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Grace Harlowe's Senior Year at High School

by Josephine Chase · English · Gutenberg #4940 · 298,745 chars · public domain (US)

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Title: Grace Harlowe's Senior Year at High School

Author: Josephine Chase


        
Release date: January 31, 2007 [eBook #4940]

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4940

Credits: Produced by Robert Rowe, Charles Franks, Mary Meehan, David
        Newman and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team


*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL ***




Produced by Robert Rowe, Charles Franks, Mary Meehan, David
Newman and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team









                 Grace Harlowe's Senior Year at High School

                                    OR

                          The Parting of the Ways

                       BY JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A. M.

Author of Grace Harlowe's Plebe Year at High School, Grace Harlowe's
Sophomore Year at High School, Grace Harlowe's Junior Year at High
School, etc.




[Illustration: "Who is that Girl?"]




CONTENTS


       I. A Puzzling Resemblance

      II. What the Day Brought Forth

     III. What Happened in Room Forty-Seven

      IV. Grace Turns in the Fire Alarm

       V. Nora Becomes a Prize "Suggester"

      VI. The Thanksgiving Bazaar

     VII. A Thief in the Night

    VIII. Marian Asserts Her Independence

      IX. The Judge's House Party

       X. Christmas with Judge

      XI. Santa Claus Visits the Judge

     XII. The mistletoe Bough

    XIII. Tom and Grace Scent Trouble

     XIV. Grace and Anne Plan a Study Campaign

      XV. The Phi Sigma Taus Meet with a Loss

     XVI. The Unexpected Happens

    XVII. Anne Becomes Famous

   XVIII. The Theatre Party

     XIX. Grace Meets with a Rebuff

      XX. Marian's Confession

     XXI. What Happened at the Haunted House

    XXII. Grace and Eleanor Make a Formal Call

   XXIII. The Message of the Violin

    XXIV. The Parting of the Ways




LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS


"Who is that Girl?"

The Girls Circled Around the Judge

Hippy Sat With A Piece of Fudge in Either Hand

Grace Held Her Breath in Astonishment




Grace Harlowe's Senior Year at High School




CHAPTER I

A PUZZLING RESEMBLANCE


"Oakdale won't seem like the same place. What shall we do without you?"
exclaimed Grace Harlowe mournfully.

It was a sunny afternoon in early October, and Grace Harlowe with her
three chums, Anne Pierson, Nora O'Malley and Jessica Bright, stood
grouped around three young men on the station platform at Oakdale. For
Hippy Wingate, Reddy Brooks and David Nesbit were leaving that afternoon
to begin a four years' course in an eastern college, and a number of
relatives and friends had gathered to wish them godspeed.

Those who have read "Grace Harlowe's Plebe Year at High School"
need no introduction to these three young men or to the girl chums. The
doings of these merry girls made the record of their freshman year
memorable indeed. The winning of the freshman prize by Anne Pierson,
despite the determined opposition and plotting of Miriam Nesbit, also
aspiring to that honor, Mrs. Gray's Christmas party, the winter picnic
that ended in an adventure with wolves, and many other stirring events
furnished plenty of excitement for the readers of that volume.

In "Grace Harlowe's Sophomore Year at High School" the interest
of the story was centered around the series of basketball games played
by the sophomore and junior classes for the High School championship. In
this volume was narrated the efforts of Miriam Nesbit, aided by Julia
Crosby, the disagreeable junior captain, to discredit Anne, and force
Grace to resign the captaincy of her team. The rescue of Julia by Grace
from drowning during a skating party served to bring about a
reconciliation between the two girls and clear Anne's name of the
suspicion resting upon it. The two classes, formerly at sword's points,
became friendly, and buried the hatchet, although Miriam Nesbit, still
bitterly jealous of Grace's popularity, planned a revenge upon Grace
that nearly resulted in making her miss playing on her team during the
deciding game. Grace's encounter with an escaped lunatic, David Nesbit's
trial flight in his aeroplane, were incidents that also held the
undivided attention of the reader.

In "Grace Harlowe's Junior Year at High School" the four chums
appeared as members of the famous sorority, the "Phi Sigma Tau,"
organized by Grace for the purpose of helping needy High School girls.

In that volume Eleanor Savelli, the self-willed, temperamental daughter
of an Italian violin virtuoso, furnished much of the interest of the
book. The efforts of Grace and her chums to create in this girl a
healthy, wholesome enjoyment for High School life, and her repudiation
of their friendship, and subsequent attempts to revenge herself for
fancied slights and insults, served to make the story absorbing.

The walking expedition through Upton Wood, the rescue of Mabel Allison,
an orphan, by the Phi Sigma Tau, from the tender mercies of a cruel and
ignorant woman with whom she lived, proved interesting reading.

The class play in which Eleanor plotted to oust Anne Pierson, the star,
from the production and obtain the leading part for herself, the
discovery of the plot at the eleventh hour by Grace, enabling her to
balk Eleanor's scheme, were among the incidents that aroused anew the
admiration of the reader for capable, wide-awake Grace Harlowe.

The seven young people on the platform looked unusually solemn, and a
brief silence followed Grace's wistful question. Saying good-bye
threatened to be a harder task than any of them had imagined it to be.
Even Hippy, usually ready of speech, wore a look of concern decidedly
out of place on his fat, good-humored face.

"Do say something funny, Hippy!" exclaimed Nora in desperation. "This
silence is awful. In another minute we'll all be weeping. Can't you
offer something cheerful?"

Hippy fixed a reflective eye upon Nora for an instant, then recited in a
husky voice:

    "Remember well, and bear in mind,
    That fat young men are hard to find."

There was a shout of laughter went up at this and things began to take a
brighter turn.

"Now will you be good, Nora?" teased David.

"Humph!" sniffed Nora. "I knew his sadness was only skin deep."

"After all," said Anne Pierson, "why should we look at the gloomy side.
You are all coming home for Thanksgiving and the time will slip by
before we realize it. It's our duty to send you boys away in good
spirits, instead of making you feel blue and melancholy."

"Anne always thinks about her duty," laughed Jessica, "but she's right,
nevertheless. Let's all be as cheerful as possible."

"I hear the train coming," cried Grace, always on the alert. "Do write
to us, won't you, boys! Please don't forget to send us some pictures of
the college."

"Yes, don't let that new Eastman of yours go to waste, Reddy," said
Nora.

"I will make Hippy pose the minute we strike the college campus,"
laughed Reddy, "and you shall have the first results, providing they are
not too terrifying."

"I want pictures of the college, not the inmates," retorted Nora.

"Inmates!" cried Hippy. "One would think she was speaking of a lunatic
asylum or a jail. I forgive you, Nora, but it was a cruel thrust. Here
comes the train. Get busy, you fellows, and make your fond farewells to
your families, who will no doubt be tickled pink to get rid of you for a
while."

With that he made a rush to where his father and brother stood. David
turned to his mother and sister Miriam, kissing them affectionately,
while Reddy grasped his father's hand with silent affection in his eyes.

The last good-byes were reserved for the four chums, who felt lumps rise
in their throats in spite of their recently avowed declaration to be
cheerful.

Nora shoved a white box tied up with blue ribbon into Hippy's hand just
as he was about to board the train.

"It's walnut fudge," she said. "But it isn't all for you. Be generous,
and let David and Reddy have some, too."

"Good-bye. Good-bye. Don't forget us," chorused the chums as the train
pulled out, while the young men waved farewell from the open windows.

"I hope I won't be called upon to say good-bye to any more of my friends
for a blue moon!" exclaimed Grace. "I hate good-byes. When it comes my
turn to go to college I believe I shall slip away quietly without saying
a word to a soul except mother."

"You know you couldn't leave your little playmates in such a heartless
manner," said Jessica. "We'd visit you in nightmares the whole of your
freshman year if you even attempted such a thing."

"Oh, well, if you are going to use threats I expect I shall have to
forego my vanishing act," said Grace, with a smile.

The four girls had walked the length of the platform and were about to
turn in at the entrance leading to the street when Grace suddenly
clutched Anne, pointing, and crying out, "Oh, look! look!"

Three pairs of eyes were turned instantly in the direction of her
finger, just in time to see a dark blue touring car crash against a tree
at the foot of the hilly street leading down to the station.

Its two occupants, the chauffeur and a woman who sat in the tonneau,
were thrown out with considerable force and lay motionless at one side
of the street.

In a twinkling the four girls had reached the woman's side. Grace knelt
beside her, then sat down on the pavement, raising the stranger's head
until it rested in her lap. The woman lay white and still, although on
placing a hand to her heart Grace found that it was beating faintly.
Calling for water, she dashed it in the woman's face, without any
noticeable results.

By this time a crowd had collected and several men were busy with the
chauffeur, who was conscious, but moaned as though in pain.

"Do go for a doctor, please," Grace cried to her chums. "I am afraid
this woman is badly hurt."

"Here's Dr. Gale now," exclaimed Anne as the old doctor came hurrying
across the street.

"Hello, what's the matter here?" he called. "It's a good thing I
happened to be driving by."

"Oh, Dr. Gale, do look at this poor woman. She must have struck her
head, for she lies as though she were dead."

Kneeling beside the stranger, the doctor busied himself with her, and
after a little time the woman opened her eyes and gazed vaguely about,
then again relapsed into unconsciousness.

"Whom does she resemble?" thought Grace. "Her face has a familiar look,
though I am sure I have never before seen her."

"Stand back and give her air," ordered the doctor, and the circling
crowd fell back a little.

"Grace, look out for her while I order the ambulance and see to this
man."

The doctor bustled over to the injured chauffeur, and began his
examination.

"Broken arm," he said briefly. "Send them both to the hospital."

The ambulance proved large enough to hold both victims of the accident
and the attendant took them in charge, and signaled the driver, who
headed for the city hospital, leaving the crowd to examine the big car.

"It's pretty badly damaged," said one man. "It must have hit that tree
with a terrific crash. Skidded, I suppose."

"Come on, girls," said Anne. "There is no use in staying here any
longer. We've had excitement enough for one day."

"I should say so," shuddered Jessica. "I hope that woman doesn't die. We
must go to the hospital to-morrow and inquire for her."

"Of course," responded Anne. "What a sweet face she had, and her eyes
were such a beautiful brown, but they haunted me. There is something so
familiar about them."

"Why, that's just what I thought, too!" cried Grace. "Who is it she
resembles?"

"Give it up," said Nora. "Although I noticed it, too."

Jessica alone made no remark. Her face wore a puzzled frown, as though
she were searching her memory for something.

"Oh, well, what's the use of worrying over a resemblance," said Nora. "I
wonder what days visitors are allowed at the hospital."

"By the way, Jessica," said Anne, "where is Mabel! She usually waits for
you."

"Mabel is--" began Jessica. Then she stopped, her eyes filling with
wonder, almost alarm. "Girls," she cried, her voice rising to an excited
scream. "I know who that woman resembles! She looks like Mabel Allison."




CHAPTER II

WHAT THE DAY BROUGHT FORTH


For a second the three girls fairly gasped at Jessica's discovery. Grace
was the first to speak.

"You have hit the nail on the head, Jessica. That's why her face seemed
so familiar. The resemblance is striking."

The four girls glanced from one to another, the same thought in mind.
Perhaps the mystery of Mabel Allison's parentage was to be solved at
last.

Those who have read "Grace Harlowe's Junior Year at High
School" will recall how the Phi Sigma Tau became interested in
Mabel Allison, a young girl taken from an orphanage by Miss Brant, a
woman devoid of either gentleness or sympathy, who treated her young
charge with great cruelty.

