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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Briarwood Girls, by Julia Lestarjette Glover
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Briarwood Girls
+
+Author: Julia Lestarjette Glover
+
+Release Date: January 9, 2011 [EBook #34894]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRIARWOOD GIRLS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Josephine Paolucci
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BRIARWOOD GIRLS
+
+[Illustration]
+
+BY
+
+JULIA LESTARJETTE GLOVER
+
+"_I follow, follow, sure to meet the sun,
+And confident that what the future yields
+Will be the right, unless myself be wrong._"
+
+THE BOOK CONCERN
+COLUMBUS, OHIO
+
+
+MADE IN
+Columbus
+
+U.S.A.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER                              PAGE
+
+I. Alison's Wonderful Lamp              5
+
+II. Briarwood College                  19
+
+III. Some of the Girls                 25
+
+IV. Essays and Essays                  31
+
+V. The Tangled Skein                   38
+
+VI. Mysteries                          47
+
+VII. Without Leave                     54
+
+VIII. In Miss Harland's Office         64
+
+IX. Adventure of the Lamp              70
+
+X. Discoveries                         79
+
+XI. Class Prophecy                     89
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+ALISON'S WONDERFUL LAMP
+
+
+"Mother, isn't there _any_ way for me to go back?"
+
+It was the first of June, and Alison Fair, just returned home for
+vacation at the end of her Freshman year, found herself confronted with
+the staggering knowledge that she could not return to Briarwood to
+finish her college course, so well and happily begun.
+
+It was her mother who told her, breaking the hard news as gently as she
+could, that the pressure of hard times and financial stress made it
+impossible for her father to think of sending her back in the fall. She
+told it very tenderly and lovingly, making it clear that only stern
+necessity compelled them to deny her the opportunity; but the tenderness
+could not alter the hard fact.
+
+"You are not more disappointed than we are, darling," she said. "I would
+not have told you so soon, but it would be worse if I would leave you
+under the impression that you can return to Briarwood College. You will
+be brave, and try not to distress your father by showing your
+disappointment too much. I know how hard it is, dear. But be patient,
+and perhaps some way will open. You are only sixteen, you can afford to
+wait a little."
+
+Alison swallowed the lump in her throat and said nothing. Wait--yes--but
+then she could not go on with her class--with Polly and Evelyn and Joan
+and the rest. And next year they would be Sophomores--and the fun and
+study would go on, and she would not be there; she would be out of it
+all. No other girls would be just the same as those girls, her chums of
+the Freshman year. And then she asked her one despairing question:
+
+"Mother, isn't there _any_ way for me to go back?"
+
+But even as she asked it, she knew the answer, and gave it herself. "No,
+I know there isn't. Father would send me if he could. I'll try to be
+patient, mother. Don't worry. Don't mind, mother--" seeing that her
+mother's tears were flowing. "I'll try not to think of it or talk of it
+any more. I've had one year, anyway. And maybe I can take a
+correspondence course, or something--"
+
+She tried to speak bravely, but it was more than she could manage just
+now, and she hastily kissed her mother, and ran away to have it out by
+herself.
+
+The children thought it strange that "Sister," suddenly stopped talking
+of her college experiences and the pranks and frolics of the girls. To
+their questions and demands to hear more, she would reply quietly,
+"There isn't anything more to tell you, Floss. I guess I talked myself
+out those first few days. Now I want to hear all you have been doing
+during all the months I've been away."
+
+Which effectually diverted the attention of Floss and Billy and Mat and
+opened a flood of reminiscences of their own school life, to which she
+tried to listen patiently.
+
+The summer dragged on. Alison had looked forward to it--and beyond
+it--with such eager pleasure; but the thought that she was not to go
+back seemed to take all the zest from life. Letters came from the
+girls--from Evelyn in the mountains, from Polly at the seaside, from
+Joan and Katherine in Europe--all telling of the good times they were
+having, and looking forward to their reunion at Briarwood in September.
+And she would not be there. Trying not to show her disappointment too
+much, not to distress her father and mother, was as far as Alison could
+get. She could not look forward; there seemed nothing to look forward
+to. And to look back to the happy days of last winter was more than she
+could bear.
+
+So the days passed, and grew into weeks. August came, with glowing sun
+and deep blue skies. Summer was at its glorious height. One bright
+morning Billy came whistling in with the mail; a letter for Alison from
+Joan, her roommate of last winter, and a long, legal-looking envelope
+for Mr. Fair. Both became absorbed, and Alison, deep in Joan's news,
+scarcely heard when her father said gravely,
+
+"Aunt Justina is dead."
+
+"Who is Aunt Justina?" asked Floss with some curiosity, wondering why
+father looked so "funny."
+
+"An old great-aunt of mine, who lived far away, in New England. You
+children have scarcely heard of her, perhaps, but I used often to be at
+her house, as a boy, in my holidays. Now she is dead, and her lawyer has
+sent me a copy of her will. Wait, I will read it."
+
+He unfolded a stiff typewritten document. All the family were listening
+now. Alison folded up Joan's sheet and looked up, interested.
+
+"Did she leave you anything, father?" Floss inquired. "Was she very
+rich?"
+
+"No, not very. She was eccentric, and I never expected anything from
+her. No, she has left me nothing. Most of her money was left to
+charities; but she has left you, Alison, a bequest. Whether it is of any
+value or not we cannot tell until we see it. Here it is in the will: 'To
+my great niece, Alison Fair, my brass lamp which stands on my dresser,
+with a letter, which I direct shall be sent to her along with it.'
+
+"The lawyer says: 'The lamp has been forwarded by express, the letter
+being enclosed with it.' It will probably arrive today, and you can see
+for yourself what Aunt Justina's legacy is like. It may be valuable; she
+had a fancy for collecting antiques, and she traveled a good deal in her
+younger days. On the other hand, it may be merely an old lamp on which
+she set some fictitious value. So don't raise your expectations too
+high."
+
+The thought crossed Alison's mind: "I wish she had left me its value in
+money instead;" but she did not say it aloud. It seemed unsuitable to
+think of money when Aunt Justina was just dead, though she could not be
+expected to grieve over-much for an aged relative whom she had never
+seen.
+
+Later in the day the expressman brought a box for Alison. The family
+crowded around, all eager to help in unpacking the legacy. It was
+beautifully packed, and as layer after layer of wrappings was lifted
+off, curiosity rose to an almost irrepressible height. Finally the lamp
+itself came into view, a beautiful thing of shining brass; ancient
+Venetian work, hammered and beaten into a shape of exquisite loveliness
+by artist fingers, long since dust.
+
+A cry of admiration arose as Alison lifted it from the last swathings
+and held it up to view. The letter from Aunt Justina was tied to one
+side, and she unfastened it with fingers that shook a little. It was a
+message from the dead. It was so strange that that old lady, so far
+away, should have thought of her and sent her this beautiful thing, and
+written her a letter with her own trembling hand. With an odd feeling of
+unreality she unfolded the letter and read it aloud to her excited
+family.
+
+     "My dear great-niece, Alison," it began, "You have never
+     seen me, perhaps you have never heard of me, until you will
+     read this, after my death; and you will think it strange,
+     perhaps, that I should take enough interest in you to send
+     you my favorite lamp. Your father was my favorite nephew,
+     and I had intended to make him my heir; but he displeased me
+     by taking his own way in life, instead of the one I had
+     planned for him. He had a right, I suppose, to do as he
+     thought best, and I was wrong to try to force him to do as I
+     wished. Whether he was wise or not, time will show. I am a
+     lonely old woman with none of my own near me in my last
+     years.
+
+     "I declared I would leave his name out of my will, and I
+     must keep my word; but I have followed his career closely
+     enough to know something of his family and circumstances.
+     And so, though I am leaving him nothing, I want to leave to
+     his eldest daughter a small token of my interest and
+     affection. Take it, my dear, as an old woman's freak. I
+     bought it long ago in a quaint old shop in Venice. It is not
+     an heirloom, and if you should some day wish to sell it, you
+     may do so. On one condition, however: That is, that you keep
+     it, _as it is_, until you are in some strait when no other
+     help is available. Then, if you have exhausted all other
+     resources, fill the lamp and light it. It may cast a light
+     on your perplexities.
+
+     "Until then, keep it bright in remembrance of
+
+                   "Your affectionate aunt,
+
+                   "Justina Laurence."
+
+
+
+A chorus of exclamations broke forth as Alison ceased reading. "What a
+strange old lady! Father, was she really angry with you for not doing as
+she wanted? And what was it?"
+
+"She wanted me to go into politics, backed by her money; but I had no
+fancy for a politician's career, and I refused. Poor Aunt Justina! She
+was a very ambitious woman, and would have liked to see me President.
+Well, I am glad she felt more kindly at the last. I never wanted her
+money; but I am glad she has remembered you, daughter," said Mr. Fair,
+examining Alison's legacy with interest.
+
+"Keep it bright! Why, you can see your face in it now," cried Floss,
+peering into its shining sides. "Sister, I don't see how you can wait to
+'fill and light it.' I would like to see it lighted right away."
+
+"But she says, 'Keep it as it is until you are in some strait,'" said
+Alison thoughtfully. "I would rather do just as she wished."
+
+"So it will be just an ornament to stand on your table," said Billy
+disgustedly. "What a cranky old lady! What good will it do you?"
