IILLI'XS \V1LLBE CHMXUXS--DEV CAN'T GIT <;RO\VED ui> ix A MINIT." MANNIE BROWN That School Girl AND EDWARD KENNEDY That College Boy .fay. MILDRED RUTHERFORD Athens, Ga. Publishers. The Peter Paul Book Company 420 Main Street, Buffalo, New York. J896 COPYRIGHT, 1896 BY MILDRED RUTHERFORD. FKINTZD AMD BOUND BY I PBTKR PAUL BOOK COMPANY, UPPALO, N. V. J A -- (Enbh tlris storg unts turttten 7/7 PREFACE THIS little story must not be read with the expectation of finding anything beyond a few real experiences in school-girl and collegeboy life. They were told to entertain my Lucy Cobb girls in the hope of correcting certain habits of speech and manner which I had failed to reach by ordinary means. As it served its mission well, I have been persuaded to tell it to other young people. Nothing great has been attempted; it is a simple story, simply told. If it interests grown people it is more than is expected; that it can interest some young people has been proven by the requests for its publication. MILDRED RUTHERFORD. Athens. Ga.. Dec.. 1896. INDEX HANNIE BROWN, THAT SCHOOL GIRL. PAG* CHAPTER I. "Dat Chile," I CHAPTER II. "Aunt Polly," . 8 CHAPTER III. Old Lishy, . 12 CHAPTER W. Benton, .... IS CHAPTER V. School Days, 20 CHAPTER VI. Cranton, .... 26 CHAPTER VII. A Practical Joke, 33 CHAPTER VIII. Graduation, 4i CHAPTER IX. Inglehurst, . . . . 46 CHAPTER X. Danger Signals, 49 CHAPTER XL " Auld Robin Gray," 55 CHAPTER XII. Greenbrier White Sulphur, 59 CHAPTER XIII. Ed Rogers, .... 64 CHAPTER XIV. Charlie Spenser, 67 CHAPTER XV. Jealousy, . 7i CHAPTER XVI. Sorrow, .... 75 CHAPTER XVII. Convalescence, 79 EDWARD KENNEDY, THAT COLLEGE BOY. CHAPTER I. Home Life, 87 CHAPTER II. Edward Kennedy, . 92 CHAPTER III. Beautiful -Hearts, 98 CHAPTER IV. Julia Mclntosh, 104 CHAPTER V. The University of Georgia, 108 CHAPTER VI. The Serenade, 114 CHAPTER VII. Lucy Cobb Institute, 122 CHAPTER VIII. Thanksgiving Dinner, 129 CHAPTER IX. A Misunderstanding, 134 CHAPTER X. Holiday Joys, 138 CHAPTER XI. Storm Clouds, . 143 CHAPTER XII. Peace at Last, CHAPTER I. " DAT CHILE." M ANNIE BROWN brought a breath of life to Inglehurst which soon transformed the old place and its inmates into brightness and beauty. A petted and spoiled child from her birth, never having known restrictions of any kind, her guardian was immediately impressed with the fact that his sister would have her hands more than full in this responsibility thrust upon her. Martin Kennedy was a prominent lawyer of Millersburg, Ga. He was only twenty-one when his mothers death left him the sole protector of a younger sister. The father had ended his life in an asylum for the insane, so that the children felt while he had bequeathed them ample means, he had also bequeathed them inherited insanity. Their home was Inglehurst, a beautiful suburb of Millersburg. Everything that wealth and taste could do to beautify and adorn this home had been done. The brother and sister were great favorites in the neighborhood; they were unselfish ; they were charitable, and above all they were Christians. The poor knew where to find friends who not only said they sympathized with them, but who showed that sympathy by loving deeds. Mr. Kennedy had resolved as he stood by his mothers death-bed that no political honors, nor heart attachments should ever draw his thoughts from the care of this muchloved sister. It seemed singular then, that when his friend Edward Brown died, leaving to his guardianship a child of tender years, that he should have accepted the trust with out any apparent thought of the trouble that it would bring to this sister. Mr. Brown when dying said ; "I leave Mannie to your care and protection She will have more than is necessary for her support, so will only be dependent upon you for love. Advise her as you would a daughter. She is young and thoughtless, but her heart is right." He placed a sealed packet into his friends hand with the injunction to give it to his daughter as a wedding gift. After a few moments he passed away, and Mr. Kennedy only remained long enough to see him buried, and then returned to his home. Mannie had not been present when her father died. She was living with a maiden aunt who had taken charge of her at her mothers death, and at Miss Browns request