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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus, by
+Jessie Graham Flower
+
+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: Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus
+
+Author: Jessie Graham Flower
+
+Release Date: January 28, 2007 [EBook #9901]
+[This file was first posted on October 29, 2003]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRACE HARLOWE'S RETURN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Ginny Brewer, Tom Allen,
+Mary Meehan, David Newman and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                 Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus
+
+                      By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A.M.
+
+Author of The High School Girls Series, The College Girls Series, etc.
+
+
+
+
+PHILADELPHIA
+HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY
+Copyright, 1915
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: The Girls Worked Busily]
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+       I. A Midsummer Pilgrimage
+
+      II. A Welcome Guest
+
+     III. An Unexpected Caller
+
+      IV. The Secret Session
+
+       V. The Way to Perpetual Youth
+
+      VI. Jessica's Wedding
+
+     VII. The Return of Emma Dean
+
+    VIII. A Strange Applicant
+
+      IX. Mary Reynolds Makes a New Friend
+
+       X. The Thirty-Third Girl
+
+      XI. Evelyn Ward, Freshman
+
+     XII. The Harlowe House Club
+
+    XIII. Planning for the Reception
+
+     XIV. A Disquieting Thought
+
+      XV. A Semper Fidelis Reunion
+
+     XVI. The Interrupted Confidence
+
+    XVII. A Week-End in New York
+
+   XVIII. A Humiliating Reprimand
+
+     XIX. An Unintentional Listener
+
+      XX. A Double Puzzle
+
+     XXI. The Puzzle Deepens
+
+    XXII. Two Letters
+
+   XXIII. Kathleen West, Confidante
+
+    XXIV. Conclusion
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+The Girls Worked Busily.
+
+"Why, Emma Dean!" Exclaimed Grace.
+
+"We Decided to Give Our Loyalheart a Loyalty Token."
+
+"Did I Startle You, Miss Ward?"
+
+
+
+
+Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+A MIDSUMMER PILGRIMAGE
+
+
+"Overton, at last!" exclaimed Grace Harlowe, as, regardless of possible
+cinders and stern railroad injunctions, she leaned far out of the car
+window to obtain a first eager glimpse of her destination.
+
+It was midsummer, and the quiet, little town of Overton drowsed gently,
+not to awaken until the sounds of girl laughter and the passing of light
+feet through its sleepy streets roused it to the realization that it was
+Overton College that made its hum-drum existence worth while.
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Gray, you can't imagine how happy I feel!" went on Grace, her
+eyes eloquent with emotion. "Next to home, I love Overton better than
+any other place on earth. I'm so glad we are going to stay at Wayne
+Hall, and that Mrs. Elwood is to meet us."
+
+A long shrill whistle, a creaking and groaning of protesting iron
+wheels, the stentorian cry of "Overton! Overton!" and then a sudden
+jarring stop. Grace reached to the rack overhead for Mrs. Gray's small
+leather bag, allowing the dainty little old lady to precede her down the
+aisle which was practically clear. Apparently they were the only Overton
+passengers in that car. She stood still on the top step of the train
+until Mrs. Gray had been safely landed on the platform by the smiling
+porter, then, disdaining his helping hand, ran down the steps with a
+joyful skip that caused her companion to say indulgently, "You'll never
+grow up, Grace, and I'm glad of it. I can't become reconciled to the
+fact that Nora and Jessica are brides-to-be and that Anne's art is
+making her terribly serious. It's a joy to my old age to see you frisk
+about as happily as you did when you were a little thing in short white
+skirts with two long braids of fair hair hanging down your back."
+
+"I don't really feel a bit older than I did then," confessed Grace.
+"Sometimes I'm almost ashamed of my enthusiasm. It seems as though nice
+things are always happening to me, and this summer pilgrimage of just we
+two is the nicest of all."
+
+They were walking slowly across the deserted platform now, and Grace was
+keeping a sharp look-out on all sides for the short, comfortable figure
+of Mrs. Elwood.
+
+"There she is!" Grace hurried forward, her hands outstretched. The next
+instant they were held in Mrs. Elwood's welcoming grasp, while she
+kissed Grace's soft cheek.
+
+"My dear, dear girl!" she exclaimed, a suspicious moisture in her kindly
+blue eyes. "It does seem good to see you again. I'm very glad to welcome
+you to Overton, Mrs. Gray," she turned to shake hands with the donor of
+Harlowe House, "and delighted to know that you are going to stay with me
+instead of going to the Tourraine. Miss Harlowe's old room is ready for
+her, and I'm going to put you in the room Miss Nesbit and Miss Briggs
+used to have."
+
+"You'll be haunted by the kimono-clad shades of Miriam and Elfreda
+drinking tea and eating cakes at unseemly hours of the night," laughed
+Grace.
+
+"How are all my girls?" asked Mrs. Elwood. "I don't know what I shall do
+without them this year. You will have to come and see me often and tell
+me all about them, Miss Harlowe. Now let me see. There ought to be a
+taxicab just the other side of the station. Yes, there it is."
+
+The driver touched his cap smilingly to Grace as they climbed into the
+automobile, "It does look good to see you here again, miss," he said
+respectfully.
+
+"Thank you. I'm glad to see you again." Grace beamed whole-heartedly
+upon him. How many times he had carried her to and from the station. It
+was he who had driven the car on that memorable day when Ruth Denton had
+gone to the station to meet her father. Grace's eyes grew dreamy as they
+passed through the familiar streets. How much had happened since the
+time when she had entered Oakdale High School as a freshman with college
+in the far and hidden future.
+
+To her many friends "Grace Harlowe's Plebe Year at High
+School," "Grace Harlowe's Sophomore Year at High School,"
+"Grace Harlowe's Junior Year at High School," and "Grace
+Harlowe's Senior Year at High School" are now familiar records.
+Equally well known to these friends is the story of her freshman year at
+Overton, as set forth in "Grace Harlowe's First Year at Overton
+College."
+
+Accompanied by her friends, Miriam Nesbit and Anne Pierson, Grace began
+her freshman year at Overton College under a cloud which rose from her
+ready defense of J. Elfreda Briggs, a disgruntled student who had made
+enemies of two sophomores, and whose first days at college were made
+very unpleasant by them. J. Elfreda's subsequent casting aside of her
+friendship and her tardy realization of Grace's worth brought about a
+happy ending of their freshman year.
+
+In "Grace Harlowe's Second Year at Overton College" the four
+girls set out to find the rainbow side of their sophomore year. How each
+girl found it, but in an entirely different manner, how Grace lived up
+to her resolve to choose only the highest in college, and how the famous
+Semper Fidelis Club came into existence, made the sophomore year in
+college memorable.
+
+"Grace Harlowe's Third Year at Overton College" told of what
+befell the four friends as juniors. The advent of Kathleen West, a
+newspaper girl, into college was the first link in a chain of petty
+difficulties with which Grace was obliged to contend as a junior. The
+carnival given by the Semper Fidelis Club in which the Alice in
+Wonderland Circus was enacted, the important part which Jean, the old
+hunter of Oakdale fame, played in one Overton girl's life, the message
+Emma Dean forgot to deliver, and countless other absorbing incidents
+served to fill their junior year with ceaseless interest.
+
+"Grace Harlowe's Fourth Year at Overton College" found Grace
+and her friends on the homeward stretch with commencement at the end of
+their college trail. The record of Grace's senior year was filled with
+happenings grave and gay. It ended in a blaze of honor and glory, and it
+was on Commencement day that she made her decision to return to Overton
+and look after Harlowe House, lately completed and endowed by Mrs. Gray
+in honor of her young friends and dedicated to the use of poor girls who
+were making valiant efforts to obtain an education.
+
+It was in reference to Harlowe House, her future home, that Grace and
+Mrs. Gray had made this midsummer pilgrimage, as Grace had laughingly
+styled it, to Overton. As their car glided through the shady streets of
+the dignified college town Grace wondered if it were really eight years
+since her freshman days in Oakdale High School. It certainly couldn't be
+four years since Mabel Ashe had conducted her and Anne and Miriam to the
+Tourraine on that first eventful afternoon. She remembered just how
+beautiful Mabel had looked in her white linen frock, with her white
+embroidered parasol tilted over one shoulder, an effective frame for her
+lovely face and wavy, golden-brown hair.
+
+"Dreaming, Grace?" Mrs. Gray's voice dispelled the vision. "I can't
+blame you. I suppose this ride brings up hosts of memories."
+
+Grace nodded. She could not trust her voice to answer. A sudden mist
+filled her eyes, a silent tribute to those whose feet had once kept pace
+with hers through these beloved ways. Commencement had scattered them
+broadcast. She, alone, was coming back again to take up life at the
+college. How she would miss them all. The dry irresistible humor of Emma
+Dean, the sturdy independence of J. Elfreda Briggs, the daintiness of
+Arline Thayer and the steadfast loyalty of Ruth Denton. Last of all
+there were Anne and Miriam. Anne, her devoted little comrade of years,
+and Miriam, whose faith and good fellowship had never failed her.
+
+A sob rose in Grace's throat, but she quickly stifled it. After all she
+was about to begin the work she herself had chosen. She had known when
+she announced her determination to take charge of Harlowe House that
+things could never be quite the same. It would be selfish, indeed, in
+her to break down and cry when Mrs. Gray had come to Overton solely to
+help her select the furniture and plan for the opening of Harlowe House
+in September.
+
+Grace pulled herself together and, resolutely putting her own sense of
+loss behind her, said steadily: "I couldn't help thinking of the girls
+for a minute. It made me want to cry, but I've set my face to the future
+now, and I'm sure that my new work is going to bring me as much
+happiness here as I had during the other dear four years. When I think
+of how splendid it was in you to give Harlowe House to Overton, I feel
+as though there isn't any sacrifice too great for me to make to insure
+its success, and I hope that my coming back to Overton Campus to do my
+work is going to mean a thousand times more to me next June than it does
+now."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A WELCOME GUEST
+
+
+The summer sun, streaming intimately in at the window of her room, and
+touching her hair with warm, awakening fingers, caused Grace to open her
+eyes before six o'clock the next morning. She lay looking about her,
+unable for the moment to remember where she was. Then she laughed and
+reaching for her kimono, which hung folded across the footboard of the
+bed, slipped it on, and, thrusting her feet into her bedroom slippers,
+went to the window.
+
+"Dear old Overton Hall," she murmured, her eyes fixed lovingly on the
+stately gray tower of the building that she had come to regard as a
+close friend. Again she found herself overwhelmed by a tide of
+reminiscences. How many times she and Anne had stood at the self-same
+window, arm in arm, gazing out at the self-same sights. She could see
+the very seat at the foot of the big tree where she had sat the day Emma
+Dean had poked her head about the big syringa bush and mournfully handed
+her the letter from Ruth Denton's father which had been buried in the
+pocket of Emma's coat for so many weeks. She smiled as she recalled the
+ludicrously penitent expression with which Emma had delivered the
+letter. There were the library steps on which Arline Thayer had sat and
+cried so disconsolately because she could not go home for Christmas.
+Once more she saw a strange procession winding its way across the campus
+headed by a walking, chattering scarecrow, Emma Dean again in her famous
+representation of "Never Too Late to Mend," which had been one of the
+great features of the Famous Fiction dance.
+
+Then she saw four girls, with their shining heads bared to the sun,
+strolling across the campus, talking earnestly of what the future held
+for them. And still again she saw them in caps and gowns marching toward
+the Gate of Commencement. It was only a little time since they had
+passed through that gateway, yet how long it seemed.
+
+Suddenly her look of abstraction changed to one of startled interest.
+Running to the door she threw it open and listened intently. She heard
+Mrs. Elwood's voice raised in pleased surprise, then, could she believe
+her ears? she heard another never-to-be-forgotten voice say, "I could
+see that there was some one awake and stirring."
+
+With a joyous cry of "J. Elfreda, where, oh, where did you come from?" a
+lithe, blue-robed figure raced down the stairs and wrapped both arms
+tightly about a plump young woman, in a tailored coat suit, who returned
+the warm embrace with interest.
+
+"Oh, Grace, I can't tell you how glad I am to see you again!" exclaimed
+J. Elfreda Briggs fervently. "I never was so glad in all my life as when
+I found out you were here. The letter was forwarded to me at the beach.
+We're at Wildwood for the summer. Maybe I didn't pick up my things in a
+hurry. To use slang, which you know I can't resist using occasionally, I
+hot-footed it for the station the minute Ma said I could come."
+
+"Which letter do you mean, Elfreda?" asked Grace in a puzzled tone.
+
+"Why the one from Mrs. Gray, of course," returned Elfreda. "Isn't she
+here?"
+
+"Yes, but--"
+
+"Grace! Elfreda!" called Mrs. Gray from the head of the stairs, "come up
+here, children."
+
+"Come on." Grace seized Elfreda's heavy suit case and started up the
+stairs. Elfreda followed with alacrity. "Now," laughed Grace, as she
+stepped into Mrs. Gray's room, "I demand an explanation." She laid her
+hands lightly upon the old lady's shoulders, smiling down at her, then
+bent and kissed her cheek.
+
+"This is certainly a happy meeting," declared Elfreda, as she embraced
+Mrs. Gray, who rose to greet her.
+
+"I'm so glad you could come, my dear. I knew that Grace would miss her
+friends dreadfully when she came back here. Anne and Miriam are both
+away, and Nora and Jessica are too deep in the mysteries of hope chests
+and wedding finery to be dragged off on even the most delightful of
+midsummer pilgrimages. But my greatest reason for asking you to come was
+because I believed you were the very person Grace needed to make her
+happy here. You see it will take at least two weeks to set things to
+rights and she must have inspiring company. I hope everything has
+arrived safely. Suppose we hurry through with our breakfast and go over
+to Harlowe House at once. Mrs. Elwood tells me that she informed the
+caretaker yesterday of our coming. We shall be obliged to stop at his
+house for the key."
+
+"Oh, Elfreda, I'm so sorry that you weren't with us in New York," was
+Grace's regretful cry. "We stayed with the Southards, Mrs. Gray, Anne,
+Miriam and I. Anne, Miss Southard and Mr. Southard left New York City
+for California last week. Mr. Southard and Anne are to appear as joint
+stars in film productions of 'As You Like It,' 'Hamlet,' 'King Lear' and
+possibly other Shakespearian plays. It is their first experience in
+posing before the camera. Anne sent you her love. She will write you as
+soon as she is settled."
+
+"Dear little Anne," smiled Elfreda, her eyes growing tender.
+
+"I hope she'll be back in time for the girls' weddings. Nora and Jessica
+say positively that they won't be married without her." Grace looked
+anxious.
+
+"When are they to be married?"
+
+"The last of September. The date hasn't been set."
+
+"Grace," Elfreda fixed round solemn eyes on her friend, "do you feel
+very old this summer?"
+
+"Not the least little bit. I can't realize that I've come back to
+Harlowe House to take charge of it. I feel as young as I felt when I
+first entered high school."
+
+"Well, I'm glad to hear it, for, to save me, I can't feel responsible
+and dignified. I've run and raced and swum and played golf like an
+Indian all summer, and honestly I feel ever so much younger than when I
+came to Overton four years ago. See how tanned I am? I haven't gained an
+ounce either. I weigh just one hundred and thirty-five pounds and no
+more," concluded J. Elfreda in triumph.
+
+"You are in splendid condition, Elfreda," praised Mrs. Gray. Grace
+nodded emphatic approval.
+
+"Yes, I'm strong enough to hustle furniture, beat rugs, scrub floors, or
+do anything else necessary to the beautifying and eternal improvement of
+Harlowe House." Then she added slyly, "Lead me to it."
+
+"You'll be led to it fast enough," promised Grace. "Just wait until we
+have some breakfast."
+
+At that moment Mrs. Elwood appeared in the open doorway. "Shall I bring
+your breakfast upstairs this morning?" she asked. "I thought Mrs. Gray
+might like to have it in her room."
+
+"Thank you, but I'd rather go downstairs this morning," nodded the
+energetic old lady. "May we breakfast a la negligee?"
+
+"Yes, come down just as you are. There is no one here besides myself and
+the maid."
+
+"Miss Briggs, have you had your breakfast? Jane is making waffles. I
+thought you--"
+
+"Waffles!" exclaimed Elfreda, rolling her eyes in ecstacy. "If I'd had
+fifty breakfasts I couldn't resist waffles. Thank goodness Vinton's
+wasn't open."
+
+"Aren't waffles supposed to be fattening?" inquired Grace judiciously.
+
+"Don't ask me," was Elfreda's fervent protest. "I've set my mind on
+eating them, even though I have to walk to Hunter's Rock and back in the
+glare of the noonday sun to counteract their deadly effects."
+
+It was a merry trio that gathered around the table which Mrs. Elwood had
+set on the roomy, vine-covered back porch, and it was fully an hour
+after they sat down to breakfast before they rose to go upstairs and
+make ready for their visit to Harlowe House.
+
+"There is no use in trying to begin our real work to-day," declared
+Grace, as the three left Mrs. Elwood's and strolled slowly along College
+Street in the direction of the caretaker's house. Mr. Symes, who had
+faithfully executed so many commissions for Grace, had been selected as
+the best possible person to look after the house. "Mr. Symes was to see
+that everything was unpacked before we arrived. We shall have to employ
+two men to move the heavy furniture. Thank goodness and Mrs. Gray, there
+are no carpets to be laid. The floors are all hard wood and there are
+rugs for every room except the kitchen and laundry."
+
+"I brought an old dress along," Elfreda informed her friends. "I helped
+Ma set our cottage to rights this summer and I know something about
+work. We had two maids and a scrubwoman. The maids were in my way, so I
+sent them off for a holiday and the scrubwoman and I tackled the job and
+went through with it like wildfire. Ma nearly had a spasm, but she liked
+the looks of things when we had finished. You should have seen me,
+though. Ma didn't like my looks. I guess I did resemble a human mop if
+you know what that looks like."
+
+"I can imagine," laughed Grace. "If you attack the business of putting
+Harlowe House to rights with the same energy, I shall know exactly how
+you looked when you cleaned the cottage."
+
+"Perhaps you will," Elfreda grinned boyishly. "I hadn't thought of
+that."
+
+"You couldn't see that far ahead, could you?" quizzed Grace with
+twinkling eyes.
+
+"No I couldn't," declared Elfreda earnestly, then, catching sight of
+Grace's dancing eyes, she laughed good-naturedly. "You will tease me
+about that. I can see that you'll never outgrow the habit."
+
+"I can see that Elfreda is going to lighten our labors and make our
+tasks merry," smiled Mrs. Gray. "What a joy and a diversion you must
+have been to Miriam."
+
+"I was anything but an unqualified source of pleasure during my freshman
+year," replied Elfreda. "It is plain to be seen that Grace never told
+you my early Overton history."
+
+"Now, Elfreda--" began Grace, but Elfreda was not to be thus easily
+deterred from saying her say. She launched forth with a ludicrous
+account of her freshman shortcomings that left Mrs. Gray and Grace
+breathless with laughter.
+
+"Elfreda, it is hard to say which is funnier, you or Hippy," Mrs. Gray's
+eyes twinkled with enjoyment.
+
+"Well, isn't it so?" demanded J. Elfreda. "Isn't that exactly the way I
+used to do?"
+
+"It's what I call a highly exaggerated account of your self-named
+misdeeds," returned Grace. "You haven't said a word about all the nice
+things you did for the girls."
+
+"I don't remember them," evaded Elfreda hastily. "Oh, there's Mr. Symes
+now! How are you, Mr. Symes? You didn't expect to see me here, did you?"
+
+"Well, well, if it ain't Miss Briggs," beamed the old man joyfully. His
+remembrance of J. Elfreda was decidedly pleasant. She had always paid
+him generously for the numerous errands he had run for her. He greeted
+Grace with equal enthusiasm, and bobbed like a nodding mandarin before
+Mrs. Gray.
+
+"I hope you have been well, Mr. Symes. How is your wife and how do you
+like being caretaker of Harlowe House?" asked Grace.
+
+"I'm well, miss, and so's my wife. It's a fine place, miss, that Harlowe
+House, an' it'll be finer still when fall comes and it's full of Overton
+students. We're pretty proud of our young ladies, we Overton folks.
+Excuse me, miss, I'll go over to my house and get the key. I'll be right
+along."
+
+"He has a whole lot of real college spirit," commented Elfreda, "or he
+couldn't speak so beautifully of the Overton girls."
+
+"He always was a perfect old dear," agreed Grace warmly.
+
+The caretaker soon overtook them with the key, and the little company
+crossed the street and traversed the deserted campus.
+
+"How strangely still everything is," commented Grace. "Not in the least
+like it was six months ago, is it, Elfreda?"
+
+"It gives me the blues," averred Elfreda in a low tone.
+
+"Here we are," called Mrs. Gray, with a cheery attempt at dispelling the
+tiny cloud of dejection that had fallen over the two girls. "Harlowe
+House couldn't have a prettier site."
+
+The three women followed Mr. Symes up the steps, then, as if by common
+consent, turned and looked out over the green expanse of closely-clipped
+lawn, sprinkled with sentinel-like old trees. They had stood guard year
+after year and silently watched the comings and goings of the hundreds
+of girls who proudly acknowledged Overton as their Alma Mater.
+
+"What's the use of gazing and mooning?" asked Elfreda, with sudden
+brusqueness. "Please open that door, Mr. Symes. I shall certainly weep
+and wail disconsolately out of pure sentiment if you don't distract my
+attention with something else. Show me the furniture, or the boxes it
+came in, or anything else that won't call forth tender reminiscences."
+
+Grace's laugh sounded a trifle shaky, but it was a laugh nevertheless.
+Something in Elfreda's brusque tones acted as an antidote to her
+retrospection. She had been more or less ghost-ridden ever since her
+return to Overton. She now resolved to shake off that pleasantly
+melancholy sensation and "be up and doing with a heart for any fate."
+
+The caretaker admitted them to a hall crowded with huge packing boxes.
+In fact, the whole of the first floor was occupied by the large
+shipments of furniture recently delivered into the care of Mr. Symes.
+
+"It's worse than the cottage," announced Elfreda; "a regular howling
+wilderness. I'd like to know how we can possibly guess what's what and
+why. These boxes all look alike. If we have our minds set upon seeing
+the parlor suite, we'll be sure to unpack the kitchen furniture
+instead."
+
+"We'll let the men wrestle with the unpacking, girls," decided Mrs.
+Gray. "I don't wish my body guard to nurse wholesale bruises and smashed
+fingers. Mr. Symes, can you have two men besides yourself here this
+afternoon to unpack these things?"
+
+"I certainly can, Mrs. Gray," promised Mr. Symes with respectful
+promptness.
+
+"Then we'll have to possess our souls in patience until to-morrow,"
+sighed Grace. "Isn't this a lovely, roomy house, Elfreda? I'm so glad,
+too, that there isn't a prim, stiff parlor. I like this immense
+living-room much better. The girls will surely like it. It will serve as
+a library too. That little room just off the hall will make such a
+convenient office for me. Imagine me as the head of a college house,
+with an office all my own, Elfreda."
+
+"It's a good thing for the house," commented Elfreda. "I hope the girls
+that live here will appreciate you, Grace. I hope none of them will be
+as silly as J. Elfreda Briggs was."
+
+"Elfreda, how can you?" remonstrated Grace.
+
+"How could I, you mean," flung back Elfreda. "Because I was a spoiled,
+selfish ingrate who never stopped to think of any one else's rights."
+
+"Now, now, Elfreda," protested Mrs. Gray.
+
+"Well, I was," insisted Elfreda positively. "It took a whole year to
+reduce me to order. I wasn't as hopeless as some of the others. It took
+three years to make Alberta Wicks and Mary Hampton real Overton girls,
+and two years to instil college spirit into Kathleen West. But Grace
+never gave any of us up, even though we treated her so shabbily. That's
+why I just said I hoped that the girls would appreciate Grace. I'd hate
+to think that some stupid ill-natured freshman, it's more likely to be a
+freshman than any one else, would behave like an idiot and spoil her
+first year at Harlowe House." There was an expression of anxious concern
+on Elfreda's round face.
+
+"Don't worry, Elfreda," reassured Grace, "the students who come to
+Harlowe House to live are sure to be nice. Girls who have their own way
+to pay through college are usually cheerful and unselfish. They are
+anxious to live and willing to let live."
+
+"I don't know about that. Kathleen West wasn't a glaring pattern of
+amiability when she entered Overton," reminded Elfreda. "Of course she's
+now a brilliant example of what forbearance will accomplish, and you
+know that I am very fond of her, but you and I remember what we went
+through during the forbearing process."
+
+"Don't croak, J. Elfreda Briggs," admonished Grace lightly, "I don't
+imagine that everything will be plain sailing this year. That would be
+asking too much. Still I hope I shall not have any serious
+misunderstandings with my girls. I'm going to remember my motto,
+'Blessed are they that have found their work,' and not shirk anything
+that comes within the line of it."
+
+"I guess there isn't the slightest danger of shirking on your part," was
+Elfreda's dry retort. "I hope the men that do the unpacking of this
+stuff will be imbued with the same spirit. You'd better bring out that
+motto and hang it up where they can see it. To change the subject, we
+haven't been upstairs yet."
+
+"Come on, then."
+
+"I think I'll wait for you on the veranda, children," said Mrs. Gray.
+"Don't stay upstairs too long. I should like to go back to Mrs.
+Elwood's, telephone for a taxicab, and make a call upon Dr. Morton this
+morning."
+
+"We'll hurry," promised Grace, as they ascended the open staircase which
+led to the second floor. "These are to be my quarters," she announced,
+opening a door at the end of the hall on the left side of the stairs.
+"This left wing was designed especially for me. The right wing has the
+same amount of space, but it is divided into two bedrooms. But the left
+has a sitting-room and bedroom, with a bathroom between the two. It
+seems selfish in me to have so much room, but Mrs. Gray insists that I
+need it and wishes me to be thoroughly comfortable. She wanted me to
+have circassian walnut bedroom furniture, but I chose oak. I don't wish
+my rooms to suggest luxury. It wouldn't seem in touch with the spirit of
+my undertaking."
+
+Elfreda regarded Grace with loving admiration. "You're the squarest,
+fairest girl I ever knew or even expect to know, Grace," was her
+tribute. "And you deserve the best that the Harlowe House girls can give
+you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+AN UNEXPECTED CALLER
+
+
+"'And if I do say it as shouldn't,' this room is a credit to our college
+and our own sweet native land," proclaimed Elfreda, as she viewed with
+critical eyes the long cheerful living-room, to which she and Grace had
+just put the final touches. The morning sunshine of a perfect midsummer
+day poured in at the windows flooding the scene with dazzling light, as
+though smiling its approval of the pretty room. The walls and ceilings
+were papered in cream color with a running border of green leaves. The
+floor rug was in two shades of green, and the window draperies were in
+green and white. The furniture was in mission oak, but there were
+several comfortable arm chairs and willow rockers scattered about the
+room. A long library table took up considerable space at one end of the
+room, and conveniently near it were rows of book shelves, lined with
+special books required by the Overton curriculum of study, which, in
+price, were out of reach of the more impecunious students, and were in
+such constant demand at the library that their temporary possession
+often meant weeks of waiting.
+
+There was a piano, of course, but the crowning feature of the room,
+however, was the wide window seat built across the bow-window at its
+upper end. It was at least four feet wide, upholstered in thick green
+velvet and piled high with sofa pillows. It was indeed a cozy corner
+which invited rest, and Elfreda confidently predicted that it would be
+the most popular spot in the house.
+
+The house itself had not followed the usual plan of modern architecture.
+In fact, it was distinctly old-fashioned and built for room rather than
+effect. The hall ran the length of the house to the kitchen, dividing it
+into two parts. The dining-room was on the side opposite the
+living-room, and had also a bow-window. Directly behind it lay the
+servants' quarters. Adjoining the living-room was Grace's little office
+and behind that was a room furnished with every convenience for the
+benefit of those girls who were obliged to launder their own clothing to
+save expense.
+
+The second, third and fourth floors were, with the exception of Grace's
+suite, given up entirely to bedrooms, of which there were sixteen. This
+meant the accommodation of thirty-two students for whom the perplexing
+problem of food and shelter was solved for their entire four years'
+course at Overton, provided they complied with the rules of Harlowe
+House.
+
+"Doesn't it seem wonderful, Elfreda, that through Mrs. Gray's generosity
+the girls who come here will be free from the dreadful worry of paying
+board? All they will have to look out for is their regular college fees,
+and if they happen to be lucky enough to enter Overton on scholarships
+they will have absolutely plain sailing." Grace's face was alight with
+appreciation of Mrs. Gray's gift.
+
+"What a pity Ruth Denton couldn't have had such a chance," mused
+Elfreda. "Poor little Ruth, how hard she worked."
+
+"And now she has everything," returned Grace. "It seems miraculous that
+she found her father, doesn't it?"
+
+Elfreda nodded. "Arline Thayer was good to her those first three years.
+Do you remember the ridiculous quarrel they had because Ruth wouldn't
+tell us what she was like when she was a little girl?"
+
+"I ought to remember it, considering the fact that I officiated as peace
+maker," smiled Grace. "How I shall miss Arline. There is only one other
+girl, outside of you and Miriam and Anne, whom I shall miss as much."
+
+"Emma Dean?" guessed Elfreda.
+
+"Yes, Emma Dean. I can't begin to tell you how fond of her I am and
+always have been. She was the life of Wayne Hall. Mrs. Elwood was
+sighing fond remembrance of her only this morning. Really, Elfreda, I
+wonder if, ever again, there will be a class quite like 19--?"
+
+"Never," declared Elfreda with quick loyalty, then, glancing up at the
+mission clock on the wall, she exclaimed: "I wonder why Mrs. Gray
+doesn't come! Let's go out on the veranda and watch for her."
+
+The two young women strolled out onto the veranda just in time to see an
+automobile drive up to the house containing two persons. One of them was
+Mrs. Gray, the other, to whom she was talking animatedly, was a
+broad-shouldered young man, whose gray eyes shone with pleasure as he
+caught sight of Grace.
+
+"Why, Tom!" she called in astonishment. "Where did you come from? I
+thought you were away up in Maine." She hurried down the steps, her
+hands extended.
+
+The young man caught them in his and held them fast. "So I was," he
+answered, his eyes searching hers, "but my work there is done for the
+present. I am on my way to Washington, but it's a roundabout way, for,
+when I received your letter, I was devoured with curiosity to see
+Harlowe House, so I took a day off, on my own responsibility, and came
+this way."
+
+Grace colored under the young man's ardent gaze. She knew only too well
+that it was not alone curiosity to see Harlowe House that had taken Tom
+out of his way. "I'm sorry your curiosity didn't devour you sooner," she
+retorted mischievously. "If only you had come here last week! You could
+have made yourself invaluable. However, you are in time to meet Elfreda,
+at least."
+
+"Yes, Tom," declared his aunt, "you can't afford to miss knowing
+Elfreda. She is the counterpart of Hippy, and has kept Grace and I in a
+perpetual state of smiles during the past two weeks."
+
+Tom helped his aunt out of the automobile and the three walked slowly
+toward the veranda where Elfreda stood waiting. A moment later she and
+Tom were shaking hands and declaring that, having heard so much of each
+other from Grace, they were really old acquaintances.
+
+"When are you going home?" Tom asked, as half an hour later, the party
+paused in the living-room after a tour of inspection which included the
+four floors.
+
+"That is the main subject under discussion at present," smiled Grace.
+"It must be very soon. If not to-morrow, then the day after. Here we are
+fairly into August and I have spent a very short time with Father and
+Mother. Then, too, the Phi Sigma Tau has a great many mysterious rites
+to observe before two of its members enter into that state known as
+matrimony. Also we expect Eleanor Savelli soon. She and her father and
+aunt are going to be at 'Heartease' for two or three months. Mabel
+Allison and her mother are coming east, and the Southards are coming
+home with Anne when their motion-picture work in California is done. I
+could go on naming plenty of other reasons, but those are the really
+important ones."
+
+"I should say they were important ones," agreed Tom. "It sounds as
+though there were to be some lively times in Oakdale. I'm going to try
+to make my vacation cover the weddings. I can't allow the Originals to
+get married, celebrate or jollificate without me."
+
+"Oh, Tom, will you really?" cried Grace with enthusiasm. "I'll let you
+know the moment the date of the girls' weddings is set."
+
+"Can you stay over until to-morrow, Tom?" asked Mrs. Gray. "Then we can
+go back to Oakdale on the late afternoon train."
+
+"I'm afraid not, Aunt Rose, I'm a day late now. I'll have to take the
+night train for Washington. Let me see." He drew a time table from his
+coat pocket. "There is a train out of Overton at nine o'clock to-night.
+I'm due to catch it. But I'm going to take you all to dinner at the
+Tourraine and we are going for a drive afterward which will end at the
+station, where you will all see me on my desolate way. Are there any
+objections?"
