“I’ll jump them for you,” Ricky said promptly.
The girls rode back to their instructor and the other girls. At the stables they dismounted again and watched while their horses were trotted away to their stalls.
In the sunset they limped toward their dormitories—Janet by far the most exhausted.
“I think I’ll take a pillow the next time,” she declared. “Then if the horse and I decide to separate I will have something soft to land on.”
“The object is not to separate,” Carol informed her. “Do you want to go riding tomorrow, Janet?”
“Riding!” Janet echoed distastefully. “I am not on speaking terms with my horse. No more riding for me this week! Tomorrow I shall go in for something gentle like baseball.”
Carol laughed. “Baseball! You can’t come within five feet of the ball with your bat.”
“Woe is me,” Janet said, gently depositing herself upon the dormitory steps. “Do I have to prove everything? Come to the athletic field tomorrow and I’ll show you I can hit a home run.”
Carol laughed derisively.
“I can, too,” Janet insisted. “I hit you, don’t I, when I throw a book at you?”
“Except when I duck and it goes through the window,” reminded Carol.
“Don’t sit there,” Madge prodded Janet firmly. “We have to dress for dinner.”
“And we have to get back to Happiness House,” added Gale to Ricky and Gloria, but making no movement toward home.
“Isn’t spring the most glorious time of the year,” sighed Valerie. “When the grass is growing, the buds budding——”
“And the brooks brooking,” Carol finished. “Come along,” she urged Janet. “We have to dress and I’m hungry.”
“I will be black and blue tomorrow,” Janet prophesied gloomily. “My chagrin is mountainous. To think I had to fall off when we were going so good.”
“Console yourself,” Valerie soothed. “We shall probably all fall off sooner or later.”
“I will live in hopes,” Janet said brightly. “What are we going to do tonight?” she asked.
“I am going to study my history,” Valerie said firmly. “Spring exams are just around the corner and I find my knowledge of dates strangely lax.”
“Me for my geometry,” Ricky said sorrowfully.
It developed that all the girls had more or less studying to do for the spring finals. Gradually they separated, Janet and Carol to drift upstairs to dress for dinner, Madge and Valerie to follow more leisurely. Gale walked to the sorority house with Ricky and Gloria. They separated only to meet again at dinner. Afterward Gale went off alone to the solitude of her room to study. She would be glad to have Phyllis back with her again.
CHAPTER XVII
Omega Chi
May brought not only the round of festivities on May Day but the knowledge that they were in the last stages of the term. Freshmen were looking forward eagerly now to the time when they would be Sophomores. Seniors were looking forward with mingled joy and regret to the day when they would receive their diplomas.
One evening in May was always devoted to the sororities and clubs. It was then new members were chosen and new officers elected for the next term. The Omega Chi sorority always celebrated with a big party for their members. During the evening the newly elected members were sought out and informed of their good fortune in being selected to fill the vacancies left by Seniors going out.
The Omega Chi was eagerly sought by all the Freshmen. It meant not only belonging to the most popular group on the campus, but the girls were, for the most part, honor students, students likely to succeed in campus activities as well as their chosen profession later. There was no discrimination for the wealthy girls. The officers sought girls who were honorable, pleasant, and had a sense of humor. The standards they secretly set were sometimes hard to surpass and it was the reason the sorority had not a larger membership than it had.
On this night the officers of the Omega Chi were secreted in the dining room. Freshmen had been banished to their rooms. Other sorority members lounged about the living room or on the veranda outside. The tinkle of a guitar and the hum of girlish voices rose to Gale and Phyllis at the window of their room.
Phyllis had returned to the campus two weeks ago. As yet she had not been out of her room. That was something Gale could not understand. Doctor Elton had been so sure, so positive, that the first of May would see Phyllis as well as ever. Yet here she was still tied to her armchair at the window.
“A glorious night, Phyl,” Gale said dreamily. “Did you ever see so many stars—or see them so close?”
“Listen to the girls singing,” Phyllis said.
