"I'm in the same boat, old man," was the rueful reply. "Tackle Sid here, I saw him with a bunch of money yesterday. He can't have spent it all since, for he isn't in love." "Just the thing," assented Tom. "Fork over a couple of bones, Sid. I'll let you have it directly." "I--er--I'm sorry," fairly stammered the second baseman, for that was the position Tom had picked out for his chum, "I haven't but fifty cents until I get my allowance, or until----" and he stopped suddenly. "Wow!" cried Phil. "You must have slathered it away last night then, when you were out, for I saw you with a bundle----" Then he stopped, for he saw a queer look come over Sid's face. The second baseman blushed, and was about to make reply, when Phil remarked: "I beg your pardon, Sid. I hadn't any right to make that crack. Of course I--er--you understand--er--I----" "That's all right," said Sid quickly. "I was a little flush yesterday, but I had a sudden demand on me, Tom, and----" "Don't mention it!" interrupted Tom. "I dare say I can get trusted at Ballman's for a shirt. I'm going out to-night, or I wouldn't need a clean one, and my duds haven't come back from the laundry." "I didn't know my sister was going out to-night," fired Phil, for Tom had been rather "rushing" Ruth Clinton of late, "rushing" being the college term for accompanying a young lady to functions. "I guess she doesn't have to ask you," retorted the captain. "But I understood you and Miss Tyler----" "Speak of trolley cars, and you'll hear the gong," put in Sid suddenly. "I believe your two affinities are now approaching." "By Jove, he's right!" exclaimed Phil, looking across the green campus. "There's Ruth, and Madge Tyler is with her. I didn't know Ruth was coming over from Fairview." "And they've got a friend with them--there are three girls," said Tom quickly. "Sid, you're right in it. There's one for you." "Not on your life!" cried the tall and good-looking second baseman. "I've got an important engagement," and he would have fled had not Tom and Phil seized and held him, despite his struggles, until Miss Ruth Clinton, Miss Madge Tyler and the third young lady approached. Whereat, seeing that his struggle to escape was futile, as well as undignified, Sid gave it up. "Hello, Ruth!" cried Phil good-naturedly to his sister, but his eyes sought those of Madge Tyler. "How'd you get here?" "Trolley," was the demure answer. "I'm going to the Phi Beta theatrical with Mr. Parsons to-night, and I thought I'd save him the trouble of coming for me. Madge and I are staying in Haddonfield with friends of Miss Harrison." "Good!" cried Tom, as he moved closer to Phil's pretty sister, while, somehow, Phil and Madge seemed to drift together.