"Because I haven't been asked, I suppose," and she laughed merrily. "Then would you mind--that is--I have two tickets--but I didn't expect to go. Now, if you would----" "Oh, Mr. Henderson, don't go on my account!" "Oh, it isn't on your account--I mean--that is--Oh, wouldn't you like to go?" and he seemed in great distress. "I should love to," she almost whispered. "Then will you--that is would you--er--that is----" "Of course I will," answered Mabel, taking pity on her companion's embarrassment. "Won't it be lovely, with Madge and Ruth, and her brother and Mr. Parsons. We'll be quite a party." "It'll be immense!" declared Sid with great conviction. Thereafter he seemed to find it easier to keep the conversation going. The little group came to the end of the campus. Phil, Tom, Madge and Ruth waited for Sid and Mabel. "Well, we'll see you girls to-night," said Tom, for he and his chum were anxious to get to their room and "tog up." Then he added: "It's a pity Miss Harrison isn't going. If I had thought----" "Miss Harrison is going!" cried Sid with sudden energy. "What?" cried Tom and Phil together. Then, realizing that it might embarrass the girl, Tom added: "Fine! We'll all go together. Come on, Sid, and get some of the outfield mud scraped away." The girls waved laughing farewells, and Sid, rather awkwardly, shook hands with Miss Harrison. "What's the matter, old chap?" asked Tom of him, when they were beyond hearing distance of the girls. "Are you afraid you'll never see her again?" "Shut up!" cried Sid. "Wonders will never cease," went on Phil. "To see our old misogynist being led along by a pretty girl! However did you get up the spunk to ask her to go to-night, sport?" "Shut up!" cried Sid again. "Haven't I got a right to?" "Oh, of course!" agreed Tom quickly. "It's a sign of regeneration, old man. I'm glad to see it! What color are her eyes?" "Blue," answered Sid promptly, before he thought. "Ha! Ha!" laughed Phil and Tom. "Did you get her photograph?" asked Tom, clinging to Phil, so strenuous was his mirth. "Say, I'll punch your head if you don't quit!" threatened Sid, and then, as he saw Wallops, the messenger, coming toward him, with a letter, there came to Sid's face a new look--one of fear, his chums thought. He read the note quickly, and stuffed it into his pocket. Then he turned, and hastened after the three girls. "Here, what's up?" demanded Tom, for Sid had acted strangely. "I can't go to the theatricals to-night, after all," was the surprising answer. "I must apologize to Miss Harrison. Will you take her, Tom?" "Of course," was the answer, and then, as Sid hastened to make his excuses to the girl who, but a few minutes before, he had asked to accompany him, his two chums looked at each other, and shook their heads. The mystery about Sid was deepening. CHAPTER IV ELECTING A MANAGER