Page:The plastic age, (IA plasticage00mark).pdf/144

. . . You remember you told me once that you were n’t a gentleman. I did n’t believe you, but if you buy yourself into that—that bunch of—of gutter-pups, I ’ll—I ’ll—oh, hell, Carl, I ’ll have to believe it.” He was painfully embarrassed, very much in earnest, and dreadfully unhappy.

“I told you that I was n’t a gentleman,” Carl said sullenly. “Now you know it.” “I don’t know anything of the sort. I ’ll never believe that you could do such a thing.” He stood up again and leaned over Carl, putting his hand on his shoulder. “Listen, Carl,” he said soberly, earnestly, “I promise that I won’t go Nu Delt 01 any other fraternity unless they take you, too, ii you ’ll promise me not to go Alpha Sig.”

Carl looked up wonderingly. “What!” he ex claimed. “You ’ll turn down Nu Delt if they don’i. bid me, too?”

“Yes, Nu Delt or Kappa Zete or any othei bunch. Promise me,” he urged; “promise me.”

Carl understood the magnitude of the sacrifice offered, and his eyes became dangerously soft “God! you ’re white, Hugh,” he whispered huskily “white as hell. You go Nu Delt if they ask you— but I promise you that I won’t go Alpha Sig ever if they bid me without pay.” He held out hi hand, and Hugh gripped it hard. “I promise,” h< repeated, “on my word of honor.”