+
+But Alison was not listening to him. A thought had flashed into her
+mind, and glancing at her mother she read the same thought in her eyes.
+Quietly she lifted her "wonderful lamp" and placed it in the center of
+the table for all to admire.
+
+Then she went away to her own room to think it over. Was she ever likely
+to be in a much greater strait than she was now? And would not Aunt
+Justina want her to go to college? If the lamp was to shed light on her
+perplexities, surely now was the time it was needed.
+
+A tap at the door heralded her mother. "What is my daughter thinking
+of?" she asked, smiling.
+
+"Of the same thing you are, mother. I see it in your face. Would it be
+against Aunt Justina's wishes, to light the lamp now? She must have
+meant _something_. And--if there is nothing more, after all--if it does
+not 'shed light on my perplexities,' at any rate, it is valuable in
+itself. But--I could hardly need its help more than I do now."
+
+"I thought of that, too, Alison, and I think it could not be wrong to
+investigate. Shall we fill it now, and wait until dark to light it?"
+
+The question settled, they all gathered round while Alison unscrewed the
+old-fashioned burner of the lamp. "Maybe there is some magic about it,"
+she said, laughing nervously. "I feel like Aladdin. Shall I try rubbing
+it first? But it doesn't need any rubbing to brighten it."
+
+The screw was a little stiff, but presently it turned. She removed it
+and peered curiously in the top.
+
+"It is stuffed full of paper," she said. "More packing, I suppose. Wait
+till I pull it out."
+
+"Careful," her father said, as she drew out a folded paper. He took it
+from her, and waited while she drew out another and another of the thin
+folded slips, until he had a handful. The bowl was large, and held a
+good many of those folded papers. When Alison had drawn out the last
+one, and turned to him, quite pale with excitement, he placed the packet
+in her hand.
+
+"Alison, child, it is two thousand dollars!"
+
+"Two thousand! Oh, father! Oh, mother!"
+
+The children wondered why "Sister" should cry because her wonderful lamp
+was full of money; but her mother understood.
+
+"Only I don't feel that it ought to be mine," she said presently. "It
+ought to be yours, father. Please take it. I am sure Aunt Justina meant
+it for you. It is too much money for me to spend."
+
+"No, little daughter. I think Aunt Justina knew very well what she was
+about. She wanted me to know that she had forgiven my obstinacy, and so
+she left it to my daughter. You may use it with a clear conscience. You
+have borne the disappointment bravely, and we are glad you should have
+this bequest."
+
+He kissed her, and Alison hid her face on his shoulder for a moment,
+quite overcome with joy and surprise and gratitude, and then ran away to
+her own room without another word.
+
+"Mother," she said later, when it had been talked over and decided that
+she was to go back to Briarwood in September, "I wish Aunt Justina
+could know how happy she has made me."
+
+"Perhaps she does; and if so, I am sure it would please her to know that
+you are making a wise and good use of her legacy; all the more because
+these weeks of trial and disappointment have taught you the value of the
+school years; and the discipline of patience will have made you stronger
+and better able to use them wisely."
+
+"Oh, I will; and I hope Aunt Justina knows," breathed Alison, dimming
+the shining surface of her wonderful lamp with a few happy tears.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+BRIARWOOD COLLEGE
+
+
+Briarwood College was built on a terraced hillside, the buildings rising
+one above the other, the lowest, or Main Building, on a level with the
+street that ran at right angles with the hillside, while the topmost,
+known as "Hillview," crowned the summit and commanded a view of near and
+distant hills, blue, purple and opal-tinted, melting into the sky.
+
+The Main Building had originally been a handsome old dwelling house,
+whose spacious rooms were now used as parlors, library, offices and
+teachers' rooms. There were wide, beautiful porches in front and back,
+and massive stone steps, ending in great stone urns overflowing with
+bright flowers at the foot of each flight. These steps led down into
+wide shady gardens, where the girls walked up and down with arms
+intertwined, or sat and studied and talked on rustic seats under the
+trees on the shady lawns.
+
+The other buildings, Briarley Hall, Elmtree Hall and Hillview, were
+devoted to class rooms and dormitories, each hall being presided over by
+a teacher.
+
+In these pleasant courts of learning Alison Fair arrived on a golden
+September afternoon, and was warmly welcomed by Miss Harland, the
+Principal.
+
+"We are so glad to have you back, dear," Miss Harland said, kissing the
+girl affectionately. "I was rather afraid from what you wrote some time
+ago, that you might not return to us this year."
+
+"Oh, so was I, Miss Harland. I was dreadfully afraid of it. I was so
+disappointed, I hardly realize yet that it is all right, and I am really
+here. And may I have my same old room, and Joan for roommate?"
+
+"The same room, dear, but I am so sorry about Joan. You see, she has not
+come yet, and there was no one to claim that room, so I had to put a new
+girl in with you. We have a very large school this year, and the
+dormitories are overflowing. I really had no other place for her. You
+may be able to change later, if you don't find her congenial. You won't
+mind?"
+
+Alison did mind; but after the first pang of disappointment, she spoke
+cheerfully. "It's all right, Miss Harland. I'm so thankful to be here at
+all, I shan't grumble at anything. Joan _is_ coming, isn't she?" in
+sudden alarm.
+
+"Oh, yes, I expect her this evening. Her father is driving her through
+the country. Run up, then, and get acquainted with your new roommate.
+Marcia West, is her name. She looked homesick."
+
+Homesick at Briarwood! Alison marvelled as she ran lightly up the
+familiar staircase and along the corridor to the end room, which had
+been hers and Joan Wentworth's last year. She was so happy to find
+herself here again; but then she was not a new girl, and she knew there
+were many freshmen lying on their beds at this moment and crying their
+eyes out for homesickness. Well, it would not last long, one soon grew
+accustomed to the pleasant routine of school days.
+
+She reached her door and tapped lightly. It was opened, after an
+instant's delay, and the "new girl" stood there in silence, still
+holding the door and looking at her with an expression which, if not
+exactly forbidding, was certainly not encouraging. She was about
+Alison's own age, rather tall and slight, with dark, sombre eyes and
+dark heavy hair worn low on her forehead. The heavy hair and the
+unsmiling eyes gave her face a lowering look that was not attractive at
+first sight. She merely stood there without speaking, until Alison said
+pleasantly,
+
+"Good evening. I am Alison Fair, and you are my new roommate. Miss
+Harland told me you were here. I'm sorry to be late. I hope you like our
+room."
+
+"Pretty, though it's not very large for two," said the girl
+nonchalantly. "I came in this morning. I've been unpacking."
+
+It was evident, as Alison entered and looked about her. Marcia had
+unpacked her trunk, which stood open in the hall beside their door, and
+had strewed her belongings about as freely as though she had expected to
+occupy the room alone.
+
+It was a fairly good-sized room, containing two single beds, and a
+dresser, chair and small table for each girl. A roomy closet was well
+supplied with hangers and shoe-racks. A glance showed Alison that Marcia
+had placed her dresser and table close to the window and strewn them
+with photographs and toilet articles in lavish profusion. Also, that she
+had taken the best chair.
+
+"I changed things a little. You don't mind, do you?" she asked, watching
+Alison.
+
+"Oh, no, it's your room as well as mine," Alison answered
+good-humoredly, and proceeded to open her own trunk, which had been
+brought up and placed in the hall, according to custom, and to arrange
+her part of the room. Marcia had encroached on her side of the closet,
+she noticed, but she said nothing, only hanging up a few dresses and
+leaving the rest in her trunk. She placed a few favorite books between a
+pair of bronze bookends, her father's parting gift; laid her Bible
+beside them, and her pretty new portfolio her mother had given her; and
+finally set her cherished lamp on the dresser. She had scarcely
+finished, and stood surveying the effect, when there was a rush of
+little feet in the corridor, the door was flung open, and a small,
+rosy-faced curly-haired girl rushed in to fling herself into Alison's
+arms.
+
+"Oh, Alison, you darling thing! I'm so thrilled to be back, and in our
+same old room, too."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+SOME OF THE GIRLS
+
+
+"Lovely to be back," said Alison, warmly kissing the pretty childish
+face," but you are too late for us to be roommates, Jo. I have another
+roommate, a new girl, Marcia West. Marcia, this is Joan Wentworth, who
+roomed with me last year."
+
+Joan shook back her light fluffy hair, looking rather taken aback for an
+instant, as Marcia emerged from the closet, where she had been
+invisible, arranging a rack of shoes. "How do you do?" Marcia said
+briefly. "I didn't know I was taking your room. Miss Harland put me in
+here. She said there wasn't any other room, or I'd go somewhere else.
+I'm sorry."
+
+"Oh, it's all right," Joan answered, recovering her equanimity quickly.
+"I'll go and see if Kathy can take me in, for the night, anyway. She's
+just across the hall, and she's by herself. I'll look her up."
+
+She was gone, leaving Alison and Marcia to shake down together as best
+they could. Conversation languished. Alison tried to talk about her
+school work. It developed that they would be in the same classes; but
+Marcia seemed to have no enthusiasms. She had come to school because she
+was made to, and she looked forward to nothing but getting through.
+
+Finally she said she was tired and lay down on her bed; and seeing
+presently that she had fallen asleep, Alison slipped out of the room
+across the hall to the room opposite, which was Katherine Bertram's.
