Grace Harlowe's Fourth Year at Overton College

 By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A. M. 

Author of The Grace Harlowe High School Girls Series, Grace Harlowe'sFirst Year at Overton College, Grace Harlowe's Second Year at OvertonCollege, Grace Harlowe's Third Year at Overton College. 

PHILADELPHIAHENRY ALTEMUS COMPANYCopyright, 1914

[Illustration: Grace Paused in the Doorway. ]

CONTENTS

 I. A Semper Fidelis Luncheon

 II. The Last Freshman

 III. An Accident and a Surprise

 IV. Patience Promises to Stand By

 V. A Declaration of War

 VI. A Face to Face Talk

 VII. When Friends Fall Out

 VIII. A Leaf from the Past

 IX. A Thanksgiving Invitation

 X. Kathleen's Promise

 XI. Kathleen's Great Story

 XII. Treachery

 XIII. The Invitation

 XIV. A Congenial Sextette

 XV. A Firelight Council

 XVI. Elfreda Shows Grace the Way

 XVII. What the Seniors Thought of the Plan

 XVIII. The Fairy Godmother's Visit

 XIX. What Patience Overheard

 XX. The Mysterious "Peter Rabbit"

 XXI. Who Will Win the Honor Pin?

 XXII. Kathleen's Great Moment

 XXIII. Grace Finds Her Work

 XXIV. Conclusion

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Grace Paused in the Doorway. 

Grace Stepped Behind a Tree. 

They Clustered About the Fireplace. 

The Four Friends Were Strolling Across the Campus. 

Grace Harlowe's Fourth Year at Overton College

CHAPTER I

A SEMPER FIDELIS LUNCHEON

 "The skies must smile and the sun must shine When Semper Fidelis goes out to dine, "

sang Arline Thayer joyously as she rearranged her sofa pillows for theeighth time, patting each one energetically before placing it, thenstepping back to view the effect. "Aren't you glad every one's here, andthings have begun to happen again, Ruth?" she asked blithely. "I hope noone disappoints us. I wish this room were larger. Still, it heldeighteen girls one night last year. Don't you remember my Hallowe'enparty, and what a time we had squeezing in here?"

"It is so good in Mrs. Kane to let us have the dining room with Mary toserve the oysters, " said Ruth. "We never could do things properly uphere. "

"I know it. Oysters are such slippery old things, even on the halfshell, " returned Arline, who was not specially fond of them. "Let mesee. The girls will be here at four o'clock. We are to have oysters, soup, a meat course, salad and dessert. That makes five differentcourses in five different houses. It will be eight o'clock before wereach the dessert. I am glad that is to be served in Grace's room. Wealways have a good time at Wayne Hall. "

To the readers of "Grace Harlowe's First Year at OvertonCollege, " "Grace Harlowe's Second Year at Overton College"and "Grace Harlowe's Third Year at Overton College, " GraceHarlowe and her various intimate associates have become familiarfigures. Those who made her acquaintance, together with that of herthree friends, Nora O'Malley, Jessica Bright and Anne Pierson, duringher high school days will recall with pleasure the many eventfulhappenings of these four happy years as set forth in "GraceHarlowe's Plebe Year at High School, " "Grace Harlowe'sSophomore Year at High School, " "Grace Harlowe's Junior Year atHigh School" and "Grace Harlowe's Senior Year at HighSchool. "

The September following the graduation of the four friends from highschool had seen their paths diverge widely, for Nora and Jessica hadentered an eastern conservatory of music, while Anne and Grace, afterdue deliberation, had decided upon Overton College. Miriam Nesbit, ofOakdale fame, had entered college with them, and the trio of friends hadspent three eventful years at Overton. 

"It is time we gathered home, " grumbled Arline. "I have hardly seenGrace or any of the Semper Fidelis girls this week. They have all beenso popular that they haven't given a thought to their neglected littlefriends. "

"Let me see, " returned Ruth slyly. "How many nights have you stayedquietly at home this week?"

"Not one, you rascal, " retorted Arline, laughing. "I ought to be thelast one to grumble. But in spite of all the rush, I have missed thedear old quartette. "

"So have I, " declared Ruth earnestly. "Twenty minutes to four. They willsoon be here. "

"Yes. I asked Grace to come as early as possible, " said Arline. "There, I hear the bell now. " Arline whisked out of the room and peeredanxiously over the baluster. "Hello, Grace, " she called joyously. "Hurryas fast as ever you can. Where are your faithful three?"

"I came on ahead, " laughed Grace. "I had promised you that I would, andbeing a person of my word, I didn't wish to disappoint you. When I leftWayne Hall Miriam was playing maid to Elfreda. The new gown she had madefor the luncheon didn't arrive until the last minute. So Miriam stayedto help her dress. It is a perfectly darling gown. Just wait until yousee Elfreda in it. She hasn't gained an ounce since she went home lastspring. She has had a strenuous time all summer to keep her weight down. You must ask her to tell you about it. "

"I will, " promised Arline, with an anticipatory smile. "But where isAnne?"

"I left Anne finishing a letter to her mother. She will be here withMiriam and Elfreda. Isn't it splendid to think you and Ruth can betogether this year?"

Grace ran lightly up the stairs in Arline's wake, and a moment latergreeted Ruth with outstretched hands. 

"Take the seat of honor, Grace, " directed Arline, gently propelling hertoward her best leather upholstered armchair. "Isn't it obliging of theweather to stay so nice and warm? We don't need hats or coats. You weresensible and didn't wear either. Not having to bother with wraps willsave time, too. "

"I am highly impressed with this house-to-house luncheon, " declaredGrace. "It was clever in you to suggest it, Arline. "

"Oh, these progressive luncheons are nothing new, " returned Arlinequickly. "I have read that they are extremely popular among college andhigh school girls. I am sure I don't know why I never before proposedthat we give one. It is going to be lots of fun, isn't it? There's thebell again. I hope that maid hasn't gone on a vacation. It usually takesher forever. " Arline darted out of the room to hang over the balusteronce more. 

This time it was the Emerson twins, and by four o'clock the last memberof the club had taken her place beside her sisters in Arline's room. 

"As we are all here, " announced Arline, "we might as well begin. Thefeast awaits you downstairs in the dining room; that is, a very smallpart of it. There is one beautiful feature about this luncheon, we areto have plenty of exercise between each course. Are all of you hungry?"

There was a lively chorus of affirmatives. 

"Then choose your partners and come along, " ordered the littlecurly-haired girl. 

It did not take long to dispose of the oysters, and, headed by Sara andJulia Emerson, the little procession of girls moved on to Ralston House, where the twins were to play hostess and serve the soup. 

"You can thank your stars and me that you don't have to squeeze into ourroom and eat your soup from cups instead of Mrs. Bryant's best soupplates, " Julia informed her guests as they swarmed up the steps. "Mrs. Bryant couldn't see this luncheon at first. She had no appreciation ofwhat a really important affair it was to be. I had to use all mypersuasive powers on her. But I won, and she descended to the kitchenand made the soup herself. "

"I think we owe Julia a special vote of thanks, " declared Miriam Nesbita little later, as she finished her soup. "This vermicelli soup is thebest I ever tasted. "

"It can't be beaten, can it?" asked Sara Emerson eagerly. "That was whywe were so anxious to take the soup course on our shoulders. We knewwhat was in store for us if we could make Mrs. Bryant see things in ourlight. "

"S-h-h, she's coming!" warned Julia. "For goodness' sake, Sara, becareful. "

Mrs. Bryant, a rather austere person and not in the least like hersister, Mrs. Elwood, who managed Wayne Hall, walked into the dining roomat this juncture, apparently in the best of humors. 

Arline glanced inquiringly at Grace, who nodded slightly, whereupon thedainty president of the Semper Fidelis Club rose and made the matron apretty little speech of thanks in behalf of the club. Then the luncheonparty started on their way again, Mrs. Bryant hospitably seeing them tothe door and extending a smiling invitation to come again. 

"I knew she couldn't resist us, " chuckled Sara Emerson, as the girlsfiled down the walk. "A combination like ours is safe to make its wayanywhere. Come on, Marian and Elizabeth, you are the hostesses now. Shall we head for Livingstone Hall?"

"No, indeed, " smiled Marian. "Bess and I are not so lucky. It isVinton's for ours. But we can assure you that you won't be disappointedin the layout. "

One of the features of the luncheon was the fact that no one knew untilthe moment of serving what the various courses were to be. When it wasdiscovered that Marian and Elizabeth had ordered fried chicken, forwhich Vinton's was famous, with potatoes au gratin and tiny French peas, there was general rejoicing. It took the better part of an hour to eatthese good things, and the guests, feeling that they were on familiarground, enjoyed themselves hugely. 

"Oh, dear!" groaned Elfreda, "I know I have gained a pound since Istarted out this afternoon. I haven't eaten so much at one time forages. There is still the salad and dessert to come. I can't possiblymiss either one of them. "

"Never mind, Elfreda, " soothed Emma Dean; "we won't invite you to thenext luncheon, then you can----"

"Just try leaving me out and see what happens, " retorted Elfredathreateningly. "You may find yourself locked in your room on thatself-same day with the key missing. "

"Be good, both of you, " admonished Miriam, "or I'll see that neither ofyou get any dessert. "

"Grace and Anne wouldn't be so mean, " returned Elfreda with supremeself-assurance. 

"How could we blast such touching faith?" laughed Anne. 

"There, what did I tell you?" asked Elfreda, turning triumphant eyes onEmma. "Now, leave me out if you dare. "

"I don't dare. I don't want to, " declared Emma affably. "I was merelytrying to be pleasant and helpful. If you were not invited to thespread, naturally you wouldn't eat, and if you didn't eat, then youwouldn't have to worry about that extra pound. It is all very simple. "

"Very!" agreed Elfreda, with such scathing emphasis that the exchange ofwords ended in a general giggle at Emma's expense. 

"Now that you've all finished laughing at me, " she declaredgood-naturedly, "I hereby invite all of you, even Elfreda, to Martell'sfor the salad, which is my part of the ceremony. "

"Oh, goody, it's Waldorf!" exclaimed Elfreda delightedly, as, seatedabout the big corner table at Martell's, perhaps twenty minutes later, they saw the salad brought on. "You knew what we liked, didn't you, Emma?"

"I did, in spite of my simple tendencies, " murmured Emma. 

"That was a well merited thrust, " laughed Elfreda, laying her handlightly over her heart. 

"And now Wayne Hall and our humble apartment await you, " proclaimedGrace when the last vestige of salad had disappeared. "Anne and I extendyou a pressing invitation to dessert and conversation. Although this isto be a strictly informal session of the club, we may wish to discusscertain club business. The evening is before us. We ought to make gooduse of it. "

"And so we shall, " returned Emma Dean, as they rose to go. "The affairsof the nation shall be discussed and adjusted to-night. "

"And the world will be upside down forever after, " predicted Elfreda. 

"Don't croak, " reproved Emma. "Who knows what this night may bringforth? It may engender indigestion, or a stern injunction to make lessnoise on the part of Mrs. Elwood, but whatever the future has in storefor us, we shall have had at least one luncheon worth remembering. "

CHAPTER II

THE LAST FRESHMAN

It was ten minutes past seven when the club settled down to the frozencustard and delicious cakes that Grace and Anne had provided for them. Then Elfreda, who had taken upon herself the making and serving of thecoffee, returned after a brief absence with a percolator of steamingcoffee, Miriam following with the sugar and cream. 

"Isn't it too bad we never thought of doing this before?" said MarianCummings. 

"Something had to be left for our senior year, " said Anne Pierson. 

"Do you know, I am anything but joyful at being a senior, " announcedElfreda Briggs. "Of course, it is a satisfaction to know that one hasweathered the last three years' examinations and is practically on EasyStreet as far as studies go, but every now and then comes the awfulfeeling, 'only a little while and it will all be over'--college, Imean. "

 "'Yet a few days, and thee the all-beholding sun shall see no more. '"

quoted Emma Dean lugubriously. 

"Not quite so bad as that, " returned Elfreda with an appreciative grin. 

"Even we juniors feel more or less that way, " said Laura Atkins. "Inever had any real fun until I came to Overton. The time has gone sofast I can't believe that it is two years since I locked Grace and Anneout of their room and behaved like a savage. I don't wonder Elfredanamed me the Anarchist. I did my best to live up to the name. "

"Oh, forget about that, " murmured Elfreda, looking embarrassed. 

The members of the club were wholly familiar with the history of LauraAtkins's freshman year and admired her for the matter-of-fact way inwhich she was wont to discuss her early short-comings. Under the sunnyinfluence of the four girls who had helped her to find herself, she haddeveloped into a gracious and likeable young woman. She and MildredTaylor were the guests of the club that afternoon. 

"What is the latest word from erring freshmen? Has any one heard?" askedGrace. Laura's reference to herself had set Grace to thinking offreshmen in general. 

"We've six at Ralston, " groaned Julia Emerson. "The usualvariety--neither rich nor poor, brilliant nor dull, amiable norperverse, goody-goody nor lawless. Just that comfortable, maddeninglycommonplace variety of girls who never go to extremes. "

"Extremes are dangerous, " declared Elfreda judicially. 

"Better be an extremist than nothing at all, " grumbled Julia. 

"For the first time since we came here, there isn't a single freshman atWayne Hall, " announced Miriam. 

"Are all the rooms taken?" asked Marian Cummings. 

"All but half of one room, " replied Emma Dean. "The illustrious MissWest is alone in her glory. I heard Mrs. Elwood lamenting to-day becausethat particular half was still vacant. "

"Some one may take it yet, " said Arline Thayer. "This is only the secondweek of the term. Only yesterday a freshman arrived at Morton House. Girls have been known to drift into Overton a whole month after thebeginning of the term. "

"Did Miss West ask for a single?" questioned Grace of Emma. 

"No, she doesn't in the least yearn for one. You know she is paying herown way through college. She told Mrs. Elwood that it was all she coulddo to keep her head above water as it was and couldn't afford to thinkof a single. Of course, Mrs. Elwood hasn't charged her single rates yet, but if no one else appears she will either have to pay the advancedprice or make other arrangements. Mrs. Elwood knows of two girls whohave been trying to get into Wayne Hall for a long time, and who willcome bag and baggage the moment she says the word. "

"That is too bad, " said Miriam slowly--"for Miss West, I mean. "

A significant silence fell upon the company of girls. The same thoughtwas in each one's mind. It was Elfreda who finally voiced it. "It looksas though the S. F. 's ought to get busy, " she said slangily. "We mightlend her the money to make up the difference. "

"I am afraid that wouldn't do, " objected Anne, whose practicalexperience with poverty had made her wise. "I imagine with her it is aquestion of being economical. It wouldn't be fair to tempt her toextravagance, for a single would be the height of improvidence, particularly if she had to go in debt for it. "

"Anne is right, " declared Gertrude Wells decidedly. "But to be perfectlyfrank, I am not in favor of the club taking up Miss West's case. You allknow how badly she behaved toward us last year, particularly towardGrace. If we offered her help, no doubt we should be ridiculed for ourpains. I think the best thing for us to do is to let her alone. "

"So do I, " echoed Sarah Emerson. 

Several affirmative murmurs went up from various girls. 

"Now, see here, " began Elfreda Briggs emphatically. "What is the use inour calling ourselves Semper Fidelis and then going back on ourprinciples? When we organized this club, we didn't make any conditionsas to who should be helped and who shouldn't, did we? Whoever neededhelp was to have it. If there is anyway in which we can be of assistanceto Miss West, then it is our duty to respond cheerfully. "

"Hurrah for you, Elfreda!" cried Arline. "You're an honor to the Sempersand your own sweet native land. Of course we aren't going to pick andchoose whom we shall help. I think we had better appoint a committee tocall on Miss West and find out if we can render her any financialassistance. "

"I'm in favor of that committee, " declared Emma Dean, "only don't ask meto serve on it. "

"Grace and Arline are the very ones for that stunt, " proposed JuliaEmerson. "They can do it to perfection. "

"Please don't ask me, " said Grace with sudden earnestness. "I justcan't, that's all. " Her face flushed, and a distressed look crept intoher eyes which her friends were quick to note. 

"Suppose you and Elfreda call on her, Miriam?" proposed Arline. "You twoare very valiant. "

"Excuse me, " said Elfreda so promptly that everyone laughed. "I may lookvaliant, but to every woman her own fear, you know. "

"Oh, look, girls!" The sudden exclamation came from Gertrude Wells, whowas sitting near the open window. "There's the automobile bus from thestation. It's stopping in front of Wayne Hall, too. "

There was a concerted rush for the two windows. 

"I wonder who it can be!" cried Emma Dean. "Wouldn't it be funny if itwere the greatly desired freshman, Miss West's other half?"

The watchers saw the bus door open. Then out of it stepped the tallestgirl they had ever seen. 

"I believe she is seven feet tall, " muttered Emma Dean. "I am sure ofit. "

"Nonsense, " laughed Miriam. "But she is not far from six. I wish it weredaylight, then we could see her face. "

"I wonder who she can be, " mused Arline. 

"There is only one answer, " smiled Miriam Nesbit. "As Emma just stated, she must be Miss West's other half. However, we shall know before long. "

A moment later they heard the bell ring, then up from the hall came thesound of Mrs. Elwood's voice speaking in surprised but pleased tones. Avoice almost masculine in its depth answered. There was a tramp of feetup the stairs and down the hall. In the next instant the door of the endroom had opened and closed upon the newcomer. 

"Girls, you are saved, " proclaimed Gertrude Wells dramatically. "We havebeen wasting our valuable time to-night trying to solve Miss West'sproblem, while all the time the queen of the giants was hurrying as fastas ever she could to the rescue. "

There was a faint general laugh at the remark, then Elfreda saidseverely, "Young women, do you consider making uncomplimentary remarksabout new students in the line of true Overton spirit?"

"But she did look seven feet tall, " persisted Emma Dean. 

"Think how deceitful appearances sometimes are, " reminded Miriam. 

"Never judge a person by moonlight, " added Ruth Denton. 

"Never judge them at all, " smiled Grace. "Let the poor freshman rest inpeace. I have a last sweet surprise for you. Name it and you can haveit. "

"Caramels, " guessed Julia Emerson. 

"Marshmallows, " said Gertrude Wells. 

"Oh, I know, " cried Arline. "Nut chocolates; the delicious kind that oldcandy man in Oakdale makes. "

"Some one must have told you, " said Grace, going to the closet andreturning with a huge box. "You are all to stay here until the lastchocolate is eaten. "

It was on the ragged edge of half-past ten when the Semper Fidelis Clubtrooped happily across the campus to their various houses, but, faithfulto their duty, the big candy box reposed in Grace's waste basket, quiteempty. 

"I wonder how Kathleen West received her roommate, " observed Miriam. Sheand Elfreda had lingered for a moment in Grace's room after the othershad gone. 

"It is fortunate for her that a belated freshman happened along, " wasGrace's serious reply. 

"But most unfortunate for the freshman, " added Elfreda. "However, thisone looks perfectly capable of fighting her own battles. "

CHAPTER III

AN ACCIDENT AND A SURPRISE

"Well, what do you think of her?" inquired Elfreda Briggs the followingmorning, poking her head in at Grace's door, a quizzical smile on herround face. Grace and Anne had left the breakfast table a few minutesbefore Elfreda, who had foregone finishing her breakfast and rushedupstairs to hear her friends' opinion of the tall freshman, who hadseemed taller than ever as she stalked uncompromisingly into the diningroom that morning in Kathleen West's wake. The newspaper girl lookedanything but in a happy frame of mind, and after several covert glancesin her direction, Grace decided that the new arrival had not been metwith open arms on the part of Kathleen. 

"What do I think of her?" repeated Grace. "A good many things, I shouldsay. What do you think?"

"I think she is the most interesting and entertaining person I've seenin years, " declared Elfreda exaggeratingly. 

"Then her entertaining powers do not lie in speech, " laughed Anne. "Iheard her say three things this morning at the table. They were, 'yes, ''thank you' and 'I believe so. '"

"She didn't talk, that's a fact, " admitted Elfreda, "but she looked asthough she was keeping up an awful thinking. Does any one know fromwhence she came, and why?"

"I don't know anything about her, " said Grace, shaking her head, "but Iam sure that you will find out everything worth knowing before night. You will be able to see a great deal, you know. "

"Don't flatter me, " grinned Elfreda. "That's no joke, though, " she addedhastily. "I'll find out, never fear, and then I'll tell you girls. "

"What a comfort it is to have the latest news brought to one's doorevery morning, " jeered Anne. 

"You'll find yourself without that comfort if you are not morerespectful, " threatened Elfreda. "I'll carry my news to other doorswhere it will be more highly appreciated. "

"Your threats fail to impress me, " retorted Anne. "You know that youcouldn't bear to ignore us. "

"I know I shall be late to chapel, and that you will be later, " repliedElfreda significantly. "Tardiness is unbecoming in a senior. I am sorryto be obliged to remind you of it. "

"Save your sorrow and come along, " called Miriam Nesbit from thedoorway. "Aren't you going to chapel this morning, Grace?"

"Not this morning, " replied Grace, not raising her eyes from the bookover which she was poring. "This is psychology morning and I'm veryshaky on the lesson. I feel in my bones that I'll be called upon torecite, so please go away, all of you, and don't bother me, " shefinished with an affectionate smile that did not accord with her bluntwords. 

"Going, going, gone!" flung back Elfreda over her shoulder as she leftthe room, followed by Miriam and Anne. 

Grace glanced anxiously at the clock, then concentrated her mind anewupon her reading. The sound of hurried feet on the stairs and throughthe halls, accompanied by an occasional murmur of voices as the studentsleft Wayne Hall, was borne to her ears as she read and tried tofamiliarize herself with the main points of the lesson. Gradually thehouse settled down to quiet, and Grace, becoming thoroughly interestedin her work, lost all track of time. 

The sound of a terrific crash, apparently just outside the half-openeddoor, brought her to her feet in alarm. "What was that?" she exclaimed. Stepping to the door she looked up and down the hall. From the room atthe end, the door of which was ajar, came a jingling sound as of dishesbeing piled together. For a moment Grace hesitated, then walked towardthe sound. At the doorway she paused again; then the sight that met hereyes caused her to spring forward with an impulsive, "What a dreadfulsmash! Do let me help you. "

The extremely tall young woman who sat on the edge of her bed surveyingthe wreck of her washbowl, pitcher and every other piece of china thatfive minutes before had reposed confidently on the top of her washstandregarded Grace ruefully. There was a twinkle in her eyes, however, thatbelied her regret. "It did make considerable noise, I imagine, " she saidcrisply. "Strange the rest of the students here haven't appeared on thescene. "

Grace involuntarily retreated a step or two, her face flushing. Shecould not endure the idea of being thought an intruder. 

"Don't go, " said the tall young woman, in the same crisp tone. "I didn'tmean that you were an intruder. I only wonder that no one else came. Thewreck of the Hesperus wasn't serious compared with this, " she saiddryly, indicating the littered floor. "I tried to move my wash stand. Itstuck. Then all of a sudden it gave way and I fell back, dragging itwith me. I had hold of one end of it with both hands, and I was strongerthan I thought, for I just missed sitting on the floor and receiving allthat china in my lap. I was horrified for a second, but all of a suddenthe funny side of it struck me, and I sat down on my couch and laugheduntil I cried. I was just wiping my eyes and preparing to pick up thepieces when you came in. Perhaps you thought I was crying over it. Canyou imagine me in tears?" she added humorously. 

"Hardly, " said Grace with a frank smile that was reflected on the tallyoung woman's face. 

"No, I am not one of the weeping kind, " she declared sturdily. "I comeof good, old, undaunted New England stock. My name is Patience Eliot andI live just outside Boston. I might as well tell you all about myself inthe first place, because I decided at breakfast that I liked you. I knowyour Christian name because I heard your friends addressing you as"Grace" this morning, but I don't know your surname. "

"I am Grace Harlowe, at your service, " replied Grace lightly, "and it isalways gratifying to be liked. I saw you last night when you arrived. Iwas entertaining a crowd of girls, and, of course, we couldn't resistrunning to the window when one of the girls happened to see the busstopping in front of the house. "

"Were you at the window?" asked Miss Eliot unconcernedly. "I didn't seeyou. In fact, I wasn't thinking of anything but getting into my room andto bed. I had been on the train long enough to become thoroughly tiredof it. It was two hours late, too. We should have arrived at Overton athalf-past seven, but it was half-past nine when the train pulled intothe Overton station. "

"You must have been very tired, " sympathized Grace. "I hope you restedwell last night. If there is anything I can do for you in the way ofshowing you to the registrar's office or wherever you may wish to go, Ishall be only too glad to do so. My first recitation happens to be atten o'clock this morning, so I have plenty of time. "

"My first duty lies before me, " returned Miss Eliot grimly, pointing tothe floor. "I think you had better direct me to a store where I canreplace this. If I ask Mrs. Elwood to set a price on it, she will cheatherself. "

"Why, how did you know that?" asked Grace in surprise. "You only saw herfor a few minutes last night. "

"That was long enough to discover several things concerning her greatlyto her credit, " was the calm answer. "However, as you have been so kindas to offer to direct me, I think I will ask you to take me to theregistrar's office. She has been expecting me ever since college opened. I imagine she has given me up by this time. " Stepping over the wreck ofbroken china to the closet, she took her hat from its hook on the innerside of the door, and, putting it on without glancing into the mirror, announced herself in readiness to depart. "I'll lock the door on thiswreck and have it removed when I return, " she said. 

The registrar was writing busily, her head bent intently over her work, when Grace led the way into her office. "Good morning, Miss Sheldon, "she began. "This is Miss Eliot of the----" Grace was about to sayfreshman class when the registrar rose and came toward them withoutstretched hand. 

"My dear Patience!" she exclaimed cordially, "I am so glad you arrivedat last. How is your father?"

"Much better, thank you, " replied the tall girl. "We still have twonurses, but I think he is out of danger now. I hated to leave him, buthe was so worried because I had missed the first two weeks of college, that he insisted I should come on here at once. I arrived last night andwent directly to Holland House, but the matron there thought I had givenup coming, and the room I engaged by letter had been given to some oneelse only yesterday morning. She directed me to Wayne Hall, where, bythe merest luck, I managed to secure half a room. "

During this flow of explanations, delivered in Miss Eliot's crisp, business-like tones, Grace had listened in open amazement. This tallfreshman's manner of addressing Miss Sheldon, the dignified registrar, betokened long acquaintance, while the registrar looked as delighted asthough she had found a long-lost relative. 

"I see you have fallen into good hands, " said the registrar, a pleasantsmile lighting her rather austere face as she glanced at Grace. 

"I am quite sure of that, " responded Miss Eliot heartily. "I alsobrought disaster upon myself. " An account of the morning's accidentfollowed. 

"I believe you were born to disaster, Patience Eliot, " laughed MissSheldon. 

"I shouldn't be at all surprised, " was the dry response. 

"Miss Harlowe, I have known Miss Eliot since she was a little girl, "explained Miss Sheldon. "I am pleased to know that she is to live atWayne Hall. I am sure she will be happy there. I understand that theWayne Hall girls make a very congenial household. "

"We try to, " said Grace with a frank smile. "My three friends and I havenever lived in any other house since our freshman days. Perhaps MissEliot will find her freshman year there as delightful as we found ours. "

"My freshman year!" exclaimed Miss Eliot in evident surprise. 

"Yes, " returned Grace rather blankly. "Aren't you a freshman? I don'tknow why I thought so, but I supposed, of course, that----" She pausedirresolutely. 

Miss Sheldon and the tall girl exchanged openly smiling glances, thenthe latter turned toward Grace almost apologetically. "I am a freshmanin one sense, " she said. "I have never before been to college, but asfar as work goes I studied with my father and was lucky enough to passup the freshman year. I ran down here last June to talk things over andfind where I stood. I'm a sophomore, if you please. "

Grace burst into merry laughter. "Won't the girls be surprised!" sheexclaimed. "We all thought you were a freshman. "

"I hadn't stopped to think of what any one else thought of me, " saidPatience, "or I might have enlightened the girls at the breakfast tableas to my superior sophomore estate. They'll find out soon enough. I havea great mind to let them stumble upon the truth gradually. "

"Oh, do, " begged Grace gleefully. "It will be great fun to let matterstake their own course. "

Miss Sheldon smiled indulgently, but made no comment. She was versed inthe ways of college girls. She, too, had been a student at Overton. 

"I should like to stay longer, Miss Sheldon, but I know you are verybusy. " Patience rose at last to go, Grace following her example. "Nowthat I have come to headquarters, been identified, had my thumb marksregistered and become a unit in this great and glorious organization, "went on the tall girl calmly, "I shall feel free to go forth and replaceMrs. Elwood's demolished china. I should like to put the new set on thewashstand before I tell her of the accident. Good-bye, Miss Sheldon. "She held out her hand. "May I come to see you soon?"

"You know you will always be welcome, my dear. "

"I wish you wouldn't tell even your roommate that I am a sophomore, "said Patience Eliot as they left the campus and turned into CollegeStreet. 

"I won't, " promised Grace. "I'll be a positive clam. But what about yourroommate? She will be sure to find out first, and then----" RememberingPatience Eliot's roommate Grace broke off suddenly. 

"And then what?" asked the tall girl with disconcerting directness. 

"Nothing, " murmured Grace. 

"Then we don't need to become alarmed, do we?" was the next question. 

"No, not in the least, " said Grace, smiling faintly. She was trying todecide whether or not she ought even to intimate to the tall, matter-of-fact girl, whom she already liked, that Kathleen West waslikely to prove a disappointment in the way of a roommate. 

But the decision was not left to her, for Patience Eliot said with calmamusement in her tones: "I have a better idea of what you are thinkingthan you know. All I have to say is, don't waste a minute worrying overme. Patience Eliot will take care of herself regardless of who herroommate may be. "

CHAPTER IV

PATIENCE PROMISES TO STAND BY

For the next three days Patience Eliot passed successfully for afreshman. Then came the sudden dismaying rumor that she was registeredin the sophomore theme class. A little later it was announced positivelythat she had passed up freshman French. The truth suddenly burst uponcertain members of the sophomore class who had selected Miss Eliot as asplendid subject for sophomore grinds, when, on the occasion of theirfirst class meeting, she walked quietly into the class room where it wasto be held, and took her place with a cheerful, matter-of-course airthat was very disturbing to various abashed sophomores who had plannedmischief. 

