In another hour—­how short a time it seemed—­the dance was over.  University boys were piling into their cars, and the girls of Wellington would presently be back again in that cozy, if limited, little world, all their very own.

What a glorious success it had been!  Even the night was perfect, and now at the happy shouting of “good-byes” the stars blinked down mischievously, and a busy old moon took time from his science to send out a couple of searchlight flashes to greet youth on its merry way.

Ted “Barrett” was saying good-bye to Jane.  He made opportunity for this, although his companions were honking their horn recklessly, bidding him “come now or stay as long as he pleased.”

“Miss Allen,” said the Yorktown boy, “I can’t help telling you personally how fine this has been.  To have—­the girls here, I know is due to your—­special generosity, and some day I hope I’ll have a chance to tell you what it has meant to me.  Just now,” he smiled broadly, “those freshies have me bound in their riddle game and I can’t talk intelligently; tongue-tied,” he finished.

“I understand,” spoke up Jane, smiling herself.  “They are a wonderful team—­and I am much interested in both.”

“So am I,” called out the chivalrous Ted, as he answered an ear-splitting honk from his chums and rushed out to the big waiting car.

Sally and Shirley were at the steps to see him off, and now Jane joined them.  Ted tossed back a freshman’s cap, snatched from the head of a luckless “stude” who must go all the way to Yorktown uncapped.  He threw the “inkspot” out high in the air, and as it came down, somehow it managed to come within reach of Jane’s outstretched palm.

Promptly she donned it, of course, and the trophy instantly became an object of excited interest among the retiring dancers.

It was only a very small black cloth cap, and a poor freshman was now going home with his inadequate hand on a cold head in lieu of it, but somehow when Jane stuck it on the wall between two Wellington pennants, the juniors’ and freshmen’s, it seemed a symbol of her mystic relationship with the girl who carried the Allen scholarship.

“I’ll leave it here until we can clean up,” she said looking affectionately at the small black spot on the wall.  “Then, of course, it goes to my room.”

“Of course,” echoed Judith dolefully.  “I suppose the ownership of that puts you in a Yorktown frat.”

“Hardly, but it will be a little souvenir of this wonderful night.”

Both Sally and Bobbie were beside her now.  Their cheeks blazed still with excitement, and eyes continued the dance even now echoing through those beam-bedecked walls.

“Wasn’t it wonderful?” exclaimed Sally.

“I never thought I could have such a perfect time,” sighed Bobbie.

“That’s Wellington,” commented Jane loyally.  “We do everything just right under that banner,” and picking up her little party bag she was ready to leave for sleeping quarters.