Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the cloister.djvu/127



HEN Katherine Randolph was graduated at the early age of seventeen, she bore away from St. Mary's the "Cross of Honor," the "Crown," and the worshipful regard of her twenty girl classmates.

The "Cross of Honor" was awarded for her general record as a student and an honor to the institution. The "Crown" fell on her brow to attest her mastery of the field of knowledge known as Christian doctrine.

Miss Randolph wore both the cross and the crown on Graduation day, but in the evening laid the latter and her ribbon-tied valedictory away with a few fitting tears. The cross she continued to wear, at first on the gold neck-chain then in fashion, and later as a pin. She was careful not to lose it, for in addition to its associations and sentimental value, it had practical uses not to be disdained. She once mentioned these to friends.