+
+"Nothing but delighted acceptances, my dear boy," assured his aunt,
+glancing fondly at her big, good-looking nephew. "I'll venture to answer
+for the girls, too."
+
+"We'll come to Tom's dinner party, provided he has luncheon with us,"
+stipulated Grace. "It's almost noon now. Mrs. Elwood will have luncheon
+ready at one. You'd better come with us, Tom. We are going to have
+strawberry shortcake with whipped cream, for dessert."
+
+"You couldn't lose me," asserted Tom with slangy emphasis. "Shall I go
+on ahead and telephone for a car, Aunt Rose?"
+
+"No, I'll walk to Wayne Hall with you children," decided Mrs. Gray.
+
+"I wonder if there is anything else to be done," murmured Grace,
+surveying the living-room with anxious eyes. "Oh, my motto. It must hang
+directly above the archway."
+
+"Where is it?" asked Elfreda. "We have time to put it up before we go to
+luncheon, and plenty of skilled laborers." She cast a laughing glance at
+Tom.
+
+"It isn't made yet," confessed Grace. "Eva Allen's brother, who is an
+artist, is illuminating one for me."
+
+"What is your motto, Grace?" asked Tom interestedly.
+
+"'Blessed are they that have found their work,'" repeated Grace, her
+eyes on the spot where she intended the precious motto to hang. Mrs.
+Gray had walked on into the hall, so there was only one pair of eyes to
+see the sudden tightening of Tom's lips and the look of wistfulness
+which crept into his face, and that pair of eyes belonged to Elfreda.
+
+"He cares a whole lot more for Grace than she cares for him," was
+Elfreda's quick appraisal. "At heart, Grace is still a little girl, and
+will be for a long time to come. I hope when she does wake up it won't
+be another prince who will do the awakening."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE SECRET SESSION
+
+
+"I feel more as though I were getting ready for a funeral than about to
+give a dinner for the Eight Originals," sighed Grace Harlowe, as she
+joined her mother on the shady front porch, a little white and gold work
+bag, which Miss Southard had brought her from Paris, swinging from her
+arm. "I can't realize that, within the next week, Nora and Jessica are
+actually going to become Mrs. Hippy Wingate and Mrs. Reddy Brooks. It
+seems ridiculous. Why it's only yesterday that Jessica's hair hung down
+her back in two braids, and Nora wore curls and short dresses."
+
+"I can't imagine Hippy in the role of a dignified bridegroom," smiled
+Mrs. Harlowe. "He is far more likely to convulse the wedding party and
+upset the whole solemn service than to conduct himself with strict
+propriety."
+
+"He insists that he will cover himself with glory if Reddy doesn't look
+at him, and Reddy insists that he will sit and stare him out of
+countenance. David is to be Hippy's best man and Tom Gray Reddy's, while
+Jessica is to be Nora's maid of honor and Nora Jessica's matron of
+honor. She's to be married first, you know. Mabel, Anne, Miriam Nesbit,
+Eleanor Savelli and I are to be the bridesmaids at both weddings," went
+on Grace. "We'll have a reunion of all our friends. The Gibsons are at
+home, Judge Putnam and his sister are coming down earlier from the
+Adirondacks; then there are Eleanor and her father, Miss Nevin and the
+Southards. Every one who has played an active part in our home lives
+will be on hand to see the girls married."
+
+"But how can Nora go away on a wedding journey and be Jessica's matron
+of honor, too?" asked Mrs. Harlowe.
+
+"She and Jessica went over that point a dozen times. You see Nora's
+wedding takes place in the morning. She is going to have a wedding
+breakfast, then she and Hippy will go to the mountains for a week. They
+will return to Oakdale on the day of Jessica's wedding, and leave for a
+long trip west the next morning. That was the best way they could carry
+out a compact they made last June to serve as maids of honor for each
+other."
+
+Mrs. Harlowe listened to Grace's flow of eager talk with a smile of
+content on her fine face. To her fond eyes Grace looked absurdly
+immature in her simple frock of white dotted swiss. She was secretly
+glad that Overton, rather than marriage, had claimed her alert,
+self-reliant daughter for another year. Like every other mother she
+wished some day to see Grace happily settled in a home of her own, but
+she preferred to think of that someday as being still far distant.
+
+Grace took out of her bag a guest towel she was embroidering. It was the
+last of the half dozen towels she had worked for Jessica's hope chest.
+She was not fond of needlework. She preferred to spend her spare time
+playing golf and tennis, or riding and walking. This, as well as the
+hemstitched table cloth and napkins she had completed for Nora, was a
+labor of love. Now as she bent painstakingly over her work, she smiled
+to herself and wove a tender thread of loyalty and love into the
+pattern.
+
+A long clear trill caused her to raise her head quickly and spring to
+her feet with, "Here they are, at last!" She ran to meet them.
+
+Three girls, or rather three young women, came loitering through the
+gate and up the walk, laughing gayly at something the girl in the center
+was relating for their benefit. "Now what has Hippy done?" guessed Grace
+shrewdly.
+
+"You might know it was something about him," said Jessica Bright. "This
+time it was a case of what was done to him. Tell the lady all over
+again, Nora."
+
+"It certainly was funny," dimpled Nora. "You see, Grace, Hippy and Edith
+and I were going for a ride, last night, in his new car. We waited and
+waited for him and couldn't imagine why he didn't come. About ten
+o'clock he came tearing along at a speed that would have made a traffic
+officer turn pale. Edith and I were still sitting on the porch. I
+pretended I was dreadfully offended until he told me where he had been,
+then Edith and I laughed until we almost cried."
+
+"Where had he been?" asked Grace curiously.
+
+The three girls giggled in unison.
+
+"Locked in the cellar," returned Nora mirthfully. "He was all ready to
+go for his car when he happened to remember that he wanted a wrench from
+the tool chest in the cellar. His father is away this week and there was
+no one in the house but the cook. She was all ready to go away for the
+evening, too. She didn't know Hippy was in the cellar, so she locked all
+the doors, the cellar door included, and went on her way rejoicing.
+Hippy said he pounded and shouted and howled and wailed and pounded some
+more. Can't you imagine just how funny he must have looked? He couldn't
+climb out of the cellar windows, for they are too small and he is too
+fat, so he had to stay there until almost ten o'clock. He says he sat on
+the cellar steps most of the time and thought of the happy past. At last
+the cook came home and when he heard her walking around upstairs he
+pounded and shouted again. She thought he was a burglar, just as though
+a burglar would make all that noise, and wasn't going to let him out. He
+insists that he ruined his voice forever in trying to convince her that
+he was himself. He says his frenzied pleadings finally touched her
+adamant heart, and she opened the cellar door very cautiously at the
+rate of about a sixteenth of an inch per minute."
+
+Grace laughed with the others, as Nora finished. "Poor Hippy," she
+commented, "he is always falling into difficulties. I must ask him about
+his evening in the cellar."
+
+"Yes, do," urged Nora. "He tried to swear Edith and me to secrecy, but
+we refused to be sworn."
+
+"It will make Reddy so happy," laughed Anne.
+
+"Oh, Anne, dear, you don't know how splendid it seems to have you home
+again!" exclaimed Grace. "It's just like old times. I can't help feeling
+sad though. We thought when we were graduated from high school that our
+parting of the ways had come, but now that we are all standing on the
+verge of our life work, it seems to me that this is going to be the real
+parting. I can't help wondering if things will seem quite the same again
+when we gather home next year."
+
+"Of course they will," declared practical Nora. "Grace Harlowe, don't
+you dare to grow gloomy and retrospective. We four are chums for life,
+and not all the weddings and stage careers and Harlowe House positions
+in the world can change us."
+
+"I know they can't. I won't make any more excursions into the Valley of
+Doubt," promised Grace.
+
+They had stopped on the walk to talk, now they moved slowly toward the
+veranda, four abreast, a bright-eyed, happy quartette. Mrs. Harlowe
+greeted her daughter's friends as affectionately as though they were her
+own children. "Did you bring your work, girls, or is it to be a case of
+idle hands?"
+
+"Idle hands!" exclaimed Nora. "Far from it. Jessica has a blouse to
+finish and I have innumerable initials to embroider."
+
+"I am the only idle one," confessed Anne. "I am sorry to say that I
+haven't the least desire to be industrious. I prefer to sit with my
+hands folded and watch the rest of you work. It sounds lazy, doesn't
+it?"
+
+"Not a bit of it," declared Grace loyally. "You've done your work, Anne.
+It's time you took a rest. Make yourselves comfy, girls. Here, give me
+your hats and parasols. I'll put them in the hall."
+
+In a moment Grace returned, and sitting down by Nora, who had stationed
+herself in the big porch swing, she picked up her work and began to
+embroider industriously.
+
+For the space of half an hour the little company worked busily, keeping
+up a running accompaniment of merry conversation broken with light
+laughter. It was Nora's quick eyes which first saw Grace lay down her
+work with an impatient sigh. An instant later Grace discovered that
+Nora's industry was flagging. Mrs. Harlowe had just gone into the house.
+Anne was leaning back in her chair, her eyes fixed dreamily upon the far
+horizon, while Jessica, alone, plodded patiently along, too much
+absorbed in the development of the butterfly pattern she was
+embroidering to note that two of her companions were lagging. A sudden
+silence fell upon them all. It was broken by Nora's quick tones. "I'll
+take it all back," she averred. "I'm strictly in favor of idle hands.
+Let's put our work away and go for a walk!"
+
+"For this brilliant idea, we thank you," returned Anne, coming out of
+her dream in a hurry.
+
+"Why not walk over to the old Omnibus House," suggested Grace.
+
+"Brillianter and brillianter," nodded Nora. "What could be more fitting
+than to make a pilgrimage to the scenes of our high school days? I
+haven't been there in ages."
+
+"Neither have I," was Grace's quick response. "It's only half-past
+three. We'll have plenty of time to go there and back before dinner. The
+boys won't be here until six o'clock. You know that Tom Gray arrived
+yesterday, I suppose? That makes the Eight Originals complete. We'll
+have to do without the Plus Two, because Miriam hasn't come home yet and
+Arnold won't be here until the night before Nora's wedding."
+
+"How I miss Miriam," sighed Grace.
+
+"We never dreamed when we were freshmen that she would ever be our close
+friend, did we?" asked Nora.
+
+"She's a dear, and no mistake," agreed Jessica. Then, her glance
+straying to Anne, "What makes Anne look so mysterious?"
+
+Anne smiled. "I'll tell you the most surprising secret you ever heard,
+but not until we get to the Omnibus House and are seated in a row on the
+old stone steps behind it."
+
+"Then let's away!" exclaimed Nora. "We won't need our hats. Two parasols
+will be enough to shade us from the sun."
+
+Five minutes later the four girls trooped down the steps and strolled
+through the familiar streets in the direction of their old playground.
+The afternoon sun beamed so gently and kindly upon them that it was not
+long before they closed their parasols and walked with their heads
+uncovered to his tempered rays. To see a bevy of girls walking in the
+quiet streets of the little city without hats was the commonest sight,
+and the quartette attracted little attention as they sauntered along.
+
+After leaving Oakdale behind, it was not more than ten minutes' walk
+across the fields to the quaint old stone house which had been the scene
+of so many of their high school revels.
+
+"What a lot of good times we have had here," mused Nora reminiscently,
+as they paused before the quaint old building, that had once been a
+tavern, and was, goodness knew, how many years old. "Shall you ever
+forget the time we buried the hatchet?"
+
+"Never!" chorused three emphatic voices.
+
+"Wasn't Julia Crosby too ridiculous for words?" declared Jessica. Her
+smile of recollection was reflected in the faces of her friends.
+
+"That reminds me," remarked Nora, "I have something to tell you girls
+too."
+
+"Let's have a 'secret' session," proposed Jessica. "Every one who wishes
+to attend must be ready to tell a secret the moment we sit down on the
+steps."
+
+"'A secret is a secret, only, when known to three persons, two of which
+are dead,'" quoted Anne mischievously.
+
+"These secrets mustn't be the heart-to-heart,
+keep-it-to-yourself-forever kind," stipulated Nora. "They mustn't be of
+the complex variety either. Dark secrets are also strictly tabooed from
+this session."
+
+"Stop laying down rules and regulations," laughed Grace, "and let us
+form our secret row. I am eaten up with curiosity to know what Anne and
+Nora know."
+
+"Are you eligible?" quizzed Nora. "That is the important question. Anne,
+you must head the row. You began this session."
+
+Anne complied obediently.
+
+Nora sat down beside her.
+
+Grace stood eyeing Nora thoughtfully. Then her eyes sparkled. "I'm
+eligible," she announced as she made a third.
+
+"So am I," declared Jessica a trifle soberly, taking her place at the
+other end of the row.
+
+"Ladies and no gentlemen," announced Nora, rising and bowing profoundly
+to the three girls, "the great secret session of the four inseparables
+is about to begin. Remember, you are not limited to one secret. If you
+happen to know several, now is the time to tell them. Go ahead, Anne."
+
+Nora seated herself again and with the eyes of her chums fixed
+expectantly upon her, Anne began the secret session.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE WAY TO PERPETUAL YOUTH
+
+
+"This isn't a secret that any one told me," stated Anne. "It's something
+I found out for myself. One of the two persons it concerns doesn't know
+it yet. Perhaps she will never know."
+
+"How mysteriously interesting," commented Nora. "Hurry on with it, Anne.
+Who are the persons concerned?"
+
+"Mr. Southard and"--Anne paused briefly to give due effect to her
+words--"Miriam."
+
+A ripple of surprise passed along the row.
+
+"What do you mean, Anne?" was Grace's quick question.
+
+"I mean that for nearly four years Mr. Southard has cared for Miriam,"
+replied Anne steadily.
+
+Nora's puckered red lips emitted a surprised whistle.
+
+"This _is_ news," averred Jessica. "But Miriam could never care for him.
+He is so much older."
+
+"How old do you imagine Mr. Southard to be, Jessica?" asked Anne slyly.
+
+"Oh, I don't know. He must be--"
+
+Jessica paused reflectively. Then a sudden look of astonishment passed
+over her face. "Why how funny! He isn't really old. I don't believe he
+is as old as thirty-five, but he _seems_ older."
+
+Anne nodded. "He is thirty-three. That isn't very ancient, is it?"
+
+"Miriam is twenty-four," mused Grace aloud. "She is so brilliant,
+self-possessed and stunning that one feels as though she were even older
+than that. I know she is very fond of the Southards, but I don't believe
+she suspects that Mr. Southard--"
+
+"She doesn't," put in Anne eagerly. "He has been careful that she
+shouldn't. I believe Miss Southard knows, but she would never say so,
+even to me. Do you remember the time we went to New York City for
+Thanksgiving, when we were freshmen at Overton, Grace? Well, it began
+then. I know him so thoroughly that I could see things that you girls
+couldn't. After that I took particular pains to notice the way he acted
+toward Miriam whenever they met, and, as Elfreda says, I could see his
+love for her grow and deepen. He cared a great deal last commencement,
+and he was so dreadfully afraid she'd find out that he actually kept
+away from her."
+
+"I remember that," interposed Grace. "Miriam noticed it, too. She told
+me that she was afraid she had in some way offended Mr. Southard, for he
+treated her with almost distant courtesy. I suppose he imagines himself
+as being too old for Miriam."
+
+"This _is_ an interesting secret and no mistake," said Nora, wagging her
+head with satisfaction, "but what about poor Arnold Evans?"
+
+"You are running ahead too fast, Nora," smiled Anne. "Remember Miriam
+doesn't suspect that Mr. Southard loves her. The chances are she doesn't
+nor never will care for him. But I'll be generous and tell you another
+secret. Miriam and Arnold aren't the least bit in love with each other."
+
+"Do you know, Anne, I've always thought that, too," agreed Grace. "They
+have always acted more like two good comrades."
+
+"Exactly," replied Anne, "but, as far as I am concerned, girls, to me it
+would be a wonderful thing if some day Everett Southard and Miriam
+Nesbit should decide that they were necessary to each other's welfare.
+They are so admirably suited in temperament, disposition, and all that
+goes toward making two persons absolutely happy."
+
+"Hear the sage expound life and love," giggled Nora. "What about poor
+David's future happiness?"
+
+Anne flushed. "I can't answer that question," she said, after a little
+pause. "It does sound rather silly for me to go on talking about the
+love affairs of others when I can't settle my own. Not that I love David
+less, but acting more," she finished almost tremulously. "I move that we
+go on to the next secret."
+
+"Mine is about Julia Crosby," began Nora, "and I can tell you in few
+words. She's engaged to a Harvard man."
+
+"Really!" exclaimed Grace delightedly. "Where did you see her, Nora? I
+didn't know she was at home."
+
+"She came home from the mountains yesterday. I saw her in Carlton's,
+that new confectioner's shop on Main Street. We had a sundae together
+and she told me all about it. She has known her fiance for two years.
+She met him at a Harvard dance. He was graduated last June from the
+Harvard law school. The engagement hasn't been formally announced yet.
+She's going to give a luncheon to announce it. She wanted me to be sure
+and tell you three girls. She is coming to see you soon, Grace."
+
+"I'll receive her with open arms," assured Grace.
+
+"That was a nice secret," commented Anne. "Now, Grace."
+
+"Our fairy godmother is coming to dinner to-night."
+
+"Hurrah!" cried Anne, standing up and waving her hand. "I didn't know
+she was within two hundred miles of Oakdale. It seems years instead of
+weeks since I saw her. When did she arrive in Oakdale?"
+
+"This morning. She telephoned me. In my last letter I mentioned my
+dinner to you girls, and said I wished she might be here too. She came
+home from the seashore a week earlier so as not to miss it. She didn't
+say not to tell you. I had been holding it back as a surprise. It served
+me in good stead by making me eligible to Secret Row."
+
+"Last but not least, Jessica," reminded Nora briskly.
+
+"I was going to tell you this evening when we were all together, and
+Reddy promised to help me, but, somehow, I'd rather tell you now, while
+we are together on these dear old steps where we've had so much fun."
+
+Something in Jessica's tone caused the eyes of her friends to search
+hers inquiringly. It carried with it unmistakable regret. It presaged
+parting.
+
+"Reddy and I aren't going to live in Oakdale this winter. We--we--are
+going--to--Chicago to live."
+
+"Oh!" Nora ejaculated, drawing her breath sharply. "Oh, Jessica!"
+
+A painful silence fell upon the row of girls, whose voices had only a
+moment since rung out so gayly.
+
+Nora sat staring straight ahead of her with quivering lips. Of the three
+girls she would miss Jessica the most sorely. Grace, too, felt that
+dreadful sense of loss, of which she had complained earlier in the
+afternoon, stealing down upon her. Anne's face wore a look of loving
+concern, but an expression of resignation to destiny, which was likely
+to lead one to the ends of the earth, lurked in her somber eyes. She had
+learned young to bow with the best possible grace to the inevitable.
+
+Suddenly a half-stifled sob broke the oppressive quiet.
+
+"Nora, you mustn't," protested Jessica weakly, but Nora's curly head was
+already resting on Grace's comforting shoulder, and an instant afterward
+Jessica sought the consolation of the other shoulder.
+
+"Girls, girls," soothed Grace, an arm around each, "you mustn't cry."
+Nevertheless she experienced a wild desire to lift up her voice and
+lament with them. "I know you looked forward to being together this
+winter. It's terribly disappointing, but you can write letters and visit
+each other, and next summer, Jessica, you must arrange to come to
+Oakdale and stay all summer. Why didn't you tell us before?"
+
+"Reddy didn't know it until yesterday," faltered Jessica. "His father
+has taken over a large business there and he wants Reddy to manage it
+for him. Reddy's mother doesn't want to live in Chicago, so Mr. Brooks
+wants Reddy to go."
+
+"It's the real parting of the ways," said Grace softly to Anne.
+
+Anne nodded. "Still, if we had our choice as to whether we would like to
+go back and live over our past or go on, I am sure we'd choose to go
+on," she said thoughtfully. "Don't you think so, Grace!"
+
+"Of course we would," agreed Grace cheerfully. "Good gracious, girls!"
+she exclaimed in sudden consternation. "Whose familiar figures are those
+coming across the field? It must be later than I thought."
+
+Nora's and Jessica's mourning heads bobbed up from Grace's shoulders
+with simultaneous alacrity.
+
+"Hippy!" gasped Nora. "Do I look as though I'd been crying? I wouldn't
+have him know it for the world."
+
+"Reddy!" recognized Jessica. "Are my eyes a sight?"
+
+"Also David and Tom," added Anne. "No, children, you haven't wept enough
+to permanently disfigure your charming faces. If the boys had not
+appeared we might now be weeping in a melancholy row. I had no idea that
+Jessica's secret was to be a positive tragedy."
+
+"Neither had I," responded Grace soberly, laying an affectionate hand on
+Jessica's arm.
+
+There was no time for further remarks on the subject, for the four young
+men were crossing the last field in record time. As they neared the row
+of young women Hippy Wingate picked up his coat and pirouetted toward
+them, a wide smile on his round face, as he chanted gayly in a high
+voice:
+
+     "Children go, to and fro
+      In a merry pretty row;
+      Faces bright, all alight,
+      'Tis a happy, happy sight.
+      Swiftly turning round and round,
+      Do not look upon the ground;
+      Follow me, full of glee,
+      Singing merrily."
+
+With each line of the song Hippy executed a most astonishing figure,
+ending on "merrily" with a funny pas-seul that turned the sorrow of the
+lately disconsolate audience to laughter.
+
+"How did you like that?" he inquired affably, as he landed directly in
+front of the steps. "Shall I sing the chorus now or would you prefer to
+hear it later."
+
+"Later, by all means," flung back Nora.
+
+"As you please. As you please," returned Hippy with a careless wave of
+his hand. "I am not chary of my art. I ask for but one recompense."
+
+"There he goes," groaned Dave Nesbit.
+
+"I'm not going," retorted Hippy, with dignity. "I'm standing perfectly
+still. However, I did not come away out here in this field to quarrel
+with you, David Nesbit. I came because I am a--"
+
+"Nuisance," suggested Reddy.
+
+"Precisely. No, I don't mean anything of the sort. I am not a nuisance.
+A nuisance is a tall, thin, conceited person with flaming red hair, pale
+blue eyes, a freckled nose and a slanderous tongue. His name begins with
+R and he is--"
+
+Without finishing his sentence Hippy took to his heels and disappeared
+around the corner of the Omnibus House, with an agility worthy of a
+better cause.
+
+"I'll see that he keeps at a safe distance from us till we start for
+Grace's," was Reddy's grim comment. "You'll see his head appear at that
+corner in a minute, and then, look out!"
+
+They waited in mirthful silence. True to Reddy's prediction Hippy's
+round face was suddenly thrust into view. Reddy leaped toward him. There
+was a horrified, "Oh, dreadful!" from Hippy, and the sound of running
+feet.
+
+"He's afraid of me," boasted Reddy in a purposely loud tone.
+
+"Don't you ever believe it," contradicted Hippy's voice. "I like the
+view from this side of the Omnibus House. I think Nora would like it,
+too."
+
+"Such thoughtfulness is rare," jeered David.
+
+"'Tis better to have thought such thoughts, than never to have thought
+at all," retorted the voice plaintively.
+
+"Let's eradicate him from the face of the earth, Reddy," proposed David.
+"He's a blot upon the community."
+
+"No-r-a," wailed the voice, "aren't you going to help your little
+friend!"
+
+"Rescue him, Nora," declared David disgustedly. "That's the reason he
+created all this disturbance."
+
+Nora dimpled, the pink in her cheeks deepening.
+
+"Yes, do," urged Grace. "It is high time for us to start home. We must
+be there to receive Mrs. Gray."
+
+"She sent me on ahead," informed Tom. "I wanted to wait and bring her
+over in my car, but she is going to have Haynes bring her over in the
+carriage."
+
+Nora disappeared around the corner of the house, but reappeared
+immediately, leading by the hand a broadly smiling Hippy, who carried a
+huge bouquet of buttercups and daisies in his free hand and cavorted at
+her side as joyously as the proverbial lambkin on the green.
+
+"You can lead the way with him, Nora," directed David. "I wouldn't trust
+him to bring up the rear. Reddy and I want him where we can keep an eye
+upon him."
+
+"Certainly we shall lead the way," flung back Hippy, "but not because
+you say so. Our superior rank places us in the front row of the
+procession. Come on, Nora. May I sing and dance? I haven't sung the
+chorus yet, you know."
+
+Without waiting for permission Hippy pranced ahead of her on his toes,
+swaying from side to side and scattering the flowers from his bouquet,
+his voice rising in a falsetto chorus of:
+
+"Singing merrily, merrily, merrily, Follow me, full of glee, Singing
+merrily."
+
+"He'll never grow old," said Anne, as she watched Hippy's ridiculous
+performance.
+
+"Neither will the rest of the Eight Originals," reminded Grace loyally.
+"Remember, we have a Fairy Godmother who has taught us the secret of
+perpetual youth."
+
+"What's the secret?" asked David innocently. He was fond of hearing
+Grace's enthusiastic views of things.
+
+"Never lose one's grip on life," she answered simply.
+
+And as the Eight Originals strolled home through the radiant sunset, in
+each young soul stirred the resolve to take a firm grip on life and keep
+eternally young at heart, no matter what the years might bring forth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+JESSICA'S WEDDING
+
+
+"Jessica Bright, you will never look prettier in your life than you do
+to-night!" exclaimed Grace Harlowe, as she stood off a little from her
+friend and gazed at her with loving eyes.
+
+A wave of color dyed Jessica's pale cheeks. "I'm so glad that you think
+so," she breathed. "Do you know, girls, I have always hoped that I'd
+look nicer on my wedding day than at any other time. I'm glad I decided
+to have a green and white wedding, too."
+
+"You always used to say that you were going to have a pink rose
+wedding," reminded Anne. "What made you change your mind?"
+
+"Promise you won't laugh and I'll tell you," said Jessica solemnly.
+
+It was the evening of Jessica's wedding and Mabel Allison, Anne Pierson,
+Miriam Nesbit, Eleanor Savelli, Nora, now Mrs. Hippy Wingate, and Grace
+gathered about their friend with voluble promises of eternal secrecy.
+They were in Jessica's room saying good-bye to Jessica Bright, so soon
+to become Jessica Brooks.
+
+"I changed my mind," informed Jessica impressively, "on account of
+Reddy's hair."
+
+"'On account of Reddy's hair,'" repeated Grace. "Why--" Then, catching
+Nora's eye, she laughed.
+
+"You know how dreadfully pink and red clash," Jessica went on, with a
+faint giggle, "but I had never thought of it until one night when Reddy
+was sitting on our porch. He wrapped my pink scarf around his neck just
+for fun, and I made up my mind then and there not to have a pink
+wedding. Finally, I chose green and white, and I'm glad now, because he
+will look so much nicer."
+
+"I think that was very sweet in you, Jessica," said Eleanor Savelli
+decidedly.
+
+"Some of us ought to tell Reddy of Jessica's thoughtfulness," teased
+Anne.
+
+"Just as though any of you would," replied Jessica, fondly surveying the
+smiling faces of her friends.
+
+"You are very sure of us, aren't you, Jessica?" said Grace gayly.
+
+"And always shall be," answered Jessica simply. "Do you remember, girls,
+when I was about fourteen how frightfully sentimental I used to be. I
+read every love story I could lay hands on. I was forever imagining my
+wedding day. My bridegroom was always tall and dark, with piercing black
+eyes and a kingly air, and I always pictured myself as wearing a pink
+satin dress and being married in church. Sometimes fate parted us at the
+altar and sometimes we lived happily ever afterward. I used to plan that
+on the day of my wedding I would lock myself in my room, put on my pink
+satin dress and sit all day in rapt meditation. I would eat nothing, and
+see no one, not even father, until the moment when I swept grandly out
+into the hall and down the stairs to my carriage. Of course, I was
+transcendently beautiful and there I were always two or three
+disappointed lovers, who came to the church and cast sad, yearning eyes
+upon me as I glided up the center aisle with my hero. I never dreamed,
+then, that Reddy Brooks, my schoolmate and playfellow, was to be my
+destiny," she continued, her eyes growing tender, "or that I should
+begin my journey with him in our dear old parlor, surrounded by my
+chums. I haven't the least desire to sit alone and moon and meditate. I
+want all of you with me. It seems the most natural thing in the world
+that I should walk down the same old stairs to the same old parlor to
+meet the same old Reddy, just as I've done dozens of times before."
+
+"It's five minutes to eight, girls," announced Miriam Nesbit. "Say
+good-bye to Jessica Bright, and don't one of you dare to shed a tear."
+
+One after another the girls embraced Jessica. Nora was last. She and
+Jessica remained in each other's arms for a long, sweet moment. Their
+devotion was as deep and true as that which existed between Grace and
+Anne.
+
+"Here are the flower girls. It's time, Jessica," said Grace softly, as
+the two little girls who had been chosen to act in that capacity entered
+the room accompanied by Ellen, the Brights' old servant, who had been in
+the household since Jessica's babyhood. They were pretty, dark-haired
+children, cousins of Jessica's, and wore white lace frocks over pale
+green silk. On their heads were wreaths of tiny double white daisies and
+they carried small baskets filled to overflowing with the same flower.
+
+Quietly the little procession began to form. Nora, as matron of honor,
+followed the flower girls. She wore her wedding gown of white satin, and
+carried a huge armful of white roses. Then came the bride. As Grace had
+said Jessica would, in all probability, never look lovelier than in her
+wedding dress of white satin. Her veil of wonderful yellow-white old
+lace, was an heirloom, Jessica being the fourth bride in the family to
+wear it, and her bouquet was a shower of lilies of the valley. Jessica
+possessed a dazzlingly white skin, and the purity of her complexion had
+never showed to better advantage. Her deeply blue eyes were dark with
+reverence and her whole face radiated a tender happiness that made it
+rarely lovely. The bridesmaids wore gowns of white chiffon over pale
+green chiffon which blended into a misty, sea-foam effect. Dainty
+girdles of palest green satin and exquisite hair ornaments composed of
+tiny chiffon flowers and satin leaves, together with white satin
+slippers and white silk stockings, completed their costumes, and they
+carried shower bouquets of white sweet peas.
+
+Down the stairs swept the bridal procession to the strains of
+Mendelssohn's wedding march played by the orchestra, stationed in a
+palm-screened corner of the wide hall. It was the same old orchestra
+which had become so closely identified with the good times of the Eight
+Originals during their high school days. Jessica had declared laughingly
+that it would seem almost a sacrilege to think of being married to the
+strains of a wedding march that was not played by them. At the foot of
+the stairs the bride was met by her father, and the wedding party moved
+slowly into and down the long parlor to the bow window at the end of the
+room which had been transformed into a fairy bower of green. Before a
+bank of ferns, white roses and white sweet peas stood the old clergyman
+who had said the last solemn words over Jessica's mother years before,
+and who had come from another city, many miles distant, to marry Jessica
+and Reddy. Here it was that the bridegroom, accompanied by his best man,
+Tom Gray, awaited his one-time playmate, his boyhood friend, his first
+and only sweetheart, who had now come in all the bravery of her wedding
+finery to place her hands, trustingly, confidently in his for the
+journey over the untrodden trail they were to blaze together.
+
+A soft murmur that was almost a sigh went up from the assembled guests
+as Mr. Bright handed his most precious treasure into the keeping of the
+man who had claimed her for his own, and the beautiful Episcopal ring
+service began. Jessica's responses were clear and unfaltering, while
+Reddy's firm earnest tones carried conviction of the sincerity of his
+vows. Notwithstanding the fact that the appellation of "Reddy," by which
+he was known throughout Oakdale, arose from his unmistakably red hair,
+Lawrence Brooks looked singularly handsome on his wedding night and the
+expression of proud affection in his eyes, as he took Jessica's hand,
+was plainly indicative of the love he bore her.
+
+The moment the ceremony was over Reddy kissed Jessica, who lifted loving
+eyes to his, then, turning, wound both arms about her father's neck. The
+bridesmaids quickly hemmed them in and the guests crowded about them to
+offer their congratulations. Only the intimate friends of Reddy and
+Jessica had been invited to attend the ceremony, Mrs. Allison, the
+Southards, the Putnams, Mrs. Gibson, Eva Allen and James Gardner, Julia
+Crosby, Marian Barber, Mrs. Gray, Miss Nevin, Guido Savelli, Arnold
+Evans, Donald Earle, the immediate families of the bride and groom and
+the families of the rest of the Eight Originals Plus Two.
+
+The reception, which was to begin at half-past eight, included the
+greater part of Oakdale's younger set, and before it was over Reddy and
+Jessica were to slip away and motor to the next town, there to catch the
+night train to New York. From there they were to take a boat bound for
+the West Indies where they had planned to spend a month's honeymoon,
+then journey to their Chicago home.