It will be remembered that through the efforts of Grace and Jessica,
aided by Jessica's father, Miss Brant was forced to give Mabel up, and
she became a member of the Bright household, and the especial protegee
of the Phi Sigma Tau.

Grace and her friends had always believed Mabel to be a child of good
family. She had been picked up in the streets of New York when a baby,
and taken to the police station, where she had been held for some time,
but on remaining unclaimed, had been sent to an orphanage outside New
York City, where she had spent her life until she had been brought to
Oakdale by Miss Brant.

Although Mabel had been in the Bright household but a few months,
Jessica, who was motherless, had become deeply attached to her, while
Jessica's father was equally fond of the young girl.

She had spent her vacation with the Phi Sigma Tau, who were the guests
of Judge Putnam, a prominent Oakdale citizen, and his sister at their
camp in the Adirondacks. The judge had conceived a great affection for
her, and on hearing her story had offered to adopt her.

This proved a cross to Jessica, who was torn between her desire to keep
Mabel with her, and the feeling that the opportunity was too great for
Mabel to refuse. Mabel had left the decision to Jessica, and the judge
was still awaiting his answer.

"I might have known something would happen to take her away," almost
wailed Jessica. "First, the judge, and now--"

"Don't be a goose, Jessica," said Nora stoutly, "and don't jump at the
conclusion that this strange woman is a relative of Mabel's. There are
lots of chance resemblances."

"Of course there are," consoled Grace. "When we go to the hospital
to-morrow we'll find no doubt that our stranger is named 'Smith' or
'Brown' or anything except 'Allison.'"

"Don't worry, dear," said Anne, slipping her hand into Jessica's. "No
one will take your one chicken from you."

"I don't know about that," responded Jessica gloomily. "I feel in my
bones that something terrible is going to happen. I suppose you girls
think me foolish about Mabel, but I've no mother or sister, and you know
yourselves what a dear Mabel is."

"Forget it," advised Nora wisely. "We've had enough to harrow our young
feelings to-day. Let's go and drown our sorrows in sundaes. I'll treat
until my money gives out, and then the rest of you can take up the good
work."

"Who will go to the hospital with me to-morrow!" asked Grace when they
were seated around a table at Stillman's.

"Let me see. To-morrow is Sunday," said Jessica. "I'm afraid I can't go.
Papa is going to take Mabel and me for a drive."

"I'll go with, you," volunteered Nora.

"And I," said Anne.

"Good girls," commended Grace. "Meet me here at three o'clock. I am
fairly sure that visitors are allowed on Sunday, but if I am mistaken we
can at least go to the office and inquire for our stranger."

The three girls met in front of Stillman's at exactly three o'clock the
following afternoon, and set out for the hospital.

"Visitors are allowed on Sunday from three until five," remarked Grace
as they strolled down Main Street. "I telephoned last night to the
hospital. Our stranger is not seriously hurt. She is badly shaken up,
and awfully nervous. If she feels more calm to-day we may be allowed to
see her."

"What is her name?" asked Anne.

Grace looked blank, then exclaimed: "Why, girls, how stupid of me! I
forgot to ask. I was so interested in hearing about her condition that I
never thought of that."

"Well, our curiosity will soon be satisfied in that respect," said Nora,
"for here we are at the hospital."

"We should like to see the woman who was thrown from the automobile
yesterday afternoon," said Grace to the matron. "Is she able to receive
visitors?"

"Oh, yes," replied the matron. "She is sitting in a wheeled chair on the
second-story veranda. Miss Elton," she called to a nurse who had just
entered, "take these young women up to the veranda, they wish to see the
patient who has 47."

"What is her--" began Grace. But at that moment a nurse hurried in with
a communication for the matron. Grace waited a moment, bent on repeating
her question, but the nurse said rather impatiently, "This way, please,"
and the opportunity was lost.

The three girls began to feel a trifle diffident as they approached the
stranger who was seated in a wheeled chair in a corner of the veranda.

"Visitors to see you, madam," said the nurse curtly, halting before the
patient. "Be careful not to over-exert yourself," and was gone.

The woman in the chair turned quickly at the nurse's words, her eyes
resting upon the three girls.

Grace felt a queer little shiver creep up and down her spine. The
resemblance between the stranger and Mabel Allison was even more
remarkable to-day.

"How do you do, my dears," said the woman with a sweet smile, extending
her hand in turn to the three girls. "Under the circumstances I am sure
you will pardon me for not rising."

Her voice was clear and well modulated.

"Please don't think of it," cried Grace. "We saw the accident yesterday.
We were afraid you were seriously injured, and we couldn't resist coming
to see you. I am Grace Harlowe, and these are my friends Nora O'Malley
and Anne Pierson."

"I am very pleased to know you," responded the stranger. "It is so sweet
to know that you thought of me."

"Miss Harlowe was the first to reach you, after your accident," said
Anne, knowing that Grace herself would avoid mentioning it. "She held
your head in her lap until the doctor came."

"Then I am deeply indebted to you," returned the patient, again taking
Grace's hand in hers, "and I hope to know you better. I dearly love
young girls."

She motioned them to a broad settee near her chair.

"There!" she exclaimed. "Now I can look at all of you at the same time.
I am far more able to appreciate you to-day than I was at this time
yesterday. It was all so dreadful," she shuddered slightly, then
continued.

"I have never before been in an accident. I had been spending a week
with some friends of mine who have a place a few miles from here called
'Hawk's Nest.' Perhaps you know of it?"

The three girls exchanged glances. "Hawk's Nest" was one of the finest
estates in that part of the state, and the Gibsons who owned it had
unlimited wealth.

"I was summoned to New York on business and had barely time to make my
train. Mrs. Gibson's chauffeur had been running the car at a high rate
of speed, and just as we reached the little incline above the station,
the machine skidded, and we crashed into that tree. I felt a frightful
jar that seemed to loosen every bone in my body, and remembered nothing
further until I came back to earth again, here in the hospital."

"You opened your eyes, once, before the ambulance came," said Grace.

"Did I!" smiled the stranger. "I do not remember it. But, really, I am
very rude! I have not told you my name."

"It's coming," thought Grace, unconsciously bracing herself. Nora and
Anne had also straightened up, their eyes fastened on the speaker.

"My name is Allison," said the woman, wholly unaware of the bombshell
she had exploded. "I am a widow and quite alone in the world. My husband
died a number of years ago."

"I knew it, I knew it," muttered Grace.

"What did you say, my dear?" asked Mrs. Allison.

But Grace was silent. The woman was too nervous as yet to hear the news.
Perhaps after all the name was a mere coincidence.

Anne, understanding Grace's silence, hurriedly took up the conversation.

"Are you familiar with this part of the country?" she asked.

"I have not been here for a number of years," replied Mrs. Allison,
"although my friends, the Gibsons, have sent me repeated invitations.
Mrs. Gibson and I went through Vassar together."

"We expect to go to college next year," said Grace. "We are seniors in
Oakdale High School."

"The years a young girl spends in college are usually the happiest of
her whole life," said Mrs. Allison, with a sigh. "Everything is rose
colored. She forms high ideals that help to sweeten life for her long
after her college career is over. The friendships she forms are usually
worth while, too. Mrs. Gibson and I have kept track of one another even
since graduation. We have shared our joys and sorrows, and in my darkest
hours her loyal friendship and ready sympathy have been a heaven-sent
blessing to me."

"We three girls are sworn friends," said Grace, "and we have another
chum, too. She was very sorry that she could not come to-day. She will
be glad to know that you are so much better. Her name is Jessica Bright.
She was with us at the station yesterday."

"I should like to meet her," said Mrs. Allison, "and I thank her for her
interest in me. I really feel as though I had known you three girls for
a long time. I wish you would tell me more of yourselves and your school
life."

"There isn't much to tell," laughed Grace. "The life of a school-girl is
not crowded with many stirring events."

"You have no idea of how much has happened to Grace, Mrs. Allison, since
we began High School," interposed Nora. "She never will talk about the
splendid things she has done for other people. She is the president of
her class, the captain of the senior basketball team, too, and the most
popular girl in Oakdale High School."

"I refuse to plead guilty to the last statement!" exclaimed Grace.
"Believe me, Mrs. Allison, there are a dozen girls in High School who
are far more popular than I."

"There is only one Grace Harlowe," said Anne, with conviction.

"It is a case of two against one, Miss Grace," laughed Mrs. Allison. "I
insist upon hearing about some of your good works."

"It's really time for us to go, girls," said Grace, laughing a little.
She rose and held out her hand to the older woman.

"You are very cruel," smiled Mrs. Allison. "You arouse my curiosity and
then refuse to satisfy it. But you cannot escape so easily. You must
come to see me again before I leave here. I shall not try to return to
the Gibsons before Wednesday. I expect Mr. Gibson here to-morrow and he
will attend to my New York business for me. If I had accepted his offer
in the first place, I might have spared myself this accident. However, I
am glad, now. It has brought me charming friends. For I feel that we
shall become friends," she added, stretching out both hands. "When will
you come again?"

"On Tuesday afternoon after school," replied Grace promptly. "And we
will bring Miss Bright, too, unless she and Mabel have some other
engagement."

There was purpose in Grace's last remark. She wished to see if the name
"Mabel" made any impression upon her listener, and therefore kept her
eyes fixed upon Mrs. Allison.

As Grace carelessly mentioned the name she saw an expression of pain
flit across Mrs. Allison's fine face.

"I shall be glad to see Miss Bright," she said quietly. "Is the 'Mabel'
you speak of her sister?"

"No," replied Grace hastily, "she is a girl friend. May we bring her
with us?"

"Do so by all means," rejoined Mrs. Allison. "She bears the name I love
best in all the world." An expression of deep sadness crept into her
face as she uttered these words, and she looked past her callers with
unseeing eyes. "Good-bye, Mrs. Allison," said Grace, and the older woman
roused herself with a start.

"Good-bye, my dears," she responded. "Be sure to come to me on Tuesday."

"We'll be here," chorused the three girls. "Take good care of yourself."

Not a word was spoken until they reached the street.

"Well!" exclaimed Grace. "What do you think of the whole thing?"

"I think there are several people due to get a shock," said Nora
emphatically.

"I am sorry for Jessica," said Anne. "It will be very hard for her to
give Mabel up."

"Then you think--" said Grace, looking at Anne.

"I am reasonably sure," replied Anne quietly, "from what I have heard
and seen to-day that Mabel is no longer motherless."




CHAPTER III

WHAT HAPPENED IN ROOM FORTY-SEVEN


As the last period of study drew to an end on Tuesday afternoon, the
hearts of the four girl chums beat a trifle faster than usual. What if
after all their conjectures were to prove erroneous, and Mabel Allison
was not the long-lost daughter of the woman in the hospital? All they
had to go by was the remarkable resemblance between the two, and the
slight emotion displayed by Mrs. Allison at the mention of Mabel's name.

When Grace had repeated the details of their call at the hospital to
Jessica, the latter had turned very white, but had said bravely, "I
expected it. We will go with you on Tuesday. Shall I prepare Mabel for
it?"

"No," Grace had replied. "We may find ourselves mistaken, and think what
a cruel disappointment it would be to Mabel. I don't mean by that
Jessica, that Mabel is anxious to leave you, but you know perfectly well
that the desire of Mabel's life is that she may some day find her
parents."

In almost utter silence the four chums, accompanied by Mabel Allison,
crossed the campus and turned into High School Street at the close of
the afternoon session on Tuesday. Each girl seemed busy with her own
thoughts.