it was agreed that she should continue that care as long as her strength would permit Several years had past when the news came that Miss Brown was dead. Nothing now remained but for the child to be placed under her guardians immediate care. Mr. Kennedy then for the first time realized the responsibility of his trust. When he told his sister the day that she might expect their charge, she reminded him of the fear of insanity ever present with her and advised him to make other arrangements. " It was stupid of me not to think of this," her brother THAT SCHOOL GIRL. 3 said, stooping to kiss her. "To tell the truth I never dreamed that circumstances would ever compel me to bring the child here. How can you ever forgive me, sister mine, for involving you in this trouble?" " I was not thinking of the trouble, Martin. I am willing to take any amount of that, if I can aid you in any way ; but do you think it wise with this threatened sorrow over our lives to have the care of any child ? " No, of course not. I was an idiot not to think of it." His sister watched him anxiously as he paced the floor rapidly. After a while she said smiling brightly, " Never mind, Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. When will the child come?" To-morrow at noon. So soon as that ? How old is she ? " " Why, she must be ten or eleven years old." " I thought her a mere baby by the way you spoke of her." "Well, Jennie, she is a baby, I suspect her father told me that she had never been controlled. This old aunt has indulged her and petted and spoiled her. I really fear that you will have a hard time." I hope she is not a tomboy. "Well," replied Mr. Kennedy laughing, "that is the very expression her father used. The next day Mannie came, and their worst fears were realized. She was full of impulses, and ungoverned in will and spirit. She had not been in the house one hour before Miss Kennedy said with a very grave shake of her head, "Very boisterous, and exceedingly rude." Mannie made herself at home in a short while, roaming over the house and grounds, making acquaintance with everything and every body about the place. " Aunt Polly" the cook, watching her as she went from place to place said, " Miss Jinny gwine to have hard times wid dat chile, sho;" but Aunt Lishy her mother, for whom Mannie had just drawn a bucket of water, replied, " Hush yer mouf, Polly; chilluns will be chilluns; dey cant git growed in a minit." Miss Jennie tried very hard to be patient, but the childs uncouth manners fretted her beyond endurance. She gave vent to some of her grievances one evening after Mannie had gone to bed. " Why, Martin, she actually doesnt know how to eat properly. Was Miss Brawn a lady ? If so, how could she allow her niece to grow up with such table manners 1 I really fear she will swallow her knife, for she puts it so often into her mouth ; she cuts her food as though she thought it would run away from her; she drinks her coffee with the spoon in the cup -- now you know none but a cracker would do that, and besides she makes a dreadful noise when she sips it. Did you hear what she said this morning when I pressed her foot as a reminder did you hear her say, Mind out, Miss Jennie, Ill step on your foot first thing you know ? Now what am I to do with the child ? I can not make her keep her finger nails dean nor make her brush her teeth regularly." Mr. Kennedy smiled at this list of Mannies failings in hopes of cheering his sister, and when she ceased he said, "Dont fret, Jennie, she will learn better. I remember mothers distress over my table manners. Dont scold her too much for you may lose your influence over her. Example is better than precept." I find the child very truthful, and that redeems many failings. I asked yesterday what had killed my young chickens. Pete answered that he supposed a hawk must have done it, when Mannie called out, No, a hawk didnt, Mr. Kennedy; I did it myself to see what their insides were made of. I scolded her, and told her she must never do it again, and instead of pretend ing that she would not, she answered saucily, Ill do it if I want to. I did not allow her to see that I heard her, so I quickly attacked Pete for chopping my apricot tree. She called out, Im the little George Washington you