“Laura,” gasped Marylyn, “Where is she? She’s to blame for—” she checked herself.
“Yes; she is. She came to me in confidence today because she had the courage of her convictions. She wishes you to know this; asked me to tell you. That’s all, I believe. Come on. Jewel, let’s go over to Baretti’s for ice cream. Good night, masks. The next time you decide to start on a student you don’t happen to fancy, think it over, and don’t start.”
Her arm linked in Jewel’s, the tiny girl had begun to cry, quietly, pitifully, she drew her freshie catch toward the door, leaving an oddly silent row of chagrined girls behind them.
CHAPTER XXII
GOLDENDEDE’S CHOICE
That which Jewel had so greatly feared proved itself to be instead the beginning of her rise in campus popularity. Her tearful apologies to Leslie the latter met with a smiling “Forget it.” Deciding to do some investigating on her own account, Leslie took occasion to drop into the “Gazette” one afternoon for an interview with the editor. She came out of the office laughing immoderately and drove post haste for Wayland Hall.
“Do you know yet who furnished the paper with that program and write-up?” she asked Jewel as she came breezily into their room.
“No; you know I don’t. Of course I suspect Miss Norris of it, and of course I can’t prove it.” Jewel could now afford to smile at the matter. She was tasting the sweetness of being valued at last for having achieved for herself an international fame as Le Petit Oiseau.
“Do you care now who did it?” Leslie questioned shrewdly.
“No; not now, except to be glad that I’ve no tiresome secret to bother me.”