+
+"Well, Reddy," declared Hippy condescendingly, when, a little later the
+Eight Originals stood near the flower bank indulging in a brief old-time
+chat before the arrival of the reception guests, "I must say that you
+did very well, and Jessica, too." He beamed on the bride, with a wide
+patronizing smile that caused her new dignity to vanish in a giggle of
+ready appreciation of the irrepressible Hippy. "I hoped that you, Reddy,
+would glance at me for inspiration. There you stood, like a wooden
+Indian, I mean a marble statue, and never winked. But as you stood there
+a beautiful thought came to me. I understood precisely why the name of
+'Reddy' was appropriate to you. The electric light shone softly down
+upon your gleaming Titian locks, as though to call attention to their
+crimson glory. There was a look of--"
+
+"Nora, if you value the life of your husband, remove him," broke in
+David Nesbit decisively. "Reddy is trying to behave with the becoming
+dignity of a newly-wed, and I appeal to you, how can he?"
+
+"He can't," agreed Nora. "I'll remove the obstacle at once."
+
+"You'll have to use strategy to do it," announced Hippy.
+
+"'Come one, come all, this rock shall fly From its firm base as soon as
+I!'"
+
+he quoted determinedly, with jerky little gestures. Planting himself
+behind Jessica, he caught up a corner of her veil and peered defiantly
+through it at David.
+
+"You haven't seen the bride's table in the tent yet, have you, Hippy?"
+inquired Grace innocently. "It looks so pretty."
+
+"The bride's table!" Hippy's defiant face broke into an expansive,
+affable grin. "No, but I'd love to see it. Show it to me, instantly."
+
+"I'll take charge of him, Grace," interposed Nora. "If he inspects the
+refreshment tent it must be under guard."
+
+"I've changed my mind. I don't care to see it. I'd rather stay here and
+offer a few more congratulations to Reddy. Grace's strategy was very
+clever, but Nora's bullying is all wrong. I won't be taken charge of."
+
+But in spite of his vigorous protests Nora slipped her arm through his
+and piloted him in the direction of the huge refreshment tent which had
+been erected on the lawn. There the wedding supper was to be served by
+caterers at small tables.
+
+"What a treasure Hippy is," said Anne, as the group of young people
+smilingly watched Hippy and Nora out of sight. "He is so funny and nice
+that he takes away that half-sad feeling that one almost always has at a
+wedding. I am sure I don't know why seeing two friends made happy should
+inspire one with a desire to cry, but it does."
+
+"Weddings and commencements are always more or less solemn and
+productive of weeps," answered Grace. "Remember not one of us is going
+to shed a tear when Jessica leaves us. This has been such a sweet, happy
+wedding that we mustn't spoil its gladness. Of course, I can't imagine
+you boys lifting up your voices in lamentation, but I'm not so sure of
+the feminine half of the Eight Originals."
+
+"I couldn't help crying a little when Nora was married," confessed
+Jessica. "A church wedding seems so much more solemn, and Hippy was far
+too busy being a dignified bridegroom to say funny things."
+
+"He was perfect, wasn't he?" agreed Anne earnestly. "I never dreamed he
+could look so reverent and devoted. I don't know which was nicer,
+Jessica, Nora's wedding or yours. They were both beautiful." Happening
+to catch David's grave eyes fixed searchingly upon her she flushed and
+said hastily, "It must be almost time for the reception to begin."
+
+"So it is, and if I'm not mistaken here come the first guests," remarked
+Tom Gray.
+
+For the next hour Jessica and Reddy were kept busy receiving the
+congratulations of the steady in-pouring of friends who came to wish
+them godspeed. Then followed the wedding supper, and it was almost
+eleven o'clock when Jessica slipped away from her guests, and a little
+later, appeared at the head of the stairs in a smart tailored suit of
+brown, with hat, shoes and gloves to match. No secret had been made of
+their departure, for their friends were not of those who delighted in
+playing embarrassing and discomforting pranks. In fact, the majority of
+the reception guests had departed, and it was their intimate friends who
+were to see them off on their journey.
+
+Surrounded by her loved ones, Jessica made a second triumphal journey
+down the stairs. In the hall a halt was made and the dreaded good-byes
+began. Jessica clung first to her father, then to her aunt. Her chums
+came next and she was passed from one to the other of them with warm
+expressions of affection and good will. Then the procession moved on and
+the second halt was made at the drive where a limousine stood waiting to
+receive the bridal pair. It glided away amid a shower of rice and
+several old shoes, which had been carefully selected beforehand by
+Hippy, David and Grace, leaving six of the Eight Originals gazing after
+it with eloquent eyes in which lay the meaning of "Auld Lang Syne."
+
+"I love weddings," gushed Hippy sentimentally, as the six strolled back
+to the house. "I hope I shall have at least two more wedding invitations
+this year."
+
+No one answered this pointed sally. Nora gave her loquacious husband's
+arm a warning pinch.
+
+"Stop pinching my arm, Nora," he protested in a grieved tone. "How can
+you be so cruel to little me?"
+
+This was too much for the silent four. They looked into each other's
+eyes and laughed. Then Dave said quietly, "Not this year, old man."
+
+"Perhaps we can promise you one for next fall, Hippy," said Anne, with a
+sudden temerity which surprised her as well as the others.
+
+"Anne!" David's voice vibrated with newborn hope. For the instant he
+forgot everything except the fact that Anne had at last approached some
+degree of definiteness regarding their future.
+
+"I said 'perhaps,'" laughed Anne, but behind her laughter David read the
+blessed truth that in Anne's secret heart there was no "perhaps," and
+the little hand which lay so contentedly in his, as they strolled up the
+walk to the house, made the assurance of his new joy doubly sure.
+
+"Why can't you make me happy too, Grace?" asked Tom in a low,
+reproachful tone. They had dropped a little to the rear of the others.
+
+"I'm sorry, Tom," faltered Grace, "but I can't. I am fonder of you than
+any other man I know, but it is the fondness of long friendship. I'm not
+looking forward to marriage. It is my work that interests me most. I
+don't love you as Anne loves David, and Jessica and Nora love Reddy and
+Hippy. I don't believe I know what love means. I don't wish to hurt you,
+but I must be perfectly honest with myself and with you. I can only say
+that I care for no one else, and that perhaps someday I may care as much
+as you."
+
+Grace gazed sorrowfully at Tom as she ended. She knew by the tightening
+of his lips and the nervous squaring of his broad shoulders that she had
+hurt him sorely.
+
+"All right, Grace," he said with brave finality. "I'll try to be content
+with your friendship and live in the hope of that 'someday.' I'm going
+to be selfish enough to dream that there will come a time when even your
+work won't be able to crowd out love."
+
+Grace made no reply. She felt that there was nothing to be said. The
+bare idea that there might come a time when her beloved work would fail
+to fill her life was not to be considered, even for a moment. Love was a
+vague, far-distant possibility. It might come to her, and again it might
+not. But her work--that lay directly before her. The glory of life was
+not love, but achievement. Her eyes grew rapt with purpose, and, as Tom
+wistfully scanned her changeful face, it fell upon him with a sudden
+sinking of the heart that for him the longed-for "someday" might never
+come.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE RETURN OF EMMA DEAN
+
+
+"'A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!'" chanted a voice in Grace
+Harlowe's ear.
+
+Grace whirled about, almost dropping the suit case and golf bag she
+carried.
+
+"Why, Emma, _Emma Dean_!" she exclaimed, her voice rising high in
+astonishment.
+
+[Illustration: "Why, Emma Dean!" Exclaimed Grace.]
+
+"Yes, it's Emma, _Emma Dean_," returned Emma humorously. "It is I, me,
+myself and all the other personally personal pronouns that stand for
+your old friend, Emily Elizabeth Dean."
+
+"Wherever did you come from and--oh, Emma"--as the tall thin young woman
+pointed significantly to two heavy suit cases and a small leather bag
+huddled together on the station platform--"you aren't really--are you--"
+
+"I am," interrupted Emma cheerfully. "I couldn't stay away. I knew you'd
+need a comforter this year, so I applied for the position and you can
+see for yourself how successful I was. Professor Morton was so grateful
+to me for applying that he said with tears in his eyes, 'Emma, I can't
+tell you how happy it makes me--'"
+
+"Emma Dean, stop talking nonsense and tell me how you really happened to
+be here. It's too good to be true." Grace beamed fondly on her tall,
+humorous classmate who had been a never-failing source of amusement to
+the Wayne Hall girls.
+
+"Since you are determined to have facts, here goes. I've come back to
+Overton, the land of the dig and the home of the sage, to show what four
+years of unremittent toil have done for me. I am to be a living
+testimonial, one of the 'after taking the prescribed course I can
+cheerfully recommend, etc.,' kind. Briefly and explicitly, I dropped off
+that train from the south that came in just before your train, and I'm
+going to be Miss Duncan's assistant in English."
+
+"You aren't really!" Grace's eyes were dancing. "How splendid! Why I
+didn't know you intended to teach."
+
+"Neither did I," returned Emma, a shadow flitting across her face,
+"until I went home last June and found that things hadn't been going as
+smoothly as they might. Mother and Father never gave me the slightest
+inkling last year that money wasn't plentiful in the Dean family. Dear,
+unselfish things! They wanted my college life to end in a blaze of
+glory. You see, Father had put most of his little capital into a real
+estate boom that didn't boom, and it left him with a lot of vacant lots
+on his hands that no one, not even himself, wanted. A trolley line was
+to pass through the section he owned and it changed its mind, or rather
+the directors changed theirs, and straggled off in another direction.
+So, unless it straggles back again and Father gets rid of his incubus,
+which isn't at all likely, the eldest daughter of the noble house of
+Dean will have to hustle indefinitely for her board and keep.
+
+"To go back a little, as soon as I noticed how worried Father looked,
+and after I surprised Mother crying one day, I made them tell me all
+about it. I wrote straight to Professor Morton. He helped me secure the
+position of assistant in English, and here I am. I haven't the least
+idea where I'm going to live either. I'd love to go back to Wayne Hall,
+but I'm afraid I couldn't preserve a proper attitude of dignity there.
+You know my failings. Beverly Place is a house given over to teachers. I
+thought I'd try there first. I hope it won't be too expensive. I expect
+to send some money home this year."
+
+Grace had listened attentively to Emma's recital. What a splendid girl
+Emma was! She had not tried to dodge Life and his inseparable comrades,
+Trouble and Hard Work. Instead, she had walked out courageously,
+fearlessly, to meet them with smiling lips and a merry heart. Grace was
+already enlivened by the prospect of having this free-hearted, jolly
+classmate with her during the college year now opening.
+
+"How I wish you could live near me, Emma," she said longingly. Then she
+stared at her friend with wide-open eyes, the expression of which
+betokened the birth of an amazing idea. "Why--you can," she declared.
+"I've just thought of the nicest way. Will you come, Emma? Will you?"
+
+"It depends on the exact spot where the pleasure of my company is
+requested," returned Emma waggishly. "If it is to Kamptchatka--no, most
+decidedly. I have no insane craving for life among the heathen, and that
+'no' includes the Malay Archipelago and darkest Africa. It's too cold in
+Greenland and I couldn't countenance terrible Thibet, but if it's any
+place nearer home, say Hunter's Rock or Vinton's, I'll be delighted."
+
+Grace laughed happily. "It's a place you haven't guessed or thought of,"
+she replied. "I want you to come to Harlowe House and room with me,
+Emma. I'm going to have lots of room, a whole suite. There's a
+sitting-room, a bedroom and a bath. I need some one to help me and I'd
+rather have you than any one else I know. Won't you say 'yes'? Please,
+please, do."
+
+Emma regarded Grace with a look of one who could not believe the
+evidence of her own ears. "Oh--I couldn't--it wouldn't be right to
+impose upon you. I'd love to, but--"
+
+"Wait until you see Harlowe House before you make up your mind not to
+live there," interposed Grace slyly. "We'll call a taxicab and go over
+to it at once. I have my own key, so we can leave our luggage and go to
+Vinton's or any other place we wish for luncheon. You can spend the
+night at Harlowe House. We won't be alone there, for the cook and both
+maids are supposed to arrive to-day. After you have enjoyed a few hours
+of my beneficent society you may refuse to be torn from me and my
+sheltering home," she ended banteringly.
+
+"I haven't the least doubt of it," averred Emma in a perfectly serious
+tone. "That's why I feel as though I ought to decide now while I am in
+my most heroic mood. I never dreamed of any such wonderful good fortune.
+Honestly, Grace, I don't know what to say."
+
+"Say 'yes,'" advocated Grace. "You ought to be willing to come if I am
+willing to have you. If it will make you feel more independent, you may
+pay for your meals. I'll see that you are not overcharged, but as far as
+the room is concerned you are welcome to it. Oh, Emma, think how
+delightful it will be for us! I say 'will' because you simply can't find
+yourself hard-hearted enough to refuse. I'm not obliged to consult a
+soul about my plans. Mrs. Gray gave me full permission to do as I think
+best. I have no set expense limit. I am to be prudent and economical, of
+course; that's part of my trust. After this year there will be an
+expense limit. We shall know by next June just what it costs for the
+up-keep of a house like Harlowe House. This year, however, we are bound
+to do more or less experimenting."
+
+Grace gazed pleadingly at Emma, who stood in the middle of the station
+platform, her heavy eyebrows drawn together in deep thought.
+
+"I'm going for that taxicab," said Grace, as Emma still remained silent.
+"There's one coming into the station yard now." She signalled to the
+driver, who drew up directly in front of where they were standing, then
+sprang out and began loading the girls' luggage in the car.
+
+"Come on, Emma," coaxed Grace. "You can finish making up your mind on
+the way to Harlowe House."
+
+Emma turned to her friend with a face full of affectionate gratitude.
+"I'm going to accept your offer, Grace," she declared. "In fact, I can't
+resist it. I am sure you want me to come and I don't know of any other
+place where I'd rather be. I can't begin to tell you how much it means
+to me, and in so many different ways. Are you sure there won't come a
+time when you'll think, 'Oh, if only I had never asked that noisy,
+nervous, nosing, messy, meddlesome, moping, miserable, growling,
+grumbling, grouchy, greedy, galloping, galumphing Emma Dean to room with
+me?'"
+
+"I don't know any such person," denied Grace, laughing merrily at Emma's
+remarkable self-arraignment. "It sounds more like a Thesaurus than a
+category of your failings, Emma. Come along. We mustn't keep this man
+waiting."
+
+Emma dutifully climbed into the automobile. "One never knows what will
+happen next," she remarked naively as they seated themselves in the car.
+"I feel as Cinderella must have felt when she was suddenly whisked off
+to the ball by her fairy godmother. By the way, Grace, how is Mrs. Gray,
+the fairy godmother of Harlowe House?"
+
+"I've been so busy coaxing you to come and live with me, I forgot to
+tell you that she and I were down here in August, and who do you suppose
+we had as a visitor?"
+
+"Arline Thayer?" asked Emma.
+
+"No; but that wasn't a bad guess. J. Elfreda was with us."
+
+"Bless her!" Emma's exclamation told plainly of her affection for the
+one-time stout girl. "Was she as funny as ever?"
+
+"Every bit. She kept Mrs. Gray and I in a perpetual state of laughter.
+She's going to study law in New York City, and she's promised to come to
+Overton for Thanksgiving. Arline Thayer and Mabel Ashe are coming too.
+We'll have a great celebration."
+
+"I'm certainly glad I'm here," sighed Emma, contentedly. "There seems to
+be a prospect of one continuous round of pleasure."
+
+"I'm glad you are here too," nodded Grace. "You don't know how queerly I
+felt to-day when I stepped off the train without seeing a soul I knew. I
+suppose there are a number of girls here, although it's early. Classes
+won't be called for at least a week or more. We'll surely see some
+familiar spirits soon. There are Patience Eliot, Kathleen West, Laura
+Atkins, Mildred Evans, Violet Darby, Myra Stone and ever so many others
+still due in the land of Overton."
+
+"Why, that's so," declared Emma, her eyes bright with the prospect of
+seeing her Overton friends. "Do you know, Grace, I'm ashamed to say I
+hadn't really considered those girls. All along I've thought about the
+Sempers and how strange and gray everything would seem without them."
+
+"I know it," sighed Grace. "I've felt exactly the same. Anne, Miriam,
+Arline, Ruth, Elfreda and you were my absent crushes, but now you are a
+present one, and next to you comes Patience Eliot. She always seemed
+like a senior. I think I'm going to love the new Kathleen West dearly.
+She is so clever, and now that we are friends I hope we can work
+together in ever so many ways."
+
+As the taxicab bore them swiftly toward Harlowe House the two young
+women talked on of the happy past with its pleasure-marked milestones.
+
+"We're almost there. Look, Emma! You can get a splendid view of all the
+campus houses. Now isn't Harlowe House the prettiest of them all?"
+
+"It is, I swear it," returned Emma solemnly, "and, if I'm not mistaken,
+one of your household has arrived ahead of you. Certainly some one is
+camping out on the front steps."
+
+"Why, so there is. I wonder who she can be. One of the maids, I suppose,
+or perhaps the cook. We'll know who she is in a minute."
+
+The car had now come to a full stop. Without waiting for the chauffeur
+Grace opened the door and sprang out. "Never mind our luggage," she said
+as she paid the driver. "We'll carry it into the house. It's not very
+heavy."
+
+Gathering her belongings in one hand, and picking up one of Emma's suit
+cases, Grace set off up the stone walk followed by Emma. As she advanced
+there rose from the steps and came to meet her a most astonishing little
+figure.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A STRANGE APPLICANT
+
+
+"This is Harlowe House, isn't it?" was the sharp question that assailed
+Grace's ears.
+
+"Yes." Grace's eyes traveled in amazement over the curious little
+stranger within her gates. She was a girl of perhaps eighteen, although
+there was a strained, anxious expression in her large brown eyes that
+made her look positively aged, an effect which the three deep lines in
+her high projecting forehead served to emphasize. If she possessed hair
+it was not visible under the small round hat of a by-gone style which
+set down upon her head like a helmet. She wore a plain, cheap black
+skirt and a queer, old-fashioned white blouse made with a peplum. Around
+her waist was a leather belt, and on her feet were coarse heavy shoes
+such as a farm laborer might wear. In one hand she carried a large
+bundle, in a newspaper wrapping.
+
+"I'm so glad. I thought I'd never get here," she said simply.
+
+Grace and Emma exchanged amazed glances. This must be the maid. But such
+a maid!
+
+"Are you the young woman Mrs. Elwood engaged?" asked Grace politely.
+
+The girl shook her head. "I don't know what you mean. No one engaged me.
+I just came because I heard about Harlowe House and wanted to go to
+college. I've passed all my high school examinations and I've a
+scholarship too. They wouldn't let me come, so I ran away from home and
+walked all the way here. Is it true that a girl can live at Harlowe
+House without having to pay her board?" she eyed Grace with a look of
+mingled anxiety and defiance.
+
+"Oh," Grace's amazed look changed to one of interested concern, "pardon
+me. I thought you were a young woman of whom Mrs. Elwood, of Wayne Hall,
+had spoken."
+
+"I don't know Mrs. Elwood. I never heard of Wayne Hall. I don't know a
+soul in this town. I only know that I want to go to Overton College more
+than I ever wanted anything else in my life. Do you suppose there's a
+chance for me to live at Harlowe House and study? I've walked over a
+hundred miles to find out," finished the queer little stranger
+pleadingly.
+
+"'Over a hundred miles!'" repeated Grace and Emma in chorus.
+
+The girl nodded solemnly.
+
+"You poor child!" exclaimed Emma Dean impulsively. "If your wish to be
+an Overton girl brought you that distance on foot, I should say you
+ought to have all the chance there is. At any rate you have applied to
+the proper authority. This is Miss Harlowe, for whom Harlowe House was
+named, and who is to be in charge of it. I am Miss Dean, of 19-- and now
+assistant in English at Overton."
+
+But the knowledge that she was face to face with the person who held the
+privilege of being a member of Harlowe House in her hands overcame the
+quaint stranger with a sudden shyness. She shifted her weight uneasily
+from one foot to the other, twisted her thin, bony hands nervously,
+while her forehead was corrugated afresh with deep wrinkles.
+
+With the frank, winning smile which was one of Grace's chief charms, she
+held out her hand to the other girl. "I am glad to know you," she said.
+"Won't you tell me your name?"
+
+"Mary Reynolds," returned the newcomer in a low voice, as she timidly
+shook Grace's proffered hand, then Emma's.
+
+"I shall be glad to welcome you to Harlowe House," said Grace cordially,
+"provided you can fulfill the requirements necessary for entering
+Overton. I am going over to Miss Wilder's office this afternoon, and if
+you wish to go with me you can learn all the particulars. Until then,
+however, you had better come into the house with Miss Dean and me. I am
+sure you must be very tired."
+
+"Yes, I am, but I don't mind that. I'm here and nothing else matters,"
+returned the girl so fervently that Grace felt a sudden mist rise to her
+eyes, and she determined, then and there, that if this curious,
+destitute little stranger succeeded in measuring up to Overton's mental
+requirements, she would smooth in every possible way her path, which she
+foresaw would be troubled.
+
+"And now for our triumphal entry into Harlowe House," declaimed Emma
+Dean, as she and Grace picked up their luggage, and, followed by Mary
+Reynolds and her huge newspaper-wrapped bundle, mounted the steps. At
+the door Grace again set down her luggage. Fumbling for her latch key
+she fitted it to the lock.
+
+"What a perfectly delightful place!" was Emma's enthusiastic cry, as she
+stepped into the hall which was done in oak with furnishings to match.
+"Commend me to the living-room!" She poked her head inquisitively
+through the soft green silk hangings and after surveying the pretty room
+for an instant made a dive for the window seat. "Oh, you window seat!"
+she laughed with a fine disregard for dignity.
+
+Grace laughed with her, and queer little Mary Reynolds smiled in sheer
+sympathy with Emma's irresistible drollery.
+
+"I choose this green window seat for my boon companion," declared Emma,
+curling her wiry length cosily upon it, "and may I be ever faithful to
+my vows. I expect to have difficulty in protecting my claim, for I
+predict this will be the most popular spot in the house. May I put up a
+sign, Grace, 'This claim is staked by Emma Dean, no others need apply'?"
+
+"You may stake it, but I won't guarantee that it will stay staked,"
+replied Grace.
+
+"Oh, yes, it will," argued Emma confidently, bouncing up and down on the
+soft springy cushions. "The freshmen of Harlowe House will be so
+impressed with my height, dignity and general appearance that they will
+defer to me as a matter of course. One imperious look, like this, over
+my glasses, and the world will be mine." She peered over her glasses at
+Grace in a ludicrous fashion which was far more likely to convulse,
+rather than impress, the prospective freshmen.
+
+Even the solemn stranger giggled outright, then looked as though she had
+been caught red-handed in some dreadful crime.
+
+"I'd like to recite English in one of your classes, Emma," smiled Grace.
+
+"Now there is just where you are wrong," retorted Emma. "I shan't have a
+single amusing feature in my daily round of recitations. I shall be as
+grim as grim can be and a regular slave driver as far as lessons are
+concerned. Those freshmen will wish they'd never met me." Emma wagged
+her head threateningly.
+
+"Stop making such dire threats and come upstairs to see our quarters,"
+commanded Grace.
+
+Emma uncoiled herself from the window seat with alacrity and began
+gathering up her belongings.
+
+Grace turned kindly to Mary Reynolds. "If you will come upstairs with
+us, Miss Reynolds, I think we can easily find a room for you. So far I
+do not know just how many applications Miss Wilder has received. As I
+told you, I am going over to the office after luncheon. You had better
+go to your room and rest a little, then take luncheon with Miss Dean and
+me and go with us to Overton Hall to see Miss Wilder, the dean."
+
+"I--I--thank you," stammered the girl, the dull color flooding her
+sunburnt cheeks. "I'm afraid--I--can't go to luncheon--with you.
+I'm--not--very hungry."
+
+Emma Dean flashed a quick, appraising glance at her from under her
+eyelashes. "Neither are we," she assured the embarrassed girl, "but
+still we don't care to miss luncheon entirely. You are a stranger in a
+strange land, so you must be our guest, and then some day when you are a
+seasoned Overtonite we'll insist on being yours."
+
+Mary Reynolds regarded the two young women with shy, grateful eyes. "You
+are so good to me. You must know, of course, that I am very poor. I have
+nothing in the world but this bundle of clothes and ten dollars," she
+said humbly. "It took me two years to save it, I have been so sure that
+there would be some little corner of this wonderful house for me. I
+can't bear to think that I may be too late. I don't know where I'd go. I
+guess I'd have to try to find some place else. Do you suppose I am too
+late?" Her tones vibrated with alarm.
+
+"Of course you aren't," soothed Emma Dean. "I'm always late, but, as I
+used to tell Miss Harlowe, I am hardly ever too late. You may be almost
+the first girl to apply, or you may be among the latest, but not the too
+latest. There, isn't that encouraging? The best thing for you to do is
+to have an early luncheon and a long sleep. Suppose we go down to
+Vinton's, Grace, as soon as we get the fond souvenirs of the railroad
+off our faces. Then I'll come back here with Miss Reynolds and you can
+go on to Overton to see Miss Wilder. My business with her will keep
+until to-morrow. This little girl is too tired for interviews to-day."
+
+"I think that's dear in you, Emma, and real wisdom too. Now let's go
+upstairs, at once." Grace led the way and the trio ascended to the
+second story.
+
+"I'm going to put you in this room for the present, Miss Reynolds," said
+Grace. She paused before a door that faced the head of the stairs and
+threw it open. It was a pretty room, papered in dainty blue and white,
+with a blue and white floor rug and white enameled furniture. There were
+crisp, white dotted-swiss curtains at the windows and a sheer blue and
+white ruffled cover on the dressing table, while on the walls hung
+several neatly-framed water color and pen and ink sketches.
+
+The shabby, tired girl gave a long sigh of satisfaction and weariness as
+she stood in the middle of the floor, her eyes eagerly devouring the
+pretty room.
+
+"The bathroom is at the end of the hall," said Grace gently. "We'll stop
+for you in about half an hour."
+
+The other girl did not answer, and Grace and Emma slipped away, leaving
+her to get used to her new surroundings.
+
+"Well, did you ever?" asked Emma, the moment they were inside Grace's
+sitting-room with the door closed.
+
+Grace shook her head. "Poor little thing," she murmured. "She can't
+possibly go about Overton in those clothes, Emma. Yet I can't offer her
+any of mine. She seems independent. I am afraid she would resent it. I
+wonder what her story is. Did you notice she said that 'they' wouldn't
+let her go to college, so she had run away from home? Suppose some one
+of her family should follow her here just after we had nicely
+established her at Harlowe House? We must find out everything about her.
+I won't bother her with questions while she is so tired."
+
+"I am sure she is eighteen," declared Emma positively. "That will free
+her from parental sway in this state. I think it would be a greater
+tragedy if she has come too late. What is the highest number of girls
+Harlowe House will accommodate?"
+
+"Thirty-two," answered Grace.
+
+"Then let us hope that Mary Reynolds is not unlucky thirty-three. The
+sooner you go to see Miss Wilder the sooner you'll know her fate. Now
+I'm going on a tour of exploration and noisy admiration. I'm sure I
+haven't ohs and ahs enough to fully express my feeling of elevated
+pleasure at so much magnificence. And to thing that I, ordinary,
+every-day me, should be asked to become co-partner to all this." Emma
+struck an attitude and launched forth into fresh extravagances over the
+tastefully furnished suite of rooms.
+
+"Emma, you ridiculous creature, wind up your lecture and get ready for
+luncheon," commanded Grace affectionately.
+
+"Not until I've seen the last saw," returned Emma firmly.
+
+For the next ten minutes she prowled and peered, examined and admired,
+to her heart's content. "Now I've seen everything," she averred, at
+last, with calm satisfaction, "and I'm twice as hungry as I was. But I
+can't leave off thinking what a lucky person Emma Dean is to have all
+this grandeur and Grace Harlowe thrown in."
+
+"And I can't help thinking what a lucky person Grace Harlowe is to have
+Emma Dean."
+
+"Then we're a mutual admiration society," finished Emma, "and there's no
+telling where we'll leave off."
+
+"If I didn't have to go on to Overton Hall I wouldn't wear a hat,"
+sighed Grace, half an hour later, reaching reluctantly for her hat. She
+and Emma had bathed their faces, rearranged their hair, and put on fresh
+lingerie blouses with their tailored suits. "Are you ready, Emma? I
+wonder if Miss Reynolds is. I'll stop and see."
+
+Grace knocked lightly on the newcomer's door. It was opened immediately.
+
+"Are you ready, Miss Reynolds?" she asked, her alert eyes noting that
+the offending peplum had been tucked inside the black skirt, and that
+Mary Reynolds with her hat off was a vast improvement on Mary Reynolds
+with her hat on. She also observed that the girl's hair, though drawn
+uncompromisingly back from her forehead, showed a decided tendency to
+curl. With her usual impulsiveness she exclaimed, "Oh, you have
+naturally curly hair, haven't you? It's such a pretty shade of brown. Do
+let me do it for you. It's a pity not to make the most of it."
+
+The girl regarded her with grave surprise. "Are you making fun of me?"
+she asked seriously.
+
+"'Making fun of you,'" repeated Grace. "I should say not. I think you
+have beautiful hair. Why, what is it, Miss Reynolds?" For, with a queer,
+choking cry, the odd little stranger threw herself face downward on the
+bed and sobbed disconsolately.
+
+Grace stood silent, watching the sob-wracked figure with puzzled,
+sympathetic eyes. Emma appeared in the doorway, her eyebrows elevated in
+astonishment. Grace motioned for her to come in. The girl on the bed
+wept on, while the two young women waited patiently for her sobs to
+cease.
+
+Suddenly she sat up with a jerk, and dashed her hand across her eyes.
+"I'm sorry--I--was so--so--silly," she faltered, "but I couldn't help
+it. No one ever told me that I was anything but plain and ugly before."
+
+"You poor little thing," sympathized Emma.
+
+Grace sat down on the bed beside Mary and put her arm across the thin
+shoulders. "Cheer up," she said brightly. "I am sure you are going to be
+happy at Overton. You feel blue just now because you are tired and
+hungry. Let me fix your hair and we'll hurry to Vinton's as fast as ever
+we can. I'm simply starved."
+
+Mary Reynolds obediently sat on the chair Grace placed for her and the
+hair dressing began. Grace and Emma both exclaimed in admiration as
+Grace unbraided the soft-golden brown hair, which, once free, broke into
+waves and curls.
+
+"Did you ever see a prettier head of hair?" exclaimed Emma.
+
+"I think it would look best combed low over her forehead, don't you?"
+asked Grace.
+
+Emma nodded her approval as Grace, with deft fingers, arranged the thick
+curly locks in a strictly smart fashion which completely changed Mary
+Reynolds' forlorn appearance.
+
+"Now look in the glass," directed Grace, when she had finished.
+
+Mary gazed earnestly at her new self. "It can't be me," she said with a
+pardonable disregard of English.
+
+"But it is," Grace assured her. "You must learn to do your hair like
+that and wear it so. Now let me put a tiny bit of powder on your face to
+scare away the tear stains and we'll be off."
+
+The obnoxious helmet-like hat did not seem so unbecoming, now that
+Mary's curls peeped from under it, and Grace felt a certain degree of
+satisfaction in her efforts to make the new girl at least presentable.
+She decided that once her large brown eyes had lost their scared,
+anxious expression and her thin face had grown plump, Mary would be
+really pretty.
+
+During luncheon at Vinton's Grace quietly studied her charge. There was
+something about Mary that reminded one of Ruth Denton, she decided. She
+and Emma made every effort to put the prospective freshman at her ease.
+By common consent they refrained from asking any questions likely to
+produce another flood of tears. As for Mary herself, although visibly
+embarrassed at the ultra-smartness of Vinton's, the attention of the
+waiter, and the puzzling array of knives, forks and spoons, she managed,
+by watching Grace and Emma, to acquit herself with credit. Thanks to
+Emma's never-failing flow of humorous remarks the luncheon proved to be
+a merry meal and before it ended the forlorn girl looked almost happy.
+
+"I'll see you later," said Grace, as they paused for a moment in front
+of Vinton's. "Emma, I leave Miss Reynolds in your care."
+
+"I accept the responsibility," declared Emma, flourishing her parasol in
+fantastic salute. "I'm going to march her home and put her to bed."
+
+"While I go on to Overton Hall to learn her fate," smiled Grace.
+"Good-bye. You may expect me when you see me."
+
+Grace swung across the campus toward Overton Hall at her usual brisk
+pace. A few moments more and she would be fairly launched in her new
+undertaking. She had no desire to run out to meet the future, yet she
+could not refrain from wondering what her first year on the campus would
+bring her. So far it had brought her Mary Reynolds, but somewhere in the
+world there were thirty-one other girls whose faces were set toward
+Overton and Harlowe House.
