1896.]
formed resolutions. Over a year had elapsed since he had been
graduated from Rychyster university. He had been unable to
secure a position, and what was more he had cared very little
about anything which might possibly draw his attention else
where, as long as he continued to be well received at the beauti
ful home of Cornelia Osmont.
Harry Burdette was now in his twenty-first year. Endowed
with a charming personality—a handsome, athletic looking fellow
with a frank, open manner—he had been very popular in college.
He had been, also, a zealous " frat;" man, indeed, it was at one
of those delightful social functions at the chapter house of his
fraternity, when he was a junior at Rychyster, and when she was
attending the Rychyster Park " Sem," that he first met Cornelia
Osmont, She being a resident of the same city, he had been
very attentive to her since that first meeting, and thus it was that
he was received with such favor at her home.
The purpose of Harry Burdette's call on this evening, however,
was vastly different from that of the ordinary. He was impelled
by motives on this particular evening which were to be, for him,
the making of an enviable career. He now fully realized that
although he might continue to be as greatly favored as in the
past he hadn't any reason to expect sincere encouragement, in
adequately equipped as he was for the battle of life. At the same
time he realized the folly of entering any worldly contest, intend
ing thereby to win fame or fortune, unless his armor was such that
would not be penetrable by the arrows of Eros. He had decided
that the safest provision against any such attack was to completely
hide himself for a period of years—to succeed, or if failure was
to be his fate that no one of those whom he now counted as
friends should be cognizant of such failure.
She was standing in the center of the drawing room and a
pleased, happy smile lighted up her face, which was as a mirror to
her heart. " I knew that was you by your step, Harry. How
good of you to come after the weary round of New Year's calls."
He took the hand she extended as she spoke, and with a squeeze
and a smile he said: " You know Corneliaj have been waiting
for this hour all day—and you ?" he said interrogatively. " I
am very glad to see you, Harry," and under his intense gaze her
face flushed slightly. " Cornelia," he continued, and there was
a manly ring in his voice which she could not help but admire;
One New Year's and Another.