she began at once to talk of it, and her
enthusiastic description of the coming affair served to allay her
mother's vague impression that Marjorie was not quite happy, and she
entered into the important discussion of what her daughter should wear
with that unselfish interest belonging only to a mother.

When Marjorie returned to school that afternoon she felt happier than
she had been since her advent into Sanford High School. The thought of
the coming dance brought with it a delightful thrill of anticipation.
She had always had such good times at the school dances given by her boy
and her girl chums of B----. She hoped she would enjoy this Hallowe'en
frolic. She wondered if the "Terrible Trio" would be there. She smiled
over Jerry's appropriate appellation, then frowned at herself for
countenancing it. Good soldiers didn't indulge in personalities.

That afternoon she found it hard, however, to concentrate her
thoughts on her studies, and when Miss Atkins asked her on what day the
Pilgrim Fathers landed in America, she absent-mindedly replied
"Hallowe'en," to the great joy of her class. During her physiology hour
she managed to keep strictly to the subject; but she was impatient for
the afternoon to pass so that she could go to Miss Arnold for her
invitation.

Her eyes sparkled, however, when, on returning to the study hall, she
saw lying on her desk a square white envelope addressed to her.

"Oh, here it is," she thought delightedly. "I'm so glad. I wonder if
Constance has hers."

She tore open the end of the envelope with eager fingers and drew out a
folded sheet of note paper. But the light died out of her face as she
read:

"My dear Miss Dean:

"For some time the members of the freshman team have been dissatisfied
with your playing, and have repeatedly urged me to allow Miss Thornton
to play in your position on the team. Not wishing to seem unfair, Miss
Randall and I watched your work at practice Wednesday afternoon and
agreed that the requested change would be best. As manager of the
freshmen team, their welfare must ever be my first consideration. I
therefore feel no hesitation in asking you for your resignation from the
team.

"Yours sincerely,

"MARCIA ARNOLD."

A sigh of humiliation that was half a sob rose to Marjorie's lips. Her
chin quivered ominously. Suddenly a dreadful thought flashed across her
brain. Suppose M