+
+A peculiar wave of dismay swept over Grace at the thought of actually
+being responsible for the welfare of so many persons. The old saying
+concerning the rushing in of fools where angels walk warily came
+involuntarily to her mind. Then she laughed and squaring her capable
+shoulders murmured half aloud, "I'm neither a fool nor an angel. I'm
+just Grace Harlowe, a 'mere ordinary human being,' as Hippy would put
+it. I'm not going to be so silly as to expect to get along with a whole
+houseful of girls without some friction. Like the gardens Anne and I
+planted away back in our freshman year, there are sure to be a few weeds
+among the flowers."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+MARY REYNOLDS MAKES A NEW FRIEND
+
+
+"Twenty-nine, thirty, thirty-one and Mary Reynolds makes thirty-two.
+Isn't it fortunate that there was a place all ready for her?" Grace
+Harlowe looked eagerly up from the list of names which she had been
+intently scanning.
+
+"Very fortunate," smiled Miss Wilder. "I am quite curious to see your
+protege, Miss Harlowe."
+
+Miss Wilder, the dean of Overton College, had been genuinely glad to
+welcome Grace Harlowe back to the college fold. During Grace's four
+years as a student at Overton she had greatly endeared herself to the
+dignified, but kindly, dean, who had watched her pass from honor to
+honor with the same sympathetic interest which Miss Thompson, the
+principal of Oakdale High School, had ever exhibited in Grace's
+progress.
+
+It was now almost four o'clock in the afternoon. Grace had spent a busy
+two hours in Miss Wilder's office going over the applications for
+admittance to Harlowe House and discussing ways and means with her
+superior.
+
+"Do you know, Miss Wilder, that one of the very nicest things about you
+is your interest in one's friends and plans?" Grace regarded the older
+woman with sparkling eyes. "Away back in my freshman days I can remember
+that I never came to you with anything, but that you were interested and
+sympathetic."
+
+"My dear child!" Miss Wilder put up a protesting hand.
+
+"It's perfectly true," persisted Grace staunchly. "I am sure I could
+never have planned everything so beautifully for Harlowe House if you
+hadn't helped me."
+
+"But I had such a wonderful source of inspiration," reminded Miss
+Wilder, turning the tide of approbation in Grace's direction.
+
+"I wish I could agree with you," laughed Grace, her color rising. Then
+her face grew earnest. "It would make me very happy if I thought that,
+as the head of Harlowe House, I could inspire my girls to love Overton
+as deeply and truly as I do. I don't intend to preach to them or to
+moralize, but I do wish them to gain real college spirit. If they strive
+to cultivate that, it will mean more to them than all the talks and
+lectures one could give them. Don't you think so?"
+
+"I do, indeed," agreed Miss Wilder warmly.
+
+"Of course," went on Grace thoughtfully, "there is the possibility that
+some of these girls may fail in their entrance examinations. Undoubtedly
+they will have to take them, for no girl who applies for admission to
+Harlowe House will have come from a preparatory school. Naturally, they
+will all be high school graduates. Some of them will have scholarships
+and some will not. It is going to be more or less of a struggle for
+those who have none to earn their college fees--that is, if they haven't
+saved the money for them beforehand. I am reasonably certain that poor
+little Mary Reynolds hasn't a penny of her own, other than the ten
+dollars she has saved. But if she passes her examinations she can borrow
+the money for her college fees from Semper Fidelis. Then, too, there is
+the subject of rules and regulations to be considered."
+
+"A very important subject," interposed Miss Wilder. "The success of
+Harlowe House will depend upon its rules and their absolute
+enforcement."
+
+"Don't you think it would be a nice idea to draw up a little
+constitution and by-laws as they do in clubs. It would not cost very
+much to have a certain number of copies of them printed, and a copy
+placed in each girl's room. Oh, Miss Wilder, wouldn't it be splendid if
+we could form the girls of Harlowe House into a social club. It would
+bring them in touch with one another, teach them to be self-governing,
+and do an endless amount of good." Grace finished with sudden
+inspiration.
+
+For a moment Miss Wilder did not answer. She was evidently turning the
+matter over in her own mind. "It is rather an unusual idea," she said
+slowly, "but I should not be surprised to see it work out well. Among a
+number of young women who, aside from the advantages Harlowe House
+offers them, are practically dependent upon their own resources you are
+sure to find a variety of dispositions, some of them a little warped
+from their struggle with poverty. I should say that they could be
+reached and understood better by becoming members of this club, which
+you propose, than by any other method. Yes, decidedly, it is a good
+plan."
+
+Grace remained with the dean until after five o'clock talking earnestly
+of her new work. "Oh, dear, I can scarcely wait for the next two weeks
+to pass I'm so anxious to begin," she sighed, as she gathered together
+her gloves, handkerchief and parasol and rose to go. "Miss Dean will
+come to see you to-morrow morning, Miss Wilder. I'll send Miss Reynolds
+with her."
+
+The sun was well advanced on his daily pilgrimage down the western sky,
+and Grace's usually rapid steps lagged as she crossed the dear familiar
+campus. Her eyes strayed lovingly from the green velvety carpeting under
+her feet to the red and yellow pennants of autumn which the trees were
+flaunting so bravely. It was hard to say at which season of the year
+Overton campus was most beautiful. To Grace it was like some familiar
+friend who was constantly surprising her with new and endearing virtues.
+
+She gazed across the wide stretch of green toward Morton House. Two
+girlish figures were seated on the steps apparently deep in their own
+interests. A little farther on she met three sophomores, who,
+recognizing her, bowed to her in smiling admiration. Grace stopped and
+held out her hand with the frank cordiality which characterized her.
+After a pleasant exchange of greetings they passed on greatly elated
+over the fact that "that clever Miss Harlowe, who was the most popular
+girl at Overton last year," had remembered them.
+
+"We're beginning to gather home," she murmured softly. She was passing
+Holland House now, and it brought back delightful memories of Mabel
+Ashe. Her glance rested wistfully on the front door. She half expected
+to see it open and to see coming toward her the lithe, graceful figure
+of the girl whose dainty hands had been the first to grasp hers in
+friendly welcome, when, as an untried freshman, she had first set foot
+in the land of Overton so long ago. "Mabel," she breathed, "dear, dear
+girl! If ever I come to mean half as much to lonely freshmen as you
+meant to me, I shall feel that I have succeeded gloriously."
+
+Wrapped in recollections of the past, which she realized were bound to
+haunt her at every turn until time and work had banished her sense of
+loss, Grace did not hear the light footsteps of the tall young woman who
+bore noiselessly down upon her like an avenging fate. Suddenly Grace
+felt two soft, cool hands close over her eyes.
+
+"Oh!" she gasped. Then she laughed. "I know it's some one I'm anxious to
+see. Is it Kathleen?"
+
+The hands did not relax their pressure.
+
+"Is it Laura Atkins?" guessed Grace again.
+
+The pressure tightened a little.
+
+"I know now," cried Grace. "Why didn't I guess you first of all? It's
+Patience."
+
+The hands fell away from her eyes. Grace wheeled about into a pair of
+encircling arms. A very tall, fair-haired young woman stood looking down
+on her with a face full of lively affection. "I wonder if you are as
+glad to see me as I am to see you, Grace," was her first speech.
+
+"Every bit as glad," responded Grace with emphasis. "Emma and I have
+been looking forward to your coming every day since we came."
+
+"Emma?" interrogated Patience. "Do you mean to tell me that Emma Dean is
+here?"
+
+"Yes," replied Grace happily. "She's come back to be Miss Duncan's
+assistant. Isn't that splendid?"
+
+"I've been mourning Emma among the rest of the bright departed spirits,"
+smiled Patience, "and thinking of how dull Wayne Hall will be this year
+without her. Emma is Emma, you know, and cannot be duplicated, imitated
+nor replaced. I suppose, as a teacher, she'll live in one of the faculty
+houses, instead of Wayne Hall."
+
+"She is going to have part of my suite at Harlowe House," said Grace.
+"But, before I say another word, where are you going?"
+
+"To Overton Hall to see Miss Wilder."
+
+"Can't you put off going until to-morrow morning?" asked Grace.
+
+"Yes, if you and Emma will go with me to the six-thirty train to meet
+Kathleen and then to dinner at Vinton's afterward."
+
+"Will we?" cried Grace. "I should say--I'm afraid we can't, Patience."
+Her jubilant tone changed to one of disappointment. "I forgot all about
+Mary Reynolds."
+
+"Who is Mary Reynolds and what did I ever do to her that causes her to
+conspire to cheat me of the society of my friends?" inquired Patience
+humorously.
+
+"Not a single thing," assured Grace brightening again. "She's the
+thirty-second applicant for admission to Harlowe House, but she's living
+there as my guest for a few days until she finds out whether she
+'belongs.' Suppose you walk over there with me. I wish you to see the
+house before the tenants arrive. I'll tell you the strange story of Mary
+Reynolds on the way over. Emma's at home, so you can see her, too."
+
+"All right, I'll go, provided you and your entire family, including Mary
+Reynolds, escort me to the train to meet Kathleen."
+
+"Here's my hand on it," promised Grace.
+
+Patience caught it in both of hers. "It's good to be here, Grace," she
+said earnestly.
+
+"It's good to have you here, Patience," returned Grace, in the same
+earnest tone.
+
+Patience was met at the door by Emma, who had seen their approach from
+the living-room window, and who now pounced upon Patience and joyfully
+escorted her into the living-room.
+
+"The plot thickens," declaimed Emma as the three paused in the middle of
+the room. "Hurrah for the old guard! Like Macbeth's immortal witches,
+I'll perform my antic round, just to show how jubilant I feel." She
+executed a few fantastic steps about Patience, then paused beside her,
+one hand on her shoulder. "Where did you acquire Patience, Grace?"
+
+"I acquired this particular kind of Patience on the campus just a few
+moments ago. I have never actually acquired the other kind."
+
+"You're not the only one," murmured Emma significantly.
+
+"Where is our freshman-to-be?"
+
+"In her room and fast asleep, I suppose. Although she wouldn't admit it,
+I know she was completely tired out. I could see that," she added slyly.
+
+Patience and Grace smiled in quick recognition of J. Elfreda Briggs' pet
+phrase.
+
+"How I wish 'I could see' dear old J. Elfreda. Wouldn't it be glorious
+if she were suddenly to appear in the flesh," sighed Emma.
+
+"She was here with Mrs. Gray and I in August, Patience." Grace went on
+to relate the details of Elfreda's visit. "Emma has heard all this
+before. Still, you don't mind hearing it again, do you, Emma?"
+
+"I could listen to it forever, and then ask for a repetition," asserted
+Emma with gallant glibness.
+
+"I won't be so malicious as to take you at your word," returned Grace.
+"Will you tell Patience all the news while I run upstairs to see Miss
+Reynolds?"
+
+"I will," nodded Emma, "and tell it truthfully and without
+embellishments. I am not a yellow journal. I am a reliable purveyor of
+facts and nothing but facts." She pounded on the library table with her
+clenched fist to emphasize her words.
+
+"I believe you," assured Patience with mock solemnity, "and salute you
+as a disciple of truth."
+
+Leaving her friends to exchange confidences, Grace ran lightly up the
+stairs and knocked on Mary Reynolds' door. Receiving no answer, she
+knocked again.
+
+"She must be asleep," thought Grace. Then she turned the knob and
+entered the room. Surely enough the tired stranger lay on her couch bed,
+tranquil and slumber-wrapped. Sleep had smoothed away the lines of care
+and, in repose, her face looked soft and childish.
+
+"Miss Reynolds."
+
+The girl sat up with a little, startled cry. "Oh," she breathed, in
+relief. "I was so frightened. I forgot where I was."
+
+"Miss Dean, a friend of ours and I are going to the station to meet
+another friend. We wish you to go with us," invited Grace. "That is,
+unless you prefer to stay here. You will be all alone in the house."
+
+An expression of alarm showed itself in the girl's eyes. "I'd rather go
+with you, if you are sure I won't be in the way."
+
+"Not in the least. We shall start in a few moments." With a cheerful
+smile that elicited a faint, answering one from the other girl, Grace
+left the room. She was back in an instant with something blue thrown
+over her arm. "Here is a little coat I took out of my trunk especially
+for you. It is cool enough for a coat to-night. This won't be too long
+for you. It's only three-quarter length on me."
+
+"I--I--" stammered Mary, but Grace was gone.
+
+Mary could not help thrilling a little with pure pleasure at sight of
+herself in the pretty blue serge coat. "I look just like them," she
+murmured. "I'm so glad I came. I won't go back either, and no one shall
+make me." She smoothed and patted her curly hair, then putting on her
+shabby hat went slowly down stairs.
+
+Her momentary awe of Patience vanished when she discovered that, in
+spite of her dignified bearing, this tall, fair young woman was as full
+of fun as the droll Emma Dean.
+
+The quartette started for the station with Patience and Emma in the
+lead. Grace walked with Mary, talking brightly of Overton to her
+absorbed listener. She had just begun to tell Mary of Kathleen West, her
+clever work as a newspaper woman and of how her play had won the honor
+pin, when they arrived at the station.
+
+"Wait here while I see if the train is on time," directed Grace.
+
+The three young women strolled slowly along the platform, pausing at one
+end of it.
+
+"The train's on time," called Grace as she came out of the station and
+approached them. "It's due in four minutes. Listen! Didn't you hear it
+whistle?"
+
+A minute later it was visible around the bend and bearing down on the
+station with a great puffing and whistling.
+
+"I see her," announced Emma. "She's getting off at the upper end of the
+train."
+
+An alert little figure in a gray coat suit came swinging down the
+platform, a suit case in each hand, her keen, dark eyes scanning every
+face. Suddenly she caught sight of her friends. Dropping her luggage she
+ran forward, both hands extended. Grace caught them in hers. The two
+embraced, then Grace passed Kathleen on to Patience.
+
+"And to think that Emma Dean is to be one of us!" exclaimed Kathleen.
+"Emma, the one sure and certain cure for the blues. I didn't half
+appreciate you last year." A swift flush rose to her cheeks. "I didn't
+appreciate any one. I missed knowing Overton's best, but I'm so thankful
+that part of that best has come back again, so that I can really show
+how much I care," she finished, her eyes very bright.
+
+The little company lingered on the platform, for there was so much to be
+said that they were loath to move on. So absorbed were they in their own
+affairs they did not observe that a tall, raw-boned, roughly dressed
+man, with a gaunt, disagreeable face had been stealthily edging nearer
+the group until within a few feet of them. All at once a long bony hand
+was thrust into their midst. The hand landed on the shoulder of Mary
+Reynolds, swinging her almost off her feet. She did not scream, but her
+face grew white and her eyes horror-stricken. Then she wrenched
+desperately to free herself from the cruel clutch, gasping,
+"Let--me--alone. I--won't--go back--with--you."
+
+"Oh, ye won't, won't ye," growled the hateful intruder. "We'll see if ye
+won't. Get a move on." He half dragged, half shoved the now sobbing Mary
+along the platform.
+
+For an instant no one of the astonished girls moved or protested. Then a
+small, lithe figure flung itself in front of the brutal fellow, barring
+his progress. "Take your hands off that girl," commanded a tense,
+authoritative voice.
+
+As if in recognition of its authority the man's cruel hold on Mary's
+slender shoulder relaxed. Kathleen West's black eyes were blazing. With
+a swift forward movement she threw her arm protectingly across Mary's
+shoulder and drew her close. "Now," she said, her whole body tense with
+suppressed anger, "touch her if you dare."
+
+"Ye better git out and mind yer own business or ye'll wish ye had,"
+threatened the man, his first feeling of fear vanishing. "Yer nothin'
+but a lot o' silly girls. You git along," he ordered, fixing his
+scowling eyes on Mary.
+
+"This little girl is going to stay with us. It is you that had better
+move on. If you aren't out of sight within the next three minutes I'll
+have you arrested for annoying us, and it won't be wise for you to come
+back again either."
+
+Kathleen's face, as she stood calmly eyeing her disagreeable adversary,
+was like a study in stone. She looked as inexorable and relentless as
+Fate itself, and the bully understood dimly that here was a force with
+which he could not reckon.
+
+"I'm a goin'," he mumbled sullenly, "but I'm a goin' to git the law on
+_her_," he pointed to Mary, "and make her git back where she belongs."
+
+By this time several persons had hurried to the scene of the encounter.
+Kathleen's sole reply to the threat was a contemptuous shrug of her
+shoulders. "Come on, girls," she said so nonchalantly that the curious
+ones dropped disappointedly away. Not more than four minutes had elapsed
+from the time the uncouth stranger had appeared until he slunk off.
+Emma, Grace and Patience found their voices almost simultaneously.
+
+"Well, of all things!" exclaimed Emma.
+
+"I was literally amazed to dumbness," declared Patience.
+
+"So was I for a minute, but Kathleen was so completely sure of herself
+that I knew it was better to be silent. She disposed of that
+obstreperous individual most summarily. Who is he, Miss Reynolds?" Grace
+turned grave eyes upon Mary. "We shall have to know all about him if we
+are to help you."
+
+They were now walking slowly up the street.
+
+"He's--my--uncle," faltered the girl. "Mother died last summer just
+after I finished high school, and I had no place to go. He wanted me to
+go out in the country and live on his farm. He said I could go to
+college, but after I went to the farm he and his wife made me do all the
+work, and laughed when I spoke of going to college. A nice girl I knew
+had told me about Overton and Harlowe House. She was in the town of
+Overton last commencement and heard about it. I told them I would go in
+spite of them, so they locked me in my room, but I climbed out the
+window and into a big tree, one of its branches was quite near the
+window, and then slid to the ground."
+
+"How old are you, Miss Reynolds?" asked Kathleen West with apparent
+irrelevance.
+
+"I was eighteen last week."
+
+"Then you needn't worry about your uncle. You are of age and can do as
+you please."
+
+"Do you mean that he can't make me leave here?" Mary Reynolds' eyes were
+wide with surprise and sudden hope.
+
+"Of course he can't," reassured Kathleen. "Girls, I'm going to adopt
+Mary Reynolds as my especial charge and help her fight her battles in
+the Land of College. Mary, will you let me adopt you?"
+
+Mary regarded Kathleen with shy admiration. She thought her the most
+wonderful person she had ever known. She was deeply grateful to Grace
+and her two friends for their kindness, but Kathleen's swift, efficient
+action on her behalf had completely won her heart. "I'd be the happiest
+girl in the world," she said solemnly.
+
+The next morning Grace went frankly to Miss Wilder with the tragic story
+of Mary's struggle to obtain an education and the attempt her miserly
+uncle had made to force her to return to the farm.
+
+"We shall be obliged to look into the matter," declared the dean. "Send
+Miss Reynolds to me as soon as possible. I must be very sure that she is
+all she represents herself to be. I should not care to have a repetition
+of the station scene later, on the campus, for instance. It would hardly
+add to the dignity of Overton."
+
+"I'll bring her to your office to-morrow morning," said Grace, "then you
+can form your own opinion of her."
+
+Mary Reynolds' wistful face was the last touch needed to completely
+enlist Miss Wilder's sympathy in her behalf. On the strength of the
+straightforward story which she repeated to the dean, she was allowed to
+proceed with her examinations. Meantime Miss Wilder wrote to the
+authorities of the little town near which Mary's uncle's farm was
+situated. They conducted a prompt investigation and by the time the
+hitherto friendless girl had passed triumphantly through the ordeal of
+examinations the faintest trace of objection to her becoming a student
+at Overton had been removed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE THIRTY-THIRD GIRL
+
+
+"I am sorry," said Grace gently, "but I am afraid it will be impossible
+for me to do anything for your sister this year. Harlowe House will
+hold, comfortably, thirty-two girls and no more. It isn't so much a
+matter of meals. They could, perhaps, be arranged, but I haven't a room
+for your sister. Could she afford to rent a room in town and come here
+for her meals?" This was an afterthought on Grace's part, born of the
+desire to clear away the cruel shadow of disappointment that clouded the
+pale face of the woman who sat opposite her in her little office.
+
+"I--am--afraid not," faltered the pale, thin woman, her tired eyes
+filling with an expression of resignation. "I thought I might be able to
+manage her college fees, if her living expenses could be arranged. We
+were so sorry that she did not win a scholarship. You are quite sure
+that there is no chance for her here?" she asked pleadingly, for the
+fourth time. "She has set her heart on coming to Overton. College means
+so much to a girl, and Evelyn is so clever. It seems a pity that she
+must stop with only a high school education."
+
+Grace knitted her brows in earnest thought, while the pleading voice
+talked on. She felt an overpowering sympathy, not for the sister who
+wished to come to Overton, but for the sister who was now advocating her
+cause. And even as she thought the way in which one more girl might
+partake of the benefits of Harlowe House came to her. It was a way of
+sacrifice; she was not even sure that it could be done. Something in the
+expression of her face, however, seemed to inspire the woman opposite
+her with new hope. She leaned forward, with the eager question: "Am I
+wrong or does your face tell me that there is a chance for Evelyn?" For
+the first time she mentioned her sister's name.
+
+"'Evelyn,'" repeated Grace half musingly. "What a pretty name. How old
+is your sister, Miss Ward?"
+
+"She was eighteen last August."
+
+"I can make you no definite promise yet," returned Grace slowly. "Could
+you come to see me this afternoon at four o'clock? I shall know then
+whether the plan I have in mind can be carried out."
+
+"I will come," promised the woman eagerly, her eyes kindling with happy
+light. "I thank you for your kindness." Her voice trembled with
+gratitude. She rose to go, looking as though she would like to say more
+but could not find words in which to express herself.
+
+"You are quite welcome. I will try very hard to place her," was Grace's
+parting assurance.
+
+After the woman, who had introduced herself as Ida Ward, had gone, Grace
+went slowly upstairs and into her pretty sitting-room. She looked long
+and fixedly at each attractive appointment, then she walked on into the
+bedroom, which she and Emma shared, and surveyed it with the same
+searching gaze. "I can't do it unless Emma is willing," she murmured. "I
+dislike asking her after inviting her to share my suite. Still, we've
+always been frank with each other. I'll tell her the exact circumstances
+as soon as she comes home to luncheon, and let her decide what we had
+better do." Having determined upon her course of action Grace went
+downstairs again and was soon deep in the laying-out of next week's menu
+for Harlowe House, a task in which she had been engaged when Miss Ida
+Ward was announced.
+
+It was now two weeks since Overton College had opened. The thirty-two
+applicants for places in Harlowe House had, without exception, passed
+through the trying ordeal of their entrance examinations with varying
+degrees of success, but not one had actually failed. They had come into
+the house, which was their Open Sesame to college, in twos and threes.
+Few of them were pretty, but even the plainest of their faces bore the
+unmistakable stamp of intelligence that marks the scholar. The
+half-brooding, anxious look in young eyes and the womanly dignity,
+prematurely gained through hand to hand conflict with poverty, were
+certain indications that the girls of Harlowe House were there for
+earnest work and not for play.
+
+And now a thirty-third girl was knocking at the gate for admittance to
+the Land of College. Grace wondered vaguely why Evelyn Ward had not come
+to plead her own cause. The words of Ida Ward, "I thought I might be
+able to manage her college fees," returned to her with disquieting
+force. Then she made a little impatient gesture. "Grace Harlowe, what is
+the matter with you? You are judging poor Evelyn Ward without giving her
+an opportunity to defend herself. You know nothing whatever of the
+Wards' affairs. There may be a dozen good reasons for Miss Ward's coming
+here in her sister's behalf. Don't be so suspicious. Wait until you see
+Evelyn Ward before you judge her."
+
+Although Grace did not realize it she was already thinking of Evelyn
+Ward as a member of Harlowe House. There was no fear of refusal on
+Emma's part. Long acquaintance with her good-natured, easy-going
+classmate had taught her that Emma was equal to, if not more than a
+match for, almost any emergency.
+
+"Emma would take her belongings and camp out in the hall if I asked her
+to," smiled Grace to herself as she went slowly downstairs to her office
+and, seating herself at her desk, took up the writing on which she had
+been engaged when her caller was announced.
+
+She was still hard at work when the girls began to come in for luncheon,
+one after another, and at last she heard Emma's delightful drawl as she
+exchanged pleasantries with one of the freshmen who had opened the door
+for her.
+
+"Oh, Emma," she called, stepping to the door of her office, "will you
+come in here, please? I need you."
+
+By the time Grace had finished speaking Emma was standing in the
+doorway, peering owlishly at her. "Most Gracious Grace," she salaamed,
+"what is your majesty's magnificent pleasure with your worthless and
+most despicable dog of a servant?"
+
+"I don't know any such person," laughed Grace. Then, her face sobering,
+she plunged into the middle of things with, "What would you say, Emma,
+if I were to give half of our quarters to some one else?"
+
+"I'd say that I was lucky to have half of the half that's left," was
+Emma's prompt retort.
+
+"You're a dear!" cried Grace impulsively. "I knew you were true blue.
+Still, I must tell you all about certain things before you decide. It's
+just this way, Emma." Grace began with Miss Ward's call and recounted to
+Emma all that had passed between herself and the stranger. Emma listened
+without comment until Grace had finished with, "Now tell me what you
+think, Emma."
+
+"I think it is positively noble in you to be willing to give up one of
+your rooms," emphasized Emma. "As far as I am concerned I'm not a
+'chooser.' I'm here because of that same saving grace--it's as much a
+part of you as your name--which is reaching out now to put one more girl
+in Overton. What can any strictly honorable, four-cornered person say
+except, 'I'm with you,' and here's my hand in seal and token of it."
+
+"Thank you, Emma," Grace's quiet words and warm handclasp were eloquent
+with appreciation of her friend's unselfish viewpoint, "Suppose we run
+upstairs for a moment before luncheon to look around and decide which of
+the two rooms we can best do without. And, O, Emma, we'll have room for
+a thirty-fourth girl, if she happens along. I never thought of that. In
+the face of all that a college education will mean to this girl our
+personal comfort rather pales into insignificance."
+
+"Who are we that we should revel in the fleshpots of Overton while the
+stranger knocks at our gates?" supplemented Emma. "Now which is it to
+be? Shall we say, 'good-bye beloved sitting-room, ne'er shall we behold
+thy like again,' or shall we bid fond adieu to the bedroom? I ask but
+one concession, let us reserve our nice private bathroom. It has a value
+above rubies."
+
+"Of course we'll keep our bathroom. There are three others in the house
+of which these new girls can have the use. As long as the bathroom opens
+into both rooms, I shall bolt the door leading into the room we give
+Miss Ward. That may appear a trifle inhospitable on the surface, but I
+wish to keep what is left of our apartment as secluded as possible,"
+ended Grace, opening the door into the sitting-room. "Now, which shall
+it be, Emma?"
+
+Emma prowled contemplatively about the suite, her hands in her coat
+pockets, her glasses pushed far over her nose. Finally she paused before
+Grace. Settling her glasses at their proper angle she said earnestly, "I
+don't wish to seem selfish, Grace, but really I think you are entitled
+to the sitting-room. It's larger and lighter. It's more attractive in
+every way. I am not thinking of myself in this matter, I am thinking of
+you. You are the brains and brawn of Harlowe House, therefore you must
+be made comfortable if you are to do good work here. The other room is
+easily large enough to accommodate two girls. It is larger than the
+rooms we occupied at Wayne Hall."
+
+"I know it." Grace strolled reflectively through the open bathroom door
+and on into the bedroom. When she returned, she had decided. "You are
+right, Emma. I don't believe it would be selfish to keep this room. Now
+how shall we furnish it?"
+
+"Don't ask me to decide that," protested Emma. "I feel as though I ought
+to pack my belongings and go to one of the faculty houses, Grace. It
+isn't fair to you for me to stay here and be a cumberer of your room."
+
+"Emma Dean, if you do!" Grace caught Emma by the shoulders and proceeded
+to shake her.
+
+"Wait! Stop!" implored Emma. "My glasses! And lenses cost money!"
+
+"Will you stay?" demanded a relentless voice. The shaking continued, but
+gently.
+
+"I will. That is, I'll have to, or pay the oculist."
+
+Grace's hands fell from Emma's shoulders.
+
+"I didn't want to pack and go," confessed Emma, "but I was trying to be
+as fair to you as you are to every one else."
+
+"It wouldn't be one bit fair in you to leave me. You promised to see me
+through, you know," reproached Grace.
+
+"So I did, and so I will," declared Emma, "I take back all I said. From
+now on I am as much of a fixture here as the kitchen range or the window
+seat."
+
+Grace laughed at Emma's absurd declaration. "I couldn't let you go,
+Emma. You are too good a comrade. Now let me think. I'll have my
+dressing table brought in here, but, in order to make a combination
+sitting and sleeping room of this, we will have to buy a couch bed. The
+davenport there is a bed too. We'll put it across that corner, and have
+the couch against that wall. We'll have to keep the dressing table. We
+can't avoid that. I don't know what to do with my bed. It is
+three-quarter size. I selected it purposely, so that I'd have room for
+two of the girls at a time if they dropped in unexpectedly. I don't like
+to sell it. It matches the set."
+
+"Why not leave it in the other room," suggested Emma. "If girl number
+thirty-four never materializes then Miss Evelyn Ward can occupy the
+whole bed, if she chooses."
+
+"But suppose we do admit another girl?"
+
+"Sufficient unto the day, etc.," shrugged Emma. "When she appears, then
+let the committee take action."
+
+"I'll buy a smaller dressing table to match the bed, if I can, and a
+chiffonier. I can't quite give mine up to this newcomer. There goes the
+luncheon bell. I must hurry downstairs to the kitchen to see if
+everything is all right."
+
+Grace hastened down the stairs, with her friend at her heels. Emma went
+directly to the dining-room and took her place at the table laid for two
+at the lower end of the room. This table belonged exclusively to her and
+Grace. The dining-room at Harlowe House had been furnished after the
+fashion of a pretty little tea shop at which Grace had often lunched in
+New York. The walls were done in white with a faint blue and silver
+stripe. The ceiling was white with a decoration of deep blue corn
+flowers. The floor was covered with a thread and thrum rug in blue and
+white, and instead of two long tables there were several small ones
+which seated from four to six persons. In the middle of each table was a
+vase of flowers, and the effect of the whole room was dainty and
+homelike. Grace had spent much thought on the dining-room. The buffet,
+serving tables, tables and chairs were white, and the silver, linen and
+various other appointments had been carefully chosen.
+
+"I wish the girls to feel that this room is a place where they can eat
+and be merry. It is in the dining-room that they will first become
+acquainted with one another," Grace had said to Mrs. Gray while they
+were choosing the dining-room furniture. "I like the idea of having the
+small tables. The girls can talk quietly and confidentially, if they
+choose. Besides it looks so cosy and informal."
+
+As Grace ate her luncheon that day her eyes wandered to the various
+tables. She was speculating as to where she would seat Evelyn Ward.
+Already she thought of her as one of her girls.
+
+At precisely four o'clock the door bell rang and the maid ushered Ida
+Ward into the living-room. Her large eyes were wide with anxiety and
+suspense as she sat nervously on the edge of her chair, trying to appear
+composed. She tried to answer Grace's reassuring smile, but her anxious
+eyes belied her wanly-smiling lips.
+
+"I have good news for you, Miss Ward," said Grace brightly. "I have made
+room for your sister. When may I expect her?"
+
+Ida Ward's lips moved, but she made no sound. Then, to Grace's
+consternation, she covered her face with her black-gloved hands and
+began to cry quietly. For an instant Grace sat in embarrassed silence.
+She hardly knew what consolation to offer this poor, pale woman who
+looked as though she carried the burdens of the world upon her slender
+shoulders. Before she could think of anything to say, Miss Ward suddenly
+raised her head, wiped her eyes and said quietly, "Forgive me for
+crying. I--am a little tired. I was rather overcome by the good news."
+
+"Suppose we have tea in the living room," was Grace's kindly suggestion.
+"What time does your train leave? By the way, I don't think I know where
+you live."
+
+"We live in Burton, a little town about two hundred miles from here,
+with a population of six thousand people. I am a dressmaker. There are
+only Evelyn and I, and I am fifteen years older than she. Mother died
+when she was born. Father died only a year later and I have taken care
+of her all her life. She is very beautiful. One of the prettiest girls I
+have ever seen, and so clever." The plain face lighted as she described
+Evelyn.
+
+"How she loves her pretty sister," thought Grace.
+
+Over the tea, dainty sandwiches and cakes, Ida Ward became quite
+cheerful. When half an hour later she rose to take her leave, she looked
+really happy. "How can I thank you for what you have done for Evelyn?"
+she asked tremulously, her lips quivering. "My little sister will be so
+glad. I am sure she can't help being happy in this beautiful house."
+
+"Send her to us as soon as you can," advised Grace. "College has been
+open for over three weeks and she will have quite an amount of work to
+make up. This is Monday. May I expect her on Thursday?"
+
+"Yes, she can leave Burton early Thursday morning. There is a train
+which reaches here at two o'clock in the afternoon."
