CHAPTER XXIII
AT THE DANCE
It was the night of the junior dance, an annual affair second only inimportance to commencement and a function attended, as Holly Cross usedto say, "by all the beauty and chivalry of Haddonfield and all pointsnorth, south, east and west." On this occasion all strictly partisancollege feelings were laid aside. Forgotten were the grudges engenderedby hazings or the rivalries of the field. It was an evening devoted topleasure, and, on the part of the juniors at least, to seeing that theirgirl friends and acquaintances danced to their hearts' content.
"Tom," cried Sid as they were dressing in their room, "does this dresssuit seem to fit?"
"Well, it might be a little larger across the shoulders," was Tom'sanswer as he turned around from an attempt to get his tie just right andsurveyed his chum.
"That's what I thought. I'm outgrowing it. I'm afraid it will split whenI'm dancing, and I'll be a pretty sight, won't I? I'll disgrace thegirl. Hang it all, I hate a dress suit. I always remind myself of somenew specimen of a bug, and I think some entomological professor willcome along, run a pin through me and impale me on a cork. In fact I'djust as soon he would as to go through this agony again."
"Nonsense. You'll enjoy it," ventured Tom.
"Maybe--after it's all over."
But he managed somehow to wiggle himself into the garments and then,having asked a girl to the affair, he set off after her in a coach hehad hired. Tom had not invited any one, but he heard that Miss Tyler wasto be there and from the same source of information he knew thatLangridge was to escort her.
"In which case," reflected Tom, "I shall probably not have a chance todance with her."
The gymnasium had been turned into a ballroom. Around the gallery, whichcontained the indoor running track, flags and bunting had been festooned,the colors of Randall being prominent. From the center electricchandelier long streamers of ribbon of the mingled hues of each classwere draped to the boxes that had been constructed on two sides of theroom. There was a profusion of flowers and with the soft glow of theshaded lights the big apartment that was wont to resound to the blows ofthe punching bag, the bound of the medicine ball or the patter ofrunning feet was most magically transformed.
Over in one corner, screened by a bank of palms, was the orchestra, themusicians of which were tuning their instruments in thrilling chordswhich always tell of joys to come.
The guests were arriving. Bewildering bevies of pretty girls floated inwith their escorts, who showed the tan and bronze of the sporting fieldor the whiter hue of a "dig" who spent most of his time over his books.Then came the chaperons, grave, dignified, in rustling silks, a strangecontrast to the light, fluffy garments worn by the younger set.
Tom felt rather lonesome as he strolled out on the waxed floor, for mostof his chums had girls to whom they were attentive, and of course theycould not be expected to look after him.
"Hello, Parsons!" called a voice, and he turned to see one of the Jerseytwins. Which one it was he could not determine, for if Jerry and JoeJackson looked alike when in their ball suits or ordinary clothes, therewas even less of difference when they wore formal black, with theexpanse of shirt showing.
"Hello!" responded Tom.
"I'm Jerry," went on the twin. "I thought I'd tell you. My brother and Iare going to play a joke to-night."
"What is it?"
"Joe's going to get talking to a girl and then he's going to excusehimself for a moment. I'll take his place and I'll pretend I don'tknow what she's talking about when the girl tries to continue theconversation. I'll make believe I've come back to the wrong girl. Great,isn't it?"
"Yes, except maybe for the girl."
"Oh, we'll beg her pardon afterward. Got to have some fun. I'm on thearrangement committee and I'm nearly crazy seeing that every one has agood time. Got your name down on all the cards you want?"
"I haven't it on any yet."
"No? That's a shame! Come on and I'll fix you up," and the good-naturedJerry dragged Tom about, introducing him to an entrancing quartet ofpretty girls and then Tom knew enough to do the rest, which includedscribbling his name down for a whole or a half dance as the case mightbe.
He had just finished this very satisfactory work when he heard his namecalled and turned to see Miss Tyler smiling at him.
"I'm awfully glad to see you," he exclaimed, starting impulsively towardher with outstretched hand. "May I have a dance?"
"Only one?" she asked with a laugh.
"All of them, if you can spare them," he said boldly.
"Greedy boy! I'm afraid you're too late. You may look," and she held outher card.
