INITIATION
It did not take very long for Jean and Elizabeth to find out a great
deal about the secret societies at Ashton, much to the satisfaction of
one and the keen disappointment of the other. There were five in all,
the Beta Mu, the Kappa Alpha, the Sigma Delta, the Phi Beta, and the
Gamma Chi. Each had from twenty to twenty-five members, chosen from the
four classes; each had its club room and its society pin, which was
always in evidence on the left side of the girls' waists. The first
days of college the society was in the background as college came first
and then class, but as matters became adjusted and the girls settled
down to the routine of regular life, this factor came into evidence.
It was pretty generally conceded that the two most desirable societies
were the Gamma Chi and the Sigma Delta, and both were eager to obtain
Jean Cabot as one of their members. However, the membership of the two
was entirely different; to the former belonged Peggy Allison, Natalie
Lawton, Dorothy Wright and Frances Farnsworth, girls with a serious
purpose in college but still finding time for plenty of fun; to the
latter belonged Midge Remington, Lill Spalding, Lena Jameson and Gerry
Fairbanks, girls with plenty of money and clothes and a desire for
athletic honors and good times foremost, with scholastic efforts in the
background.
Rushing had begun early, and although at first Jean had not realized
why so many girls had been so kind to her, it flashed over her all of
a sudden that it had all been with the purpose of finally winning her
to their particular society. Nothing definite had been said, and she
had not been invited to join one or the other but she felt that it was
only a matter of time. She had been to walk, to drive, to the theater,
to lunch, rowing on the lake; had played tennis with the best players
college afforded, had been to "hoodangs," first in one girl's room and
then in another's, to tea at the Inn, home for week-ends with the girls
who lived near by--one pleasant thing after another until she began to
tire of so much attention and decided to accept no more invitations
until she had had a breathing spell. One thing had troubled her at
first, but she soon became used to the fact that Elizabeth had not been
invited to many of the good times and often watched her depart with a
look upon her face which seemed to say, "Why does she have everything
and I nothing?"
One Saturday towards the end of October both girls had been invited
down to Peggy Allison's room to a Gamma Chi "hoodang" or rushing-party.
It was one of the few invitations in which Elizabeth was included and
she had counted on it for many days. At noon she said to Jean, "What
time shall we go to Miss Allison's room to-night?"
"Oh, I'm sorry Elizabeth, but you'll have to go with one of the other
girls for I've promised to walk with Marjorie and Lill Spalding to
Tramp's Rock this afternoon and have tea at the Inn on our return.
I'll be back about eight or thereabouts and go directly to Peggy's room
so I'll see you there surely. What are you going to do this afternoon?"
"I don't know now, I had hoped that you and I could do something; we
haven't had a single Saturday afternoon together yet. Isn't the college
library open Saturday afternoons and evenings? Perhaps I'll go over and
read a little while the last part of the afternoon."
Jean and her friends enjoyed every minute of the afternoon and just
before they were ready to start back home Marjorie said to Lill, "I'm
going to take Jean round the other side of the Rock for a few moments;
you can sit and gaze at the clouds until we come back again if you want
to."
After they had walked a few moments Marjorie said, "Jean, I've been
appointed a committee of one to invite you to become a member of
Sigma Delta society. We have some of the best girls in college among
our members as you have had an opportunity to see for yourself. You
know what our girls have done in athletics and in social activities
and we want you to be one of us. Here is a bow of blue ribbon and if
you decide to become a member of Sigma Delt you will wear this ribbon
Monday to chapel and to all your recitations during the day. Then all
the other girls will see what you have chosen and from then on you will
be ours and they will let you alone. I'm pretty sure you've made up
your mind already, but I can't ask you to commit yourself until Monday.
Now we'll go back for Lill and then start for the Inn."
It was considerably after eight when Jean knocked upon Peggy Allison's
door and at the pleasant "Come in" entered the room and found herself
the last arrival, for some twenty upper-class girls with ten or twelve
freshmen were packed closely in the room and the one adjoining which
had been loaned by an accommodating sophomore.
"Why, where's your room-mate, Miss Cabot?" sang out one of the girls.