"What has come over you girls?" inquired Mabel curiously. "When four of
the liveliest girls in school become mum as the proverbial oyster,
surely something is going to happen."

"'Coming events cast their shadows before'" said Anne half dreamily.

"Well, I wish they'd stop casting shadows over my little playmates
then," laughed Mabel.

At this remark Grace made an effort to appear unconcerned.

"Are you going to play on the junior basketball team this year, Mabel?"
she asked, by way of changing the subject.

"I don't know," replied Mabel. "I feel as though I ought to study every
minute I am in High School, in order to be more thoroughly capable of
earning my own living. I don't expect to be forever dependent upon my
friends."

"Dependent, indeed," sniffed Jessica. "You know perfectly well, you bad
child, that papa and I have been the gainers since you came to us, and
now--" she stopped just in time.

"'And now,' what?" asked Mabel.

"Here we are at the hospital," broke in Nora without giving Jessica time
to answer.

The little party waited what seemed to them an interminable length of
time; although it was in reality not more than five minutes before the
attendant returned with the news that they might see the patient in 47.

Grace had purposely voiced their request in so low a tone that Mabel had
not heard her mention the patient's name, and she accompanied the four
girls without the faintest idea of what their call might mean to her.

"Now for it," breathed Grace, as they paused at the door of 47.

"Come in," said a sweet voice, in answer to the attendant's knock, and
the five girls were ushered into Mrs. Allison's presence.

"How are my young friends, to-day!" she cried gayly, rising from the
easy chair in which she was sitting and coming forward with
out-stretched hands.

"Very well, indeed," replied Grace, Anne and Nora in a breath as they
shook hands.

"Mrs. Allison," said Grace hurriedly, "these are my friends, Miss
Jessica Bright and Miss Mabel Allison."

The woman who was in the act of acknowledging the introduction to
Jessica started violently when Grace pronounced Mabel's name, dropped
Jessica's hand and began to tremble as she caught sight of Mabel, who
stood behind Jessica, an expression of amazement in her brown eyes, that
the patient's name should be the same as her own.

"Who--who--" gasped the woman, pointing at Mabel, then overcome sank
into her chair, covering her face with her hands.

Grace sprang to her side in an instant, kneeling beside her chair.

"Mrs. Allison," she cried impulsively. "Forgive me. I should not have
startled you so. I did not really know, although I felt sure that--"

But Mrs. Allison had uncovered her face and was looking eagerly at
Mabel, who stood the picture of mystification.

"Who is that young girl who bears the name of my baby, and where did she
come from?" asked the patient hoarsely.

"Speak to her," whispered Jessica, pushing Mabel forward.

"I am Mabel Isabel Allison--" began Mabel, but before she could proceed
further the woman had risen, and clasping the girl in her arms, began
smoothing her hair and kissing her, laughing and crying hysterically.
"You are my baby girl that I lost long ago, my own little Mabel. I know
it. I know it."

"Mrs. Allison," said Grace firmly, placing her arm around the sobbing
woman, who seemed to have entirely lost control of her emotions, "try
and be calm. There is so much to tell. Will you listen to me? And you
must sit down, you were not strong enough for this. We should have
waited."

Mrs. Allison partially released Mabel from her embrace, though she still
held her hand, and allowed Grace to gently push her back toward her
chair.

"I don't quite understand you, my dear," she said brokenly. "But I am
sure that I have found my own dear little child."

"And I am sure of it, too," replied Grace. "In fact, we have suspected
it since the day we first saw you at the station. We noticed the marked
resemblance between you and Mabel, and when you told us your name was
Allison we all felt that you might be Mabel's mother. Do you feel strong
enough to hear our story and to tell us yours?"

"Tell me quickly," exclaimed Mrs. Allison eagerly, recovering in a
measure from her violent agitation. "I must know the truth. It seems
incredible that I should find my lost baby girl alive and in good hands.
I am surely dreaming. It cannot be true. Yet she has the same sweet,
serious expression in her brown eyes that she had in babyhood. Even her
middle name, Isabel, that her father insisted upon giving her because it
is mine!"

Anne, dreading another outbreak, gently interposed. "Try and be calm,
Mrs. Allison, while we tell you about Mabel."

Then Anne began with the winning of the freshman prize by Mabel at the
close of her freshman year, and the interest she had aroused in the girl
chums, and followed with the story of her adoption by the Phi Sigma Tau.

Mrs. Allison listened in rapt attention until Anne had finished. "God is
good," she murmured. "A higher power surely willed that Mabel should
find true and worthy friends."

Then she began questioning Mabel about her life in the orphanage. Did
Mabel have any recollection of the day she was brought there? Had Mary
Stevens, the attendant, ever described the clothing that she had worn
when found?

"I have the baby pins I wore with me. Jessica asked me to wear them
to-day," replied Mabel, who looked like a person just awakened from a
deep sleep. She had not yet reached a full comprehension of what it all
meant.

"Let me see them," cried Mrs. Allison.

Mabel mechanically detached one of the little gold pins from her collar
and handed it to Mrs. Allison, who examined it closely for a moment,
then dropping it with a little cry, again clasped Mabel in her arms.

"They are the pins I had specially made and engraved for you," she said.
"There is no longer any doubt. You are my lost child."

At these words a light of complete understanding seemed to dawn upon
Mabel, and with a cry of rapture she wound her arms about her mother's
neck.

It was a joyful, though rather a trying moment for the four chums, who
were seized with a hysterical desire to laugh and cry in the same
breath. Grace made a slight motion toward the door, which her friends
were not slow to comprehend. It was her intention to slip quietly away
and leave the mother and daughter alone with their new-found happiness.

Before she could put her plan into execution, however, Mrs. Allison
divined her intention and turning quickly toward her, said, "Don't go,
Grace. I feel as though you girls belonged to me, too. Besides, you have
not heard my part of this story yet."

"Perhaps you are hardly strong enough to tell us after so much
excitement," deprecated Grace.

"My dear, I feel as though I had just begun to live," answered Mrs.
Allison. "The past has been one long dreary blank. If you only knew the
years of agony I have passed through. When you hear my story you will
understand why this reunion is little short of miraculous.

"My home is in Denver. Mabel was born there," continued Mrs. Allison.
"Fourteen years ago this summer my husband and I decided to spend the
summer in Europe, taking with us our baby daughter, Mabel, and her
nurse.

"On the morning that we were to sail, circumstances arose that made it
necessary for my husband and myself to be in New York until almost
sailing time. He therefore sent the nurse, a French woman, who was
thoroughly familiar with the city, on ahead to the vessel, with Mabel in
her care. We had barely time to catch the boat and were met by the
nurse, who said that she had left Mabel asleep in one of the state rooms
engaged for us. It was not until we had put out to sea that we
discovered that Mabel was missing, and a thorough search of the ship was
at once made. The nurse persisted in her statement that Mabel went
aboard with her. Every nook and cranny of the ship was overhauled, but
my child could not be found, and the supposition was that she had in
some way fallen overboard.

"I was distracted with grief, and nearly lost my reason, and when we
reached the other side I passed into a long illness. It was many weeks
before I returned to consciousness of my affairs, and the terrible
realization that my baby was gone forever. I felt as though I could not
face the future without her. I had scarcely recovered from the first
shock attending my great loss, when my husband contracted typhoid fever
and died after an illness of five weeks.

"We were in Florence, Italy, at the time and I prayed that I might die,
too. It was during those dark hours that Mrs. Gibson proved her
friendship for me. She sailed for Italy the instant she received the
cablegram announcing my husband's death, and brought me back to America
with her. I spent a year with her in her New York home, before returning
to Denver. Since then I have never been east until this summer.

"Four months ago I received a letter from the nurse who had charge of
Mabel on the day of her disappearance. It was a great surprise to me, as
she had left us directly after we landed with the intention of returning
to France. But the news the letter contained was a far greater surprise,
for she stated that Mabel had never gone aboard the vessel.

"The nurse had had some personal business to attend to before going
aboard, and in order to save time had taken Mabel with her. In some
inexplicable manner Mabel had strayed from her side. She had made
frantic search for the child and finally, not daring to go to us with
the truth, had conceived the idea of making us believe that she had
taken Mabel aboard the ship. She had bribed the purser, a Frenchman whom
she knew, to corroborate her story, and had succeeded in her treacherous
design.

"She wrote that she had longed over and over again to confess the truth,
but had not dared to do so. She had heart trouble, she said, and her
days were numbered. Therefore she felt that she must confess the truth
before it became too late.

"You can imagine," said Mrs. Allison, "the effect this letter had upon
me. For fourteen years I had mourned my child as dead. It seemed
infinitely worse to hear that she had not died then, but was perhaps
alive, and in what circumstances?

"The day I received the letter I took the train for the east, wiring the
Gibsons to meet me, and aided by them engaged the best detective service
upon the case. There was little or nothing to furnish us with a clue,
for the nurse's lying statement had misled us; we were out at sea before
we knew positively that Mabel had disappeared, and my long illness in
Europe, followed by my husband's death kept me from instituting a
thorough search of New York City.

"I was bound for New York in answer to a summons from the men engaged on
the case, when this accident occurred. Mr. Gibson had offered to make
the journey for me, but I felt that I alone must hear the first
news--and to think that through that blessed accident I stumbled upon my
little girl." She ceased speaking and with streaming eyes again clasped
Mabel in a fond embrace.

The chums found their own eyes wet, during this recital, but of the
four, Jessica appeared to be the most deeply moved. Mabel had meant more
to her than to the others, and she found herself facing the severest
trial that had so far entered her young life. She drew a deep breath,
then went bravely over to Mrs. Allison, saying with quivering lips:

"It is very, very hard to give Mabel up. She is the child of our
sorority, but she belongs most of all to me. She is the dearest girl
imaginable, and neither hardship nor poverty have marred her. She is
sweet, unselfish and wholesome, and always will be. I am glad, glad,
glad that her dream has at last been realized, and I should be the most
selfish girl in the world if I didn't rejoice at her good fortune."

She smiled through her tears at Mabel, who rushed over to her and
exclaimed:

"Jessica, dearest, you know perfectly well how much I do and always
shall love you, and Grace and Anne and Nora, too."

The four girls lingered a few moments, then said good-bye to Mrs.
Allison and Mabel, who was to remain for the present with her mother.
She kissed her friends tenderly, promising to see them the next day.

"I'll be in school to-morrow unless mother needs me here," she said with
such a world of fond pride in her voice that the girls who had so
willingly befriended her felt that their loss was a matter of small
consequence when compared with the glorious fact that Mabel had come
into her own.




CHAPTER IV

GRACE TURNS IN THE FIRE ALARM


"I wonder what sort of excitement we shall have next?" remarked Grace
Harlowe to her three friends one afternoon as they gathered in the
senior locker-room, before leaving school.

Three weeks had elapsed since Mabel Allison and her mother had met in
Room 47 of the hospital, and many events had transpired in that short
space of time.

The girl chums had been entertained at "Hawk's Nest" by Mrs. Gibson, and
were in consequence the most important persons in the Girls' High
School. They had found Mrs. Gibson charming, and had been invited to
repeat their visit at an early date. Mabel's story had circulated
throughout Oakdale, and she and her friends were the topic of the hour.

The one cloud on their horizon had been the fact of the inevitable
separation. They had begged and entreated Mrs. Allison to take up her
residence in Oakdale for the balance of Mabel's junior year, but on
account of home matters she had been unable to comply with their wishes.
So Mabel had departed for Denver with her mother, while the chums had
kissed her and cried over her and had extracted a laughing promise from
Mrs. Allison to bring her to Oakdale during commencement week to witness
the graduation of the Phi Sigma Tau.