+
+"Very well. I will send some one to meet her," promised Grace.
+
+During the next two days Grace and Emma accomplished their moving so
+quietly that no one in the house knew of the new member the morrow was
+to bring. When everything had been put in place Emma declared cheerily
+that they would never miss the other room.
+
+At the last moment Grace decided to go in person to the train to meet
+Evelyn. The memory of Ida Ward's white patient face haunted her. For her
+sake her beloved sister should be cordially welcomed. Grace felt the
+deepest respect and sympathy for the older sister.
+
+"Miss Ward said her sister was very pretty," reflected Grace, then she
+looked a trifle dismayed. She had received absolutely no other
+description of the girl she was to meet. She did not know whether Evelyn
+Ward was short or tall, stout or thin, dark or fair. "I'll simply have
+to use my eyes and guess," was her mental comment, as she walked briskly
+along the station platform just as the train whizzed down the track. Her
+alert eyes scanned the nearest car steps where the porter was helping a
+crotchety old man to the platform. Behind him, came a stout middle-aged
+woman and two children. Grace scanned the next set of steps. Then, far
+up the platform she saw a tall, slender, blue-clad figure walking toward
+her at a leisurely pace. The girl carried a small handbag and a suit
+case. When she came directly opposite Grace she paused, then, after a
+deliberate survey, walked forward with outstretched hand. "Aren't you
+Miss Harlowe?" she asked sweetly. "If you are, I am Evelyn Ward."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+EVELYN WARD, FRESHMAN
+
+
+Grace found herself looking into one of the most perfect faces she had
+ever seen. Evelyn Ward was a blonde of the purest type. Her thick golden
+hair lay in shining waves under her small, smart blue hat. Her eyes were
+deeply, darkly blue with purple depths, while her skin had the sheen and
+texture of pale pink rose leaves. Her small, straight nose,
+softly-curved red mouth and delicately-arched dark eyebrows added to the
+tender beauty of her face. To Grace she came as a revelation, and, so
+far as she could remember, she had never seen any other blonde girl who
+approached this one in loveliness.
+
+"How do you do, Miss Ward? I am glad to know you," she said, offering
+her hand. She noticed that the slender hand that Evelyn put forth to
+meet hers was very soft and white. It had evidently done no hard work
+and was in sharp contrast to the rough, work-worn hands of her sister.
+
+"I'm sure I am pleased to know you, Miss Harlowe, and very thankful to
+you for arranging for my coming to Overton. I would have cried my eyes
+out with disappointment if Ida had come home with bad news," returned
+the pretty girl in a plaintive tone which impressed Grace with a
+curiously uncomfortable feeling that this attractive young woman would
+have done nothing of the sort. There was that indefinable something
+about her that contradicted, flatly, the idea of tears.
+
+"Your sister was an eloquent pleader, Miss Ward. I would have made an
+even greater effort than was necessary to place you, if only to please
+her. I was greatly impressed with her unselfishness and nobility of
+character," Grace made reply.
+
+An expression of amusement showed itself on Evelyn Ward's face. "Ida is
+a perfect old dear," she agreed lightly. "She takes life too seriously,
+though. She worries over every little thing. Still her very seriousness
+makes a good impression. She has ever so many friends; a great many more
+than I." She shrugged her shoulders, as though to convey the fact that
+the latter state of affairs did not trouble her.
+
+"As your luggage is not heavy, we might walk to Harlowe House,"
+suggested Grace. "This glorious fall weather is ideal for walking. Let
+me take your suit case."
+
+"With pleasure. It's altogether too heavy for comfort. Are there no
+street cars or busses we can take? I like to walk, but not when I have
+luggage to carry."
+
+"We can take a car or an automobile bus if you like," said Grace
+courteously, although she experienced a vague sense of annoyance at this
+newcomer's calmly expressed preference.
+
+"Oh, let's take the automobile, if it isn't too expensive!" exclaimed
+Evelyn eagerly. "I love to ride in an automobile. Are there any girls at
+Overton who own cars? If there are I shall certainly cultivate them. I
+suppose they won't notice me, though, because I am a freshman and a poor
+one at that," she ended with a pout, her fair face taking on almost
+sullen lines.
+
+Grace shook her head.
+
+"Being poor doesn't count at Overton," she said, "I know a girl who
+lived in a bare, cheerless room in an old house in the suburbs of
+Overton and earned her way by doing mending for the students. She worked
+in a dressmaker's shop during her summer vacations too, and yet she was
+the chum of the richest girl in college."
+
+"Why didn't the rich girl help her if she thought so much of her?"
+inquired Evelyn rather sarcastically.
+
+"Because the girl wouldn't allow her to do so. She was too independent
+to accept help. She did not wish to become obligated to any one, not
+even her dearest friend."
+
+"Foolish girl," was Evelyn's contemptuous comment. "If one can't ask
+occasional favors of one's friends one might as well have none. I am
+very sure that I would take the goods the gods provide without
+murmuring. These extreme standards of ethics and honor are all very
+pretty in books, but not at all practical in every-day life."
+
+Grace made no reply. She was lost, for the instant, in a maze of
+disagreeable reflection. She was afraid she now understood only too well
+why Ida instead of Evelyn Ward had come to see her. In the Ward family
+the hard tasks had apparently been thrust upon the patient elder sister,
+while the younger reaped where she had not sown, without a conscientious
+qualm. And it was for this beautiful, selfish girl that she and Emma had
+curtailed their comfort. She almost wished she had been firm in her
+first refusal to consider taking another girl into Harlowe House. Then a
+vision of Ida Ward's thin face, lighted by two pleading eyes, rose
+before her. With an inward rebuke for her own grudging attitude, Grace
+squared her shoulders and resolved to look for only the best in this
+latest arrival.
+
+It took but a moment to hail an automobile bus which had just run into
+the station yard, and they were soon on their way to Harlowe House.
+Grace pointed out to Evelyn the various interesting features of Overton.
+They impressed the latter but little.
+
+"It must be a sleepy old town," she commented, as they passed through
+the quiet streets. She did, however, evince some slight interest in
+Vinton's, remarking lightly that she supposed she would never have money
+enough to buy a dinner there for herself, let alone ever inviting a
+guest.
+
+"Do not look at your college life through such pessimistic spectacles,"
+advised Grace. "You will be sure to be unhappy."
+
+Evelyn made a pettish gesture. "You remind me of my sister, Miss
+Harlowe. She is forever preaching patience and optimism and all the
+other virtues in which I seem to be lacking."
+
+A bright flush rose to Grace's cheeks at this unparalleled rudeness. She
+cast a quick, curious glance at Evelyn, whose eyes were for the second
+fixed upon the campus which they were now nearing, and who appeared to
+be utterly oblivious of her impertinence.
+
+"This is the campus." Grace decided to overlook the pointed remark. "We
+are justly proud of Overton College and the campus."
+
+"It is really beautiful," nodded Evelyn, "but I'm going to tell you a
+secret. I'm not the least little bit enthusiastic over college. I'd
+rather go to a dramatic school and study for the stage. It is Ida who
+insists upon my going to college. Thank goodness, I'm not a dunce. It
+would be dreadful to be forced into college and then be too stupid to
+learn anything, wouldn't it?"
+
+"It would indeed," agreed Grace.
+
+"I suppose my stage aspirations shock you, Miss Harlowe," went on
+Evelyn, "but I can't help saying what I think."
+
+"My dearest woman friend is an actress," returned Grace quietly.
+
+"Oh, is she really?" Evelyn's voice rose high with excitement. "What is
+her name? Perhaps I've heard of her."
+
+"Anne Pierson."
+
+"I should say I had heard of _her_. She is one of the great stars. She
+is with Everett Southard, isn't she? I've seen their pictures in the
+magazines."
+
+"She graduated from Overton last year. We were roommates throughout our
+four years here. She is from my home town."
+
+"Really and truly?" demanded Evelyn impulsively. "That's the most
+interesting piece of news I've heard for a long time. Will you tell me
+all about her some time, Miss Harlowe?"
+
+"With pleasure," returned Grace. "It can hardly be to-day, however, for
+here we are at Harlowe House."
+
+"What a darling house!" praised Evelyn as they alighted from the
+automobile. "I am sure I shall like to live in it."
+
+"I hope that you will be happy here," returned Grace kindly. After all
+it might be better not to take this self-willed young woman too
+seriously. She had, at least, the virtue of truthfulness. She was
+entirely frank in the expression of her opinions. She might have many
+other redeeming qualities which would quite overbalance the disagreeably
+self-centered side of her character.
+
+Evelyn gazed about in open approval as they ascended the steps of
+Harlowe House. As they passed through the hall she peeped into the
+living room and exclaimed in admiration of its attractive appointments.
+Her voluble appreciation of her own room pleased Grace, who realized
+that Evelyn's personality was singularly fascinating and that she could
+be exceedingly gracious when she chose.
+
+"I will leave you now," said Grace, after a little further conversation.
+"The dinner bell rings at six o'clock. If you need anything, or wish to
+ask any questions, you will find me in my office downstairs. It is
+rather too late in the day for you to see the registrar. To-morrow
+morning will be time enough. You are lucky to be exempt from
+examinations."
+
+Grace had hardly established herself in her office when Emma Dean came
+breezily in from her work. "Well, Gracie," was her cheery greeting, "has
+she materialized, and is she as pathetic and persistent as Sister Ida?"
+
+Grace made a little gesture of resignation. "Prepare for the surprise of
+your college career, Emma."
+
+"Didn't she come?" demanded Emma, "That wouldn't surprise me. People are
+forever promising to arrive on a certain train and then strolling in
+several days later with the barefaced announcement that the time table
+had been mysteriously changed."
+
+"She arrived," stated Grace.
+
+"Then wherein lies the surprise?"
+
+"Emma," said Grace solemnly, "Evelyn Ward is the most beautiful girl I
+have ever seen, and, if I am not mistaken, one of the most selfish. She
+is no more like her sister than I am like Dr. Morton, and she is going
+to require more looking after than any other girl in Harlowe House."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE HARLOWE HOUSE CLUB
+
+
+"There!" Grace Harlowe laid down her pen and scanned the notice she had
+just finished writing. "I'll post this now. The girls will see it this
+morning and again when they come in to luncheon. Then they will be sure
+to meet me in the living-room before dinner. I hope they will like our
+plan."
+
+"They ought to like it," replied Emma Dean. "It makes them a
+self-respecting, self-governing body."
+
+"That is precisely what I wish them to be," responded Grace, in all
+earnestness. "I believe that being members of Semper Fidelis was of
+great benefit to us. Oh, Emma, did I tell you that Mr. Bedfield's gift
+to Semper Fidelis is now an endowment? He called to see me on Friday for
+the express purpose of telling me that he has arranged the matter with
+Professor Morton. The money is to be known hereafter as the Semper
+Fidelis endowment. He said he felt certain that we had not handed the
+society down to this year's classes. He couldn't imagine any other young
+women in our places. Wasn't that nice in him?"
+
+"Very nice and very true," agreed Emma. "I am of the same mind. The
+Sempers can never be imitated, passed on to the next class, nor
+replaced. They are in a class all by themselves."
+
+"The purpose of this new club which I propose to organize will be one of
+welfare. The girls will do more for themselves as a self-governing body
+than I can possibly do for them. By the way, I wonder if Miss Ward is up
+yet. She overslept and missed her first recitation yesterday morning.
+She came down to the dining-room long after breakfast was over. Susan
+was rather upset over having to serve an extra breakfast. I was obliged
+to tell Miss Ward that if it occurred again she would have to abide by
+the consequences of her own tardiness. I can't impose upon the servants
+to please a girl who has no thought for any one except herself."
+
+Grace spoke rather bitterly. Her early disappointment in Evelyn Ward had
+deepened as the time passed.
+
+"I don't hear a sound from her room," commented Emma, who sat before the
+dressing-table brushing her long hair. With hair brush poised in the air
+she listened intently. "She is dead to the world."
+
+"Then I'll have to waken her," sighed Grace.
+
+Stepping out into the hall she knocked lightly on Evelyn's door.
+Receiving no response she knocked again, this time with more force.
+
+"Come in," called a sleepy voice.
+
+Grace turned the knob. Sure enough, Evelyn lay comfortably back on her
+pillow, her wonderful golden hair falling in long, loose waves about
+her. Her beauty now made little impression upon Grace, who knew only too
+well the tantalizing, troublesome spirit that lay behind it. "It is
+almost eight o'clock, Miss Ward. Remember, breakfast is over at nine."
+
+"I know it," responded Evelyn with maddening sweetness. She eyed Grace
+speculatively, but made no effort to rise.
+
+Without further words Grace closed the door. She did not wish to betray
+her annoyance. She had experienced a wild desire to march over to the
+bed and drag the complacent freshman forth from it by the shoulders.
+
+When Evelyn descended to the dining-room she found that most of the
+girls had eaten breakfast and gone off to chapel. Happening to recall
+that she had not attended the morning services for a week, and with
+visions of her unsigned chapel card staring her in the face, she ate a
+hurried breakfast and was about to depart when her eyes happened to rest
+upon the bulletin board in the hall around which were gathered several
+girls. Pausing, Evelyn read Grace's notice. It asked the members of
+Harlowe House to be in the living room at five o'clock that afternoon
+for the discussion of a most important subject.
+
+"I wonder what it is," said Nettie Weyburn, lively curiosity
+overspreading her usually placid face.
+
+"I think I know," volunteered Mary Reynolds. "Miss Harlowe was telling
+me only last night that she wishes to organize a club of just Harlowe
+House girls, with a president and other officers. The club will have a
+constitution and by-laws and every member will have to live up to them."
+
+"Wouldn't that be splendid?" asked Cecil Ferris, a gray-eyed,
+black-haired freshman who made up in energy what she lacked in height.
+
+"Who would be president I wonder," murmured Evelyn, shooting a glance of
+apparent innocence about the circle.
+
+"You'd make a good president, Miss Ward," declared Mary Reynolds, in
+open admiration. To her beauty-loving little soul Evelyn was the most
+exquisite person in the world.
+
+"_I_," cried Evelyn in well-simulated amazement. "I wouldn't attempt to
+be, I am not clever or popular enough."
+
+"I believe you would be the very one. You are so independent and know
+just how to do things." Now that Mary had suggested it, it met with
+Nettie Weyburn's placid approval. Cecil Ferris echoed it. She, too, had
+fallen under the spell of Evelyn's beauty.
+
+"I must run along or be late to chapel," murmured Evelyn modestly, and
+hurried off at precisely the wisest moment to further her own cause. The
+ambition to become the president of the proposed club had sprung into
+life in her self-centered young soul as she stood reading the bulletin,
+and she determined that she would leave nothing undone to obtain the
+honor.
+
+At luncheon that day she took particular pains to be unusually friendly
+to every one with whom she came in contact, exhibiting a gay
+graciousness of manner toward a number of girls she had secretly
+labeled, "digs, prigs and plodders." This quite won their trusting
+hearts and made them innocently wonder how they had, so far, happened to
+miss becoming really well acquainted with Miss Ward.
+
+When at five o'clock the big living room began to fill, Evelyn was among
+the first there, with a dazzling smile for all comers. At ten minutes
+past five the thirty-three girls who claimed Harlowe House as their home
+were sitting or standing expectantly about the room, waiting for Grace,
+who stood at one end of the room with Emma, to call the meeting to order
+and enter upon the discussion of that "most important subject."
+
+"I have asked you to come here this afternoon because I believe the time
+has arrived to try out a plan which I have had in my mind ever since
+college began," stated Grace, by way of beginning. Then in clear,
+concise sentences she told of her desire that her girls should be
+self-governing and of how much good fellowship their banding themselves
+together would create. "I thought, if you approved of the plan, we might
+elect our officers at once, and appoint a committee to draw up the
+constitution and by-laws. I am going to ask you to talk it over among
+yourselves for ten minutes, while Miss Dean and I prepare some balloting
+slips," she concluded, and at once a loud buzz of eager conversation
+began.
+
+It was fifteen minutes before Grace again called the meeting to order,
+and appointed four tellers, who distributed ballots. Then nominations
+were in order.
+
+"I nominate Miss Ward for president," proposed Cecil Ferris.
+
+"I second the motion," came from Mary Reynolds.
+
+Grace could hardly control the surprise in her voice, when, after
+waiting a little, she asked: "Are there any further nominations?" "I
+nominate Miss Sampson," called a small pale girl from her perch in the
+window seat, with a fond smile in the direction of her roommate. Another
+girl seconded the nomination, and it was then moved and seconded that
+the nominations for president be closed. The nomination for
+vice-president, secretary and treasurer were then in order and after
+they were closed the voting began.
+
+"Well, of all things," whispered Emma to Grace, who sank into the chair
+beside her friend, a peculiar expression on her fine face. "I never
+dreamed of matters taking that turn, did you?"
+
+Grace shook her head. It had indeed come as a shock. She had thought of
+the club as a novel and possible means of bringing the Harlowe House
+girls into a closer relationship with one another. She had never
+considered the possibility of Evelyn being president of the club. It was
+evident that her nomination had come about through admiration of her
+undeniable beauty. She was absolutely unfit for any such office. Grace
+hoped, devoutly, that Miss Sampson, a tall, capable young woman, with a
+likable personality and a cheery, hearty manner of speaking, would be
+elected.
+
+Emma made no further remark, but watched the tellers with calculating
+eyes. At last one of them, who had been industriously making notations
+on a sheet of paper, rose to announce the results of the election.
+
+"The total number of votes cast for president was thirty-three. Of these
+Miss Ward received twenty-nine"--an enthusiastic clapping of hands
+sounded--"Miss Sampson four." She then went on to read the result of the
+balloting for the other three officers. Nettie Weyburn had won the
+vice-presidency, Cecil Ferris had been chosen secretary, while quiet
+little Mary Reynolds had been made treasurer. The reading of each name
+elicited its quota of applause, but it was plain that, of the four
+officers, Evelyn was, by far, the greatest favorite. After appointing a
+committee of four girls to assist her in drawing up the constitution and
+by-laws, Grace said pleasantly: "Will the new officers please come
+forward so that we can all see you. You must be formally introduced, you
+know."
+
+The newly elected officers rose from their various positions which they
+occupied in the room and advanced to where Grace stood. About Evelyn
+Ward's red lips played a smile of suppressed triumph as she shook the
+hand Grace offered her and listened to the former's sincere wish for her
+success. For an instant the gray eyes studied the perfect face gravely,
+as though trying to penetrate what lay behind its smiling mask. Then
+Grace turned to greet the vice-president, just in time to miss the
+mocking flash which lighted Evelyn's blue eyes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+PLANNING FOR THE RECEPTION
+
+
+The committee on the constitution and by-laws for the new club met the
+very next evening and drew up a terse little document setting forth
+their object in banding themselves together. Grace had already made note
+of the few rules she wished the girls to observe, but, so far as
+possible, she wished the committee to draw up their own regulations,
+subject to her approval. To create a spirit of independence and
+self-confidence in the girls of Harlowe House had been Grace's basic
+motive. She realized that many of them were hampered with an undue sense
+of gratitude which made them too humble for their own interest. She
+purposed to make them self-reliant and free. Therefore the rules which
+she herself made were few and sensible, relating chiefly to the care of
+rooms, the entertaining of guests and the problems which, if not
+properly handled, were the most likely to cause friction among so many
+young women of so many different dispositions.
+
+"But what are we to do about money, Miss Harlowe?" asked Mary Reynolds
+in a plaintive tone, when the question arose of whether the club should
+be assessed for dues, and Grace spoke against it. "Of what use is it to
+have a treasureless treasurer?"
+
+The committee set up a unanimous giggle.
+
+"That is really a serious question," smiled Grace, "and one which the
+girls will have to decide for themselves. I should not wish any girl to
+feel that she were obliged to contribute money to the club, even for
+dues. We are not obliged to conform to any particular set of rules. Our
+club can be a purely informal organization with no obligations attached
+to it."
+
+"But it would be splendid to have a little money in the treasury,"
+interposed Louise Sampson. "I know what we can do," she went on eagerly.
+"Let us make the dues a dollar a year, and pledge ourselves to earn that
+sum. Any one who feels that she can neither earn nor give a dollar can
+be a member of the club just the same. Then we could give entertainments
+or concerts or something and start a little fund of our own."
+
+Grace's gray eyes sparkled. Louise Sampson was a girl after her own
+heart. "Then you must ask your president to call a meeting. She can
+instruct the secretary to post a notice on the bulletin board," she
+advised.
+
+The committee seized upon Louise's plan with avidity.
+
+"Why can't we post a notice and have done with it?" asked Cecil Ferris
+innocently.
+
+"Because we have just made a law that the president shall be notified of
+proposed meetings and shall post a bulletin to that effect," reminded
+Grace.
+
+The girls remained for another hour, discussing their plans and
+reconstructing their by-laws previous to voting on them. It was decided
+to have a weekly meeting to take place on each Tuesday between five and
+six o'clock in the afternoon, but a special meeting might be called at
+any time at the request of a member, but at the president's discretion.
+
+"The last clause in that by-law is unfortunate," criticized Emma, when,
+in the privacy of their room that night, Grace went over with her friend
+the club rules as she had set them down.
+
+"I know what you mean." Grace gave an impatient sigh. "Still, as
+president of the club Miss Ward must be consulted about things. You
+think she is likely to refuse to call a meeting at the request of a
+member, if she happens to be so inclined, don't you?"
+
+"I do, and she will," prophesied Emma. "I wouldn't lose any sleep over
+it, Gracie, but still it's a good plan to be prepared in advance for the
+beauteous Evelyn's vagaries. To change the subject, I have heard very
+little mention made of the sophomore reception in the house. I wonder if
+it is because some of the girls have no evening gowns?"
+
+Grace sat up in her chair, with a start of surprise. "Really, Emma, I
+had forgotten all about the reception. I suppose it slipped my mind
+because it is to be held so much later this year on account of repairing
+the gymnasium. It will hardly be over until Thanksgiving will be upon
+us, and then, oh, joy! we'll see the dear old Sempers. I must see if
+there is anything I can do to help the girls get ready for it. I hope
+they understand that their summer dresses will do nicely."
+
+For the next three days Grace made it a point to inquire tactfully into
+the reception plans of the Harlowe House girls. She discovered that
+Emma's conjecture had been only too correct. The bare mention of evening
+gowns had intimidated them, and, worse still, only three or four of them
+had been especially invited by sophomores. This was partly accounted for
+by the fact that, while the sophomore class was large, it was completely
+outnumbered by the entering class. Remembering that the same state of
+affairs had prevailed when she had entered Overton as a freshman, Grace
+proceeded to make a round of calls which began with the members of the
+reception committee, and included Violet Darby, Myra Stone, Laura
+Atkins, Mildred Taylor, Patience, Kathleen and others of the upper
+classes whom she knew well, though not intimately. The reception
+committee had expressed their absolute willingness to allow the upper
+class girls to help them out on escort duty and the girls themselves
+entered heartily into the plan.
+
+"I'll walk over to Harlowe House with you now and invite Mary Reynolds,"
+declared Kathleen West, who was the last girl on Grace's list. "I'm glad
+to have the opportunity. What a bright little thing Mary is! She is
+quick as a flash when it comes to grasping an idea. I tell her she has
+the making of a good newspaper woman in her."
+
+"She is Emma's star pupil in English. Emma says she writes the most
+original themes."
+
+"She has all sorts of queer fancies about people and things," went on
+Kathleen. "I can't begin to tell you, Grace, how glad I am to be of some
+help to her. I must do something to make up for lost time." A faint
+color tinged Kathleen's pale face.
+
+"You are doing a great deal for Mary Reynolds, Kathleen. She loves you
+dearly!"
+
+"It certainly is nice to be liked," returned Kathleen softly. "If it
+hadn't been for you and Elfreda and Patience I would have gone on in the
+same hard, selfish spirit in which I began college."
+
+"As it is, you are one of the literary lights of Overton, and a joy to
+your friends," said Grace gayly. "I wish you were at Harlowe House this
+year with Emma and me."
+
+"I wish I were," sighed Kathleen, "but I didn't feel that it would be
+fair to apply for admission there. You see, Grace, my salary on the
+newspaper, during the summer, is a generous one, and, by managing
+carefully, I can pay my expenses in college for the year with it. I
+don't have to do that, however, for every week I write a story for the
+Sunday edition of our paper which more than pays my board at Wayne Hall.
+Then I send in extra space articles and go out on special stories during
+the Christmas and Easter vacations. I am never really very short of
+money, so I'm not eligible as a member of your household."
+
+"You are a clever, capable girl, Kathleen," averred Grace, with honest
+admiration, "and I am proud to be your friend."
+
+A long look of perfect understanding passed between the two. It had come
+only after many days of misunderstanding and doubt.
+
+"Dear Loyalheart, I can never forgive myself for making you so unhappy,"
+Kathleen's crisp tones trembled.
+
+"And I shall never forgive you if you mention it again," retorted Grace.
+"You mustn't recall such things. I am enough of a believer in destiny to
+feel that we had to go through a kind of probation period before we were
+ready to be friends."
+
+"It's dear in you to say so, Grace, but I know myself, and how
+contemptibly I behaved. I've been determined to say this to you ever
+since I came back to college, but you have never given me the least
+chance until now."
+
+"'Loyalheart' was the highest proof of your regard you could have given
+me," reminded Grace gently. "I don't need any other reminders. I must
+go, Kathleen. Did I hear you say you were going with me?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Kathleen slipped into her hat and coat, and, as they went down Mrs.
+Elwood's familiar stairs and strolled out into the crisp autumn air, arm
+in arm, Kathleen felt that she could never be thankful enough to the
+girl who had taught her the true meaning of college spirit.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A DISQUIETING THOUGHT
+
+
+When half way across the campus the two young women encountered Evelyn
+Ward. The cold crisp November air had deepened the pink in her cheeks to
+living rose. Her violet eyes fairly blazed with light and sparkle, and
+her wonderful golden hair peeped in fascinating little curls from under
+her gray velour hat. She wore a three-quarter length gray coat, cut in
+the smartest fashion, and a passing glance at her would have left one
+with the impression that she was in affluent circumstances.
+
+"How can a girl who can't afford to pay her college expenses wear such
+smart clothes?" was Kathleen's appraising comment after they had passed
+Evelyn, who nodded to them in condescending fashion.
+
+"Her sister, Ida, makes them. She told me so when she came here to ask
+me to take Miss Ward into Harlowe House. She is a very pretty girl,
+isn't she?"
+
+Kathleen nodded. "How are things at Harlowe House?" she inquired
+irrelevantly.
+
+"Going beautifully. I told you about our club didn't I?"
+
+"Not a word. I haven't seen you for a week."
+
+The newspaper girl listened interestedly to Grace's account of the club.
+"It would make a good story for my paper," she commented. "How about it,
+Grace?"
+
+"You're welcome to it if the girls don't object. Suppose you come as a
+guest to our next meeting and ask their permission."
+
+"I'll do it," promised Kathleen.
+
+Mary Reynolds received and accepted Kathleen's invitation to the
+reception with unmistakable joy. Grace had sent home for a pink silk
+evening gown, which she had worn but little, and fairly forced it, with
+slippers, stockings and gloves, upon the reluctant Mary, with the plea
+that pink was not her color and therefore she never wore the frock.
+Aside from shortening it, it had needed little alteration, and when the
+night of the sophomore reception arrived, Kathleen appeared, an hour
+before the time to start for the dance, to help Mary dress. She brought
+a cluster of pinky-white roses and a pink chiffon scarf, which, she
+diplomatically insisted, did not go well with any of her gowns and
+exactly matched Mary's.
+
+"I can't believe that I am I," Mary said happily, as she viewed herself
+wonderingly in the round dressing-table mirror. She clasped her thin,
+childish hands impulsively together. "I wish every girl in the world had
+such good friends and pretty clothes as I have!"
+
+"I hope no one has such elusive hooks and eyes on their clothes as I
+have," grumbled Emma Dean, who had appeared in the doorway in time to
+hear Mary's heartfelt remark. "I have permanently dislocated one
+shoulder and ruined the charming curves of both my elbows forever, in a
+vain, but valiant, effort to unite one miserable hook and eye, which I'm
+sure the dressmaker purposely sewed out of my reach."
+
+"Poor Emma," sympathized Kathleen. "Let me help you."
+
+Emma surrendered herself to Kathleen's deft fingers with a ludicrous
+gesture of resignation.
+
+"Are all the Harlowe House girls going?" asked Kathleen.
+
+"Yes; thanks to the juniors and seniors, not one has been left out. It
+is such a clear, pleasant night the campus house girls won't need
+carriages," answered Grace. "It is eight o'clock now. Don't you think
+you had better start? You go on with the girls, Emma. I'll run over some
+time during the evening for a few minutes."
+
+After the merrymakers had set out for the gymnasium, Grace retired to
+her office to write a letter to her mother. She had hardly settled
+herself when the door bell rang and she heard a high, clear voice asking
+the maid for Miss Ward.
+
+"Please tell her to hurry, my car is waiting," instructed the voice, as
+the maid ushered the newcomer into the living-room. Grace glanced
+through the open door of the office into the next room. In Evelyn's
+escort she recognized Althea Parker, one of the most snobbish girls at
+Overton College, and a member of the sophomore class. Evelyn's
+declaration on her arrival at Overton that she intended to cultivate the
+richest girls in college now came back to Grace with disagreeable force.
+
+"Good evening, Miss Harlowe," hailed Althea, as Grace rose and went
+forward to greet her. "We are going to be late. I hope Evelyn won't keep
+me waiting." There was a touch of impatience in her voice.
+
+Even as she spoke there was a patter of light feet on the stairs, and
+Evelyn appeared in the doorway, her evening coat and scarf on her arm.
+
+Grace gave an involuntary gasp of admiration, while Althea cried out
+openly, "Evelyn Ward, you are wonderful!"
+
+Evelyn's violet blue eyes flashed with gratified vanity. She wore an
+exquisite gown of white silk and lace made in an apparently simple but
+very smart fashion, which revealed the pure beauty of her white throat
+and rounded arms, increasing her loveliness tenfold. She wore white silk
+stockings and white satin slippers with little rhinestone buckles. Her
+thick golden hair was drawn high on her head in a graceful knot and
+clustered in little curls about her temples and over her forehead, while
+her whole face was alive with excitement. At her corsage was an immense
+bunch of violets, evidently sent her by her escort.
+
+"Shall I do?" she asked pertly, walking over to the living-room mirror
+for a last peep at herself.
+
+"You look very lovely to-night," said Grace honestly.
+
+"Thank you," she swept Grace a curtsey. A faint mocking smile played
+about her red lips, as though she doubted the sincerity of the remark.
+Slipping on her evening coat of white broadcloth, and placing an
+extremely handsome scarf of white and gold over her pretty head, Evelyn
+walked to the door, followed by Althea Parker, who, divided between
+admiration of Evelyn and fear of being late, was talking rapidly in her
+high, excited voice.
+
+"Good night, Miss Harlowe," she nodded.
+
+"Oh, yes, good night," called Evelyn carelessly.
+
+Grace leaned back in her chair and smiled at Evelyn's slightly cavalier
+treatment of herself. "How her sister has spoiled her," she mused. "She
+treats me as though I were one of the maids. To see her to-night one
+would be quite likely to imagine that she, rather than Miss Parker, were
+the richest girl in Overton."
+
+A sudden, startled look stole into Grace's eyes. "Why, where--" She
+paused as though she had come upon something which did not quite please
+her. As a matter of fact it had recurred to her with an unpleasant jolt
+that Evelyn was wearing an evening gown entirely too expensive for her
+present circumstances. So were her evening coat, her scarf and all the
+dainty appointments which so perfectly matched the white silk frock.
+Again she recalled that Ida Ward planned and made all her sister's
+gowns. Even so, she must have spent considerable money on Evelyn's
+evening clothes. Suppose these things were to be noticed and commented
+upon by the girls in the house, or by outsiders who knew nothing of the
+real source of Evelyn's wardrobe? Suppose some one were ill-natured
+enough to say that a girl who could afford such expensive gowns ought to
+be able to pay her own expenses and give her place in Harlowe House to
+some one more needy. Had not Kathleen asked how Evelyn could afford to
+wear such smart clothes?
+
+Yet on the other hand, there was nothing to be done. Grace did not feel
+it within her province to take Evelyn to task on the subject of her
+wearing apparel. All she could do was to trust that what had perplexed
+her would pass unnoticed and uncriticized.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+A SEMPER FIDELIS REUNION
+
+
+"O frabjous day!" rejoiced Emma Dean, using her bath towel as a scarf
+and performing a weird dance about the room. "I know I shall go
+chortling through my classes this morning in a highly undignified
+manner. To think that dear old Semper Fidelis will hold forth again in
+the same old haunts! And the most beautiful part is that there will be
+no vacant chairs."
