10 The Acorn unique little supper, very appropriate, indeed. "Margie how could you think of so much?" Ruth asked. "Been thinking of it for the last two weeks," was the dry retort. "And yet you made out to be indifferent to our plans." "If I hadn't I'd have spoiled half my plans." "I'll tell you girls," said Maud let's have one every week. I speak for the next one." "Agreed, Maud's place next" all cried enthusiastically.. So it was arranged and for eight successive weeks the girls held their tongues and their wills. "I don't care if we never go to another common dance," Amy said (all agreed.) "It's my turn next week." And club adjourned. IV "Will you go to the party Friday night, with Tom and me, Flossie? asked Nell Carter. I think you girls are perfectly ridiculuous. Why don't you go to the dances? Half the boys sit on their seats nearly the whole time." "Let them," laughed Flossie, "who cares? Not we." "Will you go?" persisted Nell. "Can't do it, Nell. Have an engagement. Sorry to dissappoint you, but it can't be helped." "Oh bother, Flo, tell us can't you? Why can't you go?" demanded Tom, "why not?" "Why not? Look here Tom Black. You've got a girl haven't you? Of course you wouldn't think of going to a dance without Nell. So have about half a dozen other fellows and the rest? Just to lazy to ask a girl to go, but very willing to take one home and talk nonsense to her about how nice she is. Pooh! They're a lot of cads!" "Go to the dance and get one." "No sir Tom Black, we're not hunting partners. We have taken an oath never to "never to what ?' "Never to go to a dance or anywhere else, where we shall meet young men, without a partner. Old Twenty One will never break her word." "Whew! I see Ho! Ho! laughed'' Tom. "Say you girls are bricks. It's too good to keep, Flo, I'll tell Jim." "Well who cares if you do? It's true." Before night about twenty young men had learned the news, and by Friday the whole fifty were aware of the seriousness of the oath solemnly sworn and rigidly carried out. "May I walk home with you Miss Davis?, asked Hall Parry on Friday after school. "If you wish," was the simple answer. "We've missed you so much at the dances," began Hal. "Haven't they anyone to serve punch yet?" she asked seriously, but there was a tiny twinkle in her eye. "Oh bother the Punch! You know what I mean." The Acorn 11 "I do" questionably. "Certainly, and I want to know if I may have your company for the dance tonight?" Glen stopped suddenly. "Tonight? Can't possibly. Have an engagement." "Can you invite anyone?" "I don't know," shaking her head doubtfully. "Because, if you can, may I receive an invitation?" persisted Hal. "Well, maybe, seeing as it's you the girls won't object." They had stopped at her gate. Come" at 8:15, then," she said and ran up the steps. So it happened that twenty one out of fifty young men spent the evening at Amy's reception instead of sitting out the evening at the Ward hall. The next week the hall was fairly overflowing with dancers, and each young lady was provided with an escort. "I hate to think of giving up those parties," said Jo to Gladys, "but we kept our oath." Yes the oath had been kept faithfully. The test had been tried and the girls had won. Sarah M. Williams '06. The New Leaf He came to my desk with a quivering lip, The lesson was done. "Dear teacher, I want a new leaf," he said, "I have spoiled this one." In place of the leaf so stained and blotted, I gave him a new one, all unspotted, And into his sad eyes smiled, "Do better now, my child." I went to the throne with a quivering soul The old year was done. "Dear Father, hast thou a new leaf for me? I have spoiled this one." He took the old leaf, stained and blotted, And gave me a new one, all unspotted, And into my sad heart smiled, "Do better now, my child." Anon.