rT-
THE HESPERIAN.
THREE COLLEGE GIRLS.
It was about the middle of March, and contrary to the usu
al law of nature, winter already seemed about to melt into
balmy spring. The sun shone brightly.and everything seem,
cd full of life and vigor. Filled by this regenerating spirit
three college girls met to discuss a scheme. At first glance
it could be seen that these girls were marked by quite differ
cut characteristics. Grace was small in stature, with ligh
hair, cut close in the true college girl fashion. One look in
to her eye was enough to tell that she was one of those gen.
tic, mischievous maidens who delight to vent their storcd-up
energy in perpetrating some innocent practical joke. Mattie
was larger. Nature had not blessed her in so marked a de
gree with a mild-, submissive disposition, but had endowed
her with a brilliant intellect. She was of rather a serious
mood and quite determined in her way of putting things.She
wore a pair of dark colored glasses. The '.third was called
Lulu. She was more thoughtful, but never failing to have a
remark ready for ony occasion. She was quite bold, but not
obtrusive just the girl whose sparkling eyes and merry
laugh would catch a new college boy. All were grinning with
delight, in contemplation of the plan they were about to per.
pclrate.
"I think this is just what we ought to do," said Mattie
with such a determined toss of her head that her glasses trcm
bled on their perch. "Thee boys think they can go with
anybody. I for one will teach them a thing or two. They
have the idea that a girl cannot go alone after sunset."
Grace burst into a hearty laugh and said, "Pcally, I think
it is nice of the boys to offer their company. Its dreadful to
go alone, but just for the oddity of the thing, wc will give
them the go-by this week."
Lulu thought a moment, then in her lively manner said,
"Well, girls I am in for it. I think I can stand it for once.
Won't the boys' eyes stick out when wc go ailing in alone?''
The three girls laughed heartily. They sprang up and
danced around the room until Lulu's best fellow's picture fell
from the mirror shelf. Lulu carefully replaced the picture
and said, "Hut what shall we wear?" This was a new idea
to Mattie. She took off her glasses and wiped them. Lulu,
who during the pause had glanced out of the window into
the sunny outdoor air, continued gaily, "O, girls, it is so
warm and lovely we can wear something light. Let us all go
down town and buy enough two-cent calico to make three
dresses."
"O, wont that be just boss?"cried Grace in great hilarity,
clapping her small white hands until they were sore.
Away they scampered, making so much noise that the
landlady thought her seven-year old son had tumbled down
stairs. Soon they returned, each with a bundle. After a lit
tle more discussion as to the style of cut, they parted with
the solemn injunction that the whoje scheme was to be kept
secret. Alasl A girl cannot keep a secret, any especially a
college girl. Mattie unintentionally gave it away. A few
of the college boys boarded at her home. Now when a lady
is making a dress the house is littered from top to bottom. A
piece of the skirt will be in the parlor on the sofa, the waist
with necessary lining will be on the dining room, while cut
tings may be found anywhere from the front yard to thekitch
en porch. So it was with Mattie's when the boys came to
dinner. They ventured a few questions and from the an
swers gathered that a scheme was on foot. A little more in
vestigation and two of the boys discovered the plan.
In".introducing these gentlemen it is necessary to give a
short description of each. One was a tall, wiry looking fel
low who takes great delight in scheming, and especially in
playing jokes on the fair co cds. The other one, who is Bob
for short, is rather quiet, but deep down in his soul is a secret
longing to do some meanness of a harmless nature. He and
the tall student had met and were discussing the matfer.
"I "would flunk willfngly in all my studies if I could do
something to spoil their scheme," said Bob to the tall stu
dent.
"Hob," said the tall student, "lam well aware that Mattie
would not hesitate a moment to throw a straw across an am
bitious fellow's path, even if sho had to go to society alone.
But I cannot understand why Lulu and Grace should have a
hand in this job."
"Whatever we do will have to be done up brown, because
Mattie is as sharp as a tack. Nothing escapes her eyes, even
if she does wear glasses. If she should catch us meddling
our heads wouldn't be .worth my chance for the presidency in
'92," said Bob.
The tall student ran his long bony fingers through his hair
and replied, "I know that, Bob. She is one of the smartest in
college and her good will may be worth something to a fel
low. But those three girls think they arc going to play
sharp. Wc must burst their game if it takes five dollars
worth of oysters to fix it up afterwards. I'll tell you what wc
will do. I'll steal that dress when we go to dinner. It is too
late now for her to make another before Friday evening."
Bob igrced to help. They-waited impatiently for the next
meal time. It came at last and the two boys walked rapidly
towards the boarding house, conversing in a low tone. They
found Mattie putting the last stitch in her dress. They sat
down to dinner and the young lady talked and laughed as if
she had succeeded in some .mportant matter, beyond her ex
pectations. Bob was more talkative than usual. The tall
student seemed to be in deep study and ate so rapidly that he
did violence to good manners. Mattie suggested as much
but he explained it by saying that he wished to get back to
his room and cram on French verbs. Bob filled his -mouth
with hot coffee to keep from laughing. His companion soon
finished. As he rose he winked to Bob who immediately be
gan a discussion with Mattie about the latest style of wear
ing bangs. The young lady, who was a ready talker, soon
did him up. In the mean time the tall student put on his ov
crcoat, stepped into the other room, with a quick, nervous
motion stuck the dress into his pocket, passed out as compos
edly as his nervous temperament would permit and skipped
for his room. Bob soon had enough dinner and debate
rose and left the house.
Two hours later a wild eyed co-ed might have been seen
rushing along the street towards the college building. She
made straight for Bob's place of business. Bob saw her com
ing, turned pale and trembled. Her voice as she spoke be
trayed a great deal of suppressed emotion. After a few random-like
remarks that no one but Bob could understand she
left, muttering threats of vengeance, She went straight to
the room of her two co-schcmcrs. She rushed in without rap
ping and found them standing facing each other, clad in their
new dresses, admiring the perfect fit which promised much
for the success of the scheme.
"O, Mattie, do hurry and try on your new calico," they
both cried at once. But one look at the disappointed face
told them something had happened. Grace's sympathetic
heart was touched and she asked in a serious tone "Why
what is the matter?"
"Some nasty, chicken-brained boy has stolen my dress,"
replied Mattie, stamping her No. 2 with rage.
Lulu smothered a rebellious giggle and asked, "How did
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