  Miss Susanna Hamilton was not the only one to receive an overwhelming surprise that night. Opening the door of her room Marjorie found it dark. With a sharp exclamation she groped for the wall button and flashed on the light. Sheer amazement held her in leash for a moment. The first thing upon which her gaze became fixed was a huge white banner tacked above her couch bed. It bore in large red lettering the legend, "Merry May-day to Marjorie Dean, Marvelous Manager." On the bed, covering it completely, was an array of May baskets that made her gasp. There they were, the very ones she had admired most when her friends were making them. A trifle dazed at her sudden good fortune, Marjorie stood in rapt contemplation of her friends' tributes. Before she had time to go nearer to examine them, sounds of stifled laughter informed her that she was not alone. "You may just come out of those dress closets, everyone of you," she called, a tiny catch in her voice. "I know perfectly well that's where you are." Silence followed her command. Suddenly a louder burst of laughter greeted her ears. From the closets on both sides of the room her chums emerged, fairly tumbling over one another. "If you will go out by yourself on secret basket-hangings you must expect things to happen while you're gone," Jerry playfully upbraided. "I never dreamed of any such lovely surprise." Marjorie looked almost distressed. "And I was so mean to my little pals. I wouldn't tell 'em who my violet May basket was for. You shouldn't have taken all this trouble for me, dear children. I'm not worth one little bit of it." "Go tell that to the second cousin of your grandmother's great aunt," was Leila's refreshing response. "We all have good taste. Don't belittle it. Since you feel a wee bit conscience-stricken over the violet basket, you may square yourself by telling us who it was for." "I can guess," boasted Muriel. "It was for Miss Humphrey." "No." Marjorie shook her head. "Then I don't know; unless it was for Doctor A shout of mirth followed this ingenuous guess. "Don't guess again," Marjorie implored. "I won't. I've guessed wrongly both times. I don't know anyone else who might be in line for that scrumptious basket." "I know where it went, but I'll let Marjorie tell you," Jerry said calmly. "I told the girls they would have time to fix up the surprise before you came back. Vera did that lettering on one of her sheets in about five minutes. Maybe we didn't hustle, though." She had now turned to Marjorie. "Do you believe I know where you were?" Marjorie looked into Jerry's eyes and smiled. "Yes, I think you know," she answered. "I'm going to tell you all." She swept her friends with affectionate eyes. "That basket was for Miss Susanna. I ran all the way to Hamilton Arms with it. I was a little afraid of getting caught by the servants, but I didn't meet a soul inside the gate." It was her friends' turn to be astonished. A round of exclamatory remarks went up at the information, followed by eager questions. "I can't explain why I did it," Marjorie began when the commotion had subsided. "I thought of "We felt sorry for you in your lonely old age," giggled Helen. "We thought you needed something to cheer you up. But we're not going to hang around here all evening. We are going to give Miss Remson a May shower. Get the basket you made for her and come along. This is my party. I've ordered Nesselrode pudding and French cakes from the Colonial. Think of that!" "Wonderful!" Marjorie's eyes were dancing. "She will be so delighted to have a surprise party. She really deserves one." "So she does, and so did you, and you have had one." Helen dropped a friendly arm over Marjorie's shoulder. Shyly she endeavored to convey an affection she could not put into words. It was a warmth of regard which Marjorie drew from those who had learned to know the fine sweetness of her disposition. "I think we are the only ones at Hamilton to hang May baskets," Vera observed. "It's a custom that ought to be brought forward." "It is a beautiful idea." Ronny patted lovingly "We ought to go in for more of that sort of thing next year," asserted Muriel. "Goodness knows we have had enough friction to entitle us to the peaceful pursuit of pleasant things." "'The pursuit of pleasant things.'" repeated Marjorie. "I like to think of that as our outlook for next year. We have had two years of hard fighting for democracy. I wish we might have peace next year and a chance to invest our Alma Mater with new grace, by bringing back to her some of these beautiful customs. As a junior I am going to think a good deal about Hamilton traditions, too, and impress them on others, if I can." How truly Marjorie carried out her ardent resolution during her third year at Hamilton will be told in "Marjorie Dean, College Junior." THE END SAVE THE WRAPPER! If you have enjoyed reading about the adventures of the new friends you have made in this book and would like to read more clean, wholesome stories of their entertaining experiences, turn to the book jacket—on the inside of it, a comprehensive list of Burt's fine series of carefully selected books for young people has been placed for your convenience. Orders for these books, placed with your bookstore or sent to the Publishers, will receive prompt attention. Marjorie Dean BY PAULINE LESTER. Author of the Famous Marjorie Dean High School Series Those who have read the Marjorie Dean High School Series will be eager to read this new series, as Marjorie Dean continues to be the heroine in these stories. All Clothbound. Copyright Titles. PRICE, 50 CENTS EACH MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE FRESHMAN For sale by all booksellers, or sent on receipt of price by the Publishers A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 E. 23d St., NEW YORK Marjorie Dean BY PAULINE LESTER Author of the Famous Marjorie Dean College Series These are clean, wholesome stories that will be of great interest to all girls of high school age. All Cloth BoundCopyright Titles PRICE, 50 CENTS EACH MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN For sale by all booksellers, or sent on receipt of price by the Publishers A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 E. 23d St., NEW YORK MARJORIE DEAN By PAULINE LESTER Author of the Famous Marjorie Dean High School and College Series. All Cloth BoundCopyright Titles With Individual Jackets in Colors. PRICE, 50 CENTS EACH MARJORIE DEAN, POST GRADUATE For sale by all booksellers, or sent on receipt of price by the Publishers A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 E. 23d St., NEW YORK |
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