THE INITIATION
There was no cause for ennui at the Diana Seminary. Notwithstanding
the serious course of study, there was ample jollity. The tedium
of their leisure hours was beguiled with all kinds of recreations
according to the seasons of the year.
There were the various Seminary teams in basket ball, fencing, golfing,
calisthenics and amateur theatricals. The girls also indulged in
excursions to the exhibitions of the Academy boys, on their gala
days of mimic warfare in the campus, as well as to their contests
on the diamond or gridiron at foot ball. This latter sport having
reached in those days the top notch of perfection, it furnished the
fair spectators thrills of excitement when the contestants in their
improved steel helmets and cuirass, with pronged leggings and spiked
shoes looked like veritable knights of the chivalric ages. It gave
an additional source of lingering pleasure and admiration at such
contests when half a dozen ambulances were required to cart away the
gladiators in hors du combat.
Besides all the above recreations, the Seminary girls had also their
various secret organizations which furnished ample work for winter
months. One of the most notable of these fraternities was called the
D. N. A., signifying "Daughters of the New Alliance."
A brief description of the sacred rites of this unique fraternity,
on an interesting initiation, may not here be amiss. It took place
during the incumbency of the two principal organizers and charter
members--Aurora and Margaret,--the latter occupying at the time the
most exalted position of Reverend High Priestess and the former that
of Supreme Guide. The initiation in question was remarkable for the
singular coincidence that the applicants for membership were discovered
to be of half a dozen nationalities--French, German, Scotch, Irish,
Italian and Hebrew,--and this unusual circumstance lent the occasion
widespread sensation among the other members and made the session
most memorable.
A peep in the temple revealed a bewildering spectacle, an "Adamless
Eden" of loveliness as it were. Margaret MacDonald, enveloped in
gorgeously embroidered Grecian robes, enthroned on an elevated dais,
a golden sceptre in hand, and a brilliant diadem on her shapely head,
presented an imposing figure as High Priestess, while Aurora in a
tight fitting cuirass of variegated spangles, holding a trident,
performed her official duties. Other functionaries attired in chaste
Grecian costumes occupied their respective positions.
In the proscenium the applicants, attired in their respective national
costumes, followed the assistant guide to the gate of the temple when,
on pressing a button, an extremely melodious chant surged through the
atmosphere. This called the attention of the Supreme Guide to the fact
that there were applicants for membership. The Supreme Guide in the
same manner then made the announcement to the high priestess, and the
latter commanded them to be admitted to the temple. At the clanking
of the cymbals and the sounding of the fanfares as if by magic the
gate was ajar, revealing to the eyes of the new disciples a dazzling
scene of harmoniously blended loveliness. They filed in and arranged
themselves in the shape of a crescent at the lower end of the temple.
In the centre of the room, on an alabaster table, they could discern
a glass receptacle in which, squirming and wriggling, were a quantity
of angle worms; on another similar table close by they could see a
golden cage, wherein half a dozen tiny rodents were playing tag. In
one corner a fierce, pugnacious billy-goat was butting with vicious
vigor against one of the Grecian columns of the temple.
When the sound of the fanfares subsided the High Priestess, rising
suddenly and striking three times on the marble floor with her magic
sceptre, commanded silence, and in a sweet voice spoke thus:
"Supreme Guide of the order of D. N. A. what bringest thou to this
sanctuary?"
The guide answered in pathetic tones: "Thou High Priestess of the
order of D. N. A., I bring thee greeting. I bring thee also jewels
rare, for thy shrine; gems, not still life or crystals petrified,
but forms divine, animate with heaving breasts, with radiant brows,
and sparkling eyes that volumes speak, that even Cupid, dazed, would
soon forget his ancient Psyche fair, and yet unable be whom amongst
these for himself to take."
"Have they signified their willingness to be tested for courage
and fortitude?"
"They have."
"Are they ready to travel through the tortuous path of the
inquisition?"
"They are."
"Then prithee, take them to the ante-chamber that their eyes may be
blindfolded and the robes of chastity may be thrown over them. Then
bring them thither through the tortuous path of the inquisition to
my presence."
Accordingly they were taken to the ante-room and while being prepared
for the journey they were given plain intimation that they were to make
a repast of the angle worms and fondly handle the young rodents, while
direct hints of riding the bellicose goat were thrown out, as though
this were the least of the test to which they were to be subjected.
Preparation for their return to the Temple being completed, their
readiness was again communicated as before and to the solemn but
inspiring Andante of Faust they began to wind through a path of
serpentine evolutions. On their journey many strange and threatening
voices came to their ears, some cursing their undertaking and
advising them to return before too late, some whispering that they
were about to step into an abyss or to encounter dire disaster. But by
the guidance and occasional prod by the trident of timid and erratic
disciples they proceeded onward with cautious steps. When almost at
the end of their journey, however, there was a sharp cry from one of
the applicants which caused the procession to halt.
Lady Rosa Redmont Davitt, the daughter of an Irish noble,--a comely
girl, with laughing eyes, full of wit and humor and with a strong
combative instinct, withal very popular at the seminary--gave vent
to her distress in a piquant but pleasing accent:
"Ouch! Your Riverence," said she, "It is not that I moind to ride the
wild billy goat, or am afraid to swallow the serpints, but divil a
bit I can shtand this pinching of my goide, your Riverince; my back
is almost bhlack and bhlue."
"It is well that thou hast spoken," said the Priestess; "it was
because of thy untractable erratic steps and non-susceptibility to
the promptings of thy guide that thou hast suffered, for according
to the ratio of the loyalty and sensitiveness to her touch, thy
sufferings will come to an end. Follow thou, then, fair maid, with
keen perception to the subtle touch of thy guide. Supreme Guide of
the order of D. N. A. let the procession proceed."
The march having been resumed and finished, they stood thus blindfolded
before the High Priestess in order to be tested for courage and
fortitude. Each applicant was led by the guide before her, who, for
fortitude, administered the angle worm, and for courage trailed the
mouse over their limbs. It is perhaps unnecessary to mention that
macaroni was substituted for the angle worm and that an artificial
mouse served as a lively rodent.
When these sacred and solemn rites were performed the applicants were
taken through numerous evolutions of a march to the centre of the
room, in front of a table, whereon rested in the folds of American
and British colors the Constitution and By-laws of the Order. There
the oath of Allegiance was administered and at a thunderous outburst
of music, the bandages were cut asunder and the applicants found
themselves in the glow of a diffused light. Standing in the middle of
the room, surrounded by rows of graceful girls arrayed in immaculate
Grecian costumes, were all the other members of the Order. While the
High Priestess, majestically waving her sceptred arm, proclaimed them
tried and true members of D. N. A.
The ceremonies were concluded by the singing of the National Anthems.