Sidney Henderson fairly broke into a run in order to catch up to the three girls. They heard him coming, and turned around, while Tom and Phil, some distance off, were spectators of the scene. "I say!" burst out poor Sid pantingly, as he came to a halt, "I'm awfully sorry, Miss Harrison, but--er--I can't take you to the theatricals to-night, after all. I've just received bad news." "Bad news? Oh, I'm so sorry!" and the blue eyes of the pretty girl, that had been merry and dancing, as she chatted with Ruth and Madge, took on a tender glance. "Oh, it isn't that any one is sick, or--er--anything like that," Sid hastened to add, for he saw that she had misunderstood him. "It's just that I have received a message--I have got to go away--I--er--I can't explain, but some one is in trouble, and I--I'm awfully sorry," he blurted out, feeling that he was making a pretty bad mess of it. "I've arranged for Tom Parsons to take you to the theatricals, Miss Harrison." "You've arranged for Mr. Parsons to take me?" There was no mistaking the anger in her tones. Her blue eyes seemed to flash, and she drew herself up proudly. Madge and Ruth, who had shown some pity and anxiety at Sid's first words, looked at him curiously. "Yes, Tom will be very glad to take you," went on the unfortunate Sid. "Thank you," spoke Miss Harrison coldly. "I don't believe I care to go to the theatricals after all. Come on, girls, or we will be late for tea," and without another look at Sid she turned aside and walked on. "Oh, but I say, you know!" burst out the second baseman. "I thought--that is--you see--I can't possibly take you, as it is, and I thought----" "It isn't necessary for anyone to take me!" retorted Miss Harrison coldly. "It's not at all important, I assure you. Good afternoon, Mr. Henderson," and she swept away, leaving poor Sid staring after her with bewilderment in his eyes. It was his first attempt at an affair with a maiden, and it had ended most disastrously. He turned back to rejoin his chums. "Well?" questioned Tom, as Sid came up. "Is it all right? Am I to have the pleasure of two young ladies to-night?" "No, it's all wrong!" blurted out Sid. "I can't understand girls!" "That's rich!" cried Phil. "Here you have been despising them all your life, and now, when you do make up to one, and something happens, you say you can't understand them. No man can, old chap. Look at Tom and me, here, and we've had our share of affairs, haven't we, old sport." "Speak for yourself," replied the pitcher. "But what's the row, Sid?" "Hanged if I know. I told her I couldn't possibly go to-night----" "Did you tell her why?" interrupted Phil.