WHO WILL WIN THE HONOR PIN?
After the Famous Fiction masquerade a noticeable lull in social
activities at Overton ensued. Except for basketball, which always
flourished between midyear and Easter, little occurred to break the
studious wave that swept over the college. There was one topic, however,
that furnished food for endless discussion, and that was the senior play
contest. In the beginning a goodly number of girls had entered the
lists, imagining that to write a play was an extremely simple matter.
After two or three feeble attempts at writing, the majority of them had
given up in disgust, and from all that could be learned there were less
than twenty contestants who had persevered.
The decision of the judges was to be reserved until after the beginning
of the spring term, but the contest closed the Tuesday before the Easter
holiday began, and it had been stipulated in the rules that all
manuscripts must be in the hands of the judges on, or previous to, that
time.
As far as was known, no one from Wayne Hall, save Kathleen West and
Elfreda, had entered the contest, and even Patience Eliot was not sure
that Kathleen had finished and submitted her play. Several times
Patience endeavored adroitly to lead up to the subject, but Kathleen
invariably turned the conversation into other channels.
"Patience can't find out whether or not Kathleen West entered the
contest," observed Grace. A week had passed since the beginning of the
spring term, and Miriam, Elfreda, Grace and Anne were strolling across
the campus enjoying the tender beauty of a late April day.
[Illustration: The Four Friends Were Strolling Across the Campus.]
"I imagine she did," said Miriam. "I have an idea she is likely to win,
too. I can appreciate her ability if I can't wax enthusiastic over her
disposition."
"I am so tired of being asked what my play was about," declared Anne.
"Everyone seems to take it for granted that I wrote one. I only wish I
were clever enough to write a play or even a sketch."
"The announcement is to be made to-morrow isn't it?" asked Miriam.
Grace nodded. "Miss Duncan told me yesterday that there had been only
fourteen manuscripts handed in. She said at least five of them were
really clever. She and the other judges were to meet last night to talk
over the matter and make their final decision. It is to be announced at
five o'clock to-morrow afternoon in the gymnasium. Didn't you see the
notice on the big bulletin board this morning?"
"The girl who wins will stand a chance of having her head completely
turned," said Miriam. "If she is a senior, her class will bankrupt
themselves entertaining her, and if she belongs to one of the other
classes, her own class will probably prostrate themselves at her feet in
a body, not to mention the general adulation that is bound to come to
the winner."
"Then I hope I win," was Elfreda's calm statement. "I know I won't,
because my play was a comedy, and, besides, I know some one else whose
idea for a play was a hundred times better than mine."
"Who is it?" The question came simultaneously from Miriam and Grace.
Elfreda shook her head. "I won't say. The person made me promise I
wouldn't tell."
"Then we aren't curious to know," said Grace promptly. "Forget that we
asked you."
"Oh, that's all right," assured Elfreda. "You'll know soon enough if she
wins the honor."
"What are the latest developments in the campus mystery, Professor
Holmes?" laughed Grace.
"There aren't any," responded Elfreda, shrugging her shoulders. "I found
what I supposed to be a clue, and, careful investigator that I am, ran
it down, but it led to nothing. However, I haven't given up. I'll solve
the problem yet. The noble name of Briggs shall never be associated with
failure."
"Any time before commencement, Elfreda," jeered Miriam. "You might keep
it as a parting surprise. We shall need something to help bolster up our
courage on that last day when the air is rent with good-byes."
"That isn't a bad idea," commented Elfreda. "Perhaps I will. I wish
to-morrow were here. I am more anxious to know who won the honor prize
than I am to discover who is responsible for our mysterious campus
house."
"What are you girls going to do this evening?" asked Grace, as they
reached Wayne Hall and seated themselves on the veranda for a few
minutes' further chat before going upstairs to get ready for dinner.
"I am going to see Ruth and Arline to-night," announced Anne. "Will you
girls go with me?"
"I can't," said Miriam regretfully. "I have letters to write."
"I'll go," agreed Grace.
Elfreda alone was silent.
"And what has J. Elfreda Briggs on her mind?" questioned Anne.
"I can't go. I have another little investigation to pursue," said
Elfreda pompously. "If it turns out well, I may have something to tell
you girls."
But that night, when the four chums gathered in Grace's room for a brief
social session before retiring, Elfreda shook her head soberly when
reminded of her partial promise. "I am sorry, but I didn't say
positively that I'd tell you."
"Then it didn't turn out well?" from Miriam.
"No," replied Elfreda shortly, "it didn't."
Three pairs of eyes were fixed inquiringly upon Elfreda. "I didn't
promise to tell you anything, you know," she reminded bluntly.
"We are well aware of that fact, my dear Miss Briggs," laughed Miriam,
"but we would appreciate your confidence, and having aroused our
curiosity you ought to do something to satisfy it."
"All right, I'll tell you," decided Elfreda. "I purposely waylaid
Kathleen West as she was going out of the house to-night and walked as
far as the library with her. I could see she wasn't yearning for my
company, but I wanted to tell her that I knew she was 'Peter Rabbit' at
the dance. Well, I told her," continued Elfreda grimly, "but I had hard
work doing it. She talked about everything under the sun and wouldn't
give me a chance to say a word. And how she did walk! But I kept up with
her. I could see she wanted to get away from me. I told her just as we
reached the library steps." Elfreda paused.
"Well, what did she say?" asked Grace almost impatiently.
"She said 'good night' and ran up the library steps like a flash. I
don't know whether she was angry or not. I can't see why she should be."
"Here is something at last that Elfreda can't see," murmured Miriam.
"I can see that it will be a long time before I tell you girls anything
again," retorted Elfreda, but her smiling face belied her brusque words.