an unhappy joke it was just before commencement in 189 — . the junior class of the university had decided to give a dance on the last friday night before the vacation invitations were distributed among the pupils on the previous kyiday evening at the dismissal of school so those interested in such jollifications were inspired with pleasing thoughts on their homeward walk fan and daisy were not lacking in their share of inspiration they were aching for a time and were never tired of carrying out their tricks for a little innocent fun as they termed it their t-teps quickened and daisy fairly danced along as itan suggested this and other funny little things they stood on the corner a few minuies then parted having decided to have something planned before monday morning monday came fan and daisy had been tog'ether as much as usual since we left them friday night and were ready to put their joke to the test they had contrived to send irene a note asking her to accompany an drew — to the dance daisy was to put the note in one of irene's books so that she would be sure to get it during the day the opportunity came at noon daisy was rather timid but urged by fan she hurriedly laid it where it was sure to be found before night daisy's heart beat a little faster than usual but was soon quieted on rejoining fan who had been watching all the while they hurried out of the room complimenting each other on their part of the play their faces flushed a little as they met irene just returning irene went to her seat little dreaming of the germ of bitterness that perhaps lay before her she was a very quiet unassuming girl but possessed many good qualities that go to make up a lady fan and daisy looked in vain all day for some expression on irene's face showing she had discovered the letter it was not until late that night that the note was found by irene short ly before her time to retire imagine if you can her surprise on opening and reading the acorn — page 2 miss irene please excuse my boldness but i shall consider it the kindest favor if you will g'rant me the pleasure of your company to the dance friday night anxiously andrew p.s please reply by mail could it be possible wasn't she dreaming true they had been ac quainted as schoolmates for more than a year but there had been nothing but friendship between them he was so much above her socially and financially surely the gulf was too wide between them it couldn't be after gazing on the dyiug embers in the grate for some time she laid that uncertain message in her bible where she had found it closed the book pressed it to her breast placed it again on the table aud retired fan and daisy fancied the following day that the anxiously awaited chauge in irene's countenance had come but could they have looked into the innermost recesses of her soul and beheld the contending passions of faith and fear there would have been no room in their minds for doubt could fan have seen but a short distance into the future and beheld the outcome of her innocent fun she would have shuddered at the thought of trifling with one whom she unconsciously adored she encountered him at every possible op portunity and especially in the presence of irene irene herself would have liked to speak to andrew but that gulf was still between them her courage was not sufficient to span it and then her reply must be by mail why why did he deliver his in such a manner and request her to reply by mail what could it mean if he really meant it why didn't he by some act or look or word show it oh the suspense but love will find the way.1 wednesday came and irene had sent no answer her parents were too far away to be consulted ia time but she had prayed earnestly for guidance she watched and waited anxiously during thursday for some satisfac tion from andrew but it came not on reaching home she concluded there was some justifiable reason for his peculiar actions so taking out his note she wrote beneath it