+
+Emma's delight was reflected on Grace's face. It was the morning before
+Thanksgiving Day and the two young women were preparing to go to
+breakfast, full of happy anticipation, for the various afternoon trains
+were to bring to them their Semper Fidelis comrades. It had all begun
+with Elfreda's and Mabel Ashe's promises to spend Thanksgiving at
+Harlowe House. Then Elfreda had persuaded Arline Thayer, whom she saw
+frequently in New York, to join them. Arline had written to Ruth, who
+had come on to New York for a long visit to her chum in time to swell
+the band. Elfreda had promptly written Grace that if she would see that
+Miriam and Anne put in an appearance at the proper moment, the Briggs
+Helping Hand Society would guarantee that the other members should
+appear at Overton on the appointed day.
+
+"Elfreda has taken rather a large contract on her hands," Grace had said
+to Emma, on receiving the letter. "She evidently knows what she's doing,
+so I had better write to Miriam and Anne."
+
+Miriam's promise to come had been easily obtained, but Anne was not sure
+of attending the Semper Fidelis reunion, until the week before
+Thanksgiving, when Everett Southard, who was then playing in
+Shakespearian repertoire in New York, obligingly arranged to give the
+"Taming of the Shrew" on the day before Thanksgiving, and "King Richard
+III" on Thanksgiving Day. As Anne did not appear in either play, her
+Thanksgiving freedom was assured.
+
+And now the great day had dawned at last! There were to be recitations
+in the morning, but college would close at noon, not to reopen until the
+following Monday. The Semper Fidelis girls were to be Elfreda's guests
+at Vinton's that night at a six o'clock dinner. On Thanksgiving morning
+they were to breakfast at the Tourraine as the guests of Ruth and
+Arline. Thanksgiving dinner at Martell's was to be Anne's and Miriam's
+part of the celebration, while Thanksgiving night Emma and Grace were to
+be hostesses at Vinton's, their favorite rendezvous.
+
+Grace would have dearly loved to be hostess at the Thanksgiving dinner,
+but she felt that her duty lay with her household. She wondered whether
+it would be really right for her to remain away from Harlowe House for
+so many meals. After long and earnest discussion, she and Emma had
+arranged that she would give up eating Thanksgiving dinner with her
+friends, while Emma cheerfully agreed to preside at the Harlowe House
+breakfast table on Thanksgiving morning. It was decided that Louise
+Sampson, of whom Grace had grown extremely fond, was the best possible
+person to leave in charge during their absence on Thanksgiving night,
+for neither Grace nor Emma felt that they could bear to miss that last
+gathering together of their beloved Semper Fidelis friends.
+
+"I wonder who will be first on the scene," speculated Grace.
+
+"Consult the time table, my child," advised Emma. "I have no time for
+speculation. I am starting on a hunt in darkest Deanery for my cuff
+links. They are tucked away in some remote corner of the Dean territory,
+but which corner?"
+
+"They are in one end of your handkerchief box. I saw you put them there
+yesterday, you ridiculous person," laughed Grace.
+
+"Thank you, thank you! 'One good turn deserves another,'" quoted Emma
+fervently. "Bring forth the fateful time table and I'll sort out the
+trains and the order of arrival of the clan."
+
+"I haven't a time table," confessed Grace.
+
+"Then we'll have to let the trains run merrily on, and the railroad do
+its perfect work. I'm sorry I can't pay my debt of gratitude. I am
+always helpful. I was always helpful. I have been helpful. I would be
+helpful. I might have been helpful and I may yet be helpful," conjugated
+Emma hopefully, "but not without a time table."
+
+"I appreciate your splendid spirit of helpfulness even though it isn't
+of any use at present," assured Grace satirically. "I suppose--"
+
+A long reverberating ring of the bell cut short her remark.
+
+The two friends exchanged questioning glances.
+
+"It can't be one of the girls. It's only eight o'clock," was Emma's
+quick comment.
+
+Grace opened the door and listened intently. Emma joined her, peering
+over her shoulder. Then Miss Duncan's dignified assistant in English
+gave an unmistakable, though subdued, war whoop, and, seizing Grace by
+the hand, made for the stairs. Grace needed no assistance. An instant
+later they brought up at the foot of the stairs and made a simultaneous
+rush for a tall, plump young woman, enveloping her in a tempestuous
+embrace.
+
+"I might have known you'd be the first," cried Grace with joyful
+affection. "You must have taken a train in the middle of the night."
+
+"I did," returned J. Elfreda Briggs calmly. "We are living in New York
+this winter, so Pa brought me to the station in his own pet car and saw
+me safely on my way. Emma Dean, you good old comrade, how are you?"
+Elfreda turned from Grace to Emma.
+
+Emma surveyed Elfreda with fond eyes. "Just now I'm overcome at seeing
+you, J. Elfreda. How we have missed you!" Depth of feeling for the
+moment checked Emma's irrepressible flow of humor. Next to Grace, in her
+regard, came the one-time stout girl, now merely plump and extremely
+attractive.
+
+Tears flashed across J. Elfreda's eyes as she stood looking into the
+faces of these friends, whom she loved so truly, yet saw so seldom.
+"Missing people has been my greatest cross this year," she said, her
+voice not quite steady. "There's no use in making a fuss, though. I'm
+beginning to learn that."
+
+A brief silence fell upon the three classmates.
+
+"Have you had your breakfast, Elfreda?" asked Grace, almost abruptly.
+
+"Are there waffles?" counter-questioned Elfreda.
+
+"There can be. The Harlowe House kitchen boasts of waffle irons, bought
+with this occasion in view."
+
+"Then I am heart and soul for breakfast," avowed Elfreda. "I ate my
+usual sumptuous repast of half a grape fruit and a piece of dry toast,
+plus one small cup of black coffee, on the train. I haven't had a waffle
+since I was here in August. I wonder how they would taste," she added
+innocently.
+
+"You'll know before long," promised Grace. "Emma take Elfreda upstairs
+to our room, while I ask Sarah to make the waffles."
+
+Half an hour later they sat around the breakfast table, a contented
+trio. After Emma had left them to go to her work, Grace and Elfreda had
+a long confidential conversation over their coffee. The noon train
+brought Mabel Ashe, Arline and Ruth, while from off the afternoon trains
+stepped Anne and Miriam, the smiling Emerson twins, Elizabeth Wade,
+Marian Cummings and Elsie Wilton.
+
+It was a congenial and talkative company that, as Elfreda's guests,
+graced Vinton's at six o'clock dinner that night. Kathleen West, who had
+been prevailed upon to spend at least one Thanksgiving at Overton,
+instead of on duty on her paper, was one of three guests of honor, Mabel
+Ashe and Patience Eliot were the others. By special arrangement a table
+that would seat fifteen persons had been set in their favorite
+rendezvous, the mission alcove. Elfreda, Grace, Anne and Miriam,
+rejoicing in their reunion, had made a tour of the stores together that
+afternoon, and gleefully carrying the fruits of their shopping to
+Vinton's had decorated the table with flowers, ribbons and funny little
+favors.
+
+The Overton girls that happened to drop into Vinton's that night smiled
+appreciatively at the gay little company in the alcove. A glance in that
+direction on the part of the upper class girls was sufficient. They knew
+that Semper Fidelis, the darling of the Overton clubs, was making merry.
+The freshmen, however, had to have matters explained to them by their
+friends.
+
+"That Semper Fidelis club was the life of Overton," Althea Parker
+explained to Evelyn Ward. "That's one reason I asked you to come here
+with me to-night. I wanted you to see them together." The two were
+seated at a small table not far from that of the Sempers.
+
+Evelyn made no response. Her eyes were fixed upon the mission alcove.
+She knew, only too well, that Althea's invitation to dinner had not been
+disinterested. She had learned to know that Althea was not only
+snobbish, but self-seeking as well. For whatever she gave she demanded
+value received. Evelyn had been in the living-room when Grace and
+Elfreda returned from their shopping. She had heard them discussing the
+dinner, and had lost no time in slipping on her wraps and carrying the
+news to Althea, who, as she had hoped, had at once invited her to dinner
+at Vinton's.
+
+"Althea thinks I'll attract the attention of those girls," Evelyn had
+speculated shrewdly.
+
+Meanwhile the girls in the alcove, quite unconscious of the discussion
+going on about them at the other tables, were in their element. One
+after another the dear wraiths of their Overton days were summoned, to
+be laughingly and lovingly reviewed, then lingeringly laid to rest
+again.
+
+"Girls, do you remember the dinner we gave here after the ghost party?"
+asked Mabel Ashe, her brown eyes alight with mischief. "Some of you
+girls weren't here that night, but at least half of you were."
+
+"I ought to remember it," declared Elfreda significantly.
+
+"Yes, Elfreda, it was in honor of you, I believe," laughed Arline. The
+dinner to which Mabel referred belonged to Elfreda's freshman year at
+Overton.
+
+"It was indeed," affirmed Anne Pierson. "Every one of our four years
+brought its own parties."
+
+"And its own problems," supplemented Miriam.
+
+"Of whom we were which," murmured J. Elfreda.
+
+Every one laughed at this naive assertion.
+
+"But we've all turned out creditably," smiled Miriam Nesbit, "thanks to
+our Loyalheart. She opened the way to good comradeship for me, long ago,
+in my high school days."
+
+"She found my father for me!" said Ruth Denton, her eyes eloquent.
+
+"She stood by me when I needed her most," said Anne.
+
+"Girls, I won't--" Grace half rose from her chair, but was gently shoved
+into it again.
+
+"Sit still and hear the rest of your misdeeds," commanded Mabel. "Go on,
+Arline."
+
+"She helped me to be unselfish and to think of others," was Arline's
+sweet tribute.
+
+"She made me over," asserted Elfreda with emphasis.
+
+"She taught me college spirit," said Kathleen softly.
+
+"Sara and I didn't like college and never had much fun until Grace asked
+us to join the Sempers," declared Sue Emerson.
+
+"She was the first to welcome me to Overton, and has given me countless
+good times since then," said Patience.
+
+"She taught me to look for the best rather than the worst, even in my
+enemies," declared Mabel Ashe.
+
+Elizabeth Wade, Marian Cummings and Elsie Wilton each added their
+tribute.
+
+"Girls, if you only knew how terribly this embarrasses me," pleaded
+Grace. "Every one of you have done the nicest sort of things for me. I
+think--"
+
+"You are not allowed to think," put in Miriam. "We will do the thinking
+for the next two minutes. Besides J. Elfreda has something to say. Go
+ahead, Elfreda."
+
+"Grace, you've heard what we all had to say about you, but there is a
+whole lot that we can never find words for. Each of us knows best what
+you've been to us, as individuals, and we all know that there will never
+be any other girl quite as dear, and true, and loyal as you are to us.
+So we decided to give our Loyalheart a loyalty token, and here it is.
+Hold out your arm," commanded Elfreda.
+
+[Illustration: "We Decided to Give Our Loyalheart a Loyalty Token."]
+
+Grace held out her pretty, bare arm in obedient bewilderment. Something
+shining slipped over her wrist. She stared at it in fascination.
+
+"How beautiful!" she gasped. "It can't be for me!" The bracelet was a
+wide band of dull gold, chased with a pattern of tiny leaves, and, at
+intervals, its golden circle was starred with small diamonds. It was the
+most expensive piece of jewelry Grace had ever owned.
+
+"Every one of our initials is inside," informed Elsie Wilton
+triumphantly. Grace slipped the band off her arm and peered into it.
+Sure enough there were rows of tiny initials inscribed on the smooth
+gold.
+
+"And now let us drink a toast to our Loyalheart and go up to the
+Tourraine," proposed Elfreda, after the excitement attending the
+presentation of the bracelet had died out. "Here's to our Loyalheart!
+Drink her down!"
+
+The emptied lemonade glasses were set on the table and the party rose to
+go.
+
+As they were passing out, Grace and Anne walked with linked arms,
+determined to make the most of their brief hour together.
+
+"Oh, Grace, I almost forgot to ask you," began Anne, "who was that
+beautiful girl at the next table to the alcove? I saw you speak to her.
+She was with Miss Parker, that little girl of 19-- who has so much
+money."
+
+"That was Evelyn Ward, Anne, and thereby hangs a tale which I'll
+entertain you with to-morrow. One thing about her will interest you. She
+wants to become an actress. She thinks you are the wonder of this
+century. I'll introduce her to you to-morrow."
+
+"She is beautiful," commented Anne, "and if she is really sincere in her
+ambition I might help her to attain her ambition."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE INTERRUPTED CONFIDENCE
+
+
+The days that lay between Thanksgiving and Christmas passed swiftly and
+uneventfully for Grace. As the holiday vacation drew near she was
+divided, however, between her desire to go home and her duty to Harlowe
+House. It was Emma Dean who finally settled the question by announcing
+that she did not intend to go home for Christmas and would gladly look
+after things during Grace's absence. The trip home was too expensive,
+Emma had stated frankly, and her railroad fare would be quite a help
+when added to the Dean housekeeping fund. Once she had made her decision
+to stay at Overton she began to lay plans for a happy holiday season for
+the Harlowe House girls, who, without exception, were also to remain in
+Overton for their vacation. Two days before Christmas Grace left Overton
+for Oakdale, with many injunctions to Emma to take things easy and to
+telegraph her at once if she needed her.
+
+Once at home a round of merry parties began. True to their promise
+Jessica and Reddy had come back to Oakdale for Christmas. The only
+missing member of the Eight Originals was Anne, and the Sunday morning
+following Christmas Day she walked into the Harlowe's living room
+accompanied by Everett Southard and his sister. She could not bear to
+allow the holidays to pass without seeing her friends, so she and the
+Southards had taken the midnight train for Oakdale, determined to spend
+at least one day there. That evening a contented, happy company gathered
+at the Nesbits, as Miriam's and David's guests, at a dinner given in
+honor of the unexpected arrivals. After a short, but exceedingly
+earnest, confab in a cosy corner just off the hall, Anne and David had
+appeared arm in arm, and, to an accompaniment of meaning smiles, had
+announced their engagement. Although Miriam Nesbit was entirely unaware
+of it, four pairs of eyes, belonging to the feminine half of the Eight
+Originals had kept a lynx-like watch upon her and Everett Southard.
+Afterward Grace confided to Anne that she believed Miriam did like Mr.
+Southard a little, and it was quite plain to be seen that Mr. Southard
+cared for her, while Jessica and Nora were wagging their heads in secret
+agreement of the same belief.
+
+Only one thing marred Grace's pleasure in being at home and that was the
+thought that she was making Tom Gray unhappy. Outwardly he was the same
+sunny, smiling Tom she had known for so many years, but there were times
+when the mask of cheerfulness fell away and Grace read in his eyes a
+look of pain and longing that caused her to reproach herself. Then her
+honest nature would reassert itself and she would vow never to promise
+to marry Tom out of sympathy. Unless there came a time when she was
+absolutely convinced that he meant more to her than her work she and Tom
+would have to go on in the same old way.
+
+But aside from this one cloud it seemed to Grace that she had never
+before so fully appreciated her father and mother. "You grow dearer
+every minute," she assured them on her last night at home. She sat
+between them on a little stool, holding a hand of each. "If you don't
+put me out on the steps to-morrow morning with my luggage, and lock the
+door in my face, I know I'll never, never have the courage to go away
+from you. It is really a tragedy, this wanting to be in two places at
+once."
+
+"Dear child," said her mother softly, while her father stroked her
+shining hair and wondered how he ever managed to get along without her
+during the long months she spent at Overton. "We hate to give you up,
+Gracie," he said, "but we love you all the more for your faithfulness to
+your work."
+
+And that was the thought which Grace took back with her to Overton. She
+smiled to herself as she swung briskly through the quiet streets. Their
+approbation had quickened her spirit to put forth fresh effort. She felt
+as though she could remove mountains if they happened to rise suddenly
+in her path. And in this state of mental exhilaration she ran up the
+steps of Harlowe House and, after a second's fumbling with her latchkey,
+let herself in.
+
+It was almost six o'clock in the afternoon, and the darkness of early
+January had settled down upon the landscape. A wet, discouraging snow,
+which made the streets a slush-covered menace to pedestrians, was
+falling, and Grace gave a soft sigh of satisfaction as she stepped into
+the cheery, well-lighted hall. Knowing that she was quite likely to find
+Emma in her room she hurried up the stairs. Her hand was on the door
+knob when she heard what sounded suspiciously like a sob. Grace flung
+open the door and rushed into her room, her face alive with concern.
+What could possibly have happened to make jolly, self-reliant Emma Dean
+cry? She exclaimed in quick surprise, however, for, other than herself,
+the room held no occupant. "I'm sure I heard some one crying," she
+murmured. She listened intently. A moment later the same doleful sound
+was again borne to her ears. Walking quickly into the bathroom she stood
+by the door that opened into Evelyn Ward's room.
+
+"It comes from Miss Ward's room," was her second surmisal. "I wonder
+what I ought to do. She is so easily offended that, if I go to her, she
+may resent my call and think me meddlesome and interfering." Grace
+continued to listen uneasily to the unmistakable sounds of grief that
+came from the next room.
+
+"Something serious has certainly happened. I can't stand it to hear her
+cry so. I'll take the risk of being misunderstood," she decided with a
+grim little smile.
+
+Stepping out of her room into the hall she knocked softly on Evelyn's
+door, receiving no answer. Her second and rather more emphatic knock
+elicited a faint, "Who is there?"
+
+"Miss Harlowe," answered Grace. "May I come in for a moment, Miss Ward?"
+
+She heard Evelyn moving about the room for a moment, then the door was
+opened slowly, and with apparent reluctance on the part of the pretty
+freshman, who had evidently dried her tears for the time being.
+
+"How do you do, Miss Harlowe?" she said in a queer, strained voice. "I
+did not know that you had returned from your vacation." She did not
+offer her hand to Grace. In her blue eyes lay a look of positive fear.
+
+"I came in not more than ten minutes ago," returned Grace, stepping into
+the room and closing the door after her. Then with her usual directness
+she said, "Miss Ward, I heard you crying. I came to see if I could help
+you."
+
+The look of fear in Evelyn's eyes deepened. She continued to regard
+Grace intently, as though trying to discover whether there could be any
+other motive for her visit. In spite of the effort she was making to be
+natural her face expressed absolute consternation.
+
+"It--was--nothing," she stammered, at last. "I am not feeling very
+well."
+
+Grace was not deceived. She knew that Evelyn was not the kind of girl to
+cry hysterically over a slight illness. Still she could not force this
+perverse young woman to tell that which she did not choose to tell.
+
+"I am sorry you won't let me help you. Are you sure that I can't be of
+service to you."
+
+"_You._" Evelyn laughed shortly. "No; I am quite sure that _you_ can't
+be."
+
+"Very well." Grace was about to leave the room.
+
+"Wait a minute!" Evelyn's voice rang out sharply. "I--I--will tell you
+my trouble, Miss Harlowe. It's about--my college fees. I paid part of
+the money when I came here. My--my--sister has been very ill and can't
+send the rest of the money. She made a special arrangement with the
+registrar to make the other payment in November. I've received two
+notices. I don't know what to do. I can't bear to leave Overton."
+
+"Why didn't you come to me before?" asked Grace with gentle reproach. "I
+can help you in this matter through the Semper Fidelis fund."
+
+Grace went on to explain the purpose of the Semper Fidelis Club. "We
+lend the students the money rather than give it to them, because they
+like to feel that they are proceeding on a strictly business basis. It
+takes away the slightest idea of charity and makes the girls quite
+responsible for themselves."
+
+"I see," murmured Evelyn. "But suppose I borrowed the money and then
+found that I couldn't return it for ever so long?"
+
+"There is neither time limit set nor interest charged on any reasonable
+sum of money a girl may wish to borrow," returned Grace. "We have the
+utmost confidence in our borrowers. The very fact that they come to us
+for help is an avowal of their honesty. How much money do you wish to
+borrow, Miss Ward?"
+
+Evelyn rather hesitatingly named a sum considerably in excess of that
+needed for her college fees. "It--will--pay my expenses for the year and
+leave me a little besides for emergencies," she explained
+apologetically. "Then poor Ida can get well and won't have to worry. I
+am sure I can work at something this summer and pay at least part of the
+money back to the club."
+
+She swept a swift, speculative glance at Grace from under her eyelashes
+which quite belied her earnest tones. Grace, however, absorbed for a
+brief moment in her own thoughts, failed to see it. When she looked at
+Evelyn the latter's face bore a sweetly grateful expression that made
+her wonder if she had not been mistaken in her estimate of the,
+hitherto, troublesome freshman. Her apparent anxiety to relieve her
+sister of worry over financial difficulties was distinct evidence of an
+affection of which Grace had not believed Evelyn capable. "I have
+misjudged her," was Grace's thought. "She really cares for her sister."
+
+Aloud she said, "I will write at once to Miss Thayer, who is the
+president of the Semper Fidelis Club, and in whose name the account
+stands, telling her the circumstances. Thus far we have not received
+many calls for help since college opened, so there is quite a little
+money in bank. It is during the last half of the year that we make the
+greatest number of loans. I am sorry that your sister has been ill. If
+you will give me her address I will write to her to-night."
+
+Evelyn flushed hotly. "Oh, no, you mustn't!" she exclaimed sharply.
+"That is--I mean you--mustn't put yourself--to so much trouble for me,"
+she added lamely.
+
+"It won't be a particle of trouble," assured Grace. "I should like to do
+so."
+
+Evelyn's confusion deepened. "I--can't--" she floundered.
+
+Grace regarded her with quiet, searching eyes. But before she had time
+to go on from wonder at Evelyn's strange objection to her writing her
+sister to actual suspicion, Evelyn interposed eagerly, "I'll give you
+the address, with pleasure, Miss Harlowe. Wait a moment." She sprang to
+her open writing desk and seizing a piece of paper and a pencil wrote
+energetically for a moment.
+
+"Here it is."
+
+She laid it before Grace, who picked it up and read, "Miss Ida Ward, 320
+Duverne Street, Albany, N.Y."
+
+A puzzled frown wrinkled Grace's forehead. "I thought your sister told
+me she lived in Burton. I must have misunderstood her."
+
+"So we did," put in Evelyn hurriedly, "but Ida is spending the winter
+with my aunt in Albany. She went there just before she was taken ill. We
+may never go back to Burton again to live. Of course I am not sure of
+that. Perhaps I can find work in a large city during my summer
+vacation."
+
+"That reminds me," began Grace. "I had a talk with Miss Pierson when she
+was here about your going on the stage. She saw you at Vinton's, and
+when I told her you had stage ambitions she said she was quite sure she
+could find work for you during the summer in a stock company. She will
+try to take you with her."
+
+"Really!" Evelyn sprang to her feet, her blue eyes glittering with
+excitement. "Oh, Miss Harlowe, if I could, if she would take me! I'd
+work so hard and pay every penny of everything I owe."
+
+"But you don't owe anything yet," reminded Grace, smiling.
+
+Evelyn did not answer. It was doubtful whether she heard Grace's last
+words. She stood perfectly still, a curious look on her beautiful face.
+Suddenly she said in a low, halting tone, "Miss Harlowe, if you knew
+how--"
+
+A knock on the door interrupted her speech. Without finishing, she
+stepped to it and turned the knob. "Hello, Mary," she said
+indifferently.
+
+"Oh, Miss Harlowe, I didn't know that you had come home," cried Mary
+Reynolds. "We have all missed you dreadfully, haven't we, Evelyn?"
+
+"Yes," replied Evelyn in her usual indifferent fashion. Then as Grace
+turned to go she said sweetly, "Thank you so much for your kindness to
+me, Miss Harlowe."
+
+But Grace reflected disappointedly as she went slowly into her own room
+that Mary Reynolds' innocent interruption had occurred just in time to
+prevent the establishment with Evelyn of the very footing which she had
+been trying all year to gain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+A WEEK-END IN NEW YORK
+
+
+True to her promise Grace wrote to Arline Thayer that very evening
+concerning the sum of money which Evelyn wished to borrow, and three
+days later she opened a fat letter from the president of Semper Fidelis
+from which fell the magic slip of paper which, for Evelyn, meant the way
+out of her difficulties. Grace pounced with delight upon the letter and
+was soon deep in its contents.
+
+"We saw Anne as 'Ophelia' last Friday night," Arline wrote. "After the
+play father gave a little supper for her at our house and invited the
+Southards, Mabel and Mr. Ashe, Elfreda, Miriam Nesbit and her brother.
+Miriam came to New York to visit and shop, and it is not hard to guess
+why her brother came with her. We were all so surprised to see her, and
+so delighted. She is staying with the Southards, and, Grace, I do
+believe Everett Southard is in love with her. It is hard to say whether
+she returns his love, for she doesn't manifest the slightest sign of it.
+Wouldn't it be splendid if they did decide to go through life together?
+He is so clever, and a great actor too. Mabel's lawyer has won the most
+difficult case he ever fought for. He has persuaded Mabel to wear his
+ring. Their engagement is to be announced next week. I suppose you will
+hear from Mabel before many days. How I wish you were here. We all miss
+you so. Can't you come to New York for a week end before Easter? Do try
+to arrange it. I have so many things to tell you. It would take an age
+to write them. Think it over and decide to come. With my dearest love,
+Arline"
+
+Grace finished the letter with a happy sigh. She would try to manage to
+run down to New York for a week end. She wondered how long Miriam
+intended to stay in the city and she smiled faintly over Arline's
+comment regarding Miriam and Everett Southard. It was not news to her.
+Consulting the calendar that hung above the desk, she decided to go the
+first week in February, and began to plan her work accordingly.
+
+In spite of her secret fears that everything was too perfect to last,
+not only was her varied household serene, but prospering as well. From
+the time the Harlowe House girls became a self-governing body the
+question of putting money in the treasury had been continually agitated.
+One way and another had been suggested, but it was not until the
+Christmas holidays that the inspiration had come in the shape of a most
+toothsome batch of caramels which Louise Sampson had descended into the
+kitchen and made, one snowy, blustery evening when the club had
+assembled in the living-room for a social session. The caramels were a
+signal success, and when Cecil Ferris eyed one of the delicious brown
+squares lovingly before popping it into her mouth, then asked
+reflectively, "Why couldn't we make caramels and sell them to the
+Overton girls?" the idea was hailed with cries of "Great," "A good
+idea." "We could easily sell pounds of them."
+
+With one accord they had besieged Louise Sampson with curious questions
+as to how she had made the caramels and the cost of the ingredients.
+Louise had laughingly refused to tell her recipe.
+
+After talking things over Louise had sworn Cecil, Mary Reynolds and one
+other girl to secrecy, imparted the precious recipe to them, and on the
+next Saturday afternoon they had made their first candy. A gay little
+poster, drawn by one of the girls, advertised their wares. It was tacked
+to one side of the college bulletin board, and by nine o'clock on
+Saturday night the last caramel had gone its destined way, while the
+success-crowned merchants counted their money and lamented because they
+had not made half enough caramels. From then on, caramel-making occupied
+the spare moments of Louise and her faithful band and the "Harlowe House
+Caramels" rapidly gained favor. With her usual kindly interest in the
+success of others Grace, on her return from the Christmas holidays,
+entered into the candy making with spirit and energy, doing much to help
+fill the rush of orders. Try as they might the caramel supply was always
+running out, for the students found the delicious home-made caramels
+quite to their taste and they grew daily more popular.
+
+The Harlowe House girls were extremely proud of the growing fund in the
+treasury. One and all, with the exception of Evelyn Ward, they begged so
+earnestly to be initiated into the mysteries of caramel making that they
+were sworn to secrecy at a special meeting of the club and divided into
+caramel-making squads. It was also decided to make candy only twice a
+week, on Wednesday and Friday evenings, and set Thursday and Saturday as
+the days for selling the caramels, which were put up in neat half-pound
+and pound boxes.
+
+But while this little enterprise was being carried on with a will Evelyn
+was merely an indifferent onlooker. True she belonged to one squad of
+the candy makers, but she usually managed to be absent when they worked.
+Apparently she was not interested in the financial affairs of the
+Harlowe House Club. For a week or more after the check from Semper
+Fidelis had been handed to her she had maintained toward Grace an
+attitude of sweet gratitude, too flattering to be wholly sincere. It had
+gradually disappeared, however, and the old Evelyn had come to the
+surface again. Although she was now careful not to offend openly, Grace
+felt that underneath the thin veneer of reluctant gratitude lay the old
+dislike which she was sure Evelyn felt for her. In spite of her efforts
+to judge this strange selfish girl dispassionately Grace knew in her
+heart that she still disapproved of Evelyn.
+
+The first week in February found Grace looking forward to her week end
+in New York City. She had arranged to leave Overton on Friday at noon,
+and on Friday morning she opened her eyes with that feeling of
+exultation over something delightful just around the corner from her.
+Then she remembered. In a few hours she would again be with her beloved
+friends. She went about her work that morning humming under her breath.
+As she was to take the eleven-thirty train she had said a regretful
+good-bye to Emma before the latter went to her classes. "How I wish you
+were going with me, Emma," she had sighed. Emma's eyes had grown wistful
+for an instant, then she had launched forth into a multitude of pompous
+and wholly ridiculous reasons why her presence was needed at Harlowe
+House that made Grace laugh, and, for the time, banished the shadow from
+her face.
+
+Later as she climbed into the taxicab that was to take her to the
+station, Emma's face, with its funny little twisted smile, rose before
+her, and she experienced fresh regret at leaving her behind. It was
+hardly fair that she should have so much and Emma so little. How bravely
+Emma had stepped into the breach made by her father's sudden reverse of
+fortune. So deep was Grace in her own thoughts that she did not realize
+that they had reached the station until the car came to a sudden stop
+and the driver stood holding open the door. Handing him her suit case
+and traveling bag Grace stepped out of the car, and tendering the man
+her fare, gathered up her luggage and headed for the station. Seating
+herself on one of the wooden benches inside the station, she placed her
+traveling effects on the floor beside her and compared her watch with
+the station clock. Then she rose and going to the ticket window, which
+had just opened, purchased her ticket and inquired as to whether the
+train were on time.
+
+"Fifteen minutes late," was the brief reply.
+
+Grace went back to her bench, and, seating herself, opened a magazine
+she had brought with her. She was turning the leaves interestedly when a
+sudden banging of the station door caused her to glance up. Her eyes
+were riveted in surprise upon Evelyn Ward, who, suit case in hand,
+hurried over to her with, "Oh, Miss Harlowe, I wonder if you would mind
+my going to New York with you. I am invited to Althea Parker's for the
+week end, but she had to go down last night. I tried to see you at
+Harlowe House, but you had already gone. I would have spoken to you last
+night about going, but I wasn't quite sure whether I could make it or
+not." Evelyn's tones were far from concerned.
+
+"You are quite welcome to ride with me," returned Grace briefly. She
+hardly liked the situation, yet she made it a rule not to interfere with
+the amusements of the Harlowe House girls. When she had lived at Wayne
+Hall Mrs. Elwood had never questioned the comings and goings of her
+girls. Still Grace was not pleased with Evelyn's careless manner of
+passing over her evident intention to go without even informing Grace of
+her departure.
+
+Once on the train the two kept up a desultory conversation. But little
+sympathy existed between them, and the situation grew momentarily more
+strained. Grace caught Evelyn taking sly peeps at the magazine which she
+still held. With her usual good nature, Grace hailed the boy who passed
+through the train with magazines and candy and bought another magazine.
+
+"There is an article in this number which Miss Dean says is worth
+reading," she explained. "Keep my magazine if you like, and I'll read
+this."
+
+For the next two hours not a word was exchanged. The two girls read on
+and on. As the afternoon began to wane Evelyn finished her magazine,
+took off her hat, and, leaning her head against the high green velvet
+back of the seat, closed her eyes. At last Grace laid aside her reading,
+and idly watched, with half dreaming eyes, the fleeting landscape.
+Occasionally her gaze wandered, in unwilling admiration, to Evelyn's
+lovely, tranquil face. Why was such great beauty coupled with such
+tantalizing perversity of spirit? was the thought that sprang unbidden
+to her mind.
+
+It was long after dark when the two young women passed through the iron
+gates of the station to where their friends awaited them. Anne, David,
+Miriam and Arline stood eagerly watching for Grace. At almost the same
+moment Evelyn spied Althea. On seeing Evelyn's companions, Althea
+hurried forward in time to receive the much-coveted introduction to
+Arline Thayer, Anne and the Nesbits. After a brief exchange of
+courtesies Grace's friends bowed themselves off, gleefully escorting
+Grace to David's car.
+
+Althea stared moodily after them. "I think they are awfully snobbish,"
+she remarked resentfully. "How did you manage to get away, Evelyn?"
+
+"Don't ask me," Evelyn made a gesture of deprecation. "All I hope is
+that I'm not found out. I'm glad I overheard Miss Harlowe talking last
+night about going to-day. If worse comes to worst, I'll say I came down
+here with her."
+
+"But what if she denies it?"