"It seems as though we have done nothing but say good-bye to people ever
since school began," said Anne Pierson with a little sigh.

"I know it," exclaimed Nora. "First our boys, then Mabel, and--"

"And now all we can do is to wonder who will fade away and disappear
next," finished Grace. "Promise me that none of you will run away from
Oakdale, or elope, or do anything that can be classed under the head of
vanishing."

"Oh, I think we're all rooted to the spot for this year," said Jessica,
"but what about next? Nora and I will be in a conservatory, Grace will
be in college and Anne--where will you be, Anne?"

"Goodness knows," replied Anne. "I'd like to try for a scholarship, but
how on earth would I support myself even if I were fortunate enough to
win?"

"Don't worry about that," said Grace quickly. "That is for that all-wise
body, the Phi Sigma Tau, to consider. We will be your ways and means
committee, Anna."

"Oh, I couldn't think of weighing you girls down with my cares," replied
Anne soberly. "I must work out my own salvation."

By this time they had turned out of High School Street and were moving
in the direction of Grace's home, where the majority of their chats took
place, when Nora suddenly exclaimed in a low tone:

"Look, girls, there is Eleanor Savelli!"

"Where? where?" demanded three eager voices, as their owners followed
Nora's glance.

"Across the street," replied Nora. "Don't let her know that we are
looking at her."

Sure enough, on the opposite side of the street, Eleanor Savelli was to
be seen strolling along in company with Edna Wright and Daisy Culver,
two seniors who had been her faithful followers since her advent in
Oakdale.

"Excitement number one," remarked Nora. "The fair Eleanor comes and our
peace of mind departs. I had cherished vain hopes that she wouldn't
favor us with the light of her countenance this year, even though she
did inform Grace of her laudable desire to stay with the seniors for
pure spite."

"Never mind, Nora," said Jessica, "I don't believe she'll worry herself
about us, even though she did make dire threats."

"Remember what I told you last year, girls," said Grace in a tone of
admonition. "Be careful what you do and say whenever she is near. She
despises the Phi Sigma Tau and would revenge herself upon us at the
slightest opportunity. She comes of a race who swear vendettas."

"She better not swear any when I am around," retorted Nora with spirit,
"or she will find that the Irish are equal to the occasion."

"Don't excite yourself needlessly, Nora," laughed Anne. "That splendid
Hibernian energy of yours is worthy of a better cause."

"How provoking!" suddenly exclaimed Grace. "I've left my library book in
the gym. and it's a week overdue now. I shall simply have to go back and
get it. It's only three o'clock," she added, consulting her watch. "Who
will go with me?"

"Of what use is it for all of us to go," complained Nora. "We'll wait
right here for you and you can hurry faster by going alone."

"All right, lazy, unsocial creatures," said Grace good-humoredly. "I'm
off. Be sure you wait."

She hurried in the direction of the High School and in an incredibly
short time was running down the corridor of the wing that led to the
gymnasium. Remembering that she had laid her book on the window sill,
Grace lost no time in securing it, and taking it under her arm waited
toward the door. Suddenly the faint smell of smoke was borne to her
nostrils.

She sniffed the air, then murmured, "I wonder what's burning. The smell
seems to come from over there. Perhaps I'd better look around. It won't
take a second."

She slowly retraced her steps, looking carefully about her. There was no
smoke to be seen. She turned to go, then impelled by some mysterious
influence, her eye traveled to the door of the small room at the left of
the gymnasium.

With a cry of consternation she sped across the floor, flung open the
door and staggered back, choked by a perfect volume of smoke that issued
from within. The interior of the room was in flames.

To think was to act. Unless help arrived speedily their beloved
gymnasium would soon be a thing of the past. Grace tore through the
corridor like a wild girl, and darted out the door and across the
campus. There was a fire alarm on the street below the High School, and
toward this she directed her steps.

Pausing an instant before the box, she looked about her for something
with which to break the glass. Spying a small boy strolling toward her,
a baseball bat in his hand, she pounced upon him, seized the bat before
he knew what had happened and smashed the glass with one blow. Giving
the ring inside a vigorous pull, Grace shoved the bat into the hands of
the astonished youngster and made for the nearest telephone.

Hurrying into Stillman's, she discovered to her disgust that the
telephone was in use, but a moment later she was at the door and again
out on the street. Her quick ear had caught the clang of the bell on the
fire engines, and the thing to do now was to go back to her chums with
the news--and then off to the fire.

"The gymnasium is on fire!" she cried, as she neared the spot where they
awaited her. "Hurry, all of you! Perhaps we may be of some help."

Her three friends needed no second invitation and throwing all dignity
to the winds, raced down the street in the direction of the burning
building. When they reached the High School smoke was issuing from the
windows of the gymnasium, and from the roof and chimneys, and situated
as it was like a connecting link between the two buildings, it was an
easy matter for the flames to spread in either direction.

Even in the short time it had taken Grace to turn in the alarm, the fire
had made tremendous headway, and great tongues of flame shot up toward
the sky. The roof had caught and was burning rapidly, although the
firemen played a constant stream upon it.

As the fire grew hotter, the other companies were called out, and soon
the entire Oakdale Fire Department was at work.

Ropes had been stretched around the burning part of the building to keep
venturesome citizens outside the fire belt. Grace stood as close as she
dared, Nora, Anne and Jessica at her side.

"Oh, do, do save our gymnasium!" she shrieked, as several firemen
hurried past her.

"Can't do it, miss," replied one of them. "It's a goner. If we save the
school we'll do well, let alone the gymnasium."

Long and strenuously the firemen fought the hungry flames. The wind was
in the wrong direction, and helped to fan the blaze. One of the
gymnasium walls fell in with a terrific crash, almost carrying with it
two firemen who had been playing a stream from the rung of a ladder that
leaned against it. There was a cry of horror from the assembled crowd
that changed to a sigh of relief when it was discovered that the two men
had saved themselves by leaping.

"Oh, if only I were a man," breathed Grace, as she watched the firemen's
efforts to gain control of the situation. "I wouldn't stay here a
moment. I'd be in the thick of the fight."

"Hold her girls, or she'll dash straight over the ropes," said Nora.

"I'd like to," retorted Grace. "It's dreadful to stand here unable to
help and see our dear old gym. go, and perhaps our school, too."

"Well, you turned in the alarm, and that's a whole lot," declared
Jessica stoutly. "If you hadn't seen the blaze when you did things might
be a good deal worse. As it is, I believe they are getting the fire
under control."

"It does look that way," exclaimed Anne. "See, the flames are dying out
over on that side. Oh, if it would only rain and help things along."

"I believe it will rain before night. The clouds look heavy and
threatening," declared Nora, squinting at the sky.

"The weather prophet has come to town," smiled Anne.

For the next hour the girls stood eagerly watching the gallant work of
the firemen. A dense crowd, composed largely of High School boys and
girls, packed the campus, while people blocked the streets outside the
gates. Intense excitement prevailed, and when it became evident that the
main building was safe a mighty cheer went up from the crowd.

"Bless their hearts!" exclaimed Grace. "They are just as fond as we are
of Oakdale High School. But, oh, girls, where are we going to play
basketball!"

The girls looked at each other in dismay.

"What is life without basketball?" said Nora sadly.

"True enough," said Anne, "but even though the gym. is gone we still
have our school. It would be simply terrible to have had it go in our
senior year."

"No doubt the gym. will be rebuilt at once," remarked Jessica.

"I am not so sure of that," replied Grace. "My father belongs to the
common council, and I heard him tell mother the other day that the High
School had been refused an appropriation that they had asked for."

"Oh, well, then, we High School pupils will raise the money ourselves,"
said Nora lightly.

"That idea is worth looking into," said Grace eagerly. "We might help a
great deal."

"Grace has the 'Busy Little Helper' stunt on the brain," jeered Jessica.

"Anything to keep matters moving," laughed Grace. "I'm an advocate of
the strenuous life. But seriously, girls, how splendid it would be to
feel that we had been instrumental in rebuilding the gymnasium."

"Fine," agreed Nora. "We used to sing a song in kindergarten when I was
very young and foolish that started out, 'We are little builders,'
although at that time I never expected to really become one."

"Nora," said Grace severely, "you have all Hippy's bad traits and some
of your own thrown in."

It was nearing six o'clock before the four friends left the scene of the
fire and started for home. Nora's prediction of rain proved true, for
just as they made their way across the campus the rain began to come
down in torrents, wetting them to the skin, but in no respect dampening
their joy over the fact that this shower had come just in time to save
their High School from further ravage by the flames.




CHAPTER V

NORA BECOMES A PRIZE "SUGGESTER"


"The thing to do is to decide just what we want, and then go ahead with
it."

Grace Harlowe energetically addressed her remarks to the members of the
Phi Sigma Tau, who had taken possession of the Harlowe's comfortable
living room.

It was Saturday afternoon, and a special meeting had been called with
the object of discussing the best way to get money for the rebuilding of
the gymnasium, that the fire had completely destroyed, although the
splendid efforts of the firemen had prevented the flames from extending
to the main buildings, and the rain had completed their good work.

Grace had allowed no grass to grow under her feet, but had gone to the
root of the matter the day following the fire, and found that the school
could expect no assistance from the city or the state that year. She had
thereupon racked her usually fertile brain for money-making schemes, but
so far had settled on nothing, so she had called in her friends, and the
Phi Sigma Tau had been in council for the past half hour without having
advanced a single prolific idea.

"Think hard, girls," begged Grace. "We simply must do something that
will make Oakdale sit up and take notice, and incidentally spend their
money."

"We might give a play or a concert," suggested Eva Allen.

"Not original enough to draw the crowd," vetoed Nora O'Malley. "Besides,
the sophomore class has already begun to make plans for a play. While
the other three classes are making plans we ought to go ahead and
astonish the natives. The early stunt catches the cash, you know,"
concluded Nora slangily.

"Well, what would you suggest as a cash-catching stunt?" asked Anne.
"You are generally a prize suggester."

"We might have a bazaar," said Nora after a moment's thought, "with ever
so many different booths. We could have a gypsy camp, and tell fortunes,
and we could have some Spanish dancers, and, oh, lots of things. We
could have it in Assembly Hall and have tents with all these shows going
on."

"Oh, splendid!" cried Grace. "And we could get the High School mandolin
club for an orchestra. If we hurried we could have it week after next,
on Thanksgiving night."

"And we could have a Mystery Auction," interposed Marian Barber eagerly.

"What on earth is a 'Mystery Auction'?" inquired Nora and Jessica in a
breath.

"Why we write notes to every one in Oakdale, asking for some kind of
contribution, anything from a jar of pickles to hand-painted china. Then
all these things are tied up in packages and auctioned off to the
highest bidder. There is a whole lot of money in it, for people often
try to outbid each other, and the fun of the thing is that no one knows
what he or she is bidding on."

"Marian Barber," exclaimed Grace, "that's a positive inspiration! You
clever, clever girl!"

"Oh, don't think for a minute that I originated the idea," said Marian
hastily. "A cousin of mine wrote me about it last winter. They had a
'Mystery Auction' at a bazaar that was held in the town she lives."

"Well it's a brilliant idea at any rate, and I can see us fairly coining
money. Now we must all work with a will and put the affair through in
fine style," responded Grace warmly.

"Oh, girls, the boys will be at home in time for it!" exclaimed Jessica
in rapture.

"Sure enough," said Nora, "and won't I make Hippy work. He'll lose
pounds before his vacation is over. Grace, you must write and ask Tom
Gray to come."

