Chapter XVII
OMEGA CHI
May brought not only the round of festivities on May Day but theknowledge that they were in the last stages of the term. Freshmen werelooking forward eagerly now to the time when they would be Sophomores.Seniors were looking forward with mingled joy and regret to the day whenthey would receive their diplomas.
One evening in May was always devoted to the sororities and clubs. Itwas then new members were chosen and new officers elected for the nextterm. The Omega Chi sorority always celebrated with a big party fortheir members. During the evening the newly elected members were soughtout and informed of their good fortune in being selected to fill thevacancies left by Seniors going out.
The Omega Chi was eagerly sought by all the Freshmen. It meant not onlybelonging to the most popular group on the campus, but the girls were,for the most part, honor students, students likely to succeed in campusactivities as well as their chosen profession later. There was nodiscrimination for the wealthy girls. The officers sought girls who werehonorable, pleasant, and had a sense of humor. The standards theysecretly set were sometimes hard to surpass and it was the reason thesorority had not a larger membership than it had.
On this night the officers of the Omega Chi were secreted in the diningroom. Freshmen had been banished to their rooms. Other sorority memberslounged about the living room or on the veranda outside. The tinkle of aguitar and the hum of girlish voices rose to Gale and Phyllis at thewindow of their room.
Phyllis had returned to the campus two weeks ago. As yet she had notbeen out of her room. That was something Gale could not understand.Doctor Elton had been so sure, so positive, that the first of May wouldsee Phyllis as well as ever. Yet here she was still tied to her armchairat the window.
"A glorious night, Phyl," Gale said dreamily. "Did you ever see so manystars--or see them so close?"
"Listen to the girls singing," Phyllis said.
"'The girls of Omega Chi!'" The last words of the sorority song floatedup to them.
"Do you suppose we would be fortunate enough to be elected to thesorority?" Gale asked.
Phyllis laughed. "If we aren't we will probably have to move next term."
"Perhaps I had better start packing," Gale laughed. "But seriously--Iwant terribly to get into Omega Chi. I like all the girls so much----"
"All the girls?" Phyllis asked lazily. "Even Marcia Marlette?"
"Don't spoil my evening!" Gale said quickly. "I refuse to think of her."
"You have to think of her," Phyllis laughed. "She might be presidentnext term when Adele is no longer here."
"I hope not!" Gale said aghast. "The girls would never electher--surely!"
"Funny things can happen," Phyllis reminded her.
"Phyllis----" Gale rested her chin on her hand and gazed at the moon."Is your father coming to see you tomorrow?"
"Yes, why?"
"I've got something to ask him," Gale said. "Do you suppose Janet andCarol will get into the sorority?"
"What do you want to ask my Dad?" Phyllis interposed. "Is it--about me?"
"Yes," Gale said firmly, decisively. "He told me you would be hoppingabout like a sparrow by the first of May. You aren't and I want to knowwhy," she said bluntly, watching Phyllis closely.
"I know," Phyllis said, bowing her head. "He told me too. He has doneeverything he can. It is my own fault that I'm not."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm afraid to try it," Phyllis said. "I'm afraid everything won't be asperfect as he says it will."
"But, Phyl, there is nothing to be afraid of----" Gale said gently. "Itis all up to you now. You are only holding yourself back."
"I know," Phyllis said faintly. "But the day I came back to thecampus--I tried to walk. The doctors and nurse made me get up and walkacross the room--at least try to. I didn't make it. I fell and now--I'mafraid to try again."
"But that was natural for the first time," Gale soothed. "Darling,you've got to try it again."
"I'll try it when I get enough courage," Phyllis sighed. "But I'mrunning rather low on courage right now."
"But----" Gale began.
"Hist!" Ricky hissed from the door. "I have secret information that thenew candidates have been selected," she informed them.
"Who are they?" Gale asked eagerly.
"Well," Ricky acknowledged, seating herself beside Gale, "that is stilla mystery."
"They bring the girls from the other dormitory houses here, don't they,for the celebration?" Phyllis asked.
"Yes," Gale answered. "Look!" She pointed out the window. "There go twoof the girls now--I'll wager they are going after some Freshmen."
The campus gradually became alive with girls, figures moving back andforth, each intent upon some errand. Suddenly two figures stepped out ofthe night below the girls' window. A few seconds later two more joinedthe first.
