10
THE HESPERIAN
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AN OPPORTUNE DISCOVERY.
Thoy were walking slowly down tho co
educational sidewalk toward Nebraska Hall.
It was Friday evening, but rather than
mingle with the madding crowds in tho
socioty halls, thoy had decided to wander to
and fro in tho creamy moonlight, and dis
cuss tho eternal meanings of things.
For a time neither spoke, but at last tho
voice of Yallombrosa Vincent broke tho
silence.
"From day to day, De Poyster," she said
solemnly, "it comes over me more and
more that man is but a bundle of qualities.
Ever since we felt thus prompted to round
out our psychological accomplishment by ex
cursion into the realm of metaphysics, I have
pondered daily over those profound truths,
and their sequences, to which life and the
Human Soul give rise. And more and more
have I been brought to tho conclusion that
only in the doctrine of pure objectivity can
we look for enfranchisement."
"Yes, Vallombrosa," said Mr. Charles
De Poyster Thompkinson, "tho whole of
speculative philosophy talks of nothing else.
As I have so often told you, unillumined by
this Theory, all ideas and principles efface
themselves as waves upon the sea, or as.
dew before the summer sun."
Here Mr. Charles De Pe'yster Thomkinson
paused to give a moment to self-introspection.
Buoyed up by the ease and nobleness
with which she supported her end of the lofty
discussion, and influenced perhaps by the
creaminess of tho moonlight and tho bracing
keenness of tho atmosphere, Mr. Charles Do
Peyster Thompkinson grew more and more
converted, and rejoiced to recognize that all
his doubts and hesitation as to Vallombrosa's
worthiness were vanishing. But he would
not be hasty. He would hold out one more
test.
"It is true," said Mr. Charles Do Peyster
Thompkinson, "that only in objectivity can
wo see man adequately revealed. But there
remains tho question of his attributes and
destiny."
"His destiny?" she responded excitedly,
"what should it bo but Nirvana? Has not
tho great pessimist said that happiness is a
chimera, and suffering a reality? That only
in impersonality, contemplation, and tho ne
gation of will is there refuge from annihila
tion?" Pride and decision shone from every
featuro of the mobile, thoughtful face of Mr.
Charles De Peyster Thomkinson. He was
confident now that Yallombrosa Yincont was
worthy. Ho had tried her in the balance
and she had been found not wanting. He
would examine himself no further. Ho would
proceed with caution; but delay would Jbe
useless, and considering her magnetism with
the canaille, dangerous.
"1 believe you, Rosa," said Mr. Charles
Do Poyster Thomkinson, slowly glancing
up through the creamy mooonlight, and rest
ing his eyes on the yellow, buttery disk of
the moon itself. "I believe you, but we
have now reached that stage where another
doctrine should claim our attention, the
doctrine of affinity, a doctrine which, as
Goethe has said before me, demands most
rigid consideration on the part of the 'ego.'
Have you ever experienced, I wonder, out
in your distant home, that unutterable sense
of the loneliness, of the emptiness of life, that
sometimes hangs over a man in his work, in
tho class room, in society? Have you ever
known what it was "
Mr. Charles De Peyster Thomkinons went
no farther for the moment. They had now
approached tho main building, and he was
startled to see students pouring out of tho
door in crowds. He had not dreamed it
was so late. But what riveted his attention
was tho sight of Fuchsia Foxworthy tripping
gayly down the steps in company with his
friend, Frederick Flunkington, Jr.
Mr. Charles De Poyster Thompkinson
started, and felt a thrill. "Can it be possi
ble," ho questioned himself hurriedly, "that
my affinity is for Fuchsia and not Rosa?
Until this moment, I had supposed that
Fuchsia and I were mutually repellent, but
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