+Katherine was better off financially than most of the girls. Her mother
+was dead and she had traveled and lived in hotel rooms for several years
+previously, and so her room at school was more like a home than anything
+she had known since her mother's death. It was prettily furnished, and
+her pictures and rugs were better and more luxurious than most
+schoolgirls' rooms could boast. Nevertheless, she was known as "a good
+fellow," and was popular with the girls.
+
+Alison's tap at the door was answered by a cordial "Come in," and she
+entered, to find Katherine and Joan curled up on the bed, talking
+vigorously, but both sprang up to greet her joyously. She found a seat
+on a velvet-covered stool beside the couch, and Joan resumed her
+interrupted grumble.
+
+"I'm just too disappointed and cross for anything," she lamented. "Here
+I came flying back to our old quarters like--like a homing pigeon, only
+to find my place taken by that cross-looking thing. I don't believe you
+are going to like her a bit, Alison. She doesn't look as if she would
+fit in."
+
+"It is too bad; but then it gives me Joan for a roommate, which is a
+silver lining," said Katherine equably. "I didn't know there was a
+chance of your losing your place, or I would have spoken to Miss Harland
+and tried to get one of the old girls to change with her."
+
+"Oh, well, it's only the first day; maybe something will happen; or we
+may like her better when we know her," said Alison hopefully.
+
+"And in the mean time, Joan is welcome with me as long as she likes.
+I'll ask for a cot for her. There's plenty of room," said Katherine
+hospitably. "We shall be close by and can get together whenever we like.
+So cheer up, Jo, it won't be so bad."
+
+They fell into an animated discussion of school matters, which was
+presently interrupted by a tumultuous rush outside, the door was opened
+without ceremony, and in flocked the rest of the "Kindred
+Spirit,"--Evelyn and Polly, boon companions, unlike as they were;
+studious Rachel; Rosalind, the school beauty, whose golden head and
+apple-blossom face scarcely suggested books or scholarship. These with
+Alison, Katherine and Joan, made up the seven "Kindred Spirits," an
+informal little club of loyal friends. Their favorite gathering place
+last year had been the room occupied by Alison and Joan, and
+consternation reigned when the news spread that the newcomer had
+usurped Joan's place.
+
+"It won't be the same thing at all," complained Polly, flinging herself
+back on the bed in a paroxysm of disappointment.
+
+Katherine poured oil on the troubled waters. "You can meet here just as
+well. And maybe, as Alison says, we shall like her when we know her.
+Don't let us judge her too hardly beforehand."
+
+"So charitable, Kathy always is," murmured Evelyn.
+
+Rachel changed the subject.
+
+"Well--did you know we have a new English teacher?"
+
+"No. What's her name?"
+
+"Miss Burnett--Cecil Burnett. She's lovely. And she's to be at our
+table."
+
+"Are Helen Yorke and Brenda Thornton back?"
+
+"Yes. I saw them this morning. As musical as ever. Oh, is that the
+supper bell? It can't be six o'clock already."
+
+"It seems it can--for it is," said Alison, consulting her wrist watch
+and finding it correspond with the bell. "I must go and see if my
+roommate is awake, and take her down to supper. Please be nice to her,
+girls. I don't know yet whether she is cross or just shy." She gave the
+group an appealing look as she left the room, and Katherine answered it
+with a reassuring smile.
+
+But Joan shrugged her shoulders and made a face. She had not been
+prepossessed in favor of the new girl.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+ESSAYS AND ESSAYS
+
+
+The dining room was a large, square, light room, filled with tables,
+each holding twelve. Alison piloted her roommate to a seat next to
+herself, at her old table, where Evelyn, Katherine and Joan were already
+seated, the rest of the group being at the next table. The new English
+teacher, Miss Burnett, presided--a pretty girl, not many years older
+than her prospective pupils. Brown-haired and brown-eyed, with a deep,
+soft rose color in her cheeks, she was exactly the type that girls a few
+years younger would naturally fall in love with on sight.
+
+Accordingly, the group of girls at her table, running true to form,
+promptly "fell for her" with schoolgirl unanimity; copied the way she
+did her hair, whether it was becoming to them or not, practiced her
+engaging smile, and even copied her clothes, as far as possible. Brown
+was her favorite color--a deep, rich brown that suited her eyes and hair
+and blended with the rose glow in her cheeks. This shade of brown
+promptly became popular.
+
+Life at Briarwood soon settled into an accustomed routine of classes,
+sports and recreation, and the days were full and busy. Miss Burnett had
+an eager class, more interested in the study of their mother tongue than
+they had ever been before, simply because she taught it.
+
+Toward Thanksgiving she gave them an essay contest, and Alison and her
+roommate became more congenial as they discussed subjects and titles.
+But their tastes and ideas were very different.
+
+"I don't believe I could write anything worth reading, but I'll try,
+because Miss Burnett wants us to," said Alison, to whom the study of
+English was genuine enjoyment.
+
+"And I'll try because I've got to," responded Marcia with a wry face.
+
+"Just let her hear you saying _got_, that's all," laughed Alison,
+reaching for her book.
+
+"I hate all lessons, but I believe I hate English worst of any," said
+Marcia crossly. "I don't see why we have to study it."
+
+"Why did you come to college, if you hate it so?" asked Alison
+curiously.
+
+"Oh, because one must do something, I suppose."
+
+"But why do you take English?"
+
+"Because the rest of you do, and I don't like to be left out. Besides,
+Miss Harland made me. Are you going to track meet this afternoon?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then, will you lend me your English Literature? Rosalind borrowed mine
+and hasn't returned it."
+
+"And welcome. There it is on the table."
+
+"Thank you. I'll work while you play, like the ant and the grasshopper,"
+said Marcia more graciously than usual.
+
+It was a brilliant autumn afternoon, and most of the girls were tempted
+out. The hall was deserted, save for Marcia, scribbling hard in her
+room.
+
+"Finished already?" asked Alison, coming in just in time for supper,
+flushed and breathless after a basketball game.
+
+Marcia was just putting away her writing materials. She looked up
+nonchalantly. "Almost. I've only to correct and copy it."
+
+"You've had a grand quiet time to work. I wish I had been as
+industrious; but it was so lovely out. We had a splendid practice."
+
+Nothing was talked of in school for the next few days but the essays,
+which were to be handed in the week before Thanksgiving, and the prize
+winner would be announced on the day before--"to give us extra reason to
+be thankful," said Joan.
+
+Katherine had written a scholarly essay, giving a sort of bird's-eye
+view of the entire field of English literature, concisely expressed.
+Privately, she believed herself sure of the prize, but no such
+self-laudatory opinion was hinted at in her dignified demeanor.
+
+Joan had skipped airily over the earlier periods, coming rapidly down to
+present-day fiction in the space of four pages. "She'll like mine
+because it's short, anyway," she congratulated herself.
+
+Most of the other girls had tried, because Miss Burnett wished it. Some
+of the efforts were better, some worse, than others, some impossible.
+Alison, coming from her history class one morning, suddenly realized
+that the time was almost up, and her essay was still unwritten. A few
+unfinished beginnings, rejected as unsatisfactory, were all she had to
+show.
+
+She had a vacant period next, and she took a sudden resolve. "I'll write
+that essay in the next forty-five minutes, or know the reason," she told
+herself sternly, and going to her room she posted a "busy" sign on the
+door as a gentle hint that visitors were not desired, and fell to work.
+
+As she opened her English Literature, several half-sheets of paper fell
+out, each scribbled over with her unsuccessful beginnings.... She
+laughed and dropped them into the wastebasket. Then she picked up a
+folded paper that she did not recognize. When had she written an
+exercise in blue ink? She opened it, puzzled. What did it mean? An
+essay, apparently, in Rosalind's unmistakable writing, which was like
+herself, pretty, but entirely characterless. It was entitled "_The River
+of Time._" Plainly, it was Rosalind's idea of an essay on English
+literature, which she described as a river flowing down the ages, on
+whose waters were found lovely pearls. These pearls were represented by
+the names of a few outstanding writers, but after a few inadequate
+sentences Rosalind's imagination had apparently failed her.
+
+Realizing after a glance at the first page that it was not meant for her
+eyes, Alison resolutely folded the paper, smiling. Literature was not
+Rosalind's strong point, but she was so pretty and winning that one
+forgave and smiled, as at the efforts of a child.
+
+"Poor little Rosalind," she thought, and put the paper aside, to be
+given back to the writer at the first opportunity. Then she fell to work
+on her own essay, and had finished her first copy by the time the period
+ended.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE TANGLED SKEIN
+
+
+"May I come in?" asked Rosalind's voice, and in response to Alison's
+cordial invitation, she entered, a perplexed cloud on her face.
+
+"I'm so worried, Alison," she began. "I saw your 'busy' sign, so I
+waited. I thought you might help me."
+
+"Was it about this?" Alison held up the folded paper. "I've been worried
+about it, too."
+
+Rosalind pounced on the paper. "Oh, that's it. It's my essay. Where in
+the world did you find it?"
+
+"It was in my English book. How it got there I can't imagine. It was
+certainly not there when I saw the book last. I lent it to Marcia. She
+said you had borrowed hers, and she didn't like to go and rummage in
+your room while you were out----"
+
+"She wouldn't have had to rummage. It was right on the table," said
+Rosalind simply. "Did you read this, Alison? It's dreadful--"
+
+"I couldn't help seeing the title and the first few sentences, but of
+course I didn't read any further. Honestly, Rosalind, I am puzzled to
+guess how your essay could have got into my book. Can you think?"