"Oh, isn't she here? She said she was coming, but I haven't seen her
since dinner for I was away all the afternoon and had supper at the
Inn. Didn't she wait on table? I'll run upstairs and see if she's
forgotten to come. That hardly seems possible, though, for she has been
counting on this so long."
When Jean returned she reported that Elizabeth was nowhere to be seen,
although her hat and coat were on the couch where they had evidently
been thrown in haste and her white party dress still hung in the closet
in its accustomed place. "I'm going downstairs to ask Mrs. Thompson
if she knows whether Elizabeth was at supper, or excused for some
reason." But Mrs. Thompson said that she had been at supper as usual
and she knew nothing further of her whereabouts. Next, Jean hastened
to the register in the reading-room and found no record of Elizabeth's
leaving the dormitory. Perhaps Mary Boynton, the general proctor of
Merton for student government, would have some explanation for her, so
she hurried to 34, but Miss Boynton knew nothing about the girl and in
despair she returned to 27.
"Oh, hasn't she come yet? I've been everywhere I can think of and
nobody knows anything about her. Where can she be?"
"Now, Jean, calm yourself," said Natalie, "perhaps she's visiting some
of the girls in another house and has forgotten all about us. We'll
wait until nine o'clock and then if she hasn't put in an appearance
we'll organize a searching-party. Come, girls, pass those candies to
Jean before they're all eaten up. Can't you see she's waiting for them?"
But Jean didn't seem to enjoy the candies or the other things which
circulated round about her. She seemed, somehow, above the happiness
of the occasion to see the disappointed look on Elizabeth's face when
at noon she had told her she could not go to the party with her, and
above the voices of the others she seemed to hear Elizabeth's trembling
voice saying that she would spend the half-holiday in the library. It
had seemed so ridiculous to Jean then to think of spending unnecessary
time in the library among dry old books. But perhaps Elizabeth had gone
to the library; they could ask the librarian.
It seemed to Jean as though nine o'clock would never strike, every step
in the hall must be Elizabeth's but still she did not come and at last
Jean burst out, "Girls, I'm sorry to break up your little party but I
can't stand it another minute. I've just got to do something. Will two
or three of you come with me while I get Mary Boynton and Mrs. Thompson
and with them we can go to all the dormitories and ask if she is in
any of the girls' rooms? It doesn't seem probable, for she has hardly
any friends outside of Merton, but I think it's the best thing to do.
Each of us can take a dormitory and report at College Hall. I'll go to
Wellington, Peggy can take East, Natalie, West, Miss Boynton, North,
and Emily Sanderson, South. Mrs. Thompson can wait at College Hall so
in case any of you girls here at Merton see Elizabeth or hear anything
about her you can tell her. I'm going down now for Mrs. Thompson; and,
Natalie, will you get Mary Boynton? Don't stop to change your gowns,
for we mustn't lose a minute's time. Put on your sweaters and let's
start at once."
It was after ten o'clock when the little group finally met again at
College Hall and the matter began to look so serious that the girls
hardly knew what to do. Although they had searched the dormitories very
carefully not a trace could they find of the missing girl. Finally Jean
said, "Where does Miss Clarkson, the librarian, live?"
"Somewhere off the hill, Jean," answered Peggy. "We could find out from
some of the faculty."
"No," said Jean, "if she isn't on the hill it won't do any good to try
to find her. I wanted to ask her if she remembered seeing Elizabeth in
the library to-day. I wonder how we could get into the library? What
time does it close on Saturdays?"
Mary Boynton replied that Saturday evening was the only one of the
week when it was open. She thought this was until half-past eight, and
suggested that probably if they could find the janitor he would let
them into the building.
"But why should you think Elizabeth is in the library? Wouldn't she go
out with the others when it closed?" asked Mary.
"Yes, I should think so," said Jean, "but there's nowhere else to look
and if she isn't there I give up the search. I'm going to run over to
Miss Emerson's a moment to ask her how we can get into the library. You
people start in that direction and I'll be with you in a few moments."
