Jane Allen: Right Guard | Page 3

beach
yesterday. I had a wonderful summer, but I'm tanned a beautiful brown.
I am preparing you beforehand so that you will not mistake me for a
noble red man, red woman, I mean, when you see me.
"I'm dying to see my faithful roommate and talk my head off. I shall
bring a whole bunch of eats along with me to Wellington and we'll
have a grand celebration. Any small contributions which you may feel
it your duty to drag along will be thankfully received. I'm going to start
for college a week from next Tuesday. I suppose I'll be there ahead of
you, so I'll have everything fixed up comfy when you poke your
distinguished head in the door of our room.
"I've loads of things to tell you, but I can't write them. You know how I
love (not) to write letters, themes, etc. You'll just have to wait until we
get together. If this letter shouldn't reach you before you leave El
Capitan, you will probably get it some day after it has traveled around
the country for a while. Won't that be nice?
"With much love, hoping to see you soony soon,
"Your affectionate roommate,
"JUDY."
Jane laughed outright as she re-read the letter. It was so exactly like
good-humored Judy Stearns. She did not doubt that she was destined
presently to hear at least one funny tale from Judith's lips concerning

the latter's pet failing, absent-mindedness.
Picking up Adrienne's letter from the bench, Jane found equal
amusement in the little French girl's quaint phraseology.
"WICKED ONE:" it began. "Why have you not answered the fond
letter of your small Imp? But perhaps you have answered, and I have
not received. Ma mère and I have had the great annoyance since we
came to this most stupid studio, because much of our mail has gone
astray.
"We have finished the posing for the picture 'The Spirit of the Dawn.' It
was most beautiful. Ma mère was, of course, the Dawn Spirit, allowed
for one day to become the mortal. She had many dances to perform,
and was superb in all. I, too, had the dance to do in several scenes.
When we meet in college I will tell you all.
"We shall not pose again in these motion pictures for the directors are,
of a truth, most queer. They talk much, but have the small idea of art. It
became necessary to quarrel with them frequently, otherwise the
picture would have contained many ridiculous things. It is now past,
and, of a certainty, I am glad. I am longing to make the return to
Wellington. It will be the grand happiness to see again all my dear
friends, you in particular, beloved Jeanne.
"La petite Norma will soon finish the engagement with the stock
company. We have the hope to meet her in New York, so that she and
your small Imp may make the return together to Wellington. Take the
good care of yourself, dear Jeanne. With the regards of ma mère and
my most ardent affection,
"Ever thy IMP."
Jane gave the letter an affectionate little pat. It was almost as though
she had heard lively little Adrienne's voice. How good it was, she
reflected happily, to know that this time she would go East, not as a
lonely outlander, but as one whose place awaited her. There would be
smiling faces and welcoming hands to greet her when she climbed the

steps of Madison Hall. Yes, Wellington was truly her Alma Mater and
Madison Hall her second home.
CHAPTER II
A COUNCIL OF WAR
"What does it all mean? That's the one thing I'd like to know."
Judith Stearns plumped herself down on Ethel Lacey's couch bed with
an energy that bespoke her feelings.
"It is as yet beyond the understanding," gloomily conceded Adrienne
Dupree.
"You'd better go downstairs and see Mrs. Weatherbee at once, Judy,"
advised Ethel.
It was a most amazed and indignant trio which had gathered for a
council of war in the room belonging to Ethel and Adrienne.
"I'm going to," nodded Judith with some asperity. "I have Jane's
telegram here with me. I just stopped for a minute to tell you girls. Why,
Jane will be in on that four o'clock train! A nice tale we'll have to tell
her!"
"Oh, there's surely been a misunderstanding," repeated Ethel Lacey.
Judith shrugged her shoulders.
"It looks queer to me," she said. "You know Mrs. Weatherbee never
liked Jane. It would be just like her----"
Judith paused. A significant stare conveyed untold meaning.
"She couldn't do anything so unfair and get away with it," reasoned
Ethel. "Jane could take up the matter with Miss Howard and make a big
fuss about it."

"She could, but would she?" demanded Judith savagely. "You know