mation as she hastily read the note.
"When did she leave here? I am glad she put on her costume before she
went. She can go straight to the gym, provided she isn't detained over
there."

"She left here at five minutes past seven," Jerry answered. "I felt
cross about it, too. It seems as though Marjorie is always picked-out to
do something for someone just about the time she has planned to have a
good time herself."

"What do you suppose has happened to Miss Towne? She was your freshie
catch. It's a wonder she didn't ask you to go to her instead of
Marjorie."

"Well, she didn't. I have tried to behave like a father to her but she
doesn't seem to notice it," Jerry returned humorously. "You see they all
gravitate straight to Marjorie. There's something about her that
inspires confidence in the breasts of timid freshies."

"She is the dearest girl on earth." Ronny spoke with sudden tenderness.
"Are you going out on the campus to parade? I am not particularly
anxious to go."

"Then we won't go, for I don't care about it, either." A double rapping
on the door sent Jerry scurrying to it. Katherine and Lucy walked in,
arms twined about each other's waists. They were a pretty pair of school
girls in their short bright gingham dresses, ruffled white aprons and
white stockings and tennis shoes. Hair in two braids, broad-brimmed
flower-wreathed hats and school knapsacks swinging from the shoulder
completed their simple but effective costumes.

They came in for a lively share of approbation from Jerry and Ronny, of
whom they were equally admiring in turn. Inquiring for Marjorie, they
were shown the note and Jerry again went over the information she had
given Ronny.

"That note doesn't sound a bit like Anna Towne," Lucy said in her
close-lipped manner as she laid it down. "I know her quite well, for she
takes biology and has come to me several times for help. She is awfully
proud and tries never to put one to any trouble."

"This may be something that has come upon her so suddenly she hasn't
known what to do except to send for Marjorie," hazarded Katherine. "I
agree with you, Lucy. It does not sound like her."

Another series of knocks at the door broke in upon the conversation.
"Wonder if that's Muriel." Jerry turned to the door. "She may have
changed her mind about not letting us know what she was going to mask
as."

The door opened. Jerry gave an ejaculation of undiluted surprise. The
girl who stood on the threshold