Jean fairly tore over the campus and gave Miss Emerson's bell a
vigorous pressing. There were no lights at the front of the house but
after a little while Miss Emerson herself appeared at the door. "Why!
good evening, Miss Cabot, what can I do for you so late at night? Come
right into my study for it's a little chilly here. My maid has retired
but I was looking over an address I am to give next week in Chicago."
"Oh, no, thank you, Miss Emerson, I can't sit down. My room-mate,
Elizabeth Fairfax, is missing and we have looked everywhere for her
but can't find her. I want to look in the library before we give up the
search for the last time I saw her, this noon, she told me that she
might go down to the library to read. How can I get into the library
to-night?"
"Now, my dear child, do calm yourself. It is rather late to disturb the
janitor but I will take my keys and go with you and probably we can
find the night-watchman and he will assist us. Just step into the hall
while I get my coat and hat."
It seemed an interminable time to Jean before Miss Emerson returned,
but at last they started out. Miss Emerson talked constantly on
subjects entirely foreign to the matter of the lost girl, and Jean
wondered how she could possibly think of such trivial things, much
less talk about them. When they reached the little group in front of
the library Miss Emerson was the only calm one among them and she
quietly wished each one a good-evening and then started up the library
steps. With a small electric bulb which she held in her hand she easily
fitted the key into the lock and opened the great outer doors. Then
it was an easy matter to spring open the inner doors and press the
electric button which flooded the foyer with brilliant light. Calling
the girls to her she said, "We will take different sections of the
building to explore, and if one of us discovers Miss Fairfax we will
let the others know." Each girl then took an alcove and began the
search. Jean went straight to the alcoves belonging to the history
department. Here she called softly, "Oh, Elizabeth, are you there?" but
no response came, and she went away down into the last alcove calling
again and again softly, "Oh, Elizabeth, Elizabeth." At last she heard
the sleepy reply, "What is it, Jean? Here I am." And Jean switched on
another light and saw her room-mate lying on the floor with her head on
a great book apparently as comfortable as she would have been in her
own bed in Merton.
Jean went out into the main corridor and shouted, "Oh, girls--Miss
Emerson--come here! I've found her." And then returning to Elizabeth
she said, "Why, what are you doing here? We've been looking for you all
over college, and I've been nearly frightened to death about you."
When Elizabeth saw Miss Emerson and Mrs. Thompson and all the girls,
she looked anxiously from one to the other and said, "Oh, I am very
sorry to have caused so much trouble, I didn't think I was of enough
account ever to be missed by any one, least of all by you, Jean."
"Oh, Elizabeth, how can you say that?" said Jean as she helped her to
arise. "Now sit down here on this chair and tell us how you happened to
be here. You didn't do it on purpose did you, Elizabeth, because I--"
[Illustration: "WHY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR
YOU ALL OVER COLLEGE."--_Page 90_.]
But Elizabeth interrupted her with, "Oh, Jean, thank you so much for
wanting to find me! It's worth all the rest. I don't see how it could
have happened--unless when I get to reading history I forget everything
else in the world. About four o'clock I went into the history alcove
and took down a volume on Queen Elizabeth's reign and began to read.
When I was about half way through the third chapter, Betty Winship,
who went down with me, told me it was a quarter of six. I knew I was
due at Merton at six but I had reached the most interesting account of
Elizabeth's education. I slipped a corner of my handkerchief into the
book and put it carefully back on the shelf, deciding to go back after
supper and just finish the chapter before I got ready for Peggy's party.
"I hurried back as soon as I had eaten my supper and began reading
again about Elizabeth. I suppose I must have forgotten everything else
in the world, for the first thing I knew every light in the building
went out. I called as loud as I could but no one answered me, and for a
moment I was frightened. It was so dark I could not find the electric
light switches and the windows were too high even to hope to reach. I
made up my mind there was nothing to do but stay here until morning
when perhaps I could hail a passer-by."
"But Elizabeth, didn't you know it was Saturday night and the library
wouldn't be opened again till Monday morning?" said Jean. "Just think
what might have happened if you couldn't have found some one to open
the door. You'd have almost starved in there alone. I guess very few
of the girls ever go by the library on Sundays. Isn't it lucky we came
here to-night?"
