10
THE HESPERIAN
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i
li
AN OPPORTUNE DISCOVERY.
"1
Thoy wore walking slowly down tho co
educational sidownlk toward Nebraska Hall.
It was Friday evening, but rathor than
mingle with tho madding crowds in tho
socioty halls, they had docided 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 broko tho
silence.
"From day to day, Do Poyster," sho said
solemnly, "it comes over mo moro and
more that man is but a bundle of qualities.
Ever since wo felt thus prompted to round
out our psychological accomplishment by ex
cursion into tho realm of metaphysics, I have
pondered daily over those profound truths,
and their sequences, to which life and tho
Human Soul give rise. And moro and moro
have I been brought to tho conclusion that
only in tho doctrine of pure objectivity can
wo look for enfranchisement."
"Yes, Vallombrosa," said Mr. Charles
Do 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 tho sea, or as.
dow before tho summer sun."
Here Mr. Charles Do Poyster Thomkinson
paused to give a moment to self-introspection.
Buoyed up by tho ease and nobleness
with which sho supported her end of the lofty
discussion, and influenced perhaps by tho
creaminesa of tho moonlight and tho bracing
keenness of tho atmosphere, Mr. Charles Do
Peystor Thompkinson grow moro and more
converted, and rejoiced to recognize that all
his doubts and hesitation as to Vallombrosa's
worthiness were vanishing. But ho would
not be hasty. He would hold out one moro
test.
"It is true," said Mr. Charles Do Poyster
Thompkinson, "that only in objectivity can
we see man adequately revealed. But there
remains tho question of his attributes and
destiny."
'His doBtiny?" sho responded oxcitodly,
"what should it bo but Nirvana? Has not
tho groat pessimist Baid that happiness is a
chimora, and snfforing a roality? That only
in imporsonality, contemplation, and tho ne
gation of will is thoro rofugc from annihila
tion?" Prido and decision shono from ovory
featuro of tho mobilo, thoughtful face of Mr.
Charles Do Poyster Thomkinson. Ho was
confident now that Yallombrosa Yincont was
worthy. Ho had tried her in tho balance
and she had been found not wanting. Ho
would examine himself no further. Ho would
proceed with caution; but dolay would Jbo
useless, and considering her magnetism with
tho canaille, dangorous.
"I believe you, Rosa," said Mr. Charles
Do Poyster Thomkinson, slowly glancing
up through tho creamy mooonlight, and rest
ing his eyes on tho yellow, buttery disk of
tho moon itself. "I believe you, but we
have now reached that stage whore another
doctrine should claim, our attention, tho
doctrine of affinity, a doctrine which, as
Goethe has said before me. demands most
rigid consideration on tho part of tho 'ego.'
Have you over 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 over
known what it was "
Mr. Charles Do Poyster Thomkinons wont
no farther for the moment. Thoy had now
approached tho main building, and he was
startled to see students pouring out of tho
door in crowds. Ho had not dreamed it
was so late. But what riveted his attention
was the sight of Fuchsia Foxworthy tripping
gayly down tho steps in company with his
friond, Frederick Flunkington, Jr.
Mr. Charles Do Peystor Thompkinson
started, and felt a thrill. "Can it bo 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 ropollont, but
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