Far from being angry, the astonished sophomores treated the New Englandgirl's mild deception as a joke, and by it she sprang into instantpopularity with her class. There were a few disgruntled students whocriticized her, but these were so far in the minority that they countedfor little. Kathleen West was among this minority. On the evening whenthe girl from New England had been shown into the room at the end of thehall, Kathleen had conceived a strong dislike for this calm-faced, independent young woman, whose quiet self-assurance nettled her, andmentally decided that she belonged to the preaching, narrow-minded classof girls who made life a burden for those who did not live up to acertain impossible standard. Patience Eliot had been even less favorablyimpressed with the newspaper girl. "She has a frightful temper, " hadbeen her mental observation, "and looks the reverse of agreeable. " Asidefrom a brief exchange of conversation, silence had reigned in the room, and remembering the happy faces of the girls she had seen at thebreakfast table that morning, Patience had felt not wholly pleased withher new quarters and not a little lonely. 

The incident of the broken china had been fortunate in that it hadbrought about a friendly, informal meeting between Grace and herself. After that everything had glided smoothly along. Patience and Gracereceived an invitation to take dinner with Miss Sheldon the followingSunday, and this occasion served to strengthen the New England girl'sfavorable impression of Grace to such an extent that by the end of theweek the knot of friendship between them had been firmly tied. 

From the moment of Kathleen West's discovery that her roommate was fastbecoming friendly with the very girls she affected to despise, sheadopted an aggressive manner toward the New England girl which thelatter was quick to perceive and tactfully ignore. Patience had anunusually keen insight into character, and she had made up her mind notto get beyond the point of exchanging common civilities with thedisgruntled young woman who seemed determined to go through college withher eyes tightly closed to her own interests. 

That the newspaper girl possessed a fondness for study and neverneglected her lessons was a point in her favor, in Patience's eyes. Asthe daughter of a well-known man of letters she had inherited herfather's love of study and an appreciation of that same love in others. She frequently smiled at the clever, caustic remarks the strange, moodygirl was wont to make about everything and everybody, and occasionallyshe surprised even Kathleen herself by her ready appreciation of thethemes the latter wrote. 

It was several weeks before the two young women even became accustomedto each other. During that time Kathleen learned that Patience was proofagainst her aggressiveness, and not half so narrow-minded as she hadthought; while Patience discovered, to her dismay, that in spite ofKathleen's undoubted wit and brilliancy, she disliked her rather more, if anything, than on first acquaintance. 

"I feel quite conscience-stricken over it, " she confided to Grace oneafternoon as they started down College Street for a short walk beforedinner. "I wouldn't tell any one else, Grace, but I simply can't likeMiss West. I've tried, and I can't. I am equally sure she doesn't likeme. Imagine us sharing the intimacy of one room, and at the same timedisliking each other cordially. I suppose there isn't the slightestchance for me to make a change this year. Besides, I don't wish to leaveWayne Hall. "

"Oh, you mustn't think of leaving Wayne Hall!" exclaimed Grace indismay. "I am so sorry about Miss West. She is a peculiar girl. None ofthe girls here pretend to understand her. When first she came here as afreshman she was friendly enough with us. Then something occurred forwhich we were not to blame, or rather, we did not know that Miss Westconsidered us at fault, " corrected Grace conscientiously. "At any rate, she suddenly began to avoid us. For a long time we didn't know thereason. " Grace paused for an instant. "By the time we found out, it wastoo late. Other things had happened. I can't really tell you much aboutthat part of it, " she added, reddening, "but in fairness to myself andmy friends I will say that we were not to blame for what followed. There, that isn't very definite, is it? But I know you won't ask anyquestions. "

"Not one, " returned Patience gravely. "I knew, of course, that relationsbetween you two were strained, but hadn't the slightest idea of thecause of it all. I believe I understand something of the situation now. "

They tramped along in silence for a time. Grace was thinking almostresentfully that even in her senior year she seemed unable to freeherself from a sense of responsibility toward Kathleen West. Her greataffection for Mabel Ashe had undoubtedly been at the bottom of it, but, deep in her heart, Grace knew that had there been no Mabel to pave theway for Kathleen, she would have done whatever lay in her power to helpthis strange girl, who had no conception of, and was not likely ever toimbibe, that intangible and yet wholly necessary principle, collegespirit. She wondered a little sadly why Mabel Ashe had not written her. Could it be possible that Mabel had heard unkind, untruthful tales ofher from the newspaper girl? Grace impatiently accused herself of beingsuspicious and tried to shake off the impression. 

While she was pursuing this uncomfortable train of thought, PatienceEliot was covertly watching her companion's face. The expression she sawthere evidently did not please her, and with a slightly determined setof her lips and a gleam of sudden purpose in her frank eyes, shepromised herself that, beginning that very day, she would try to studyKathleen from an entirely different standpoint than heretofore. Layingher hand on Grace's shoulder she said warmly: "Don't worry, Grace. Iwill take back what I said about leaving Wayne Hall. I'm going to staythere until the last day of my sophomore year, at least. And as long asI stay I shall no doubt go on rooming with Miss West. There, does thatmake you feel better?"

"It is positively noble in you to say that, Patience, " responded Gracegratefully. "I know you are bound to be put to endless personalinconvenience on account of it. I feel peculiarly responsible for MissWest, because I promised Mabel Ashe, who knows her, that I would helpher to like college. I have told you all about Mabel before. Next toAnne and Miriam, Mabel was my best friend here at Overton. I can't beginto tell you how I missed her last year. When Miss West first came toOverton I thought it would be perfectly splendid to have a realnewspaper reporter with us, and because she was Mabel's friend I feltdoubly sure of liking her. 

"Mabel had sent me a telegram asking me to go to the station to meether. Anne and I didn't allow any grass to grow under our feet. We rushedoff post haste to the station. Confidentially, we were dreadfullydisappointed in her. She was not in the least the sort of girl that Ihad expected to meet. I suppose I entertained an almost exaggerated ideaof what a newspaper woman should be. I've always enjoyed reading storiesabout clever women who covered important assignments and made good onnewspapers. You know the kind of stories I mean. "

Patience nodded understandingly. "Real people are never like people inbooks, " she commented. "Usually the real folks do far more startlingthings than the book people ever thought of doing. "

"I know it, " agreed Grace, with a rueful smile. "Suppose I say what youjust said happens to apply to this case, and leave the rest to yourimagination. "

"Very neatly put, " was Patience's grim answer. "My imagination is quiteequal to the strain. As her roommate, I can draw upon fact rather thanimagination. "

"Yet I have a curious feeling that you are going to succeed where wehave failed. You are so strong and capable and----" Grace's earnest eyeslooked their confidence in Patience, as she groped for the word thatwould describe her friend. "I can't think of the right word now, but youunderstand me. What I mean is that once you had made up your mind to dosomething, you'd do it or die. "

"'Tis the blood of my Revolutionary ancestors that spurs me on to deedsof might, " declaimed Patience. "Don't give up the ship--girl, I mean, "she finished humorously. 

"That looks like Miss West just ahead of us!" exclaimed Grace. "She camefrom that house at the end of the row. A crowd of freshmen live thereand one of them seems to be a particular friend of hers. "

"You mean Miss Rawle?" replied Patience. "I have named her my dailyaffliction. She haunts Wayne Hall with a persistency worthy of a bettercause. She adores Miss West, and tells me all about it while she iswaiting for Kathleen, who, I suspect, runs away from her more than once. She refers to little Miss Rawle as 'my crush, ' but her tone isunpleasantly sarcastic. Miss Rawle honestly admires Miss West and seemsto have a great deal of faith in her ability to write. SometimesKathleen is the soul of hospitality. At other times she barely respondsto Miss Rawle's timid remarks. When she behaves in that fashion I feeltempted to give her a good shaking. More than once I have seen MissRawle say good night when she looked ready to cry. "

"I wish I knew how to get hold of Kathleen, " said Grace, lookingtroubled. "It is simply a case of good material going to waste, isn'tit?"

Patience shrugged her square shoulders. "I had a glimmer of hope that, once she and I became accustomed to each other, we might at least dwelltogether in peace. So far peace has been maintained by great effort onmy part. How much longer it will endure is a question. "

At the door of Wayne Hall Grace paused irresolutely. "Oh, dear!" sheexclaimed, "I forgot to stop at the stationer's, and I need a lot oflittle things, too. I must go back and get them. Will you come with me, Patience?"

Patience shook her head. "I want to read for a few minutes beforedinner. It is almost the only time I have to read for pleasure. Youwon't care if I go on upstairs, will you, Grace?"

"Of course not. I wish I didn't have to go. I'll see you at dinner. "

Grace hurried down the walk on her errand, while Patience went on intothe house and to her room. 

CHAPTER V

A DECLARATION OF WAR

The October twilight had fallen before the two girls finished theirwalk. When Patience opened her door she did not at first glance see thehuddled figure crouched close to the window. A sound, half sob, halfsigh, caused her to cross the room in an instant. 

"Who are you, and what is the trouble?" were her blunt questions. 

The girl burrowed her face in her arm and made no answer. 

"Get up!" commanded Patience, an imperative note in her voice thatcaused the girl to half struggle to her feet, then sink sobbing to herold position. 

"This won't do at all, " remonstrated Patience. "You mustn't sit here. Stop crying instantly. " She purposely made her voice coldlyunsympathetic with a view toward summoning the weeper's pride to heraid. 

It had the desired effect. The girl rose from the floor and stumbledtoward the door, her head still hidden on her arm. 

With a cry of, "Why, it is Miss Rawle!" Patience sprang forward andcaught the girl by the hand. "You poor child! What has happened to youto make you cry so?"

"Please don't sympathize with me, Miss Eliot, or I'll break down and cryagain. It isn't anything in particular. I'm just a silly goose, that'sall. Miss West promised to be here this afternoon, and I've been waitingfor her ever since half-past four. I suppose she forgot all about it. "Miss Rawle made a valiant attempt to smile. "Please tell her I was here, and--and was very sorry I didn't see her. " Her lip quivered like that ofa grieved child. 

Patience turned on the light, then went over to where Miss Rawle stood. "Do you wish me to give you a piece of good advice?" she asked withabrupt frankness, placing her hand on the girl's shoulder. 

"Yes, " responded Miss Rawle in a halfhearted manner. 

"Then don't leave any word for Miss West, and don't put yourself withinspeaking distance of her for at least a week. "

"But--I can't do that. She wouldn't understand----"

"All the better for you, " cut in Patience's crisp voice. "You are veryfond of Miss West, aren't you?"

Miss Rawle nodded. "She is so bright and clever and says such smartthings, and can write. I adore cleverness. I'm not a bit clever. I workdreadfully hard to keep up in my classes. But Kathleen is actuallybrilliant, and, besides, she took me to the sophomore reception. "

The tall girl listened gravely to this enthusiastic tribute to hercaptious roommate. "Very good reasons, " she agreed. "Still, I wish youwould try to do what I just suggested. Miss West is like a great manyother clever people, she doesn't appreciate what is easily won. "

A deep flush overspread Miss Rawle's face. An angry light leaped intoher blue eyes. Then, meeting Patience's calm glance, she said slowly, "Do you mean that I force myself upon her?"

"In a measure, yes, " was the cool reply. "You are very fond of her andshe knows it, consequently she doesn't value your friendship half ashighly as though she weren't sure of it. You must meet her on her ownground, and make her realize that you are of as much importance in theworld as she. It may be hard at first, but it will be best for both ofyou. Miss West stands in need of a friend, and I am sure you would beloyal to her. "

"How nice in you to say so, " returned Miss Rawle, brightening. "Ithought I was angry with you for saying what you did about my forcingmyself upon Kathleen, but I'm not. I am going straight home, now, andI'll do as you say. Would you mind if I were to come and see you sometime, and won't you take luncheon with me some day at Vinton's?"

Patience smilingly acquiesced to both eager requests, and little MissRawle descended the steps of Wayne Hall and set off for Livingston Hall, where she lived, looking anything but sorrowful. 

"I'll try her way, " she planned as she sped along through the soft falldarkness. "It is worth trying. But I wonder what made her say thatKathleen stood in need of a friend. "

After Miss Rawle had departed, armed and equipped with her newly-bornindependence, Patience smiled whimsically to herself as she brushed herlong, fair hair, rebraided it and wound it about her head. It was acoiffure she had recently adopted at Elfreda's suggestion, and it wentfar toward softening the severe outline of her face. "I didn't come tocollege to play mentor to any one, " she said, half aloud, "nor to giveadvice, for that matter. Perhaps I should not have told Miss Rawle tostay away from Kathleen. It isn't really any of my business. Wouldn'tshe be angry if she knew? Shall I tell her? No, I don't believe I will. If, during a season of adoration, Miss Rawle is indiscreet enough totell her, then that is a different matter. But I don't believe shewill. "

Patience had just finished doing her hair when the object of hermonologue appeared in the door and after a quick survey of the roomstepped inside. 

"Was Miss Rawle here?" she asked abruptly. 

"Yes, " answered Patience, noncommittally. 

"I'm glad I wasn't. She is such a frightful bore. What did she say?"

"She asked me to tell you she was here and was very sorry she missedyou. "

"I am very glad I missed her, " declared Kathleen, with a shrug. "Deliverme from 'crushes' of her sort, at least. There are several girls in thefreshman class who look rather interesting, but they are evidently notanxious to know me, " she added, her face darkening. 

"Whose fault is it?" asked Patience pointedly. 

"Not mine, " retorted Kathleen with asperity. Then, turning uponPatience, she said in a voice shaking with sudden anger: "What do youmean by asking me such a question? I did not realize the insult itcontained or I wouldn't have answered you. "

"I did not intend to be insulting, " said Patience, "but candidly I thinkyou are to blame for whatever attitude the girls here maintain towardyou. Then, again, you do not value your friends. For instance, there islittle Miss Rawle who is really fond of you. Yet you are continuallyrunning away from her. If I were Miss Rawle I would let you severelyalone; you don't deserve her friendship. You don't and can't appreciateit. "

Kathleen stared at Patience in angry amazement. No one had ever beforespoken to her quite so plainly. Then she found her voice. 

"I think you are not only insulting, but impertinent and meddlesome aswell. I suppose Miss Rawle complained to you because I didn't keep myengagement with her and you thought it your duty to take me to task forit. Understand, once and for all, you are not to interfere in myaffairs. I shall answer to no one for my actions. I did not choose youfor a roommate. You are the last girl I would choose. I won't standbeing criticized and lectured at every turn. Save your criticisms forthose who are silly enough to take them seriously, but please don'timagine for an instant that what you may think or say carries theslightest weight with me. "

Before Patience could frame a reply the newspaper girl had rushed fromthe room, slamming the door with a vehemence that fairly shook thewalls. 

She did not return to the room until after dinner, and then only longenough to slip into her coat and hat. During that brief moment sheneither spoke to nor noticed Patience, who went quietly on with herstudying as though nothing had happened. Kathleen's outburst had made noimpression upon this calm-faced girl, but Patience's all too truthfulwords had sunk deeper into the newspaper girl's mind than she cared toadmit. 

CHAPTER VI

A FACE TO FACE TALK

For a week at least Alice Rawle stayed religiously away from Wayne Halland her idol, during which time Kathleen went serenely about herbusiness, apparently undisturbed by the lull in the attentions of herone "crush. " Then a certain sharp-eyed sophomore noted the fact and, happening to run across the newspaper girl in the gymnasium oneafternoon, remarked laughingly, "I hear your little friend, Miss Rawle, has transferred her allegiance to Miss Eliot. "

"What utter nonsense, " declared Kathleen. Yet she frowned herdispleasure at the intimation, and immediately held Patience responsiblefor Miss Rawle's deflection. She decided to look into the matter thatvery afternoon and found time to stop and see Alice on her way home fromher class. She rang the bell at Livingston Hall a little before fiveo'clock, only to find that Miss Rawle had not yet come in. The newspapergirl turned her steps toward Wayne Hall, feeling slightly disappointedand vexed. Arrived at the Hall, she slipped upstairs with the cat-likequiet and ease that always characterized her movements. At the door ofher room she paused for a moment, listening to the sound of voices thatcame from within. Then, with a vehement exclamation, she flung wide thedoor and darted into the room. 

"Whatever you have to say of me you can say in my presence, " shestormed. "Do you hear? I said, 'In my presence, '" she repeated, hervoice rising. 

The two astonished occupants of the room regarded the angry girl insilent astonishment. Then the tension of the moment relaxed, and AliceRawle found her voice. "You are right, " she said to Kathleen, with ascornful little gesture. "We were talking of you. Evidently you heardwhat we said. I am glad you did. Until this moment I liked you betterthan any other girl in Overton. If you had come sooner, you would haveheard me say so. But now I think you are unjust and contemptible and Ishall never speak to you again. " Turning to Patience, who had stoodimpassive during this outburst, she said with sudden penitence: "I'msorry I lost my temper. I will come again to see you at some other time. Good-bye. "

As the door closed on Alice, Kathleen confronted Patience with blazingeyes. "It is all your fault, " she accused wildly. "I hate you! You areone of the superior, narrow-minded sort of girls who will excusenothing. You imagine yourself to be perfect, but you can always discoverfaults in others. You don't like me. I know it. I have those dearfriends of yours to thank for it, too. I know that Miss Harlowe hastaken particular pains to strengthen your first impression of me, whichwasn't favorable. It is very unfortunate that we are obliged to roomtogether. I suppose it is useless to ask you to mind your own businessand let me alone. "

Kathleen walked moodily to the window and stood looking out, herfavorite attitude when greatly disturbed in spirit. Crossing swiftly towhere the newspaper girl stood, Patience laid two firm hands onKathleen's shoulders. She whirled at the touch, her eyes flashing. 

"That's right, " commented Patience. "I want you to look at me. The timehas come for you and me to have an understanding. I've been putting offthe evil day, and there have been times when I have even dreamed that wemight dispense with it altogether. But now we must face it. I am goingto tell you exactly what I think of you and why I think it, and you aregoing to perform the same kind office for me. Will you please begin?"

Kathleen's face set in sullen lines. "You know what I think of you, " shemuttered. "I just finished telling you. I told you last week, too. "

"So you did, " smiled Patience, "but surely you must think otheruncomplimentary things of me. "

"Will you kindly take your hands off my shoulders and attend to your ownaffairs?" Kathleen's voice choked with renewed anger. 

Patience's hands dropped to her sides. "Very well. If you haven'tanything further to say on the subject of my short-comings, I'll proceedto yours, " was her brisk declaration. 

"I won't listen to you, " cried Kathleen passionately. "I won't stay hereand allow you to insult me. "

She sprang toward the door, but Patience, divining her intention, turnedthe key in the lock and calmly pocketed it. "Don't be a goose, " sheadvised. "You are too clever to be so childish. You are deliberatelytrying to shut yourself out of all the pleasant part of college by goingabout with a grievance on your shoulder. If you weren't so clever Ishouldn't take the trouble to say what I think. Why, you could be one ofthe foremost girls in the sophomore class if you wished. "

"I haven't seen any particular indication of admiration on the part ofmy class, " sneered Kathleen. 

"You haven't given your class cause to admire you, have you?" askedPatience imperturbably. 

Sheer inability to reply to this unwelcome assertion held Kathleensilent. 

"Please don't misunderstand me, " went on Patience. "I know I have noright to criticize you, but as your roommate, I feel a certain interestin your welfare. "

"Very kind in you, I am sure, " muttered Kathleen sarcastically. 

Unmindful of the sarcasm, Patience continued: "I believe your chieftrouble lies in the fact that newspaper standards are so different fromthose of a college. On a newspaper it is a case of get the story and noquestions asked. It isn't honor that counts. It is shrewdness, determination, dogged persistence, hardness of head, and deafness topersonal appeal that wins the day. "

A curious light leaped into the other girl's eyes. "How do you happen toknow so much about what counts on a newspaper?" she questioned sharply. 

"Because my father edited one for years. All the newspaper folks knowJames Merton Eliot. You must have heard of him, " replied Patience withgrim satisfaction. 

"You don't mean it! I never dreamed you could be his daughter, " gaspedKathleen, regarding her tall roommate with positive awe. Then she said, almost humbly: "Say what you like to me. I'll listen to it, no matterhow much it hurts. "

"But I don't wish to hurt you, " remonstrated Patience, "nor to preach. Ido wish you to know, however, that I am quite familiar with the insideworkings of a newspaper. I have haunted Father's office since I was alittle girl. I was bitterly resentful of being packed off to apreparatory school when I yearned to be a reporter. Father didn't resignhis editorship of a Boston paper until last year. He overworked and hasbeen very ill since then. That is the reason I was not here when collegeopened. I waited until I was sure he was really convalescent. Had myaffairs shaped themselves differently, you would not now be obliged toendure me as a roommate. "

Kathleen continued to survey Patience with wondering eyes. It was simplyincredible that this brusque, matter-of-fact young woman whom she hadheld in secret contempt should be the daughter of a man whose name wasknown and honored throughout the newspaper world. Sheer astonishmenttied her tongue. 

"I would have told you in the beginning, " continued Patience, "but I didnot wish to travel on my father's passport. When I saw what anunfavorable impression I had made on you I was tempted to tell you. Itwould at least have given me a certain prestige in your eyes. Then Idecided never to tell you. But to-day it seemed the only way. None ofthe girls know it. Miss Sheldon and Miss Wilder know. They are personalfriends of Father's. "

"If I had only known when first you came to Wayne Hall, " was Kathleen'sregretful cry. 

"But I didn't wish you to know, " returned Patience. "I wished you tolike me for myself, and you wouldn't. You thought me pedantic andnarrow-minded, and set me down as a typical New England woman of thegrim, uncompromising type, who boasts of her Puritan ancestry, and goesthrough life ungracious and forbidding. I don't believe I am pedantic ornarrow-minded or small-souled, but I have plenty of other faults, asyou'll learn before the year is over. I meant what I said about yourstanding in your own light. You'll have to learn the difference betweencollege and newspaper standards, too. "

Kathleen's face reddened. She understood all that the sharp criticismimplied. "I know I haven't lived up to----" she began. 

Patience shook her head vigorously. "Don't tell me, " she said. "Justdecide that hereafter you are going to cultivate Overton as your AlmaMater for all you're worth. You'll find you can adapt Overton standardsto your paper more successfully than you can adapt newspaper tacticshere. At least it will do no harm to try out my suggestion and see howfar it will carry you. "

"I will try, " responded Kathleen with a suddenness that surprised evenherself. "Only, " her eyes grew resentful, "you mustn't expect me to bean angel all in a twinkling, or even like certain girls you and I know. I can't, and that settles it. "

"I shall have no expectations in the matter, " smiled Patience. "Yourlikes and dislikes concern no one save yourself. Please forgive me forlocking the door and speaking so candidly. "

Patience stepped to the door and unlocked it. Kathleen took an uncertainstep forward, wavered, then, advancing almost timidly, held out herhand. 

"Will you shake hands?" she asked. "I am glad you did it, and I am goingto be different--if I can, " she added moodily. 

"Be fair to yourself and give the clever, capable Kathleen West achance, " was the New England girl's advice. "This little talk of ourshas served to clear the atmosphere of this room. Let us be friends andkeep it clear. "

"I will try, " Kathleen repeated, but Patience was obliged to confess toherself that she had very little faith in the newspaper girl's promise. She felt that the fact that James Merton Eliot was her father had madefar more impression upon Kathleen than had her little lecture onstandards. 

CHAPTER VII

WHEN FRIENDS FALL OUT

"What has happened to the Semper Fidelis Club? Did such a worthyorganization ever exist, or did I merely dream?" inquired Arline Thayer, walking suddenly into the living room at Wayne Hall one evening, whereGrace sat idly turning the pages of a magazine, at the same time tryingto decide the best possible way of spending her evening. 

"Oh, Arline!" she exclaimed. "I am so glad you came. You are justin time. I was trying to decide what I had better do this evening. For a wonder, I haven't a line of studying to worry me. But there areso many other things I ought and wish to do. My correspondence is fastgoing to rack and ruin, and I owe at least a dozen calls, thedrop-in-in-the-evening kind. Anne wants me to go for a walk, and Elfredaand Miriam are determined I shall go to see 'Les Miserables' at themotion picture theatre on Main Street. They saw 'The Taming of theShrew' one evening last week, and came home ardent moving picture fans. "

"I saw it, too, " replied Arline. "It was wonderfully well acted, and thephotography and arrangement of the scenes were excellent. Suppose wegather the club in, and go to see 'Les Miserables' in a body?"

"I could please the populace and myself at the same time by taking youradvice, couldn't I?" Grace cast a laughing glance toward Arline. 

"Of course you could, " urged Arline. "Don't stand upon the order of yourgoing, but go at once and tell Elfreda and Miriam what we propose doing. Anne can take her walk some other time, and your letters can languishunanswered a little longer. I'm going to hurry back to Morton House forRuth and Gertrude. We will pick up the Emerson twins on our way here, and also Elizabeth Wade and Marian. You can ask Emma and the others. "

"What about Patience?" asked Grace. 

"By all means ask her. We want her in the club, too. The only objectionis that she will be the thirteenth member. That is the reason I haven'tproposed her name before this. We shall be obliged to ask some one elseto make fourteen. "

"Arline, " Grace's tone caused her friend to eye her sharply, "do yousuppose we ought to ask Kathleen West to join our club?"

"No. " Arline's blue eyes grew resentful. Her "no" was coldly incisive. "If she is asked to join the club, I shall immediately resign. "

Grace looked her surprise at this uncompromising statement. She had notreckoned on Arline's opposition to an idea which had been steadilyforcing itself upon her since the beginning of her senior year. Eversince the last days of her junior year, when Alberta Wicks had madeplain what seemed obscure in the case of Kathleen West, Grace hadexperienced a generous desire to recompense the newspaper girl for thefancied slight she had received at their hands. 

Toward Grace and her three friends Kathleen still preserved the sameantagonistic attitude. So far Grace had been unable to discover any wayin which at least a semblance of friendly relations might beestablished. The idea of asking Kathleen to join the club had suddenlyoccurred to her, and in her usual impetuous fashion she had given voiceto it. Arline's sharp "no" was in the nature of a dash of cold water toimpulsive Grace, and she now regarded her friend with troubled eyes. 

"Why are you so bitter against Kathleen?" she asked. "You have nopersonal grievance against her, have you?"

"You know perfectly well that she tried to prevent the club from givingthe bazaar, and you know of other contemptible things she has done. Agirl who would work directly against Semper Fidelis on the outside, wouldn't make a particularly desirable member. At least that is myopinion. " Arline compressed her lips, looking very dignified. 

"I didn't dream you felt so opposed to her, " said Grace quietly. "Still, it will do no particular hurt to ask her to go with us to-night. I hateto go to her room to invite Patience and leave her out. Besides, I thinkPatience would wish her to go. Confidentially, Arline, she and Patiencehad some sort of understanding the other day and now they appear to bealmost friends. "

"I'm sorry, Grace, but I won't go to-night if you invite Miss West. I amwilling to do almost anything else to please you, but I simply can'tendure her, and I don't intend to have my evening spoiled. I shouldprefer not to go. After all, I don't know that it matters much whether Igo or not. " With a gesture of superb indifference Arline rose to depart. 

Grace was at her side in an instant. "Daffydowndilly Thayer, you knowyou care, " she smiled, putting her finger under Arline's chin. "You arenot half as hard-hearted as you would have me think. "

Arline drew away from her with a pettish little shrug. "You can't makeme feel differently about her, Grace. Please don't try. If she goesto-night, I shan't. You may choose between us. If you are afraid ofoffending her by asking Patience to go and leaving her out, then I willinvite Patience to go. "

"I am not afraid to ask Patience to go with us in Miss West's presence, "was Grace's proud response, "although I believe it would be kinder notto ask either of them as long as they appear to be friends. Patiencewouldn't feel hurt or slighted, and that would make the party strictlySemper Fidelis. " Grace spoke evenly, although there was a note ofconstraint in her voice. "But, please, don't misinterpret my feeling inthe matter as one of fear. "

Arline made no answer, and the two girls left the living room insilence. 

"I'll see you in half an hour, " was Arline's sole comment. 

"Shall we meet here?" asked Grace. "It is nearer the theatre and quitecentral. "

"Very well. " Arline walked to the hall door, her golden head held veryhigh. Grace took a half step toward her, hesitated, then turned andwalked quietly up the stairs to carry the invitation to the SemperFidelis girls. 

She stopped first at the door of Emma Dean's room. Emma answered herknock with a cheerful "Come in. "

"As a loyal member of Semper Fidelis it is your duty to turn out withyour sisters and attend a motion picture show, " declaimed Grace from thethreshold. 

"No urging is necessary, " responded Emma, rising from her chair andgoing to the closet for her wraps. "I am nothing if not loyal, and Iadore picture shows. "

"Meet me in the living room in five minutes, then. I must see Patience, "returned Grace, but she could not help hoping as she walked down thehall that she would find Patience alone. 

CHAPTER VIII

A LEAF FROM THE PAST

At Patience's door she paused. It stood partly open, and peeping in shesaw that her friend was alone. Rapping softly, she announced with alaugh, "The Honorable Grace Harlowe. "

"Enter without further ceremony, " was the quick reply. "To what do I owemy good fortune?"

"To the absence of your roommate, " answered Grace dryly. "Where is she?"

"At the library. She left the house directly after dinner to look up anumber of references. She is infinitely more industrious than I. "

"The Semper Fidelis crowd are going down to that new motion picturetheatre to see 'Les Miserables. ' We want you to go with us, " invitedGrace, looking relieved at having been able to deliver the invitation soeasily. 

