t could you come over to my boarding house
for a few minutes this evening at about half-past seven? I am
in great trouble and need your advice. I would ask you to come
earlier but this will be the best time for me. We moved this
week to the house two doors below the one I used to live in, so
stop at 852 instead of going on to 856. If you can find it in
your heart to come to me now I shall be deeply grateful. I am
in sore need of a friend. Please do not mention this to anyone.

"Yours sincerely,
"Anna Towne."

CHAPTER XX.

ALL ON ST. VALENTINE'S NIGHT.

Marjorie swallowed an inconvenient lump that rose in her throat. She
would go to Miss Towne, but it meant a total up-setting of her plans. As
she could not guess the freshman's trouble she could not gauge her time.
She might have to be gone for some time, although the note read "a few
minutes." It was too bad. She felt a half desire to cry with
disappointment. If she went at once she could get it over with and not
miss the dance. But, no; the note specified half-past seven as the hour.

Presently she rallied from her downcast mood and took sturdy hope.
Perhaps, after all, she would not be detained long. She was sure Anna
had done nothing wrong. It was more likely a financial difficulty which
confronted her. That would not be so hard to adjust. Jerry would have to
know. She decided that the other three Lookouts were entitled to know
also. She might have to call on them for help in Anna's case. They were
her close friends and fit to be trusted with a confidence. She claimed
the right to use her own judgment in the matter.

"What a shame!" was Jerry's disgruntled reception of the news. "I think
it is selfish in her. Why couldn't she have waited until tomorrow? It is
probably a financial difficulty. She isn't the kind of girl to break
rules."

"A member of her family may have died and she hasn't the money to go
home. It must be really serious," Marjorie soberly contended. "I ought
to go and I will. There is no snow on the ground. I can dress before I
go and wear high overshoes and my fur coat and cap. Then, if I am not
kept there long, I can hustle to the gym and be there before the
unmasking."

Better pleased with this arrangement, Marjorie hastily gathered up
towels and toilet accessories and trotted off to the lavatory, leaving
J