use. An evening is voted dull if there is nothing but "talk," and there would be reason for this decision if it were the average "light talk" of the present. A truly bright, modest conversationalist is rare indeed. The men seem

especially at fault. But most of the young people in this circle were artists in this direction, unconscious of their art. A guest of Miss Bruce, a young lady from a distant State, was particularly impressed with the remarkable ability displayed this night, and she could not refrain from expressing herself. "I am not one of the class that are ever finding things abroad better than those at home, but an evening like this would be impossible where I live. The men would not submit to it."

"Why, just make them submit to it; that is the way we do here," was the laughing response of Miss Brighton.

"That is all very well for you to say. But how can we do it? We are human, and we want the young men to call; but unless we entertain them with cards or some novelty, they pronounce the evening a failure,-and soon we notice that their calls are falling off."

"Entertain them with music," suggested Miss Gould. "You know that music hath charms to soothe even the savage breast; surely it would be appreciated by your enlightened gallants."

"I was just going to remark that they do not care for much music, and then it is this wild, present-day kind, and the songs they applaud are the silly, nonsensical ones. Instrumental music always has one outcome-dancing. Our men will not talk; they wish to be amused and entertained like a parcel of children!"

Miss Hamilton became quite animated as she continued. It evidently was a delicate subject with

her, and if some of the society men of her own home could have seen and heard her then, they would not have felt complimented. This young woman spoke fluently four modern languages besides her own, having spent four years of her childhood abroad, and possessed skill and vivacity and knowledge enough to be at ease in the most intellectual circles.

"This may mean a deterioration of a part of the brain in certain classes of men, and it may account in part for their absence from church. Since their brain is at fault, the average Church service is too much like the one-sided conversation that is so distasteful to them."

"If the young women of your home are like yourself, Miss Hamilton, I do not admire the taste of the men." Kenneth was speaking. "They do not appreciate their privileges. Now, here we are compelled to talk once in a while-shall I say for self-defense?—and we have gotten so that we like it pretty well. But our happiness is greatest when we can sit quietly in some easy-chair while the girls do the talking."

"O, Mr. Kenneth!" (Chorus of girls' voices.) Thus the conversation ran. There were several good singers present, and the music was inspiring. About ten o'clock refreshments were served; then the old-time fun began. Many of the tricks of the Halloweens of long ago were indulged in with an abandon that would have done credit to a lot of children. When the hour came to depart, all were sorry, and there was not a single unpleasant

thought that went to bed with any tired one of them as a result of the evening's innocent fun.

But this was the last time that Walter Retlaw was ever included among the members of this charmed circle, for reasons that will develop. It was indeed a charmed circle, in which genuine, intellectual, social pleasures were enjoyed.

VI

Down town, in a little parlor over the icecream saloon most frequently patronized by the college students, was another affair. This was an informal dance and card-party combined. Some mild claret was served. It was gotten up by one "set" of town girls. They were not of the society class referred to previously, nor of the ordinary solid members of the community against whom the doors of said society were shut because money or family or time or some other requisite was wanting. They were not evil in their intentions; they were in no sense criminal nor bad at heart; they were simply frivolous. Their kind may be found in most localities; going to seed on the subject of dress; sometimes sensible in their behavior, but, in the company of the opposite sex, giggling and silly. They were of the class known in some places as the "giddy girls." Scott is the only one of our acquaintances included in this company. He was the favorite of the fair, fluffy-haired daughter of the dealer in frozen dainties.

The game here was poker with pennies. The