Marjorie Dean, College Senior Part 13

Recounting to Jerry the talk between Robin and herself, Jerry asked abruptly: "Have you girls told anyone you were going to try to get hold of those properties? That is, anyone outside our own crowd?"

"I can't say it has been kept a secret," Marjorie returned. "At the time of the show we gave last winter, some of the girls who helped a good deal, like Ethel Laird and Grace Dearborn, may have mentioned it. For instance, Grace sold tickets all over the campus. We were talking at that time about how fine it would be to be able to found a dormitory.

Nothing has been said of late outside our crowd, that I recall. Robin and I have only started the ball rolling again. Why did you ask, Jeremiah?"

"I was thinking. If the real estate agent happened to hear you wanted the properties he might raise the price of them to more than they were worth. You don't care to be stung, do you?"

"Certainly _not_. The less we have to pay for the site the more money we shall have to put into the building. Besides, we don't care to be saddled with any larger debt than we can help. We are going to see him next Wednesday. The chances are he won't have heard anything about it in that short s.p.a.ce of time-unless he heard last spring." Marjorie frowned brief anxiety. Then her face cleared. "Oh, it isn't at all likely," she said. "Robin and I are going to put every minute we can spare into the work. Thank goodness, we studied hard enough our first three years! We are sure of getting through this year without having to dig."

"We've had loads of good times, but still we have kept up in all our subjects," commented Jerry with pardonable pride. "Now, in my sage and profound seniors.h.i.+p I propose to turn philanthropist and promoter with you, Marvelous Manager. By the way, I brought up your mail. It's over there." Jerry indicated a small pile of letters on the top of a two-shelved wall book-case.

"Thank you." Marjorie made a dive for them. "Six; I am lucky today!" She hastily sat down in the nearest chair to enjoy them. Reading each as she opened it, she was slow in coming to the last one of the pile.

"Here's a note from Professor Leonard!" she exclaimed, mystification written on her pretty features. "He asks me to come to the gymnasium at four-thirty tomorrow afternoon. He doesn't say anything in the note but that."

"Basket ball, of course," guessed Jerry.

"But I didn't play on the team last year and he knows it. Oh, I think I know. Maybe he would like me to umpire or referee a game. No, it can't be that, for he dropped basket ball after the Sans made so much trouble.

I am sure I can't guess why he wants to see me."

"You'll know after you've seen him," returned Jerry, snickering.

"I have an idea I shall," retorted Marjorie. "That was a brilliant remark, Jeremiah."

When at four-thirty on the following afternoon Marjorie sought the physical culture director in the gymnasium, she was somewhat taken aback by the concise request: "I would like to make you chairman of the senior sports committee, Miss Dean. I have been urged to resume charge of college sports by President Matthews. You may recall _why_ I refused to act as the director of them two years ago. Well, things have changed here since then. A certain pernicious element has been removed. I am going to try again, simply to please the doctor. Will you help me? I have in mind for that committee, you as chairman, Miss Page, Miss Harding and Miss Hunter. The four of you can arrange a series of basket ball games. In the spring we will have tennis. Miss Hunter is an expert player. I want her chiefly on account of her tennis prowess. It will not take up much of your time. You would probably attend the games held here, at any rate. Think it over and let me know by tomorrow. I wish to make a start as soon as possible."

Marjorie listened to the director in silent consternation. She did not wish to serve on any such committee. It would interfere, to some extent, in her new plans. On the other hand, she wished very much to help Professor Leonard. He had made a concession in again resuming directors.h.i.+p of college sports. Could she do less than aid him? She aspired to serve her Alma Mater in the best way. Perhaps this work was as important as building a dormitory. Professor Leonard had said, "Think it over." Marjorie had already decided.

"I won't wait until tomorrow, Professor Leonard, to decide. I will accept the honor now. If you wish, I will see the other girls. I think you can count on them."

"Thank you, Miss Dean. I was sure you wouldn't fail me." The professor's hand went out impulsively.

Marjorie reflected with a twinge of remorse as she returned the handshake that she had come very near to failing him.