+
+Rosalind frowned and puckered up her sunny face in a great mental
+effort.
+
+"I haven't any book, myself," she confessed. "Mine fell out of the
+window, and I forgot to pick it up, and it rained in the night, and
+ruined it. It was so sopping wet, it just fell to pieces. So I've been
+getting along by borrowing the other girls' books. I borrowed Marcia's
+the other day, and forgot to return it to her--"
+
+"So a lot of the trouble is due to your bad habit of forgetting to do
+things," said Alison severely. But she smiled as she said it, and
+Rosalind took the reproof with her usual sweet temper. "I know it was.
+But what then, Alison?"
+
+"Then she borrowed mine, to study. She returned it to me, all right, but
+she forgot to explain what your essay was doing in it. I went out to
+track meet, and left Marcia studying for her essay. I hadn't looked
+through my book carefully, and if I saw any papers sticking out, I
+thought they were just my own notes. That is all I know about it, till I
+found your essay just now."
+
+"Well, it's all right, now I've found it," said Rosalind easily. "They
+have to be handed in tomorrow. I'm so glad I'm on time, for once."
+
+And with a relieved mind she danced lightly away, just as Marcia
+entered.
+
+Alison looked up pleasantly. "Just in time, Marcia, to help solve a
+mystery, or straighten out a muddle."
+
+Marcia stopped short and her face changed to the stony expression it
+wore when she was not pleased. "Well," she said, "What can _I_ do about
+it?"
+
+"Rosalind was here just now," Alison explained patiently. "She came to
+ask if I knew anything about her essay, which she could not find. I had
+just found it inside my English book, and we were wondering how it got
+there. That was all. I thought perhaps you might be able to tell us."
+
+Marcia grew paler than her wont, but she spoke clearly and coldly.
+
+"Why, Rosalind lost her book I suppose, and borrowed yours, and left the
+essay in it. You know what a careless thing she is."
+
+"No; she never had my book. She had finished her essay and put it away,
+that same afternoon, when you borrowed my book because she was out, and
+had left yours in her room."
+
+"I don't know anything about it," said Marcia stolidly. "Are you trying
+to accuse me of anything?"
+
+"Marcia! You are not in earnest?"
+
+"Well, you seemed to imply it. I didn't think you would mind lending me
+your book--"
+
+"Of course I didn't, Marcia. You know that."
+
+"I put it back on your table that same afternoon. You can testify to
+finding it there. I haven't seen it since."
+
+"I don't want to 'testify' to anything," said Alison, astonished. "I was
+only wondering how Rosalind's essay came to be in my book. Please don't
+think I meant to be personal, Marcia."
+
+"I don't know anything about it," repeated Marcia, "and I'll thank you,
+Alison Fair, not to be hinting at anything, instead of saying out
+plainly what you think."
+
+"I wasn't hinting," began Alison, wounded to the verge of tears; but to
+her relief, Marcia left the room, and she turned to the window, her
+hands pressed to her eyes, trying to recover her composure enough to
+think her way out of the tangle.
+
+Entered Joan, excited and curious.
+
+"Alison! We just saw Marcia stalking down the hall, looking like a
+thundercloud, or a tragedy queen, or something! She wouldn't look at
+us. Rosalind had just been in to tell us about your finding her essay,
+she had been mourning as lost. It ought to be a fine one, to cause so
+much excitement. So when I saw Marcia leaving the room in such offended
+dignity, I just came to get you to come and tell Kathy and me all about
+it before we burst with curiosity. You can't deny there's something,
+when I find you swallowing tears--"
+
+The tears overflowed at the mention of them.
+
+"Oh, Joan, I didn't mean to say anything about it, but since Rosalind
+has told you--Mind, I'm not accusing Marcia, though she said--she asked
+if I meant to hint--" Alison choked again.
+
+"Nonsense," said Joan, briskly. "Nobody would think it, unless she had a
+guilty conscience. I dare say she has. Wait till I call Kathy--or no,
+you come into our room, and tell us all about it."
+
+An interested audience was assembled in the room across the hall, for
+Rosalind had not been reticent, and Evelyn, Polly and Rachel were all
+there to hear what was to be heard. So Alison was obliged to tell the
+facts of the finding of the essay in her book after it had been borrowed
+by Marcia.
+
+"Truly, I did not mean to even imply that she was to blame in any way,"
+she ended, almost apologetically, "but she seemed to think I was. I
+would never have spoken of it at all, if Rosalind had not told you while
+she was searching for her essay. Nobody was more surprised than I was
+when I found it. And even now I don't--I can't understand what it all
+means."
+
+"I can," said Joan, addressing the company at large. "It means that
+Marcia is trying to put on Alison the onus of a thing she did herself,
+and couldn't quite succeed."
+
+"Oh, but I _couldn't_ think that of her," Alison cried, distressed.
+
+"My dear Alison, the trouble is that you think everybody is as honest as
+yourself. People like that usually do get taken in."
+
+"Well, we can't do anything about it now, and we had better not talk
+about it any more," pronounced Katherine. "Let's forget it. Talk about
+something else. For instance--has anyone seen my ring? I've lost it
+again."
+
+"Not that lovely pearl ring of yours, Kathy?"
+
+"Yes. I've missed it for a week, but I kept thinking it would turn up. I
+generally remember to take it off when I wash my hands, but I can't
+remember--I wash my hands so often--"
+
+"Kathy, you really are too careless--"
+
+"Oh, the girls all recognize it and give it back to me when they find
+it; but they always find it in less than a week."
+
+"There are the maids," suggested Polly.
+
+"Oh, but I don't believe one of them would take anything."
+
+"There you go again, Alison, with your 'everybody's honest.' I tell you
+everybody is not. There's a ghost or something in this school," insisted
+the incorrigible Joan. "Rachel lost her gold pencil a fortnight ago.
+Ever find it, Ray?"
+
+"No. But I do leave my things about. It may have slipped out of sight
+somewhere."
+
+"So it may. Let me know when it returns of its own accord. This thing
+reminds me of the title of a little French book I read once: _Les Petits
+Mysteres de la Vie Humaine_. If I've made mistakes, Mademoiselle is not
+here to correct me, and the rest of you couldn't. Anyway, it means 'The
+Little Mysteries of Human Life,'" said Joan, looking defiantly about
+her.
+
+"Well, I don't like mysteries," remarked Evelyn. "What we need is a
+clean-up day, to find all these missing valuables, and clear up all the
+mysteries."
+
+The supper bell broke up the conclave.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+MYSTERIES
+
+
+The essays were handed in the next day, and after two days of what the
+girls termed "agonizing suspense," Miss Burnett announced to her class
+that the judges had made their decision. The best was Katherine's. No
+one had expected anything else, and there was heartfelt applause with no
+jealousy, as she received the prize, a handsome set of books. Alison's
+received second place, to her own surprise, for she was modest as to her
+own acquirements.
+
+The rest were of about the same degree of excellence--laborious efforts,
+showing no originality of thought or discrimination. Still, they had
+tried, and Miss Burnett expressed in a few pleasant words her
+appreciation of their endeavors, as she returned their papers.
+
+Finally, there were but two papers left on the desk. Miss Burnett took
+up one and glanced at the title.
+
+"This one, _The River of Time_," she said, "has at least the merit of
+brevity. In the space of about seven hundred words the author has
+reviewed the history of English literature from its source to the
+present time--"
+
+"Oh, that is mine, Miss Burnett," exclaimed Rosalind, starting. "Please
+don't read it. I know it's awful." She smiled frankly and beguilingly
+into the teacher's eyes. "It's the best I could do."
+
+Miss Burnett could not help returning the smile with the essay.
+
+"Is it really the best you could do, Rosalind?"
+
+"It is, truly, Miss Burnett. I could hardly do that."
+
+"Then, Rosalind, all I can say is that it is a pity. But at least you
+really tried, and perhaps next time you will try harder and do better."
+
+She took up the last paper on the desk. "I have kept this one for the
+last because I wanted to talk with you a little about it, Marcia. I
+should like you to remain a few minutes after the class is dismissed."
+
+Marcia said nothing. One after another the girls filed out, until she
+and the teacher were alone together. Then Miss Burnett unfolded the
+paper and turned to the girl before her.
+
+"This essay is signed with your name, Marcia, in the sealed envelope
+that was kept in my desk until the judges' decision had been reached. No
+one knew who had written it. No one knows now, except myself. I have not
+even mentioned the title, _The River Road_, until I had talked with you
+alone. Did you talk with anyone else about your essay? You know I wished
+them to be entirely original."
+
+"No, Miss Burnett, I never said a word to anybody about it," said
+Marcia, quite truthfully.
+
+Miss Burnett looked grave and troubled. "Then it is very peculiar,
+Marcia, that your essay has nearly the same title as Rosalind's, and
+says the same thing, only in different words. How could that be, unless
+you talked over your essays together?"
+
+"But we did not, truly, Miss Burnett. It just happened so." Marcia
+looked the teacher straight in the face, as if defying her to find a
+flaw in her statement. "Rosalind lost her book, and borrowed mine. Then
+she went out to play basketball without returning it. I had to borrow
+Alison's book to study for mine. She said she found the essay in it when
+she opened it to study. That is all I can tell you."
