CHAPTER III
A GENEROUS APPEAL
The juniors themselves hardly felt the weight of their punishment morethan did Grace Harlowe. Her heart was set on winning every basketball gameof the series. But she wished to win fairly and honestly. Now, that thejuniors had been forbidden the use of the gymnasium, the sophomores mightpractise there to their heart's content. But was that fair? To be sure thejuniors had deserved their punishment, but what kind of basketball couldthey play after having had no practice for two weeks? Besides, JuliaCrosby blamed her for telling what had occurred in the gymnasium. She hadgone to Julia, earnestly avowing innocence, but Julia had only laughed ather and refused to listen.
All this passed rapidly through Grace's mind as she walked toward the HighSchool several mornings later. Something must be done, but what she hardlyknew. The game could be postponed, but Grace felt that the other girlswould not care to postpone it. They were heartily glad that the juniorteam had come to grief, and showed no sympathy for them.
"There's just one thing to be done," sighed Grace to herself. "And that'sto go to Miss Thompson and ask her to restore the juniors their privilege.I hate to do it, she was so angry with them. But I'll do what I can,anyway. Here goes."
Miss Thompson was in her office when Grace entered rather timidly, seatingherself on the oak settee until the principal should find time to talk totalk with her.
"Well, Grace, what can I do for you?" said Miss Thompson, looking upsmilingly at the young girl. "You look as though you carried the cares ofthe world upon your shoulders this morning."
"Not quite all of them, but I have a few especial ones that are botheringme," replied Grace. Then after a moment's hesitation she said, "MissThompson, won't you, please, restore the juniors their gymnasiumprivilege?"
Miss Thompson regarded Grace searchingly. "What a peculiar request tomake, Grace. Don't you consider the juniors' punishment a just one?"
"Yes," said Grace earnestly, "I do. But this is the whole trouble. Thefirst basketball game between the juniors and the sophomores is scheduledto take place in less than two weeks. If the juniors do not practise theywill play badly, and we shall beat them. We hope to win, at any rate, butwe want to feel that they have had the same chances that we have had. Ifthey do fail, they will say that it was because they had no opportunityfor practice. That will take all the sweetness out of the victory for us."
"I think I see," said Miss Thompson, smiling a little. "It is a case ofthe innocent suffering with the guilty, isn't it? Personally, I hardlyfeel like restoring these bad children to favor, as they sadly needed alesson; but since you take the matter so seriously to heart; I suppose Imust say 'yes.'"
"Thank you so much, dear Miss Thompson," said Grace with shining eyes,"and now I want to ask one more favor. Julia Crosby believes that Ireported her to you that day. Of course you know that I did not. Will youplease tell her so? Her accusation has made me very unhappy."
Miss Thompson looked a trifle stern. "Yes, Grace," she said, "I willattend to that, too."
Grace turned to go, but Miss Thompson said. "Wait a moment, Grace, I willsend for Miss Crosby."
Julia Crosby heard the summons with dismay. She wondered what MissThompson could have to say to her. The principal's reprimand had been sosevere that even mischievous Julia felt obliged to go softly. Anotherperformance like the last might cut short her High School career. So shelet the sophomores severely alone. She was, therefore, surprised onentering the office to meet Grace Harlowe face to face.
"Miss Crosby," said Miss Thompson coldly, "Miss Harlowe has just asked meto restore the junior team their gymnasium privilege. Had any other girlasked this favor I should have refused her. But Miss Harlowe, in spite ofthe shabby way in which she has been treated, is generous enough tooverlook the past, and begs that you be given another chance. It is onlyfor her sake that I grant it.
"Also, Miss Crosby, I received no information from Miss Harlowe or any ofher team regarding your recent rude conduct in the gymnasium. The reportcame from an entirely different source. You may go; but first you mayapologize to Miss Harlowe, and thank her for what she has done."
With a very poor grace, Julia mumbled a few words of apology and thanksand hurried from the room. The principal looked after her and shook herhead, then turning to Grace, she asked, "Well, Grace, are you satisfied?"
Grace thanked her again, and with a light heart sped towards the studyhall. Once more she could look forward to the coming game with pleasantanticipations.
Julia Crosby had already informed the junior players of the rise in theirfallen fortunes. When school was over they gathered about their leader tohear the story. Now, Julia, if possible felt more bitter toward Grace thanformerly. It galled her to be compelled to accept anything from Grace'shands, and she did not intend to let any more of the truth be known thanshe could help. This was too good an opportunity to gain popularity to letslip through her fingers So she put on a mysterious expression and said:
"Now, see here, girls, I got you into all that trouble, and I made up mymind to get you out again. Just go ahead and practise for all your worth,and don't worry about how it all happened."