Tom, with regret, saw that it contained the initials "F. L." in manyplaces. There was only one two-step vacant.
"Some one else has been greedy, too," he said as he filled in the space.
"Let me see," she demanded, and she made a little pout. "How dare hethink I'm going to give all those to him!" she exclaimed. "Here, Tom,let me have your pencil. I never can write with the ridiculous affairsthey attach to dance programs."
She used the lead vigorously on the card and then let Tom see it again.His name was in three places, and, to his surprise, on the last waltz hesaw that the girl had written his initials under those of Langridge.
"What does that mean?" he asked.
"It means that I'm going to share the last dance with you," she almostwhispered, "in memory of old times," and she nodded. "Don't forget now,"and she shook her finger at him.
"As if I would!" exclaimed Tom.
The music began a march as the opening of the dance and the couples tooktheir places, Langridge coming up almost on the run to claim Miss Tyler.He looked sharply at Tom.
"How are you, dominie?" he asked with a nod, intended to be friendly,and then he led the girl away.
Tom had no partner for the march and he stood about disconsolately untilthe first dance. Then he went to claim his partner, whom Jerry Jacksonhad secured for him, a pretty little girl in a yellow dress who was afine dancer.
"I wish you had another open date--I--er--I mean that you could give meanother dance," he corrected himself quickly from the language of theball field.
"I can," she said simply, and she gave him a quick glance, for Tom was afine dancer.
He scribbled his name down and then had to relinquish her to anotherpartner. Two dances after that, however, Tom was privileged to claimMiss Tyler. As he was leading her into the waltz Langridge came hurryingup.
"I thought this was my dance, Madge--Miss Tyler," he stammered.
"I wanted to vary the monotony," she said with a little laugh that hadno malice in it.
"How is your arm, dominie?" she asked of Tom, looking up into his faceand smiling as she gave him the nickname conferred on him by Langridge.
"Oh, much better," he answered. "How did you hear?"
"Oh, the proverbial bird, I suppose. You had to stay away from classtwo weeks on account of it, didn't you?"
"No," exclaimed Tom quickly, "not on _that_ account."
"Oh!" she cried, struck by the change in Tom's voice. "I--I heard so."
"Did Langridge tell you that?"
"Yes," was her answer.
"Well, it was partly on that account," and Tom turned the conversationaway from what he considered a dangerous subject.
If Langridge cherished any ill will toward Tom for taking away MissTyler the 'varsity pitcher did not show it. But Tom noticed that he wasnot far from the girl's side the remainder of the evening.
"I wonder if she doesn't believe what I told her about him," thoughtTom. "Well, I'm not going to say anything more. Let her find out forherself. Only--well, what's the use?" and he went to claim another danceelsewhere.
It was the last waltz. Around the brilliant, gaily decorated room swungthe dancers to the strains of the enthralling music. Langridge skilfullyled Miss Tyler in and out among the maze of couples. The music turnedinto another melody.
"I think this is about half," she said.
"About half? What do you mean?"
"Well, you were so greedy," she explained, laughter in her eyes, "that Ihad to punish you. I gave half this last dance to--to the dominie," andher lips parted in a smile.
"Well, I like that!" spluttered Langridge, but just then Tom, who hadbeen summoned from the "side lines" by a signal from Miss Tyler, came toclaim her.
"I like your nerve, Parsons!" snapped Langridge, glad to be able totransfer his wrath to a foeman more worthy of it.
"It was my doing, Mr. Langridge," said the girl with some dignity.
"You had no right----" began the 'varsity pitcher.
"I fancy Miss Tyler is the best judge of that," spoke Tom coolly as hetook the girl's hand.
"Is she?" sneered Langridge. "Maybe she knows who brought her to thisaffair then! If she does, she can find some one else to take her away,"and he swung off.
For an instant Miss Tyler stood looking at him. The dancers whirledaround the couple standing there and the music sounded sweetly. Therewas the suspicion of tears in her eyes.
"He had no right to say that!" she burst out.
"Indeed, no," agreed Tom. "But, since he has, may I have the honor ofbeing your escort?"
"Yes," she said, and then, with a revulsion of feeling, she added, "Oh,Tom, I don't feel like dancing now. Take me home, please!"