+
+If there were any guile in this speech, Miss Burnett was too
+transparently honest herself to find it out. She looked troubled.
+
+"Well, Marcia, it is very strange, but I must take your word for it.
+That is all, then."
+
+Thanksgiving had come and gone, and the girls were settled down for the
+uneventful stretch that comes between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The
+seven friends were gathered in Alison's room, one raw, cold
+"Novemberish" afternoon for one of their old-time talks. Marcia had
+gone out shopping with Rosalind, for whom she seemed to have developed
+a sudden great friendship, and the girls had availed themselves of the
+opportunity to meet in their favorite gathering place without the
+embarrassment of her presence.
+
+Polly had a question to propound.
+
+"Why don't we like Marcia?"
+
+"Well?" said Evelyn, when the silence had lasted for several minutes
+while each waited for the others to speak.
+
+"Alison ought to be able to answer that question," said Kathy.
+
+Alison was slow to speak. "I don't know," she said at last. "She is in
+all our classes; she is pretty; she obeys all the college regulations.
+She seems all right; but--well, she is my roommate, I don't like talking
+of her behind her back."
+
+"Well, I don't mind a bit," said Joan the outspoken. "I can tell you
+what's wrong with her. She doesn't like us. She hates school. She calls
+it a jail. She hates lessons. She hates Miss Harland. I heard her say so
+once, when Miss Harland said no to something she wanted to do. I don't
+see why she came to Briarwood at all."
+
+"Neither does she," put in Evelyn. "Her father sent her, that was why."
+
+"Well, I don't like her, and I wish she roomed in another hall," said
+Joan; and no one gainsaid her, for there was no denying that Marcia took
+no pains to make herself popular.
+
+Polly changed the subject abruptly.
+
+"Kathy, did you ever find your ring?" she asked.
+
+Katherine looked startled. "No. And I've lost something else--my
+great-grandmother's pearl necklace. Mother said I shouldn't take it to
+school with me, but I was sure I would be careful with it. And I was,
+girls, I really was. It stayed always in the bottom of my trunk, in its
+velvet case. I don't believe any of you ever knew about it. I haven't
+even taken it out since I left home. But yesterday I thought I would
+make sure that it was safe under everything in the trunk. And I looked,
+and it was not there. I cannot understand it, but it is true. Mother
+was right, as usual. I don't know how I am ever to tell her."
+
+There was a dead silence--the silence of dismay. What was this that was
+among them?
+
+Joan broke it, saying briefly, "Ghost. Rosalind's essay. Kathy's ring.
+Rachel's gold pencil. Now, Kathy's necklace. Look out for your lamp,
+Alison!"
+
+"Oh, nonsense," Alison said laughing nervously. "You _can't_
+suspect--Oh, I don't like being suspicious."
+
+"All right. I only say, look out."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+WITHOUT LEAVE
+
+
+"Want to go to a party, Rosalind?"
+
+It was a dull, uninteresting-looking day in early December. Snow was
+threatening and out-of-doors looked anything but attractive. Rosalind
+was toiling over a history lesson and wishing that all the kings and
+queens of France had been guillotined before they made trouble for
+future generations of schoolgirls, instead of afterward, when a tap at
+the door heralded Marcia and her exciting question.
+
+Rosalind dropped her book, casting Louis XIV to the winds.
+
+"Of course I do. Where? And when? And how? Tell me quick."
+
+Marcia shut the door carefully. "Any chance of your roommate coming
+in?"
+
+"No, she's gone home for the week-end. No one will disturb us. I'm
+supposed to be studying. Didn't you see the sign?"
+
+"Yes, but I knew you weren't hurting yourself with study. Now listen. I
+am invited to a party at Sara Marshall's tonight, and I can bring a
+friend with me. Her brother will meet us at the corner with a car, at
+nine o'clock. I thought of you. Will you go?"
+
+"I'd love to. Have you asked Miss Harland? Will she let us?"
+
+"Rosalind, you _are_ green. What Miss Harland doesn't know won't hurt
+her. I haven't asked her, and I don't intend to. If you would be afraid
+to go without leave, I'll ask Alison--but she's such a stickler for
+rules, I didn't think she would. And this is such a good chance, with
+your roommate away, and all. We can dress in here after supper, and I'll
+spend the night with you, if anybody asks. As soon as lights are out,
+we'll slip down to the basement. There'll be a window unlatched. Ann
+will do anything for me. See how easy it will be."
+
+It did strike Rosalind that the plan was too clearly arranged to have
+been settled on such short notice. She said doubtfully, "But when did
+you see Sara Marshall?"
+
+"Oh, she sent me a note yesterday. I've been thinking of it ever since,
+and planning it out." But Marcia did not explain that she had seen Sara
+Marshall the day before, and that all the arrangements had been
+carefully canvassed before a word was to be said to Rosalind. The note
+had been merely to say that all was as they had planned, and that her
+brother and a friend would be waiting at the corner for them. To
+Rosalind it seemed an impromptu plan for a little fun, and her
+pleasure-loving little head was quite turned at the prospect.
+
+"The only trouble is," Marcia was off on a fresh tack, "I haven't a
+thing that is decent to wear. I spoiled my old blue the last time I
+wore it. It was dreadfully unbecoming, anyway. I don't believe I can
+go, after all."
+
+"I'll lend you my pink," offered Rosalind, dismayed at the thought of
+disappointment. "I have a new white dress mother just sent me. Please
+wear my pink. It would be so becoming to you."
+
+Marcia knew it would be, and after a proper amount of hesitation and
+protest, she yielded, and the die was cast. The afternoon was an
+exciting one, and after supper they retired to Rosalind's room,
+ostensibly to study together. Marcia had asked and obtained permission
+to spend the night with Rosalind, and with the door securely shut and
+fastened, the business of dressing was before them.
+
+All went as they had planned. At nine o'clock they cautiously opened the
+door. All was dark and still in the corridor, and they crept noiselessly
+downstairs to the basement, where the window had been unlatched for them
+by one of the maids, bribed by Marcia.
+
+They climbed out, ran swiftly across the lawn, in terror lest someone
+might be looking from an upper window. But there was no sound or
+movement from the sleeping rooms. They climbed over the low place in the
+wall and found themselves out in the quiet street.
+
+No one was in sight, and they scurried along, only intent on getting out
+of sight of those dark windows. At the corner two dark figures
+confronted them, and Rosalind barely suppressed a scream. But it was
+only Tom Marshall, who greeted them cordially.
+
+"Hello, girls, here you are. This is Ray Gordon. We've got a car here.
+Hop in, it's cold out here. Glad to see you have warm coats."
+
+The coats had been put on chiefly to cover their evening dresses, but
+they were shivering with cold and excitement, and were glad to find
+themselves in the warm car.
+
+They were soon in Mrs. Marshall's bright parlors, where a merry crowd
+was gathered, and were pleasantly welcomed by Mrs. Marshall herself,
+and by Sara, who introduced them to her friends, some of whom were known
+to Marcia, but not to Rosalind.
+
+"Miss Harland did not object to your coming, dear?" Mrs. Marshall asked.
+"I was sure she would not, she and I are old friends--"
+
+"Oh, no, she did not object in the least," said Marcia quickly,
+forestalling the words she saw on Rosalind's lips, and replying, as she
+argued to herself, quite truthfully, since Miss Harland had _not_
+objected, not having been consulted.
+
+The evening went on. Marcia was very bright and animated. The pink dress
+was becoming to her. Her cheeks glowed with bright color. A pearl
+necklace clasped her throat, and on one finger gleamed a ring--a
+beautiful pearl ring which she certainly had not worn when they left the
+school. Rosalind wondered. Could she have had the jewels in her
+hand-bag, and put them on in the comparative darkness of the car? That
+must have been it, she decided. But she felt uncomfortable, and could
+not throw herself into the spirit of whole-souled enjoyment as the
+others did. She was glad when the time came for breaking up, and their
+two escorts took them back through the quiet streets.
+
+"Here we are," said Tom Marshall, drawing up at the corner. "We'll see
+you safe to the gate--"
+
+"Oh, no, thank you. It is only a step, and we have to climb the wall.
+Thank you, and goodnight," protested Marcia, her teeth chattering with
+cold and nervousness.
+
+Not daring to speak aloud, the girls sped along, keeping close to the
+wall until they reached the low place where they could climb over
+without risking the opening of the gate. The basement window was still
+unlatched. Carefully they scrambled through, and finally stood on the
+floor--"Safe, and nobody saw us," exulted Marcia in a whisper.
+
+And then, without warning the light flashed on, and the culprits stood
+revealed to the accusing eyes of Miss Charlton, the teacher on their
+hall.
+
+For a long minute they faced each other, the girls too dismayed and
+startled to speak a word in their own behalf. At length Miss Charlton
+said slowly and very distinctly,
+
+"I thought so. Marcia West and Rosalind Forrest, I shall report you
+absent without leave. You will both go to Miss Harland's office after
+chapel tomorrow morning. She will deal with you as she thinks best. Go
+to your rooms now. Goodnight!"
+
+Thankful to be thus summarily dismissed, the girls scurried noiselessly
+up two long flights of stairs and reached Rosalind's room without
+meeting anyone. Every door was shut, the occupants of the rooms sleeping
+safely and sweetly. How passionately Rosalind envied them. If she were
+only safe in her own bed now, with no sense of wrongdoing to hound her,
+no punishment awaiting her.