Now that the question of the bazaar was settled, the Phi Sigma Tau went
to work with a will. The services of the majority of the seniors were
enlisted and notes were written to every one in Oakdale who was likely
to feel even a faint interest in the movement. Eva Allen's brother, who
was an artist, made a number of attractive posters and these were tacked
up in public places where they at once attracted attention.

The Oakdale National Guard loaned tents, and public-spirited merchants
willingly loaned draperies, flags, banners, and in fact, almost anything
they were asked for.

As for donations, they fairly poured in, and the girls watched the
growing collection with mingled rapture and despair.

"We'll have to sit up every night this week in order to get all these
things wrapped," sighed Grace, on the Monday afternoon before
Thanksgiving, as she stood resting after a spirited rehearsal of the
dance that she and Miriam Nesbit were to do, and which was to be one of
the features of the gypsy camp.

"And the decorating is only about half done, too," she continued. "Thank
goodness school closed to-day. We'll just have to live here until
Thursday, and work, work, work."

"'Clear the way for progress on the fly,'" sang out a voice behind them,
and the group of startled girls turned to face a stout young man who
charged into their midst with a hop, skip and a jump.

"Hippy!" shrieked Nora in delight. "And David and Reddy, and yes--Tom,
too!"

"'Oh, frabjous day, calloooh, callay,'" cried Hippy shaking hands all
around. "It seems ages since I saw you girls. How well you all look,
only you're not looking at me. These other good-for-nothing fellows are
getting all the attention. Hello, Miriam," he called to Miriam Nesbit,
who ran eagerly across the floor to meet the newcomers. "There's a prize
package for you, too. It's outside the door shaking the snow off its
coat."

Miriam flushed and laughed a little, then hurried over to greet Arnold
Evans, who had just entered the hall.

"Oh, boys, you don't know how good it seems to have you all here again,"
said Grace, after the first greetings had been exchanged, as she beamed
on the young men. "You're just in time to go to work, too. We've oodles
of things to wrap for the 'Mystery Auction,' and Hippy you must be
auctioneer. You can do it to perfection."

"Tell us all about this affair. I received rather indefinite accounts of
it in the exceedingly brief letters that I have been favored with of
late," said Tom Gray, fixing a reproachful eye upon Grace.

"Please forgive me, Tom," begged Grace, "but really I've been so busy of
late that I just had to cut my letters short. Come on around the hall
with me, and I'll tell you about all the stunts we've planned. Come on,
everybody," she called, turning to the young people grouped about, "and
remember, that I expect some original suggestions from you boys."

Around the hall they went, stopping before each tent, while the girls
explained its purpose.

"What's this to be?" asked Tom, as he stopped at one corner of the hall
that was closely curtained. "May I enter?"

"Mercy, no," gasped Grace, catching him by the arm as he was about to
move aside one of the heavy curtains. "That's Eleanor Savelli's own
particular corner. None of us know what is behind those curtains. You
see, Eleanor hasn't spoken to any of us since last year. When we first
talked about having this bazaar we decided to make it a senior class
affair. We didn't care to go to Eleanor and ask her to help, because she
hasn't been nice to any of the Phi Sigma Tau, but we asked Miss Tebbs
and Miss Kane, two of the teachers who are helping with this, to ask
Eleanor to do something. You know she plays so well, both on the violin
and piano, then, too, the greater part of her life has been spent
abroad, so she surely must have lots of good ideas.

"When first Miss Tebbs asked her she refused to have anything to do with
it. Then she suddenly changed her mind and has been working like a
beaver ever since. Miss Tebbs says her booth is beautiful."

"If I'm not mistaken here she comes now," said Tom suddenly. "I never
saw her but once before, yet hers is a face not easily forgotten."

"Yes, it is she," replied Grace. "Let us walk on."

Eleanor Savelli, gowned in a tailored suit of blue and looking
particularly beautiful, walked haughtily by and disappeared behind the
heavy green curtain.

"She is certainly a stunning girl!" was Tom's low-voiced exclamation,
"but, oh, what a look she gave you, Grace!"

"Did she?" replied Grace, with an amused smile. "That doesn't worry me.
She has repeated that performance so often that I have grown used to
it."

"Look out for her just the same," advised Tom.

"Where do we jollificate, to-night?" asked Hippy, as Grace and Tom
joined them again.

"Right here," said Nora with decision. "No fudge, no hot chocolate, no
cakes, nothing except work until this bazaar is over, then we'll have a
spread that will give you indigestion for a week. Do you solemnly
promise to be good and not tease for things to eat, but be a ready and
willing little toiler?"

"I do," said Hippy, holding up his right hand. "Do you assure me that
the spread you just mentioned is no myth?"

"I do," said Nora, "also that the indigestion, shall be equally
realistic."

"Lead me to it," said Hippy. "I swear in this hour that--"

But Hippy never finished his speech, for Eleanor Savelli suddenly darted
into the group with flashing eyes and set lips.

"How dared you meddle with my booth during my absence!" she cried,
looking from one to the other of the astonished young people. "And what
have you done with my things!"

There was a brief silence. Then Nora O'Malley spoke very coolly.

"Really, Miss Savelli, we haven't the remotest idea of what you are
speaking."

"You know perfectly well of what I am speaking," retorted Eleanor. "I
might have expected as much, however."

"I repeat," said Nora firmly, "that we do not know what you mean, and I
am not used to having my word questioned. You will have to explain
yourself if you expect to get a definite reply."

"Very well," replied Eleanor, with a toss of her head. "Last night I
spent a great deal of time in arranging the booth over which I have been
asked to preside. On coming here to-day I find that everything has been
rearranged, completely spoiling the effect I had obtained. You and your
friends are the only ones who have been here this afternoon. It looks
like a clear case of spite on your part."

During Eleanor's angry outburst the boys looked decidedly uncomfortable,
then by common consent moved away a little. This was a matter that the
girls alone could settle.

Then Miriam Nesbit stepped forward with all the dignity that she could
summon to her aid.

"Miss Savelli," she said quietly, "it is absolutely childish and
ridiculous for you to make the assertions you have. No one of us has the
slightest curiosity as to either you or your arrangements. This is not
the first time that you have publicly accused us of meddling. Now I want
you to understand once and for all that this must cease. You should not
jump at conclusions and then vent your rage upon innocent bystanders.

"This much I will say as a matter of information, that we were not the
only ones here this afternoon, as several of your particular friends
spent some time in your booth, and I should advise that you call them to
account and let us alone. Come on, girls," she said, turning to Grace
and her friends, "we mustn't waste any more time."

With this Miriam turned her back squarely upon Eleanor, and without
giving her time to reply, walked to the other end of the hall.

The girls were not slow in joining her, and in a moment Eleanor was left
alone in the middle of the hall, with the unpleasant realization that
for once she had overshot the mark.




CHAPTER VI

THE THANKSGIVING BAZAAR


The bazaar was at its height. No one would have guessed that staid old
Assembly Hall could lend itself to such levity.

At one end a band of gypsies had pitched their tents in true Romany
fashion. There were dark-eyed gypsy maids in gaudy clothing, who gayly
jingled their tambourines and wheedled good-natured sightseers into
their main tent with extravagant stories of the wonderful Romany dancing
girls whose unequaled dancing might be seen for the small sum of ten
cents. While aged gypsies crouched here and there croaking mysteriously
of their power to reveal the future, and promising health, wealth and
happiness to those who crossed their out-stretched palms with silver.

In front of one of the tents several gypsy boys sat grouped in
picturesque attitudes, industriously twanging guitars and mandolins. The
whole encampment was lighted by flaring torches on the ends of long
poles, and was the final touch needed to give the true gypsy effect.

The rest of the space in the hall had been given up to booths. There
was, of course, a Japanese booth, while across from it several Mexican
seniors and senoritas were doing an enterprising novelty and post-card
business under the red, white and green flag of Mexico.

There was a cunning little English tea shop, where one could refresh
one's self with tea, cakes and jam, not to mention the booth devoted to
good old Ireland, presided over by Nora O'Malley who, dressed as an
Irish colleen, sang the "Wearing of the Green" and "The Harp That Once
Thro' Tara's Hall," with true Irish fervor, while she disposed of boxes
of home-made candy tied with green ribbon that people bought for the
pleasure of hearing her sing.

Next to the gypsy encampment, however, the feature of the evening was
the booth entrusted to Eleanor Savelli. It was a veritable corner in
Italy, and it may be said to Eleanor's credit that she had worked
untiringly to carry out her idea. She had furnished the peasant costumes
for herself and three of her friends, and knew exactly how they were to
be worn, and had spared no expense in the matter of fruit and flowers
which were to be sold at a good profit. There were little bags of
home-made confetti that were sure to be popular and various other
attractive features truly Italian that Eleanor had spent much time and
trouble in procuring and arranging.

There had been a heated altercation, however, between Eleanor and Edna
Wright on the day after Eleanor had astonished Grace and her friends by
her fiery outburst, Edna having admitted that she had been responsible
for the changes that had aroused Eleanor's ire.

A quarrel had ensued, in which Edna, having been worsted, had retired
from the field in tears, refusing to have anything further to do with
Eleanor or her booth. At this juncture Miss Tebbs had appeared on the
scene, and peace was restored, although Edna was still taciturn and
sulky, and displayed little interest in what went on around her.

From the moment the doors were opened the citizens of Oakdale looked
inside, feeling particularly good-natured after their Thanksgiving
dinners, and prepared to spend their money.

"It's perfectly wonderful what these children have managed to do on
nothing whatever," Miss Thompson was saying, as she and Mrs. Nesbit, in
the guise of sightseers, were strolling down the middle of the hall.

"It looks to me like a scene from an opera," replied Mrs. Nesbit.

"Yes, we are all very prosperous and clean comic opera gypsies, Mrs.
Nesbit," said Hippy Wingate, who had come up just in time to hear Mrs.
Nesbit's remark.

"Why, Hippy Wingate, I never should have recognized you. You look like
the big smuggler in 'Carmen.' I have forgotten his name."

"I am a smuggler, Mrs. Nesbit," put in Hippy mysteriously. "But don't
give me away. It's not lace goods I've brought over the border, nor
bales of silk and such things. Isn't that what gypsies are supposed
usually to smuggle?"

"I believe it is," answered Mrs. Nesbit. "At least they always appear in
plays and pictures seated at the foot of a high, rocky cliff in some
lonely spot, with bales and casks and strange looking bundles about. No
one would be heartless enough to ask what was inside the bundles, but I
have always had a strong suspicion that it was excelsior."

"What have you been smuggling, Hippy?" asked Miss Thompson. "I wonder
you managed to get it past that line of watchful gipsy girls."

"I won't give it away," replied Hippy. "It's a surprise. You'll see, and
I wager it will be the talk of the place before the evening is over."

"Is it animal, vegetable or mineral, Hippy?" demanded Mrs. Nesbit.

"Animal," replied Hippy. "Very much animal."

"Now, what in the world," the two women exclaimed, their curiosity
piqued.

"Hippy, I wish you would come on and get to work," called Grace over her
shoulder, as she hurried past, and Hippy darted after her, remembering
that he had not done a thing that evening to assist the girls.

"How fine Grace Harlowe does look, Mrs. Nesbit," remarked Miss Thompson,
"and how I shall miss her when she leaves the High School! The time goes
too quickly to suit me, when all these nice girls leave us for college."

Miss Thompson still cherished a deep regard for Grace, although, since
the circumstance of Grace's refusal to betray Eleanor, narrated in
"Grace Harlowe's Junior Year at High School," the two had never
returned to quite the same footing as formerly.

