--KIPLING

BITTER weather followed the night of the storm.
Biting winds beat all the autumn beauty from tree and shrub.
Cold gray skies hung over a cold gray land, and a heavy
snowfall and a penetrating chill seemed to destroy all hope
for the Indian Summer that makes the Kansas Novembers glorious.

Dennie Saxon was the only girl of the party who was not affected
by the storm at the Kickapoo Corral. Professor Burgess,
who narrowly escaped pneumonia himself, and who disliked irregular
class attendance, took comfort in the sight of Dennie. She was so
fresh-checked and wholesome, and she went about her work promptly,
forgetful of storm and rain and muddy ways.

"You seem immune from sickness, Miss Dennie," Burgess said one day as she
was putting the library in order.

Under her little blue dusting cap, the sunny ripples of her hair
framed a face glowing with health. She smiled up at him comfortably--
a smile that played about the edges of his consciousness all that day.

"I've never been sick," she said. "It 's a good thing, too,
for our house is a regular hospital this week. Little Bug Buler
is the worst of all. He took cold on the night of the storm.
That's why Victor Burleigh's out of school so much.
He won't leave Bug."

Vincent Burgess despised the name of Burleigh now. While Vic's safe
escort of Elinor Wream had increased his popularity with the students,