+
+"It's all your fault, Marcia," she sobbed, tearing her white dress in
+her hurry to get it off. "I wish I had never listened to you--"
+
+"My fault! Well, I like that. You were very willing to listen at the
+time, it seems to me," returned Marcia crossly, pulling at the clasp of
+the pearl necklace so roughly in her irritation that it snapped, and the
+beautiful thing lay broken in her hand. "There! see what you made me
+do," she added angrily.
+
+"I didn't," contradicted Rosalind, too exasperated to sympathize; and
+presently she was in bed, with the covers pulled over her head.
+
+Frightened and ashamed, she remembered that she had not said her
+prayers. She tried to say them in bed, but the first words of contrition
+brought tears, and she cried herself to sleep.
+
+As for Marcia, she lay long awake, wondering what she should do with the
+broken necklace she had "borrowed," in anticipation of this very party.
+Finally she rose softly, and without turning on the light, found a small
+box in the dresser drawer, placed the broken necklace in it, and opening
+the door noiselessly, slipped past the line of trunks in the hall until
+she came to the one she wanted. She placed her little
+tissue-paper-wrapped parcel behind it, and returned as noiselessly to
+Rosalind's room, and slipped into bed beside her.... Daylight was
+brightening the windows before she fell into a troubled doze.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+IN MISS HARLAND'S OFFICE
+
+
+Two very frightened girls presented themselves at the door of Miss
+Harland's office the next morning.
+
+They showed their feeling very differently. Rosalind was trembling and
+weeping, the picture of grief; but Marcia's dark face was settled into
+an expression of sullen determination not to speak. It might have been
+carved out of stone as she stood with her lowering brow, and sombre dark
+eyes fixed on the floor.
+
+Miss Harland looked at them very gravely and sadly. Marcia's eyes were
+raised presently with a defiant and stubborn expression that was
+unpromising. Rosalind did not look up at all. She was frankly crying. At
+last Miss Harland spoke.
+
+"I am sorry to have to send for you, girls, but Miss Charlton has
+reported that you were both absent without leave last night until a
+later hour than I like my girls to be out--especially without
+permission. I must ask you, therefore, to give me a full account of your
+expedition--where you went, and with whom. I am sorry you had not
+confidence enough in me to tell me about it, and to ask my leave; but
+since you have not done so, I must require an explanation, Marcia, you
+may speak."
+
+But Marcia remained stubbornly silent, only looking up from under her
+dark brows with her sullen, defiant expression.
+
+After waiting a few minutes, Miss Harland turned to Rosalind.
+
+"You will not refuse to answer me, Rosalind? I think you have not found
+me a hard mistress in the past, have you?"
+
+Rosalind could scarcely speak for tears. "Oh, no, Miss Harland. I'll
+tell you--what I can--"
+
+"Thank you. Then tell me at whose house you were, and what took you
+there?"
+
+"It was a party. They invited Marcia, and said she could bring a
+friend."
+
+"And did she suggest that you come without permission?"
+
+"Oh, no. Miss Harland. She--she said she was glad you did not object--"
+
+Here Marcia gave a warning glance in Rosalind's direction, which was not
+lost on Miss Harland. "There was no harm in it," she muttered.
+
+"Then, Marcia, if there was no harm, why not have come and told me, and
+had my leave to go openly?"
+
+"I thought you wouldn't let us," in a hoarse, defiant voice.
+
+Miss Harland was silent an instant. How could she make this girl, with
+her innately deceitful and secretive nature, understand where the wrong
+lay?
+
+"And who escorted you there, and brought you back?" she asked.
+
+Rosalind answered, as Marcia seemed determined not to speak again.
+
+"Mrs. Marshall's son and another boy; I don't know his name. At least,
+they told us, but I can't remember."
+
+Miss Harland felt relieved. Rosalind's replies bore the stamp of truth.
+In fact, as Miss Harland knew, she was too simple and straightforward to
+be other than truthful. Her mind did not work fast enough to concoct a
+falsehood; she was silly and easily led, but when it came to the point,
+she would blunder out the truth. Marcia, on the other hand, was
+extremely secretive, and would rather weave a tangled web of evasions
+than give a clear and truthful answer. Miss Harland felt that there was
+some confusion somewhere. Mrs. Marshall was a good friend of her. She
+could be sure that she would not have countenanced any underhand
+dealing. Why, then, did Marcia wish to conceal the fact of the
+invitation? She was puzzled, but relieved that the affair was no worse
+than a schoolgirl's natural love of a secret adventure. But it would not
+do to pass it over lightly.
+
+"And so you thought to deceive me, and slipped out without my
+permission. Don't you see, Marcia, that _there_ is where the harm lies?
+I must not pass over such an infringement of the school regulations, and
+so I must punish you both. You will be restricted for one month, or
+until after Christmas. And the next time you wish to go out, come to me
+frankly and ask permission. If possible, I will grant it; and if I do
+not see fit, I shall expect you to submit cheerfully to my decision in
+the matter. Now you may go to your classes."
+
+Marcia left the room without a word, looking like a thunder cloud.
+Rosalind lingered, sobbing, to speak the words of contrition for which
+Miss Harland had been waiting.
+
+"Please forgive me, Miss Harland. I'm sorry--so sorry, truly. I'll never
+do it again. It wasn't a bit of fun, anyway, for I didn't like going
+without leave, and I was scared all the time that somebody would
+recognize us. I don't like doing things in that underhand way; it
+frightens me. I knew all the time it was wrong, but I let Marcia
+persuade me. It was my own fault, and I'm sorry. Forgive me."
+
+The pretty face was very pleading as Rosalind looked up with blue eyes
+drowned in tears. Miss Harland's kiss of forgiveness was ready, as she
+put her arm around the repentant sinner and drew her close into her kind
+arms.
+
+"I forgive you, Rosalind, but there is Another whose pardon you must
+ask," she said tenderly.
+
+"You mean God. I will, indeed, Miss Harland. I have already, and I will
+again," promised Rosalind.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+ADVENTURE OF THE LAMP
+
+
+Late one afternoon, a few days later, five of the Kindred Spirits
+gathered in Kathy's room to talk things over, for the excitement over
+the recent happenings in the school still ran high. Evelyn, Polly and
+Joan sat on the bed, Rachel in the window seat, and Kathy on a low
+velvet stool, known as the "Stool of Repentance." A light snow was
+falling outside, making a pleasant contrast with the warmth and comfort
+within.
+
+The girls were all talking at once, yet, mysteriously, each hearing what
+all the others said. In the midst of the Babel the door was pushed
+quietly open, and Rosalind slipped in, looking ashamed and sorry and
+confused all at once; doubtful of her welcome, yet anxious to be back in
+her old place among them.
+
+"May I come? I knocked, but you were all talking so hard, you didn't
+hear me."
+
+"Of course you may. Here, sit down beside me on the 'stool of
+repentance,'" said Kathy, making room for her.
+
+"It's the right place for me, I know," said Rosalind meekly. "I've been
+horrid lately, girls, but I'm one of the 'K. S.' still, unless you've
+turned me out."
+
+"We haven't. You deserted us," said Polly the blunt. "But we are glad to
+see you back, Rosy," she added, frankly.
+
+"I'm dreadfully glad to be back, if you've all forgiven me. I've missed
+you terribly. I don't exactly know how it happened. But I'm sorry. What
+were you all talking about when I came in?" asked Rosalind, as
+completely one of the group as if she had never left it.
+
+"Why, of these odd things that have been happening lately," explained
+Joan. "You know, the disappearance of Kathy's ring and necklace,
+and----"
+
+"But I found the necklace this morning," interrupted Kathy. "I meant to
+tell you, but you haven't given me a chance."
+
+"Why, Kathy!" "Where?" "How?" A chorus arose.
+
+"When I moved my trunk out from the wall to sweep behind it," explained
+Kathy, "I found a little parcel wrapped in tissue paper. I opened it,
+thinking I might have dropped something there, and inside was my
+necklace, all crushed together into a ball, and the clasp broken. If
+anyone knows anything about it, explanations will be in order."
+
+The girls, silent in sheer amaze, looked at each other and then at
+Rosalind, who gazed blankly at them in return.
+
+"I didn't put it there, girls, indeed. I don't know in the least how it
+got there--"
+
+"But do you know anything about it?" asked Kathy.
+
+"No, I don't. It looks like the one Marcia wore the night of that
+party, but I thought it was hers, and it may have been."
+
+"She said nothing about it to you?"
+
+"Not a word. Please believe me, girls."
+
+"Of course we believe _you_," said Joan, with an emphasis on the last
+word.
+
+"Well, at any rate, the necklace is found, and I am very glad. I will
+have it mended, and take better care of it," said Kathy gravely. "I
+haven't found my ring yet, nor has Rachel's pencil case been
+discovered."
+
+"That is what I came about," said Rosalind, gathering courage. She
+opened the handkerchief which she had held crumpled in her hand, and
+showed the two missing articles under discussion, a locket and chain and
+one or two other small articles. "I found them in my dresser drawer just
+now, in a little box. Honestly, I don't know anything about them, or how
+they got there."
+
+"How did it happen that you didn't find them before?" asked Rachel,
+reclaiming her property.