"You will help me greatly by seeing your friends. I wish you four would meet me here day after tomorrow at this time. We will then discuss our plans for the season."

"I'll simply have to make room for committee duties on my programme somehow," she thought, as she left the gymnasium and cut across the campus, headed for Silverton Hall. "Robin is in as deeply as I. Still, I know she wouldn't have refused, under the same circ.u.mstances. If I had dreamed, ever since my freshman year, of such an honor, I'd never have attained it. Just because I have about twice as much on hand as I can look after, along comes something else. It's what I should call an embarra.s.sment of riches."

CHAPTER XIII-ON THE CREST OF HOPE

While Marjorie was sighing a little over the multiplicity of responsibilities which had fallen to her lot, Elizabeth Walbert was also a person with several irons in the fire. She had promised Leslie Cairns that she would glean valuable information concerning the students'

beneficiary fund. She had sworn to be even with Augusta Forbes. She had determined to keep in favor with Alida Burton and Lola Elster.

Leslie being by far the most important person on her horizon, Elizabeth strained a point to gather the information Leslie desired. The day after her talk with the ex-student she set out for Acasia House the moment cla.s.ses were over for the day. Marian Foster, the freshman she had mentioned, was not unlike Elizabeth in disposition. She was an arrant social climber and ranked money and lavish expenditure of it above everything. Introduced to Elizabeth on the campus, by another freshman, she had treated the junior with marked respect. This had pleased Elizabeth, who had grown more unpopular at Hamilton with each year she returned. She had promptly singled out Marian as an object of her patronizing attentions. These had consisted in a luncheon or two.

several drives and one dinner at the Colonial.

Ethel Laird, in her sweet, gracious fas.h.i.+on, had also been kind to Marian, who had been very lonely on first arrival at Acasia House. Thus she stood between two influences. She had been shrewd enough to hide her true character from Ethel, whose popularity as a senior she had quickly discovered. Privately she decided to play two parts. To Ethel she would be merely the friendly, appreciative fres.h.i.+e. It was Elizabeth's favor she really desired.

On this particular afternoon she welcomed Elizabeth with delight. She was even more pleased when the latter proposed a ride and a dinner at the Lotus. The invitation, which she quickly accepted, put her in a beatific state of mind which bred confidence. She was therefore very willing, as the new car, not the blue and buff "ice wagon," bowled along the wide highway, to chatter of affairs at Acasia House. Long before the ride was over and the two girls anch.o.r.ed at the Lotus, Elizabeth had heard that which brought a triumphant light to her insincere blue eyes.

"And you say you heard this yourself?" Elizabeth suavely questioned.

"You are sure that is true about that dormitory rumor? So many stories start on the campus that aren't true at all. A girl will start what she calls a 'blind alley' sometimes, just to tease the fres.h.i.+es. They will grow awfully excited over it. Then the laugh is on them."

"This wasn't a rumor," protested Marian. "It was gospel truth. I was in Miss Laird's room when these two seniors came to see her. I wouldn't have stayed after they came, but she seemed to wish me to. They asked her to attend a meeting at Wayland Hall. Then they talked about hoping they could buy this property where the boarding houses stand. It was so interesting to hear them. Miss Dean is beautiful, isn't she? Miss Page is awfully cute, too."

"I don't know either of them," evaded Elizabeth. "I have heard they were clever in a diggy way. Do tell me more of what they said. I am interested in this dormitory idea. I shall contribute five hundred dollars at least, maybe more, to help build it. It won't mean that much to me." She snapped her fingers grandly. She flattered herself into believing that Leslie could not have acted more cleverly.

As Marian was limited to twenty-five dollars a month spending money, Elizabeth's affluence impressed her deeply. She outdid herself in trying to please the crafty junior. Nor could she guess that her every word was being stored up in Elizabeth's mind. Later, in the privacy of the junior's room, it would be transferred to paper. She would not be able to see Leslie for two or three days, so she resorted to notes, fearful lest she might forget a part of what she had heard.

