tered
the Junior classes, saving Helen Cameron, had joined the new society.
The committee on constitution and by-laws was now ready to report and
this very afternoon Ruth and two other girls waited on Mrs. Tellingham
to ask permission to hold social meetings in one of the assembly rooms
on stated occasions, as the other school societies did.

The trio of Sweetbriars had to wait a little while in the hall outside
the library door, for Mrs. Tellingham was engaged. Mary Cox came out
first and as she passed Ruth she tossed her head and said:

"Well, are you here to tattle about somebody else?"

Ruth was stricken speechless, and the girls with her asked wonderingly
what the older girl had meant.

"I--I do not know just what she means," gasped Ruth, "only that she
means to hurt me if she can."

"She's mad with you," said one, "because you started the S. B.'s and
wouldn't join her old Upede Club.

"That's it," said the other. "Don't you mind, Miss Fielding."

Then the maid told them they could go into the library. Mrs.
Tellingham looked very grave, and sat at her desk tapping the lid
thoughtfully with a pencil. This was one occasion when Dr. Tellingham
was not present. The countenance of the Preceptress did not lighten at
all when she saw Ruth come in.

"What is it, Miss Fielding?" she asked in her brusque way.

Ruth stated the desire of the new society briefly, and she was positive
before Mrs. Tellingham replied at all that the mention of the
Sweetbriars did not please the lady.

"You girls will fill your time so full, with societies and leagues, and
what all, that there will be little space for studies. I am half sorry
now that I ever allowed any secret, or social clubs, to be formed at
Briarwood. But while we have the Forward Club, I cannot well deny the
right of other girls to form similar societies.

"But I am not pleased with the Up and Doing Club. I understand that
every girl but one reported out of her room after retiring bell last
evening, in the West Dormitory, was a member of the Up and Doings--and
the other girl was you, Miss Fielding!" she added sternly. "And you
are a member of this new organization-- What do you call it? The 'S.
B.'s,' is it?"

"The Sweetbriars," said Ruth bravely. "And I am sorry I did anything
to bring any cloud upon the name of the new club. I promise you, Mrs.
Tellingham, that I will do nothing in the future to make you sorry that
you sanctioned the formation of _