+
+Evelyn shrugged her shoulders. "Ten chances to one I shall not be
+missed, but if there is any trouble I'll appeal to her generosity of
+spirit to help me. She pretends to be so helpful, let her demonstrate
+her helpfulness by standing between me and Miss Sheldon."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A HUMILIATING REPRIMAND
+
+
+To Grace forty-eight hours with her chums seemed hardly longer than
+forty-eight minutes, and she found it an exceedingly difficult task to
+divide her time equally among them. She went directly to the Southards
+for dinner, and to the theater that night with David, Miriam and Miss
+Southard to see Everett Southard and Anne as the ill-fated king and
+queen in "Macbeth." To her delight she discovered that the opposite box
+held Elfreda, Arline, Ruth, Mabel Ashe, Mr. Ashe and Mr. Thayer, and
+after the play they were Mr. Ashe's guests at supper.
+
+On Saturday the devoted little band gathered at Arline's home at nine
+o'clock in the morning, determined to crowd every possible bit of
+pleasure into the hours that were theirs. On Sunday it was Mabel Ashe
+who played hostess, and on Sunday night a goodly company saw Grace to
+the station and safely on her way.
+
+It was eleven o'clock when she let herself into Harlowe House, and
+hurried upstairs, anxious to relax and be comfortable after her long
+ride. As she had expected, on opening the door of her room, she saw
+Emma, her tall, thin figure wrapped in the folds of a gay crepe kimono,
+seated before the table, industriously looking over, and marking,
+themes.
+
+"Hello, Gracious," she caroled amiably, laying down the sheet of paper
+she held in her hand and making a quick dive for Grace. "I began to
+thing you weren't coming home to-night. How are you, and how is
+everybody? In spite of being fairly swamped with themes, I managed to
+arise in my might and make cocoa. It's in the chocolate pot and there
+are some extra fine Dean-made sandwiches to match. Now say, 'Emma, you
+are one in a million, and a cook besides.' Give me your coat and hat.
+Your kimono and slippers await you."
+
+"What a dear you are, Emma," declared Grace, as she handed her wraps to
+Emma and began to unhook her skirt. "How I wish you had been with us.
+The girls were so sorry you couldn't come. Elfreda says she is going to
+descend upon you some Friday and carry you off for a week end,
+regardless of howls and protests."
+
+Emma's expressive face lighted with whimsical tenderness. "J. Elfreda
+never forgets, does she? Here's your cocoa, Grace. Help yourself to
+sandwiches."
+
+Seating themselves opposite each other at the oak center table, the
+plate of sandwiches and the chocolate pot between them, the two young
+women settled themselves for a talk which lasted until after midnight.
+
+"We are setting a fearful example for our girls," remarked Grace
+yawning, as they finally arose to prepare for bed. "I hope we haven't
+disturbed Miss Ward. I haven't heard a sound from her room. She must be
+asleep. I wonder when she came back."
+
+"Came back from where?" asked Emma.
+
+"From New York City. She took the same train that I took and sat with me
+all the way there."
+
+"She did!" exclaimed Emma. "That doesn't tally with what I heard in the
+registrar's office Friday afternoon. I'm afraid she didn't ask
+permission to go, Grace."
+
+"Oh, she must have had permission!" A look of surprise, mingled with
+consternation, sprang into Grace's eyes.
+
+"Did she tell you she had the joyful sanction of the registrar?" quizzed
+Emma.
+
+"No--o. She made a half apology for not telling me that she was going to
+New York. She said she was not sure of going until the last minute. I
+supposed, of course, that she had permission. Why will she persist in
+disobeying the rules of the college?" asked Grace despairingly. "What
+was said in the registrar's office, Emma, or aren't you at liberty to
+tell me?"
+
+"Of course I am, otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned it," declared Emma.
+"Friday afternoon I went over to Overton Hall to see Miss Sheldon. Just
+as I stepped into her office I met Evelyn coming out looking like a
+young thunder cloud. I wondered what had happened to upset her sweet,
+even disposition," Emma's tones were distinctly ironical, "and without
+asking any questions I soon found out. Miss Sheldon herself looked
+anything but pleased and said: 'That Miss Ward is the most insolent girl
+with whom I have ever come in contact. I refused to allow her to go to
+New York City for the week end and she made some extremely impertinent
+remarks to me. She has a condition to work off. I felt justified in
+refusing her.'"
+
+"And she disregarded that refusal and went?" questioned Grace
+wonderingly. "We would never have dreamed of defying the registrar,
+would we, Emma?"
+
+"Hardly," returned Emma. "Even Laura Atkins in her most anarchistic
+moods, or Kathleen West with all her thorns set, would have stopped
+short of that. I hope the high and mighty Evelyn won't try to drag you
+into this affair."
+
+"How can she?" demanded Grace. "I had nothing to do with it."
+
+"Yes, but you rode down to New York City on the same train and in the
+same seat with her. She is quite likely to tell the registrar that you
+countenanced her going even though Miss Sheldon didn't."
+
+"Oh, she couldn't!" burst forth Grace.
+
+"Why couldn't she?" demanded Emma.
+
+Grace shook her head.
+
+"I think you are a trifle hard on her, Emma. I know she is selfish, but
+I don't believe she is malicious."
+
+"I wish I had your faith in people, Grace," said Emma sincerely. "You
+always believe them honest until they prove themselves villains, don't
+you?"
+
+When the next afternoon, Grace received a curt note from Miss Sheldon
+asking her to come to her office at five o'clock, Emma's prophesy loomed
+large before her.
+
+"It must be something else," reflected the troubled house mother, as she
+prepared for her call on Miss Sheldon. Once in the registrar's office, a
+quick glance at the older woman's face, set in lines of annoyance, was
+enough to convince Grace that Emma's conjecture had been only too true.
+Evelyn had in some way managed to make her a party to her disobedience.
+
+"Good afternoon, Miss Harlowe," said Miss Sheldon stiffly. There was no
+trace of her usual friendly manner. "I sent for you this afternoon for
+the purpose of clearing up any misunderstanding you may have in regard
+to your authority here at Overton. The students in the various houses
+are in every instance subject to the rules of Overton College, and it is
+the purpose of the faculty to see that these rules are enforced. You
+have no authority to grant a student leave of absence, particularly
+after that permission has been refused by me."
+
+Then there followed a further sharp reprimand to which Grace listened
+gravely, her calm, gray eyes never for an instant leaving Miss Sheldon's
+face. Something in the younger woman's composure had its effect upon the
+registrar, who, on first seeing Grace, had allowed her displeasure free
+rein. She looked searchingly into the quiet face before her and said
+more gently, "Perhaps I should have asked you to tell me your side of
+the story, before condemning you, Miss Harlowe."
+
+Ah, so there was another side of the story! It was apparently as Emma
+had said.
+
+Tears of hurt pride burned behind Grace's eyes, but they never fell.
+With a brave effort she steadied her voice. "I do not know what has been
+said to you, Miss Sheldon, but I do know that I have never given any
+girl at Harlowe House leave of absence from Overton. I would not presume
+to do so. I hope I understand the limit of my authority too clearly to
+overstep it."
+
+"Then you did not take Miss Ward with you to New York City last Friday
+afternoon?"
+
+"Miss Ward was with me on the train and shared my seat, but until I met
+her in the station I had not the remotest idea that she intended to go.
+I dislike to tell you this, Miss Sheldon, but since you have asked me
+this question I can only tell you the truth."
+
+"I am sorry I spoke so hastily, Miss Harlowe," apologized Miss Sheldon,
+"but I was greatly displeased. I have sent for Miss Ward. Will you wait
+until she comes? You need not unless you wish to do so."
+
+"Thank you," said Grace, a shade of offended dignity in her voice, "but
+I must go back to Harlowe House. It is almost dinner time. Good evening,
+Miss Sheldon."
+
+Once outside Overton Hall her composure took wings and she brushed the
+thick-gathering tears from her eyes as she hurried blindly across the
+snow-covered campus in the gray twilight. She was still smarting under
+the hurt of the registrar's sharp words. It was unspeakably humiliating
+to be told that she had overstepped her authority. She had thought that
+Miss Sheldon knew her too well for that. It merely served to show how
+little one knew persons, she reflected bitterly. As for Evelyn, the
+angry color dyed Grace's cheeks afresh as she thought of the girl's
+treachery, and she made a resentful vow that Evelyn Ward should not be
+admitted to Harlowe House for her sophomore year.
+
+The brisk walk across the campus in the crisp winter air cooled her
+anger, and by the time she had reached the house she felt her
+resentment, in a measure, vanishing.
+
+"You were right, Emma," she announced as she walked into their room
+where Emma sat plodding laboriously through her weekly mending.
+
+"About Evelyn?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Emma finished the sleeve of the blouse she was mending with a flourish.
+Then, casting a swift, upward glance at Grace, she began singing
+dolorously.
+
+     "Mend, mend, mend,
+      On the waist that's weary and worn.
+      Stitch, stitch, stitch,
+      Each tatter so jagged and torn.
+      Collar and cuffs and sleeves,
+      Cobble and darn and baste,
+      Before they gape in a ghastly row,
+      And shriek the dirge of the waist."
+
+Grace's gloomy expression changed to a faint smile which broadened as
+Emma's chant went on. At the end of the verse she laughed outright.
+
+"I couldn't be sad for long with you about, Emma," she said
+affectionately. "How can you think of such funny things on the spur of
+the moment?"
+
+"Oh, I don't know," drawled Emma. "Tell me about everything, Gracious."
+
+"I will," nodded Grace, "but I must run downstairs to the kitchen for a
+minute. I'll be back directly."
+
+It was fifteen minutes before she returned. Emma had finished her
+mending and was on her knees before the chiffonier putting her waists
+away.
+
+"Now I'll tell you," began Grace.
+
+Emma turned her head to listen, but before Grace had time to begin the
+door was flung violently open and Evelyn Ward rushed in, her blue eyes
+bright with anger. "How could you tell Miss Sheldon that I didn't go to
+New York with you? You could have helped me and she wouldn't have said a
+word to Miss Wilder. Now I shall be expelled from college and it is all
+your fault. You are--"
+
+At this juncture, however, Emma Dean took a hand. Without giving Grace
+an opportunity to say a word she marched over to the excited Evelyn.
+"Miss Ward, leave this room instantly, and do not come into it again
+until you have asked Miss Harlowe to pardon you."
+
+In contrast to Evelyn's half-screamed denunciation Emma's voice was low
+and even, but it vibrated with stern command.
+
+"I--she--" began Evelyn, but the look in Emma's eyes was too much for
+her. With a half-sobbing cry of anger she rushed from the room.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+AN UNINTENTIONAL LISTENER
+
+
+"Delightful young person," commented Emma dryly, as the resounding slam
+of the door echoed through the room.
+
+Grace walked slowly over to the chair which she had been occupying when
+Evelyn had made her tempestuous entrance, and sat down. There was a
+brief silence, then, "Do you suppose Miss Wilder will send Evelyn home?"
+
+"Grace, you aren't going to try to intercede for that hateful girl after
+this," Emma's tones quivered with vexation.
+
+"I don't know. I suppose it wouldn't be of much use. Miss Wilder won't
+tolerate out and out disobedience. I--yes, Emma, I'm going to see if I
+can save her. I'm going now."
+
+Grace sprang from her chair and began slipping into her wraps.
+
+Emma eyed her moodily, struggling between approval and disapproval, but
+saying nothing.
+
+"Good-bye, dear," called Grace over her shoulder as she hurried out the
+door. "I'm afraid I'll be late for dinner. Don't wait for me."
+
+Outside the house she paused, glanced toward Overton Hall, then set off
+in the opposite direction toward Miss Wilder's home.
+
+"I hope she's at home," was Grace's anxious thought as she rang the
+bell.
+
+"Miss Wilder's in the library, miss. I'll call her," informed the maid.
+"Come in. It's Miss Harlowe wants to see her, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes," Grace smiled in pleasant appreciation of the maid's remembrance
+of her.
+
+"Good evening, Miss Harlowe." Miss Wilder rose to greet her unexpected
+visitor and offered her a chair.
+
+Grace returned the greeting, then seated herself directly opposite the
+dean.
+
+"Miss Wilder, I came to see you," she burst forth, "to ask you if there
+is--if you could give Miss Ward another chance. She came to me to-night
+and said that she was to be sent home for what happened last Saturday. I
+am sorry that she has put herself in such an unpleasant position, but I
+am more sorry still for her sister, who has made so many sacrifices to
+give her a college education. I never told you much about Miss Ward,
+Miss Wilder. Let me tell you now."
+
+Miss Wilder listened attentively to Grace's eager outpouring.
+
+"Miss Ward's case has not yet been settled," she said slowly. "It rests
+with me whether she shall remain at Overton. I will think over what you
+have told me. I am not prepared to give you an answer now. Come to my
+office at four o'clock to-morrow afternoon and bring Miss Ward with
+you."
+
+"Thank you, Miss Wilder. Good night."
+
+Feeling that there was nothing more to be said, Grace rose and held out
+her hand to the dean. The older woman took the hand in both of hers and
+looked deep into Grace's honest eyes.
+
+"You are a true house mother," she said gently. "I know something of how
+greatly Miss Ward has tried your patience, and if I do decide to give
+her an opportunity to begin over again it will be largely because you
+have asked me."
+
+When Grace let herself into Harlowe House a little later a hasty glance
+into the dining-room revealed the fact that dinner was over. "I'll come
+down and get mine after awhile," she decided, and ran upstairs to her
+own room.
+
+"Well?" inquired Emma as Grace entered.
+
+"Pretty well," retorted Grace. "I won't know positively until to-morrow.
+Is Miss Ward in her room?"
+
+"She is," stated Emma, "and, judging from the sounds, packing is in full
+swing. I have heard her trunk lid banging frequently and wickedly, and
+she is opening and shutting the drawers of her chiffonier in an anything
+but gentle manner."
+
+"I must see her," declared Grace.
+
+"Then prepare to be greeted with an icy blast," predicted Emma.
+
+The next moment found Grace knocking on Evelyn's door.
+
+There was a rush of steps, the door was flung open and Evelyn faced her,
+white and defiant.
+
+"Miss Wilder wishes you to be in her office at four o'clock to-morrow
+afternoon. It will be to your interest to do as she requests," stated
+Grace briefly. Without giving Evelyn an opportunity for speech she
+turned and walked down the hall to her room.
+
+"Back so soon and no bones broken," commented Emma.
+
+Grace laughed a little in spite of herself. "Really, Emma, this is a
+serious matter," she declared. "I'm not at all sure that Miss Wilder
+will give Miss Ward another chance."
+
+"Don't think about it and she will. Worry over it and you'll defeat your
+own hope. Think about your dinner instead. It's downstairs keeping hot
+for you. I'll go down with you and entertain you while you eat. I have a
+letter from Elfreda which I've been keeping as a surprise. There is
+something in it that you will be glad to know."
+
+The "something" was Elfreda's announcement that Miriam had invited her
+to go to Oakdale for the Easter holidays.
+
+"That settles it, Emma, you simply must come home with me!" exclaimed
+Grace. "You know you delight in J. Elfreda."
+
+"I do, I do," solemnly agreed Emma. "I'll think it over, Gracious, and
+if my finances can be stretched to cover my railroad fare I'll be 'wid
+yez.' But who will look after the Harlowites if I fold my tents like the
+Arabs and set sail for Oakdale?"
+
+"I don't know yet. Louise Sampson, perhaps. She is so capable and the
+girls not only like her but respect her as well. I must talk with her
+first. She may not wish to assume the responsibility. Then again she may
+have other Easter plans. We shall manage, somehow, to arrange things
+satisfactorily."
+
+Louise Sampson had no definite Easter plans, so she said, when Grace
+broached the subject to her the following day. With never-failing
+good-nature she readily agreed to take charge of Harlowe House during
+the absence of Grace and Emma, provided Grace felt confident that she
+was able to measure up to her responsibility.
+
+"I'm so thankful that's arranged," sighed Grace as Louise left her
+office after luncheon to return to her classes. "I wish some other
+things could be as easily disposed of."
+
+As she dressed that afternoon to go to Miss Wilder's office she was far
+from joyous. She disliked the idea of meeting Evelyn in the dean's
+office. She was confident that Miss Wilder would state frankly to Evelyn
+why she had been spared.
+
+Her conjecture was only too well grounded. When Evelyn appeared in the
+dean's office at precisely four o'clock, half anxious, half defiant,
+Miss Wilder read her a lecture, the cutting severity of which caused
+Evelyn to flush and pale with humiliation and anger. "Remember, Miss
+Ward," she emphasized, "it is solely due to Miss Harlowe's intercession
+in your behalf that I have decided to allow you to remain at Overton."
+
+"Oh, dear, I hope she isn't going to make Evelyn apologize to me," was
+Grace's thought. "Why did Miss Wilder ask me to come here to-day?"
+
+As if in answer to her unspoken question, Miss Wilder went on to say,
+"Miss Harlowe came to me last night and asked me not to send you home. I
+requested her to be present to-day to hear what I wished to say to you.
+I trust, Miss Ward, that, hereafter, you will see fit to observe the
+rules of Overton College and live up to them, as a second infringement
+of this nature will mean instant dismissal from Overton. That is all, I
+believe."
+
+Thus dismissed Evelyn left the room without a word.
+
+Grace lingered for a moment's conversation with Miss Wilder, then left
+the office and started across the campus for Harlowe House. Half way
+there she glanced at her watch. It was not yet five o'clock. She would
+have time to do a little shopping before dinner. Turning her steps in
+the opposite direction she was soon hurrying along Overton's main
+business thoroughfare.
+
+It was ten minutes to six when, her shopping done, she came within sight
+of Harlowe House. She wondered if Evelyn were at home. Of late she had
+been more intimate than ever with Althea Parker. As Grace walked into
+the house and slowly up the stairs the pale face of Ida Ward rose before
+her. She was glad that she had been able to avert the disastrous
+consequences of Evelyn's disobedience so that Evelyn alone should
+suffer.
+
+Entering her room she took off her wraps and began rearranging her hair
+preparatory to going downstairs to dinner. The sound of footsteps in the
+hall, the opening of Evelyn's door, then Evelyn's voice declaring
+excitedly, "You can do it if you want to," caused Grace to lay down her
+brush and involuntarily listen for a reply.
+
+It came, and in Mary Reynolds' distressed tones. "Oh, really, I
+couldn't, Evelyn. Please, please don't ask me."
+
+"You must," Evelyn's command broke forth sharply.
+
+"I won't," Mary refusal gathered strength. "You have no right to ask me
+and I have no right to do it."
+
+"Then you are not my friend if you don't do as I ask," flung back
+Evelyn, "and I shall never speak to you again. Please go away and don't
+ever come to this room again."
+
+"I am your friend," quivered Mary, "that's why I refuse to do something
+which will surely make trouble for you."
+
+"How can it make trouble for me?" demanded Evelyn. "You know as well as
+I--"
+
+But Grace, coming to a sudden realization that she was listening to
+something not intended for her ears, sprang from her seat before her
+dressing-table and went downstairs, wondering not a little what it all
+meant.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+A DOUBLE PUZZLE
+
+
+Mary Reynolds slipped into her place at dinner that night with red
+eyelids and a woebegone expression on her small face. Evelyn did not
+enter the dining-room until after the others had began their meal.
+Despite the air of careless indifference with which she took her seat,
+Grace fancied she saw a gleam of anxiety in her eyes. From the few words
+she had overheard she understood not only the meaning of Mary's
+dejection, but also of Evelyn's anxious look. But what was it that
+Evelyn had required of Mary and that Mary had bluntly refused to do?
+Suppose Evelyn had involved herself in some fresh difficulty. To Grace
+the thought was distinctly disturbing. Still she felt that it was not
+within her province to interfere. After all it might be nothing of vital
+importance, merely a girls' disagreement.
+
+Resolutely dismissing the matter from her mind, Grace thought no more of
+it. That evening Evelyn came to her as she sat reading in the living
+room and, in her most distant manner, notified Grace that she intended
+to go to the dance to be given by the Gamma Kappa Phi, a Willston
+fraternity, at their fraternity house. Miss Hilton, a member of the
+Overton faculty, would chaperon her. There were four other freshmen
+besides herself invited.
+
+Grace made no objection to Evelyn's announcement. After the severe
+reprimand she had received it was hardly probable that Evelyn would
+again misrepresent matters. Quite by accident the next day she
+encountered Miss Hilton upon the campus, and the teacher confirmed
+Evelyn's story by mentioning the dance and inquiring if Grace had been
+asked to do chaperon duty. "I am surprised that you weren't," had been
+Miss Hilton's comment when Grace answered that her services had not been
+solicited.
+
+Grace had smiled to herself as she went on her way. She was not in the
+least surprised at not being invited by Evelyn to play chaperon. She was
+glad that she had not been asked. She decided that she would not have
+accepted. The dance was to be held on the Friday evening of the
+following week, and on the Saturday morning after she would be on her
+way to Oakdale.
+
+How long and yet how short the days seemed that lay between her and
+home. Long because of her impatience to see her father and mother, short
+because of the multifold details to be attended to in Harlowe House.
+
+"I'm so tired," she sighed when, at seven o'clock on Friday evening, she
+saw her trunk and Emma's safely in the hands of the expressman. "Thank
+goodness our packing is done and gone and out of the way. Let's do
+recreation stunts to-night, Emma. Suppose we call upon Kathleen and
+Patience. Incidentally we can pay our respects to Laura Atkins and
+Mildred Taylor. If they aren't busy we might have a quiet celebration
+just for auld lang syne at Vinton's. We can be home by ten o'clock."
+
+"All right," agreed Emma, who knelt on the floor, her glasses pushed
+above her forehead, wrestling valiantly with a refractory strap of her
+suit case. A moment and she had buckled it into place with a triumphant
+cluck. "There, that won't have to be done at the last minute. Shall I
+telephone the girls that we are coming? It's after seven now."
+
+"Yes, do."
+
+Emma left the room returning shortly.
+
+"They are all at home. The sooner we reach Wayne Hall the sooner the
+celebration will begin," she reminded.
+
+"Then we'll go at once."
+
+Five minutes later the two young women were on their way across the
+campus. As they neared Wayne Hall a limousine passed containing Miss
+Hilton, Althea Parker and a freshman friend of Evelyn's. Althea was
+driving. She bowed curtly to Grace and Emma as her car whizzed by them.
+
+"They are going for Evelyn, I suppose," commented Emma.
+
+"Yes. Oh, bother!" exclaimed Grace, "I've forgotten a letter to Arline
+which I must mail to-night. Will you wait until I go back for it?"
+
+With light feet Grace sped across the campus, letting herself into the
+house with her latch key. As she stepped into the hall, a buzz of voices
+caused her eyes to be fixed on the living-room. Through the parted
+curtains she saw a dazzling figure which was standing in the middle of
+the living room, surrounded by a group of admiring girls.
+
+It was Evelyn, looking like some wonderful fairy vision in a gown of
+apricot satin and chiffon, embroidered with exquisite little sprays of
+tiny rosebuds. The excitement of wholesale admiration had deepened the
+blue of her eyes to violet and her usual expression of bored
+indifference had changed to one of intense animation, due to her love of
+adulation. Grace watched her fascinatedly for a moment, then,
+remembering that Emma was waiting for her, she hurried on upstairs for
+her letter and out of the house, unobserved by the group of girls in the
+living room.
+
+"Was I gone long?" she asked as she rejoined her friend. "I stopped for
+a minute in the hall to look at Evelyn Ward. She was posing in the
+middle of the living room for the benefit of an admiring populace. She
+is going to the Gamma Kappa Phi dance. Miss Hilton and Miss Parker and
+some of our girls composed the populace. I suppose I ought to have gone
+in and spoken to them instead of slipping out like a criminal, but I
+didn't wish to lose time. Really, Emma, I can't begin to tell you how
+beautiful Evelyn looked!"
+
+"Her white silk evening gown is a work of art. I wish I had a sister Ida
+to sew for me," commented Emma.
+
+"Oh, she wasn't wearing her white silk. Her gown was apricot satin
+and--" Grace came to an abrupt stop. "Why--she--that was a new gown. How
+could she--"
+
+"Have a new gown when her sister is too ill to make it," supplemented
+Emma dryly.
+
+Two pairs of eyes exchanged questioning glances.
+
+"She may have brought it with her when she came to Overton," said Grace.
+"She is very secretive, you know. All along she may have been saving it
+for some such occasion as this dance."
+
+"True enough," admitted Emma. "Always take people at their face value
+until you find they haven't any," she added cheerfully.
+
+"I shall," declared Grace. "I'm not going to spoil my Easter vacation by
+worrying over something that is really Evelyn's own affair."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE PUZZLE DEEPENS
+
+
+Grace experienced a pleasure in being at home for Easter so deep as to
+be akin to pain. When as a student at Overton she had traveled happily
+home for her Christmas and Easter vacations there had been a difference.
+Then, her classmates had much to do with making it easier to be away
+from her adored father and mother. But now that she had bravely launched
+her boat on the tempestuous sea of work, she found that home was a far
+distant shore, for whose cheery lights she often yearned. To be sure
+Emma was a never-failing source of consolation, but there were more
+times than one when the clutching fingers of homesickness were at her
+throat.
+
+To Mr. and Mrs. Harlowe, Emma Dean was an unfailing source of amusement
+and delight. In Hippy, too, she found a kindred spirit, and when Elfreda
+arrived the funny trio was complete. It seemed to Grace that she had not
+laughed so much in years. Anne, Jessica and Reddy had not been able to
+join their friends for the Easter holidays and were loudly mourned and
+sorely missed. Tom Gray managed to come on for a two days' visit and
+cause Grace the only unhappy moments she spent at home by again asking
+her to give up her beloved work to marry him.
+
+"I'm so sorry for Tom," she confided to her mother, on the night before
+leaving home to return to Overton, "but I can't give up my work, even
+for him. Really and truly, mother, I wish I did love Tom in the way he
+wants me to love him, but I don't. I feel toward him just as I felt when
+I first met him. He's a good comrade; nothing more."
+
+"If you loved Tom, your father and I would be glad to welcome him as our
+son, Grace," was her mother's quiet reply. "He is a remarkably fine type
+of young man, but unless you reach the point where you are certain that
+he is, and always will be, the one man in the world for you, you would
+be doing not only yourself but him too, the greatest possible injury if
+you promised to marry him."
+
+"That is just it!" exclaimed Grace. "I told him so, but I know that
+didn't console him. Last June when I came home from Overton I thought
+perhaps I might say 'yes' later on. But now that I've been working for
+almost a year I find I'd rather keep on working. It would be dreadful,
+of course, if some day I should suddenly discover that I did love him
+enough to marry him and then he shouldn't ask me. That isn't likely to
+happen. I don't believe I could give up my work for any man. My whole
+heart is in it."
+
+In spite of her declaration of unswerving loyalty to her work, more than
+once, Tom's fine resolute face rose before Grace on the return journey
+to Overton. During the afternoon Emma, usually loquacious, became
+absorbed in a book, so that Grace, who could not settle herself to read,
+had altogether too much opportunity for reflection.
+
+She was inwardly thankful when the lights of Overton twinkled into view.
+Emma was still deep in her book. "We are almost there, Emma," she
+reminded.
+
+Emma glanced out of the window, then closed her book and began to gather
+up her belongings.
+
+"I wonder how things are at Harlowe House," mused Grace, as they crossed
+the station platform. "Come on, Emma. There's a taxicab just turning
+into the station driveway."
+
+Three minutes later they were speeding through the silent streets. It
+was after nine o'clock and there were few persons passing.
+
+"No place like home," caroled Emma as they let themselves into Harlowe
+House. In the living-room they found Louise Sampson and half a dozen
+girls. At sight of Grace and Emma, Louise came quickly forward.
+
+"We thought you would come!" she exclaimed, "so we decided to watch for
+you. We have hot chocolate and sandwiches. Do say you're hungry."
+
+"We are ravenous," assured Emma, "and as soon as we make a trip upstairs
+and dispossess ourselves of our goods and chattels we'll come to the
+party."
+
+"Everything has gone beautifully," Louise confided to Grace, when later
+she dropped down on the window seat beside her, where the latter had
+established herself with a sandwich and a cup of chocolate. "Only one
+thing bothered me, and that was the way Miss Reynolds moped. She and
+Miss Ward had a quarrel and poor Miss Reynolds still goes about looking
+like a red-eyed little ghost. No one can find out her trouble and no one
+seems to be able to comfort her. One day last week I almost thought I
+saw Miss Ward crying too, but I must have been mistaken. She is too
+proud to cry over anything. There are several letters for you, Miss
+Harlowe. I put them in the top drawer of your desk in the office."
+
+At the word "letters" Grace had risen to her feet. "You'll excuse me if
+I go for them at once, won't you?" she asked.
+
+"Of course," smiled Louise.
+
+A goodly pile of letters met her eyes as she opened the drawer. Grace
+ran through the envelopes with eager fingers. The square thin envelope
+with the foreign postmark meant a letter from Eleanor Savelli. There was
+one from Mabel Ashe and another from Mabel Allison, Arline Thayer and
+Ruth Denton were also represented in the collection and on the very
+bottom of the pile lay a square envelope addressed in Anne's neat hand.
+
+Grace pounced upon it joyfully, and, laying the others on the slide of
+her desk, tore it open and became immediately absorbed in the closely
+written sheets. When she had finished reading the letter she laid it
+down, then picking it up again turned to a paragraph on the last sheet.
+
+"I promised to try to help Miss Ward," wrote Anne. "Well, I have
+practically secured an engagement for her with Mr. Forest. It is an
+ingenue part in 'The Reckoning,' which is to run in New York City all
+summer, at his theater. If she can come to New York as soon as college
+closes Mr. and Miss Southard wish her to stay at their home. We can soon
+tell whether she can play the part or not. If she can't, Mr. Southard
+will be able to give her 'bits' in his company, but the other part is by
+far the best engagement if she can make good in it. Both Mr. and Miss
+Southard say, however, that they must have a letter of consent from her
+sister before they will undertake launching her in the theatrical world.
+They will write her if Miss Ward wishes them to do so. It is a really
+great opportunity for her. You know how easily and delightfully I earned
+my way through college. Let me know as soon as you can, Grace, what she
+wishes to do."
+
+Grace read this paragraph half a dozen times. Her other letters lay
+unheeded before her. Finally she gathered them up and, with the open
+letter in her hand, went slowly upstairs. At Evelyn's door she paused
+and listened. She heard the sound of some one moving about within. Yes,
+Evelyn was still up. Grace rapped boldly on the door.
+
+A moment and it swung open. Evelyn stood staring blankly at Grace. She
+was wrapped in the folds of a pale blue silk kimono. Her hair hung in
+loose golden waves far below her waist and she reminded Grace of the
+beautiful Rapunzel of fairy tale fame who was shut up in a tower by a
+wicked witch and forced each night to let down her golden hair so that
+her dreadful jailer might climb up and into the tower window.
+
+"Miss Ward," began Grace, without giving Evelyn time to utter a word, "I
+am sorry to disturb you so late in the evening, but I have very good
+news for you. Miss Pierson has all but secured an engagement for you in
+'The Reckoning,' a new play which is to run in New York City all summer.
+Read what she says."
+
+Grace handed the sheet of paper to Evelyn.
+
+The girl stretched forth her hand mechanically for it. She
+still regarded Grace dully. Then to Grace's utter amazement she
+burst into tears. "I can't--take--the--engagement," she sobbed.
+"I'm--not--coming--back--to--Overton--next year."
+
+"What can have happened to her!" wondered Grace. Aloud she said: "Don't
+decide too hastily, Miss Ward. Take three or four days in which to think
+things over. I'll come in and see you to-morrow."
+
+Evelyn made some incoherent response, unintelligible to Grace. The
+latter realized that in her present state Evelyn could not be comforted.
+It was best to leave her entirely alone until she had had her cry out.
+To-morrow would be time enough to try again to try to discover what had
+happened.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+TWO LETTERS
+
+
+Shortly after Grace returned to her room Emma joined her.
+
+"Where did you go? You are not the only one whose correspondents rose
+nobly to the occasion," she exulted, holding up several letters. "You
+haven't read yours yet, have you. Let's get ready for bed, put on our
+dressing gowns, and have a letter reading orgy."
+
+"All right," agreed Grace. "I've already opened one of mine. It was from
+Anne. She sends her love to you, and what do you think, Emma?" Grace
+lowered her voice. "She has secured a New York engagement for Evelyn
+Ward. I saw Miss Ward to-night, but something is troubling her. When I
+went to the door to tell her what Anne had done she began to cry. I
+couldn't find out what ailed her, and the more I talked the harder she
+cried. She said, however, that she couldn't accept Anne's offer. She
+thinks she won't come back to Overton."
+
+"Happy Overton," commented Emma unsympathetically. "Now hurry into your
+dressing gown and let's begin our letters."
+
+Evelyn appeared at breakfast the next morning looking weary and haggard.