On the same Wednesday on which Marjorie and Robin called at the office of Charles Cutler, the real estate agent, Elizabeth met Leslie Cairns at the Lotus. Neither pair crossed each other's paths. The information Elizabeth gave Leslie caused her to laugh often in her silent hob-goblin fas.h.i.+on. Elizabeth marked this with a little uneasiness.

"Why does what I am telling you strike you as so funny, Leslie?" she inquired suspiciously.

"Because it does," was Leslie's cool response. "I can just imagine those infants taking a job like that boarding house proposition on their shoulders. I am willing to contribute to it, but I am afraid they will fall down on it. That's all."

Marjorie and Robin, however, were floating on the top wave of hope as they talked with the agent, a tall, spare man with honest blue eyes and gentle manners.

"I do not know what the owner of these properties wants for them," he said. "Five years ago he offered them for twenty-eight thousand dollars.

There are seven houses in the block which you girls wish to buy. That was at the rate of four thousand apiece. Real estate has increased in value since then, but not much in this section. He might ask thirty-five thousand, but not more than that. You could sell the houses for old lumber. They would have to be torn down. That would net you something.

It would be a relief to see the last of them. I always thought that whole row so unsightly in contrast to the beauty of the campus. Pity the others will have to stand. If you will call one week from today I can let you know the owner's price. I expect him here within a few days."

"Isn't that great news?" exulted Robin, when they had left the office.

"Thirty-five thousand is five thousand less than we figured. But, oh, my goodness, what a job we have undertaken! If we buy those properties, not a thing can be done about tearing them down until college closes. The off-the-campus girls must have a place to live. Then there's next fall to think of. The dormitory wouldn't be built so soon. It will take all summer to tear down the houses."

"'Sufficient unto the day'," quoted Marjorie optimistically. "We will have to solve all those problems as we come to them. We could arrange for places for such students as couldn't find accommodations in the campus houses to live in the town of Hamilton. We would have to make arrangements then with the jitney men to carry them back and forth, morning and night. There would have to be a luncheon provided for them near the campus. Signor Baretti might do that at a special price. This is only tentative. Still it shows that where there's a will there's a way."

"You deserve your name of Marvelous Manager. Jerry made no mistake when she gave it to you," declared Robin admiringly. "Honestly, Marjorie, I can't tell you when I have felt so happy! It is so wonderful, this plan of ours! I was half afraid that Mr. Cutler would say, first thing, 'No, the owner doesn't care to sell.' Now we are fairly sure of getting what we want. The minute we hear we can have it, I am going to give a party in my room to the Nineteen Travelers. A year ago I would have given it at Baretti's. Not now. I have to practice economy. I'm a promoter of large enterprises."

CHAPTER XIV-WARY FISH

Following on the heels of exultation, however, came disappointment. On the day before that set for their call at Mr. Cutler's office, Marjorie received a line from him stating that the owner of the properties was in Chicago and would not return until after Thanksgiving. Immediately he returned, she would be apprised of the fact.

"There's no use in being disappointed about it," she said bravely to Jerry. "We have the first chance to buy the properties. I shall not think much about it until nearer the time. The fres.h.i.+es are going to play their first game against the sophs one week from Sat.u.r.day. I may as well turn my attention to my committee duties. Ahem!"

"You are a person of some importance, aren't you?" Jerry struck an att.i.tude before Marjorie of mock respect. "Who's going to win, fres.h.i.+es or sophs?"

"Fres.h.i.+es, I believe. _L'enfant terrible_ is a fine player. She is so clever. For a girl of her height and weight she moves like lightning.

One might think she was rough to watch her. She isn't. She plays a close game, but a clean one. Those two freshmen who go around with Miss Walbert are good players, too. I am glad Miss Forbes was picked for center. She is a fine girl, Jerry, even though she doesn't like me,"

Marjorie praised with a tolerant smile.

"She is not so worse," Jerry reluctantly conceded. "I don't mind her turning up her already turned-up nose at me. I am not stuck on myself. I object to her not appreciating you."