Grace was, indeed, the picture of a beautiful gipsy girl who in romance
turns out not to be a gipsy at all, but a princess stolen in her youth.
She wore a skirt of red trimmed in black and yellow, a full white blouse
and a little black velvet bolero. Around her waist she had tied a gayly
colored sash, while on her head was a gipsy headdress bordered with gold
fringe.

"Hippy," commanded Grace, "will you please take this gong and announce
that the auction is about to begin!"

"Certainly, certainly," answered Hippy. "Anything to oblige the ladies."

He mounted a chair and beat on the Japanese gong.

"This way, ladies and gentlemen. Come right this way! The 'Mystery
Auction' will now commence. It is a sale of surprises. You never know
what you are going to draw, but it's sure to be something nice.
Everybody step this way, please. These interesting and mysterious
packages are to be sold each to the highest bidder. But no man knoweth
what he draweth. It is the way of life, ladies, but that's where the fun
comes in, and it's sportsmanlike to take your chances, gentlemen."

By this time Hippy had drawn a crowd of curious people about the booth
devoted to that purpose, in which were piled dozens of packages of
various shapes and sizes, all done up in white tissue paper and tied
with red ribbons.

Hippy picked up the first bundle.

"Is there anyone here who will make a bid on this interesting package?"
he cried. "It may contain treasure. Who knows? It may contain fruits
from the tropics, or the spices of Araby, or--"

"I'll bid ten cents," called a voice.

"Ten cents!" exclaimed Hippy in mock horror. "I ask you, dear friend,
can our gymnasium be builded upon ten cents? Is there no one here who is
thinking of our late, lamented gymnasium? Have we already forgotten that
dear, departed hall of youthful pleasures, cut down in the flower of its
youth so tragically?"

Hippy's voice rang out like an old-time orator's, and some one bid
twenty-five cents. But the bidding ended there, and Farmer Benson got
the package, which on being opened, was found to contain a beautiful
little lacquer box. This was a lucky beginning. If the packages all held
such treasures they were well worth bidding on. Then the fun grew fast
and furious. Everybody began bidding, and a pound of sugar actually went
for five dollars, to old Mr. McDonald, who had obstinately refused to
give up to his opponent, Mr. Barber, in the bidding contest. Mr. Harlowe
paid heavily for a cook book, while David Nesbit, for fifty cents, drew
a splendid big fruit cake.

"It is so fortunate that that fruit cake fell into the hands of one of
my friends," remarked Hippy, as David was about to walk off, his prize
under his arm. "I adore fruit cake."

"That's no sign that you will ever get a chance at this one," replied
David calmly.

"I shall, I know I shall," retorted Hippy, "You wouldn't betray my young
confidence and dispel my fond hopes by eating it all yourself. You
deserve an awful case of indigestion if you do."

"Children, children, stop squabbling," laughed Anne who, looking like a
very demure little gypsy, had slipped up unnoticed. "Don't worry, Hippy,
I'll see that you are remembered when the famous cake is cut."

"I feel relieved," said Hippy, giving her one of his Cheshire Cat grins.
"I propose that you leave your treasure with this gypsy maid, David, for
the time is flying and we have a great and glorious surprise to spring."

"See you later, Anne," said David, looking at his watch. Then taking
Hippy by the arm the two young men hurried out of the hall, leaving Anne
to wonder what the surprise might be.

Turning slowly she was making her way toward the gypsy camp when a voice
called, "O Anne, wait a minute," and Marian Barber fluttered up
accompanied by a tall, dark young man.

"Miss Pierson, allow me to present Mr. Hammond," she said.

The young man bowed rather too elaborately Anne thought, and a wave of
dislike swept over her as she rather coldly acknowledged the
introduction.

"Mr. Hammond has just come to Oakdale," Marian said eagerly. "He knows
very few people as yet."

"Ah, yes," said Mr. Hammond, with a smile that was intended to be
fascinating. "I am, indeed, a stranger. Miss Barber has kindly
volunteered to introduce me to some of her charming friends, therefore I
trust that in time they will be mine also."

Anne murmured some polite reply, and excusing herself walked away.
"Horrid thing," she thought. "How cruel he looks when he smiles. I
wonder where Marian met him. She seems to be delighted with him."

"Where have you been, Anne?" asked Grace, as Anne entered the tent where
she and Miriam sat resting preparatory to beginning their dance, when
enough people should gather outside to form a paying audience.

"Talking to Marian Barber and a young man who is trailing about with
her."

"Did she introduce that man to you?" exclaimed Grace.

"Yes," replied Anne. "Did you meet him?"

"I did," was the answer. "Isn't he horrid?"

"That is precisely what I said," replied Anne. "There is something about
his suave, silky manner that gives me the creeps."

"I hope Marian isn't seriously impressed with him," said Grace. "For
there is something positively sinister about him."

Just then Hippy's voice was heard again above the crowd, and the three
girls hurried to the opening in the tent.




CHAPTER VII

A THIEF IN THE NIGHT


"Ladies and gentlemen," cried Hippy. "We have a noble animal for sale
here. He is tame and gentle. A lady could ride him without fear. He sees
equally well out of both eyes and is neither lame nor spavined. If you
will just stand back a little we will let you see his paces."

The crowd drew back on either side of the lane between the rows of tents
and booths and from somewhere in the back there was heard a great pawing
and trampling, with cries of "Whoa, there! Whoa, there, Lightning!"

Then down the aisle there dashed the most absurd comic animal that had
ever been seen in Oakdale. A dilapidated old horse, with crooked legs
and sunken sides through which its ribs protruded. He had widely
distended nostrils and his mouth drawn back over huge teeth. One ear lay
flat, while the other stood up straight and wiggled, and his glazed eyes
stared wildly. On his wobbly back sat David, dressed like a jockey and
flourishing a whip.

"Gentlemen," went on Hippy, "you here behold an animal of splendid
parts. He is pasture-fed and as gentle as a lamb, never kicks--"

The strange animal here kicked out one of his hind legs so wildly that
David was obliged to hold on with both arms to keep from falling off.

"He has a happy, sunny nature, ladies. Is there any one present who
would like to try his gait? Ten cents a ride."

The horse crossed his front legs and sat down on his haunches with an
air of patient endurance. There were roars of laughter and no one
enjoyed the fun more than Miss Thompson.

"I declare, Hippy, I should like to have a ride on the back of that
animal!" she exclaimed, producing ten cents.

David leaped to the ground and gallantly assisted the principal to
mount, while Hippy whispered something into the ear of the horse.

The animal trotted gently up to one end of the room and back, depositing
Miss Thompson safely on her feet.

Miriam Nesbit then took a trial ride and no bucking bronco ever
exhibited such traits of character as did that battered-looking
quadruped. Miriam was obliged to jump down amid the cheers of the
company. Many people rode that night, and rides went up to twenty-five
and even fifty cents, until finally the poor, tired animal lay flat on
the floor in an attitude of complete exhaustion. Then Hippy undid
several hooks and eyes along the imaginary line which divided Lightning
in half, and there came forth, very warm and fatigued, Tom Gray and
Reddy Brooks.

On the whole the bazaar was proving an unqualified success. People
entered into the spirit of the thing and spent their money without a
murmur.

Eleanor's confetti proved a drawing card, and young people and old
wandered about, bestowing handfuls of it upon their friends whenever a
good opportunity presented itself.

Long before the fair was over Grace and Anne retired to one end of the
gypsy encampment to begin counting the proceeds of their labors. The
girls in charge of the various booths turned in their money almost as
rapidly as they made it, and by the time the crowd had begun to thin the
girls had arrived at a tolerably correct estimate of what the bazaar had
netted them.

"Is it possible that I have counted correctly, Anne!" exclaimed Grace to
her friend, who was helping to sort small silver into various piles.

"I don't know," said Anne, "it looks like a lot of money. How much does
it all come to?"

"Roughly speaking, nearly five hundred dollars. Just think of that."

"Splendid!" cried Anne, clasping her hands joyfully. "But what shall we
put it in?"

"I shall put it in this iron box of father's. You see, it has a
combination lock and he loaned it to me to-night just for this purpose.
As soon as the rest of the money is in I'll lock it and he will take
charge of it. Will you go and find him?"

Anne departed and Grace began to deposit the money in the box, smiling
to herself at the success of their undertaking.

The few remaining people who were now taking leave of each other had
concentrated in one spot. There was a loud buzz of conversation and
laughter, when suddenly, without a moment's warning, the electric lights
went out. The gasoline torches had burned down by now and the place was
in utter darkness.

Somewhere in the hall there was a cry, the sound of scuffling and then
absolute silence.

Many of the men began to strike matches and peer into the darkness, and
at last David groped his way over to a corner of the hall where he
remembered he had seen the switch. As he felt for the electric button
his hand encountered another hand, that grasped his with an iron grip,
gave his wrist a vicious twist, pushed him violently away and was gone.
David gave an involuntary cry of pain as he felt for the switch again.
In another moment he had found it and the hall was again flooded with
light. Instantly he looked about for the vicious person who had twisted
his wrist, but he was alone in that part of the hall.

The excitements of that evening, however, were not yet at an end. People
began running toward the last booth. There were cries and exclamations,
and David, who had followed quickly after them, arrived there just in
time to meet Mr. Harlowe carrying the limp figure of his daughter Grace
in his arms. He deposited her on four chairs placed in a row, a bottle
of smelling salts was put to her nose, while Hippy and Reddy ran for
water.

Grace opened her eyes almost immediately and sat up.

"I'm not hurt," she said. "I was only stunned. Some one hit me on the
head from behind, but my cap softened the blow. They were trying to get
the box of money. Oh, is it gone?" she cried anxiously.

David and Tom examined the booth.

The money was gone.




CHAPTER VIII

MARIAN ASSERTS HER INDEPENDENCE


There was not the slightest clue to the thief who had stolen the iron
box containing a little over five hundred dollars, for which the girls
had worked so hard, but the loss was made good by Judge Putnam who,
though on the bench at the state capital at the time the robbery
occurred, had promptly sent Grace his check for the amount when Grace
wrote him an account of it. For which generous act he became the idol of
Oakdale High School.

"As for the thief," observed Mr. Harlowe, several mornings later at the
breakfast table, after Grace had opened the letter and joyfully
exhibited the check to her mother and father; "he'll have some trouble
opening that box. It was the strongest box I have ever seen of the kind,
made of iron reinforced with steel bands, with a combination lock that
would baffle even your friend, Richards, Grace, who appeared to be a
pretty sharp crook."

"How will the thief get at the money, then, father?" asked Grace.

"I can't imagine," answered Mr. Harlowe. "If he tries to blow up the box
he runs the chance of blowing up all the money at the same time, and I
don't believe there is an instrument made that would pry it open. He
can't melt it and he can't knock a hole in it. Therefore, I don't just
see what he can do, unless he finds some way to work the combination."

"It would be the irony of fate if the thief couldn't spend the money
after all his trouble," observed Mrs. Harlowe.

"I hope he never, never can," cried Grace. "I hope he'll bruise all his
knuckles and break all his finger nails trying to open the box, and
still not make the slightest impression!"

"He certainly will if he tries to open the box with his finger nails and
knuckles," replied her father, as he bestowed two kisses upon his wife
and daughter, respectively, and departed to his business.

"Who is to be custodian of the fund, Grace? Are you to have charge of
it?" asked Mrs. Harlowe.