"Let me think. Is there any reason why I can't go? I have a hazyrecollection of having something else on hand to-night, but I can'tremember what it is. "

"Is it anything about lessons?" asked Grace. 

"No. " Patience glanced perplexedly about her. "I can't recall it. Itisn't anything of importance or I certainly would have no difficulty inremembering it. Perhaps it will come to me suddenly. "

"I must make the round of the house and ask the other girls. Be readyand downstairs, within the next fifteen minutes. "

By the time Grace had collected the Semper Fidelis girls of Wayne Hall, Arline had returned with the other members of the club, and the partyset out for the theatre. Grace walked with Anne and Patience, who, unable to remember any other engagement, had dismissed the disturbingthought from her mind and prepared to enjoy her evening. 

At the entrance of the theatre, the party halted for a moment whileArline bought the tickets. Grace looked interestedly about her. Even inquiet, staid old Overton she derived an active pleasure from scanningthe faces of the passersby. She tried to read their thoughts from theirexpressions, and her habit of observation had on more than one occasionproved of value to her. 

"All right, " called Arline, holding up the tickets. "Come on. "

Grace turned her eyes toward Arline, then some unaccountable influencecaused her to turn her head and glance again in the direction of thestreet. A roughly-dressed man had stopped on the sidewalk directly infront of the theatre to stare at one of the gayly colored lithographs. Grace stopped short, seized with a peculiar feeling of apprehension. Whywas the face of this man so familiar to her? Surely she had seen itsomewhere under decidedly unpleasant circumstances. Was it at Overtonshe had seen him? No, it was further back than that. 

During the first part of Hugo's famous novel, which had been filmed toperfection, Grace was obsessed with the question: "Where have I seenhim?" The stranger's face haunted her. It was a low-browed, sullen face. She could not keep her mind on the story that was being unfolded on thescreen. She watched the ill-fated Jean Valjean being led off to prisonfor stealing a loaf of bread almost without seeing him. It was not untilthe scene where, bruised in spirit and prison-warped, Jean steals thegood priest's candlesticks and makes off with them, that fullremembrance came to Grace. Now she knew why that face was strangelyfamiliar. The man she had seen was none other than "Larry, theLocksmith. " In her mind's eye Grace saw him sitting in the court roomwith humped shoulders, his eyes bent fiercely upon her, as she relatedwhat she had seen with her face pressed close to the window pane of thehaunted house. It had all happened during her senior year at highschool. To Grace it seemed but yesterday since she had given thetestimony that sent Henry Hammond's accomplice to prison for a term ofseven years in the state penitentiary. Seven years! It had been onlyfour years since that memorable occasion. Perhaps the man had beenreleased earlier for good behavior, or perhaps--Grace's heart beat atrifle faster--he had escaped. 

She paid but scant attention to the rest of the performance, and whenJean had died in the arms of his devoted foster daughter, the lights hadappeared, and the crowd began filing out of the theatre, she scanned iteagerly. There was no sign of the disturbing face of "Larry, theLocksmith. "

The little company of girls made their way to the street, discussing themerits of the various actors who had portrayed so admirably the rolesassigned to them. Arline, feeling rather ashamed of her brusque refusalto countenance Kathleen West as a possible member of the club, slippedher arm through Grace's, saying contritely, "I am awfully sorry I was socross, Grace. "

Grace, whose mind was still fully occupied with the thought of the manshe had good reason to recognize, did not answer. Arline glancedreproachfully at her, then withdrew her arm from Grace's with anoffended suddenness that caused Grace to cry apologetically: "Pleasepardon me, Arline. What did you say?"

Arline, however, was now thoroughly incensed. She had apologized, andGrace had not even taken the trouble to listen. Without answering, saveby an angry flash of her blue eyes, she walked on rapidly, overtakingthe Emerson twins, who were heading the little procession. Grace sprangimpulsively forward. Then, as Arline slipped between the twins, laughingly taking hold of an arm of each, Grace fell back, deciding thatshe would say nothing. She would write Arline a note that very night. 

True to her resolve, the note was written and sent. At the end of a weekshe had received no answer. Later she was greeted with a cold "goodafternoon" and a stiff little bow when she chanced to encounter Arlineon the campus. Remembering Arline's stubborn stand in regard to Ruthduring their sophomore year, Grace knew the dainty little girl'sresentment to be very real and lasting. She was also reasonably surethat not even Ruth was aware of their estrangement. She wished she hadnot seen that disturbing face. She wondered if she had been mistaken. Nodoubt there were men in the world who bore a strong resemblance to"Larry, the Locksmith. " She blamed herself entirely for Arline'swithdrawal of friendship. If she had only heard and accepted theapology! It was humiliating indeed to make an earnest apology tounhearing ears. 

"It serves you right, Grace Harlowe, " she reflected, coming into theliving room late one afternoon. "I'm not sorry for you. I hope Arlinewon't be too haughty at the club meeting to-morrow. It is such a shame. I wanted to propose the 'Famous Fiction' dance as a Semper Fidelismerry-making this year, and I can never talk enthusiastically of itknowing she disapproves. Of course, I'll pretend I don't care, but ithurts, just the same. "

With a sigh Grace reached for the evening paper which lay on the librarytable. She glanced over the headlines without any special interest untila single sentence in large black type caused her to stare, then givevoice to a surprised, "I knew it!" The headline read, "Larry, theLocksmith, Still at Large. "

Grace sat down heavily in the nearest chair, the newspaper stillclutched in one hand. She had not been mistaken. The man for whom theauthorities were searching was the man she had seen in front of themoving picture theatre. It was evident that he had very little fear ofbeing recognized in Overton, or he would not have risked appearing inthe streets of the college town. "He must have friends here, who aresheltering him, " sprang into her mind, "or he may be passing through thetown. The question is, ought I to make my discovery known to thepolice?"

"Here you are!" called a familiar voice, "I've been looking for you. "Patience Eliot entered the living room, and seated herself oppositeGrace. "Do you remember my saying when you asked me to go to the theaterthat I had a faint recollection of having another engagement lastnight?"

Grace nodded. 

"My faint recollection was perfectly correct. I had promised to go for awalk with Kathleen, and consequently she wouldn't speak to me when Icame in last night. She wouldn't accept my humble apologies. Just when Ithought I was making a little progress with her, too. I am the mostunfortunate mortal, " sighed Patience. "I know she imagines I did itpurposely. "

Patience's recital of her woes brought back the subject of Arline'sdispleasure to Grace's mind, and when, a little later, the two girlswent upstairs arm in arm, the important question of whether or not toinform the Overton police of her discovery had slipped, for the timebeing, from Grace's mind. 

CHAPTER IX

A THANKSGIVING INVITATION

"At last!" exclaimed Grace triumphantly, as she extracted a letter fromthe Wayne Hall bulletin board addressed to her in Mabel Ashe'sunmistakable handwriting. "Oh, I am so glad! I thought she had forgottenme. "

"Or had been persuaded to forget you, " put in Elfreda Briggs, who hadcome downstairs to breakfast directly behind Grace. 

Grace looked frankly amazed. "How did you know?"

"How do I find out everything I know?" demanded Elfreda. "Don't yousuppose I noticed that you were worried about not hearing from Mabel? Icould see you thought some one had made mischief. "

"Elfreda Briggs, will you please tell me your exact method ofdeduction!" exclaimed Grace in a half vexed tone. "Your ability for'seeing things' is positively uncanny. "

"There was nothing very uncanny about seeing you look ready to cry everytime Mabel's name was mentioned, " retorted Elfreda. "We all knew thatyou hadn't received a letter from her. Put two and two together, what isthe result? Ask me something harder. That's easy. "

"I make my bow to you, most observing of all observers, " laughed Grace. "I have been worried over not receiving a letter from Mabel, but Ihadn't breathed it to any one. Come into the living room beforebreakfast. No; let us have breakfast first. It is early yet and we shallhave time to read the letter afterward in my room. Then Anne and Miriamcan hear it, too. Here they come, the slow pokes. "

 "A dillar, a dollar, a ten-o'clock scholar, Oh, why did you come so soon?"

chanted Elfreda as Anne, followed by Miriam, appeared at the head of thestairs. 

"A ten-minutes-to-eight-o'clock scholar, " calmly corrected Miriam. "Weare early, but you and Grace are distressingly early. I suppose youfound the fabled worm. "

"Here it is. " Grace held up the letter. "If you are pleasant andrespectful to us during breakfast, I will invite you to my room to hearit read. "

"Your half of the room, " reminded Anne, with emphasis. 

"I beg your pardon, my half of the room, " corrected Grace. "I mightlease your half for the occasion, then I could turn you out if youproved a disturbing factor. "

"But I could refuse to lease my half, " declared Anne. 

"Then I should be obliged to turn you out, at any rate. I am muchstronger than you. "

"It sounds like a discussion between the March Hare and the Mad Hatter, doesn't it?" commented Elfreda. 

"It has a true Alice in Wonderland tang, " agreed Miriam solemnly. "Inthe meantime I am growing hungrier. On to breakfast!"

After breakfast, the quartette lost no time in going upstairs to Grace'sroom to listen to Mabel's letter. Grace opened it, glanced hastily overthe first page, then read:

 "MY DEAR GRACE:--

 "Your faith in me as a correspondent must be shattered by this time. I've intended to write, but my days and nights, too, have been so crowded with work that I have almost forgotten that I am entitled to a little recreation. I'll try not to let it happen again, Grace, dear. I hoped to be able to run down for Thanksgiving, but I am afraid it won't be possible. 

 "I am doing the clubs now, and there will be so much to write about them during Thanksgiving week that I am afraid I shall have to stay in town all week. Next week the opera begins, and, oh, joy! I am to help write it--along with my club duties. I went to almost every performance last year and loved them all. Why couldn't you girls make up a party and spend Thanksgiving with me? Isn't that a brilliant idea? I might succeed in getting a day off. 

 "You might ask Miss West to come with you. Last summer I asked her all about you but could get no particular information regarding you. I saw very little of her during the summer, as she was given a number of important assignments and covered them splendidly. I am sorry to say she is not well liked among the other reporters. They say she is too hard and merciless and that she is terribly unfeeling. Of course, you would hardly see that side of her. I should imagine she must have quite a reputation at Overton by this time, she writes so well. Remember me to her when you see her and deliver my invitation. 

 "I must stop instantly or lose my train home. Let me hear from you about Thanksgiving. Love to you and Elfreda, Miriam and Anne. 

 "Yours, as ever, "MABEL. 

 "P. S. --I saw Frances last week. She is engaged to be married. More about her when I see you. "

"Doesn't it sound exactly as she talks?" smiled Anne. 

"I like the Thanksgiving idea, " declared Elfreda. 

"Of course, we'll go, " said Grace, looking questioningly at her friends. 

"Of course, " repeated Miriam. "But what of Miss West?"

"We might ask Patience to break the news to her, " proposed Anne. 

"She would be doubly angry with us and say we were afraid of her, " saidElfreda. "I'll tell her if you want me to. Nothing she can say willinjure my castiron feelings. "

"Why not put off the evil day? It is still three weeks untilThanksgiving. We can give her two weeks' notice, as they do intheatrical companies, " laughed Anne. "Something might happen in themeantime to make us her bosom friends. "

Elfreda giggled derisively. "I'd like to see it happen, then. We couldall pursue our favorite phantoms in peace for the rest of our senioryear. She is the only disturber left. Mabel says she imagines Kathleenmust have quite a reputation at Overton by this time. She has. Thereisn't a doubt of it. "

"Elfreda, be good, " admonished Grace, laughing a little. 

"Be good, bad child, and let who will be naughty, " paraphrased Elfredain a piping, affected voice. 

"That sounded exactly like Hippy, didn't it?" said Miriam. 

Grace and Anne nodded. 

"We ought to call her Hippy the Second, " suggested Anne. 

"Good gracious!" gasped Elfreda, pointing a warning finger at themission clock on the wall. "Half-past eight, and here I sit gaylyloitering as though I had nothing else to do. How about chapel thismorning? I know you are going, Miriam. How about you, Grace and Anne?"

"I am, " said Anne. "Run along and get your wraps. I'll meet youdownstairs. "

After the three girls had gone off to chapel Grace pulled her favoritechair over to the window and sat down to think things over. First of allcame the disturbing problem of the newspaper girl and Mabel'sinvitation. From the tone of the letter it was evident that Mabel knewnothing of the real state of affairs. Kathleen had maintained a discreetsilence. Grace felt dimly that the hard, self-centered girl had taken atleast one step in the right direction. She had gone from her freshmanyear to her paper without telling tales. "I wish she'd hurry and take awhole lot more, " Grace reflected moodily, as she tried to decide whetherto write Mabel, asking her to send Kathleen a separate invitation, or totake matters into her own hands and deliver the invitation in person. "Iknow she won't go if we ask her. I can't settle that to-day. I shallhave to see Patience first. She may be able to suggest something. "

Grace passed on to the next worry, which was over her misunderstandingwith Arline. It was so extremely unfortunate that it should havehappened just when they had begun to talk of the Semper Fidelis fancydress party. She could not carry out her ideas successfully withoutArline's co-operation and help. After changing her mind several times, Grace decided to go to Morton House and see Arline. 

"It really isn't my place, " she ruminated, "but I can't bear to haveArline angry with me. "

Last of all, Grace was troubled over the notice she had read in thepaper concerning "Larry, the Locksmith. " She was certain that the manshe had seen in front of the moving picture theatre on the evening oftheir little theatre party was none other than the robber in whosecapture she had been instrumental during her senior year at high school. Should she notify the Overton authorities of her discovery? Perhaps bythis time the thief was many miles from Overton. Grace disliked the ideaof figuring even privately in the affair. Yet was it right to withholdher knowledge? She could not determine on any particular course ofaction, and with an impatient sigh at her own lack of decision in thematter she rose from her chair and prepared to go to her first class inanything but a cheerful frame of mind. 

CHAPTER X

KATHLEEN'S PROMISE

"Not in, Miss, " was the disappointing information Grace received fromthe maid who answered the door at Morton House. 

"Did she leave word when she would return?" questioned Grace. 

"She did not, Miss. She went out with Miss Denton, and didn't saynothin', Miss, " was the discouraging reply. "An' will I tell her you wasaskin' for her, Miss?"

"No; I may come again this evening. "

Grace walked slowly down the steps and across the campus. She was not atall sure that she would repeat her call. Dear as was Arline to her, theinevitable reaction had set in. Now Grace's pride whispered to her thatthere was no real reason why she should humble herself to hertoo-easily-offended friend. It was Arline, not she, who was in thewrong, she mused resentfully. She was rather glad, after all, thatArline had not been at home. 

Glancing undecidedly toward Wayne Hall, then at her watch, Grace set offin the opposite direction at a rapid walk. It was five o'clock. Shewould have time to do a little shopping in the Overton stores beforethey closed. She hurried toward the nearest dry goods store, so intentupon reaching there that she paid little or no attention to the peopleshe passed in the street. 

Shopping at this late hour proved a comparatively easy matter. Here andthere a belated customer might be seen wandering from counter tocounter, but the day's business was practically finished and thesaleswomen were busily counting their sales or conversing with theirnearest neighbors in low tones. It was ten minutes to six when Grace, inwardly congratulating herself on having been able to do so muchshopping in so short a space of time, hurried to the ribbon counter. Blue velvet ribbon was the last item on her list. Then she could go homefeeling that her hour had been well spent. 

"We're out of that shade of blue velvet ribbon, " said the saleswoman, glancing at the sample Grace held out to her. "Everybody's been buyingit. It's on order. Have it in next week. "

Grace left the store almost on the run and hurried into a shop fartherdown the street, only to meet with the same disappointing reply. Threeblocks farther on was the "French Shop. " Grace was sure of finding itthere, but was equally sure it would be infinitely more expensive. Still, she only needed a yard and a half. She was about to enter theshop, when the stocky figure of a man just ahead of her sent a suddenthrill of apprehension through her. There was something unpleasantlyfamiliar about the round shoulders and slouching walk. Forgetting hererrand, Grace began following him, keeping not more than twenty feetbehind him. As he neared the first cross street the man glancedfurtively about him, then, turning into the intersecting street, hurriedon, almost at a run. Grace, bent only on seeing the stranger's face, unhesitatingly dogged his footsteps. It was now after six o 'clock andgrowing darker with every moment. Block after block they went, but nowGrace kept a distance of a hundred feet or more between herself and theman she was following. She observed rather anxiously that they werenearing the end of Main Street, where the houses were fewer and fartherapart. 

All at once her quarry stopped short and peered sharply about himthrough the gathering twilight. Grace strolled on at a leisurely pace, though her heart beat violently. Suppose instead of going on he were toturn and walk toward her. Grace trembled a little. She was drawingaltogether too near to him to suit her. She was now positive that he was"Larry, the Locksmith. " Suddenly the man left the sidewalk and startedacross a field used in the summer by the small boys of Overton as aplayground. 

This ended the pursuit as far as Grace was concerned. Stepping behind atree at the edge of the field she strained her eyes to watch the hulkingfigure as it moved swiftly on. Then she gave a little exclamation ofsurprise and triumph. The man was hurrying up the steps of a dingylittle house that stood at the end of a row of similar houses whichbounded the side of the field directly opposite where she stood. Againconsulting her watch, she hesitated. It was almost seven o'clock, andshe was at least a mile from Wayne Hall. Anne would wonder at herabsence, for she had left no word regarding her call upon Arline. Shewould be more than likely to miss her dinner. Mrs. Elwood's dinner hourwas from half-past five until seven o'clock. She rigidly refused toserve meals to those who came later. 

[Illustration: Grace Stepped Behind a Tree. ]

"I can't possibly make it, " mused Grace. "I'll run into Vinton's fordinner. All this comes of playing sleuth. " She laughed softly at her ownremark, then her face grew grave. "What shall I do?" she thought. "It ismy duty to tell the authorities, but I promised Father after the classmoney was found that I'd never meddle in any such affair again. Yet hereI am, on the outskirts of Overton, trailing an escaped convict as thoughmy bread and butter depended upon it. If I could only turn over thisaffair to some one else, and let him do the rest, I'd be perfectlysatisfied. "

On the way to Vinton's, Grace reluctantly decided to go in person to thepolice station and report her discovery to the Chief of Police. "It isonly right, " she argued. "I will simply tell them the facts and ask themto keep my part in the affair a secret. Then I'll write Father and tellhim about it. Perhaps I ought to write him first. But if I wait for hisanswer it may be too late. I'll go and report my news as soon as I havehad my dinner. "

Grace did not enjoy her solitary meal. To her, the chief charm of adinner at Vinton's consisted in eating it with her friends. The smartlittle restaurant seemed unusually quiet. There were not more than halfa dozen persons dining there and only two of the half dozen were Overtongirls. It was less than a week until Thanksgiving. It looked as thoughthe girls were practicing economy. This accounted for the slimpatronage. Grace ate her dinner with one eye on the door, vainly hopingfor the entrance of some one she knew. But no one of her friendsappeared, and without waiting for dessert she asked the waitress for hercheck and left the restaurant to go on her disagreeable errand. 

It was not a long walk to the police station, and Grace resolved to gothere with all possible speed. She wished to be able to dismiss theaffair from her mind at the earliest moment. She had reached the crossstreet on which the station house was situated and was about to turninto it when she almost collided with a young woman who gave a smotheredexclamation of annoyance and hurried on. As they came together directlyunder the rays of the arc light, they could scarcely help recognizingeach other. 

"I beg your pardon, " called Grace after the hurrying figure. Then with asudden flash of inspiration she called, "Miss West, please wait aminute. "

The figure halted, and in the next second Grace confronted the coldlyinquiring eyes of the newspaper girl. 

"Would you like a real news item for your paper?" she asked impulsively. 

Kathleen regarded her with an expression of mingled incredulity andcontempt which changed to one of lively displeasure. "Do you believethat I would accept anything from you?" she asked tensely. 

"I never thought of that, " returned Grace, her color rising. "I wasthinking only of the story. Suppose for once we put aside everythingpersonal. I have something to tell you that cannot fail to be ofinterest to you. Will you forget that I am Grace Harlowe and listen tome?"

Grace's earnestness impressed Kathleen against her will. She hesitatedbriefly, then said in a low voice, "I will listen to you. "

Grace began with the story of the bazaar given on the Thanksgivingafternoon and evening of her senior year in high school. She relatedbriefly the theft of the strong box containing the bazaar money, theunsuccessful attempts of the police to apprehend the thief, the findingof the money by her and Eleanor Savelli and the capture of the thief bythe Oakdale police in the haunted house. 

Kathleen listened to Grace's rapidly told narrative with growinginterest. 

When she came to the trial of the thief and his recognition by theofficers as "Larry, the Locksmith, " Kathleen interrupted excitedly:"Why, that's the man who has escaped from prison. The police of all thelarge cities have been ordered to watch for him. He is an exceptionallyclever criminal who has always escaped until that time in Oakdale. Andto think it was you who were responsible for his capture! I remember theaffair. It was my first year on the paper. One of our reporters was senton to interview this Larry. He laid his capture to the fact of hishaving been foolish enough to waste his time in a small town. "

The newspaper girl had now become eager and animated. Her black eyesgleamed with excitement. "Did you know he had escaped?" she asked. 

"Yes, " replied Grace. "That is the part I am going to tell you. He ishere in Overton. I saw him to-night. "

"You saw him?" questioned Kathleen, her eyes wide with astonishment. 

Grace nodded. "To-night and one evening last week, too. I wasn't surethen. But to-night I knew him. I followed him to a house on theoutskirts of Overton. Then I came back to notify the police. I was on myway to the station when I met you. Don't you imagine it will make a goodnewspaper story if the police capture him?"

"Great!" exclaimed Kathleen. 

"Then come with me to the station house while I make my report. Theofficers will surely visit the house where he is hiding at once. If theydo, you can telegraph your story to-night in time for the first editionin the morning. " Grace had started toward the station house while shewas speaking. Kathleen kept close at her side. 

"Wait a moment, " said Grace, as they ascended the stone steps of thestation house. "I almost forgot to tell you. You may use the Oakdalepart of the story as you heard it at the time it happened, but my namemust not be used in your write-up. I shall, of course, tell the chiefthe whole story in confidence. Nor do I wish my name used in the storyof the man's apprehension, provided he is captured. It ought to make agood story in itself without any reference to me. I wish you to give thechief the first information, then you can truthfully say that you did sowhen you write it. "

"But it won't sound half so exciting as it would with you in it, "protested Kathleen. "I need all the data concerning you to make a bigstory of it. "

"I am sorry, " declared Grace, "but I promised Father never to becomeinvolved in any such affair again. He and Mother would be dreadfullydispleased if my name appeared in the newspapers in connection withanything of that sort. "

"But I shall use my name, " argued Kathleen. "It will be a great help tome in my profession. "

"That is different. If I were interested in newspaper work I shouldn'tcare, either. I must ask you on your honor not to use my name. "

"Very well, " answered Kathleen slowly, a curious light leaping into hereyes. 

"Thank you, " replied Grace, with a friendly smile. "Remember, you are tobe the first to tell the news. "

CHAPTER XI

KATHLEEN'S GREAT STORY

The inside of the Overton police station closely resembled that ofOakdale. There was the same style of high desk, the same row of chairsagainst the wall. Grace hoped the chief would be as easy to approach aswas her old friend, Chief Burroughs, at home. There was but one man tobe seen, an officer, who sat writing at a small table in one corner ofthe room. 

Kathleen pointed to a half-open door leading into an inner room on whichappeared the word "Private. "

Grace nodded: then, confidently approaching the officer, asked if theChief of Police were in. For answer the officer simply motioned with onehand toward the half-open door and went on with his writing. 

Chief of Police Ellis glanced up in surprise to see two strange youngwomen standing in the door of his private office. 

"Are you the Chief of Police, and may we come into your office for amoment?" questioned Grace politely. 

"Come in, by all means, " responded the chief heartily. He was a kindly, middle-age man, whose voice and manner invited confidence. "What can Ido for you, young ladies?"

Grace turned to Kathleen, who at once poured forth the story of theappearance of "Larry, the Locksmith" in Overton, of his recognition andof how he had been traced to his hiding place. 

At first Chief Ellis had looked incredulous over Kathleen's strangestatement. 

"How can you be sure he is the man if you have never seen him?" he askedshrewdly. "We can't afford to arrest the wrong man, you know. "

Kathleen looked appealingly at Grace. 

"You have a daughter in the freshman class, haven't you, Chief!" askedGrace, coming to the newspaper girl's rescue. 

"Yes, " smiled the chief. "I thought you were Overton girls. "

"I am Miss Harlowe of the senior class. This is Miss West, a sophomore. You would not wish your daughter's name to be used in police court news, would you?"

Chief Ellis made an emphatic gesture of negation. "No!" he answered. 

"Then I am sure you will keep secret what I am about to tell you. " Gracethen explained the situation, beginning with the theft of the classmoney in Oakdale and ending with her trailing of the thief to his hidingplace. 

"Well, I declare!" exclaimed the chief. "This is a most remarkablestory. However, I am willing to proceed on the strength of it. I'll havethree men on the way to capture 'Larry' within the next fifteen minutes. You young ladies had better go home. You can call me on the telephoneevery half hour until the men come in. I'll keep you posted. If they gethim at once, you can get word to your paper to-night, " he assuredKathleen. "You must be a pretty smart girl to be going to college andholding a newspaper job at the same time. "

Instead of going to Wayne Hall to await word from the chief, the twogirls first made arrangements with the telegraph operator at the depotoffice to wire the story. Kathleen also sent a telegram to her paper. Then they had begun their anxious vigil in the drug store on the cornerabove the station. An hour later their watch ended. The three officersreturned with a snarling, raging prisoner securely handcuffed to one oftheir number. 

"They've captured him!" cried Kathleen, "and now my work begins inearnest. " While they had been waiting the newspaper girl had employedthe time in writing rapidly in a note book she carried. Grace would haveliked to see what she wrote, but now that the first excitement hadpassed she felt the old constraint rising between them like a wall. 

"Do you care if I don't wait for you in the telegraph office?" askedGrace. "I'll go as far as the door with you. Then I think I had bettergo on to the Hall. Anne will be worried about me. "

Kathleen assented to her plan with a look of immeasurable relief whichGrace was not slow to observe, but misconstrued entirely. "I suppose shedoesn't wish to be bothered while she sends in her story, " was Grace'sthought as they left the drug store. 

"Good night. I thank you for helping me, " said Kathleen in a perfunctorytone as she turned to go into the office. "It is going to be a greatstory. "

"You are very welcome, " responded Grace. "Good night, and good luck toyou. "

Three anxious-faced girls were waiting for Grace in her room, and as sheopened the door they pounced upon her in a body. 

"Grace, Grace, you naughty girl, where have you been?" cried Anne. "I amsure my hair has turned gray watching for you. "

"Yes, give an account of yourself, " commanded Elfreda. "Have you norespect for our feelings?"

"Did you imagine no one would miss you?" was Miriam's question. 

"I will answer your questions in order, " laughed Grace. "I've been outon important business, I have the deepest respect for your feelings, andI know that my friends always miss me. "

"Spoken like a soldier and a gentleman, " commended Elfreda. 

"Which is quite remarkable, considering the fact that I am neither, "retorted Grace. 

"Grace, what on earth have you been doing?" Anne's face grew sober. There was a subdued excitement in her friend's manner that had notescaped her notice. 

"Anne, I cannot tell a lie, " returned Grace lightly. "I've been to thepolice station. "

The three girls stared at Grace in amazement. 

"Let me see, " mumbled Elfreda. "Have I transgressed the law lately, orhad any arguments with Grace? This looks suspicious. "

"Don't tease me, and promise you will never tell any one what I'm aboutto say. Hold up your right hands, all of you. "

Three right hands were promptly raised. 

"Now, I'll tell you about it, " declared Grace, "and please bear in mind, before I begin, that venerable old saw about truth being stranger thanfiction. "

"I knew something startling had happened, " declared Anne, when Grace hadconcluded. "I read it in your face. "

"Oh, why wasn't I with you?" was Elfreda's regretful cry. "I have alwayslonged to be concerned in a real melodrama. "

Miriam, alone, made no comment. She regarded Grace with an intent gazethat made the latter ask quickly: "What is the matter, Miriam? Don't youapprove of my evening's work? I know Father and Mother won't. I mustwrite them to-morrow. Still, I could hardly have done otherwise. "

"Of course you couldn't, " assured Miriam. "I don't disapprove of whatyou did. You behaved in true Grace Harlowe fashion. "

"Then what made you look at me so strangely?" persisted Grace. 

"If I looked at you strangely, then I beg your pardon, " smiled Miriam. "It shall not happen again. "

Grace smiled faintly, yet her intuition told her that Miriam hadpurposely turned her question aside. 

No account of the recapture of "Larry, the Locksmith" appeared in themorning paper. But in the evening paper a full account was published. Grace had waited apprehensively for the evening edition, which wasusually out by four o 'clock in the afternoon. She purchased a paper ofthe boy who stationed himself daily at the southeast corner of thecampus, but purposely delayed opening it until she reached her room. Then almost fearfully she unfolded it, with her three friends lookingover her shoulder. 

The article began with the flaring headline, "A Desperate CriminalRecaptured. " Grace glanced rapidly down the column, then gave an audiblemurmur of relief. "We aren't mentioned. I shall always have asuperlatively good opinion of Chief Ellis. He kept his word to meabsolutely. Now I shan't mind writing Father. "

"If I had done what you did, I'd insist upon having my name in extralarge type, and a portrait and biographical sketch of myself as well, "was Elfreda's modest declaration. 

"No, you wouldn't, and you know it, " contradicted Grace. 

"Well, I might not go as far as the portrait, but I should certainlyhave the biographical sketch. "

"I am going to entertain to-night in honor of Grace, " announced Miriam. "Shall I invite some of the other girls, or shall we four celebrate insolitary state?"

