Once more Shirley had the center of the stage—­a position she loved when it entailed the telling of a thrilling story.  And at last the ghost story “was ripe,” as Jane expressed it.

“Tell us,” she demanded, without regard for the race to college during the telling, “who is that woman and what do you mean by calling her the ghost.”

“She’s an actress,” declared Shirley, “that is, she thinks she is, and she has lots of money and a poor head for managing it.  In fact, I have always thought her erratic.  You see,” went on Shirley, supporting herself by “linking” into the accommodating arms extended, “Dol Vin fetched her out here from the city so that she could practice her howling.  She was cast for a part with a wild scream in it, and every time she attempted to practice someone interfered, the police usually.”

“No wonder,” interrupted Jane.  “Why couldn’t she stick to the theater for rehearsing?”

“Her own idea,” went on Shirley, importance of the occasion echoing in her tone.  “She wanted to get it down pat and startle her manager into starring her.  It seems a great deal depended on that frightful scream and she kept at it every chance she got.”  Here the girls threatened to outdo the “lady of the scream,” but rough walking checked the attempts.  They also realized her fate.

“But how did she get the chance to go up in Lenox attic?” asked Dozia when her voice could be heard.  “As I suppose it was she who ripped out that terrifying yell—–­”

“That I rang the fire bell to cover,” put in Sally gleefully.

“And that the fire department wanted to turn the hose on,” chimed in Judith.

“Now let me tell it,” demanded Shirley.

“Please do,” insisted Jane.

“Well, she had more than a scream to put in her important part, so she said!  She had also to do some wild acting and Dol Vin is responsible for the idea of Madam Zwachevsky—–­”

“Oh, spare us,” cried Jane.  “That sounds like an epidemic.”

“It’s the name she wastes ink on, but I will spare you girls.  Hereafter she shall be Madam Z,” agreed Shirley.

“Oh, hurry!  Shirley,” entreated Dozia.  “Here we are at the Cedars, and we never could wait for the rest of that story until after supper.”

“I’ll rush it through, but Sally, do stop pinching me,” she teased, just to make Sally run on ahead in contradiction.  “Well, Dol Vin didn’t want that racket around her shop, so I suppose she told Madam Z to try it on Lenox,” continued the raconteur.  “They both insisted it would be a wonderful hazing stunt, and that no college freshman’s life was complete without a lively ghost scare.  I didn’t think it would be more than a lot of fun, so I promised not to tell,” admitted Shirley.

They were at the very gate now where the girls had no choice but to separate in preparation for the evening meal, but it was wonderful how quickly the food was disposed of and how soon they were back again in Jane’s room for the conclusion of the ghost story.