Jane Allen, Center

by George Cary Eggleston

  CHAPTER XVI--POLITICS ET AL

  "Oh, I am too excited for words!" exclaimed Clare Bradley. "Have youheard the news?"

  "I may have," replied Judith, with her old-time drollery. "Whatparticularly choice crumb have you reference to, Clare?"

  "Oh, Marion Seaton is perfectly wild. Threatens to leave college if weare not all disciplined. She won't even come to her classes. Judy,dear, do you think we--will catch it?"

  She was a dear little freshman, and while she loved the fun of realtrouble, especially when some one other than herself was more seriouslyinvolved, she did have a little fear of reported college pranksreaching the ears of her ministerial father. He was a good sort (notsport) himself--was Rev. Clarence Bradley, and he had experienced hisown college fun, no doubt; but Claire promised, on leaving home, shewould never bring disgrace to his curly blond head, with any "badreports" from school, and the pretty little black-eyed, lightcurly-haired girl fervently hoped to keep her promise.

  "I am not a bit afraid of Marian's threats," answered Judith boldly."In fact, I rather think she will be the one to call halt, when we askfor a report of the doings of election night. Marian is not living in astone house. I fancy there are lots of windows in it, if it is notentirely made of glass, to speak metaphorically."

  "And another thing, a lot of the girls are turning against Helen," wenton the communicative Clare. "They say she--is--a free scholar."

  "Free scholar!" Judith repeated. "Where have I heard that term before?Oh, yes, it was Poor Scholar in some old book. But free scholar isentirely new. How could one get into Wellington free, may I ask? Haveyou heard, Clare?"

  "Oh, you know what I mean. They say she is a scholarship girl and thatJane has adopted her. But you know all that nonsense was explodedbefore the election," Clare made haste to add, as she noted the blackfrown steal over Judith's face.

  "Yes, it was, Clare, and I don't think it ought to be resurrectedagain," said Judith, with a show of severity. "However, we will have apow-wow to-night in the big study room. We got permission to use it tofinish up our election work, and if any one wants to ask questions theymay do so there. Good bye, Clare, and be sure to come to the pow-wow,"and with a reassuring smile Judith glided away to meet Jane and Helenwho were on a bench near the lake.

  "Rumors, always rumors," Judith told herself, "but I must keep themfrom Jane and Helen, if possible. I suppose, as Drusilla said, we willhave to pay for our victory."

  "Oh, hello, Judy Stearns!" called Jane before the girl with theshifting frown came within talking earshot. "How do you do! I had beenplanning to send you a wire, or a special, or some sort of message tofind out if you were still at Wellington. I scarcely ever see you. Ofcourse, when you are due to sleep you may come in, but by that time Iam unconscious. How is the brave warrior?" and Jane swung her free armaround her chum.

  "I, too, thought our Judy was escaped," said Helen. "I have so seldomseen her--pretty face."

  "It is well worth while to make one's self scarce when it inspires suchsentiments," said Judith. "I am very well, thank you, and just helpyourself to yeses, for any of the other questions. Jane, you lookwonderful, after your practice. Did they threaten to expel me for notbeing on hand?"

  "Where were you? I was afraid we would lose our end without our trustyforward."

  "I fully expected to get to the gym in time, Jane, but I was detained,"she finished with a comical twist of the last word showing how utterlymeaningless it was intended to be.

  "Oh!" said Jane, displaying a similar lack of intelligence.

  "But it was very wonderful," contributed Helen, her deep blue eyes(tabulated as violet) fairly melting into a sweetness that made itselffelt with returned affection by her friends. "Jane--was--the star."

  "Mercy, friends, mercy!" exclaimed Jane, in mock alarm. "If I receiveany more compliments I shall expect to go up in smoke. It 'ain'tnatural nor human,' as old Uncle Todd would say," and she slipped downin a pretty heap on the lawn now hidden under the last fall of autumnleaves. "What do you think a girl is made of, really? Am I bomb proof,and air tight, and warranted not to go up, or go off? You should haveseen me shirr a big hole in my best stocking this morning, to know howweakly and sickeningly human I am."