"Hi!"
They recognized Carol's gay voice and knew it was the remaining fourAdventure Girls.
"Yes?" Gale called.
"We made it!" Carol shouted. "We're in!"
"And we are coming right up to see you," added Janet.
At the same moment a knock sounded on their door. An upper classmaninformed them that they, too, had been elected full-fledged members inthe Omega Chi, and since one of their number was not able to comedownstairs to partake in the reception for the Freshmen, they wouldbring the reception to their room. Gale's and Phyllis' room became thereception place for twenty new members. Adele, in her position ofpresident, calmly took possession of Gale's desk over which to transactthe business of her office.
The little group listened attentively to the purposes of the sorority asextolled by their president, and paid strict attention while theconstitution and list of new officers were read to them. They werehumorously reminded, before they broke up, that their initiation wouldtake place at the beginning of the new term.
* * * * *
The next afternoon after classes Gale made her way to the lake. DoctorElton had promised to have Phyllis there in the sunshine. Gale had madea flying visit to her room to don a bathing suit for a swim, and findingPhyllis absent, concluded that the Doctor had kept his word.
Gale had been thinking over what Phyllis told her last night. What astruggle had been going on in Phyllis' mind these past weeks and none ofthem had guessed! Just those few words on the night before had broughthome to Gale the knowledge of what Phyllis was up against. The girl wasafraid--terribly afraid that the miracle Doctor Elton had performedwould not hold. Something must be done! The girls must do something tobring back Phyl's self-confidence. But what? Only Phyllis herself couldreally go through this trial. She must try her own strength. That wasthe only way she could ever possibly be sure of herself again.
Phyllis and her father were sitting on a bench overlooking the lake.Gale waved as they saw her approaching. Phyllis' hand was in the crookof her father's arm and she looked very happy. Gale told herself thatthe discovery of Phyl's father had worked miracles--all but the mostimportant one.
Doctor Elton strolled away from Phyllis and approached Gale. Just out ofearshot of the girl on the bench they stopped. They talked together forseveral minutes and then Gale came on to Phyllis while Doctor Elton wenttoward the campus.
"Glorious afternoon," Gale said dropping beside Phyllis.
"So nice and warm in the sunshine," Phyllis agreed. "Where did my Dadgo?"
"Said he had a date with Doctor Norcot, but he will be right back. Haveyou seen Janet or Carol today?"
"No. Valerie told me they were riding again. Ricky flew away to jointhem when she heard of it."
"Been here long?"
"No. I waited for my Dad to bring me down," Phyllis said.
Gale looked at Phyllis, at the crutches lying on the grass at the sideof the bench, and then away across the blue waters of the lake. Her eyeswere narrowed in silent thought. She saw the thick growth
of trees onthe farther shore, the calm waters along the grassy bank almost at herfeet, and the treacherous current farther out in the center of the lake,but it was not of these things she was thinking.
"Have you tried to walk today?" she asked.
"No."
"Why not?"
Phyllis sighed. "I'll try it some time--but now I'm too peaceful here."
"Doesn't your father want you to try?"
"That is all I hear," Phyllis said wearily. "He insists--and he is agreat insister," she added smilingly.
"But you are just as determined to wait," Gale laughed. "Well, when youdecide let me know." She stretched lazily. "I think I'll go for a swim."
From the pocket of her jacket she drew a red bathing cap and slipped itover her curls. She divested herself of her jacket and waved to Phyllisas she darted away.
"Don't go out too far and get caught in the current," Phyllis warned.
"I'll be all right," Gale called back.
Phyllis watched the blue waters close over her friend. With a littlesigh she leaned back. She wished heartily she could be in there withGale. However, she couldn't, so why worry about it?
Gale was having a glorious time. The water was cold but she did not mindit. Her strokes cut the water cleanly and swiftly. The water along theshore was calm and little ripples drifted up to the bank. Slowly andcarefully Gale worked her way out a little farther, always mindful ofthe whirl of waters which swept continually to the falls at the fartherend of the lake. Gale used to swim often in the waters of the bay nearher home. She was an excellent swimmer and diver, one of the championson the team at High School but she had not entered into the competitionhere at Briarhurst.