“‘The girls of Omega Chi!’” The last words of the sorority song floated up to them.
“Do you suppose we would be fortunate enough to be elected to the sorority?” Gale asked.
Phyllis laughed. “If we aren’t we will probably have to move next term.”
“Perhaps I had better start packing,” Gale laughed. “But seriously—I want terribly to get into Omega Chi. I like all the girls so much——”
“All the girls?” Phyllis asked lazily. “Even Marcia Marlette?”
“Don’t spoil my evening!” Gale said quickly. “I refuse to think of her.”
“You have to think of her,” Phyllis laughed. “She might be president next term when Adele is no longer here.”
“I hope not!” Gale said aghast. “The girls would never elect her—surely!”
“Funny things can happen,” Phyllis reminded her.
“Phyllis——” Gale rested her chin on her hand and gazed at the moon. “Is your father coming to see you tomorrow?”
“Yes, why?”
“I’ve got something to ask him,” Gale said. “Do you suppose Janet and Carol will get into the sorority?”
“What do you want to ask my Dad?” Phyllis interposed. “Is it—about me?”
“Yes,” Gale said firmly, decisively. “He told me you would be hopping about like a sparrow by the first of May. You aren’t and I want to know why,” she said bluntly, watching Phyllis closely.
“I know,” Phyllis said, bowing her head. “He told me too. He has done everything he can. It is my own fault that I’m not.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m afraid to try it,” Phyllis said. “I’m afraid everything won’t be as perfect as he says it will.”
“But, Phyl, there is nothing to be afraid of——” Gale said gently. “It is all up to you now. You are only holding yourself back.”
“I know,” Phyllis said faintly. “But the day I came back to the campus—I tried to walk. The doctors and nurse made me get up and walk across the room—at least try to. I didn’t make it. I fell and now—I’m afraid to try again.”
“But that was natural for the first time,” Gale soothed. “Darling, you’ve got to try it again.”
“I’ll try it when I get enough courage,” Phyllis sighed. “But I’m running rather low on courage right now.”
“But——” Gale began.
“Hist!” Ricky hissed from the door. “I have secret information that the new candidates have been selected,” she informed them.
“Who are they?” Gale asked eagerly.
“Well,” Ricky acknowledged, seating herself beside Gale, “that is still a mystery.”
“They bring the girls from the other dormitory houses here, don’t they, for the celebration?” Phyllis asked.
“Yes,” Gale answered. “Look!” She pointed out the window. “There go two of the girls now—I’ll wager they are going after some Freshmen.”
The campus gradually became alive with girls, figures moving back and forth, each intent upon some errand. Suddenly two figures stepped out of the night below the girls’ window. A few seconds later two more joined the first.
“Hi!”
They recognized Carol’s gay voice and knew it was the remaining four Adventure Girls.
“Yes
?” Gale called.
“We made it!” Carol shouted. “We’re in!”
“And we are coming right up to see you,” added Janet.
At the same moment a knock sounded on their door. An upper classman informed them that they, too, had been elected full-fledged members in the Omega Chi, and since one of their number was not able to come downstairs to partake in the reception for the Freshmen, they would bring the reception to their room. Gale’s and Phyllis’ room became the reception place for twenty new members. Adele, in her position of president, calmly took possession of Gale’s desk over which to transact the business of her office.
The little group listened attentively to the purposes of the sorority as extolled by their president, and paid strict attention while the constitution and list of new officers were read to them. They were humorously reminded, before they broke up, that their initiation would take place at the beginning of the new term.
The next afternoon after classes Gale made her way to the lake. Doctor Elton had promised to have Phyllis there in the sunshine. Gale had made a flying visit to her room to don a bathing suit for a swim, and finding Phyllis absent, concluded that the Doctor had kept his word.