neednt be fussing at Pete. Mother used to say Give me a truthful boy and I can make a man of him, and I say, if Mannie is truthful we can make a woman of her." Several mornings after this as Mr. Kennedy walked down the avenue leading to the gate, Mannie rushed into his arms her hat was off, her hair was untied, and her skirt was ripped from the waist and dragging behind her. She was followed by Dash, the large Newfoundland dog, who dropping one of Mannies slippers from his mouth was rushing apparently to get the mate from her foot " Oh, my !" she screamed as she grabbed Mr. Kennedy and pulled him first this way and then that to put him between her and the dog. "Oh! dont let him catch me, please don't. Aint this fun, Mr. Kennedy?" And the dog evidently thought it was, for he was making desperate efforts to get at Mannies foot. " Oh, there he comes, there he comes ! " and she whirled Mr. Kennedy around and around so that the strong man became powerless in the hands of the laughing girl. 6 MANNIE BROWN, " Mannie, do let me go," he said as he tried in vain to unclasp her hands, but she laughed the more, and screamed the louder at the antics of the dog. Fortunately for Mr. Kennedy, and more fortunate still for the tails of his coat, a large dog passing by attracted the attention of Dash, and off he darted to make his acquaintance. The two advanced bristling and snarling. It was evident they had met before and had some old grudge to settle, for with a bound they sprang at each others throat. "Oh, dont let them fight, dont!" screamed Mannie. " It is that old hateful Thompson dog. He whipped Dash yesterday, and nearly bit his ear off. Oh, please, separate them, Mr. Kennedy, please ! " and she shook her guardian frantically. The dogs were now in full encounter, Dash first on top, then the other dog, with vociferous snarlings and snappings in turn. Finally the Thompson dog caught Dash by the throat, which forced him to relax his grip upon the ear, and over and over they rolled in the dust. Mr. Kennedy darted forward to strike them with his cane, but Mannie was before him. She seized the Thompson dog by the collar and was givir.g him some lusty blows with the heel of her slipper, when the old gate-keeper ran out and dashed a bucket of cold water upon the struggling parties. Mannie received her share of the buckets contents, and mistress and dog, drenched and dripping, went toward the house wiser and perhaps better for the fight The crowd that had collected to witness the scene dis persed, and Mr. Kennedy continued his way to the station. In his mind he was wondering what poor Jennie would ever THAT SCHOOL GIRL. 7 do with that child. And "poor Jennie" was at that moment having a contention with her over her dilapidated appearance. " You are entirely too old, Mannie Brown, to act in any such childish way. I am heartily ashamed of you." " Now dont say that, dearest," the girl retorted hurry ing toward her as though to embrace her in her muddy arms. Miss Jennie warded her off " And look at that dress !" " Thats all right its my dress, and theres plenty more where this came from." Tut, tut! child, where are your manners ? " In my pocket, I specs." Then seeing Dash she threw her arms around his dirty neck. " Didnt we have a good old time, doggie? Oh, it was too funny. Tell Miss Jennie about it, old fellow," and Dash rubbed his muddy self against Miss Jennies spotless dress in spite of her many remonstrances. CHAPTER II. "AUNT POLLY." THE next day Polly came rushing into the sitting-room, puffing and blowing ( for Polly was of no small dimensions) to pour forth her grievances to Miss Jennie. She was very much excited, and flourished in one hand a large iron spoon, while she held in the other a long hickory switch. When she could catch her breath she panted: " I declar to gracious, Miss Jinny, I aint a gwine to stan dat chile no longer, Ijest ain't. She is de mos tarnasiously spilte piece I ever is had anything to do wid. "What has Mannie been doing now, Polly?" asked Miss Jennie as she drew a long sigh. She done tuk all my cake batter, every smiggin, and fore I knowed it she done cooked it all up in dem egg shells, and she and Pete done eat it clean up. When I wants my cake batter, I says, says I, Whars my cake batter