"Don't invite any outsiders this time, " said Elfreda. "Then we'll befree to talk over our visit to Mabel and anything else we choose. "

"There is one person who really ought to be invited, " broke in Grace, with conviction. "I mean Kathleen West. Then we can deliver Mabel'sinvitation to her. I have an idea that she won't refuse to go to NewYork with us. I hope she will be different from now on. It would besimply splendid to glide peacefully through the rest of one's senioryear without a single hitch, wouldn't it?"

"Have you seen her since last night?" asked Anne. 

Grace shook her head. "I knocked on her door at noon, but neither shenor Patience was in. I saw Patience afterward, and she said Kathleen hadhurried through her luncheon and gone. I don't think Patience knewanything about last night. If she had known, she would have mentionedit. I will try to see Kathleen before dinner. "

"You will have to hurry if you do. It is almost time for the dinner bellnow, " said Elfreda. "You might ask Patience, too. "

"All right, I'll go at once. Wait for me. I'll be back in a minute. Thenwe can go down to dinner together. "

Grace knocked lightly upon the door of the end room. It was opened byKathleen herself. 

"Good evening. Won't you come in?" Kathleen's voice was as cold andunfriendly as it had formerly been. 

"Good evening. " Somewhat puzzled at Kathleen's return to her old, cavalier manner, Grace hardly knew how to proceed. "Did you see today'spaper?" she asked, by way of beginning. 

"Which paper?" was the brusque inquiry. 

"Why, the 'Evening Journal, ' of course. "

"Oh!" Kathleen's tense expression relaxed a trifle. "Yes, I saw it. "

"I am so glad Chief Ellis kept his word. I hope you were on time withyour New York story. "

"Thank you. It went through nicely!" Kathleen answered in a low tone. 

"I just stopped for a moment to ask you to come to a littlejollification in Miriam's room to-night. We want Patience, too. "

"Miss Eliot went to Westbrook this afternoon. She will not return untilto-morrow morning. As for me, I thank you, but it will be impossible forme to come. I have another engagement. "

"I am sorry, " returned Grace. "Perhaps, under the circumstances, I hadbetter deliver another invitation I have for you at once. I recentlyreceived a letter from Miss Ashe inviting us to spend Thanksgiving ather home in New York. She wished me to extend her invitation to you, also. Mabel does not know----" began Grace. Then her face reddened andshe ceased abruptly. 

Kathleen, understanding the flush, said dryly: "Miss Ashe is very kindto think of me. However, it is out of the question for me to accept herinvitation. I will write her to-night. It is strange she did not writeme, too. "

"She has been extremely busy, " retorted Grace, her face flushing a stilldeeper red at Kathleen's rudeness. "She invited Miriam, Elfreda and Annethe same way. "

"That has nothing to do with me, " declared Kathleen. "If you will be sokind, you might say in your letter to her that I will write her within afew days. " She kept her face half averted, her eyes refusing to meetGrace's. 

"Very well. " Grace felt her anger rising. She turned from the door, which closed almost in her face, and went back to her room hurt andindignant. 

"Refused and trampled upon as well, " declared Elfreda after one glanceat Grace's stormy eyes. "Never mind, Grace. I wouldn't let a littlething like that worry me. I wouldn't even think about it. "

Grace gave a short laugh. "Of course 'you could see, '" she mimicked. 

"I'd be blind if I couldn't, " grinned Elfreda. "The look in your eyestells the story. "

"You are right, as usual. She has frozen again. She is icier than ever. "

"Where's Patience?" asked Anne. 

"Gone to Westbrook. Won't be back until to-morrow. If she were here shemight prevail upon Kathleen to behave reasonably. "

"We four have been known to enjoy ourselves together without adding toour number, " observed Elfreda in a dry tone. "I think I could livewithout her. "

Grace brightened. "Oh, wise and superwise Elfreda, in your words lurkthe essence of truth. We four will have one of our own special brand ofgood times to-night. See, I throw all my cares to the winds. " Gracewaved her arms as though to cast Care from her. "I have tried to solvethe mystery of the mysterious Kathleen and it is beyond me. I hopedafter last night that she would be different from then on, but to-dayshe is more provoking than ever. I shall say nothing of her in my letterto Mabel, except that I delivered the invitation, but when we go toMabel's for Thanksgiving if she asks for an explanation of certainthings I shall not hesitate to give it. "

"That is the way I like to hear you talk, " approved Elfreda. "I don'tmean the 'wise and superwise Elfreda' part. I'm not so conceited, Ihope. But it is high time you let that Kathleen West meander along tosuit her own tricky little self. She hasn't an iota of Overton spiritnor a shred of conscience, and instead of appreciating your kind officesshe is far more likely to repay you by dragging you into somethingunpleasant. I could see by Miriam's expression when you told us aboutthe capture of that man that she thought you had trusted Kathleen toofar, too. "

"I confess I was thinking that very thing, " laughed Miriam, "but howElfreda guessed it is more than I can see. "

"But the man has been captured, the story has appeared in the Overtonpaper and Kathleen has kept her word about not mentioning me inconnection with the affair, " protested Grace. "Nothing unpleasant canpossibly happen now. "

But Grace was destined to realize before many hours passed that she hadbeen over-confident. 

CHAPTER XII

TREACHERY

The morning after the party in Miriam's room Grace lingered in theliving room at Wayne Hall long enough to dash off her letter ofacceptance of Mabel Ashe's invitation for Thanksgiving. She was on thepoint of slipping it into the envelope when the loud ringing of the doorbell caused her to start. A moment later she heard the maid say: "MissHarlowe? I'll see if she's in her room. "

"Here I am, " called Grace, stepping into the hall. "Oh, I see. A specialdelivery letter for me from Mabel. " Grace signed the postman's book, then, closing the hall door, hurried into the living room to read herletter. Opening it, she drew out not only the letter but a foldednewspaper clipping as well. The clipping fluttered to the floor. Gracestooped mechanically to pick it up, her eyes on the open letter. Amystified expression crept into her face as she read that graduallychanged to one of consternation. With a sharp cry of dismay, she let theletter fall from her hands, while she fumbled with the clipping in anervous effort to unfold it. 

One glance at the headline that confronted her and Grace's gray eyesgrew black with anger. "How dared she do it! How could she be socontemptible!" Snatching the letter from the table Grace dashed up thestairs to her room. Tears of rage glistened in her eyes. She stood inthe middle of the floor with set teeth, closing and unclosing herfingers in an effort to regain her self-control. "I won't cry over it. Iwon't. I won't, " she kept repeating to herself. "She isn't worth mytears. But Father and Mother will be so hurt and displeased. I oughtnever to have tried to help her. I might have known she wouldn't playfairly. "

Grace flung herself into a chair and again began a perusal of thedisturbing clipping. "Pretty Senior Plays Sleuth, " she read. "Larry, theLocksmith, Captured. " A tide of crimson swept over her face as she readfurther. "Overton College Girl Tracks Dangerous Criminal to His Lair. IfMiss Grace Harlowe, a senior at Overton College, had not been possessedof a remarkably good memory for faces, Lawrence Baines, known to theunderworld as 'Larry, the Locksmith, ' would undoubtedly be at largeto-day. Miss Harlowe, whose home is in Oakdale----"

With a despairing groan, Grace dashed the clipping to the floor, andspringing to her feet began walking nervously up and down the room. Shehad not dreamed that Kathleen could find it in her heart to behave sodespicably. She had shamefully abused the confidence that Grace hadreposed in her for what seemed in Grace's eyes to be an infinitesimallysmall gain. Her cheeks burned as she thought of the thousands of peoplewho had seen her name blazoned at the head of a column of police courtnews. Her father always bought the very paper in which it stood on hisway to the office in the morning. He had, of course, seen it. He nowknew that she had broken her word. 

A sob rose to her lips, then she threw back her head with an air ofresolution and, hastily drawing her chair in front of the table, seizedher fountain pen, and opening it with an energy that left several inkspots on her white silk blouse, began a letter to her father. For anhour she continued to write steadily, covering sheet after sheet ofpaper. At last she signed her name, and with a mournful sigh folded herletter, slipping it into the envelope without reading it. Putting on herwraps, she left the house and hurried to the post office, where she senther letter by special delivery. 

But another task still lay before her. Grace's fine face hardened. Itwas not a pleasant task, but it would have to be done. She hoped thenewspaper girl would be in her room, and she hoped Patience had not yetreturned from Westbrook. Grace rang the bell at Wayne Hall with morezeal than was strictly necessary, thereby exciting a scowl from the maidwho answered the door. She peeped into the living room, but Kathleen wasnot among the girls there. 

At the head of the stairs she halted. The door of Kathleen's room wasclosed. "Is she at home, or not?" Grace paused before the door andrapped sharply. There was a moment of silence, then a quick, light stepsounded inside and the door was opened by Kathleen herself. Her usuallypale face became flooded with color as she met the steady light ofGrace's scornful eyes. Rallying all her forces, she returned thedisconcerting gaze with one of defiant bravado. "Oh, good afternoon, "she said, setting her lips in a straight line, a veritable dangersignal. 

Without stopping to choose her words, Grace cried out: "How could you doit? You knew I wished no mention to be made of my name. You promised notto use it. "

Kathleen eyed her with a contemptuous smile. "My dear Miss Harlowe, youmust be very obtuse to imagine even for an instant that I would spoil agood story by writing only what you gave me permission to write. What doyou know of the requirements of my paper, or of the style in which astory should be written? The story was too good to let pass. I knew, though, that you would never consent to allowing me to use your name. SoI said 'Very well, ' and used it. 'Very well' can hardly be construed asa promise. "

The smiling insolence of the other girl's manner was almost too much forGrace's self-control. Twice she essayed to speak, but the words wouldnot come. When she did find her voice she was dimly surprised at itstense evenness. 

"Miss West, I made clear to you in the beginning my reason for notwishing you to use my name in connection with what occurred in Oakdaleor in any other story you might write. I gave you the news I hadstumbled upon willingly. Why could you not have written a clever, interesting story without betraying my confidence?"

"Don't attempt to take me to task for not living up to some ridiculousstandard of yours, " returned Kathleen savagely. "If you did not wish tosee yourself in print, you were extremely silly to tell your tale to arepresentative of the press. To gather news for my paper is my business. Do you understand? I shall use whatever information comes my way, unlesssome good reason arises for not using it. "

"As in the case of your Christmas story last year, which you decided atthe last moment not to send, " supplemented Grace with quiet contempt. 

Kathleen did not reply. Grace's remark had struck home. She had notforgotten her treacherous attempt to spoil Arline's and Grace'sChristmas plans of the year before. 

"Even in the face of last year I did not believe you capable of suchtreachery, " continued Grace, her youthful voice very stern. "I am in ameasure to blame for having trusted you. I should have known better. "

The newspaper girl winced at this thrust, but said nothing. 

"And to think, " Grace went on bitterly, "that I broke my promise to myfather for a girl so devoid of loyalty and honor that she could notunderstand the first principle of fair play!"

Grace's bitter denunciation aroused fully the other girl's deep-seatedresentment against her. "Leave this room, " she cried out, her voicerising, her eyes snapping with rage. "Don't ever come here again. Thisroom belongs to me----"

"And also to me, " said a quiet voice from the doorway. "What seems to bethe trouble here?" Patience Eliot walked into the room, traveling bag inhand. She surveyed the two girls with considerable curiosity. 

Without answering, Kathleen turned abruptly and walked to the window, her favorite method of showing her utter contempt of a situation. Patience bent an inquiring gaze on Grace, whose eyes met hersunflinchingly. 

"Pardon me, Patience, if I don't answer your question, " returned Grace. "Perhaps Miss West will answer you after I am gone. This much I may say. She has ordered me not to come again to this room. Therefore, although Iam very fond of you, I feel that it won't be right for me to come hereto see you. Will you come into our room as often as you can and forgiveme for staying away from yours?"

Without waiting for an answer, Grace slipped from the room, leavingPatience to stare speculatively after her, then at the tense littlefigure in the window. 

Before she had time to address Kathleen, the latter wheeled about, sneering and defiant. "If you are so anxious to know what the trouble isgo and ask your dear friend, Miss Harlowe. She will tell you quicklyenough behind my back. Oh, I despise a hypocrite!"

"I cannot allow you to call Grace Harlowe a hypocrite, " said Patienceevenly, though her blue eyes flashed. "Whatever has happened I am quitesure is not Grace's fault. "

"Then it must be mine, " was Kathleen's contemptuous retort. "Why don'tyou speak plainly and say what you mean?"

"Very well, I will speak plainly, " declared Patience. "I am sure youmust have insulted Grace deeply or she would not refuse to come to myroom again. I am not going to ask you to tell me what has happened, andI know that I shall not hear it from Grace unless I insist on knowingthe truth. The very fact that you are at fault will be sufficient to tieGrace's tongue. However, I shall ask Grace to tell me, as her refusal tocome to this room again, is my affair, too. "

"Your faith in Miss Harlowe is touching, " sneered the newspaper girl. 

"I only wish I had the same faith in you, " returned Patience gravely. And Kathleen could think of no answer to Patience's significant words. 

CHAPTER XIII

THE INVITATION

Neither Grace nor Kathleen went to their classes that morning. Feelingreasonably certain that the newspaper girl was in the wrong, Patiencemade no further effort toward discovering the nature of the quarrel. Sheunpacked her bag, putting away its contents in her usual methodicalmanner without so much as a glance in Kathleen's direction. Then, takingher note book, she went quietly out to her class in English, leaving herroommate still standing at the window, her very back expressing defiantanimosity. 

Once in her room, Grace reread Mabel Ashe's note. She now understood itsimport. 

 "MY DEAR GRACE:--

 "Words cannot tell you how sorry I am for what has occurred. I did not know until it was too late. The edition had gone to press. I am afraid I couldn't have helped much, for the powers that be were delighted with the story, and that little traitor, Kathleen West, scored a triumph. Knowing you as I do, I am sure you never gave her permission to publish that story. 

 "Of course, you were simply a great heroine in it, but having heard the Oakdale part of the tale from you, and knowing of your promise to your father, it is plain to be seen that she took advantage of you in some way. If you haven't already delivered my invitation to her, then don't do so. I feel deeply resentful toward her. You can tell me the whole thing when you are with me. I shall expect you and the girls on Wednesday evening on the train that leaves Overton between two and three o'clock in the afternoon. You know the one I mean. I'll look it up in the time table before Wednesday. 

 "If you happen to know one extra-delightful girl who has no Thanksgiving plans ask her to come, too. Frances can't arrange to be with us, so we need one more girl to do away with the problem of the 'lonely fifth. ' Three pairs are much nicer than two and a half. The half always seems out of things. Of course, I am proceeding in the belief that K. W. Won't come now, even if you have invited her. If she has a shred of delicacy in her cheeky little composition, she will stay away. 

 "I must stop now and rush off on the trail of a much-feted debutante of whose engagement I have heard canny rumors. Until Wednesday. 

 "MABEL. "

"What a darling Mabel is, " said Grace half aloud. "I wonder who I hadbetter invite. " Arline's pretty, wilful face rose before her. She wouldhave liked to ask Arline, but that was out of the question. There wasRuth, but Ruth and Arline were too closely associated to be separated. Suddenly she remembered Patience. "The very girl!" she exclaimed. "I'llgo and ask her now. Oh, no, I can't. I said I wouldn't go into her roomagain. Never mind, I will see her at luncheon. "

Grace made it a point to be the first girl in the dining room atluncheon, and when Patience appeared beckoned her to the seat besideher. "Sit here, " she invited. "Emma won't be in. She is going to MortonHouse for luncheon; she told me so. "

Patience slipped into the vacant seat. "I would like to have a talk withyou after luncheon, " she said in a guarded voice. 

"Then come into my room, " returned Grace softly. 

During the progress of the meal Kathleen West appeared, silent andmorose. She nodded slightly to several girls, favored Grace and Patiencewith an unspeakably insolent glance, then turned her undivided attentionto her luncheon. 

"Why won't you tell me what happened?" was Patience's abrupt questionwhen Grace had beckoned her into her room and closed the door. "She ismy roommate, you see, and unless you enlighten me as to the nature ofher crime I shall not know just how to proceed with her. "

"I don't like to tell tales, " demurred Grace. "Still, I believe I amjustified in repeating the story to you, Patience. You have no illusionsregarding Kathleen. "

"None whatever, " smiled Patience, but a disapproving frown wrinkled herforehead at the recital of Kathleen's treachery. "It was abominable inher, " she said when Grace had finished. "And I had begun to assuremyself that she was improving daily, too. "

"She came out of her shell so beautifully the night we went to thestation house, " sighed Grace. "I never dreamed she was planningmischief. However, I have something to ask you. Here, read this letter;then I'll talk. " She tendered Mabel's letter to her friend. 

Patience held out her hand for it, then glanced rapidly through it. "This is from the much-worshipped Miss Ashe, isn't it?"

"Yes. We four are going to spend Thanksgiving with her, and, Patience, Ishould like to have you go with us. Won't you please be the'extra-delightful girl' and say you'll go?"

"Why--why!" Patience, usually cool and unemotional, colored withpleasure. "Are you sure you really want me? I should be delighted to go. It is very sweet in you to ask me, Grace. "

"Not in the least. It's very jolly in you to accept so promptly. Thereis now only one hitch in the programme. I have already delivered Mabel'sinvitation to Kathleen. "

"She won't go, " predicted Patience. "She may be lawless, but she is toowise to make any such mistake. "

 * * * * *

Patience's prediction, however, seemed destined not to carry far. To theamazement of the five young women who waited on the station platform forthe coming of the New York train on Wednesday afternoon, the newspapergirl, suit case in hand, walked serenely into view just as the train washeard whistling around a bend half a mile below the station. 

"She is actually going to inflict herself upon us, " muttered Elfreda indisgust. Grace had briefly explained the situation to her three friends. 

Just then Kathleen's eyes came to rest on the little group. A flash ofsurprised anger flitted across her moody face as she espied Patience, then, with an eloquent shrug of her shoulders, she marched off towardthe other end of the train. 

"My doom is sealed, " remarked Patience dryly. "Nothing can put ourshattered acquaintance together again. "

"I knew she wouldn't go with us even for spite, " declared Grace wearily. "Now, suppose we dismiss her from our minds. I, for one, wish to enjoyour Thanksgiving vacation with Mabel. I may as well tell you that I amstill very angry with Miss West, and for the first time in my life Iknow what it means to be unforgiving. "

Grace spoke with bitterness. In her letter to her father she had askedhim to telegraph her that he forgave her. She had lingered at Wayne Halluntil the last moment, but had received no word from him. Now she wouldnot know until she returned from New York. To be sure, she would try todismiss the whole thing from her mind, but at times it rose before herlike a dark shadow, shutting out for the moment the pleasure of herholiday, and causing her to feel gloomy and depressed. 

During the journey to New York nothing was seen of Kathleen, who hadtaken good care not to enter the same car in which the five girls hadsecured seats. Grace saw her again for an instant when, at the end ofthe journey, the throng of passengers surged toward the iron gates thatseparated them from the friends who stood anxiously awaiting theirarrival. 

Elfreda's keen eyes were the first to catch sight of Mabel. "There sheis, girls! Doesn't she look beautiful?"

Mabel Ashe's charming face smiled an eager welcome as she hurriedforward with both hands outstretched to greet the travelers. 

"You dear things!" she cried; "I began to believe I should never see anyof you again. Hurry right along. Our car is waiting and we are going tobreak all the speed laws and be home in time for dinner. "

"Wait a moment, " laughed Grace. "This is the 'extra-delightful girl. '"Grace introduced Patience to Mabel. A long, searching glance passedbetween the two young women, then their hands met in a strong clasp thatbetokened mutual liking. 

"I am sure we shall be friends, " declared Mabel. 

"No surer than I am, " smiled Patience. "I have heard so much about you. "

"Grace wrote me about you, too, " returned Mabel warmly. "I am so pleasedthat you could come. This way to the car, everyone. " She led themthrough the station to where numerous automobiles were drawn up to thesidewalk. "There is our car. " She pointed to a roomy dark blue car. "Hopin, " she directed. "The sooner we reach home the longer we'll have totalk. I am not going to the office again until the afternoon followingThanksgiving. I begged so hard I was allowed a vacation for once. "

In what seemed to Grace an incredibly brief space of time, the distancebetween the station and the Ashes' winter home far out on RiversideDrive was covered. The five guests could not help feeling a trifleimpressed at sight of the great stone house which Mabel called home. During her college days it was Mabel's lovable personality that hadenshrined her so deeply in the hearts of the students at Overton. Theknowledge that her father was a millionaire carried little weight. Thisthought occurred to Grace as they filed through the massive door of thevestibule and into the beautiful hall furnished in English fashion. Aback log glowed ruddily in the big open fireplace, and the flickeringflames crackled a welcome. 

"I wouldn't allow James to turn on the lights. I wished you to see thehall just as it is. I love it when the shadows begin to gather, and onlythe firelight glows and gleams! Those andirons are very old. Theybelonged to one of my ancestors. There are a lot of old things in thegarret. What garret is not full of antiques?"

"Ours, " returned Elfreda promptly. "We belong to that despised class, 'nouveau riche, ' therefore we are extremely short on noted ancestors andrelics and things. "

"There is nothing like perfect frankness, is there?" laughed Patience. "Never mind, Elfreda, it isn't ancestors that count. "

"It is dinner that counts, or ought to count, just now. I am going towhisk you upstairs to your rooms, and give you ten minutes for repairs, then, 'down to dinner you must go, you must go, '" chanted Mabel, windingher arm about Grace's waist and drawing her toward the stairway. "Followus and you won't be sorry. We have a lift if two flights of stairsdismay you. "

"Lead on, " commanded Miriam. 

"Which will you choose, to room together or alone?"

"Together!" was the united response. 

"Wait a moment, " said Anne. "I wish to ask you, Mabel, if you wouldobject to rooming with Grace. I have roomed with her so long that I feelas though I"--with a mischievous glance at Grace's amazed face, Annefinished in a deliberate tone--"were very selfish. So I thought perhapsyou would appreciate an opportunity to have her to yourself, too. "

"Oh!" ejaculated Elfreda. "I thought you were going to say you weretired of Grace. "

"So did I. " A smile gave place to the peculiar expression on Grace'sface. "I might have known better, though. "

"That is generous in you, Anne, " declared Mabel "As hostess I wouldn'thave been so selfish as to propose it, but----"

"Anne, if you really don't care, I would like to room with Mabel, "interposed Grace. "I have so much to tell her that the rest of you havealready heard. We can have lengthy midnight confabs without disturbingany one but ourselves. "

"Then, that settles it. Room together you shall, " averred Anne. "Thereis no use in breaking up the Nesbit-Briggs Association. Patience, willyou accept me for a roommate?"

Patience bowed exaggeratedly and offered her arm to Anne. 

"Come on, Grace, we'll lead the way, " proposed Mabel. "I am so anxiousfor you to meet Father. I expect him home at any moment. " Tucking herarm in Grace's, she led the party up the stairs and, pausing before ahalf-open door, said hospitably: "Welcome all over again, children. Thisroom is for Elfreda and Miriam. Enter and make yourselves comfy. You andAnne are to have the next one, Patience. My quarters are at the end ofthe hall. I am going to see Grace safely there, then I'll send my maidto you. She will be delighted to be of service to some one. I haveneeded her very little since I turned newspaper woman, and she spendsthe greater part of her time lamenting over the fact. Oh, I forgot totell you, don't trouble to dress for dinner to-night. We shall bestrictly informal. I have ordered an early dinner. We will dressafterward. Father is going to take us to the theatre. "

The mere mention of Mabel's father brought to Grace's mind that whichshe had been making a determined effort to forget, her father'sdispleasure. Her face clouded with pain and resentment as she thought ofthe girl whose treachery had brought about the first misunderstanding ofher life between her and her father. 

"If Father had only written me a line or sent me a telegram, " shethought sadly, winking back the tears that threatened to fall. "I mustnot let Mabel imagine for a minute that I am anything but happy forto-night, at least. If she knew how dreadfully I felt about Father itwould partly spoil her pleasure this evening. I'll try to act as thoughnothing unpleasant had happened, " decided Grace as she followed Mabelinto what she had termed her "quarters. "

Grace could not refrain from giving a soft exclamation of delight as shegazed admiringly about the beautiful room into which she was ushered. 

"This is my own particular hanging-out place, " laughed Mabel "When I amat home, which is seldom, I spend most of my time in here. See my desk!I'll tell you a secret, Grace. I am writing a novel. It's more than halfdone, too. I haven't told any one else, not even Father. My greatesttrouble is not having the time to work on it. My newspaper work keeps mebusy, early and late, but I can't complain, because I am gaining allsorts of valuable experience. " Mabel talked on about her work, and asGrace watched the sparkling, animated face of her lovely friend she feltvery sure that Mabel Ashe, at least, would never sacrifice a friend inthe interest of her paper. 

CHAPTER XIV

A CONGENIAL SEXTETTE

As the five girls, escorted by Mabel, descended the broad stairs to thehall, a tall, rather stern-faced man, whose dark hair had just asprinkling of gray at the temples, came forward from one end of the roomto meet them. Mabel made a joyful little rush toward him, holding hishand in both her own. "I knew you wouldn't disappoint me. Girls, this ismy father. Father, let me introduce you to the nicest girls in Overton. "

Robert Ashe's sombre eyes smiled a kindly welcome as he looked into theradiant young faces of his daughter's guests. As each girl was presentedto him he shook hands with her in a hearty, whole-souled way thatcompletely dispelled any feeling of constraint on her part. 

"Father, you may take Elfreda in to dinner to-night. To-morrow it willbe some one else's turn. I hope you will be here to enough meals to gothe round. "

"So do I, " laughed Mr. Ashe, the stern look on his face disappearing, his brown eyes looking almost boyish. 

Dinner proved a merry meal. The usually quiet room rang with the gaylaughter of the happy girls, who had planned to enjoy every hour oftheir holiday. When dinner was over, Mr. Ashe ceremoniously invited themto be his guests at a theatre party that night. 

"We'll have to make one evening dress do duty while we are here, Mabel. We had room in our suit cases for only one, and didn't want to bringtrunks, " explained Grace, as they lingered in the hall to talk for amoment before going to their rooms to dress. 

"Never mind, if you run out of gowns you can wear mine, " offered Mabel. "That is, you and Miriam can. I'm not so sure of Anne and Elfreda andPatience. "

 * * * * *

The play Mr. Ashe had selected for his guests' entertainment was onewhose strong element of human interest had early carried it into favorwith the New York audience that nightly crowded the theatre in which itwas being presented. The star, a young woman of exceptional talent, almost a great artist, had by her remarkable portrayal of the leadingrole sprung from obscurity to fame in a single night. 

"I am so glad we are going to see her!" exclaimed Anne, when Mabel hadannounced her father's choice of play for them. "Miss Southard wrote meabout her. She played small parts in Mr. Southard's company two yearsago. He prophesied that she would some day be heard from. "

"Isn't it a pity the Southards aren't here this winter?" sighed Grace. "Mr. Southard was not anxious to go to England, but he could not helphimself. It's one of the vicissitudes of an actor's life, isn't it, Anne?"

Anne nodded gravely. "It is pleasant to travel about and see what therest of the world is doing, but it is hard to leave home, too. "

"Still, you are thinking of doing it when your senior days are over, youbad child, " interposed Grace slyly. "I warn you, you will meet withstrenuous opposition. "

"From you?" asked Anne, a little flush creeping into her pale face. 

"No, not from me, " retorted Grace with significant emphasis. 

"Don't tease Anne, " laughed Mabel. "Let Genius do as it chooses. "

"If you mean me, I choose to go and dress this instant. Come on, Patience. We will hurry our dressing and be downstairs first. Then wecan monopolize Mr. Ashe. "

"Oh, no, you won't, " contradicted Elfreda. "I have reserved thatprivilege for myself. "

"We are ready, " exulted Anne outside Elfreda's door half an hour later. "What did I tell you?"

"So am I, " replied Elfreda, opening the door. "And so is Miriam. "

Elfreda was looking particularly handsome in her evening gown of goldenbrown messaline, trimmed with dull gold embroidery. By constant trainingand self-denial she had reduced her weight to one hundred andthirty-five pounds and could not be truthfully called stout. Her fairhair was piled high upon her head, and one dull gold butterfly gleamedin its wavy meshes. Miriam's gown was in her favorite apricot shade ofcrepe de chine and brought out fully the beauty of her black hair andeyes and her exquisite coloring. Mabel had chosen black silk net overdelft blue, while Patience wore a gray chiffon frock over gray silk withtouches of old rose, a frock exactly suited to her calm, high-bred typeof face. Anne's dainty white crepe de chine frock made her look anythingbut a theatrical star. Grace, however, had for once departed from herfavorite blue and wore a white chiffon gown whose exquisitely simplelines made the most of her slender, supple figure. The charm of earlysixteen radiated from her youthful person, and she looked no older thanwhen she had led the freshman basketball team on to victory in OakdaleHigh School. 

"Grace can't grow up in spite of her long skirts and done-up hair, "smiled Miriam. 

"That is precisely what I was thinking, " agreed Anne. "Is she sixteen ortwenty-three?"

"Aren't you pleased with us, Father, and won't you feel inordinatelyproud of your theatre party?" called Mabel from the stairway as theydescended to the hall, where Mr. Ashe stood looking reflectively intothe fire as he waited for his charges. 

"Mere words fail to express my admiration, " he laughed, bowing to thesextette of pretty girls, who smilingly nodded their appreciation of hisspeech. 

"Isn't he a perfect angel?" asked Mabel, sidling up to him and slippingwithin the circle of his arm. "I don't see how I ever had the heart togo to college and leave him. "

"She has no compunction about rushing off to work on a newspaper, dayafter day, and leaving me daughterless, " complained Mr. Ashe lightly. Yet a shadow so slight as to be hardly noticeable crossed his face, which no one save the lynx-eyed Elfreda saw, who made mental note of it. "He doesn't want her to work, " was her shrewd conclusion. 

"But I am here to-night, " protested Mabel, catching his hand in hersalmost appealingly, "and I'm going to be at home for a whole day andevening. Will you forswear business and help me entertain the girlsto-morrow?"