"Well," said Alice Waite, "it was awfully brave of you to go to MissThompson, even if you are too modest to tell of it. Wasn't it, girls?"
"Yes," chorused the team. "Three cheers for our brave captain."
Julia, fairly dazzled at her own popularity, smiled a smile of intensesatisfaction. She had produced exactly the impression that she wished.
"What on earth are those juniors making such a fuss about?" inquired NoraO'Malley, as the four chums strolled across the campus toward the gate.The junior team, headed by Julia, was coming down the walk talking at thetop of their voices.
"Nothing of any importance, you may be sure," said Jessica Bright."'Shallow brooks babble loudest,' you know."
"They seem to be 'babbling' over Julia Crosby just now," said Anne, whohad been curiously watching the jubilant juniors.
"No doubt she has just unfolded some new scheme," said Nora sarcastically,"that will be practised on the sophomores at the first opportunity."
"Doesn't it seem strange," said Grace, who had hitherto offered nocomments, "that we must always be at sixes and sevens with the juniors?Such a spirit never existed between classes before. I wonder how it willall end?"
"Don't worry your dear head over those girls, Grace," said Anne, pattingGrace's hand. "They aren't worth it."
"Oh, look girls!" exclaimed Nora suddenly. "There is David Nesbit, and heis coming this way. I haven't seen him for an age."
"Good afternoon, girls," said David, lifting his cap. "It is indeed apleasure to see you."
"Why, David," said Grace, "you are quite a stranger. Where have you beenkeeping yourself?"
Anne also looked her pleasure at seeing her old friend.
"I have been very, very busy with some important business of my own," saidDavid in a mock-pompous tone. Then he announced: "I am going to give aparty and I am going to invite all of you. Will you come?"
"We will!" cried Nora. "Dressed in our costliest raiment, at that."
"Never mind about the fine clothes," said David, laughing. "This is to bea plain, every-day affair."
"Who else is invited, David?" asked Jessica.
"Only one other girl beside yourselves has had the honor of receiving aninvitation."
"Miriam?" queried Grace, unable to conceal a shade of disappointment inher tone.
"No, no; not Miriam," answered Miriam's brother.
Grace looked relieved. If Miriam joined the party, something unpleasantwas sure to happen. Miriam treasured a spite against Anne for winning thefreshman prize, and never treated her with civility when they chanced tomeet. Grace knew, too, that Miriam's attitude toward her was equallyhostile. She wondered if David knew all these things about his sister.
Whatever he did know of Miriam and her deep-laid plans and schemes, hedivulged to no one. None of the girls had ever heard him say a wordagainst his sist
er; although they felt that he deeply disapproved of herjealousy and false pride.
"You haven't guessed her name yet," smiled David. "She is one of my bestfriends, girls. She has been my sweetheart ever since I was a young man offive. She's one of the prettiest girls in Oakdale, she's sixty yearsyoung, and her name is----"
"Dear Mrs. Gray, of course!" exclaimed Grace delightedly.
"And has she accepted your invitation?" asked Anne.
"She has," replied David, "and will come in her coach and four, or ratherher carriage and two. You ordinary mortals will be obliged to walk, Ifear."
"But why does she use her 'coach and four,' When she lives in the palacejust next door?" rhymed Nora.
"Very good, my child," commented David. "However, what I was about to saywas this: My party is not to be in a house. It is an open-air party. Weare to meet at the Omnibus House, to-morrow afternoon at four o'clock.Two very distinguished gentlemen have also been invited--Mr. Reddy Brooksand Mr. Hippy Wingate."
A shout of laughter went up from the girls
"Distinguished, indeed," cried Nora. "It will be a delightful party I amsure."
"Shall we bring food for Hippy!"
"No," laughed David. "Let him eat the apples he finds on the ground. If wefeed him on every festive occasion he will soon be too fat to walk, and weshall have to roll him about on casters."
"What a terrible fate," said Anne smiling.
"Well, girls? do you promise to attend?"
"Yes? indeed!" cried the four girls.
"Be sure not to surprise us with a disappointment."
"The main thing is not to disappoint you with the surprise," were hisparting words.
"If all boys were as nice as David the world would be a better place!"exclaimed Grace. "I suppose you can guess what the object of this partyis."
"Never mind, don't mention it," said Jessica in a low tone. "Here comesome other girls, and if they knew what we know, there would be amultitude instead of a select, private party at the Omnibus Houseto-morrow."