gone ter ? I wants no circumfrunsin now. Whar is it, I tell yer ? Den she rolls up dem big eyes of hern, and says she Aunt Polly, I lowed as how me an Pete done eat up dat cake batter. I jest picked up dis here hickry switch what I keeps for Pete, and I says, says I to her, Now you jest look here Mannie Brown, I aint gwine to be fooled wid no longer, and ef you and Pete dont leave dis here kitchen quick, Ise gwine to drap timber on yer sho, and I would THAT SCHOOL GIRL. 9 ha done it, Miss Jinny, I sholy would, fur Ise tired of dare foolishness. Mannie Brown is de onrudess chile dat ever I seed in all my born days." Polly left the room, her wrath somewhat cooled by having given vent to it in words. Miss Jennie very soon followed her, and in the hall met Mannie, and such a sight! The eggs and sugar were smeared all over her face and hands. She had caught up the egg shells filled with batter, when "Aunt Polly" threatened to "drap timber" on her, and had thrown them into her lap regardless of consequences. Miss Jennie reproved her severely and sent her to her room to remain until called. " Well, kiss me dearest, before I go," and ere Miss Jennie was aware, she had thrown one arm around her neck and kissed her with her sticky mouth. Then darting up the steps to avoid the slap she knew she well deserved, she ran to her room laughing merrily. Miss Jennie could not help loving the child, but was in despair as to the best means of disciplining her. When her brother came to dinner she rehearsed the scene for his benefit. He laughed heartily over the picture of Mannies appearance and Pollys wrath, but added, "She must be corrected for it for Polly may be tempted to strike her and that would never do." "Well, Martin, what am I to do? If I scold her she kisses me, and if I punish her she thanks me. I never saw such a child. I have told her not to go to the kitchen; she says, Yesm and then in the coolest way possible walks right in. She is so open and above board in her badness that I cant find it in my heart to be very severe" IO MANNIE BROWN, " She ought to be at school," said Mr. Kennedy, "but the term is so advanced I thought it best for her to wait. Suppose, Jennie, you teach her for the present" Miss Kennedy realized that it would be no easy task to teach Mannie, still to please her brother she said she would try. The next day the lessons were assigned. There were the reading and spelling, the geography and the arithmetic lessons. Miss Jennie unfortunately used the expression, "go over them carefully," when giving her directions to Mannie. Apparently the child went to work in earnest, and seemed a very biddable scholar. Miss Jennie was called from the room for a few moments, and turning suddenly saw Mannie in the yard. "Why have you left your work so soon?" she asked her. " Because I have finished, dearest." " Finished ? Why, my child, you have not had the time to go over one lesson much less four ." "I just declare I have been over them ten times," she said, standing with arms akimbo looking intently into Miss Jennies face. "Mannie!" "Maam?" " How could you, my child ? " " Why, lovely, I stepped over them. Ha, ha, ha, isnt that a grand old joke? " She turned on her heel and ran down the yard with Dash following her. When she returned she noticed Miss Jennies perplexed face. " Thats a good old way to learn, isnt it, Miss Jennie? " THAT SCHOOL GIRL. II " Oh, Mannie, I dont know what to do with you," she said despairingly. "Whip me, lovely, whip me. Thats the way to manage children. I am going to beat mine well." She gave Miss Jennie a real bear hug, saying, "I do love you so hard." The teaching the next day met with no better success, nor for many days following. Miss Kennedy tried to interest her in such books as Miss Alcotts, the Pansy books, Young Marooners or the Elsie Books but she would always ask, "Are they true?" If told they were not wholly true then she would say, " I wont read them then." She did become interested in "Tom Sawyer," but Miss Jennie regretted having urged her to read it, for she became the victim of as many practical jokes as were ever played by Tom upon his unsuspecting Aunt Polly. CHAPTER III. OLD LISHY. O LD LISHY, Pollys mother, was taken suddenly very ill. Polly ran, out of breath