"I promise to devote myself heart and soul to their cause, " said Mr. Ashe solemnly, raising his hand. "Only you must allow me to go down tothe office for a little while in the morning. "

"Very well. Remember, all telegrams and telephone messages are to betabooed after you leave there. "

"Granted. What about all newspaper assignments?"

"Turn about is fair play, " returned Mabel, flushing. "They can keep thetelephone messages and telegrams company. "

CHAPTER XV

A FIRELIGHT COUNCIL

It was well after midnight when the theatre party returned to Mabel'shome, rather sleepy, but delighted with their glimpse of pleasure-lovingNew York by night. After the theatre they were invited to be Mr. Ashe'sguests at supper, and were promptly whisked away in their motor car toone of New York's particularly exclusive hotels, where a deliciouslittle supper was served to them in one of the hotel's private diningrooms. 

Half-past eight o'clock Thanksgiving morning found the six girlsdownstairs and seated at the breakfast table. Mr. Ashe, who made it anironclad rule always to be in his office at half-past eight o'clock, even on holidays, had time for only a hasty good morning all aroundbefore his man announced that his car was at the door. 

"Remember, Mab, you are to bring the girls down to my office afterThanksgiving services this morning, " he called back as he paused on thethreshold of the dining room. 

"I'll remember, General, " called Mabel, with a military salute. 

"Oh, are we going to church this morning?" asked Elfreda quickly. 

"Yes. There is to be a short but beautiful service in the church Fatherand I attend. You will hear some wonderful music, too. "

"We went to church here in New York City on Thanksgiving Day, threeyears ago, " said Grace. "Anne, Miriam and I were visiting the Southards. We went to a church whose minister had at one time been an actor. "

"Oh, yes, I know that church, and I have met the minister. I interviewedhim last fall and then wrote a story about him for the paper. He is afine man. I wish I knew Everett Southard and his sister. "

"You shall know them as soon as they return from England, " promisedAnne. "I am sure they will be pleased to know you. "

"I hope so, " returned Mabel. "It was a great honor for Mr. Southard tohave such a flattering offer from that great English manager, wasn'tit?"

"Did you know that Anne could have gone with them if she had beenwilling to put off her graduation for another year?" asked Miriam. 

"I didn't know it, but I'm not surprised, " responded Mabel. "Neitherfame nor honor would tempt you to allow your chums to finish the racewithout you. Isn't that true, Anne?"

"True as can be, " affirmed Anne. "I owe my greatest happiness to them. Icouldn't desert them if I were asked to star in the whole Shakesperianrepertoire. " Her brown eyes looked tender loyalty at her three friendsas she made this assertion. 

"We couldn't get along without Anne, " declared Miriam. "She is ourbalance wheel. She doesn't say much, but whatever she says counts. "

"How ridiculous!" scoffed Anne. "These self-reliant persons don't need abalance wheel, Mabel. "

"Some of us do, " observed Grace, an expression of pain in her fine eyes. 

"You don't, " contradicted Elfreda pointedly. 

Mabel eyed the two girls reflectively. "I'm a mind reader, " sheannounced. "I understand both of you. After church this morning I amgoing to call a general welfare meeting in the library. Our universeneeds regulating. " She smiled gayly upon her guests, yet there was ahint of purpose in her tone as she added: "At least we can exchangevaluable information and get down to cause and effect. "

After breakfast, a great scurrying to get ready for church ensued, andan hour later their big, faithful motor carried them off to theThanksgiving service. 

"It doesn't seem a bit like Thanksgiving, " commented Miriam, as theysped down Riverside Drive. 

"More like Indian summer, " observed Patience. 

The day was glorious with sunshine. There was hardly a suspicion offrost in the air and the snowy setting considered so essential to asuccessful Thanksgiving Day was entirely absent. 

"We never have this kind of Thanksgiving weather in Oakdale, do we, Grace?" asked Miriam. 

"Neither do we in Fairview, " put in Elfreda. "I can recall only oneThanksgiving that wasn't snowy, and I can remember that because Ibehaved so outrageously. I was a young barbarian of eight, who screamedand kicked my way to whatever I wanted. Two days before Thanksgiving Pabrought me home a sled. It was red with a white deer painted on it andunderneath the deer was the word 'Fleet, ' printed in big white letters. I knew that with such a name it could hardly help being the best sled inFairview. The night before Thanksgiving the rain came down in torrentsand the next morning there wasn't a square inch of snow for miles aroundon which to try out my beloved sled. 

"It was a bitter morning for me, and I proceeded to wreak my displeasureupon my family. I behaved like a savage all day and ended by beinglocked in Ma's room with my Thanksgiving dinner on a tray, minusdessert. I got even that night, though, for Ma had invited our ministerand his wife to dinner. I waited until I had had my dinner and they hadfinished, too, and were sitting in the parlor. Then I began screamingdown a register, which was right over them, my very candid opinion ofthem and of Thanksgiving Day in general. 

"It was funny, wasn't it?" she chuckled in answer to the burst oflaughter that greeted her recital. "But it was dreadful for poor Ma. Theminister's wife never forgave me for it. She always referred to mebehind my back as that 'terrible Briggs child. '"

"Another reminiscence for 'The Adventures of Elfreda, '" said Miriam. 

"Elfreda is going to write a book of her early adventures andmisadventures, " explained Grace to Patience. "Did we ever tell you aboutit?"

"No; but in the event of its publication I speak now for an autographedcopy, " returned Patience, with twinkling eyes. 

"I'll have one done up for you in crushed Levant, " was Elfreda's promptoffer. 

"This is our church, " proclaimed Mabel. The car found a place for itselfin the long line of automobiles drawn up at the curb, and, alightingfrom it, the party made their way sedately up the broad stone walk tothe main entrance of the stately, gray stone edifice. 

During the beautiful Thanksgiving service Grace's thoughts would driftinto the same painful channel that she had inwardly vowed to avoid. Thesweetness of the music made her think of home, and the earnest words ofthe minister sank deep into her heart. She, who had so much to thank herfather and mother for, had carelessly allowed the name of Harlowe to bedragged into the limelight of police court news. She was unworthy of herparents' confidence. That she was unjustly severe in herself-arraignment did not occur to Grace. It was her first experiencewith real remorse and, as is usually the case, she did not allow herselfthe luxury of extenuating circumstances. 

When she bowed her head during the concluding prayer her eyes were fullof tears and it was only by desperate effort that she managed to winkthem back. 

"Father wants to see us now, you know, " Mabel reminded her guests, asthey took their places once more in the automobile. "To Father'soffice, " she directed the chauffeur, and the car with its freight ofhappy girls glided down the avenue toward the section of the city inwhich Mr. Ashe's office was situated. 

"Of course, Father's employees don't work to-day, " explained Mabel asthey rolled along. "His private secretary is with him, but his officesare closed. He wishes us to take luncheon with him, then we are to gofor a drive through Central Park. You've taken that drive before, Isuppose, but it is such a beautiful day and all New York will be inevidence. I thought you would enjoy seeing the world and his wife outfor a holiday. "

"We have hardly seen enough of Central Park to grow tired of it, " smiledGrace. "Anne is a seasoned New Yorker and so is Elfreda, but Miriam andI never stayed here for any length of time. Patience will have to answerfor herself. "

"My knowledge of the metropolis is vague, and my experience here hasconsisted largely in being rushed from the depot to the hotel, and fromthe hotel to the depot. So you can readily see that Central Park is inthe nature of an innovation, to me, " responded Patience. 

Luncheon was eaten in a restaurant whose extreme exclusiveness made itan especially desirable place for Mr. Ashe to entertain his daughter andher guests. The drive through Central Park came next, and it was afterfour o'clock before they turned into Riverside Drive for home. 

"Please come down to the library as soon as you take off your wraps, "directed Mabel. "The time for the council has arrived. "

"Only Campfire girls have councils, " retorted Miriam. 

"What do you know about Campfire girls?" demanded Mabel. 

"A whole lot, " put in Grace. "We met five girls last summer who had justbeen on a trip through the White Mountains. They called themselves the'Meadow-Brook Girls, ' but they were real Campfire girls. They had spenta summer in camp and had won whole strings of beads for theirachievements. "

"They spent a day or two in Oakdale, " explained Miriam. "One of them, afunny little girl who lisped, was a cousin of Hippy Wingate. Her namewas Grace Thompson, but her three chums called her Tommy. They had aguardian with them, too, a Miss Elting. "

"I liked the tall one, Miss Burrell, best, " continued Grace, "but theywere all interesting. The girl who owned the car was a Miss McCarthy, atrue Irish colleen and awfully witty. She and Nora O'Malley sworefriendship on sight. Then there was a stout girl whose nickname was'Buster, ' and a quiet, brown-eyed girl named Hazel Holland. They writeto me occasionally and they are all going to Overton when they havefinished high school. "

"Why did they call themselves the 'Meadow-Brook Girls'?"

"Oh, that was the name of their home town. "

"What good times they must have had, " commented Mabel. 

"They did, and all sorts of hairbreadth escapes as well. They won everso many honor beads for bravery and prompt action in time of danger. Butto return to the subject of our council. Don't you think we had betterput our wraps away and convene? That's what councils do, isn't it?"

"Convene is correct, " Elfreda assured her gravely. "Allow me to head theprocession upstairs. The sooner we go up the sooner we shall come down. "

A little later they clustered about the cheerful open fireplace in thelibrary. Mabel, who was seated on a stool at one side of the fire, reached forward for the poker and prodded the half-burnt logenergetically. The others watched her in silence until she laid down thepoker with a suddenness that caused them all to start, and turning aboutsaid almost brusquely: "I wish you girls to tell me frankly everythingabout Kathleen West. Until that 'Larry, the Locksmith' story came out Ihadn't the slightest idea that there was anything save the pleasantestrelations between her and Grace. That story set me to thinking. I knewsomething was wrong, for Grace had told me the Oakdale part of it instrict confidence. When I received a cold little note from Miss Westdeclining my invitation, I was sure of it. Whatever it is, I feelresponsible, for I asked you to look out for Miss West in the firstplace. Won't you please tell me all about it?"

[Illustration: They Clustered About the Fireplace. ]

Mabel's frank appeal was irresistible. 

"I am sure it would be better to tell Mabel everything from thebeginning, " said Anne in a decided tone. 

"I agree with Anne, " came from Miriam. 

"Of course she ought to know it, " declared Elfreda. "Didn't I say solast year?"

"Last year!" exclaimed Mabel. "How long has this unpleasant state ofaffairs been going on?"

"Ever since the early part of our junior year, " admitted Grace. "Idisliked to write you of it. We thought she would change. We dideverything we could to please her, but she is not in the least like anyother girl I have ever known. Ask Patience about her. She rooms withMiss West. "

"Do you?" Mabel turned her amazed glance upon Patience. "And not one ofyou said a word to me of it. "

"We thought it better not to mention Miss West, " said Grace slowly. "Youcan readily understand our attitude, Mabel. I feel as though I ought totell you that she came to New York on the same train with us. She was inthe car ahead of ours. "

"Then I shall surely see her before she goes back to Overton. I supposeshe came down purposely to be patted on the back for her big story. Nowbegin the terrible tale of how it all happened. "

Grace began with their meeting of Kathleen West at the Overton stationand of their ready acceptance of the newspaper girl for Mabel's sake. When she told of Kathleen's sudden avoidance of her and the othermembers of the Semper Fidelis Club, and of her subsequent intimacy withAlberta Wicks and Mary Hampton, Mabel exclaimed impatiently: "Thosegirls again! They were born trouble-makers, weren't they?"

"But they turned out beautifully, " defended Grace, "only I haven'treached that part of my story yet. It is really a very nice part, onlyso many disagreeable things happened before it. "

"I shall never notice Kathleen West again!" was Mabel's indignant crywhen Grace had finished the account of Kathleen's attempt to spoilArline's unselfish Christmas plan. 

"You mustn't say that. " Grace grew very earnest. "That was just thereason I didn't wish you to know. I can't bear to be a tale-bearer, butstill I believe it is your right to know the facts. You are one of us, and we have no secrets from one another, yet I don't like to say anything that will lower her in your estimation. She may have been a truefriend to you. "

"Don't worry about that part of it, Grace. You aren't a tale-bearer. "Mabel reached forward to pat Grace's hand. "If only you had told me longago. "

Grace continued her narrative, ending with Kathleen's final attempt tobe revenged on the Semper Fidelis Club, and the clever way in which shehad been brought to book by none other than Alberta Wicks and MaryHampton. 

"What a little villain she is, and how splendidly Alberta and Maryturned out, " interposed Mabel. "She was far too clever to give me thefaintest inkling of the truth. I used to wonder why she was always sononcommittal about things at Overton. I laid it to her peculiartemperament, never suspecting that she had good reason for refusing todiscuss her college life. I had an idea her cleverness would pave theway to great things for her at Overton. I supposed her to be verypopular. "

"Wait until I finish my discourse, " smiled Grace, "then you shall hearwhat Patience, the All Wise, thinks of her. " She went over ratherhurriedly her recognition of "Larry, the Locksmith" in the streets ofOverton, of how she had trailed him within sight of his hiding place, and of her tardy remembrance of her promise to her father. "I wasuncertain what to do, when I happened to catch sight of Miss West, "continued Grace. "An evil genius must have prompted me to take her intomy confidence. But it was a good story, and Patience had told me only aday or two before that Miss West had been mourning over her lack of newsfor her paper. She made what I believed to be a promise to leave out theOakdale part of the story and not to use my name within it. Not a lineof the Oakdale part of the story appeared in the Overton papers. Thechief of police kept his word, at any rate. 

"I never dreamed of her treachery until I received your letter and theclipping. I know Father and Mother have read it. Father always buys thatpaper. I haven't heard a word from home since then. " Grace's voicefaltered. 

"You poor, dear child!" cried Mabel, springing from her stool and goingover to Grace. 

"Don't sympathize with me, Mabel, or I shall cry. " Grace raised her headsmilingly, but her gray eyes were full of tears. 

"I've vowed eternal vengeance, " proclaimed Elfreda savagely. She couldnot endure the thought that Grace should be made so unhappy. 

"It is my own fault. " Grace had regained her composure. "Perhaps someday I'll learn not to dive into things head first. I am sure I havedispleased and hurt Father, or he would have written me before this. "

"I think Miss West has behaved abominably, and I hope you will forgiveme for having asked you to help her. If she is still in the office onSaturday I shall not hesitate to take her to task for herdouble-dealing. "

"I am quite frank in saying that you may tell her whatever you choose. "Grace's voice sounded very hard. 

"Grace Harlowe, what has come over you?" exclaimed Elfreda. "You usuallypreach moderation, but now you are as vindictive and resentful as anIndian. "

"Not quite, " retorted Grace, half smiling. "I am merely what one mightterm 'deeply incensed. ' It isn't a dangerous state, but it usually lastsa long time. Now, I've said the very last word of my say. It is yourtime to talk, Patience. "

"I haven't much to say, " began Patience, "except that Miss West isnaturally rather hard and self-centered and her work as a reporter hasaccentuated it. Her ambition blinds her sense of honor. I suppose shehas one, although I have occasionally doubted it. "

"Don't you approve of newspaper work for women?" asked Mabel quickly. 

"I ought to. " The words slipped out unawares. "That is--I----"

"I know why!" cried Elfreda, wagging her head in triumph. "Because sheis an editor's daughter and knows that a newspaper could not runsuccessfully without women. James Merton Eliot, the well-known newspapereditor, is her father. "

Exclamations of surprise greeted this announcement. To Miriam, Anne andMabel this was news indeed, but the astonishment of Patience arose froma far different cause. 

"How did you know it?" Patience asked Elfreda in open amazement. 

"Oh, I heard you explaining to Grace at luncheon one day just how theSunday section of a newspaper was put together. I could see you knewwhat you were talking about, and made up my mind then that you didn'tget your information from Miss West. Then you dropped a letter one daywhen we were crossing the campus addressed to James Merton Eliot, TheElms, South Framingham, Massachusetts. I picked it up and handed it toyou, but I couldn't help seeing the address. I didn't think anything ofit until I happened to read an article in a magazine on noted men ofaffairs, and found the same name staring me in the face. For a long timeI couldn't think of why that particular name seemed familiar. Then Iremembered. Still, I had never heard you say a word about your father'sbusiness. One night I asked you about him and you didn't give me anysatisfaction. I could see that you didn't want to answer, so I didn'tsay another word, but I kept on wondering. What are you all laughingat?" she demanded, darting a suspicious glance about the circle ofsmiling faces. 

"Elfreda, you are a wonder! I make my bow to you. " Patience rose and, walking over to where Elfreda sat, bowed low before her. 

Elfreda's plump hand was raised in protest, but there was curiositywritten on every feature. "What made you keep it a secret?"

"I have designs on an editorial position on the 'College Herald' nextyear. But I want to win my literary spurs through my own efforts. Idon't believe in reflected glory. " Patience's earnestness wasconvincing. 

"Neither do I, " agreed Mabel heartily. "You won't object if the editorof our paper knows, though, will you? He is an old friend of Father's. Iam sure he will never forgive me if I don't introduce you to him. I amgoing to take you girls to the office with me on Saturday. But to goback to the object of our council, what are we to do in the case of MissWest?"

"Nothing. " Grace spoke decisively. 

"Oh, yes, we must do something, Grace dear, " admonished Patience. "Wemustn't give her up in this fashion. "

"Then, suggest something, " retorted Grace with an impatient frown. 

"I will before long, " promised Patience. "I can't think of a singlething now, but the inspiration will come. Will you all agree to help ifI think of something startlingly worth while?"

"I'll consider the matter, " was Mabel's dry comment. 

The other girls answered in the affirmative, but without enthusiasm. Grace's almost hostile attitude toward Kathleen had had a potent effectupon them. Patience, feeling their acquiescence to be perfunctory, saidno more on the subject. There was a perceptible lull in theconversation, then Mabel proposed that Miriam play for them, and thecouncil broke up with alacrity and strolled off to the music room. 

"It's time to dress for dinner. Father will be here soon, " announcedMabel. "To-night we are to have a little dance. I have been keeping itas a surprise for you. We have a perfectly darling ballroom in the houseand I have invited a number of my friends to meet you. "

Mabel's announcement was received with exclamations of delight. Whatgirl does not welcome the very idea of a real dance to the notes of areal orchestra? The Overton girls went upstairs to dress for the comingdance, and for the time being their self-imposed problem of thenewspaper girl was forgotten. 

CHAPTER XVI

ELFREDA SHOWS GRACE THE WAY

Mabel's dance was an occasion long to be discussed and remembered, andthe remaining two days of the girls' Thanksgiving vacation were socrowded with the amusements she had planned for them that the momentsflitted by on wings. Their visit to the offices of the great newspaperon whose staff both Mabel Ashe and Kathleen West were enrolled was ared-letter event. They had penetrated even to the fastnesses of thelocal room and art department, and were duly impressed with all theysaw. 

In the local room they had caught a brief glimpse of Kathleen West. Shewas seated at a desk at the lower end of the long room, writingindustriously. So intent was she upon her work, that, either by accidentor design, she failed to see the little group of sight-seers, who stoodwatching the rows of clicking typewriters, operated by the reporters ofthe various departments who were preparing copy for the composing room. 

At the moment Grace had spied the newspaper girl hard at work a wave ofadmiration had swept over her for this strange young woman who hadtreated her so badly. In spite of Kathleen's lack of principle, she hadthe will to work, and she had already achieved much in her chosen field. If only she had been like Ruth. Then the memory of Grace's own grievancedrove away the kinder thought. As they were on the point of leaving thelocal room their eyes had chanced to meet, and Grace's flashed with anunmistakable contempt that caused Kathleen to color and turn her head. 

On Sunday morning the dreaded good-byes were said and Mr. Ashe and Mabelsaw their guests safely aboard the train for Overton. It was late Sundayafternoon when, tired and luggage laden, the five girls climbed into theautomobile bus at the Overton station, and were straightway conveyed toWayne Hall. Kathleen West had not returned on the same train with them, nor did she appear until late the following afternoon. That she might bereprimanded for overstaying her vacation either did not occur to her, orelse the possibility held no terror for her. 

The instant the door of Wayne Hall closed behind her Grace darted to thehouse bulletin board. In it was a letter for Anne, one for Elfreda andtwo for herself. She choked back a sob as she saw that one of theenvelopes bore her father's handwriting, the other that of ArlineThayer. 

"Don't wait for me, Grace. Go on upstairs and read your letters. I mustsee Mrs. Elwood about that package I expected by express. " Setting downher suit case, Anne hurried down the hall. Always thoughtful for others, she now determined that Grace should be alone when she opened herfather's letter. 

With a grateful glance after Anne's retreating figure and a "see youlater" to Miriam, Elfreda and Patience, who had stopped at the livingroom door to talk with Laura Atkins and Mildred Taylor, Grace went toher room. With trembling fingers she tore open the envelope, glancingthrough the first page of the letter. Then, with a little choking cry ofrelief, she sank into a chair and began to cry softly. 

It was at least fifteen minutes before Anne appeared in the room, andduring that time Grace had wiped away her tears and calmed herself tothe point of finishing her father's letter. She looked up smilingly asAnne entered, although her eyes were red. "It is all right, Anne! Fatheris the most forgiving man! Just listen to what he says:"

 "MY DEAR GRACE:--

 "There is no use in scolding you. I know that your intentions were good, above reproach, no doubt, but how many times have I cautioned you to go slowly? I received your letter, but, deciding you deserved a certain amount of punishment for your rashness, purposely delayed answering you. Your fame has traveled the length and breadth of Oakdale, however, as I am not the only man in town who reads the New York papers. In the light of your early police court career I might say that this last bit of sleuthing merely adds to your reputation in Oakdale as an apostle of justice. I forgive you, of course, and do not blame you very severely. You were rather shabbily dealt with, but still you must consider that if you had kept your promise to me this annoying episode would never have taken place. 

 "Considering your legitimate claim to senior dignity, I am not going to lecture you any further. I am sure you will be more careful another time. We missed our little girl more than I can say on Thanksgiving Day. Your mother and I, who, you will remember, were elected honorary members of the Phi Sigma Tau the summer we went to Europe with that illustrious organization, carried out to the best of our ability your old plan of making some one else happy on Thanksgiving Day. With the help of Miss Thompson, who is a frequent visitor at our house, we managed to find several high school girls who needed cheering up. We invited them to Thanksgiving dinner and had a little dance in the evening. Your mother will write in a day or two and give you full particulars. 

 "I hope you enjoyed your trip to New York. I feel rather guilty, now, because I didn't answer your letter at once. We will have one of our good old talks when you come home for the Christmas holidays. Then you may scold me, if you think I deserve it. 

 "Your mother and I are well, and are looking forward to your home-coming next month. So is half the town, for that matter. Your friends never forget to ask for you, and every day brings its, 'Is Grace coming home for the holidays?' God bless you, my dear child, and bring you safe home to us for Christmas. That is the gift we most desire. With our dearest love, "FATHER. "

Grace's eyes were misty as she looked up from her letter. "Isn't he justtoo splendid for words, Anne?"

Anne nodded, then, slipping her arm about Grace's neck, she leaned overand kissed her friend's cheek. "I am so glad everything is all right. "

"You knew better than any one else how dreadful it was for me, " returnedGrace, looking up affectionately at her friend. 

"We all know, " answered Anne. "I think Elfreda took it even more deeplyto heart than we did. She is the soul of loyalty and resents an injuryto one of us as much as though it were her own grievance. "

"In one way it seems a long time since J. Elfreda Briggs establishedherself in my seat on the train, yet in another it seems but yesterday, "mused Grace. "Can you realize, Anne, that we are almost at the end ofour college days?"

"I never allow myself to think of it, " confessed Anne. "I've been sohappy at Overton I'd like to stay here forever. "

"Give up the stage, and apply for a place on the faculty, " suggestedGrace with apparent earnestness. 

"You rascal! You know I couldn't do that even for the sake of being atOverton. I am wedded to my art, " proclaimed Anne dramatically. 

"Some day you will obtain a divorce from your art and marry a mere man, though, " predicted Grace. 

The color suffused Anne's white face. Her brown eyes grew troubled. "Idon't know whether I shall or not, " she murmured. 

"Anne, would you leave the stage, give up your work, if--if--" Gracepaused. 

"If David asked me to marry him?" Anne finished the question calmly. "Idon't know, Grace. I've asked myself that question so many times that Iam tired of trying to answer it. In fact, I've lately decided to letmatters drift and see what happens. Although there has never been a wordof sentiment exchanged between us, I am reasonably sure that David lovesme, and I am very fond of him, " confessed Anne. "In some respects I feelyears older than you girls. I believe it is due to my stage experience;I have played so many different parts, some of them emotional roleswhich have to do with love and renunciation. " Anne's musical voicetrembled slightly on the last word. 

"I am sure David loves you with all his heart, " was Grace's honestreply. "Now that he has been graduated from college and has gone intobusiness for himself, I am afraid you will be called upon to decidebefore long. "

"I am afraid so, " sighed Anne. "I wish life weren't quite socomplicated. "

"I hope the rest of our senior year will be free from complications. "Grace spoke with grim emphasis. "Why, I forgot to open this letter!" sheexclaimed, snatching the unopened letter from the table and tearing atthe end of it. 

The letter proved to be a penitent little note from Arline asking Graceto forgive her, and prove her forgiveness by taking dinner with her thefollowing evening at Vinton's. Grace felt a thrill of happiness swellwithin her as she read the note. Her brief estrangement from Arline hadbeen another of her secret griefs. 

"I'm going to take dinner with Arline to-morrow night, " she announced toAnne. 

"You'd better hurry if you care to take dinner with us, " called Elfredafrom the doorway, in which she had paused just in time to hear Grace'slast remark. 

"It isn't dinner, " corrected Anne. "It is supper on Sunday, and neververy good, either. "

"We never have Sunday dinner in the middle of the day at home, "commented Elfreda. 

"When you are at Wayne Hall do as the Wayne Hallites do, " quoted Miriam, who had followed Elfreda into the room. 

"Where is Patience?" inquired Grace. 

"Enjoying the solitude of her room before the disturber arrives, "volunteered Elfreda. "She'll be along presently. "

Despite the fact that they had had dinner on the train, the four girlsdecided that they were hungry, and on going downstairs to the diningroom where Mrs. Elwood had prepared an unusually good supper, proved it, to their own and Mrs. Elwood's satisfaction. There were only three girlsin the dining room when they took their places, as the majority of the"Wayne Hallites" were spending the afternoon and evening of their lastday's vacation with friends. Patience joined them as they were finishingtheir dessert, and it was laughingly decided to entertain her while sheate, and afterward go for a walk. 

"What style of entertainment do you prefer?" asked Elfreda, with adeferential air. "Shall I give you an imitation of Kathleen West'sreturn?"

"No, thank you. The reality will be sufficient, " was Patience's dryretort. "I prefer a more pleasant variety of entertainment. "

The ringing of the door bell caused those in the dining room to glanceexpectantly through the doorway into the hall. They heard the maid'svoice, then a cry of "At last!" and Emma Dean fairly charged into theirmidst. 

"I never was so glad to see any one in all my life, " she cried, with ajoyful wave of her hand. "How I have missed you while you have beengallivanting about New York without giving the friend of your freshmandays a thought. You might have sent me a postcard, you know. "

"'Gallivanting' is not the word with which to describe our triumphalmarch around New York, " objected Elfreda. 

"It's a very good word, " defended Emma. "It means to roam about forpleasure without any definite plan. It says so in the dictionary. "

"Every day adds to our store of knowledge, " jeered Elfreda. 

"As I am at present overjoyed to see you, I'll try hard not to squabblewith you. " Emma turned her back squarely upon Elfreda and addressedAnne. "I heard something while you were gone that will interest you, Anne. The senior class are talking of presenting a play. If we do, youwill star in it, of course. "

"I can't, Emma, " returned Anne regretfully. "My professional experienceprevents me from taking part in college plays. If Semper Fidelis, orsome of the girls, were to put on a play for our own amusement, then Icould take part, but in regular college plays professionals are barredhere at Overton. It is practically the same rule that applies to collegesports. "

"Oh, that is too bad! But it wouldn't hinder you from writing one, wouldit?"

"I couldn't write a play. I used to hope that I might some day become awriter. But I know now that it isn't in me. "

"But many actors and actresses have been writers, too, " put in Elfreda. 

"I know it. Still, the most successful plays have been written by menand women outside the profession, " argued Anne. "I wish I could write, but I know my limitations and they stop this side of authorship. But whydid you ask me if I could write a play, Emma?"

"Marian Cummings gave a spread the other night to all the seniors on thecampus who weren't lucky enough to get away from Overton forThanksgiving. We were talking about what the senior class might do inthe way of stunts, and some one proposed that we ought to give a playafter midyears. You know our class has never done anything of the sortsince we entered college. Naturally, we were all in favor of the idea. We all agreed that we wanted something besides Shakespeare for a change, but no one could suggest anything else. We wanted something reallyrepresentative, and the majority of these plays for amateurs are rathertrivial. Finally, Sara Emerson suggested that the play be written by amember of the senior class. There was a general protest, and ElizabethWade asked Sara if she would mind writing it. Rather unkind in her, wasn't it?" asked Emma, with a reminiscent chuckle. 

Her friends laughed with her. The mere idea of frivolous little SaraEmerson as a playwright was distinctly amusing. 

"Sara didn't mind our laughing. She and Julia giggled over it, too. ThenMarian Cummings suddenly thought of a splendid plan. " Emma paused inorder to impress her hearers. 

"For goodness' sake, go on, Emma, " begged Miriam. "Don't ask us to guessthe plan, either. "

"I'm not going to ask you to guess it. I stopped talking merely to allowmy words to sink deeply into your minds. Marian wants to make it anhonor competition affair. "

"What's an 'honor competition affair'?" asked Elfreda. 

"I'm surprised at your question. I should think you 'could see' themeaning from the words themselves, " teased Emma. "You see almosteverything. "

"I'll be revenged on you for that thrust, " threatened Elfreda, joiningin the laughter that greeted Emma's remark. 