Gale had been thinking over what Phyllis told her last night. What a struggle had been going on in Phyllis’ mind these past weeks and none of them had guessed! Just those few words on the night before had brought home to Gale the knowledge of what Phyllis was up against. The girl was afraid—terribly afraid that the miracle Doctor Elton had performed would not hold. Something must be done! The girls must do something to bring back Phyl’s self-confidence. But what? Only Phyllis herself could really go through this trial. She must try her own strength. That was the only way she could ever possibly be sure of herself again.
Phyllis and her father were sitting on a bench overlooking the lake. Gale waved as they saw her approaching. Phyllis’ hand was in the crook of her father’s arm and she looked very happy. Gale told herself that the discovery of Phyl’s father had worked miracles—all but the most important one.
Doctor Elton strolled away from Phyllis and approached Gale. Just out of earshot of the girl on the bench they stopped. They talked together for several minutes and then Gale came on to Phyllis while Doctor Elton went toward the campus.
“Glorious afternoon,” Gale said dropping beside Phyllis.
“So nice and warm in the sunshine,” Phyllis agreed. “Where did my Dad go?”
“Said he had a date with Doctor Norcot, but he will be right back. Have you seen Janet or Carol today?”
“No. Valerie told me they were riding again. Ricky flew away to join them when she heard of it.”
“Been here long?”
“No. I waited for my Dad to bring me down,” Phyllis said.
Gale looked at Phyllis, at the crutches lying on the grass at the side of the bench, and then away across the blue waters of the lake. Her eyes were narrowed in silent thought. She saw the thick growth of trees on the farther shore, the calm waters along the grassy bank almost at her feet, and the treacherous current farther out in the center of the lake, but it was not of these things she was thinking.
“Have you tried to walk today?” she asked.
“No.”
“Why not?”
Phyllis sighed. “I’ll try it some time—but now I’m too peaceful here.”
“Doesn’t your father want you to try?”
“That is all I hear,” Phyllis said wearily. “He insists—and he is a great insister,” she added smilingly.
“But you are just as determined to wait,” Gale laughed. “Well, when you decide let me know.” She stretched lazily. “I think I’ll go for a swim.”
From the pocket of her jacket she drew a red bathing cap and slipped it over her curls. She divested herself of her jacket and waved to Phyllis as she darted away.
“Don’t go out too far and get caught in the current,” Phyllis warned.
“I’ll be all right,” Gale called back.
Phyllis watched the blue waters close over her friend. With a little sigh she leaned back. She wished heartily she could be in there with Gale. However, she couldn’t, so why worry about it?
Gale was having a glorious time. The water was cold but she did not mind it. Her strokes cut the water cleanly and swiftly. The water along the shore was calm and little ripples drifted up to the bank. Slowly and carefully Gale worked her way out a little farther, always mindful of the whirl of waters which swept continually to the falls at the farther end of the lake. Gale used to swim often in the waters of the bay near her home. She was an excellent swimmer and diver, one of the champions on the team at High School but she had not entered into the competition here at Briarhurst.
The sun was sinking farther into the west all the time and Phyllis was becoming impatient to get back to the sorority house, but she did want to wait for her father. Gale said he promised to return immediately, but so far he had not come. Gale was in the water a long time and Phyllis was thinking of calling her to suggest going back to Happiness House when she noted signs of distress from Gale. All was not well with her friend.
“Help, Phyl!”
Faintly Gale’s voice came over the blue waters of the lake that separated them. Phyllis gripped the bench hard. Gale was struggling in the water to keep her head on the surface. Anxiously Phyllis looked about. The two girls were alone at this point. Phyllis called aloud but her voice echoed hollowly back to her. The frantic splashes in the water were becoming fainter as Gale grew weaker. Once again Phyllis shouted, but there was no answering call.
Gale was a good swimmer, she would pull through, Phyllis assured herself. But she was also reminded that even good swimmers had been known to drown—and Gale was being swept nearer and nearer to the swirling current. Phyllis uttered a swift silent prayer that help would miraculously come from somewhere—but it didn’t.
The woods remained silent except for the little rustle of leaves and the twitter of birds. The water lapped the shore just as gently and undisturbedly.
