It was several minutes before Mary succeeded in conciliating her sulky friend.  By that time the tiny sprouts of good fellowship that had vainly tried to poke their heads up into the light had been hopelessly blighted by the chilling reception they met with, and Mary had again been won over to Alberta’s side.

Saturday evening Arline Thayer entertained the ghost party at Martell’s, and Elfreda, to her utter astonishment, was made the guest of honor.  During the progress of the dinner, Alberta Wicks, Mary Hampton and two other sophomores dropped in for ice cream.  By their furtive glances and earnest conversation it was apparent that they strongly suspected the identity of the avenging specters.  Elfreda’s presence, too, confirmed their suspicions.

In a spirit of pure mischief Mabel Ashe pulled a leaf from her note book.  Borrowing a pencil, she made an interesting little sketch of two frightened young women fleeing before a band of sheeted specters.  Underneath she wrote:  “It is sometimes difficult to lay ghosts.  Walk warily if you wish to remain unhaunted.”  This she sent to Alberta Wicks by the waitress.  It was passed from hand to hand, and resulted in four young women leaving Martell’s without finishing their ice cream.

“You spoiled their taste for ice cream, Mabel,” laughed Frances Marlton, glancing at the now vacant table.  “I imagine they are shaking in their shoes.”

“They did not think that the juniors had taken a hand in things,” remarked Constance Fuller.

“Hardly,” laughed Helen Burton.  “Did you see their faces when they read that note?”

“It’s really too bad to frighten them so,” said Leona Rowe.

“I don’t agree with you, Leona,” said Mabel Ashe firmly.  Her charming face had grown grave.  “I think that Miss Wicks and Miss Hampton both ought to be sent home.  If you will look back a little you will recollect that these two girls were far from being a credit to their class during their freshman year.  I don’t like to say unkind things about an Overton girl, but those two young women were distinctly trying freshmen, and as far as I can see haven’t imbibed an iota of college spirit.  Last night’s trick, however, was completely overstepping the bounds.  If Miss Briggs had been a timid, nervous girl, matters might have resulted quite differently.  Then it would have been our duty to report the mischief makers.  I am not sure that we are doing right in withholding what we now know from the faculty, but I am willing to give these girls the benefit of the doubt and remain silent.”

“That is my opinion of the matter, too,” agreed Grace.  “It is only a matter of a few days until we shall all have to say good-bye until fall.  During vacation certain girls will have plenty of time to think things over, and then they may see matters in an entirely different light.  I shouldn’t like to think that almost my last act before going home to my mother was to give some girl a dismissal from Overton to take home to hers.”