Jane Allen, Center

by George Cary Eggleston

  CHAPTER XXI--THE TWO JAYS

  Alone, Jane pondered seriously over the new aspect her problem hadassumed. Never had so absurd a story gained more prompt impetus--theresult, presumably, of well-laid plans, the work of Marian Seaton. Inher own generosity Jane would have made allowance even for herproclaimed enemy, but the width and breadth, to say nothing of thedepths of this propaganda, were beyond her ken.

  "Strange," she reflected, "Marian always makes a confidant of someonewho, herself, is unlike our other girls."

  This "someone" was just now Dolorez Vincez, the South American girl,obviously much older than her companions at Wellington, and certainlyof an entirely different social cast. Dolorez had made thingsunpleasant for Helen on more than one occasion, although she seemed toavoid openly meeting her. An unseen power operating against her hadbeen most effective.

  "I must talk to Judy," Jane decided. "No use my going woozy all alone.Better have company," she wisely decided.

  "That's the worse of an ankle," Judith greeted her chum. "One can'ttake it along and leave it at home at the same time. There is mine now,perfectly good for limping to the hard-working classrooms, and utterlyuseless for hiking, dancing and sprinting. How's the big game comingon? Sit down, dear. I don't need every cushion, and all the chairs."

  Jane dropped into the chair indicated by Judith, who still hugged herankle and "enjoyed" the ill health of its injured condition. As herfriends had predicted Judith was the recipient of much fudge, all sortsof books, and even hot-house flowers, purloined from chapel. She hadbeen nursing the foot for some days, and took to it so naturally, Janefeared for a reasonably prompt convalescence.

  "Big game is coming along finely, but how is the foot, Judy? Won't beable to play, will you?"

  "No, worse luck. But I can Ump or Referee or Coach--anything to be in.Think of losing that straw ride out to Breslin! And I'll bet a bigspread after it! Janey, put me down--quick for a couple of non-combativejobs."

  "Of course, Judy, you will be along. And I must report progress on thepractice work, but I want to speak of something really serious."

  "Spare me!" Judith mocked her words with the usual funny grab at herhead. "I am not in a serious mood."

  "I don't blame you, if you have emptied all those fudge boxes lately. Ishould think you would be in a ruminative mood. But Judy, listen. It'sabout dear little Helen. Something must be done."

  "I know what must be done," and Judith was instantly all serious andattentive. "We should have hateful Marian Seaton expelled from thiscollege, as a trouble maker. Did you ever hear of one girl carryingthat sort of thing on through three mortal years, without paying forit? I thought last year I sensed reform, but it was only a case oflatent or dormant activity. It has broken out now in so many places wecan't keep track of them."

  "But Judy, we have no grounds to ask for her expulsion. She has notdone anything in absolute violation of the rules."

  "Exactly it. She always manages to cover her tracks. Well, what is theparticular new trouble?"

  Jane reviewed Helen's visit, and then told of the appeal made byClarisse. She included the fact that Helen had promised not to try toleave Wellington, which was one point gained, and one of particularimportance.

  "The poor little child," sympathized Judith. "To think they have goneafter her like that! Would you think girls, claiming to be Americans,could be so cold hearted?"

  "I am not sure it is a purely American work, that is, North American,"said Jane. "I rather suspect Dolorez Vincez is at the bottom of it."

  "Oh, that reminds me, Red Head dear. Look out for that Dolorez. She isnot what she pretends to be, and she is determined to steal our gamefrom us to-morrow, so that her side will have the big battle withBreslin. I heard her say she would do it. Something about a littletrick up her sleeve. And even Marian warned her. It was the otherafternoon after practice--just as the girls carried me out. They--Marianand Dolorez--spoke a trifle louder than they thought, where they hid inthe corner, sneering as I passed."

  "I don't see what trick she could play."

  "Oh, no, that's just it. We could not see. But watch her every minute,and then the trick may pop out. She's a wonderful player, by the way."

  "Marvellous. I never saw a girl with such strength. She is foreign ofcourse. That may account for it."

  "Also she is older. That, too, may account for it. It looks to me as iffriend Dolorez has had a lot of experience in basketball as well asin--gossip."

  "But about Helen," Jane reverted. "What shall we do? She insists Ishall absolutely say not a word to Mrs. Weatherbee, and yet the othergirls are all hearing the foolish stuff. First, it was that I hadadopted her. Then when that did not do enough mischief, they have itshe is demented. That she plays out in the fields at all hours, andalso that strange figures, like foreign men, haunt the campus, so thatthese timid little friends are afraid to go out after dark."

  "Yes, I know. Since I have been invalided I have heard all sorts ofrumors. I have even had girls come to me and demand that she be askedto leave college. These girls were not really spiteful, but they hadbeen worked up to such a state of fear by the other trouble makers.Imagine anyone following Helen here!"

