During the week that followed Mignon’s fiery outburst against Veronica at the club meeting Muriel Harding received no welcome letter from the former announcing her resignation from the Lookouts. To all appearances such was not her intention. When the next Thursday evening rolled round, the Lookouts, including their latest addition, Veronica Browning, met at Gray Gables. To the secret disappointment of the majority Mignon was not among those present. With the exception of Irma, Marjorie and Constance, the others were impatient to see how the French girl would behave toward Veronica. The latter had been privately warned by Marjorie as to what might possibly occur and had agreed to meet Mignon’s probable discourtesy with silence.
It was not until the meeting had reached the point of “unfinished business” that the question relating to the absent rebel came up for discussion.
“Girls,” began Muriel, “you all know what comes under this head. Let me hear from you informally.”
“It looks as though we’d have to wait another week and see what happens,” observed Susan Atwell. With a faint giggle she added: “When is a test not a test?”
A ripple of ready laughter followed this suggestive question.
“Perhaps it is all for the best,” remarked Irma philosophically. “We may find after all that——”
A reverberating peal of the door bell cut short her discourse. Every pair of bright eyes became questioningly directed toward the sound. Was it their graceless treasurer who now demanded admittance? Followed a moment of expectant waiting, then a maid appeared in the curtained doorway of the library in which the Lookouts were gathered.
“Here’s a note for you, Miss Muriel,” she announced as she stepped into the room. Delivering it into Muriel’s hand she promptly disappeared.
“Humph!” ejaculated Muriel as she stared at the tiny, pale gray envelope. “By your leave, Lookouts,” she added with a nod to her friends. Tearing open an end of the envelope she drew forth its contents. A frown of displeasure knitted her brows as she scanned the unexpected message. Raising her eyes from it she said: “This note is from Mignon La Salle. I will read it to you. She writes:
“‘I have decided not to attend the further meetings of the club. I shall still hold my office as treasurer. If you wish to consult me on business matters or desire to draw upon the treasury for checks with which to meet the various current expenses, kindly write me at my home. From time to time, I shall send you my official report.