for Miss Jennie. " Fur de Lords sake, Miss Jinny, come quick, mammy is a dyin! She is powerful bad off. Shes done tuk wid one ov dem conniption fits, and has a misery in her side, and de tonsils in her throat. Shes bound to die fore she gits through. Oh, Lordy, Miss Jinny, run quick ! " Miss Kennedy threw down her work and followed Polly as fast as she was able. Mannie outran both and was rub bing the old negro when Miss Jennie and Polly reached the cabin. "Bring some hot water, as quickly as possible," Miss Kennedy said as soon as she saw the condition of old Ltshy. Polly stood as one dazed; it was Mannie who rushed for the water. When she reached the kitchen, the kettle was empty: quick as thought she filled the tub with cold water and jerking off the hot stove lids she threw them into the water. The steam nearly scalded her hands and face, but nothing daunted, she ran with the tub to the cabin. The water was hot if not clean and it saved Lishys life. Mannie thought no more about the matter, but "Aunt Polly" did. Her sharp eyes saw the burnt hands and the THAT SCHOOL GIRL. 13 scorched apron. She told Mr. Kennedy about it a few days afterward, "to splain to him," as she said, "dat dat chile want no fool. She has a plenty ov good hard common sense horse sense I calls hit." Fright had threatened to bring on one of Miss Jennies attacks once before her mind had given way, and she had been sent to the Asylum, so her brother carefully guarded her from anything exciting. He now became seriously alarmed about her, and felt a change of some kind was imperative. "Ill send Mannie to boarding school and Ill insist upon Jennies entering her." With this thought in his mind he sauntered towards the orchard, his hands in his pockets, a favorite position of his, wondering how Mannie would like the new arrange ment. Just as he passed under a large apple tree, he was struck violently and almost stunned. He threw both hands to his head and staggered as he did so. Mannie sprang from the tree above, and pulling his hands from his face said, " I didnt mean to throw so hard, honor bright I did not. I thought it would be so funny to hit your nose, you did look so consequential" and the little witch began to laugh. " I see no fun in having ones nose hit, I must say." " Oh, thats because its your nose; if it was mine you would you have such a good nose to aim at. I wish I had hit it" Mr. Kennedys temper was somewhat ruffled by this time. 14 MANNIE BROWN, If you have nothing better than this to do I think it full time that I should find you something. You may prepare to go to school," " Well, Ill not go to school, thats all there is about it." "As your guardian Ill see to that." " Guardian or no guardian, Im not going to school. Do you hear me?" She moved nearer to him and gently stroked his nose as she was speaking. " Does your nose hurt? " " Marmie, you mustnt speak so to me." " Well, then does your proboscis pain you ? " Mr. Kennedy, pretending not to notice her last remark, said, "And the sooner you go the better." "All right, good-bye," and she darted from him across the orchard. In a few moments he heard her calling to Dash and they passed in full pursuit of a rabbit " Sic him, sic him, old fellow." She tripped and rolled over and over in the grass. Mr. Kennedy started towards her, thinking she was hurt, but she was soon on her feet pursuing the rabbit again. She is ahead of anything dreamed of in heaven or earth. I really feel sorry for Jennie." CHAPTER IV. BENTON. W HILE Miss Kennedy highly approved of the plan of sending Mannie to a good boarding school, she refused to take her herself, so Mr. Kennedy was forced to doit. On account of the reputation for strict discipline, he selected " The Young Ladies French and English School" at Benton, and after all arrangements had been made he notified Mannie that they would leave the following Thurs day. He expected her to make some objections, but to his surprise she did not. She went around that morning tak ing leave of everything on the place. She put her arms around Dashs neck and patted and patted him. " Dear old doggie, youll miss me, wont you? Dont forget your mistis, hear?" And Dash in true dog-fashion wagged his tail to tell her he never would forget her. Then she went to