"Do you mean that any member of the senior class may compete, not for amoney prize, but for the honor alone?" asked Grace. 

"That is precisely my meaning, " said Emma. "We thought we would have anhonor pin made, something worthy of the girl who wins. The class willgive her a supper and drink her down, and there will be variousdemonstrations and jollifications for her especial benefit. "

"Why not give the four classes a chance, and make it a competition worthremembering?" proposed Elfreda, a peculiar expression in her shrewdeyes. "I mean that the cast would be chosen from the senior class, butthe author might be any girl in college. "

No one answered for a moment. "I don't believe, " began Emma doubtfully, "that we----What do you say, Grace? Of course, we shall be obliged tocall a special class meeting, but we can decide now just how to word ourproposal. Whatever you decide will suit us. "

Grace's glance had remained fixed upon Elfreda as though trying to readher thoughts. What did Elfreda have in mind! Then it dawned upon Gracewith unpleasant force. "She wants Kathleen West to have a chance tocompete. " Then, "If I say I think we ought to keep the contest in thesenior class, the girls will agree with me. This is my chance. She woulddearly love to enter a contest of this kind. Very well. I'll see thatshe doesn't enter it. " For the first time in her life Grace's resentmentblinded her sense of fairness. Her lips tightened unpleasantly. 

"I say that we ought to----"

But Grace did not finish her sentence. Swift and overwhelming came theconviction that here perhaps lay the means by which Kathleen might comeinto a knowledge of the real Overton spirit. In writing the play, forGrace felt certain that the newspaper girl would enter the lists, shemight gain what her classmates had been powerless to give her. Grace'sface grew hot with shame at her own unworthiness of spirit. 

"Why don't you finish?" asked Emma Dean with good-natured impatience. "What ought we to do? We shall never know unless you speak and tell us. "

The steady light in Grace Harlowe's gray eyes deepened. Her moment oftemptation had passed. Her love of fair play had conquered. "Include thewhole college, by all means. Let us make it an Overton rather than aclass affair, and let us call a meeting of the senior class to-morrowafternoon, " she said. "Let us settle it as soon as possible. "

"I'll write a notice the moment I finish my supper, " declared Emma. "Come upstairs to my room, all of you, and watch me write it. I canalways write better if I have an audience; provided it is a kindly, uncritical audience, " she added, casting a significant glance towardElfreda, who beamed on Emma as one who has received a compliment. 

As they were leaving the dining room a little later, Grace felt a plumphand catch one of hers. She turned to find Elfreda's gaze bent earnestlyupon her. There was a significant question in the other girl's eyes. Grace pressed the hand and said in a whisper: "I understood, Elfreda. Thank you for showing me the way. "

CHAPTER XVII

WHAT THE SENIORS THOUGHT OF THE PLAN

"I can't forgive myself for being so disagreeable, " was Arline Thayer'sregretful cry. Grace had met Arline half an hour earlier than the timeappointed for the senior class meeting the following afternoon and thetwo girls had hurried to the room in Overton Hall, where the meeting wasto be held, for the express purpose of having a confidential chat beforethe others should arrive. 

"Don't think of it again, Daffydowndilly. " Grace regarded Arline withaffectionate eyes. She was glad almost to the point of tears that thecloud between her and the dainty little girl had been lifted. 

"Oh, but I must think of it this once, Grace, " persisted Arline. "Ihaven't told you yet how truly sorry I am for behaving so badly towardyou. But I was so angry with you for troubling yourself about thathorrid Kathleen West. But first let me ask: Did you see that New Yorknewspaper story? Father sent me a copy of the paper. I showed it toRuth, but didn't tell any one else. It is known here, though. "

"Yes, I knew of it the day after it was published, " answered Gracesoberly. "Mabel sent me a marked copy. I am sorry my name was used. Itwas a surprise to me. "

Arline's eyebrows lifted. "A surprise!" she exclaimed with fine sarcasm. "I think I can understand just how pleased you felt over that surprise. I am not going to allow a certain person to come between our friendshipagain, but I can't help saying that if ever you speak to her again, youwill be doing yourself a great injustice. "

"Would it surprise you to hear me say that I am inclined to endorse whatyou have just said?" questioned Grace. "What I tried to do for her wasdone largely to please Mabel Ashe. Mabel has released me from mypromise. I seldom take violent dislikes to persons I meet, but, to tellthe plain truth, I have never liked Miss West, although I have admiredher ability and perseverance. In fact, I have never met any one Idisliked so much, " confessed Grace. "I don't know what has come over me, but I simply can't endure the thought of her, let alone forgiving her. "

"I don't blame you. I hope you will continue to take that stand. Youwon't, though. If you knew, to-morrow, of something that would be to heradvantage to know, you wouldn't hesitate to tell her. "

Grace looked rather confused. Arline's chance shot had gone home. Shehad not forgiven Kathleen, yet only yesterday she had paved the way forher to possible honor. "What did you do here on Thanksgiving?" she askedabruptly. "Why didn't you go to New York?"

Arline laughed. "I am perfectly willing to change the subject and answerboth your questions. Father was in Chicago, so we thought we'd stay hereand see what we could do for some of the girls whose good times arelimited. We did all sorts of little stunts. Thanksgiving night we gave aparty at Morton House and invited every one we could think of, and thenext night Ruth and I took our checks, we each received an extra one forThanksgiving, and gave a moving picture party. We made the man who ownsthe place reserve the seats, and we saw 'The Merchant of Venice. ' It wasbeautifully done, and every one who saw it was delighted. Then weinvited several girls to Morton House for Thanksgiving dinner, too. "

"I wanted to ask you and Ruth to go to New York with us, but----"

"Don't say a word, " interrupted Arline, with a penitent little gesture. "It was my fault. I claim the privilege of changing the subject, too. What is the object of this class meeting?"

Grace was about to explain, when a murmur of voices in the hallannounced that the seniors had begun to gather for the meeting. Withinten minutes every seat in the room was occupied, and Arline Thayer, nowpresident of the senior class, called the meeting to order. "As there isno particular business to be transacted, " announced Arline, "what is thepleasure of the class? Will the person or persons responsible for thenotice on the bulletin board please rise and enlighten the class as towhy we are here?"

"Madam President, " Emma Dean rose from her seat and addressed the chair, "I wrote the notice. It was the outcome of a session in which a numberof the seniors had been discussing ways and means of making 19-- famousin the annals of Overton. " Emma proceeded in her clever, humorousfashion to lay before the class the project of a play to be written by amember of one of the four classes and produced and enacted by theseniors. "If we allow any girl in college who wishes to compete for thehonor pin we shall have a greater variety of plays from which to choose. It will also be a good opportunity to discover any lights that mightotherwise be so securely hidden under bushels of modesty that no onewould ever see them. 

"The rules for the contestants will be very simple. The play must beoriginal. It must consist of not less than three acts, and allmanuscripts must be in the hands of the committee appointed by thepresident of the senior class on the Tuesday before the Easter vacation. The play may be comedy, drama, or tragedy, but it must berepresentative. The duties of the committee will be to receive theplays. As soon as they have been submitted they are to be turned over tothree members of the Overton faculty, provided they are willing to actin the capacity of critics. I should now like an opinion from theclass. "

Emma sat down amid an energetic clapping of hands. To a member, theclass was in favor of the proposed contest. One after another themembers rose to voice their approval, and when the president called fora rising vote every member was instantly on her feet. 

"You understand that we shall require permission from the president ofthe college before we can officially announce the contest, " Arlinereminded the class. "I will appoint Miss Dean, Miss Harlowe and MissWade to call upon the president and obtain his permission. Then the playcommittee will see to the advertising of the contest. "

Before the meeting closed, Anne Pierson, Miriam Nesbit, Ruth Denton andElfreda Briggs were appointed to serve on the play committee and thedate of the production of the play was set for the Friday of the fifthweek after the Easter vacation. It was also decided that Lecture Hall, which boasted of a stage and several sets of scenery, and would hold agoodly audience, should be used for the occasion. 

Within the next three days Miss Duncan and Dr. Hepburn, instructors, respectively, in English and Latin, and Dr. Darrow, professor of Oratoryand Dramatic Expression, had been interviewed and had consented to actas judges. The moment these preliminaries had been attended to, GertrudeWells had begun an elaborate poster to hang above the bulletin board inOverton Hall announcing the contest. At the bottom of the poster wasfastened a card on which the rules had been painstakingly lettered inblack and red. By the end of the week there was scarcely a girl inOverton who had not stopped before the gayly colored poster to read thenews that was being discussed long and earnestly throughout the college. 

Those who had acquired a certain amount of reputation in the matter ofthemes boldly announced their intention of competing for the honor pin, while there were others whose themes had never been praised, whoseambition to show the judges what they really could do urged them on toenter the lists. 

Neither Grace, Miriam nor Anne intended to try for the prize. RuthDenton had confided to Arline that she had an idea for a play which shemeant to work out, and Emma Dean boldly proclaimed herself to be deep inthe throes of a comedy called "Life at Wayne Hall; or, the Expressman'sSurprise. " Elfreda, too, had apparently been inspired, and for a weekwent about chuckling to herself and making mysterious notes in a littleblack note book she now carried constantly. 

Grace could not help wondering now and then if Kathleen West would enterthe contest. Since the newspaper girl's return from New York she hadkept strictly to herself. She spoke to Patience only when absolutelynecessary and took not the slightest notice of Miriam, Anne or Elfreda. Patience confided to Grace that Kathleen studied harder than ever, andwrote for at least two hours every night, never forgetting to place herpapers carefully in her desk and to lock it securely before going out orto bed. "I believe she is writing a play, but I don't know positivelyand I wouldn't dream of asking her, " had been Patience's comment. 

As the long intervening days that lay between the students of Overtonand "going home for Christmas" dragged by, Grace found herself moreimpatient to see her father and mother than ever before. "It is onaccount of that old newspaper trouble, " she assured herself. "Father andMother were so dear and forgiving over it that I can't wait to seethem. " All her thoughts were now centered on going home. 

"I never wanted to see Father and Mother so much in all my life as I dothis Christmas. Next week seems ages off. I am sure it is seven yearsinstead of seven days until vacation begins. " She confided to Anne oneevening, as she sat on the floor beside her open trunk: "I'm going tobegin packing to-night and do a little each day. It will give me acertain amount of satisfaction and make the time pass more quickly. Iwonder why Mother doesn't write? She hasn't sent me my check to go homewith yet. I can't go home until it comes, for I have spent every cent ofmy allowance and my extra check, too, for Christmas presents. "

"Don't worry over it, " advised Anne. "Your father and mother are themost infallible persons I know. You won't be left stranded in Overtonand have to walk ties to Oakdale. "

"If I do, I shall take you with me. As a trouper you ought to beproficient in that exercise, " laughed Grace. 

"As a successful exponent of the dramatic art, " began Anne pompously, "I----"

"Miss Pierson! Miss Pierson!" Mrs. Elwood's voice was heard in the hallat the foot of the stairs. 

Anne sprang to the door. "Here I am, Mrs. Elwood, " she called, steppingdown the hall to the head of the stairs. 

"Here's a telegram for you. Will you please come downstairs and sign forit?"

Anne hurried down the stairs, her heart beating violently. She signedthe messenger boy's book, shoved the pencil into his hand and ran backto Grace as fast as her feet would carry her. 

"It's a telegram, Grace. It's for me. I'm afraid to open it, " she cried, dashing into the room. "Open it. I dare not. Oh, if anything hashappened to Mother or Mary!"

Grace took the envelope Anne held out to her. Her own hands weretrembling with apprehension, yet she managed to tear open the envelopeand draw out the fateful message. There was the crackling sound ofunfolding paper, then Grace cried out in joyful tones: "Anne, you nevercan guess! It is too good to be true!"

Anne sprang to her feet, and darting to where Grace stood, the opentelegram in her hands, peered over her shoulder. A moment later she andGrace joined hands and performed a joyful dance about the room. 

"What on earth is the cause of all this jubilation?" queried Miriam'svoice from the doorway. "I knocked, but no one paid any attention to me. It sounded from the outside as though you might be engaged in deadlyconflict, so I decided to interfere. "

The dance ceased and Grace thrust the telegram, which she still held, into Miram's hands. "Read it, " she commanded. 

 "Will arrive in Overton 5:30. Meet me. With love. Rose Gray. "

And, reinforced by Miriam, the dance was begun again with renewed vigor. 

CHAPTER XVIII

THE FAIRY GODMOTHER'S VISIT

Three excited young women burst in upon Elfreda, who, seated on thefloor before her trunk, hastily deposited a large flat package in thetray and slammed down the lid. "Why didn't you knock!" she grumbled, looking mild displeasure at the intruders. "If you had come five minutessooner you would have seen your Christmas presents, and I couldn't havestopped you. I'm going to have a 'Busy, Keep Out' sign made to hang onthe door until Christmas. "

"Don't be cross, J. Elfreda Briggs, " laughed Grace. "We have somethingnice to show you. " She handed the telegram to Elfreda with: "We want youto go to the station with us this afternoon. The train is due atfive-thirty. "

Elfreda's round face flushed at this mark of thoughtfulness on the partof the girls she adored, and agreed almost shyly to make one of theparty. She had never become quite used to the knowledge that these threeyoung women had long since accepted her as one of their number. Consequently an invitation to participate in their personal good timesor to share their intimate friends was always a matter of wonder to her. 

The train was reported to be on time, but the quartette of happy-facedyoung women who waited impatiently for its arrival from the north thatafternoon were agreed that it must be late. It was Anne who, when itrushed into the station, first espied the familiar figure of thesnowy-haired old lady who had brought so much sunshine into her life, and her quick eyes also discovered the identity of the tall, broad-shouldered young man who was helping her down the car steps. "Oh, Tom Gray is with her!" she exclaimed in delight. 

"How nice!" cried Grace, with frank, unembarrassed pleasure. "I neverthought that he would come with Mrs. Gray. "

Her three friends exchanged significant glances. It was quite evidentthat Grace Harlowe's regard for Tom held nothing of the sentimental. 

"Here they are! Here are my dear Christmas children!" Mrs. Gray lookedno older than when she had welcomed them to her house party eightChristmases before. She spoke in the same sprightly manner, and smiledin the same kindly, gentle fashion that had warmed the heart of AnnePierson when, poor and unknown, she had placed her hand in Mrs. Gray'sat that first eventful freshman tea which was the beginning of happinessfor her. Anne's brown eyes filled with tears as she embraced her "fairygodmother" and heard her murmur, "My own dear Anne. "

"Please give Aunt Rose a chance to catch her breath and turn yourattention upon me, " was Tom's plaintive plea. 

"We are terribly, horribly, dreadfully glad to see you!" laughed Grace, shaking Tom's hand in her boyish, energetic fashion. 

"'Terribly, horribly, dreadfully!'" repeated Tom. "Did you say this wasyour last year in college?"

"Don't be sarcastic, " reproved Miriam. "Circumstances alter English. Grace was only trying to convey to you our deep appreciation of yourarrival. "

Tom glanced almost wistfully at Grace, who had turned from him and wasdevoting her whole attention to Mrs. Gray. "I hope you girls are as gladto see me as I am to see you, " he said, his eyes still upon Grace. 

"Of course we are. How did you happen to think of coming to Overton? Areyou going to stay until next Wednesday? If you do, then we can alljourney to Oakdale together. "

"Ask Aunt Rose. I am her faithful bodyguard. I know she intends to stayuntil to-morrow at least. I hope you can persuade her to remain atOverton until you go home. I am a working man now, you know, andWashington is a long way from here. " Tom's ambition to make forestry hislife work had been in a measure realized, and with his graduation fromcollege had come the offer of a position in the Department of Forestryat Washington. 

"Yes, children, dear, I will remain in Overton until your vacationbegins if the town boasts of a comfortable hotel where I can not onlydemand, but receive, good service. "

"The 'Tourraine' is the very hotel for you, Mrs. Gray, " said Grace. "Westayed there for a day or two when we first came to Overton. The serviceis excellent. "

"Then see to my luggage, Tom, and find me a cab or an automobile. Thesooner I am settled the sooner I can hear what my girls have been doing. I have heard very nice things of you, my dear, " she said to Elfreda, who, having shaken hands with Mrs. Gray, stood at the outer edge of thelittle group, looking on with shining eyes. 

"She looks like a piece of Dresden china, " was Elfreda's remarkablestatement to Miriam as the little company, headed by Grace and Tom, madeits way to the other side of the station in search of an automobile. 

"You funny girl, " Miriam laughed softly, "what an idea!"

"But she does, " persisted Elfreda in a low tone. "She's white and pinkand fine and--and--fragile. She's dainty and exquisite, and there's akind of rare china look about her that----"

"I am going to tell her you said she looked like a piece of Dresdenchina, " interposed Miriam. "Mrs. Gray----"

"If you do, Miriam Nesbit, you'll be sorry, " warned Elfreda, clutchingMiriam's arm. 

"What is it, my dear?" answered the old lady. They had come to a halt atthe end of the platform and were waiting for Tom to secure a car. 

Elfreda surveyed Miriam with a threatening glare. 

"Elfreda says that you"--she darted a mischievous glance at herfriend--"look just as she imagined you would. "

Elfreda's expression was a mixture of surprise and relief. 

"Then you are not disappointed in me, " smiled the old lady. 

"I should say not!" was the quick response. "I only hope you will adoptme some day as one of your children. "

"That is very sweet in you, my child, " declared Mrs. Gray. "I herebyadopt you on the spot. Ah, here is our car. I think we are more thanready for it. "

"Now that you've been adopted, " muttered Miriam in Elfreda's ear, "Iwon't betray you. "

"Thank you for nothing, " flung back Elfreda. 

"Tell the chauffeur to drive past Overton College, " Grace had requestedTom, and Mrs. Gray had exclaimed in admiration of stately Overton Hall, standing like a sentinel in the midst of the wide campus. The chapel, the library, Greek Hall, Science Hall, in fact, each one of the smaller, but equally ornamental, buildings were duly pointed out and commentedupon. 

Mrs. Gray insisted that they should be her guests at dinner at the"Tourraine, " and after dinner they repaired to the cozy sitting room inher suite of rooms for a long, confidential chat, which lasted untilafter ten o'clock. 

"Hurry, girls, " urged Grace, as they set out for Wayne Hall, afterrepeated promises to call the next morning and prolonged good nights, "we may be locked out. That has never happened to me since I came tocollege. "

"That is better than being locked in, " reminded Elfreda grimly. 

"You mean the night of the ghost party, don't you?" asked Miriam, referring to an incident that had occurred in Elfreda's freshman year. 

"I do, indeed, mean the ghost party, " retorted Elfreda with grimemphasis. "I still have a remarkably clear recollection of it. "

"What a lot of things have happened since then, " said Anne, halfmusingly. 

"Only a little while and our college life will be over, " sighed Miriam. 

"And our real life begun, " was Grace's hopeful reminder. "After all, college is just a preparation for the time when we must stand upon ourown ground and assume the complete responsibility of our own lives. "

"You girls give me the blues, " grumbled Elfreda. "I don't want to thinkabout my 'real life' or any other solemn old subject. There's a time toreflect, but this isn't the time. I'd rather save all my harrowingreflections until just before commencement. Then we might give a miseryparty and invite our friends to glower and gloom with us. "

"That's a good idea!" exclaimed Grace. "We could all be miserabletogether. "

"If we all met together for the express purpose of being miserable, youcan make up your mind that the party itself would defeat its object, "laughed Anne. 

"But just at present we had better be gay and gleeful. We must plansomething for Mrs. Gray's entertainment, " suggested Miriam. "It is ourlawful senior duty to see that she enjoys her visit to Overton. "

"She wishes to meet Dr. Morton and Miss Wilder and Miss Duncan, too, "said Anne. "She mentioned it twice this evening. We must give a dinnerin honor of her at Vinton's, and a luncheon at Martell's. Then we oughtto drive out to Guest House for supper. Of course, we must give onespread in either our room or Miriam's and do stunts. "

"Why not give the Wonderland Circus just for her?" proposed Elfreda. "Miss Wilder will let us have the gymnasium for the evening, and bymaking it strictly a senior class affair there will be no hurt feelingson the part of the other classes. Nearly all the performers are seniors, too. We can serve refreshments, have a dance afterward, and Mrs. Graywill have a splendid opportunity to see 19-- together. How is that for astunt?"

Elfreda's plan was received with acclamation, and by the time theyreached Wayne Hall each girl had been assigned her part in the week'sprogramme. 

"We mustn't forget our Christmas girls, " reminded Anne, as they lingeredfor a brief moment in the upstairs hall. 

"I am glad you mentioned them, " replied Grace. "I must see Arlineto-morrow. "

The first week of December had dragged, but the next two weeks raced byon winged feet, and the two days before college closed for the holidayswere crowded to the brim with last duties and pleasures. Mrs. Gray wonthe united regard of the Semper Fidelis Club, who immediately enlistedthemselves in her service. The genial, light-hearted old lady enteredinto the life of the college with an enthusiasm that caused her at onceto be declared an honorary member of Semper Fidelis. She was the guestof honor at luncheons and dinners, at which she was toasted and sung towith a fervor that left no doubt in her mind as to her standing withGrace's classmates. 

The Wonderland Circus had been saved as the crowning event of her visit, and invitations had been sent to Mr. Thomas Redfield, the benefactor ofSemper Fidelis Club, Dr. Morton, Miss Wilder and the various members ofthe faculty to be present at the Circus. Never had the immortal animalsbeen in better form. Round after round of applause greeted theconclusion of their famous Wonderland song. The demonstration continueduntil Alice stepped forward and made a funny little speech, in which sheintroduced the animals, who skipped, waddled or shuffled forwardaccording to each one's conception of what its own peculiar gait shouldbe. 

Emma Dean, who had not taken part in the Circus, appeared in herridiculous Sphinx costume, and, after a monologue that elicited constantlaughter, added to her ability as a fun maker by the weirdly funny dancethat she had intended to give at the bazaar, and which she was obligedto repeat before her audience was satisfied. 

A reception followed, and delicious buffet refreshments were served bythe seniors in one corner of the big gymnasium, which had been roped offwith the senior colors and made as attractive as senior hands could makeit. Mrs. Gray was in her element and held court like a veritable queen. Before the evening was over the senior class, to a member, had vowedeternal allegiance to her. Dr. Morton, Miss Wilder and Mr. Redfield, too, apparently succumbed to her spell, for toward the close of theevening they formed an interesting group about her, and, at the end of alengthy confab, shook her hand with an earnestness which seemed almostto indicate a promise of loyalty. To Grace, Anne and Miriam Mrs. Gray'slong conversation with the faculty was merely a further proof of herability to make friends, but the watchful Elfreda regarded the matterfrom a different viewpoint. 

"I wonder what Mrs. Gray was talking about to Professor Morton, MissWilder and our fairy godfather?" she remarked in a speculative tone toMiriam as they prepared for sleep late that night. "Fairy godfather is agood name for Mr. Redfield, isn't it?" she laughed. 

"Certainly it is, " returned Miriam. "I always bestow appropriate namesupon people. Isn't he the fairy godfather of Semper Fidelis and didn't Igive him that name after he sent us the first check?"

"He is, " admitted Elfreda, "and you did. "

"What is on your mind now?" asked Miriam. "What do you find somysterious in the fact that Mrs. Gray held discourse with the powersthat be?"

"You can make fun of me if you like, " said Elfreda, smiling a little, "but I know what I saw with my own eyes. There is a conspiracy on footamong those persons. It's a delightful conspiracy, of course, but markmy words, they are planning something, and some day when the whole thingcomes to light you'll say, 'You were right, J. Elfreda, ' see if youwon't. "

"I will say it now if you wish me to, " laughed Miriam, "merely to showyou that I have faith in your marvelous powers of observation. "

"Thank you, " returned Elfreda. "There is nothing like being appreciated. But under the circumstances I am afraid I can't pursue my usual methodsof investigation. If Mrs. Gray is planning something delightful, you maybe sure it is for her Christmas children, and J. Elfreda Briggs will notbe the one to pry into the surprise. "

CHAPTER XIX

WHAT PATIENCE OVERHEARD

 "Oh, Overton, our voices clear Ring out in reverent praise to-day, To thee, our Mother, loved and dear Who guides us on our college way, "

sang Grace softly as she walked about her room putting away the variousarticles of wearing apparel she had taken from her trunk. The Christmasvacation had come and gone like a glad, happy dream, and with a hundredpleasant memories of home to sweeten the days that lay between her andEaster, Grace cheerfully unpacked her belongings, humming as she workedthe song of Overton that she loved best. 

A light knock on the door, accompanied by, "May I come in?" hushed thesong on Grace's lips. "I should say so, " she called, recognizingPatience Eliot's voice. "Enter and give an account of yourself. I'vehardly seen you since I came back. "

"I have had more or less unpacking to do, too, " said Patience, with acomprehensive glance about the room. "Also deep in my soul lurks thefear of the fateful midyear with its burden of exams. I am conducting ageneral review every night for the benefit of Patience Eliot, but it israther up-hill work. I envy you high and mighty seniors, whose days andnights of anxiety are past. "

"I don't believe you are half as much worried as you pretend. PatienceEliot is far too valiant to be downed by a mere examination. "

"It is all very well to talk, " grumbled Patience, "but you know just howfootless mere talk is. I'm not at all sure that I shall not flunk. "

"You won't, so don't try to make me believe you will, " assured Grace, "and you are going to forget your books and have dinner with me atVinton's to-morrow night, too. "

"Am I?" asked Patience. "Let me see. Oh, yes, I am. It is on Wednesdayevening that the great event takes place. "

"What great event?" asked Grace with unthinking curiosity. "I beg yourpardon, Patience, I didn't mean to----"

Patience dismissed Grace's attempt to apologize with a wave of her hand. "Oh, that is all right. It is what I came here to tell you. You maybelieve it or not, but Kathleen West has actually invited me to go tothat illustrated lecture on 'Mexico' at the Overton theatre on Wednesdayevening. "

"And you are going?" Grace could not keep a slight constraint from hertone. Her resentment against the newspaper girl still lived. Despite thelong, intimate talk she had with her father, she could not quite forgetthat Kathleen had been partly responsible for the unhappy hours she hadspent before going home to Oakdale. 

"Yes, " Patience replied. There was a note of finality in her voice. "Ibelieve it is best, Grace. In fact, I am sure it is. "

Grace stood staring moodily at Patience. A struggle against her ownpersonal feelings was going on within her. Suddenly her face cleared, and with a little, rueful smile she held out her hand to the other girl. "I'm truly glad you are going with her, Patience. I thought I wasn't, but I am. I can't imagine why I don't outgrow my resentment against thatgirl. I don't understand myself lately. "

"I knew you would agree with me. " Patience still held Grace's hand inhers. "Now that the ice has been broken--you know you asked us not tomention Kathleen to you--I can say something I've wanted to tell you fora week. There has been a slight change for the better in Kathleen sinceChristmas. I don't know what has brought it about, but she is less hardand bitter than she used to be. She is terribly blue, though, and theother day I came into the room and found her crying. Just imagineKathleen West in tears if you can. She wiped them away post haste and Ipretended I hadn't noticed that she was crying. One can't sympathizewith her, you know. She wouldn't like it. She prides herself on herstoicism. "

"I wonder what happened, " mused Grace. 

"She has been writing every evening on her play, " continued Patience, "until last night. I was hard at work on my Horace, when suddenly shesaid, 'Oh, what's the use?' and began tearing up everything she'dwritten. 'I could see, ' to quote Elfreda, that she was in one of herblack moods, so I never said a word. I think her conscience is troublingher. Perhaps one of these days she will find herself and surprise all ofus. "

"I hope so, " said Grace without enthusiasm. "By the way, I meant to tellyou of Arline's and my plan. We are going to propose that the SemperFidelis girls give a 'Famous Fiction' masquerade and invite the college. We won't try to make any money this time. Later on we will give aconcert. This dance will be just a college frolic, but it will be fun todress up and mask. There will be plenty of girls who won't attend theaffair, but there will be a great many who will come. The gymnasium islarge enough to accommodate a crowd. We'll have dancing, of course, andSemper Fidelis is going to pay for the orchestra out of their ownpockets. There won't be any real refreshments, just lemonade and fancycrackers. The real fun will lie in the costumes. Every one who attendsmust be dressed to carry out the title of some work of fiction, eitherstandard or 'best sellers. '"

"What a jolly idea, " smiled Patience. "I know already what I shallchoose. "

"Good!" exclaimed Grace. "Put on your wraps and go with me to Arline's. I feel as though I must discuss it with her to-night. "

Within the next five minutes Grace and Patience were crossing the campusto Morton House. 

"I was just getting ready to go to Wayne Hall, " declared Arline, as theymarched into her room in obedience to her rather impatient "Come in. "

"And didn't care to be bothered with visitors, " added Patience. 

"I thought it was a freshman on the next floor who demands admittance atregular hour intervals. She has the 'crush' habit to distraction. She'sa nice girl, " added Arline, generously, "even though she bores mefrightfully at times, and I wouldn't for anything hurt her feelings. Iam glad you came. I was just thinking of making you a call. I want totalk over our Famous Fiction dance. "

"Why, that is what brought us here!" cried Grace. "We decided that therewas no time like the present for talking it over. "

"Then, being of the same mind, we shall no doubt accomplish wonders, "laughed Arline. "When shall we give it?"

"The sooner, the better, " advised Patience. "That is, if you expect thefreshmen and sophomores to turn out to it. Midyear examinations are onlythree weeks off, and by the last of next week every one will be sodesperately devoted to reviewing back lessons that the idea of amasquerade won't create an iota of enthusiasm. "

"Patience is as level-headed as ever, " agreed Grace. "Why not have themasquerade next Monday evening? That will give us a week to decide onour costumes and order our masks. Suppose we ask that poor old woman whokeeps the little shop just beyond the campus to order our masks? I'llpost a notice on the bulletin board as soon as we have secured MissWilder's permission to give the masquerade to the effect that masks canbe bought at her shop. She is safe in ordering three hundred at least, and it will mean a small profit to her. "

"Grace is always thinking of helping the needy and the downtrodden, "declared Arline. "You are a really truly philanthropist, Grace, and youought to be a fixture at Overton. "

"Please don't, Arline, " protested Grace, frowning a little. "I'm not abit more interested in helping others than are you or Patience. I wasjust thinking to-day that I had really been selfish. It doesn't seemfair that I should have had such good times when so many girls here havenothing but hard work and worry over money matters. "

"Who organized Semper Fidelis and who was the first person to think ofour Christmas girls?" demanded Arline. 