+Her face was very pale and her eyes were heavy. By night, however, she
+seemed to have regained something of her old poise. Covertly watching
+her, Grace noticed that for some unknown reason she was much subdued.
+Several days afterward she came to Grace and finally refused Anne's
+offer. "But are you quite certain that you are acting wisely, Miss
+Ward?" Grace asked in perplexed amazement. "Last winter you were anxious
+to go into dramatic work."
+
+"I have changed my mind," was Evelyn's sole reply.
+
+Grace wrote to Anne advising her of Evelyn's refusal, but adding that
+she wished Anne would keep Evelyn in mind. "I can't help feeling that
+she is acting against her real desires and that later she will realize
+her mistake."
+
+The little that was left of April passed quickly. Life went on placidly
+enough at Harlowe House, although Grace found few idle moments. With the
+first of June she began a detailed report of her year's work to be
+presented to the faculty and to Mrs. Gray. This report had not been
+required of her. She was making it merely for her own satisfaction. With
+her it was a matter of pride in having been a faithful steward. She had
+tried to safeguard not only the interests of the girls under her roof,
+but Mrs. Gray's interests as well.
+
+"I hope I've been a good house mother," she murmured wistfully, as,
+seated in her office one bright Friday afternoon, she worked on her
+report. The ring of the postman caused her to lay down her pen and hurry
+into the hall. To her surprise she saw Evelyn Ward had forestalled her.
+She had opened the door for the postman, and now stood rapidly going
+over the pile of letters in her hand. Grace saw her separate two letters
+from the pile. At this instant Evelyn glanced up. She uttered a sharp
+exclamation of surprise when she saw Grace standing beside her. Two
+letters fell from her hands.
+
+Grace stooped to pick them up. "Did I startle you, Miss Ward? I did not
+mean to. I did not know you were in the house. I thought the girls had
+gone to their classes."
+
+[Illustration: "Did I Startle You, Miss Ward?"]
+
+"I--I--am late," stammered Evelyn. "I'm going to my botany recitation in
+a minute. I--expected a letter. Here is the mail." She thrust the
+letters she had been holding into Grace's hand, and, turning, almost ran
+up the stairs.
+
+For an instant Grace's eyes followed Evelyn's disappearing figure, then
+she turned her attention to the letters. She still held the two she had
+picked up from the floor in her one hand. Glancing at them she saw that
+they were both addressed to her. No doubt Evelyn had intended to leave
+them on her desk. Rapidly sorting the other letters she found another
+for herself in Anne's handwriting. Placing the letters for the various
+members of the household in the bulletin board Grace retired to her
+office to read Anne's letter.
+
+     "DEAREST GRACE:
+
+     "Just a line to tell you that the part in 'The Reckoning' is still
+      open. Mr. Forest cannot find the type of girl he wishes for the
+      part. She must be dazzlingly, but naturally, blonde and very
+      beautiful. I am sure if he were to see Miss Ward he would engage
+      her at once, even though she has had no dramatic experience. Why
+      not let her read this note? Perhaps she may change her mind. She
+      will never have a better opportunity. I am ready and willing to
+      help her. Am writing in a rush. It is almost time for me to go on.
+      With much love. Will write more fully later.
+
+      "Yours as ever, ANNE."
+
+Grace laid down the letter with a slight frown. Since Evelyn's first
+refusal to consider Anne's proposal Grace had held little communication
+with her. Of late Evelyn had gone about her affairs with a curious air
+of repression, which reminded Grace of the terrible calm that so often
+precedes a storm.
+
+"I'll watch for her when she comes in from her classes and give her
+Anne's letter," said Grace, half aloud. She picked up the next envelope
+and looked curiously at the unfamiliar writing. The postmark was all but
+obliterated. Tearing the envelope she drew forth the letter, unfolded it
+and read:
+
+     "DEAR MISS HARLOWE:
+
+     "More than once I have planned to write and thank you for your
+      goodness to Evelyn, but I have been so very busy that the time has
+      slipped by faster than I realized. Fortunately, for Evelyn and me,
+      I have had a great deal of work to do and have been in
+      exceptionally good health, so that it has been easier than I
+      thought to raise the money to pay her college fees. I will enclose
+      the second payment of her fee in a letter which I am writing to
+      her. I have mentioned in my letter to her that I have written to
+      you. I thank you many times for your goodness to my little sister
+      and trust that she has been truly appreciative of your kindness to
+      her. Trusting that you have been well and that you have met with
+      the greatest success in your year's work. With grateful thanks and
+      best wishes.
+
+     "Yours sincerely,
+
+     "IDA WARD."
+
+Grace read the letter through three times. When she raised her eyes from
+it her face wore an expression of mingled horrified suspicion and
+unbelief. Surely it could not be possible, and yet--before her mental
+eyes flashed the vision of that wet January afternoon when she had come
+back to Harlowe House from her Christmas vacation and had been greeted
+by the sound of Evelyn's sobs as she passed her door. How she had gone
+to Evelyn's room and there heard the pitiful story of Ida Ward's illness
+and her failure to send Evelyn's college fees, and of how, through the
+Semper Fidelis Fund, she had come forward and bridged Evelyn's
+difficulty.
+
+What did it mean? "She must have--" muttered Grace. In her agitation she
+spoke aloud. Then she stopped abruptly. She would not condemn Evelyn
+without a hearing, but Evelyn would have to explain, if explanation were
+possible. She laid the letter on her desk and turning away from it tore
+open the last envelope, which bore the name of a business house in one
+corner. It contained a bill from Hanford's, the largest department store
+in Overton. At the bottom was written. "This account is long overdue.
+Please remit at once." Grace had a charge account at Hanford's on which,
+occasionally, she allowed certain girls in the house to buy goods,
+merely as a matter of accommodation to them. Her gaze traveled down the
+list of items in bewilderment.
+
+"Why!" she exclaimed. "I never bought a gown there that cost
+seventy-five dollars, or silk stockings or a scarf. There must be some
+mistake. I know that none of the girls have either. I haven't bought
+anything since February. Let me see. It's only three o'clock. I think
+I'll walk down to Hanford's and have the matter adjusted. I must see
+Evelyn too, as soon as she comes in."
+
+Grace went upstairs for her hat and was soon on her way to the business
+center of Overton. Her impatience to learn the truth received its first
+check with the indifferent assurance of the clerk that Mr. Anderson, the
+man in charge of the department of accounts, was busy upstairs.
+
+"Then I'll wait for him." With a sigh of resignation she sat down on the
+oak seat just outside the office window to wait.
+
+It was twenty minutes past four when Mr. Anderson appeared.
+
+"I can't let you know about this at once," was the accountant's
+discouraging response when Grace laid the matter before him. "We'll take
+it up with the saleswoman, then write you."
+
+"Very well. I shall expect to hear from you within the next three days."
+Grace turned away, far from satisfied. Yet there was nothing else to do.
+Long since she had learned that the system employe of a department store
+is a law unto himself, and as unchangeable in his methods as the most
+stubborn Mede or Persian ever dreamed of being.
+
+And now for her interview with Evelyn. How could she best approach the
+girl whom she suspected of having first shamefully betrayed her sister's
+confidence, then purposely misrepresented matters to her? And what had
+Evelyn done with the money? These and similar painful questions occupied
+her thoughts so fully that she did not realize that she had reached
+Harlowe House until she found herself ascending the front steps.
+
+Without giving herself time to consider delaying the disagreeable
+interview, Grace hurried up the stairs. To her surprise Evelyn's door
+stood partially open. She peered into the room, but it was empty of an
+occupant. Stepping inside she glanced about her. Evelyn's hat was gone.
+She had come in from her classes and gone out again.
+
+Grace went slowly downstairs. She was sorry that she had not been able
+to have her talk with Evelyn before the others came in from their day's
+recitations. She decided to wait until after dinner. When Evelyn went to
+her room she would follow her there. The longer she delayed facing
+Evelyn with her sister's letter the harder the task would become. But at
+dinner time Evelyn's place was vacant.
+
+At ten o'clock that night she had not come in.
+
+Becoming alarmed Grace telephoned to Althea Parker to know if Evelyn
+were with her. In reply to her anxious inquiry Althea declared she had
+not seen Evelyn for two days. Uncertain as to the wisest course to
+pursue Grace concluded to wait until Emma came in from an evening's
+visit with Patience Eliot.
+
+It was almost eleven o'clock when Emma returned.
+
+"I'm so glad you've come," greeted Grace as her friend entered their
+room. "Evelyn Ward hasn't come in yet and I'm worried about her. I saw
+her this afternoon, but she hasn't been here since then."
+
+"Very likely she is with Miss Parker." Emma spoke in an unconcerned
+tone.
+
+"No she isn't. I telephoned Miss Parker. She hasn't seen Evelyn for two
+days."
+
+"She hasn't?" Emma glanced at Grace in surprise. The ring of anxiety in
+Grace's voice had not been lost upon her. "What's happened, Gracious!"
+she asked.
+
+For answer Grace handed Ida Ward's letter to Emma. "Read it," she
+commanded.
+
+Emma read the letter. "Do you think--" she began.
+
+"What do _you_ think?" interrupted Grace. "What can one think? Evelyn
+received her letter from Ida Ward before I received this. She knew that
+this letter was on the way. This afternoon I found her at the door
+sorting the mail. She had two letters in one hand, which she had
+separated from the others. When she saw me she dropped the two. I
+stooped to pick them up. Both of them were for me. I said, 'Did I
+startle you, Miss Ward?' and she stammered something about expecting a
+letter. She shoved the other letters into my hands and ran upstairs. I
+haven't seen her since."
+
+"Who was the other letter from that she had picked out?"
+
+"Oh, it was a bill from Hanford's. I--" Grace stopped short and stared
+at Emma. A horrible suspicion had seized her. She was afraid that she
+now understood the meaning of the bill she had received. In one of those
+curious, illumining flashes, which sometimes reveal in an instant what
+seems hopelessly obscure, she had hit upon the truth.
+
+Briefly she outlined the situation to Emma, who had long been her
+confidante.
+
+"You'd better let matters rest till to-morrow," advised Emma. "It's too
+late to try to find her to-night. We would only create comment and
+arouse suspicion if we telephone to the houses where her friends live.
+It wouldn't surprise me if she had left Overton for good and all."
+
+"We must find her," declared Grace with decision.
+
+"What will you do with her if you do find her?"
+
+"I don't know. That will depend entirely upon her. You are right,
+though, about waiting until morning. We must protect her from the
+consequences of her own foolishness. For she isn't wicked, Emma. She has
+been carried away by vanity and love of dress. Perhaps if we gave her
+another chance she would live all this down and be a different girl."
+
+"Perhaps," Emma's tone was skeptical. "For the sake of the community at
+large let us hope for this much-to-be-desired metamorphosis."
+
+But the next morning brought news of Evelyn in the shape of a letter
+addressed to Grace, which came on the first delivery of the mail for the
+day. With eager fingers Grace opened it. A slip of blue paper fluttered
+to the floor as she unfolded it. Picking it up she saw it was a money
+order made payable to Evelyn Ward, then she read:
+
+     "DEAR MISS HARLOWE:
+
+     "When you receive this letter I shall be far away from Harlowe
+      House. I have done dreadful things and I cannot face you. All I can
+      do is to go away where no one knows me, and begin over again. I
+      used the money Ida sent me in the fall for my college fees to buy
+      an evening dress. Then I told you that she was ill. I cried
+      purposely to gain your sympathy because I knew about the Semper
+      Fidelis Fund and was sure you would help me. I meant to pay it all
+      back to you, and so I am going to New York to get work and do it,
+      even though it takes me a long, long time.
+
+     "But there is something still more dreadful to tell you. I wanted
+      another new evening gown to wear to the Willston dance. I had paid
+      my college fees for the year, so I thought I could take the money
+      that Ida sent me for my payment and buy a gown and other things
+      which I wanted. But Ida wrote and said she couldn't send the money
+      just then, so I went to Hanford's department store and bought the
+      things. I had them charged to your account. When the bill came I
+      was terribly frightened. I thought they wouldn't send it for a long
+      time. I just happened to see it in the bulletin board, so I took it
+      out and tore it up.
+
+     "Then I went to Mary Reynolds and tried to get her to lend me some
+      of the treasury money until my money came, but she wouldn't do it.
+      That is why she cried so often. When the first of May came I
+      watched the bulletin board and took the bill again. It had
+      Hanford's address in one corner so I knew it. All the time I kept
+      hoping that Ida would send my money before it was too late.
+      Yesterday morning it came, but in her letter she said she had
+      written to you and told you how well she had been and about her
+      work. I knew it would be dreadful for me if you received her
+      letter, but I did not know when it would come, so I stayed away
+      from my classes and watched the mail. I had the letter from Ida and
+      the bill from the store in my hands when you surprised me this
+      afternoon. You picked them up before I had a chance to do so. Then
+      I knew that there was just one thing to do and that was to go away.
+
+     "Please take the money order and pay the bill at the store. I will
+      pay Semper Fidelis as soon as I can. I will write Ida and tell her
+      how badly I have behaved, and when I go to work in New York I will
+      send for my trunk. It is packed and ready to be shipped.
+
+     "Forgive me if you can. I am sorry for everything. I wish I had been
+      different. Good-bye and thank you for your great kindness to me. I
+      did not deserve it. Please don't try to find me.
+
+     "Penitently,
+
+     "EVELYN WARD."
+
+For a time Grace sat at her desk with the letter in her hand. Then she
+stood up with the air of one who has come to a definite decision. "I'll
+go to New York City to-day to look for her," she said half aloud. "I
+believe she will try to get work at one of the theaters. Mr. Southard
+and Anne will help me find her. She must come back to Overton. I feel
+sure that she has suffered enough over this trouble to have learned her
+lesson."
+
+Grace ran upstairs and burst into her room with, "Emma, Evelyn has gone
+to New York! I'm going to take the next train there. Read this letter.
+It will tell you everything. I haven't time. I must make that 9.15
+train."
+
+Grace was in the middle of a hasty toilet when a knock sounded on the
+door.
+
+Emma answered it.
+
+"Here's a telegram for Miss Harlowe." The maid held out a yellow
+envelope.
+
+Grace tore it open. One glance at the telegram and she began a joyful
+dance about the room, waving it over her head. "Hurrah for Kathleen
+West! She found Evelyn! Read it."
+
+She held the telegram before Emma's eyes.
+
+     "Evelyn with me. Return Overton Sunday. All well
+
+     "KATHLEEN."
+
+read Emma aloud. Turning to Grace she quoted with whimsical tenderness,
+"To Kathleen West, girls, drink her down." Then with twinkling eyes she
+added, "There's only one thing that I can say to express my sentiments,
+and, with my sincerest apologies to the august faculty which trustfully
+engaged me to teach English, I say it with heartfelt fervor, 'Can you
+beat it?'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+KATHLEEN WEST, CONFIDANTE
+
+
+When Evelyn Ward left Grace Harlowe with the letters, which she had
+tried so hard to obtain, in her possession, she had but one thought.
+That thought was to leave Harlowe House before Grace realized the full
+meaning of her guilt. For two days Evelyn's suit case had been packed
+for just such an emergency. She had not been sure that she could stem
+the tide of retribution that had set in against her, so she was prepared
+to slip away if she failed to obtain the letters that meant her undoing.
+Hardly had Grace reseated herself in her office when Evelyn, suit case
+in hand, her hat on, the coat to her suit thrown over her arm, stole
+stealthily down the stairs and let herself out of the house without a
+sound. Once clear of the house she set off across the campus, almost at
+a run, in the direction of the station. At four o 'clock there was a
+train to New York. She had a little money. She would go there. Once
+there she would try to get into a theatrical company.
+
+Arrived at the station she glanced fearfully about her. She did not wish
+to meet any one she knew. Leaving her suit case in charge of the station
+master she left the station and walked slowly up the street. She would
+stroll about until almost train time. She had over an hour's wait. If
+she encountered any of the students she knew on the street they would
+attach no importance to seeing her.
+
+It was five minutes to four when she purchased her ticket to New York.
+To her relief she had seen no one she knew. When the train pulled into
+the station she was the first person to board it. She took a seat on the
+side of the car farthest from the platform, so she did not see a slim
+hurrying girl's figure rush madly down the platform, just as the train
+was about to start, and swing herself up the car steps on the last
+second, heedless of the warning expostulation of the porter.
+
+Torn with remorse for the past, fearful of the future, which, to her
+overwrought imagination, crouched like a huge black monster ready to
+spring upon her and engulf her in its cruel jaws, Evelyn watched the
+swiftly passing landscape with unseeing eyes. When a voice from the seat
+behind her suddenly addressed her with, "Good evening, Miss Ward," she
+half sprang to her feet in blind terror. Turning, she found herself
+looking into the keen, dark eyes of Kathleen West, the newspaper girl.
+
+"Oh--good evening," she faltered.
+
+"Going to New York?" was the brisk question.
+
+Evelyn nodded.
+
+"I'm coming into your seat. I hate riding alone in a train. I'm so glad
+you are going the whole way."
+
+Evelyn made no reply. She wished Kathleen a thousand miles off.
+
+The newspaper girl scrutinized narrowly her companion's lovely set face.
+Trained in the study of human nature she had learned to know the outward
+signs of a perturbed spirit. Her straight brows knit in a puzzled frown.
+Then, noting that Evelyn had colored hotly under the shrewd fixity of
+her sharp eyes, she glanced carelessly away.
+
+Neither girl spoke for a little. Evelyn was wondering distractedly how
+she could escape from Kathleen, when they reached New York, without
+arousing suspicion on the part of the newspaper girl. Kathleen, whose
+intuition as well as her eyes told her that all was not well with
+Evelyn, racked her brain for the words which would tear down the wall of
+stony reticence which this strange girl had built about herself. Try as
+she might she could think of no effectual way to begin. Deciding to bide
+her time she tried to rouse Evelyn's too-apparently flagging spirits by
+a crisp account of a big newspaper story which she had run to earth
+during her Easter vacation. At first she met with small success, but as
+she talked on Evelyn grew interested in spite of herself and began
+asking half timid, half eager questions about New York. Was it hard to
+get work there? Could a girl live on six or seven dollars a week in a
+large city? How did these girls go about it to find positions? In what
+section of the city did most of the working girls, who had no homes,
+live?
+
+Kathleen answered her questions imperturbably, telling of her own
+experience in New York as a beginner of newspaper work. Later Evelyn
+plied her with countless questions regarding the stage, its advantages
+and disadvantages. The throb of anxiety in her voice was stronger than
+her elaborate pretense of indifference. Figuratively, Kathleen pricked
+up her ears. It was only when they had exhausted the subjects of the
+working girl and the stage that she launched at Evelyn the seemingly
+innocent question, "Where are you going to stay in New York, Miss Ward?"
+
+"I--why--" stammered Evelyn.
+
+"Do you expect to be met at the station? It will be almost midnight when
+we reach New York, you know."
+
+"I know," muttered Evelyn. Averting her face from Kathleen she stared
+out the window.
+
+"It's now or never," decided Kathleen. Her strong supple fingers closed
+suddenly over one of the limp white hands that lay so helplessly in
+Evelyn's lap. "Miss Ward," she said in a low tense voice, "something
+dreadful has happened to you. I want you to tell me about it. Remember
+this. No matter what it is, I am your friend. I feel sure that you are
+going blindly and alone, to the coldest, cruelest city in the world and
+I should never forgive myself if I allowed you to do it."
+
+Into Evelyn's eyes leaped indescribable terror as Kathleen's hand closed
+over hers. For an instant she stared wildly at the newspaper girl, then
+the stony reserve, with which she had bolstered herself, gave away, and
+tearing her hands free she covered her face with them.
+
+Kathleen waited patiently till the tearless storm which shook Evelyn had
+subsided a little. "Now tell me all about it," she urged gently.
+
+Evelyn's hands dropped from her face. The tortured look in her blue eyes
+aroused all Kathleen's sympathy. Haltingly, tremblingly, bit by bit,
+Evelyn told of the temptation to use her sister's hard-earned money for
+fine clothes, and the gulf of deception and dishonesty into which she
+had plunged by yielding to it.
+
+Kathleen listened without comment. When Evelyn had finished she said,
+"You must go back to Overton, Miss Ward, and to Grace Harlowe. She will
+forgive everything and set you right with yourself again."
+
+"Oh, I couldn't," protested Evelyn wildly. "She knows already how
+dishonest I've been. I can never go back to Overton. I must stay in New
+York and work and never see Ida or any one again. I have forfeited all
+claim to friendship or love."
+
+"Nonsense! Just get rid of that idea as fast as ever you can. You are
+going to my boarding house with me to-night. To-morrow we will go and
+see Anne Pierson. I know where the Southards live. We will ask her to
+get you an engagement. Perhaps you can meet Mr. Forest."
+
+"Miss Harlowe told Miss Pierson about me, and she wrote and offered to
+get me an engagement," faltered Evelyn, "but I knew I couldn't take it,
+so I refused. There wouldn't be any chance for me now. That was several
+weeks ago."
+
+"There is sure to be something for you. You are beautiful, you know,"
+went on Kathleen in an appraising, matter-of-fact tone. "You are sure to
+make good. You must. You're going to pay Semper Fidelis back as soon as
+ever you can and you'll have to work hard and save your money."
+
+Forgetting for the instant her remorse and humiliation Evelyn clasped
+her hands in an eagerness born of the desire to make reparation. "Oh, I
+will!" Then her face clouded. "Miss Pierson won't care to help me after
+the dreadful things I've done."
+
+"Who is going to tell her about them? I'm not. I know Grace Harlowe
+won't. It isn't necessary for you to tell her either. It shall be a
+secret among we three. I know Grace will say so."
+
+The two girls, so strangely brought together and united in this new bond
+of fellowship, talked on. It was ten minutes to twelve when they reached
+New York City. At the station they were met by a tall clean-cut, young
+man with keen blue eyes. "Got your wire, Kathleen." He stooped and
+kissed the self-reliant Miss West, who turned very pink. "I'll have to
+explain," she smiled as she introduced him to Evelyn. "Mr. Vernon is my
+fiance, but don't you dare breathe it at Overton. Miss Ward won't be
+able to see the persons she is to call upon until to-morrow. She's going
+to my boarding house with me. You can call a taxicab and ride that far
+with us." The newspaper girl's clever explanation bridged a yawning gap.
+
+Kathleen and Mr. Vernon kept up a steady conversation during the ride.
+Evelyn sat silent, trying to realize just what had happened to her. She
+experienced an immeasurable sense of relief, as though she had been
+dragged, just in time, from the edge of a frightful precipice. Long
+after Kathleen had gone to sleep that night she lay staring into the
+darkness, wide-eyed and wondering at the goodness of this girl whom she
+hardly knew, and into her heart crept a sudden revelation of what true
+fellowship meant and was to mean to her forever afterward.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+
+The following morning Kathleen took Evelyn to call on Anne Pierson at
+the Southards. She gazed almost in awe at Everett Southard, while her
+feeling of admiration for Anne was deep and abiding. Her undeniable
+beauty was not lost upon Mr. Southard, who later confided to his sister
+and Anne that Miss Ward was the most beautiful blonde girl he had ever
+seen. After an hour's chat in the actor's big, comfortable library Mr.
+Southard proposed that they call upon Mr. Forest that morning. Miss
+Pierson had written Miss Harlowe about the part, he declared, to the
+complete mystification of both Kathleen and Evelyn. He was glad Miss
+Ward had been able to come. He was sure she would be exactly suited to
+the part in "The Reckoning." Kathleen managed to shoot a warning glance
+at Evelyn not to betray herself. Later, by adroitly questioning Anne,
+she managed to put herself in possession of all the details concerning
+the letter Anne had written to Grace.
+
+Mr. Forest quite fulfilled Mr. Southard's prediction. He could not
+refrain from showing his satisfaction with Evelyn. Within half an hour
+after entering his office she had signed a contract to play the part of
+'Constance Devon' in the forthcoming production of 'The Reckoning.'
+
+"First rehearsal July 2d. Here's the part. Study it. Make these hardened
+barnstormers help you," declared Mr. Forest with a dry chuckle, as he
+handed her the part.
+
+"But how does he know that I can do it?" she questioned, half fearfully,
+as they left the office.
+
+"He is going to take a chance," explained Mr. Southard. "In his own mind
+he thinks you will do. He knows we will help you. You must work hard and
+prove to him that he is right."
+
+To Evelyn the rest of that eventful Saturday seemed like a marvelous
+dream. She had never before been in a large city, but despite her
+interest in the sights and sounds of New York she could not help
+thinking of how different it might all have been if she had not met
+Kathleen. The busy, endless streets terrified her and the more she saw
+of the great metropolis the less confidence she felt in her own power to
+wrest a living from it, single-handed and alone.
+
+After leaving Mr. Forest's office they took luncheon at the Southards.
+Mr. Southard and Anne had a matinee in the afternoon. That evening they
+were to give the final performance of their season, which had run later
+than usual. Kathleen had an assignment for her paper for the afternoon,
+so Miss Southard took Evelyn to a matinee at one of the theaters. That
+evening the little party met at six o'clock in Mr. Southard's dressing
+room, where their dinner was brought in and served to them. Afterward
+Kathleen, Miss Southard and Evelyn sat in a box and saw Everett Southard
+and Anne in "The Merchant of Venice."
+
+After the theater came a little supper at the Southards' home to which
+Mr. Vernon, Kathleen's fiance, was also invited. Miss Southard had
+insisted that Kathleen and Evelyn should be her guests for the remainder
+of their stay in New York, and it was under the Southards' hospitable
+roof that Evelyn fell asleep that night after one of the happiest, most
+eventful days she had ever spent.
+
+Sunday morning soon slipped by. It seemed hardly half an hour from
+breakfast until train time. The charming informality with which the
+actor and his sister treated her made Evelyn feel as though she had
+known them for a very long time. In the enjoyment of the moment she
+quite forgot the real reason of her journey to New York, and it was only
+when Miss Southard invited her to come to their home to live as soon as
+college was over, in order that Mr. Southard might help her with her new
+part, that the humiliating remembrance of her misdeeds returned to her
+with sickening force.
+
+"You must write to your sister, my dear, and explain everything," said
+Miss Southard. "If you will give me her address I will write to her too.
+That is one point on which Everett is most particular. He would not
+encourage a young girl to enter upon the life of the stage without the
+full consent of her parents or guardian."
+
+When finally she and Kathleen had said good-bye to the Southards, who
+had seen them to their train, and were settled for the long ride to
+Overton, Evelyn faltered, "Kathleen, all the time I was with the
+Southards I felt just like a traitor. Do you think I ought to have told
+them everything? It's not fair to them to masquerade under false
+colors."
+
+Kathleen eyed her companion searchingly. Evelyn's conscience was no
+longer sleeping. It was now wide awake and tormenting her.
+
+"I'm glad you feel as you do about it, Evelyn," was her blunt rejoinder.
+"It shows that you are on the right road. I don't believe it is
+necessary for you to tell the Southards anything. Still there is another
+person who must decide that."
+
+"You mean Miss Harlowe?"
+
+Kathleen nodded.
+
+"I can't bear to face her." Evelyn's voice sank almost to a whisper.
+
+"You are not the only one who has said that." There was a curiously
+significant ring in Kathleen's voice that made Evelyn look at her in
+mute inquiry.
+
+"Let me tell you of another girl who had to face the same situation."
+Kathleen began with her entrance into Overton as a freshman and told
+Evelyn the story of her hatred of Grace and her betrayal of Grace's
+trust, of how Elfreda had shown her the way to reparation and the
+gaining of true college spirit, and of how she had tried in a small
+measure to redeem the past by writing "Loyalheart" as a belated tribute
+to Grace.
+
+Evelyn listened with somber attentiveness. The past three days had
+taught her more of life than had her entire eighteen years. She had
+lately begun to see what college might mean to the girl who lived up to
+its traditions. Until the moment of hearing Kathleen's story she had
+felt that Grace Harlowe must despise her utterly. Now she fixed solemn
+blue eyes on Kathleen. "Do you believe Miss Harlowe will ever forgive
+me?" was her mournful question.
+
+"Of course she will. You don't know her as I do."
+
+Kathleen's emphatic assurance had a visibly cheering effect upon the
+other girl. When they reached Overton, however, her dread of meeting
+Grace returned with renewed force. "I can't face her to-night," she
+pleaded.
+
+"We are going to Harlowe House now. Come on." Kathleen grasped Evelyn's
+arm and piloted her up the street at a brisk pace. Neither girl ever
+forgot that walk across the campus.
+
+"Here we are." They had mounted the steps of Harlowe House. Kathleen
+rang the bell.
+
+A moment's wait and the door opened. Grace stood peering out at the two
+girls. "I knew you'd come. I've been watching for you," she cried. She
+held out her hands to Evelyn, who dropped her suit case and grasped them
+with a half smothered sob.
+
+"Come up to my room." Slipping her arm about Evelyn, Grace drew her
+toward the stairs.
+
+"Good night, Grace, I'll see you to-morrow." The vestibule door closed
+with a decided click. Kathleen did not wish to be a third party. Grace
+and Evelyn were better off without her.
+
+Once in Grace's room Evelyn broke down. "Oh, Miss Harlowe, can you, will
+you forgive me?" she sobbed.
+
+"You mustn't cry so, Miss Ward," soothed Grace. "Of course I forgive
+you. If Miss West had not brought you home to me I intended to go to New
+York City to look for you. Remember, you are, and I hope will be until
+your college days are over, a Harlowe House girl."
+
+"You are too good to me," sobbed Evelyn.
+
+Grace led her gently to a chair. "Sit down," she urged.
+
+Evelyn sank into the chair. "I can't come back to Overton next year."
+Her head drooped in shame and humiliation.
+
+"You must," said Grace simply, "for your own sake as well as your
+sister's. She must never be worried with the slightest inkling of what
+has happened. It is to be a secret. Outside of Miss Dean and Miss West
+no one except ourselves knows."
+
+"Miss Pierson and Mr. Southard took me to see Mr. Forest. He engaged me
+to play a part in his new play 'The Reckoning,'" began Evelyn. "I--I
+didn't--tell--the Southards--about--things. Kathleen wouldn't let me,
+but she says I must tell them if you say so. I'd--rather. I--I want to
+be--honest--now--and--and always." Evelyn's voice shook with the
+intensity of her feelings.
+
+"Kathleen was right in not allowing you to tell them. You have suffered
+enough, Evelyn. You must look to the future. Your work this summer will
+make it possible for you to pay the money you owe Semper Fidelis and
+your college expenses too."
+
+Grace's sensible, practical, words, went far toward restoring Evelyn to
+her normal self. The two young women talked long and earnestly. It was
+after eleven o'clock when Evelyn rose to go to her room.
+
+"I'll prove to you that I am worthy of your trust," she said with
+shining eyes. "I'll make you and Ida proud of me yet."
+
+After she had gone to her room Grace sat for a little, her hands idly
+folded, her thoughts on the girl who had found herself after many false
+starts. How glad she was that everything had turned out so beautifully,
+thanks to Kathleen's chance meeting with Evelyn. What a power for good
+Kathleen had become. Yes, college was really the place where one
+eventually found oneself. And now her first year of work was almost
+over. Another week and she would be back in dear old Oakdale. With the
+thought of home Tom Gray's earnest, boyish face rose before her. It cast
+a faint shadow on the pleasure of the coming reunion with her family and
+friends. She hated to feel that she was making Tom unhappy, yet she was
+equally certain that, with her, work still came first.
+
+"I can't give up my work," she said aloud.
+
+"Well, who said you should?" demanded Emma Dean's matter-of-fact tones.
+The door stood partly open and Emma had entered just in time to hear
+Grace's emphatic utterance.
+
+"Has the prodigal returned?"
+
+"She has," smiled Grace. Grace recounted what had taken place that
+evening. "Isn't it wonderful how college helps these girls to find
+themselves, Emma?" she asked when she had finished her recital.
+
+"College and Grace Harlowe," declared Emma.
+
+"You mustn't say that," Grace colored and shook her head in emphatic
+denial.
+
+"Oh, yes, I must, because it is the truth," insisted Emma. "Dear
+Loyalheart, your Highway of Life led you back into the Land of College,
+didn't it?"
+
+Grace nodded. "I'm going to stay in the Land of College too, Emma. I was
+just thinking about it when you came in. That was what made me say, 'I
+can't give up my work.'"
+
+"Overton needs you, and Harlowe House needs you, and Emma Dean needs
+you, but are you sure that some one else does not need you more than we
+do?" questioned Emma slyly.
+
+"That's three to one, Emma, and the majority rules," evaded Grace. "Will
+you be my roommate, mentor and comforter next year?"
+
+"Most Gracious Grace, I will, and there's my hand on it."
+
+How fully Emma Dean kept her promise and what Grace's second year on the
+campus brought her will be told in "Grace Harlowe's Problem,"
+the record of her further college life at Harlowe House.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton
+Campus, by Jessie Graham Flower
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