tell old Lishy good-bye, and she climbed the apple tree and swung her feet as she sang, " Nobody knows de trubble I sees, De trubble I sees, Nobody knows, and nobody cares." Then she went to the kitchen to beg " Aunt Polly " to send her a box of cake " A great big box, ' Aunt Polly, and I IS 16 MANNIE BROWN, promise you Ill never steal cake batter again." And when Aunt Polly promised, she charged Pete to keep her well reminded of it. " Mannie, Mannie, youll be left, come on," called Mr. Kennedy. " Ill be glad of it" she answered, as she hurried to Miss Jennies room. Miss Kennedy although glad to be relieved of the care of the child, could not help crying when the moment came to part with her. Mannie too, seemed very sorry to leave her. After kissing her good-bye and getting to the door, she darted back for a farewell squeeze then hurried to the pony phaeton where Mr. Kennedy was impatiently awaiting her. Polly watched them from the kitchen window, and Miss Jennie heard her say as she wiped her eyes on the corner of her apron: "Ef she is a bad chile, Ill miss her all de same. I sholy is sorry to see her go. I done miss her already," and she sat down in a chair and began to cry. When a few moments afterwards Pete came in and said, Sic ye, mammy, whats yer cryin fur ? She gave him a sound box on the ear and said, I aint cryin bout nothin. I aint a-thinkin bout cryin bout nothin. Some niggers are mighty aggervating." Neither Mr. Kennedy nor Mannie seemed inclined to talk during the drive. When they reached Millersburg and he was helping her from the phaeton he noticed that her shoe was unbuttoned. " Button your shoe, Mannie. That looks careless." Mannie immediately proceeded to button it, and while in a stooping position looked up into his face and asked, " Mr. THAT SCHOOL GIRL. IJ Kennedy, did you know you had a freckle on your nose ? " " Oh, do, Mannie, be serious !" "Well, I am serious. Bless life if there isnt Old Mary Iverson ! I despise her. She told a story on me once. I wonder where she is going. " Where did you ever know her ? " her guardian asked. "She lived next to Aunties. Her father looks after mens soles." " Do you mean that he is a minister?" " Oh, dear no, he is a shoemaker." When they were seated in the train, Mannie nodded her head in the direction of a young man sitting opposite to them, who was staring rudely at her. " Why did he move there? I wish he would change his seat." Mr. Kennedy said : He has as much right to sit there, as you have to sit here," and he frowned and shook his head reprovingly. It had no effect upon her however, for she continued, " Mr. Kennedy, did you know that it only takes two feet to make one yard." " No, nor you either." "Well, I didnt know it until to-day," and she fastened her eyes upon the feet across the aisle. There is nothing like having a good understanding, is there?" " Hush, Mannie ! " Mr. Kennedy said in a low but stern voice. " He nose a good deal too, dont he?" and she stroked her nose as she spoke. At this the young man moved his seat. 18 MANNIE BROWN, " That jarred the baby !" " Mannie, thats slang, and it is horrid ! " exdaimed her guardian greatly shocked. " But it is so expressive. Mr. Kennedy before you be came soproperish did you use slang? " No, and I am sure you would not if you knew the origin of these expressions. " I verily believe Mary Iverson is chewing gum." " Do you add that to your accomplishments ?" he asked in a sarcastic tone. "I m no goat. I am going over to talk to Mary Iverson. " I thought you said that you were angry with her? " " Well, I am, but I am just dying to know where she is going. Good-bye." "Consistency thou art a jewel ! " "I didnt say her name was Consistency ! It is Mary Iverson," she retorted with a mischievous shake of her head as she left her seat. The two girls chatted as though they were the most inti mate of friends, and Mr. Kennedy sat watching them, and thinking about school girls in general, and Mannie Brown in particular. In a short while he picked up his paper and began to read and was soon oblivious to all around him. Mannie found that Mary Iverson was going to Benton also. Indeed this was her second term there and she was now returning from a short visit home. She did not like the school very