Jane Allen: Right Guard | Page 5

there's been any unfairness done, little Judy will take a
prompt hike over to see Miss Rutledge."
"Jane wouldn't like that," demurred Ethel.
"Can't help it. I'd just have to do it," Judith made obstinate reply. "As
Jane's roommate I think I've a case of my own. If Jane has chosen to
room somewhere else--then, all right. But if she hasn't--if she's been
treated shabbily,--as I believe she has been--then I'll go wherever she
goes, even if I have to live in a house away off the campus."
CHAPTER III
BAD NEWS

"Oh, girls, it's good to be back!"
Surrounded by a welcoming trio of white-gowned girls, Jane Allen
clung affectionately to them.
All along the station platform, bevies of merry-faced, daintily dressed
young women were engaged in the joyful occupation of greeting
classmates who had arrived on the four o'clock train. Here and there,
committees of upper class girls were extending friendly hands to timid
freshmen just set down in the outskirts of the land of college.
Stepping down from the train Jane had been instantly seized by her
energetic chums and smothered in a triangular embrace. A mist had
risen to her gray eyes at the warmth of the welcome. She was, indeed,
no longer the lonely outlander. It was all so different from last year and
so delightful.
"It's good to have you back, perfectly dear old Jane!" emphasized
Judith, giving Jane an extra hug to measure her joy at sight of the girl
she adored.
"What happiness!" gurgled Adrienne. "We had the g-r-r-r-eat anxiety
for fear that you would perhaps not come on this train."
"Oh, I telegraphed Judy from St. Louis on a venture," laughed Jane. "I
knew she'd be here ahead of me."
"Then you did receive my letter," Judith said with satisfaction. "I was
afraid you mightn't."
"I didn't answer it because I was coming East so soon," apologized Jane.
"I took your advice, though, about the eats. There was a stop over at St.
Louis, so I went out and bought a suitcase full of boxed stuff. Maybe it
isn't heavy! We'll have a great spread in our room to-night. Who's back,
Judy? Have you seen Christine Ellis or Barbara Temple yet? Is Mary
Ashton here? I know Dorothy isn't or she'd be here with you."
As Jane rattled off these lively remarks, her three friends exchanged

significant eye messages.
"Then--why--you----" stammered Judith, a swift flush rising to her
cheeks.
"What's the matter, Judy?"
Jane regarded her roommate in puzzled fashion. She wondered at
Judith's evident confusion.
"Nothing much. I mean something rather queer." Judith contradicted
herself. "Let's take a taxi, girls, and stop at Rutherford Inn for tea. We
can talk there."
"But why not go straight to Madison Hall?" queried Jane, in growing
perplexity. "I'm anxious to get rid of some of the smoke and dust I've
collected on my face and hands. We can have tea and talk in our own
room and be all by ourselves."
"I wish we could, Jane, but we must have a talk with you before you go
to the Hall," returned Judith, her merry features now grown grave.
"What is it, Judy?"
All the brightness had faded from Jane's face. Her famous scowl now
darkened her brow. She cast a quick glance from Adrienne to Ethel.
Both girls looked unduly solemn.
"Girls, you're keeping something from me; something unpleasant, of
course," Jane accused. "I must know what it is. Please tell me. Don't be
afraid of hurting my feelings."
"We're going to tell you, Jane," Judith said reassuringly. "Only we
didn't want to say a word until--until we found out something. But this
isn't the place to talk. Let's hail the taxi, anyway. Then he can stop at
the Inn or not, just as you please. We'll tell you on the way there."
"All right."

Almost mechanically Jane reached down to pick up the suitcase she had
placed on the station platform in the first moment of reunion. All the
pleasure of coming back to Wellington had been replaced by a sense of
deep depression. In spite of the presence of her chums she felt now as
she had formerly felt when just a year before she had stood on that
same platform, hating with all her sore heart its group of laughing,
chatting girls.
"Do not look so cross, cherie." Adrienne had slipped a soft hand into
Jane's arm. "All will yet be well. Come, I, your Imp, will lead you to
the taxicab."
"And I'll help do the leading," declared Judith gaily, taking hold of
Jane's free arm. "Ethel, you can walk behind and carry Jane's traveling
bag. That will be some little honor."
Knowing precisely how Jane felt, Judith affected a cheeriness she was
far from feeling. She heartily wished that she had