Part 24 (1/2)

It is needless to say that this motion was also promptly seconded, voted upon and carried. The unbelievable had come to pa.s.s. Marjorie Dean had at last renounced the difficult responsibility she had shouldered so long. As a result of this revelation the dignity of the meeting collapsed into a babble of excited opinions. Muriel made no effort to restore order but drew her chair into the circle and entered willingly into the spirited discussion that centered around Mignon La Salle.

”I'm glad you've come to your senses, Marjorie Dean,” stoutly a.s.serted Daisy Griggs. ”I must say I was surprised when you made that first motion.”

”I have just one thing to say.” Marjorie's brown eyes were filled with purposeful light. ”Then I wish to drop the subject of Mignon. She has defied the club and so forfeited her right to members.h.i.+p. When the books of the club have been placed in Muriel's hands, I shall go to Mr. La Salle and insist on being released from my promise. That's all.”

Rising, she walked to a window, half ready to cry. It had been very hard for her to contemplate the idea of seeking kindly Mr. La Salle with such unpleasant information. She felt keenly the humiliation of being obliged to admit to him her failure. Yet as Muriel had said it was, indeed, ”the last straw.” As she stood looking out at the white, moonlit night she was driven to believe that Mignon La Salle's better self would ever remain a minus quant.i.ty.

Mignon's astounding stand having been sufficiently discussed, the Lookouts devoted the rest of the evening strictly to enjoyment.

Constance sang, Veronica danced, the others also contributing various entertaining stunts. A most delectable little supper was disposed of to the accompaniment of sprightly conversation and merry laughter, thereby proving that the loss of a faithless treasurer was small loss indeed.

It had been a simple matter to accept Mignon's note as a resignation and elect a new treasurer. It had been equally easy to inform Mignon to that effect by letter. When, at the end of the week, however, Muriel received neither the books of the club, nor any response whatever from Mignon, it was decided that Muriel and Irma should introduce Susan to the Vice-President of the First National Bank of Sanford and request that the Lookouts' account be transferred to her guardians.h.i.+p. She would then receive a check and bankbook and thus be fitly equipped to perform her new duties.

Irma Linton had made a habit of incorporating into the minutes of the meetings the treasury reports which Mignon had read out to the club from time to time. This data would now prove invaluable to Susan in opening a new book, should Mignon obstinately delay the return of the one in her possession. Believing that she might do this, Muriel and Susan quietly agreed to take steps to attain complete independence of her.

Not desiring to act too hastily, they waited with commendable patience until it lacked but a day until the next meeting of the Lookouts.

Although they daily saw Mignon at school, it was as though they had never known her. She haughtily ignored the Lookouts and they made no effort to change the state of marked hostility she had willed. Having notified her of their wishes through the proper channels of the club, they now maintained a dignified silence, refusing to act other than impersonally.

At the close of the Wednesday morning session, Susan and Irma set out for the First National Bank to put their mutual agreement into effect.

Ushered into the vice-president's office, they were coldly received by that august person. His very manner was such as to indicate personal injury to him on their part. Rather timidly Muriel introduced Susan and stated her request.

His air of distant courtesy relaxing he said in a mollified tone: ”Ah, yes, I understand. It is your intention to re-deposit the funds of your club in this bank. We supposed them to have been permanently removed. It was unnecessary in your retiring treasurer, Miss La Salle, to draw them out. I shall be pleased to adjust matters.” Privately he was thinking the whole affair quite characteristic of a bevy of heedless school girls.

A united gasp of astonishment welled up from two throats.

”Draw them _out_?” Muriel's voice rose on the last word. ”But we didn't--!”

”Why-what--” stammered Susan.

Muriel drew a long breath. ”When did Miss La Salle draw out this money, Mr. Wendell?” she asked, striving to speak casually.

”On Tuesday, I believe. Just a moment. I will ascertain positively if I am correct in my statement.” Rising, he bowed courteously to his young visitors and left the office.

”Mignon has _taken_ the Lookouts' money,” burst forth Susan, the instant the two were left to themselves. ”What are we to do about it? We'd better explain everything to Mr. Wendell and ask his advice.”

Muriel stared at Susan, but made no reply. The enormity of Mignon's latest misdeed fairly stunned her. Despite the shock, there now rose within her a curious impulse to protect rather than expose this lawless girl.

”I think we had better not explain things to him now,” she said slowly.

”It's like this. Mignon has drawn our money from the bank on purpose to spite us. She doesn't want it for herself. What she intends to do is to hold it until her term is up as treasurer. She knows that we shall need a part of it to meet the monthly expenses of the day nursery, but she wants to make us send to her for it. She intended to do this money stunt when she wrote that letter. We can't decide what we ought to do about her until we talk to the others.”

Mr. Wendell's entrance into the office prevented further confidential talk between the two.

”I find my statement correct,” he announced. ”The entire account, amounting to seven hundred and forty-six dollars, sixty-seven cents, was turned over to Miss La Salle on Monday. Since you wish to redeposit this sum of money in Miss Atwell's name, I would advise that she and Miss La Salle come here together with it at their convenience. Then we can handle the matter satisfactorily, I a.s.sure you.”

”Thank you, Mr. Wendell.” Muriel rose, with as much dignity as she could master. ”As there has evidently been a mistake made about our account we will be obliged first to take it up with the club before redepositing the money. You will hear from me in regard to it within two or three days. We have no wish to place our funds in another bank.”

With a brief farewell to the nonplussed bank official, Muriel and Susan made their escape into the street, where they could unburden themselves undisturbed. Before school closed that afternoon Marjorie, Constance and Irma had been put in possession of the full news. That evening at the Deans', five girls met in solemn conclave. Long and earnestly they discussed the unpleasant situation. The fruit of that discussion took shape in a letter to Mignon requesting the immediate turning over of the Lookouts' bank account to Susan Atwell. Under the circ.u.mstances it was an exceedingly mild letter. It was mailed special delivery in the hope that the wrongdoer would receive it in time to repair her error before the club met on the following evening.

Mignon, however, had no intention of thus yielding so easily. Her letter to Rowena Farnham had brought her an immediate reply from the latter which pleased her immensely. Acting upon Rowena's unscrupulous advice she had boldly marched to the bank, and withdrawn in actual cash the club's entire capital. Furthermore, she had locked it away in a secret drawer of her writing desk and vowed to leave it there until the expiration of her term as treasurer.