"  Hallo,  old  chap,"  said  a  voice  in  a  church
whisper,  "come  in  with  us!  If  there  isn't
room  in  our  pew  there  always  is  in  the  one
ahead."

It  was  Ned  Bliss  and  with  him  were  all  of
the  Bliss  family ;  little  Mrs.  Bliss  smiled  be-
nignly, and  said,  "  How  do  you  do,  Mr.  Hart,"
in  a  very  concise  whisper."  Mr.  Bliss  mumbled
something  beneath  his  breath  as  he  shook
hands,  while  the  young  lady  nodded  in  a  very
friendly  fashion.
The  church  was  crowded  and  as  the  party
filed  into  the  little  pew,  it  was  seen  that  it


228  A  Princetonian.
already  had  two  occupants  ;  there  was  scarcely
room  for  either  Ned  or  Hart.  This  the  former
saw  at  a  glance,  and  taking  his  friend  by  the
arm,  he  said,  "  Room  in  the  next  pew,"  pushed
him  forward,  and  followed  after  him.
As  Newton  sat  down  some  one  spoke  at  his
side.  "  I  'm  very  glad  to  see  you,"  said  a  low
voice."  He  repressed  a  very  strong  inclination
to  spring  to  his  feet.  The  words  sent  the
blood  hot  to  his  temples.  Turning  quickly  he
saw  that  Madge  Hollingsworth  was  beside  him
— smiling  a  welcome.
As  the  organ  stopped  playing  the  proces-
sional march  a  stir  and  fluttering  of  fans  was
plainly  audible,  but  it  seemed  to  Newton,  as
he  arose,  that  above  everything  he  could  hear
the  beating  of  his  heart.  His  fingers  fairly
trembled  as  he  took  a  light  hold  of  the  corner
of  the  prayer-book  that  Miss  Hollingsworth
extended.  Her  name  was  printed  in  gold
letters  on  the  cover ;  he  could  not  take  his
eyes  off  it  and  read  it  over  again  and  again.
