the
plan; "I'll post a notice for a meeting this very evening, and we'll put
it up to the class. Then, if everybody approves of the scheme, I want
you to be chairman of the Vigilance Committee--the leader, you know, to
whom the girls would report any suspicions."

Ruth's heart gave a bound of delight: the appointment was just what she
desired. With a little tact and diplomacy, she could make Lily a mere
figure-head, and herself the power behind the throne; in this manner she
could pave the way for her own election to the presidency for junior
year.

But she did not dare to betray to Lily the fact that she was eager for
the office. She even hesitated a moment before she accepted.

"Of course it will mean an awful lot of work, but if you really think I
am capable, Lily, you know I'd do anything for the sake of the class."

"Of course you're capable," reassured the other, "and you must take it.
It will remove a big weight from my mind, too, if you do."

The girls discussed the matter in detail, while Evelyn made tea. Then,
refreshed and encouraged, Lily returned to her own room.

At the class meeting that evening, when Lily announced that Ruth Henry
was chairman of the Vigilance Committee, the general wave of surprise
that spread over the room was apparent. For most of the girls remembered
how ungraciously the latter had treated her the previous year, before
there was any talk of Lily's rising to prominence. But the act only
served to enhance the admiration the girls felt for their president;
they realized anew how magnanimous she was, and how much she valued the
good of the class.

Ruth presented her plan so effectively that it was immediately approved
and adopted. Each girl was allowed to select her own freshman, for, as
Ruth remarked, if the sophomores chose their particular friends there
would be less cause for suspicion. She herself picked out two
charges--Esther Taylor and Florence Evans--both girls of unusual energy.
Marjorie Wilkinson naturally selected Alice Endicott. Each sophomore was
equipped with a whistle which she was instructed to blow if necessary,
unless she happened to be inside of the dormitory building. And since,
according to Miss Allen's rules, it was forbidden to hold the meeting
before the rising bell in the morning, or after the supper bell in the
evening, the difficulty of the problem was reduced fifty per cent.

The freshmen, in the meantime, were striving to formulate some definite
pl