6 ACORN felt somewhat relieved. He had suspected right along that somebody would tell her, so all he had to do now was to leave word for Jessie to be sure and be ready and that he would be there "Johnny on the Spot." This done, he hung up the receiver with a sigh of relief. That night proved a restless one for Jack and the next day seemed the longest that he had ever experienced. He had nothing to do to pass away the time. A small portion of the morning he spent in inspecting the preparations for the evening, but when that was done there was nothing more to do but get ready and wait for the 4 o'clock train, which would carry him to Midvale for Jessie. This long wait, however, gave Jack a splendid opportunity to plan a course for the grand march, which they were to lead that night, so before he had reached his destination he had firmly pictured in his mind every step he would take in that splendid procession. Arriving at Midvale, he lost no time in finding his way to the Hurst home. A young man came to the door in response to the bell. "My name is Mr. Perry," began Jack; "I'm a student at the Montrose Academy, and I came to escort Jessie to the ball tonight." "Why," replied the listener, a broad smile coming over his face, "I'm afraid you're mistaken. I don't quite understand." Jack then briefly explained how he had been appointed to escort Jessie to the ball and of how through delay he had been forced to telephone to Midvale but the day before. "Yes," broke in the young man, "I answered your call and I distinctly remember telling you that Jessie was going to the ball, but Jesse is a boy and has gone to Montrose to escort his lady." "A boy!" gasped Jack in tones too feeble to be heard above the laughter of his new friend. "Great suffering torn cats! Why I! $$" ? %" His voice failed him. "You have evidently got Jesse confused with his cousin, Miss Tessie Hurst," continued his friend. "She's a Freshman at Montrose." There was no further explanation necessary, the truth was plain and simple, and it stung Jack bitterly. He had blundered unwittingly blundered and not only that, he had greatly embarrassed himself. "What will the fellows say?" he thought as he slowly turned away, "but it don't matter, we all make mistakes, and I'm going to that ball in spite of it." Three hours later Jack was at the door of the ball room. On the inside everything was intensely inviting and the sounds of laughter that escaped through the door were evidences that merriment reigned supreme. The music had just ceased and before the dancers had found their seats, it was announced that the next on the program would be a grand march. "Did you hear that announcement?" cried Jack excitedly to the doorkeeper as he moved nervously forward. "Don't you know that ACORN 7 I'm to lead that march! Let me in! I've got to go in! I've told you for the fiftieth time that I couldn't help coming alone." "See here, Jack," answered the doorkeeper indignantly, "there's no use arguing the matter any longer; the resolution adopted by you and your committee expressly states, 'No Stags Allowed,' and I'm here to enforce it, so don't beg any more." It was utterly useless to do so and Jack soon realized it. Thoroughly disheartened, he repaired to the spectators' gallery to view the march. From the back seat that he had so despairingly taken he could not see the line form; but when the music started and the line came out near the center of the floor, who should he see in the lead other than Miss Hurst, his "should-have-been" partner and Ben Hardy. In an instant all was clear to him. He had been, as he preferred to put it, "stung properly." He could now easily account for that luminous smile that stole over Hardy's face when he took the liberty to write Jessie Hurst opposite his own name at the committee meeting, and could also see why Hardy didn't press his suit strongly for Miss Jessie at the same meeting. Angry hardly expressed his attitude. He sat there till the march was over and then quickly arose to go. As he did so he confronted several of his classmates. "Hold on there," they shouted. "As duly sworn, officials of the Senior class, we arrest you upon the charge of stagging and insist that you accompany us below to be tried before a judge and jury." Although in no humor to be joked with, Jack could not resist the officials, who carried him bodily down the stairs. Quite to his surprise he found the jury and judge seated in the middle of the floor ready to try the case. "Guilty or not guilty," roared the judge. Jack pleaded not guilty, whereupon his sweetheart Helen was called to the witness stand, and following her Tessie Hurst was called. After listening to the testimony offered, the jury found Jack guilty of stagging and the judge in accents loud cried out: "I sentence you to five successive dances with Miss Tessie Hurst and award to you the exclusive privilege of escorting Miss Tessie home from the ball." Hardy is now wondering who was April fooled the worst, he or Jack. W. J. C. '11.