The sun was sinking farther into the west all the time and Phyllis wasbecoming impatient to get back to the sorority house, but she did wantto wait for her father. Gale said he promised to return immediately, butso far he had not come. Gale was in the water a long time and Phylliswas thinking of calling her to suggest going back to Happiness Housewhen she noted signs of distress from Gale. All was not well with herfriend.
"Help, Phyl!"
Faintly Gale's voice came over the blue waters of the lake thatseparated them. Phyllis gripped the bench hard. Gale was struggling inthe water to keep her head on the surface. Anxiously Phyllis lookedabout. The two girls were alone at this point. Phyllis called aloud buther voice echoed hollowly back to her. The frantic splashes in the waterwere becoming fainter as Gale grew weaker. Once again Phyllis shouted,but there was no answering call.
Gale was a good swimmer, she would pull through, Phyllis assuredherself. But she was also reminded that even good swimmers had beenknown to drown--and Gale was being swept nearer and nearer to theswirling current. Phyllis uttered a swift silent prayer that help wouldmiraculously come from somewhere--but it didn't.
The woods remained silent except for the little rustle of leaves and thetwitter of birds. The water lapped the shore just as gently andundisturbedly.
Horror stricken, Phyllis saw Gale's red cap disappear beneath thesurface. Anxiety, an urge stronger than herself to help Gale, grippedPhyllis. She forgot about the crutches lying on the grass, forgot thatshe was afraid to walk. Her eyes were on the water--seeking sight of thered cap. It bobbed to the surface and she rose to her feet. The capdisappeared beneath the blue waters again and Phyllis took several hastysteps toward the shore.
Miraculously her father appeared from a clump of shrubbery while from alittle farther back in the growth of trees came Doctor Norcot.
"Oh--hurry--Gale----" Phyllis began desperately.
Doctor Elton let out a shrill whistle. Gale's red cap appeared on thesurface and with clean-cut strokes the girl swam for the shore. Sheclimbed dripping wet up the bank.
"Gale----" Phyllis began.
"Sorry to frighten you so, Phyl," Gale said lovingly, "but I didn'tdrown after all. Our plan worked, Doctor Elton," she added triumphantly.
"Your plan?" Phyllis murmured when for the first time she became awarethat she was standing unassisted--she had actually walked alone forseveral paces!
Gale put a wet arm about Phyllis. "Darling, you did it!" she exclaimed."You forgot yourself and walked."
"Then you weren't really in danger!" Phyllis echoed. "But I was sofrightened I couldn't think of anything but----"
"Helping me," Gale finished. "That was exactly what we counted on."
Phyllis took a deep breath. "Now I'm going to walk back to the sororityhouse," she said determinedly.
Phyllis slipped her arm within her father's. With his help she led theway back to the campus. Doctor Norcot and Gale followed more slowly.
"Do you think she is doing too much at once?" Gale whispered.
"Doctor Elton knows best," the college physician replied.
Phyllis was in the most excellent of spirits when they reached HappinessHouse. She was tired but she would not admit it and insisted upon goingdown to the dining room for dinner to sit in her old place beside Gale.The girls greeted her with hilarity and a warm welcome. Even MarciaMarlette expressed her pleasure at seeing Phyllis back. But after dinnerPhyllis went upstairs with Gale and immediately to bed. She was worn outnot only with the unaccustomed physical activity but the mental strain.
Gale sat at the desk and wrote a long letter to Brent. Afterward sheknelt at the window and let the May breeze ruffle her hair while shewatched the lights in the other dormitories slowly being extinguished.
From the room upstairs came smothered giggles and a thump. MarciaMarlette and her roommate were having a party. Gale frowned at thenight. Marcia, much to Gale's and the other girls' amazement, had beenelected to the office of president of the sorority for the next term.How the feat had been accomplished Gale did not know, but she was notenthusiastic about it. Marcia could never be the friendly president thatAdele Stevens had been this term. Gale rebuked herself. She mustn'tbelieve the worst until it happened. Marcia had been exceedingly nice toPhyllis this afternoon. Perhaps the responsibilities of her new officewould bring out the better side of Marcia's nature. But Gale doubted it.The next term did not look very bright for the sorority with Marcia atthe helm of the organization.
Gale yawned and crawled into bed. The next term would have to take careof itself. Right now there was the question of whether Marcia and herfriends would break through the ceiling.