"I didn't think about that. I forgot it was Saturday and thought of
course it would open early the next morning. I was tired and as I could
find nothing else for a pillow I took the book in my lap and laid my
head on that. Of course floors aren't the softest beds in the world,
but I must have fallen asleep, for I don't remember anything else until
I heard Jean calling to me. I'm so sorry to have caused so much worry
and trouble. I didn't dream any one would ever miss me," and the tears
began to trickle down her cheeks.
Miss Emerson put her arm around Elizabeth and led her out into the
foyer, followed by the rest of the little procession. "Miss Cabot," she
said, "will you please put off the lights and after we are all out,
close the door; it locks itself. Thank you very much."
Soon Elizabeth had regained her usual good spirits and walked up
the Row with Mary Boynton and Peggy Allison, followed by the others,
with Jean and Miss Emerson in the rear. "Thank you so much, Miss
Emerson, for coming with me and helping us to-night," said Jean, but
Miss Emerson replied, "I think it is you who ought to be thanked.
Without your good work Miss Fairfax would have remained all night in
the library and doubtless would have caught a severe cold, to say
nothing of a nervous shock. She does not look very strong, but what an
interesting little room-mate she must be!"
Jean was thankful that they reached Miss Emerson's house just then in
time to save her the humiliation of having to reply that as yet she
really hadn't had much time to find out anything interesting about her
room-mate.
It did not take long to reach Merton and disperse for the night. As
they were going upstairs Peggy Allison said, "Oh, Jean, after you have
taken Elizabeth upstairs would you mind coming down in my room for just
a moment?" Jean replied that she would, although she was so tired that
it seemed as though she could not wait another moment to get into bed.
She threw her things on the couch, stumbled over her waste-basket,
groped her way down the stairs and knocked timidly at Peggy's door.
"Come in, Jean," said Peggy. "Sit down just for a moment. It's too bad
our party wasn't the success we hoped it would be but I want to tell
you that I think what you have done was splendid. We never would have
found her if it hadn't been for you. But there's something else I want
to tell you to-night. I had intended to earlier in the evening but
really I couldn't find an opportunity until now. We, that is, the Gamma
Chis, want you to become one of our members. Monday is pledging day and
here is a bow of green ribbon; if you decide to join us you will wear
this little bow pinned on the left side of your shirt-waist and that
will show the other girls that you belong to us. Wear it to chapel in
the morning and to recitations all day. You will not be the only girl
with a bow of colored ribbon on, for every society will have invited
girls to do the same as I have you. You know our girls; you've met them
all, and by this time know whether you like us or not. I've wanted you
for one of our members since the first day I saw you on the train at
New York, but I realize others have desired you, too. We do have good
times together, and you won't make a mistake if you join Gamma Chi.
I'll be watching to see you enter chapel Monday morning and I hope
we win. There, I won't keep you another minute to-night. Good night,
dear. Remember, whichever way you choose, it can't make a particle of
difference in our friendship. We can always be good friends even if
we're not sisters. Can you see your way upstairs? The lights have been
out for hours."
When Jean reached her room she switched on the light and walked over to
her somewhat disordered desk. She swept the books and papers off and
placed the two bows of ribbon, the green and the blue, side by side on
the cleared space and contemplated them for a moment. Her reverie was
interrupted by a knock at the door and she found Marjorie Remington
just outside.
"Let me in for just a moment," whispered Marjorie; "put out your lights
for it's late. Tell me what all this excitement's about. I didn't get
back from Lill's room till almost ten and every one was talking about
Elizabeth's being lost and all you people out hunting for her. Where
did you find her?"
Jean related the incident as briefly as possible, and when she had
finished Marjorie said, "And you did all that for that insignificant
little freshman? I thought you never bothered your head about her
except for German translations? You're easy, that's all I've got to
say. I'm dead for sleep, so good night," and she stole quietly back to
her room. As Jean went over to her desk and put on the lights again
she looked at the two bows on the desk and smiled down at them without
saying a word.