  "Oh, the shame!" exclaimed Helen. "I should have fixed that----"

  "Oh, never, Helen!" and Jane spoke with newly assumed asperity. "Youremember you are not to do a single thing for me or Judith. Thosegossipy girls must have none of that sort of thing to fall back on. Ishirr my own socks and wear my own blisters, thank you just the same."

  Helen's face fell, and she kicked at her heels in the new girl fashion.All the girls did that, and she unconsciously had acquired the trick.Judith picked up the cue, and presently all three were kicking theirown flat shoed heels.

  "I said my own blisters," put in Jane. "This is not a contest," and shepatted the heel supposed to be affected from the rosetted stocking.

  "Judy, I had a lovely letter from Aunt Mary," and the soft gray eyeswent dewy. "It is wonderful at El Capitan just now----"

  "Jane Allen, you stop this very minute. Do you want me to run away? Iwas dreaming of Fedario. I heard your old uke so late last night, itwent into my sleeping brain, and Jane Allen, I simply can't bear tothink of Montana these days. I would have one of the boys send me afalse alarm wire, if I thought dear little Aunt Mary would take me in."Judy was snivelling and sobbing in the most woebegone manner. That ElCapitan was glorious in autumn was not to be denied, and both girlslooked rather wistfully toward the setting sun.

  "There's Drusilla Landers and Norma Travers!" exclaimed Jane, happilybreaking in on Judith's dirge. "Let's overtake them, and have companyto the post office. I want to walk so fast I shall not be able tothink. I feel exactly like giving my head a real rest, Judy."

  "You have been cramming. I know it. And I saw you with the prettyred-headed soph. I understand that you could not avoid falling in lovewith her. Your hair is auburn, and hers is the very next station--red.But, Jane, remember your responsibilities and keep fit. We need you inour office, and we are going to run a basketball try-out next week. Youare to be Center, you know. There is positively no chance of boltingthat, even if the honors do rather overburden you. I don't notice anyflying at my own poor head."

  "More's the pity. You would make a wonderful Center, Judy, and you willstick to Guard. Are you perfectly sure you are not dodging?"

  "Sure as shooting, Jane. Nobody wants me to be Center. They all think Ihave honor enough being little old Guard. And as far as I am personallyconcerned, I guess it will do for the time being. Hello, Drusa, andhello again, Norma! Whither away, fair maids?"

  "Low girls," came the reply from the two in sweaters and corduroyskirts. "We are on a miniature hike--to the post. Any mail to keep thehome fires burning?" joked Drusilla.

  "We are with you," and Jane fell in step with Drusilla while Judithsprang along side Norma. "Yes, we have mail, and we have need for openair, the kind we get outside the grounds. Crickey, but one's brain doesget stuffy on a day like this. I feel I have acquired enough Euclid totake over the internal revenue," and Jane sighed audibly.

  "Me," said Judith comically, "I have acquired enough sass to fight theMarians. I believe they are massing for attack."

  "Oh, yes, won't we have a great time to-night?" exclaimed Norma. "Jane,I hope you have all your moral and mental life preservers on."

  "Quite ready for the onslaught," replied Jane, but Judith guessedrightfully when she surmised the painfully crowded head was notentirely traceable to class work. There was a mixture of personalanxiety at the turn affairs had taken, and Jane Allen had promisedherself Helen Powderly would not be socially ostracised on account ofher peculiar status in Wellington.

  "She is the best little scout in college," Jane had repeatedly assuredherself, "therefore, why should she be made a victim of girls' foolishwhims? Isn't she more worthy than they, who could not earn their way inon merit if put to the test?"

  Coming and going to the post office, an entirely un
necessary jaunt, asmail boxes were an important part of the Wellington equipment, thequartette met with, and passed out any number of students on thisparticular autumn afternoon, but their handicap in stride was, perhaps,well balanced by the merry laughter and good natured calls repeatedlyhailed to Jane.

  Election night embraced delicious possibilities, and all classes seemedfittingly keyed up, joyous and expectant.