“Many young men attending the University had sisters at a magnificent seminary but two miles from town. “And as the yearly gymnastic exercises of our college were about to commence, evening drill was often patronized by the fair, so that the University grounds presented a gay and animating appearance during the beautiful evenings of May and June. “Templeton had been elected chief of the gymnasts this year, and in his blue uniform, faced with red and gold, presented a fine appearance; so that there was more than one pair of eyes among the ladies who watched his movements with interest. “At the end of gymnastic drill, which had been witnessed and much applauded by the fair, an old gentleman advanced to Templeton, and presented a bouquet. “This was nothing unusual, for the ladies seemed to take delight in pelting flowers at us as we filed past them. But, as he took the nosegay from the old man, Templeton perceived a young girl laughing and blushing among a knot of her schoolmates, who were apparently joking her. “‘I never saw her before; she is very pretty. I will make her acquaintance if I break my neck over it,’ thought Tom. “Templeton went into town that evening, and returned to his rooms very late. “He was musing in his chair at the window, gazing at the moon, and puffing out volumes of cigar smoke. “In a week the gay fellow seemed to have changed his nature. “He was thoughtful, absent in manner, and seldom touched his books. “Instead of trespassing upon the privacy of the president’s gardens at evening, he was often found strumming a guitar, and singing snatches from various operas. “Months passed away, and none could account for his change of manner. “He was thin, pale, thoughtful, soft in voice and manner, and juniors whispered one to another that he was ‘heavily in debt;’ ‘the uncle refused to come up.’ “Others, rather lazy students themselves, would sigh, and say, ‘Just as I told you; _now_ you see the effect of “Nights with Homer and Demosthenes!” he is in a galloping consumption!’” “The lodge-keeper, that terrible portly official with the clanking keys, who frowned on little boys, and slammed the gates with a triumphant bang of self-importance; that awful, lace-trimmed gentleman, and bottomless depository of college secrets, said nothing, but sighed heavily, stroked his red nose ominously, and remarked— “‘Some folks is wise, and some isn’t. I hasn’t been here a matter of more nor forty year without knowing that much; and if you’re well up in your Greek you’ll know better nor I can tell yer, _werbum sap._, as Homer very nicely remarks.’ “And with that, went into his lodge, closed the door, and smoked his pipe. “It must be confessed _I did_ wish to know what the matter was with Tom. “He had always befriended me since entering college, and usually informed me of all his affairs. “But during the past few months his conduct had been so much unlike his former self that I felt offended and annoyed.