much, but would not say anything to preju dice Mannie against it. It was almost dark when they reached Benton. It was amusing to notice how Mannies spirits flagged as they approached the school. THAT SCHOOL GIRL. 19 " Lets turn around and go back," she said, putting her hands on Mr. Kennedys shoulders and looking him full in the face. "Ill studyjust as hard, and Ill bejust as good. I dont want to go to school! " "Too late now; you should have thought of that before." " Well, Im not going to study one bit." " Theyll send you home if you dont." "Oh, that will suit me to a t. How soon will they send?" CHAPTER V. SCHOOL DAYS. MR. KENNEDY became convinced that he had made a mistake in the selection of a school for his ward. He was not pleasantly impressed with Madame Froissartt, with her teachers, nor with the atmosphere of the school. There was an air of affectation about everything, and the catalogue had misrepresented in many particulars. His first impulse was to take Mannie home the next day, but he felt that would be unjust to the school. First impressions are not always lasting, so he determined to make a trial of it Poor Mannie was utterly miserable. She begged and pleaded to be taken home; she told her guardian many things that had been told to her. His reply was, School girls are sensational, you cant trust all they say. Things may turn out all right. At any rate we must try it for a while. Write to me next week, and I warrant youll be better pleased." "Well, Im going to do something dreadfzil and get expelled." Mannie saw there was no moving him so she urged the point no further. Her guardian really felt sorry for her, she seemed so unhappy. When he left she wanted to have a good cry, but pride kept her eyes dry. She went imme diately to the Assembly Hall where the girls stood chatting in groups. ao THAT SCHOOL GIRL. 21 Some clustered about Mannie, thinking as she was not crying she promised more fun than the other new girls. Mary Iverson had told them who Mannie was, and how rich she was, so that they had been duly impressed. . What society will you join ? asked a bold, coarse girl. " Of which are you a member?" followed quickly from Mannie. " Oh, Im a Zeta Chi," she replied, winking at the other girls as she spoke. " Then I shall join the other." This reply brought a roar of laughter from the girls. "You feel cheap, dont you, Florence?" "Whos to be your room-mate?" asked some one near. " I hope Mary Iverson, as I know her," Mannie replied. " Mary Iverson !" and the exclamation was accompanied by an expressive shrug of the shoulders which did not pass unnoticed by Mannie or Mary. Two girls who seemed to be leading spirits in the school, judging from their dress and bearing, called Mannie aside and confided to her that she would make a great mistake to choose Mary Iverson as a room-mate. "Why?" asked Mannie. " Well, we advise you not to do it." "Isnt she a nice girl? Isnt she honorable, isnt she neat, isnt she well-mannered. ? In other words, isnt she a lady?" "Oh, yes, shes all that, but " and then came that indefinable shrug of the shoulder meaning a great deal, yet committing itself to nothing. 22 MANNIE BROWN, But what ? urged Mannie, indignant at this pretended honesty. "Well, Mary Iverson you know is not tony. She doesnt belong to our set you know." "How do you know to what set I belong? My father may be a hog drover for all that you know." " Well, Mary Iversons father is a shoemaker of quite obscure birth, and is so poor that relatives are educating Mary for a teacher. It will never do for you to room with her. It will ruin you with our set" " Now- look here," said Mannie, " how far back can you trace your family ? to the gallows I bet. You have no right to be abusing an honest girl so. I know Mary Iversons father, and no cleverer man lives. It is true he is a shoe maker, but he is an honest one. He is a gentleman too, and Mary is a lady. I can never be harmed by room ing with a good and pure girl. Auntie taught me this years ago. Only those who are uncertain of their social standing have to be so overparticular. It was a study to watch the expression on the faces of the two girls. While Mannie did not like Mary Iverson per sonally she determined to room with her at all hazards now, and she did.