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"He ought to pose for a fashion magazine," returned Tom. "Keep back, fellows, or he'll spot us!" And he pulled those nearest to him behind some shrubbery.
William Philander passed them and they followed at a safe distance in the darkness. The dudish student headed directly for the house at which Miss Clarabel Ruggles was stopping, and the others saw him ascend the front piazza and ring the bell. A servant ushered him in, and the boys saw the light turned up in a parlor.
"Come on and see the fun," said Tom, and led the way across a lawn. The curtains to the parlor windows were half up, so they could look into the room with ease. One window was partly open for ventilation.
They saw William Philander sitting in a chair, the box of candy on his lap. Presently Clarabel Ruggles came in, attired in an elaborate evening gown. Tubbs at once arose to his feet and, bowing very low, accepted her hand, which was held on high. Then the dudish student said something and offered the box of candy.
"Oh, is this really for me!" those outside heard the young lady cry, the words coming through the partly open window.
"No, he bought it for the cat!" murmured Tom, and at this the others had to snicker.
"A -- er -- a slight token of my regard, don't you know," said William Philander, with a flourish.
"So kind of you, Mr. Tubbs!" The girl gazed hungrily at the box. "Shall I open it now?"
"If you wish to," answered the dudish student, gallantly.
"I will -- and you shall have a share of the candy," said the young lady, and quickly drew off the ribbon and paper. "Oh, my, how perfectly delicious!" she murmured. "Oh, Mr. Tubbs, how could you guess just the kind I like!"
"Help yourself, my dear Miss Ruggles," said Tubbs, as the box was held out. "Ladies first, don't you know," and he smiled sweetly.
She took a candy and he did likewise, and as they ate they talked of various things. Then the box was passed back and forth.
"Yes, I came to see if you would go to the -- er -- to the -- er -- -- " stammered William Philander, and then he came to a dead halt. "Oh, my tooth!" he gasped, suddenly.
"What is it, Mr. Tubbs?"
"I -- er -- I really think I've broken one of my -- er -- teeth, don't you know!" gasped the stylish student. "Oh, dear, that candy is awfully hard!"
"I didn't find it so, Mr. Tubbs. Here, try another piece," answered the young lady, and helped both him and herself. "As you were going to say," she added, with a smile. "Was it that concert that -- -- " She, too, stopped short. "Oh, my!" she gasped.
"Wha -- what is it?" stammered William Philander.
"This piece of candy I have! It tastes awfully queer!"
"So does this piece I have!" groaned the dudish student.
"Oh, Mr. Tubbs, what kind of candy is it anyway? My teeth are -- are stuck fast in it!"
At this moment the aunt of the young lady came in. She looked in wonder at the others, for both were making wry faces.
"It's the candy, Aunt Mabel!" cried the young lady. "It -- it tastes so queer!"
"Ha! Let me see that box?" exclaimed the aunt, who was a portly person. "I read in the newspaper only yesterday of some folks being poisoned by eating cheap candy." And she looked severely at poor Tubbs.
"This is -- er -- not cheap candy, my dear Mrs. Garlett," spluttered William Philander. "It is some of the best to be had in Ashton, I assure you."
By this time the lady had taken something from the box and was sampling it. As it chanced to be a piece of the rubber band she made slow progress in chewing it.
"I never saw such candy!" she declared, with vigor. She took another piece. "That was all right," she added, a moment later. "But this piece! Why, I declare, it tastes like wax! And it is wax, too," she continued, inspecting the lump more closely.
"Wax!" gasped poor William Philander, hollowly.
"Yes, wax, Mr. Tubbs."
"Oh, you must be mistaken, my dear Mrs. Garlett!"
"Humph! I think I know wax when I see it. And this is rubber -- nothing but rubber!"
"Oh, Aunt Clarabel!" murmured the young lady.
"Let me look at that box!" cried the lady of the house. She commenced to make an inspection, holding the box close to a lamp. "Humph! Rubber bands, beans, slate pencils, and polishing wax!" she declared. "Mr. Tubbs, do you call this a box of candy?"
"Upon my word, Mrs. Garlett, I -- -- " gasped the dudish student. He did not know how to finish.
"It's just some old horrid joke!" declared Miss Ruggles, haughtily. "One of your college jokes, I presume!" And she gazed scornfully at poor Tubbs.
"No, no, I -- er -- I didn't -- I really -- -- " gasped William Philander.
"You can have your box of candy back, Mr. Tubbs," went on the girl, sarcastically. "I do not wish it. And allow me to bid you good evening!" And with a stately bow she passed out of the room.
"I'll keep this box of so-called candy and have it investigated," said Mrs. Garlett. "I don't want to be poisoned. Good night, Mr. Tubbs."
"But, my dear Mrs. Garlett -- -- "
"I said good night," interrupted the lady of the house. "Mary will show you to the door," she added, and then, in complete bewilderment, poor William Philander rushed out of the residence, and along the garden walk in the direction of the road leading to Brill.
Chapter IX
A Breakdown On The Road
"I rather think that was rough on William Philander," remarked Dick, with a serious shake of his head.
"Oh, he has got to be taken down somehow," replied Tom, "That's right," added Stanley. "Why, the way he acts towards some of the fellows is outrageous. Just because they don't dress as well as he does he thinks them beneath his notice."
"And I wouldn't waste any sympathy on that girl," put in Spud. "She is as bad as Tubby, when it comes to cutting the fellows she doesn't care to know."
"Well, I guess it will all pass over," remarked Sam. And it must have, for a few days later William Philander and Clarabel Ruggles were seen out driving together and apparently as friendly as over. The dudish student had sent the young lady a letter stating he thought some of his fellow collegians had doctored the box of candy, and this explanation was accepted by the girl and her aunt. Then William Philander sent the girl some candy he was sure was all right, and also a big bouquet of roses; and that was the end of the unpleasantness.
It must not be thought that in those days the girls at Hope Seminary were forgotten. Whenever the Rover boys got a chance they visited the place, and many a nice time they and the girls had together. On those occasions Dick and Dora would roam off together, the others making no attempt to follow them, and the pair would plan the many things they hoped to do in the future.
"You have not heard from Josiah Crabtree, have you?" questioned Dick, on one of these visits.
"Not a word -- and I don't want to hear from him," replied Dora.
"He's in hiding, but he'll let us hear from him sooner or later -- mark my words."