Monday morning Jean arose before Elizabeth and went out to the desk to
do a little studying before breakfast. She had been translating her
French for about a half-hour when two telegrams were brought to her
room. Frightened, she tore open the envelopes and read first,
"Is it to be cousin or sister?
"ANNA MAITLANDT."
And then,
"I bet on the 'Wearing of the Green.'
"THOMAS CABOT."
She smiled as she read them a second time, and then wondered how Tom
and Anna had ever guessed.
Jean purposely avoided Elizabeth that morning and hurried to chapel
alone. When she took her usual seat she felt as if every eye was upon
her. She tried not to look conscious, but she felt that she failed in
the attempt. It took only a moment to see that she wore the bow of
green, and joy reigned among the Gamma Chis and sorrow among the Sigma
Delts.
It was about two weeks after Pledging Monday that Jean was told to be
ready on Wednesday, November twelfth, for her initiation into Gamma
Chi. At half-past eight she reported at Peggy Allison's room where she
was blindfolded and wrapped in a long black cape. It seemed to her
that she was led miles and miles by a guard on either side who spoke
never a word. Finally they reached what appeared to be a subterranean
passage which led into a cold, damp cave. Jean was commanded to fall
upon her knees and raise her right hand and swear by all the sacred
spirits of the past to be true forever to Gamma Chi. Then there arose
a most dismal wail from the spirits of the past, and Jean in fear and
trembling promised all that was asked of her.
"Will you wear for evermore the insignia of Gamma Chi?" said a
sepulchral voice.
"I will," said poor Jean.
"Then stretch forth thy good right arm that we may bare it to the
elbow. Here let us imprint our emblem," and Jean shuddered as the
red-hot brand traced out the figures on her arm. She wondered why she
did not scream out, and although she had never fainted in her life she
felt at this moment as though she were about to fall to the floor.
Just then the handkerchief was torn from her eyes, a hearty laugh came
from the girls and Jean found herself in the cellar of the dormitory
which the girls had borrowed for the occasion. She looked down at her
bared arm and then at Peggy, who stood before her with a pointed piece
of ice still in her hands.
"You're a brick, Jean. It's no fun trying to haze you; why didn't you
scream or do something exciting? Well, you have been so good about this
part that we'll take you up to society rooms without any more delay."
When they reached the rooms which were on the upper floor of a private
residence a little distance from the college buildings they found all
the girls chatting merrily and laughing over the evening's adventures.
Soon, however, they proceeded to serious matters, and the five freshmen
and one sophomore were initiated into the noble society of Gamma
Chi. As it was then, and still is, a secret society, it would not be
fitting to divulge the mysteries which were revealed to the wondering
six. Suffice it to say that in due time the serious business ended,
the eating began, and such quantities of food as those thirty girls
consumed! At length, however, they were satisfied and arose and forming
a circle they joined hands and sang:
"Oh, here's to Gamma Chi, Gamma Chi;
Oh, here's to Gamma Chi, Gamma Chi;
Oh, here's to Gamma Chi. We'll be loyal till we die;
Drink it down, drink it down to Gamma Chi, Chi, Chi!"
And then the president, Florence Farnsworth, took the bunch of American
Beauty roses which stood in the center of the table and gave one rose
to each of the new members and pinned a glittering gold star upon the
left side of their waists, saying as she did so, "Just above your
hearts, girls; always loyal to Gamma Chi. Now, three cheers for our six
new members." After these were given, it was all over and the girls
departed to their different dormitories.
As Jean had expected, she found Elizabeth had gone to bed and to sleep,
but not before first putting Jean's kimona and slippers on the couch
so that she might make herself comfortable as soon as she arrived. Jean
put her beautiful rose in a long, thin vase she had recently purchased
in town and then placed it on Elizabeth's desk. She wished that there
might have been one more freshman initiated that evening. She saw
how impossible it was just then, but it was something to work for by
herself. She was just beginning to see something of the real Elizabeth
of whom the other girls had not the slightest suspicion.
Just before she retired Jean went to her desk and filled out a telegram
blank which she found there:
"To MISS ANNA MAITLANDT, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston,
Massachusetts:
"From now on it is to be sister and cousin.
"JEAN."