  "Judith, I never told you what made me change my mind so suddenly abouttaking the class presidency. It was that very afternoon of election, Ioverheard a conversation that persuaded me. Then, when they carried meoff, and I felt if I followed my own sweet will, I would be abandoningyou, to that sort of influence--then I gave in."

  "Oh, I guessed that, Janey. And strange, I kept thinking all the whilethat you would. We all wanted you so badly, it did not seem possible wecould be so sadly disappointed. But now, that you do hold the power ofinfluence, you see how useful it is. What shall we do about Helen?"

  "I can't bear to see the little freshies' fun all spoiled after alltheir hard work in putting together their great London melodrama," Janesaid, "and I do not believe they will have any audience unless I makesome announcement about Helen. Yet--she would never consent, I feelsure."

  "Then why not do it without her knowledge? It is surely the lesserevil. I will do it, if you feel she might particularly blame you. Shenever would suspect me of having sense enough to understand."

  "Oh, thanks, Judy. But what is to be done I shall do. But to advertiseHelen as the special attraction in the face of all this?"

  "Exactly. That would make a tremendous hit." And Judith fairly blazedunder the unfolding plan. "Don't you see, Janey, if we say she will bethe star--the artist--the mad hatter or whatever else is her act, and ifhalf of the crowd have heard all these ridiculous rumors, they willwant to come to see--how wonderfully she does it."

  Once started on the new plan Judith roared on like a car with disabledbrakes. She simply could not quiet down. Jane shook her brilliant headall in vain. Judith was wildly enthused. The prospect of such asensation as the freshman's play with the "real thing" in it, was toogood to pass by.

  "And then we will have a wonderful chance to prove what a good littlescout Helen really is," she finally decided to reach a period forbreath.

  "But, Judith. To exploit little Helen. Don't you see how cruel it wouldbe?"

  "Why, no, goosey, I do not. I think it would be more cruel to let hergo on here, under this cloud, when such a whirlwind will blow it to thefour corners, and evaporate it entirely. We have got to help her. Youhave said that yourself."

  "Yes, I know, Judith. But it does seem to me--Oh, dear! Such a foolishsnarl. And to think it is making the best little girl in Wellingtonmiserable."

  "Not the very best. Here is one pretty good!" And Judith risked theankle in a loving limp over to Jane. "Lovey girl! I have not theslightest doubt but you will make a glorious halo out of the seemingsmoky cloud. I can just about see Helen shining before this term isover."

  "It is good of you to say so, Judith. You are my Guardian Angel, andalways have the right sort of cheer in stock. What troubles me mostjust now is my own weak mind. I cannot make it up. I want to help thefreshmen, of course,
and I want to help Helen! How to do both with theone stone----"

  "It simply is a case of pegging the stone hard enough. The aim isperfect," said Judith metaphorically. "Arrange a meeting as theofficial sling shot--and--let--it go----"

  "Why, Judith! One would think you were on publicity committee."

  "Well, sister, if you were shut in here from all the fun, and onlyallowed out for the drives in forensics you would easily work up into'high' yourself, and without extra gas either. I am all interested, notto say excited. I am sick and tired of that Marian getting the best endof everything, just because we are too goody-goody to fight her."

  "Oh, Judy, it isn't that we are cowards----"

  "No, I did not mean that, Jane. I know you would as soon lasso a wildcowboy as shoot a basket. But it is all in the way we look at it.They--the Marians don't."

  Jane could not help smiling. Judith was pushing hard to win her point,and the matter of mere words was inconsequential.

  "But Judith, the real trouble is--we don't know ourselves why Helenacts--so queerly----"

  "That has nothing to do with this crazy business. She is perfectlysane, and sound as any girl here!" quickly defended Judith.

  "Oh, yes, Judy. I do not mean on the matter of her health. I refer tothe way she is always--sort of hiding, and so afraid of strangers. Whydoes she do that?" the deep frown of vexation clouded Jane's prettyface.

  "Of course, Jane, that is queer. But we have her as ourspecial--friend," Judith did not say "charge," "and we are going to seeher through. I don't claim to have more brains than you have, but Ijust want to support yours. I believe we should agree with thefreshmen, assist them with their play, by notifying all the classesthat Helen the virtuoso, will play original music. This should put thequietus on the gossip, and incidentally constitute a big ad for theshow."

  Jane rested her pretty head in her hands. Even for one schooled inschool troubles, the settling of this perplexity assumed bafflingproportions.

  Finally she looked up with an expression of decision. Judith smiledexpectantly.

  "All right, Judy. We will call the meeting and make the announcement.Helen has agreed to take part in the play, and we have noreason--apparently--to think she would object to having her part in theprogram announced. Of course, I shall be careful to announce the entireprogram."

  "Oh, you angel child! Woe is me that my ankle prohibits a jig!" andJudith flung her arms around Jane--Jane regained in apparent happinessand good nature.