+
+"I haven't cleared out my drawer lately, and the box was at the back,
+under a pile of handkerchiefs and things. The drawer was in an awful
+mess, and I was hunting for a collar," confessed Rosalind with a
+shame-faced grin, for her untidiness was a proverb. "I brought it to you
+as soon as I found it," she added, and there was truth in her face and
+voice. The girls believed her.
+
+"But what does it mean?" asked Joan. "Don't cry, Rosy, we know you
+didn't take them. You are silly enough sometimes, but you wouldn't
+steal."
+
+The others assented readily. They all knew that, while Rosalind might be
+led away for a time by folly and vanity, yet her nature was true and
+sound, and she had a conscience. She knew quite well that she had been
+led astray by her love of pleasure, and her penitence was sincere.
+
+"I can't understand it a bit," she began, when the door was opened
+again--abruptly, and Alison appeared--a pale and dismayed Alison with
+wide frightened eyes.
+
+"Girls--have you hidden it on purpose, just to frighten me? Please don't
+tease me, but tell me it is just a joke. I know you only meant to
+frighten me!"
+
+"Why, Alison, what can you mean? We haven't done a thing," said Kathy,
+speaking for them all.
+
+Alison flung herself across the bed, already sufficiently occupied by
+three substantial girls. Joan caught her and pulled her into her lap.
+
+"Here," she said, shaking Alison roughly by the shoulder. "No hysterics,
+or I'll slap you. Just tell us what is the matter."
+
+Thus importuned, Alison checked her sobs and raised a tragic face. "My
+lamp! I'll never see it again!"
+
+"Nonsense. How could you never see it again? Tell us. Is it broken?"
+
+"It's gone!"
+
+"Gone! Not your beautiful Aladdin lamp, Alison? Why, it _couldn't_ be
+lost. What do you mean?"
+
+Alison pulled herself together and tried to speak collectedly.
+
+"I've been down in the library all the afternoon, taking notes for my
+English; I came up to my room a few minutes ago, and as I looked round I
+missed the lamp. You all know where it always stands, on my table. Well,
+it wasn't there. And I thought--I hoped--that some of you might have
+hidden it for a joke. If you didn't, then I don't know what to think."
+
+"What a ridiculous idea," said Polly indignantly. "A fine joke it would
+be. What do you take us for?"
+
+"I couldn't think what else could have become of it," said Alison,
+beginning to cry again. Joan began to comfort her, but Kathy checked the
+words on her lips.
+
+"Listen, Alison. Who was in your room while you were gone?"
+
+"Only Marcia. I left her studying algebra."
+
+"And where is she now?"
+
+"I don't know. She was gone when I came up."
+
+"And your lamp with her," added Joan. "I have an idea. Wait a minute,
+all of you."
+
+She ran across the hall to Alison's room, returning promptly. "Come, all
+of you, and see."
+
+The girls followed her, and stood puzzled in the doorway.
+
+"Where are Marcia's things?" demanded Joan.
+
+A glance around the room showed it empty of all that had belonged to
+Marcia. The girls looked at each other. Kathy was the first to speak.
+
+"We must find Marcia, girls--if she is to be found--and ask her if the
+lamp was in the room when she left it."
+
+A hasty but thorough search established the certainty that Marcia was
+not in any of the buildings. Neither, apparently, was the lamp. It was
+almost supper time when the girls came together again to report
+failure.
+
+"What do you think?" Alison asked.
+
+Joan, as usual, was the spokeswoman. "It looks to me as if she wanted to
+go away, and has taken the lamp to sell it in order to get the money for
+her ticket. She could not sell jewelry, of course, but a handsome lamp
+might bring a good price. She has looked even more forbidding than usual
+the last few days, and I know she hated school. She put back the other
+things she 'borrowed,' and tried to throw the blame on Rosalind by
+hiding them in her drawer. She knew Rosy was in Kathy's room with us,
+and she had a clear field. So she carried out her plans, and ran away."
+
+"Well," said Kathy after a pause. "If Joan is right, we ought to report
+Marcia's disappearance at once. If she has really run away from school,
+Miss Harland will have to know it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+DISCOVERIES
+
+
+The whole school was thrown into a ferment of excitement over the
+discovery of Marcia's disappearance. No one exactly told anyone, but the
+news flew from lip to lip with the speed of that little bird so famous
+for its gossiping tendency. The school buildings were searched again,
+with no result. No one had seen Marcia go out; yet she was certainly not
+in the school. Miss Harland telephoned to all her friends in the town
+with whom Marcia might be supposed to be staying, but no one had seen
+her or heard from her.
+
+In great distress Miss Harland called up Marcia's father, Mr. West, who
+was staying in a hotel in a nearby town, and asked him if his daughter
+was with him, and to her intense relief, received a quick and
+reassuring reply. Yes, his little girl had just arrived by the late
+train. She was so homesick for her Daddy, she could not stay away from
+him any longer, she told him.
+
+Could she speak to Marcia herself, Miss Harland asked. There was a brief
+colloquy at the other end of the line, and then Mr. West spoke
+courteously. Marcia had just gone to bed with a bad cold, and could not
+talk that night. Tomorrow he would talk with her. And with a pleasant
+"Goodnight," he hung up.
+
+Relieved from her fears for Marcia's safety, Miss Harland gladly
+relinquished the search for the night, and the girls were forced to
+restrain their excitement and go to bed. The next morning Mr. West came
+in person to talk with Miss Harland. Marcia was still in bed, and too
+hoarse to talk, so she had asked her father to explain to Miss Harland
+why she had left school without a word to her. She could not bear to be
+away from him, and hearing that he was about to leave for Chicago to
+accept a position there, had hurried to join him, and being in haste to
+catch the afternoon train, had not had time to take leave of her friends
+and teachers. It was foolish, he said indulgently, but he had spoiled
+his little girl, and could not be hard on her.
+
+Miss Harland asked him quietly whether Marcia had said anything of
+having borrowed something of one of the girls. But Mr. West shook his
+head. He would ask her, and let Miss Harland know; and politely bowed
+himself out. Later, he telephoned to say that he had talked to Marcia,
+and she had declared she had borrowed nothing of her friends. She and
+her father were going to start for Chicago the same night, and she would
+have no opportunity to say goodbye to the girls and Miss Harland. Her
+cold was better, and she sent her love, and wished them all a merry
+Christmas.
+
+Miss Harland returned a similar wish, and smiled as she hung up. She was
+glad Marcia was safe with her father, and was not sorry to have seen the
+last of her.
+
+So Marcia left Briarwood, and with her departed something that had
+spoiled the spirit of concord and happiness which usually prevailed in
+the school. The girls were happy and at peace again. Joan returned to
+her old place as Alison's roommate, and their room became as before
+Marcia's coming, the rendezvous of the "Kindred Spirits."
+
+All would have been well with Alison, but for the grief for the loss of
+her lamp. No trace of it had been found. There was no certainty that
+Marcia had had anything to do with its vanishing, but Joan, always
+practical and logical, maintained that since Marcia and the lamp had
+been alone together the whole afternoon, and since the lamp, having no
+feet, could not have left the room by itself, it was plain that Marcia
+must have assisted its departure. Alison said nothing, but she grieved
+deeply, with no hope of ever seeing her treasure again.
+
+The Christmas holidays were drawing near. The girls were busy with plans
+for the two weeks' vacation, looking forward eagerly to going home, and
+the teachers were equally anxious for the coming of the last day of
+school.
+
+Alison felt as if she could scarcely wait. Her gifts for the family were
+bought--the book she knew her father had long wanted but had not felt he
+could afford to buy for himself; the new dress for her mother, who would
+never get it for herself; the roller skates for Billy, the pretty scarf
+for Floss, the doll for little Mat, who had not yet outgrown them.
+
+She hovered over them lovingly, fondling each package as she wrapped and
+tied them with a lavish expenditure of tissue paper and ribbon. How she
+blessed the memory of Aunt Justina, whose generosity had made her gifts
+possible! "I _can't_ wait," she said, and laughed at herself for her
+impatience.
+
+The only flaw in her happiness was the prospect of having to confess at
+home that she had lost her "Aladdin lamp."
+
+Two days before the 23rd, Joan, looking over her lists, made a
+discovery. "Alison, I'll have to have some more cards. I forgot a whole
+bunch of cousins out in Texas, who will be sure to send to me. I must
+run down and get some more before they are all gone. Come with me. It's
+snowing a little, but not too much."
+
+"All right. Run and get permission while I put on my hat and coat."
+
+In a few moments Joan came back with the required permission, and the
+two girls set out, running down the steps of the terrace and out into
+the snowy street. The snow was coming down more briskly, but they only
+laughed and enjoyed the frolic as they ran down the steep hillside and
+reached the level street on which the stores were. The "ten-cent store,"
+the shoppers' delight, was packed with late shoppers like themselves.
+Joan struggled through the dense crowd at the counter, pushed and
+jostled by the good-natured crowd, while Alison waited, amused and
+interested.
+
+It was a lengthy ordeal, but at last Joan had found all she wanted and
+was ready to go. It was nearly dark by this time, and the snow was
+thicker, swirling about so as almost to blind them.
+
+"We must run, or we shall be late for supper," Joan said, and they made
+what speed they could. Suddenly Alison stopped short before the
+well-lighted window of a little jewelry and antique shop. "Look, Joan!"
+
+"What are you looking at? Do let's hurry," urged Joan.
