undations, he reared here a college that should live,
for that its builder himself with his feet on the ground and his face
toward the light had learned the secret of living.

Miles away across the valley, the dome of Sunrise could be seen by day.
By night, the old college lantern at first, and later the studding of
electric lights, made a beacon for all the open countryside. But if
the wayfarer, by chance or choice, turned his footsteps to those rocky
bluffs and glens beyond the Walnut River, wherefrom the town of Lagonda
Ledge takes its name, he lost the guiding ray from the hilltop and
groped in black and dangerous ways where darkness rules.

Above the south turret hung the Sunrise bell, whose resonant voice
filled the whole valley, and what the sight of Sunrise failed to do for
Lagonda Ledge, the sound of the bell accomplished. The first class to
enter the school nicknamed its head "Dean Funnybone," but this gave him
no shock any more. He had learned the humor of life now, the spirit of
the open land where the view is broad to broadening souls.

And it was to the hand of Dean Fenneben that Professor Vincent Burgess,
A.B., Greek instructor from Boston, and Vic Burleigh, the big country
boy from a claim beyond the Walnut, came on a September day; albeit, the
one had his head in the clouds, while the other's feet were clogged with
the grass roots.

CHAPTER II. POTTER'S CLAY

_This clay, well mixed with marl and sand,
Follows the motion of my hand,
For some must follow and some command,
Though all are made of clay_.
--LONGFELLOW

THE afternoon sunshine was flooding the September landscape with molten
gold, filling the valley with intense heat, and rippling back in warm
waves from the crest of the ridge. Dean Fenneben's study in the south
tower of Sunrise looked out on the new heaven and the new earth, every
day-dawn created afresh for his eyes; for truly, the Walnut Valley in
any mood needs only eyes that see to be called a goodly land. And it
was because of the magnificent vista, unfolding in woodland, and winding
river, and fertile field, and far golden prairie--it was because of the
unconscious power of all this upon the student mind, that Dr. Fenneben
had set his college up here.

On this September afternoon, the Dean sat looking out on this land of
pure delight a-quiver in the late summer sunshine. Nature had done well
by Lloyd Fenneben. His height was commanding, and h