ness of Phyllis Moore, who contracted a severe cold on
the eve of the game, resulted in a postponement. The freshmen team did
not wish to play without Phyllis, though they announced themselves ready
to do so by appointing a sub to her position. The sophs, however, would
not hear to this. Thus the postponement was satisfactory to all
concerned.

The junior team, in the meantime, were keeping strictly in the
background. Secretly the coach, Milton Ramsey, had been established in a
hotel in the town of Hamilton and was busily engaged with Leslie's team.
Never had Joan, Harriet and Natalie had to work so hard. Not only must
they practice in secret. Leslie decreed that they would have to
practice in the gymnasium with the other two chosen members of the team
in order to keep up appearances. She was a hard taskmaster, but she kept
her companions in good humor by expensive presents and treats. Further,
she assured them that once they had beaten the sophs they could drop
basket ball for the rest of the year.

The rest of the Sans were not blind to the fact that the four girls were
deep in some private scheme of their own. Coolly informed by Leslie to
mind their own affairs and they would live longer and wear better, they
gossiped about the situation among themselves and let it go at that. The
majority of them were not doing well in their subjects and they were
constrained to turn their attention for a time to the more serious side
of college.

Christmas came, with its dearly coveted home holidays, and the Lookouts
gladly laid down their books for the bliss of being re-united with their
home folks and beloved friends. This time Lucy Warner spent Christmas at
home, taking Katherine with her. A four weeks' illness of Miss
Humphrey's secretary had given Lucy the position of substitute. This
unexpected stretch of work had furnished her the means with which to
spend Christmas with her mother. The registrar privately remarked to
President Matthews that Lucy was the most able secretary she had ever
employed.

For a week following the Christmas vacation, spreads and jollifications
were the order in the campus houses. As Jerry pensively observed, after
a feast in Leila's room, the world seemed principally made of fruit
cakes, preserves and five-pound boxes of chocolates.

"I'm always crazy to go home at Christmas, yet it is pretty nice to be
back here again," she remarked to Marjorie one evening soon after their
return to Hamilton,