"You are the president of the Sempers and you collected almost all thepresents for our first Santa Claus venture, " evaded Grace. 

 "Let each be wise and wear the prize, Let each divide the crown, The deeds of Harlowe and of Thayer, Are equal in renown. Stop arguing and get to work, For that is why we're here, Don't waste your time in idle words, The dinner hour is near, "

improvised Patience. 

Both girls looked their surprise at this outburst. 

"Thank you for your poetic counsel, Patience, " said Grace. "Suppose wewrite down the things to be done in connection with giving the dance. "

"Here you are. " Arline opened her desk and motioned Grace to the chairbefore it. "We'll suggest, and you can write. "

By the time the girls had finished their plans for the masquerade it washalf-past six. "Stay here for dinner, " invited Arline. 

Grace shook her head. "Thank you, but I have studying to do and lettersto write to-night. If I stay here for dinner, I'll reach Wayne Hall attwenty-nine minutes after ten. I know my failings. "

"Same here, " said Patience. "I am not to be trusted, either. Thank youfor the invitation; it is a great temptation. Let us go, Grace, beforewe succumb to the artful blandishments of this blonde young person andstay in spite of ourselves. "

"Come over to-morrow night, Arline, " called Grace as they went down thesteps of Morton House. Arline had accompanied them to the door. "BringRuth with you. Tell her I am sorry I didn't see her to-night. "

"I'll see you later, Patience, " said Grace as they separated at the headof the stairs. Patience walked slowly down the hall to her room. Thedoor stood slightly ajar and the room was in darkness, but the sound ofa familiar voice caused Patience to halt abruptly. 

"I could see, " said the voice of Elfreda Briggs, "that something worriedyou. I know just how sorry you feel, because I went through the samething myself. But if you could make up your mind to go to her and tellher that----"

"Oh, I couldn't do that. " It was Kathleen's voice that interrupted thespeaker. "I am sure she must hate me. I never believed that I shouldcare, but I do. If only I could do something to show her that at last Iunderstand what college spirit means. "

"Do you really mean that?" There was a note of excitement in Elfreda'svoice. "Because, if you do, I have the most splendid idea, and thebeauty of it is that you are the only one who can carry it out. Willyou----"

But Patience, realizing with a start that she was eavesdropping, waitedto hear no more. 

Turning about she stepped noiselessly along the hall and down thestairs. Entering the living room she found Emma Dean entertaining threegirls who were laughing immoderately. 

"Hello, Patience!" called Emma. "Come in and listen to my tale of woe. Where was I? Oh, yes, the minute I stepped off the car I realized that Ihad left my silk umbrella in it. The car started about five secondsbefore I did. It was a beautiful race. I passed a fat policeman on thecorner, and waved my hand reassuringly at him merely to show that I wasnot fleeing from Justice. Talk about fast running! I actually surprisedmyself. I caught up with the car just as it was turning that curve onHigh Street, and floundered into it, puffing like a steam engine. I madeone dash past the conductor, reached the seat where my cherishedumbrella still reposed and captured it. The conductor must have thoughtme hopelessly demented, for I dashed out as the car stopped at the nextcorner without having paid a cent of carfare or offered a sign of anexplanation. 

"When I passed the corner where the fat policeman stood, he looked at mewith respectful admiration, and said: 'You got that car, lady, didn'tyou?' and I proudly acknowledged that I did. I was only sorry that thereweren't more persons about to appreciate Emma Dean's Two Block Dash. "

Patience joined in the laughter that had accompanied Emma's narrative. "How are you getting on with your play, Emma?" she asked. 

"I still have the title, " returned Emma blandly, "but I can't decideupon my characters. There are so many shining lights at Wayne Hall. Youknow my play is entitled "Life at Wayne Hall; Or, the Expressman'sSurprise. " The only character I've actually decided upon is theexpressman. I am obliged to have him because he is in the sub-title. Idecided long ago on my opening speech, however. The expressman opens theplay by saying, 'I can't wait all day, lady. ' Isn't that realistic? Sotrue to life!"

"In the face of such an offering, Emma, I am satisfied that it would besheer folly for any of us to enter the lists, " assured Patience. 

"Of course, I don't wish to discourage any of you, " deprecated Emma withthe droll little smile for which she was noted. "But to give Emma Deanand her wonderful ability as a playwright a rest, what is new?"

"We are talking of giving a masquerade, " volunteered Patience. 

"Who is included in 'we'?" asked Laura Atkins. 

"Grace, Arline and I were talking it over to-day. We thought of giving aFamous Fiction masquerade. "

"What is a Famous Fiction masquerade?" asked Emma curiously. 

Whereupon Patience entered into an explanation of the proposed gayetywhile the girls listened with willing ears. While they were discussingit, Elfreda Briggs appeared in the doorway and Patience knew that shecould now return to her room without running the risk of interrupting aheart-to-heart talk. But she smiled to herself as she thought that whileshe had been casting about for some way to help Kathleen, Elfreda hadfound it. 

CHAPTER XX

THE MYSTERIOUS "PETER RABBIT"

The gymnasium had, perhaps, never held a more motley crowd of revelersthan on the night of the Famous Fiction masquerade. The faculty, who hadbeen particularly interested in the idea of the masquerade, declaredthat for originality it was in line with 19--'s usual efforts. Theyoccupied seats in the gallery and amused themselves with trying to guessthe identity of the various maskers and the books or famous bookcharacters which they represented. 

It had been decided that as so many of the famous book titles did notlend themselves to impersonation, famous characters in fiction mightalso be impersonated. Therefore, when the longed-for night came round, heroes and heroines, with whose adventures and doings the book-lover'sworld is familiar, walked about, arm in arm, collected in little groups, or danced gayly together to the music of the eight-piece Overtonorchestra, whose members appeared to appreciate the humor of theoccasion as keenly as did the faculty. 

It was an inspiring sight to watch "Hamlet" parading calmly about thegymnasium with "Beverly of Graustark, " or to watch "Mrs. Wiggs of theCabbage Patch" waltz merrily off with "Rip Van Winkle. " Every oneimmediately recognized "The Bow of Orange Ribbon" and "Robinson Crusoe. "Meek little Oliver Twist, with his big porridge bowl decorated by a widewhite band bearing the legend, "I want some more, " was also easy toguess. So were "Evangeline, " "Carmen, " "The Little Lame Prince, ""Ivanhoe, " "Janice Meredith, " and scores of other book ladies andgentlemen. 

There were a few masqueraders, however, whose fictitious identity wasshrouded in mystery. No one could fathom the significance of a certaintall figure, dressed in rags, who stopped short in her tracks atfrequent intervals, and, producing a needle and thread, sewedindustriously at her tattered garments. A black-robed sister of charity, accompanied by a strange figure who wore a shapeless garment painted indull gray squares to represent stone, and wearing a narrow leather beltabout its waist from which was suspended on either side two smallandirons, were also sources of speculative curiosity. So was a youngwoman in white with a towering headdress composed of a combination ofthe Stars and Stripes and the flag of France. And no one had theremotest idea concerning the eight white figures who marched fourabreast and would not condescend to break ranks even to dance. 

"Sherlock Holmes" was there with his violin tucked under one arm and avolume of his memoirs under the other. He evinced a strong preferencefor the society of "Joan of Arc, " while "Sarah Crewe, " "Little LordFauntleroy, " and "Rebecca of Sunnybrook" traveled about together, aseemingly contented trio. "The Three Musketeers" were gorgeous to beholdin their square-cut costumes, high boots and wide feathered hats, butthe sensation of the evening was "Peter Rabbit, " who came to the danceattired in his little blue, brass-buttoned jacket, brown khakipantaloons and what seemed to be the identical shoes he lost in Mr. McGregor's garden. His mask was a cunning rabbit's head that was drawndown and fastened at the neck by a funny soft tie. Who "Peter Rabbit"was and where he had managed to lay hands on his costume was a matterfor discussion that night. 

The suspense of not knowing who was who ended with the unmasking afterthe eighth dance, and amid exclamations and little shrieks of laughterthe masqueraders stood face to face. 

"Elfreda Briggs! I might have known you would, " laughed Arline Thayer, shaking hands with "Sherlock Holmes, " while Miriam Nesbit thankfullylifted "Joan of Arc's" helmet and took off her mask. 

"You're a perfectly darling 'Fauntleroy, '" admired Elfreda. "I supposeRuth was 'Sara Crewe. '"

"Yes, " returned Arline Thayer. "Here come those eight white figures!"she exclaimed. "Why, it is Miss Barlowe and her crowd. I don't know yetwhat they were representing. "

"The 'White Company, ' of course, " declared Elfreda. "There would be nosatisfaction in being 'Sherlock Holmes' if I couldn't solve all thesepuzzles. "

"Then live up to your reputation and tell me what famous work of fictionthis approaching rag-bag represents, " laughed Miriam. 

"My powers of deduction were strong enough to pierce the identity ofthat bundle of rags, " grinned Elfreda. "I knew Emma Dean by her walk, but I don't know what she represents. Who and what are you, Emma?" shehailed. 

"'Never too Late to Mend, '" chanted Emma, flourishing a large darningneedle and attacking her rags anew. A shout arose from the little circleof girls who had formed about her. "There is another still harder toguess than mine. Over there, " pointed Emma. "Look, girls!"

"What is it?" chorused half a dozen voices. "Well, I never! If it isn'tGrace and Patience!"

There was a concerted rush toward the two girls. "What in the name ofcommon sense is this illustrious combination?" asked Emma. "Why didn'tyou choose something a little harder. "

"We are easy enough to guess, " returned Patience loftily. "That is, ifyou are familiar with standard fiction. "

"I'm not. I never was, " declared Emma. "Tell us instanter!"

"Allow me to introduce you to the 'Cloister. '" Patience bowed low. "Andthe 'Hearth. '" Grace saluted the company with a loud jingling of herandirons. 

"Oh, " groaned Elfreda. "No wonder my powers of deduction failed. Whocould guess that Grace was representing a hearth? She looks more like asection of a garden wall or the stone foundation for a new house, or----"

"If my costume looks as stony as that, then I do look like a hearth, andeither your eyesight or your imagination is defective, " declared Gracein triumph. 

"Certainly, you resemble a hearth, " agreed Emma Dean. "Now tell me howyou like my costume. It took me hours to reduce my wearing apparel toits present picturesque state. All you girls are screaming successes. But who is 'Peter Rabbit'?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out, " declared Elfreda. "He, orrather she, carried a package of little cards with a cunning rabbit'shead and the name 'Peter Rabbit' on them. I have one here. "

"So have I, " came from every member of the group. 

"Let us find the famous Peter, then offer our congratulations, " proposedPatience, with a searching glance at the company. 

But the "famous Peter" was not to be found among the throng of gaylyattired girls, and there was no little comment among them at his suddenand complete disappearance. 

"I wonder what became of 'Peter Rabbit'?" remarked Anne, when, later inthe evening, a number of Semper Fidelis girls gathered in one corner ofthe room to hold an informal session and compare notes. 

"Who is 'Peter Rabbit'; or, the Mystery of the 'Blue Jacket'?" declaimedEmma Dean. "Even Sherlock is all at sea, aren't you, Brother Holmes?"Emma Dean laid her hand familiarly on the great investigator's shoulder. 

"Don't be too sure that I'm all at sea. I have a theory. " Elfreda put ona preternaturally wise expression. 

"We'll hear it at once, " returned Emma briskly. 

"Not to-night. I have other weightier problems on my mind. I have beenasked to solve the campus mystery. "

"Campus mystery!" exclaimed several voices. "What is it?"

"Walk to the extreme northern end of the campus, then go east onehundred and fifty paces and you will come face to face with theproblem, " was Elfreda's mystifying answer. 

"Oh, I know what you mean, " cried Sara Emerson. "The ground has beenbroken there for some kind of building. We noticed it day beforeyesterday. "

"Right, my child, " commended Elfreda patronizingly, "and therein liesthe mystery. I have prowled about the vicinity at odd moments ever sincethe men began working there, but even my powers of penetration havefailed. "

"Since your curiosity has reached such a height, why don't you ask MissWilder to tell you the whys and wherefores of this startling affair?"teased Emma Dean. "I never realized until now what a mysterious processdigging a cellar is. "

"It isn't the process that's mysterious, it is the object of theprocess, " declared Elfreda, with great dignity. 

"Not everyone 'can see' either, " interposed Emma innocently. 

"The Briggs-Dean rapid-fire conversation team in an entirely new line ofspecialties, " proclaimed Sara Emerson. "Secure front seats for theperformance. "

"There isn't going to be any performance, " flung back Emma. "This ismerely a friendly chat, but it ends here and now. I don't propose tocourt publicity. Come on, Sherlock, let us hie us to the lemonade bowlaway from this madding crowd. "

Sherlock offered his free arm--his memoirs were securely tucked underthe other--and strolled nonchalantly toward the punch bowl, looking asthough he were towing an animated rag-bag. 

"Doesn't Emma Dean look too ridiculous for words?" laughed Arline Thayerto Grace. 

"'Never too late to mend, '" quoted Grace. "I wonder how she everhappened to hit upon the idea. She is a delightful girl, isn't she?"

"Emma Dean? One of the nicest girls at Overton. " Arline spoke withenthusiasm. "When I came to Morton House as a freshman, Emma was there, too. I had the most appalling case of the blues, for I didn't for onemoment believe that I should ever like college. Emma had the next roomto mine. She was so cheerful and said such funny things that I forgotall about my blues. "

"I never knew she had lived at Morton House, " said Grace in surprise. 

"She was there just two weeks, " continued Arline. "Then a freshman, whowas an old friend of the Dean family, wanted Emma to room with her atWayne Hall, and so she left Morton House and has been at the Hall eversince. "

"Your loss was our gain, " replied Grace. "We couldn't do without Emma atWayne Hall. She and Elfreda are the life of the house. "

Arline smiled to herself. Elfreda and Emma might fill their ownparticular niches in Wayne Hall, but there was only one Grace Harlowe. "How I shall miss you, Grace, " she said with sudden irrelevance to thesubject of Emma. "I shall miss you more than any other girl in college, except Ruth, when I go to New York for good and all. "

"I forbid you to mention the subject, " cried Grace, her fine faceclouding. "We mustn't even think of it. Oh, listen, Arline! Theorchestra has begun that Strauss waltz I like so well. I'm going to putthese clumsy old andirons over in the corner; then we'll dance andforget that we are seniors and must pay the penalty. "

It was almost twelve o'clock when the Famous Fiction dance came to atriumphant end, and the illustrious book heroes and heroines wendedtheir midnight way toward their various houses and boarding places. TheWayne Hall girls marched across the campus, Emma Dean parading aheadwith outspread arms, her rags flapping about her, giving her theappearance of a scarecrow which had just emerged from a farmer'scornfield. 

"There it is! There lies the mystery!" cried Elfreda, pointing towardthe northern end of the campus, where considerable headway had been madein digging what appeared to be the cellar of a house. "But Sherlock willunravel the tangled skein!"

"Don't be so noisy!" cautioned Miriam Nesbit. "The real Sherlockwasn't. "

"To-morrow will tell the tale, " went on Elfreda unabashed, but in aslightly lower key. "First, I shall spy upon the workmen, then I shallcollect samples of campus soil and spend the rest of the day deducing. "

"I hope you won't overwork, " was Emma's solicitous comment. "While youare about it you might deduce the identity of 'Peter Rabbit. ' I confessI am curious to know who wore Peter's blue jacket and why shedisappeared so suddenly. "

"So am I, " declared Grace. "We must try to find out, too. "

As the merry little party tramped upstairs to their rooms, Grace felt ahand on her shoulder. 

"Do you really want to know who 'Peter Rabbit' was?" whispered Elfreda. 

"Yes, " breathed Grace. 

"Then don't tell the girls. It was Kathleen. "

"Why didn't she unmask with the rest of us?" demanded Grace, as theyreached the head of the stairs. 

"Why didn't she?" repeated Elfreda. "I'll tell you why. She didn't wishany of us to know who she was. Can't you see? She wanted to be one ofthe crowd and she was afraid the girls wouldn't take kindly to her. Sheis beginning to feel that she would like to be liked, and, " Elfredaraised one hand, her index finger pointing upward, "'There is hope. '"

CHAPTER XXI

WHO WILL WIN THE HONOR PIN?

After the Famous Fiction masquerade a noticeable lull in socialactivities at Overton ensued. Except for basketball, which alwaysflourished between midyear and Easter, little occurred to break thestudious wave that swept over the college. There was one topic, however, that furnished food for endless discussion, and that was the senior playcontest. In the beginning a goodly number of girls had entered thelists, imagining that to write a play was an extremely simple matter. After two or three feeble attempts at writing, the majority of them hadgiven up in disgust, and from all that could be learned there were lessthan twenty contestants who had persevered. 

The decision of the judges was to be reserved until after the beginningof the spring term, but the contest closed the Tuesday before the Easterholiday began, and it had been stipulated in the rules that allmanuscripts must be in the hands of the judges on, or previous to, thattime. 

As far as was known, no one from Wayne Hall, save Kathleen West andElfreda, had entered the contest, and even Patience Eliot was not surethat Kathleen had finished and submitted her play. Several timesPatience endeavored adroitly to lead up to the subject, but Kathleeninvariably turned the conversation into other channels. 

"Patience can't find out whether or not Kathleen West entered thecontest, " observed Grace. A week had passed since the beginning of thespring term, and Miriam, Elfreda, Grace and Anne were strolling acrossthe campus enjoying the tender beauty of a late April day. 

[Illustration: The Four Friends Were Strolling Across the Campus. ]

"I imagine she did, " said Miriam. "I have an idea she is likely to win, too. I can appreciate her ability if I can't wax enthusiastic over herdisposition. "

"I am so tired of being asked what my play was about, " declared Anne. "Everyone seems to take it for granted that I wrote one. I only wish Iwere clever enough to write a play or even a sketch. "

"The announcement is to be made to-morrow isn't it?" asked Miriam. 

Grace nodded. "Miss Duncan told me yesterday that there had been onlyfourteen manuscripts handed in. She said at least five of them werereally clever. She and the other judges were to meet last night to talkover the matter and make their final decision. It is to be announced atfive o'clock to-morrow afternoon in the gymnasium. Didn't you see thenotice on the big bulletin board this morning?"

"The girl who wins will stand a chance of having her head completelyturned, " said Miriam. "If she is a senior, her class will bankruptthemselves entertaining her, and if she belongs to one of the otherclasses, her own class will probably prostrate themselves at her feet ina body, not to mention the general adulation that is bound to come tothe winner. "

"Then I hope I win, " was Elfreda's calm statement. "I know I won't, because my play was a comedy, and, besides, I know some one else whoseidea for a play was a hundred times better than mine. "

"Who is it?" The question came simultaneously from Miriam and Grace. 

Elfreda shook her head. "I won't say. The person made me promise Iwouldn't tell. "

"Then we aren't curious to know, " said Grace promptly. "Forget that weasked you. "

"Oh, that's all right, " assured Elfreda. "You'll know soon enough if shewins the honor. "

"What are the latest developments in the campus mystery, ProfessorHolmes?" laughed Grace. 

"There aren't any, " responded Elfreda, shrugging her shoulders. "I foundwhat I supposed to be a clue, and, careful investigator that I am, ranit down, but it led to nothing. However, I haven't given up. I'll solvethe problem yet. The noble name of Briggs shall never be associated withfailure. "

"Any time before commencement, Elfreda, " jeered Miriam. "You might keepit as a parting surprise. We shall need something to help bolster up ourcourage on that last day when the air is rent with good-byes. "

"That isn't a bad idea, " commented Elfreda. "Perhaps I will. I wishto-morrow were here. I am more anxious to know who won the honor prizethan I am to discover who is responsible for our mysterious campushouse. "

"What are you girls going to do this evening?" asked Grace, as theyreached Wayne Hall and seated themselves on the veranda for a fewminutes' further chat before going upstairs to get ready for dinner. 

"I am going to see Ruth and Arline to-night, " announced Anne. "Will yougirls go with me?"

"I can't, " said Miriam regretfully. "I have letters to write. "

"I'll go, " agreed Grace. 

Elfreda alone was silent. 

"And what has J. Elfreda Briggs on her mind?" questioned Anne. 

"I can't go. I have another little investigation to pursue, " saidElfreda pompously. "If it turns out well, I may have something to tellyou girls. "

But that night, when the four chums gathered in Grace's room for a briefsocial session before retiring, Elfreda shook her head soberly whenreminded of her partial promise. "I am sorry, but I didn't saypositively that I'd tell you. "

"Then it didn't turn out well?" from Miriam. 

"No, " replied Elfreda shortly, "it didn't. "

Three pairs of eyes were fixed inquiringly upon Elfreda. "I didn'tpromise to tell you anything, you know, " she reminded bluntly. 

"We are well aware of that fact, my dear Miss Briggs, " laughed Miriam, "but we would appreciate your confidence, and having aroused ourcuriosity you ought to do something to satisfy it. "

"All right, I'll tell you, " decided Elfreda. "I purposely waylaidKathleen West as she was going out of the house to-night and walked asfar as the library with her. I could see she wasn't yearning for mycompany, but I wanted to tell her that I knew she was 'Peter Rabbit' atthe dance. Well, I told her, " continued Elfreda grimly, "but I had hardwork doing it. She talked about everything under the sun and wouldn'tgive me a chance to say a word. And how she did walk! But I kept up withher. I could see she wanted to get away from me. I told her just as wereached the library steps. " Elfreda paused. 

"Well, what did she say?" asked Grace almost impatiently. 

"She said 'good night' and ran up the library steps like a flash. Idon't know whether she was angry or not. I can't see why she should be. "

"Here is something at last that Elfreda can't see, " murmured Miriam. 

"I can see that it will be a long time before I tell you girls anythingagain, " retorted Elfreda, but her smiling face belied her brusque words. 

CHAPTER XXII

KATHLEEN'S GREAT MOMENT

By five o'clock the following afternoon the greater part of the studentsof Overton College had assembled in the gymnasium to learn who had wonthe honor pin. Every pair of eyes was fixed upon Dr. Hepburn as he rosefrom his seat on the platform and faced the gathering of expectantstudents who were eagerly awaiting his announcement. 

"It is with the sincerest pleasure that I rise, this afternoon, toannounce that, after due consideration, the judges appointed by thesenior class play committee to pass judgment upon the plays submittedhave decided in favor of the morality play submitted by Miss KathleenWest, entitled 'Loyalheart; Her Four Years' Pilgrimage. ' It is, perhaps, the most notable manuscript of its kind that has come withinthe notice of any member of the committee during a period covering anumber of years, " continued Dr. Hepburn, "and Miss West is to becongratulated on the merit of her remarkable literary effort. I havealso been requested to say that, in the opinion of the judges, thecomedy entitled 'A Quiet Vacation, ' by Miss J. Elfreda Briggs, was thesecond choice of the committee. "

For an instant after Dr. Hepburn ceased speaking a deep stillnesspervaded the gymnasium, then from all sides rose cries of "KathleenWest! Elfreda Briggs! Speech! speech!"

Dr. Hepburn raised his hand for silence, and when quiet had beenrestored he said, "If Miss Briggs and Miss West are present, will theykindly come to the platform?"

Already Elfreda's three friends were urging her forward. From far backin the gymnasium a little figure was seen to separate itself from itsfellows and come hesitatingly forward. When Kathleen West reached theplatform and faced her audience she eyed them composedly, although herface grew very white; then she began speaking in a clear, resonantvoice:

"I thank you for the honor you have conferred upon me, " she said, bowingto the committee, "and to you, " she bowed to her audience, "for yourtribute of appreciation. I should like to say that in creating thecharacter of 'Loyalheart' I have not drawn upon my fancy, and I knowthat the many lovable qualities with which I have endowed my heroine areto be found in the girl who served as my inspiration. I refer to MissGrace Harlowe, of the senior class, whom I consider the ideal Overtongirl. " Kathleen's voice trembled slightly on the last sentence. Then shewalked quickly down the aisle, accompanied by a burst of applause thatmade the great room ring. 

Grace had listened to Kathleen's little speech with unbelieving ears. Could this be the antagonistic Kathleen West of a few weeks ago? Whathad wrought this marvelous and unlooked-for change? That Elfreda had wonsecond honors had been forgotten. The attention of the students werefocused on Kathleen. Now repeated calls for "Harlowe! Grace Harlowe!"sounded. Emma Dean and Arline escorted her to the platform. 

"I thank Miss West for the honor she has done me, and I thank all ofyou, " she said with a sweet seriousness that went straight to herhearers' hearts. "Although I am afraid I can't lay claim to the splendidqualities Miss West has attributed to me, the knowledge that she hasthought me worthy is doubly dear. " Then Grace hurried to her place verynear to tears, while Miriam affectionately pressed her arm on one sideand Anne, on the other, slipped her hand into that of her friend, andthus the three listened to Elfreda's speech. 

"That's about the most satisfactory general meeting I ever attended, "remarked Emma Dean in Miriam's ear as they stepped outside to thecampus, where groups of girls had halted with a view to hailing theirrespective friends as they passed. 

"I was never more astonished in my life, " returned Miriam, in guardedtones. "As for Elfreda, she can't believe that she won second honors. She insists there must have been a mistake. "

"It was a general all-around surprise, I believe, " confided Emma. "Inever dreamed that Kathleen West entertained any such feeling for Grace, and I don't imagine any one else did, either. When is the honor prize tobe presented to her?"

"On the night of the play. Now that it is all settled, the playcommittee had better bestir themselves. "

"You are on the play committee, aren't you?" asked Emma innocently. 

"You needn't remind me of it, " laughed Miriam. "I hadn't forgotten it, and it is plain to be seen that you hadn't. Elfreda, Anne and RuthDenton are on it, too. Here comes Elfreda, surrounded by an admiringthrong. Genius will out. I knew she would do something extraordinarilyclever before she wound up her college career. "

"We can't find Kathleen West!" exclaimed Elfreda. "She slipped out ofthe gymnasium so quietly that no one realized she had gone. We are goingover to Wayne Hall after her. "

"Where is Grace?" asked Miriam irrelevantly. 

Elfreda made a quick, comprehensive survey of the various groups ofgirls. "Why, I don't see her. She was here----" Something in Miriam'sexpression caused her to eye her roommate sharply. Miriam shook her headalmost imperceptibly. 

"That's so, " returned Elfreda in a low tone. "You never forget anything, do you, Miriam? I will tell the girls to postpone rushing Kathleen untilto-night. " Turning to the crowd of girls, who had been too busy talkingto notice what had passed between her and Miriam, Elfreda said easily:"Suppose we wait until this evening after dinner, girls. Meet me at thecorner below Wayne Hall at half-past seven o'clock and we will call onKathleen and Grace. Miriam will engage to keep them in the house andwe'll have ice cream and cake afterward. "

Elfreda's suggestion was well received, and solemnly winking at Miriam, she pursued her triumphal journey across the campus, quite surrounded byher admiring bodyguard. 

But while her friends were discussing the outcome of the play, KathleenWest, J. Elfreda and Grace, the last named young woman was speedingacross the campus toward Wayne Hall. As she was about to return to herplace among her friends, after making her speech, her alert eyes hadseen a small, familiar figure edge toward the side door of thegymnasium, then disappear. Grace surmised that Kathleen had gonedirectly to Wayne Hall, and without hesitating she hurried after her. But another person had also marked Kathleen's flight, for as Grace ranup the steps of the hall she heard a rush of footsteps behind her, and, turning her head to see who was following her, stopped short, exclaiming, "I might have known that you would be the first to go toher, Patience!"

"That is just what I was thinking of you, " smiled Patience. "But youmust go first. Wasn't it the most astounding announcement you everheard. I am not surprised at her winning the honor pin. It is her changeof heart that astonishes me. I realized that she had improved, but Inever heard of anything like this. I suspect Elfreda Briggs knows moreabout this miracle than she will admit. I overheard her talking toKathleen one night. I didn't mean to listen. I was just about to enterthe room when I heard something Elfreda said and hurried off as fast asI could go. "

"I think Elfreda had a hand in it, too, " said Grace, with shining eyes. "What a glorious success she has made of her four years. Now, one of usmust go to Kathleen. "

"You go, " insisted Patience. "I'll drop in later. "

Grace went into the house and upstairs, hardly knowing what to do orsay. She knocked gently on Kathleen's door, then at sound of a muffled"Come, " turned the knob and stepped inside. Kathleen had thrown herselfface downward upon her couch, her face buried in the cushions. Withoutraising her head, she faltered, "Is it you, Grace?"

"Yes, " answered Grace softly, as she approached the couch on whichKathleen lay. 

"I knew you would come--you and Patience. "

"Patience is downstairs, " returned Grace. "She will be here soon. "

Kathleen raised herself to a sitting posture. Her eyes were very bright. There was no sign of tears in them. "Grace, can you ever forgive me forall the trouble I have caused you?" she asked solemnly. 

"Of course I can, Kathleen, " replied Grace, slipping down on the couchbeside Kathleen and placing her arm about the slender shoulders of thenewspaper girl. "You are not the only one at fault. I blame myself for agreat many things that happened. If we had only known that you wished tobe in the circus. We never thought of slighting you, Kathleen. "

"I know it now, " rejoined Kathleen sadly, "but I was furious with you atthe time. Then, too, I had made up my mind not to like you. I thoughtyou priggish and narrow-minded. I didn't understand college in theleast. I was ready to ride over every Overton tradition for the sake ofhaving my own way. Patience was the first to show me where I stood, andI tried to see matters from her standpoint. Then came the temptation topublish that 'Larry, the Locksmith' story, and you know the rest. 

