MARJORIE DEAN POST-GRADUATE by PAULINE LESTER Author of “The Marjorie Dean High School Series,” “The Marjorie Dean College Series,” “The Marjorie Dean Post-Graduate Series,” etc. A. L. Burt Company Publishers New York Printed in U. S. A. * * * * * * THE MARJORIE DEAN POST-GRADUATE SERIES A SERIES FOR GIRLS 12 TO 18 YEARS OF AGE By PAULINE LESTER MARJORIE DEAN, POST-GRADUATE MARJORIE DEAN, MARVELOUS MANAGER MARJORIE DEAN AT HAMILTON ARMS MARJORIE DEAN’S ROMANCE * * * * * * Copyright, 1925 By A. L. Burt Company MARJORIE DEAN, POST-GRADUATE Made in “U. S. A.” CHAPTER I.—ON THE SANDS “It’s too perfect a night to stay on shore, girls and boys. Let’s go for a moonlight cruise in the Oriole!” Hal Macy sprang up from the white sands where he had been devotedly lounging at Marjorie Dean’s feet and held out his hands to her. “Oh, glorious!” Marjorie gaily accepted the proffered hands. She laughed, with the sheer pleasure of youth, as Hal swung her to her feet. “My, what a strong person you are, Hal Macy!” she lightly commented as she freed her hands from Hal’s lingering clasp. “Glad _you_ think so,” emphasized Hal. He could not help wishing Marjorie were not quite so matter-of-fact. “_I_ don’t think so,” promptly disagreed Danny Seabrooke. “Macy is a weakling; a mere muscleless infant compared to me.” “Oh, see here, Danny Seabrooke, you’ll have to eat that. Think I’ll stand for any such talk? Eat it now, or else prove it,” challenged Hal. “I can prove it,” Danny waved confidently. “Just watch me lift Geraldine from the shifting sands.” “Yes, just watch him,” drawled Lawrence Armitage. He took up a guitar, temporarily idle on the sands, and began to strum it lightly. His deep blue eyes rested mirthfully on Danny and Jerry. “Wait a second,” Danny elaborately braced his feet in the sand. “Now, ready! Heave, heave, ho!” Jerry suddenly let go of his hands and dropped back on the beach. “No, thank you.” She pretended displeasure. “I don’t care for your wonderful assistance.” She directed a scornful glance at her would-be helper. “You did that on purpose,” accused Danny. “You are a cruel, cruel girl. Suppose I had lost my balance and dug my nose into the sand?” “Sorry you didn’t,” was the unfeeling reply. “Squabbling again,” Laurie reached out a helping hand to Jerry and drew her to her feet. Danny looked sadly on. “Please forgive me and continue to regard me as your friend. That’s all I ask of you,” he pleaded with stony Jerry. “You talk like a popular song,” she criticized. She broke into smiles when he knelt on the sand before her and contritely offered her his hand. “Was that a compliment?” Danny grinned hopefully. “Why should I throw bouquets at you? Can you think of a reason?” Jerry asked him. “I can’t think of one.” “Neither can I,” Danny agreed, and the squabblers burst into laughter.