"No, mother; Marian Barber was formally elected class treasurer last
year. She likes to keep books and add up accounts and all those things.
So I shall just turn the check over to her to put in the bank until we
give our next entertainment. Then, when we have about a thousand
dollars, we'll give it all to Miss Thompson as our contribution toward
rebuilding the gymnasium. I hear that the juniors are going to give a
dance, but I don't think they will make any large amount like this,
because they will have to pay for music and refreshments."

Grace could not help feeling proud of the success of the bazaar now that
the judge's check had arrived, although at first she had demurred about
accepting it. However, as the judge absolutely refused to take it back,
it was therefore duly presented to Marian Barber, who, with a feeling of
extreme importance at handling so much money in her own name, deposited
it in the Upton Bank, and was the recipient, for the first time in her
life, of a small, neat-looking check book. Later she showed it with
great glee to the Phi Sigma Tau, who were drinking hot chocolate in the
Harlowe's sitting room, the day after school began.

"I feel just like a millionaire," she exclaimed, "even though the money
isn't mine. I'd just like to write one check to see how my name would
look signed at the bottom here."

"It does seem like a lot of money," observed Anne thoughtfully, "but I'm
afraid the check book won't be of much use to you, Marian, as you will
probably draw it all out in a lump when the time comes to hand it over
to Miss Thompson."

"Oh, I don't know," answered Marian, "we may have to give a few checks
for expenses and things, the next entertainment we get up, and then I'll
have an opportunity."

The girls laughed good-naturedly at Marian's evident eagerness to draw a
check.

"We'll certainly have to incur some kind of expense for the express
purpose of allowing Marian to draw a check," said Nora. "By the way,
Grace, which booth made the most money, outside the auction, of course?"

"Eleanor Savelli's," replied Grace promptly. "They made most of it on
confetti, too, although they sold quantities of flowers. They turned in
seventy-five dollars."

"Eleanor certainly did work," observed Anne. "One feels as though one
could forgive her all her sins after the success she made of her booth.
It is a shame that so much ability and cleverness is choked and crowded
out by wilfulness and temper."

"Did you hear about the quarrel that she and Edna Wright had, after she
attacked us?" asked Eva Allen.

"Yes," answered Grace. "I understand, too, that it has completely broken
up their sorority. They carried their part of the bazaar through
together and then Eleanor told Edna that she was practically done with
her."

"You don't mean it! I hadn't heard that! Who told you so?" were the
exclamations that followed this information.

"Daisy Culver told Ruth Deane, and Ruth told me," said Grace. "Ruth says
that Edna feels dreadfully over it. She was really fond of Eleanor."

"Now I suppose that Miss Eleanor Vendetta de Savelli will be more
impossible than ever," giggled Nora.

"Perhaps not," said Anne quietly. "I think it a very good thing that
Edna and Eleanor have separated, for Eleanor Savelli is a far better
girl at heart than Edna Wright. Eleanor is better off without her."

"I believe you are right, Anne," said Grace with conviction. "Although
Eleanor's reformation is not for us. We've had experience."

"'Never too late to mend,'" quoted Jessica.

"True," retorted Nora, "but for my part I think the Phi Sigma Tau have
done their share toward the mending process."

"Marian Barber!" exclaimed Grace. "Where in the world did you unearth
that man you introduced us to, at the bazaar?"

"Yes, I should say so," echoed Nora. "I didn't like him one bit."

A flush overspread Marian Barber's plain face. She frowned, then said
very stiffly:

"Really, girls, I can't see why any one should dislike Mr. Hammond. I
think he is a remarkably nice young man. Father and mother like him,
too. He has called to see me twice since the bazaar, and I am going to
the theatre with him to-morrow night. I like him very much better than
any of these silly Oakdale schoolboys," she added a trifle maliciously.

The girls listened, thunderstruck. Was this good-natured, easy going
Marian Barber who had spoken? To their knowledge Marian had never before
received attentions from even "silly schoolboys." She was well liked
among girls, but had always fought shy of young men.

"Forgive me, Marian," cried Nora impulsively. "I didn't dream that you
were interested in Mr. Hammond."

"I am not half as much interested in him as he is interested in me,"
retorted Marian, bridling. "He prefers me to any Oakdale girl he has
met."

The girls exchanged astonished glances at Marian's complacent statement.

"Where did you first meet him, Marian?" asked Anne gently.

"At the bazaar," replied Marian promptly.

"Who introduced him to you?" asked Grace curiously.

Marian hesitated a moment, then burst forth defiantly. "I suppose you
girls will think it perfectly dreadful when I tell you that he
introduced himself. He came up and asked me to tell him about some of
the features of the bazaar. I did, then he went away, and after a while
he came back and talked to me a long time. He is in the real estate
business, and is going to have an office here in Oakdale. He was very
much interested in the things I said to him, and when I told him about
our Phi Sigma Tau he asked to be introduced to you girls. I never
supposed you'd take such a dislike to him. I think he is perfectly
splendid," she added with emphasis.

"Well, I don't agree with you," said hot-headed Nora. "And I don't think
you should have noticed him, beyond being merely civil, without an
introduction. Do you, Grace?"

"I don't know," said Grace slowly. "That is a question that no one save
Marian can settle. I don't wish to seem hateful, Marian, but to tell you
the truth, I wasn't favorably impressed with Mr. Hammond. Besides, he is
ever so much older than you are. He must be at least twenty-five years
old."

"He is twenty-nine," replied Marian coldly. "And I am glad that he isn't
as young and foolish as most of the boys I have met."

"Does your mother know how you happened to meet him?" asked Jessica
unthinkingly.

But this was a little too much. Marian rose to her feet, her voice
choking with anger. "I don't blame Eleanor Savelli for calling you
busy-bodies," she said. "And I shall be infinitely obliged to you if you
will in future look to your own affairs and stop criticizing me."

With these words she rushed from the room, seized her wraps and was out
on the street before any of the remaining girls had fully comprehended
what had happened.




CHAPTER IX

THE JUDGE'S HOUSE PARTY


"There is nothing like congenial company when one travels," remarked
Hippy Wingate, favoring his friends with a patronizing smile. "Now, when
I came home from college I was obliged to consort with such grouches as
David Nesbit and Reddy Brooks, who made me keep quiet when I wished to
speak, and speak when I fain would have slept. But, observe the
difference, all these fresh and charming damsels--"

"Charming we are, beyond a doubt," interrupted Nora O'Malley, "but
fresh--never. The only fresh person aboard is named Wingate."

"If you two are going to disagree we'll bundle you both into the baggage
car and let you fight it out," warned David. "Hippy ought to be exiled
to that particular spot for having reviled Reddy and me."

"Keep quiet, Nora," said Hippy in a stage whisper. "We are in the hands
of desperadoes."

It was a merry party who were speeding along their way to the state
capital, for a wonderful visit was to be paid and the Phi Sigma Tau and
their friends were to pay it. In short, Judge Putnam had invited them to
spend Christmas at his beautiful home in the capital city, and for eight
happy days they were to be his guests.

It was in reality Grace's party. The judge had written her, asking her
to select as many guests as she chose. She had also received a prettily
worded note from his sister, who had chaperoned them the previous summer
in the Adirondacks, and who had taken charge of the judge's home in the
capital for years.

Grace had at once invited the Phi Sigma Tau, and dispatched special
delivery letters to Hippy, David and Reddy, not forgetting Tom Gray and
Arnold Evans.

In order to make an even number of boys and girls, Grace had invited
James Gardiner, an Oakdale boy, and last of all, very reluctantly, had
sent a note to Mr. Henry Hammond.

This she had done solely to appease Marian Barber's wounded pride. For a
week after the day that Marian had rushed angrily out of Grace's house,
she had refused to go near her sorority. But one afternoon the six
girls, headed by Grace, waylaid her as she was leaving the school and
after much coaxing Marian allowed herself to be brought to a more
reasonable frame of mind.

Then Grace, who honestly regretted having hurt Marian's feelings, had
made an extra effort to treat Mr. Hammond cordially when they chanced to
meet, and her friends had followed her example.

In spite of their feeling of dislike for him, they were forced to
acknowledge that he seemed well-bred, was a young man of apparently good
habits and that Oakdale people were rapidly taking him up. Grace
privately thought Marian entirely too young to receive the attentions of
a man so much older than herself, but Marian's father and mother
permitted it, therefore Grace felt that she had no right to judge or
object.

The longest journey seems brief when beguiled by gay companions, and the
time slipped by like magic. It was with genuine surprise that the little
party heard their station called. There was a great scurrying about for
their various belongings, and well laden with suit cases and traveling
bags the party hustled out of the train and were met on the platform by
the judge's chauffeur, who conducted them to two waiting automobiles.

Off they whirled and in an incredibly short time the two machines drew
up before the judge's stately home, where lights gleamed from every
window. The guests alighted with much laughter and noise, and in a
twinkling the massive front door opened and Judge Putnam appeared.

"Welcome, welcome!" he cried. "Now I am sure to have a Merry Christmas.
I don't see how your fathers and mothers could spare you, and I owe them
a debt of gratitude. Come in, come in. Here, Mary, are your children
again."

The judge's sister came forward and greeted the young people warmly,
kissing each girl in turn and shaking hands with the boys. Mr. Hammond
and James Gardiner were duly presented to the judge and his sister, and
then the boys were shown to their rooms by one of the servants, while
Miss Putnam herself conducted the girls to theirs.

"We usually dine between seven and seven-thirty, my dears," said Miss
Putnam, as they ascended. "I will send my maid, Annette, to you. Will
you have separate rooms, or do you wish to do as you did last summer?"

"Oh, let two of us room together," said Grace eagerly. "But still, that
isn't fair, for it will leave an odd one. You know we had Mabel with us
last summer."

"Dear little Mabel," said Miss Putnam. "I am sure you must miss her
greatly. Her finding of her mother was very wonderful. I received a
letter from her last week. She says she is very happy, but that she
misses her Oakdale friends, particularly Jessica."

"She is coming east for commencement," said Jessica with a wistful
smile. "No one knows how much I miss her."

"Let us settle the question of rooms at once," interposed Grace, who
knew that whenever the conversation turned to Mabel, Jessica invariably
was attacked with the blues. "Who is willing to room alone?"

"I am," replied Miriam Nesbit, "only I stipulate that I be allowed to
pay nocturnal visits to the rest of you whenever I get too bored with my
own society."

"Very well, then," replied Grace. "How shall we arrange it?"

"You and Anne take one room, then," said Nora rather impatiently,
"Jessica and I another and that leaves Marian and Eva together. Do hurry
up about it, for I want to get the soot off my face, and the cinders out
of my eyes."

The question of roommates being thus settled, the girls trooped into the
rooms assigned them and began to dress for dinner. The matter of gowns
had been discussed by the girls when the judge's invitation had first
arrived. As they were to remain for a week, they would need trunks, but
for the first dinner, in case the trunks did not arrive on time, it had
been agreed that they each carry one simple gown in their suit cases.

Grace and Anne had both chosen white, Jessica a dainty flowered
organdie, and Nora a pale pink dimity. Eva Allen also had selected
white. Marian Barber alone refused to give her friends any satisfaction
as to what she intended to wear. "Wait and see," she had answered. "I
want my gown to be a complete surprise to all of you."

"How funny Marian acted about her gown," remarked Grace to Anne, as she
fastened the last button on the latter's waist. The maid sent by Miss
Putnam had offered her services, but the girls, wishing to be alone, had
not required them.

"Yes," responded Anne. "I don't understand her at all of late. She has
changed a great deal, and I believe it is due to the influence of that
horrid Henry Hammond. I simply can't like that man."

"Nor I," said Grace. "It requires an effort on my part to be civil to
him. I think, too, that the boys are not favorably impressed with him,
although they are too polite to say so."