+
+But Alison stood still. "Do you see? There, in Mr. Delany's window. Is
+that my lamp, or isn't it?"
+
+Interested now, Joan stopped. "It is yours, or its twin," she decided.
+"I didn't think there was but one."
+
+"I believe it _is_ mine. I'm going in to ask about it," said Alison, and
+turned into the warm bright little shop, followed by Joan.
+
+The proprietor was a friendly little Frenchman, well known to the girls,
+who frequently purchased their gifts there. He came forward, bowing and
+rubbing his hands. "You want something for Christmas, is it not? I haf
+many pretty things," he offered.
+
+"I came to ask about that lamp in the window, Mr. Delany," Alison said,
+too eager to beat about the bush. "It is exactly like one I lost. Will
+you tell me where you got it?"
+
+"That?" The old man looked disconcerted. "It was not meant to be in the
+window at all; but my assistant, he has not much sense. It is not for
+sale, Mademoiselle."
+
+"But how did you get it?" Alison persisted, and seeing her earnestness
+he looked puzzled.
+
+"It was sold to me, Mademoiselle, by a young lady, I think from your
+school. I haf seen her pass with the other young demoiselles. She asked
+me not to sell it again. She needed money, and if I would buy it from
+her, she would come back and redeem it later. Her father was ill, very
+ill, and she had no money to go to him. She was coming back to get it
+later. So I lent her the money on it--but I haf not seen her yet."
+
+The girls looked at each other. So, Alison's generous heart said,
+perhaps Marcia _did_ mean only to borrow the lamp. Perhaps she really
+meant to return it; but in the mean time, what if it should be sold by
+mistake, or even stolen before that time came? Should she risk leaving
+it in Mr. Delany's shop, even overnight?
+
+"Mr. Delany," she said, "I know all you say is true. I know the young
+lady who sold you the lamp, or borrowed money on it. She was my roommate
+at school, and she has gone to her father, as she said. That part is
+true. But I want my lamp back at once, to take home for Christmas. Can I
+get it from you now?"
+
+Mr. Delany looked puzzled and doubtful. "I promised the young
+demoiselle--" he began.
+
+"If she were here, she would give it back to me. If Miss Harland comes
+to you herself and explains about it, will you let me have it?" Alison
+asked persuasively. "I will pay you, of course, just what you advanced
+to the young lady."
+
+"But certainly, if Mademoiselle Harland herself assures me that it is
+all right," agreed Mr. Delany affably.
+
+"Then please put it away for a little while until she comes," begged
+Alison.
+
+They flew home to report the discovery and the difficulty to Miss
+Harland, and late though it was, she went with them at once to the
+little Frenchman's shop. Mr. Delany was so impressed by her quiet
+dignity and authority that he readily parted with the lamp for the sum
+he had paid to Marcia for it, considering that he had come out very well
+on the transaction at that.
+
+And in triumph Alison carried her treasure home, feeling that her
+Christmas was assured.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+CLASS PROPHECY
+
+
+Christmas came, with all its anticipated joys, and went all too swiftly
+into the past, leaving behind it a precious store of happy memories.
+
+The New Year found the girls of Briarwood back at school, fresh from
+their holiday and ready for the hardest work of the year. The days were
+well filled with study and play. New friendships were formed and old
+ones strengthened, and a spirit of happiness and of honest comradeship
+prevailed in the school as the girls worked together.
+
+Marcia was gone, and no one regretted her absence. She never returned to
+redeem the lamp or, as Miss Harland had half hoped she would, to offer
+an apology and explanation of why she had "borrowed" Alison's lamp, and
+the other pieces of property belonging to others, which she had
+appropriated without leave, and returned in so cavalier a fashion. They
+heard of her now and then in the course of the next few years--sometimes
+in the lists of schools in the different cities to which her father's
+business took him; later, she appeared occasionally in the society pages
+of the papers.
+
+Later still came the announcement of her marriage to a young man well
+known in society circles; after which she was heard of no more, and the
+trouble she had caused in the school was forgotten in the other
+interests that had taken its place.
+
+The Sophomore, Junior and Senior years of the "Kindred Spirits" and
+their friends were successfully passed, and at length came the day, so
+long worked for and looked forward to, when, with their school honors
+won, the members of the Senior class were ready to throw off the cap and
+gown, receive their diplomas and step forth as full-fledged graduates,
+equipped for life in their various ways, each hoping to fulfill her
+ambition and to realize the cherished hope that lay nearest her heart.
+
+The "Kindred Spirits" were gathered for the last time in Alison's and
+Joan's room, to look over and comment on the new Annual, _Briarwood
+Bells_. The class history was pronounced fairly good. In their Freshman
+year they had made good in athletics. As Sophomores, there had been some
+drawbacks in the first half of the year, but these had been made up by
+the work of the latter half. Their "verdant days" were past, and they
+realized the importance of faithful work.
+
+With the Junior year came new interests and hopes. The principal event
+in this year, in the girls' memories, was the "Junior-Senior banquet,"
+the end and aim of existence for the time being. And now, with the close
+of the Senior year the class had won its laurels, concluded the
+Historian; and one sensed the long breath of relief with which she
+finished her task.
+
+"Pretty good, on the whole," Joan pronounced. "Nothing brilliant, but I
+think Miss Harland will consider that we have upheld the honor of
+Briarwood."
+
+Kathy turned the pages, and then suddenly closed the book.
+
+"Girls, I have an idea. Before we read the class prophecy, let us each
+tell our plans and ambitions for the future, and see how they tally with
+what Helen has foretold for us--"
+
+"And let us meet here in this very room, ten years from now, and see how
+many of her prophecies have come true." That was Joan's suggestion.
+
+"All right," assented Kathy. "Who will begin?"
+
+"You. You started this thing," said Rachel.
+
+"Very well. I expect to teach for a few years, and then to be a trained
+nurse. Now you, Alison."
+
+"I want to do a lot of things, but most of all, I want to come back here
+and teach at Briarwood," said Alison earnestly.
+
+"Good! Then you'll be here to welcome us when we meet in ten years,"
+Joan applauded. "As for me, I'm going to fly.... You will hear of me
+some day as the famous woman aviator."
+
+"I'm going to travel to the ends of the earth," was Polly's
+contribution. "Perhaps I'll fly with Polly."
+
+It was Rachel's turn. "I'm not so ambitious as Polly and Jo. Mine is to
+be the best teacher of Domestic Science that I know how to be. I
+specialized in that, you know."
+
+"Fine! Mine is to teach music and play at big concerts," said Evelyn.
+"Now, Rosalind, how are you going to distinguish yourself?"
+
+Rosalind smiled and blushed all over her pretty flower-like face.
+
+"Why--I hadn't quite made up my mind. I guess I'll just have a good time
+for a while, and then be--a lawyer."
+
+There was a shout of laughter. Kathy had been writing, and now read her
+notes: "A teacher at Briarwood; a flyer; a great traveler; a Domestic
+Science teacher; a musician; a lawyer; and a trained nurse. Most of the
+professions seemed to be represented. Briarwood will have cause to be
+proud of us. Now let us see what the Class Prophet has to say of us."
+
+She turned the pages to one headed
+
+    CLASS PROPHECY
+
+and began to read. The "prophecy" purported to be items from newspapers
+of the future, and some of the extracts are of interest to our readers.
+The first ran thus:
+
+"Misses Polly Worthington and Evelyn Kingsley have recently opened their
+Music Studio. Miss Worthington will give instruction in voice and Miss
+Kingsley in piano. Both young ladies distinguished themselves in these
+branches at college."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"The public will be glad to hear that the best equipped hospital in the
+South will shortly be opened, with Miss Alison Fair as head nurse."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"After finishing her course in Math. at the University of ---- in which
+she did brilliantly, Miss Rachel Cameron has accepted a position as
+Math. teacher at her Alma Mater."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"The best seller of the month is a novel by Miss Katherine Bertram, who
+is winning for herself an enviable name as a writer. Her former
+classmates will read her work with interest and pleasure."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"A recent item in a missionary magazine tells us that Miss Joan
+Wentworth has decided to devote her life and talents to the
+missionfield. She will sail this week for China."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Miss Rosalind Forrest, the fairest ornament of her class in college, is
+deeply interested in Social Service work, and is doing valuable work
+along this line."
+
+                      "Helen May, Historian."
+
+Kathy looked up. "So there is our future, girls, as our Historian has
+foretold it. We never know. Perhaps some of us may follow the paths she
+has pointed out. But in any case we can only do our very best in
+whatever place in life we may find ourselves, content and humbly glad if
+we merit the Lord's commendation, 'Well done, good and faithful
+servant--'"
+
+There was a pause as Kathy stopped speaking. She had not meant to
+preach, but the words had come to her instinctively, and they touched a
+responsive chord in their hearts. The young faces were serious as
+thoughts deeper than their merry surface banter made themselves felt.
+
+A sweet-toned bell called them to supper. The spring evening was
+falling, soft and dewy, over the gray old walls and terraces of
+Briarwood. Tomorrow they would separate, never to meet again as
+care-free schoolgirls; and the shadow of the parting lay on their faces
+and hearts as they rose to go down. It was Joan who cheerfully said,
+
+"To meet again--this day ten years!"
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Briarwood Girls, by Julia Lestarjette Glover
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRIARWOOD GIRLS ***
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