"Elfreda Briggs was the one who brought me to my first realization ofcollege spirit. She had been watching me all year and discovered that Iwas unhappy. She marched into my room one night and found me crying. When she left me I was happier than I had been for months. She had shownme the way to atone for some of the mischief I had made. It was she whogave me the idea for the play. I had begun a play, then had destroyedit, resolving to have nothing more to do with the contest. After Elfredaand I had our talk I began again and I wrote 'Loyalheart. ' After theFamous Fiction Dance Elfreda came to me again. She was determined tohelp me. "

Grace's face grew radiant when Kathleen told of Elfreda's part in theaffair. A great wave of love and tenderness for the one-time stout girl, who had begun her college life at such a disadvantage, swept over her. "Dear old J. Elfreda, " she murmured. "What a wonder she is!"

"But there is one thing I haven't yet told you, " said Kathleen. "You areto create the role of 'Loyalheart' in my play. You mustn't refuse. Itwas written for you, and no one else could possibly play it. Elfreda isgoing to arrange that part of it with the play committee. Please don'trefuse. If you only knew how much it means to me. " Kathleen's eyes werefixed appealingly upon Grace. 

"I won't refuse, " was Grace's gentle answer. "I'll do it just to pleaseyou and to cement our life-long friendship. " The two girls had risennow, and stood facing each other. Then their hands met in a silentpledge of friendship that was to prove faithful to the end. 

 * * * * *

Loyalheart stepped into life on the fifth Friday evening after Easterand for two hours and a half her adoring audience of Overton studentshung on her slightest word or gesture. From the moment in whichLoyalheart left Haven Home on her Four Years' Pilgrimage she ceased toexist as Grace Harlowe, merging her personality entirely in that of thebeautiful allegorical character she was portraying. 

The play itself was in four acts, each representing one of the fourcollege years. Written in the form of an allegory, it partook of thenature of a morality play and told the story of Loyalheart's eventfulpilgrimage through the Land of College, accompanied by her faithfulfriends, Honor, Forbearance, Silence and Good Humor. Her heroic effortsto keep her four friends with her in spite of the plots of Snobbery, Gossip, Jealousy, Frivolity and Treachery, and her readiness to extend ahelping hand to Diffidence, Poverty and Misunderstood, result in thecreation of an illusive being known to her only as the Spirit, awhite-robed apparition which visits her more frequently as sheapproaches the end of her pilgrimage. At the termination of Senior Lane, which is separated from the Highway of Life by the Gate of Commencement, the Spirit, clothed in glittering raiment, appears to Loyalheart, andshe learns that in helping others and clinging to her ideals she hasfostered and nurtured to radiant growth none other than the fabledCollege Spirit which she has ardently striven to recognize and possess. 

Greatly to her delight, Emma Dean had been asked to play the part of theSpirit, and exhibited real histrionic ability in the role. AsLoyalheart, Grace, who, day after day, had been painstakingly coached byAnne, left nothing to be desired in her portrayal of the role assignedto her. Ruth Denton, Gertrude Wells, and Miriam Nesbit, respectively, enacted the roles of Honor, Forbearance and Silence, while Elfredainsisted on playing Good Humor, and was greeted with appreciativelaughter whenever she appeared. 

The play was written in blank verse, and many of the passages wereextremely beautiful. Loyalheart's farewell to Haven Home and therevelation of the Spirit to Loyalheart at the Highway of Life wereparticularly worthy of note. The speeches of Good Humor scintillatedwith wit, and the unpleasant characters in the play were peculiarly trueto life. Grace took half a dozen curtain calls, and Kathleen West wasalso summoned before the curtain and publicly presented with the honorpin by President Morton. 

It was an evening long to be remembered, and the story of Loyalheart andher pilgrimage was destined to remain in the minds of the Overton girlsfor many a day. 

It was after eleven o 'clock when a very tired Loyalheart went forth ona pilgrimage to Wayne Hall, accompanied by her equally loyal supporters, who were proudly bearing numerous floral offerings which had been handedto Grace over the footlights. 

"I am so tired, " she sighed, "but so happy. It was a beautiful play, wasn't it?"

"And you were the nicest part of it, " said Anne fondly. "Your portrayalof Loyalheart was wonderful. "

"And so was your coaching, " retorted Grace, promptly. 

"It is far from early, " remarked Elfreda in a suggestive tone, as theyhalted for a moment at the head of the stairs, "but we are all here, andI know how to make fruit punch. In fact, I got the stuff ready, thinkingthat it might be useful!"

"We will be in your room within the next ten minutes, " said Gracedecisively. "Such hospitality is not met with every day. "

True to her word, ten minutes later she and Anne were seated on the footof Elfreda's bed, kimono clad and smiling, while Elfreda labored withthe fruit punch. Kathleen West and Patience Eliot, who had also beeninvited to the punch party, were seated on cushions on the floor. 

Suddenly the soft tinkle of a mandolin sounded under the window, then achorus of fresh young voices sang softly:

 "Come, tune your lyre to Kathleen West, Of all the plays hers is the best; Long may she shine, long may she wave, Her shrine we deck with garlands brave; May Fortune bring her world renown-- To Kathleen West, girls, drink her down. "

"How perfectly sweet in them!" exclaimed Kathleen, her color rising. 

"Hush!" Miriam held up her finger. 

 "Dear Loyalheart, we sing to you, O girl so brave and sweet and true, May life to you be wondrous kind, And may you all its treasures find; May skies ne'er threaten you, nor frown-- To Loyalheart, girls, drink her down. "

Owing to the lateness of the play no one at Wayne Hall had had time toretire, and, hearing the music, the girls had with one accord hurried tothe windows. 

"Come on up, Gertrude, " called Grace into the soft darkness. "I knowyour voice. How on earth did you get out of your costume, go home foryour mandolin and manage to land under Miriam's and Elfreda's window, all within half an hour?"

"That's easy. We brought our instruments of torture with us to the play, and Elfreda agreed to have you girls in her room at the time appointed. "

"There is fruit punch enough to go round, and dozens of cakes, " observedan ingratiating voice over Grace's shoulder. 

"We had several more verses to sing, and one for you, Elfreda. If youwill ask Mrs. Elwood's permission, we will come up, sing them andincidentally sample the punch and the cakes, " stipulated Gertrude. 

There were seven girls in the party of serenaders--Gertrude, Arline, Ruth Denton, the Emerson twins, Elizabeth Wade and Marian Cummings. Whenthe last cake had disappeared and the punch was almost gone, theserenading party sang the rest of their verses and departed gayly, yetin spite of their gayety there lurked in each heart the shadow of theparting that was to come all too soon. 

CHAPTER XXIII

GRACE FINDS HER WORK

Commencement day dawned smilingly, as though anxious to contribute tothe happiness of the four chums by putting on its most sunshiny face. Acool breeze swept across the campus, and, according to J. ElfredaBriggs, one didn't really mind being graduated on such a day. 

The hotels of Overton were well filled with friends and relatives of thegraduates. The Southards, Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Pierson and her daughter Mary, together with Mrs. Allison, Mabel and the remainder of the EightOriginals Plus Two had been staying at the "Tourraine" for the past twodays. Elfreda's father and mother had also arrived and were staying atthe "Wilton, " an old-fashioned hotel near the campus. The four chumsfound it somewhat of a problem to divide their time equally among theirclassmates, friends and families. During those last days theiropportunities for confidential talks came only at the end of theevening, when, having bade a round of affectionate good-nights, theyspent a few moments in either Grace's or Miriam's room before retiring. 

"I feel at least a hundred years old to-day, " announced J. ElfredaBriggs, as she stood arranging her hair before the mirror preparatory toputting on her cap and gown. 

"Yes, you look quite like some grand old ruin, " observed Miriam soberly, as she unearthed her slippers from the depths of her closet and huntedvainly about for a shoe horn. 

Elfreda laid her comb on the dressing table, grinned her appreciation ofthis pleasantry, then, giving her smoothly coiffed hair a last pat, reached for her cap. "I am so glad I can wear black without looking likea funeral procession, " she observed. 

"Hurry, girls, " sounded Grace's clear tones outside their door. "It istime we were on our way. "

"Coming, " called Miriam, springing from the edge of the bed, where shehad sat to put on her slippers, and hastily adjusting her cap. In thenext instant the four friends accompanied by Emma Dean were hurryingacross the campus to the gymnasium, where the senior class were to meet, then proceed in a body to the chapel, where the commencement exerciseswere to be held. 

The little procession of seniors walked two by two to the chapel, and toGrace, who walked with Anne, it seemed the most wonderful moment of herlife. She marked the calm, almost exalted expression which Anne wore. Elfreda and Miriam, looking very stately in their black gowns, were justahead of her and Anne, while Arline and Ruth Denton were directly behindthem. As they walked sedately down the aisle of the chapel to the placesreserved for them, Grace's eyes searched the rows of seats for herfather and mother, whom she spied when almost opposite them. Just as shepassed their row she managed to send one tender little glance to them, which caused their faces to glow with pride as their fond eyes followedthe straight, supple figure of their daughter who had so amply fulfilledtheir expectations. 

The exercises, while impressive to the friends of the graduates, weredoubly so to the graduates themselves, who were deeply conscious of thefact that their diplomas were their passports into the real world ofwork and endeavor that was now about to open before them. 

At the conclusion of the exercises the usual gifts and endowments to thecollege were announced. Among them was Thomas Redfield's annual gift tothe Semper Fidelis Club, which brought forth a quick tribute of applausefrom the seniors, which was seconded by the entire assemblage. "Andlastly allow me to mention the latest and one of the most acceptablegifts ever bestowed upon the college, " stated President Morton. 

Grace bowed her head. She had reached the very end of Senior Lane. A fewmoments and her college life would be over. She had finished her course. She had kept faith with herself, and now there remained the wide worldand her work, whatever that might be. Her reflections were brought to anabrupt end by what President Morton was saying. She raised her head insudden amazement. "I refer to the newly completed house at the northernend of the campus, " she heard, "presented to Overton and endowed by Mrs. Rose Gray as a mark of appreciation of her young friends, Grace Harlowe, Miriam Nesbit and Anne Pierson. It is Mrs. Gray's wish that her gift toOverton College shall be known henceforth and forever as 'HarloweHouse. '"

Absolute silence reigned for an instant after this announcement, thenthe quiet chapel echoed with the applause of the enthusiasticassemblage. President Morton waited until he could make himself heard, then went on to explain more fully that Harlowe House was to bededicated to the use of those girls who were making a struggle toacquire a college education. Then there was more applause, and Mrs. Graywas asked to address the graduates. 

"And to think, " said Grace, as, a little later, she stood with Miriam, Anne and Elfreda outside the chapel, surrounded by those she loved, "that I know at last what my work is going to be. "

"But we don't know, " reminded her father, almost wistfully. 

"There is only one thing for me to do, " laughed Grace, her eyes shining, "and that is----"

"Oh, I know, " interposed Elfreda, "you're coming back to the campus tolook after Harlowe House. "

"You could see that, couldn't you, Elfreda?" laughed Miriam. 

"How did you guess it?" asked Grace. "Yes, I should like to come back ifFather and Mother can spare me. "

"The rest of her friends don't count, " commented Hippy Wingate. 

"You know they do, Hippy, " smiled Grace. "I must have the permission andgood will of all of them if my work is to be a success. "

"You have your mother's and my full consent, Grace, " said her fatherloyally. 

Grace made a little movement toward her parents, slipping in betweenthem and catching a hand of each. "There is only one thing I can say, and I've said it hundreds of times before, You are the dearest fatherand mother a girl ever had. "

 * * * * *

It was rather a silent quartette that gathered for the last time inGrace's room that night. Emma Dean had left Overton on the eveningtrain. So had Patience Eliot, Kathleen West and Laura Atkins. Thesophomores of Wayne Hall had departed before commencement, and to-nightthe house was very quiet. 

"And to-morrow is another day, " observed Elfreda. 

"So it is, my child, " agreed Miriam, "but we shall spend it on thetrain. "

"Do you remember one day, ages ago, when Elfreda Briggs deposited hersuit case on Grace Harlowe's feet and made herself comfortable. Wasn't Ia vandal?"

"Think what we all might have missed if we hadn't acquired a proprietaryinterest in Elfreda that day. "

"And now you can't lose me. There, that is the first slang I've used formonths, and on commencement day, too. "

"Never mind, Elfreda. It is forcible at least. But we don't wish to loseyou. You must keep your promise and come to Oakdale this summer. "

"I will, " promised Elfreda; "and now suppose we have one last sad teaparty. "

It was almost midnight before Miriam and Elfreda went softly down theoppressively quiet hall to their room. 

"Are you happy, Anne?" asked Grace, slipping her arm about her friendand drawing her to the window where, dark against the moonlit sky, rosethe tower of Overton Hall. 

"Almost too happy for words, and yet I dread leaving Overton. "

"You must come back next year and visit me. I do hope I shall make agood house mother. Do you know, Anne, in my mind I've already picked outa motto to hang over my door. It is, 'Blessed are they that have foundtheir work. '"

CHAPTER XXIV

CONCLUSION

The full moon shone down with his broadest smile on the group of youngpeople who occupied Mrs. Gray's roomy, old-fashioned veranda. 

"We're here because we're here, " caroled Hippy Wingate, balancinghimself on the edge of the porch rail, both arms outspread to show howsuccessfully he could sit on the narrow railing without support. 

"You won't be 'here' very long, " cautioned Miriam Nesbit. "You arelikely to land in that rose bush just below you. It's a very thorny one, too. I know, because I tried to pull a rose from it only a little whileago. Remember, I have warned you. "

"Don't worry over me, Miriam, " declared Hippy airily, pretending to losehis balance and recovering himself with an exaggerated jerk. 

"Oh, I am not worrying, " retorted Miriam. "If _you_ fall backward intothat rose bush it won't hurt _me_. "

"Did I say it would, my child?" asked Hippy serenely. 

"Don't answer him, Miriam, " advised Nora. "He is like Tennyson's'Brooklet, ' he goes on forever. "

"How peaceful and quiet it was in Oakdale until yesterday, " was Hippy'ssorrowful comment. "'Gone are the days when my heart was light and gay, 'etc. "

"It will be not merely a case of bygone days, but bygone Hippy as well, "threatened David. "Reddy and I intend to defend our friends against yourpersonal attacks. "

"I wasn't personal, " beamed Hippy. "I didn't say anything about any one. I merely observed that since yesterday Oakdale had become a howlingwilderness----"

Hippy did not stop to finish his speech, but, nimbly dodging David andReddy Brooks, who rose from the porch, determination written on theirfaces, bounded down the steps and disappeared around the corner of thehouse. 

"He is the same Hippy who made life merry for us eight years ago when wewere high school freshmen, " smiled Grace. "He hasn't changed in theleast. "

"None of my Christmas children have changed, " was Mrs. Gray's fondretort. 

"Neither has our fairy godmother, " reminded Anne. 

"I never feel grown up or responsible when we all gather home, " saidJessica. 

"And yet Tom is on his first vacation from work, David and Reddy arerising young business men, and Hippy is studying law, " reminded Grace. 

"Yes, but I don't like it, " remarked a plaintive voice, as a fat faceappeared around the corner of the porch. "I want to be a brakeman. "

It was impossible not to laugh at Hippy, and, encouraged by themerriment, he cautiously climbed the steps of the porch and returned tohis precarious perch upon the railing. 

 "I want to be a brakeman, And with the brakemen stay, I'd ride upon the choo-choo cars Through all the livelong day, "

he warbled, rocking backward and forward in time to his song. 

"Why don't you go down to the railroad yard and put in your application, then?" was Reddy's stolid advice. "If I intended to be a brakeman Iwouldn't study law. "

"Alas! I am obliged to obey the wishes of my cruel parents, " whinedHippy. "I am seriously contemplating wrapping a few little things in ahandkerchief and leaving home forever. I remember once when I was veryyoung and unsophisticated I decided upon this step. I was deeplyincensed with Father because he had punished me for playing truant fromschool. I went upstairs to my room and packed three neckties, a boxingglove, two books, a baseball and a picture of myself in baseball clothesin a suit case. I carried the bat, and as a last precaution I took a toypistol and my bank, which boasted of sixty-four cents. I started atabout eight o'clock in the evening and went as far as the summer houseat the lower end of our grounds. I sat down to rest, went to sleep andwoke up about two o'clock in the morning. Then I discovered that I wasafraid of the dark and didn't dare go even as far as the house. I creptinto the summer house and stayed there until morning; then I went home, suit case and all. I managed to get into the house before any one elsewas up, but I decided there were worse places than home. However, if thebrakeman aspiration proves too strong I may be obliged to leave homeagain. After all, it may be my vocation. "

"Hippy Wingate, when will you be sensible?" asked Nora O'Malley. 

"Never, I am afraid. You see, my associations tend to make me foolish. Birds of a feather, you know, and when one's intimate friends----" Hippypaused. "You understand I don't like to say that you in particular areresponsible, but----"

"I'll never forgive you for that, " declared Nora. 

"Then that means that our engagement----"

Hippy was not allowed to finish. A shout went up from the others, and heand Nora were surrounded. 

"Hippy, how could you?" The pink in Nora's cheeks deepened, but she didnot deny his statement. 

"Nora, come here, " commanded Mrs. Gray. 

Nora obeyed with a shyness entirely foreign to her. Putting her fingerunder Nora's rounded chin, Mrs. Gray looked smilingly into the piquantface. Then she drew the girl within her circling arm and kissed her. Grace, Miriam, Anne and Jessica followed suit. 

"Now it is your turn, Jessica and Reddy, " said Nora pointedly. 

Jessica's pale face grew scarlet. She looked appealingly toward Reddy, who sat beside her, then they rose and, taking her hand in his, Reddysaid with a world of affection in his voice, "Jessica has promised tomarry me in the fall. " Jessica and Reddy were immediately surrounded. 

"Will surprises never cease?" exclaimed Grace, regarding her betrothedfriends with loving eyes. "Now I begin to believe that we have reallygrown up. "

"_You_ haven't, " retorted Tom Gray in a low tone which Grace aloneheard. 

"Give me a year or two in which to do my work, and perhaps I will, " saidGrace softly. 

"Do you really mean that, Grace?" asked Tom eagerly. 

"I think I do, Tom, " hesitated Grace, "but I can't promise you what youwish, yet. "

"By the low, significant tones over in Grace's corner I imagine anotherengagement is about to be announced, " remarked Hippy, grinning broadly. All eyes were immediately turned upon Grace and Tom. 

Grace met their gaze with a shake of her head. "No, " she said, "Tom andI are not even engaged. I must be free to go back to Overton next yearto do my work there. I must look after my house for one year at least. "

Tom's face clouded, but he said no more. David, too, was strangelysilent. Anne had accepted an engagement to tour America with EverettSouthard in Shakespearean roles the next season. Miss Southard was toaccompany them on the tour. Still, David had the satisfaction of knowingthat Anne loved him and that some day she would be his wife, although, like Grace, she would neither bind herself by a promise nor allow him toplace his ring upon her finger. 

A little silence followed the announcement of the engagement of part ofMrs. Gray's Christmas children. Hippy had resumed his position on therailing, while Nora had slipped to the seat beside Grace, her hand inthat of her friend. The little company of young people realized, to aperson, that for them life was taking on a strange and earnest meaning, while Mrs. Gray, in spite of this garland of youth with which shedelighted to beautify her latter days, felt very, very old. 

Suddenly the silence was rudely broken. Hippy, who was more embarrassedthan he cared to indicate, leaned too far back and lost his balance. There was a horrified gasp, a pair of stout legs waved in the air, andTheophilus Hippopotamus Wingate, as he invariably styled himself, fulfilled Miriam's prediction to the letter, and crashed ignominiouslyinto the prickly arms of the big rose bush. 

"There is no use in trying to be retrospective while Hippy is with us, "declared Mrs. Gray when their mirth had subsided and Hippy had clamberedto his feet. A long scratch ornamented one fat cheek and his handsshowed the result of his fall among thorns. But his smile was as wide asever. 

"Poor Hippy, " sympathized Miriam. "I'm so sorry. "

"Then stop laughing, " retorted Hippy. 

"Yes, I'm sorry--for the rosebush, " jeered Reddy. 

Those who have learned to look upon Grace Harlowe and her companions asfriends of old standing will meet her again in the near future. In"Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus" they will find herat Harlowe House and learn just how successfully she carried on herchosen work. 

THE END. 

 * * * * *

 HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY'S

 Best and Least Expensive Books for Boys and Girls

 The Motor Boat Club Series

 By H. IRVING HANCOCK

 The keynote of these books is manliness. The stories are wonderfully entertaining, and they are at the same time sound and wholesome. No boy will willingly lay down an unfinished book in this series. 

 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OF THE KENNEBEC; Or, The Secret of Smugglers' Island. 

 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT NANTUCKET; Or, The Mystery of the Dunstan Heir. 

 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OFF LONG ISLAND; Or, A Daring Marine Game at Racing Speed. 

 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND THE WIRELESS; Or, The Dot, Dash and Dare Cruise. 

 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB IN FLORIDA; Or, Laying the Ghost of Alligator Swamp. 

 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT THE GOLDEN GATE; Or, A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog. 

 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB ON THE GREAT LAKES; Or, The Flying Dutchman of the Big Fresh Water. 

 Battleship Boys Series

 By FRANK GEE PATCHIN

 These stories throb with, the life of young Americans on today's huge drab Dreadnaughts. 

 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS AT SEA; Or, Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam's Navy. 

 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS' FIRST STEP UPWARD; Or, Winning Their Grades as Petty Officers. 

 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN FOREIGN SERVICE; Or, Earning New Ratings in European Seas. 

 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE TROPICS; Or, Upholding the American Flag in a Honduras Revolution. 

 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE WARDROOM; Or, Winning their Commissions as Line Officers. 

 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS WITH THE ADRIATIC CHASERS; Or, Blocking the Path of the Undersea Raiders. 

 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS' SKY PATROL; Or, Fighting the Hun from above the Clouds. 

 The Range and Grange Hustlers

 By FRANK GEE PATCHIN

 Have you any idea of the excitements, the glories of life or great ranches in the West? Any bright boy will "devour" the books of this series, once he has made a start with the first volume. 

 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE RANCH; Or, The Boy Shepherds of the Great Divide. 

 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS' GREATEST ROUND-UP; Or, Pitting Their Wits Against a Packers' Combine. 

 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE PLAINS; Or, Following the Steam Plows Across the Prairie. 

 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS AT CHICAGO; Or, The Conspiracy of the Wheat Pit. 

 Submarine Boys Series

 By VICTOR G. DURHAM

 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY; Or, Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat. 

 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' TRIAL TRIP; Or, "Making Good" as Young Experts. 

 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MIDDIES; Or, The Prize Detail at Annapolis. 

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 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' LIGHTNING CRUISE; Or, The Young Kings of the Deep. 

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 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SMUGGLERS; Or, Breaking Up the New Jersey Customs Frauds. 

 Grace Harlowe Overseas Series

 GRACE HARLOWE OVERSEAS. 

 GRACE HARLOWE WITH THE RED CROSS IN FRANCE. 

 GRACE HARLOWE WITH THE MARINES AT CHATEAU THIERRY. 

 GRACE HARLOWE WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN THE ARGONNE. 

 The College Girls Series

 By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A. M. 

 GRACE HARLOWE'S FIRST YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE. 

 GRACE HARLOWE'S SECOND YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE. 

 GRACE HARLOWE'S THIRD YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE. 

 GRACE HARLOWE'S FOURTH YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE. 

 GRACE HARLOWE'S RETURN TO OVERTON CAMPUS. 

 GRACE HARLOWE'S PROBLEM. 

 GRACE HARLOWE'S GOLDEN SUMMER. 

 Pony Rider Boys Series

 By FRANK GEE PATCHIN

 These tales may be aptly described the best books for boys and girls. 

 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ROCKIES; Or, The Secret of the Lost Claim. 

 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The Veiled Riddle of the Plains. 

 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN MONTANA; Or, The Mystery of the Old Custer Trail. 

 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS; Or, The Secret of Ruby Mountain. 

 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ALKALI; Or, Finding a Key to the Desert Maze. 

 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN NEW MEXICO; Or, The End of the Silver Trail. 

 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON; Or, The Mystery of Bright Angel Gulch. 

 The Boys of Steel Series

 By JAMES R. MEARS

 Each book presents vivid picture of this great industry. Each story is full of adventure and fascination. 

 THE IRON BOYS IN THE MINES; Or, Starting at the Bottom of the Shaft. 

 THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN; Or, Heading the Diamond Drill Shift. 

 THE IRON BOYS ON THE ORE BOATS; Or, Roughing It on the Great Lakes. 

 THE IRON BOYS IN THE STEEL MILLS; Or, Beginning Anew in the Cinder Pits. 

 The Madge Morton Books

 By AMY D. V. CHALMERS

 MADGE MORTON-CAPTAIN OF THE MERRY MAID. 

 MADGE MORTON'S SECRET. 

 MADGE MORTON'S TRUST. 

 MADGE MORTON'S VICTORY. 

 West Point Series

 By H. IRVING HANCOCK

 The principal characters in these narratives are manly, young Americans whose doings will inspire all boy readers. 

 DICK PRESCOTT'S FIRST YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet Gray. 

 DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life. 

 DICK PRESCOTT'S THIRD YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Standing Firm for Flag and Honor. 

 DICK PRESCOTT'S FOURTH YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps. 

 Annapolis Series

 By H. IRVING HANCOCK

 The Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted in these volumes. 

 DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Plebe Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy. 

 DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters. "

 DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Leaders of the Second Class Midshipmen. 

 DAVE DARRIN'S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise. 

 The Young Engineers Series

 By H. IRVING HANCOCK

 The heroes of these stories are known to readers of the High School Boys Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton prove worthy of all the traditions of Dick & Co. 

 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN COLORADO; Or, At Railroad Building in Earnest. 

 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA; Or, Laying Tracks on the "Man-Killer" Quicksand. 

 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN NEVADA; Or, Seeking Fortune on the Turn of a Pick. 

 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN MEXICO; Or, Fighting the Mine Swindlers. 

 Boys of the Army Series

 By H. IRVING HANCOCK

 These books breathe the life and spirit of the United States Army of to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described by a master pen. 

 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS; Or, Two Recruits in the United States Army. 

 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY; Or, Winning Corporal's Chevrons. 

 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS; Or, Handling Their First Real Commands. 

 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Or, Following the Flag Against the Moros. 

 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS LIEUTENANTS; Or, Serving Old Glory as Line Officers. 

 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS WITH PERSHING; Or, Dick Prescott at Grips with the Boche. 

 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS SMASH THE GERMANS; Or, Winding Up the Great War. 

 Dave Darrin Series

 By H. IRVING HANCOCK

 DAVE DARRIN AT VERA CRUZ; Or, Fighting With the U. S. Navy in Mexico. 

 DAVE DARRIN ON MEDITERRANEAN SERVICE. 

 DAVE DARRIN'S SOUTH AMERICAN CRUISE. 

 DAVE DARRIN ON THE ASIATIC STATION. 

 DAVE DARRIN AND THE GERMAN SUBMARINES. 

 DAVE DARRIN AFTER THE MINE LAYERS; Or, Hitting the Enemy a Hard Naval Blow. 

 The Meadow-Brook Girls Series

 By JANET ALDRIDGE

 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS UNDER CANVAS. 

 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ACROSS COUNTRY. 

 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS AFLOAT. 

 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS IN THE HILLS. 

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 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ON THE TENNIS COURTS. 

 High School Boys Series

 By H. IRVING HANCOCK

 In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck. Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating volumes. 

 THE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN; Or, Dick & Co. 's First Year Pranks and Sports. 

 THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER; Or, Dick & Co. On the Gridley Diamond. 

 THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END; Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football Gridiron. 

 THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM; Or, Dick & Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard. 

 Grammar School Boys Series

 By H. IRVING HANCOCK

 This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar School boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy. 

 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS OF GRIDLEY; Or, Dick & Co. Start Things Moving. 

 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND; Or, Dick & Co. At Winter Sports. 

 THE, GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS; Or, Dick & Co. Trail Fun and Knowledge. 

 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS; Or, Dick & Co. Make Their Fame Secure. 

 High School Boys' Vacation Series

 By H. IRVING HANCOCK

 "Give us more Dick Prescott books!"

 This has been the burden of the cry from young readers of the country over. Almost numberless letters have been received by the publishers, making this eager demand; for Dick Prescott, Dave Darrin, Tom Reade, and the other members of Dick & Co. Are the most popular high school boys in the land. Boys will alternately thrill and chuckle when reading these splendid narratives. 

 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' CANOE CLUB; Or, Dick & Co. 's Rivals on Lake Pleasant. 

 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER CAMP; Or, The Dick Prescott Six Training for the Gridley Eleven. 

 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' FISHING TRIP; Or, Dick & Co. In the Wilderness. 

 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' TRAINING HIKE; Or, Dick & Co. Making Themselves "Hard as Nails. "

 The Circus Boys Series

 By EDGAR B. P. DARLINGTON

 Mr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely interesting and exciting life. 

 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making the Start in the Sawdust Life. 

 THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or, Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark. 

 THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South. 

 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on the Big River. 

 The High School Girls Series

 By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A. M. 

 These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the reader fairly by storm. 

 GRACE HARLOWE'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Merry Doings of the Oakdale Freshman Girls. 

 GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and Athletics. 

 GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, Fast Friends in the Sororities. 

 GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Parting of the Ways. 

 The Automobile Girls Series

 By LAURA DENT CRANE

 No girl's library--no family book-case can be considered at all complete unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books. 

 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Summer Parade. 

 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; Or, The Ghost of Lost Man's Trail. 

 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy Hollow. 

 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out Against Heavy Odds. 

 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM BEACH; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under Southern Skies. 

 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT WASHINGTON; Or, Checkmating the Plots of Foreign Spies.