haw.

Walter nodded.

"Mighty handsome girl. Hope she'll visit you some time," said Van Shaw,
as he picked up the photograph and started to pass it around among the
other fellows.

There was something so offensive in the tone and manner of Van Shaw that
Walter, who was standing near him, intercepted the picture before anyone
in the room could take it. He put it back into its place without a word.
Van Shaw laughed.

"Say, maybe she isn't your sister, either. That makes me think," and
before Walter could realise what he was doing, Van Shaw had begun a
questionable story, while the group in the room sat and lounged around
with looks of anticipated amusement.

Walter Douglas will never forget that scene and his part in it if he
lives a hundred years. Van Shaw was leaning up against the dresser, in a
vain way mindful of the impression he was about to make, when Walter
interrupted him. Walter was very pale and what he said came from lips
that trembled with a mingling of anger, and fear of the result.

"Wait! I would rather you would not tell that story in my room."

Van Shaw could not have been more astonished if Walter had pointed a gun
at him. The rest of the company simply stared in the most profound
silence at Walter. Ten or fifteen seconds ticked away. Then Van Shaw,
who had turned very red in the face, said, slowly: "I don't know as you
have anything to say about this. I don't intend to let a good story go
untold."

"You don't tell it here in my room."

"I don't? Who will prevent it?"

"I will."

Van Shaw turned a little toward Walter. Douglas was smaller, shorter,
and of lighter build in every way than himself. But he was in the real
point of vantage, in his own room. The other students did not seem
disposed to take any sides in the matter. But one of them said: "Oh, cut
it out, Van, if Douglas doesn't like it. A fellow has a right to say
what he wants in his own room. It's only a matter of taste anyhow."

Van Shaw looked at Walter savagely. Then he sauntered across the room.

"Come out in the hall, fellows, and I'll finish there. This air is too
pious for my health."

Some of the boys laughed, and three or four fellows followed Van Shaw
out. The rest stayed. When the door shut on Van Shaw, one of the older
students, who had been silent throughout, walked up to Walter and shook
hands with him. Then the rest of the group followed. Not a word was said
by anyone. These youths, some of them already harden