Horror stricken, Phyllis saw Gale’s red cap disappear beneath the surface. Anxiety, an urge stronger than herself to help Gale, gripped Phyllis. She forgot about the crutches lying on the grass, forgot that she was afraid to walk. Her eyes were on the water—seeking sight of the red cap. It bobbed to the surface and she rose to her feet. The cap disappeared beneath the blue waters again and Phyllis took several hasty steps toward the shore.
Miraculously her father appeared from a clump of shrubbery while from a little farther back in the growth of trees came Doctor Norcot.
“Oh—hurry—Gale——” Phyllis began desperately.
Doctor Elton let out a shrill whistle. Gale’s red cap appeared on the surface and with clean-cut strokes the girl swam for the shore. She climbed dripping wet up the bank.
“Gale——” Phyllis began.
“Sorry to frighten you so, Phyl,” Gale said lovingly, “but I didn’t drown after all. Our plan worked, Doctor Elton,” she added triumphantly.
“Your plan?” Phyllis murmured when for the first time she became aware that she was standing unassisted—she had actually walked alone for several paces!
Gale put a wet arm about Phyllis. “Darling, you did it!” she exclaimed. “You forgot yourself and walked.”
“Then you weren’t really in danger!” Phyllis echoed. “But I was so frightened I couldn’t think of anything but——”
“Helping me,” Gale finished. “That was exactly what we counted on.”
Phyllis took a deep breath. “Now I’m going to walk back to the sorority house,” she said determinedly.
Phyllis slipped her arm within her father’s. With his help she led the way back to the campus. Doctor Norcot and Gale followed more slowly.
“Do you think she is doing too much at once?” Gale whispered.
“Doctor Elton knows best,” the college physician replied.
Phyllis was in the most excellent of spirits when they reached Happiness Hou
se. She was tired but she would not admit it and insisted upon going down to the dining room for dinner to sit in her old place beside Gale. The girls greeted her with hilarity and a warm welcome. Even Marcia Marlette expressed her pleasure at seeing Phyllis back. But after dinner Phyllis went upstairs with Gale and immediately to bed. She was worn out not only with the unaccustomed physical activity but the mental strain.
Gale sat at the desk and wrote a long letter to Brent. Afterward she knelt at the window and let the May breeze ruffle her hair while she watched the lights in the other dormitories slowly being extinguished.
From the room upstairs came smothered giggles and a thump. Marcia Marlette and her roommate were having a party. Gale frowned at the night. Marcia, much to Gale’s and the other girls’ amazement, had been elected to the office of president of the sorority for the next term. How the feat had been accomplished Gale did not know, but she was not enthusiastic about it. Marcia could never be the friendly president that Adele Stevens had been this term. Gale rebuked herself. She mustn’t believe the worst until it happened. Marcia had been exceedingly nice to Phyllis this afternoon. Perhaps the responsibilities of her new office would bring out the better side of Marcia’s nature. But Gale doubted it. The next term did not look very bright for the sorority with Marcia at the helm of the organization.
Gale yawned and crawled into bed. The next term would have to take care of itself. Right now there was the question of whether Marcia and her friends would break through the ceiling.
CHAPTER XVIII
Carol Slides
The balmy May afternoon saw the baseball game between the Freshmen and the Sophomores taking place on the athletic field behind Carver Hall. The players were most enthusiastic about this latest undertaking of theirs. It seemed most of the girls in the school had turned out to see this tussle between two feminine baseball teams and to hail the victor.
Janet, with supreme confidence in her own ability, had elected herself pitcher for the Freshmen. The girls had played several games and Janet had been pretty good, if not particularly brilliant. Carol, to support her pal, was catcher. Valerie was acting first baseman and Madge was shortstop. Their gymnastics teacher was the umpire and the Freshmen were sometimes suspicious of her friendly feeling toward the Sophomores. However, the nine Freshmen elected “Do or Die!” as their motto and went into the game with all the vigor and speed at their command.
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