"I believe in first impressions," remarked Anne. "I think that nine
times out of ten they are correct. I may be doing the man an injustice,
but I can't help it. Every time that I talk with him I feel that he is
playing a part, that underneath his polish he has a cruel, relentless
nature."

"Are you girls ready!" called Nora's voice just outside their door.

"In a minute," answered Grace, and with a last glance at the mirror she
and Anne stepped into the hall, where Nora, Jessica and Eva Allen stood
waiting.

"Where's Marian?" asked Grace, noticing her absence.

"Don't ask me," said Eva, in a tone bordering on disgust. "She won't be
out for some time."

"Shall we wait for her?" inquired Anne.

"No," replied Eva shortly. "Let us go, and don't ask me anything about
her. When she does finally appear you'll understand."

"This sounds very mysterious," said Miriam Nesbit, who in a white dotted
Swiss, with a sprig of holly in her black braids, looked particularly
handsome. "Come on, girls, shall we go down?"

The six girls descended to the drawing room, looking the very
incarnation of youth and charming girlhood, and the judge's eyes
brightened at sight of them.

"A rosebud garden of girls," he cried gallantly, "but I seem to miss
some one. Where is the seventh rosebud?"

"Marian will be here directly," said Grace, as they gathered about the
big fireplace until dinner should be announced.

But ten minutes went by, and Marian still lingered.

"Dinner is served," announced the old butler.

The girls exchanged furtive glances, the judge looked rather
uncomfortable, while Mr. Henry Hammond frowned openly.

Then there was another ten minutes' wait, that the girls tried to cover
with conversation. Then--a rustle of silken skirts and a figure appeared
in the archway that caused those assembled to stare in sheer amazement.

Was this fashionably attired person plain every-day Marian Barber? Her
hair was drawn high upon her head, and topped with a huge cluster of
false puffs, which made her look several years older than she had
appeared in the afternoon, while her gown of blue satin was cut rather
too low for a young girl, and had mere excuses in the way of sleeves. To
cap the climax, however, it had a real train that persisted in getting
in her way every time she attempted to move.

For a full minute no one spoke. Grace had an almost irrepressible desire
to laugh aloud, as she caught the varied expressions on the faces of her
friends. Mr. Hammond alone appeared unmoved. Grace fancied that she even
detected a gleam of approval in his eyes as he glanced toward Marian.

"Shall we dine!" asked the judge, offering his arm to Grace, while Tom
Gray escorted Miss Putnam, the other young men following with their
friends.

The dinner passed off smoothly, although there was a curious constraint
fell upon the young people that nothing could dispel.

Marian's gown had indeed proved a surprise to her young friends, and
they could not shake off a certain sense of mortification at her lack of
good taste.

"How could Marian Barber be so ridiculous, and why did her mother ever
allow her to dress herself like that?" thought Grace as she glanced at
Marian, who was simpering at some remark that Mr. Henry Hammond was
making to her in a voice too low for the others to hear.

Then Grace suddenly remembered that Marian's mother had left Oakdale
three weeks before on a three months' visit to a sister in a distant
city.

"That deceitful old Henry Hammond is at the bottom of this," Grace
decided. "He has probably put those ideas of dressing up into Marian's
head. She needs some one to look after her. I'll ask mother if she can
stay with me until her mother returns, that is if I can persuade her to
come."

"Come out of your brown study, Grace," called Hippy. "I want you to
settle an argument that has arisen between Miss O'Malley and myself.
Never before have we had an argument. Timid, gentle creature that she
is, she has always deferred to my superior intellect, but now--"

"Yes," retorted Nora scornfully, "now, he has been routed with
slaughter, and so he has to call upon other people to rescue him from
the fruits of his own folly."

"I am not asking aid," averred Hippy with dignity. "I plead for simple
justice."

"Simple, indeed," interrupted David with a twinkle in his eye.

"I see very plainly," announced Hippy, "that I shall have to drop this
O'Malley affair and defend myself against later unkind attacks. But
first I shall eat my dessert, then I shall have greater strength to
renew the fray."

"Then my services as a settler of arguments are not required," laughed
Grace.

"Postponed, merely postponed," assured Hippy, and devoted himself
assiduously to his dessert, refusing to be beguiled into further
conversation.

Dinner over, the entire party repaired once more to the drawing room,
where the young people performed for the judge's especial benefit the
stunts for which they were already famous.

Much to Grace's annoyance, Henry Hammond attached himself to her, and
try as she might she could not entirely rid herself of his attentions
without absolute rudeness. Tom Gray looked a trifle surprised at this,
and Marian Barber seemed openly displeased. Grace felt thoroughly out of
patience, when toward the close of the evening, he approached her as she
stood looking at a Japanese curio, and said:

"I wish to thank you, Miss Harlowe, for inviting me to become a member
of this house party. I appreciate your invitation more than I can say."

"I hope you will enjoy yourself, Mr. Hammond," replied Grace rather
coldly.

"There is little doubt of that," was the ready answer. "How well Marian
is looking to-night. I am surprised at the difference a really grown-up
gown makes in her."

Grace glanced at Marian, who in her eyes looked anything but well.

"Mr. Hammond," she said slowly, looking straight at him. "I do not in
the least agree with you. Marian is not yet eighteen, and to-night she
looks like anything but the school-girl that she did this afternoon. If
her mother were at home I am sure that she would never allow Marian to
have such a gown made, and I cannot fully understand what mischievous
influence prompted her to make herself appear so utterly ridiculous
to-night."

"Miss Harlowe," said the young man, his face darkening ominously, "your
tone is decidedly offensive. Do I understand you to insinuate that I
have in any way influenced Miss Barber as to her manner of dress?"

"I insinuate nothing," replied Grace, rather contemptuously. "If the
coat fits you wear it."

"Miss Harlowe," answered the young man almost savagely, "I cannot
understand why, after having included me in this house party, you
deliberately insult me; but I advise you to be more careful in the
future as to your remarks or I shall be tempted to forget the courtesy
due a young woman, and repay you in your own coin."

"Mr. Hammond," replied Grace with cold scorn, "I acknowledge that my
last remark to you was exceedingly rude, but nothing can palliate the
offense of your reply. As a matter of interest, let me state that I am
not in the least alarmed at your threat, for only a coward would ever
attempt to bully a girl."

With these words Grace moved quickly away, leaving Mr. Henry Hammond to
digest her answer as best he might.




CHAPTER X

CHRISTMAS WITH JUDGE


It was Christmas Eve, and the great soft flakes of snow that fell
continuously gave every indication of a white Christmas. The north wind
howled and blustered through the tree tops, making the judge and his
young guests congratulate themselves on being safely sheltered from the
storm.

The day had been clear and cold, and the entire party had driven on
bob-sleds to the strip of woods just outside the town, where the boys
had cut down a Christmas tree, and had brought it triumphantly home,
while the girls had piled the sleds with evergreens and ground pine. On
the return a stop had been made at the market, and great quantities of
holly had been bought. Even the sprig of mistletoe for the chandelier in
the hall had not been forgotten.

"We'll hurry up and get everything ready before the judge comes in,"
planned Grace. "We'll put this mistletoe right here, and Nora, you must
see to it that you lead him over until he stands directly under it. Then
we will all surround him. Miriam, will you tell Miss Putnam? We want her
to be in it, too."

The young folks worked untiringly and a little before five the last
trail of ground pine was in place, and the decorators stood back and
reviewed their work with pride.

The great hall and drawing room had been transformed into a veritable
corner of the forest, and the red holly berries peeping out from the
green looked like little flame-colored heralds of Christmas. Here and
there a poinsettia made a gorgeous blot of color, while on an
old-fashioned mahogany what-not stood an immense bowl of deep-red roses,
the joint contribution of the Phi Sigma Tau.

"It looks beautiful," sighed Jessica, "we really ought to feel proud of
ourselves."

The entire party was grouped about the big drawing room.

"I am always proud of myself," asserted Hippy. "In the first place there
is a great deal of me to be proud of; and in the second place I don't
believe in hiding my light under a bushel."

"Now Jessica, you have started him," said David with a groan. "He'll
talk about himself for an hour unless Reddy and I lead him out."

"I dare you to lead me out," defied Hippy.

"I never take a dare," replied David calmly, making a lunge for Hippy.
"Come on, Reddy."

Reddy sprang forward and Hippy was hustled out, chanting as he went:

    "Now children do not blame me, for I have so
        much to say,
    That from myself I really cannot tear myself
        away,"

and remained outside for the space of two minutes, when he suddenly
reappeared wearing Grace's coat and Miriam Nesbit's plumed hat and
performed a wild dance down the middle of the room that made his friends
shriek with laughter.

"Hippy, when will you be good?" inquired Miriam, as she rescued her hat,
and smoothed its ruffled plumes.

"Never, I hope," replied Hippy promptly.

"That's the judge's ring," cried Grace as the sound of the bell echoed
through the big room, and the guests flocked into the hall to welcome
their host.

"This is what I call a warm reception," laughed Judge Putnam, as he
stood surrounded by laughing faces.

"I claim the privilege of escorting Judge Putnam down the hall," cried
Nora, and she conducted him directly to where the mistletoe hung.

"I must be an object of envy to you young men," chuckled the judge, as
he walked unsuspectingly to his fate.

"The mistletoe! The mistletoe! You're standing under the mistletoe!" was
the cry and the seven girls and Miss Putnam joined hands and circled
around the judge. Then each girl in turn stepped up and imprinted a kiss
on the good old judge's cheek.

[Illustration: The Girls Circled Around the Judge]

"Well, I never!" exclaimed the old gentleman, but there were tears in
his blue eyes and his voice trembled as he said to his sister, who was
the last to salute him, "It takes me back over the years, Mary."

It was a merry party that ran upstairs to dress for dinner that night,
and the spirit of Christmas seemed to have settled down upon the judge's
borrowed household.

The only thing that had dimmed Grace Harlowe's pleasure in the least was
the passage at arms that had occurred between herself and Henry Hammond.
Grace's conscience smote her. She felt that she should not have spoken
to him as she had, even though she disliked him. To be sure, his remark
about Marian's gown had caused her inwardly to accuse him of influencing
Marian to make herself ridiculous in the eyes of her friends, but she
could not forgive herself for having unthinkingly spoken as she had
done.

After due reflection Grace decided that she had acted unwisely, and made
up her mind that she would try to make amends for her unkind retort. She
decided, however, to see if she could not persuade Marian to go back to
her usual style of dress.

Grace hurried through her dressing, and looking very sweet and wholesome
in her dainty blue organdie, knocked at the door of the room occupied by
Marian and Eva Allen.

"Come in," cried Eva's voice, and Grace entered, to find Eva completely
dressed in a pretty white pongee, eyeing with great disfavor the
tight-fitting princess gown of black silk that the maid was struggling
to hook Marian into.

"Marian!" exclaimed Grace. "What ever made you have a black evening
gown? It makes you look years older than you are."

"That's exactly what I told her," said Eva Allen, "but she won't believe
it."

Marian looked sulky, then said rather sullenly: "I really can't see what
difference it makes to you girls what I wear. I haven't interfered with
you in the matter of your gowns, have I?"

"No," replied Grace truthfully, "but Marian, I think the judge likes to
see us in the simple evening dresses we have been accustomed to wearing,
and as we are his guests we ought to try and please him. Besides, you
would look so much better in your white embroidered dress, or your pink
silk, that you wore to commencement last year."

"I don't agree with, you at all," replied Marian so stiffly that the
maid smiled openly, as she put the final touches to Marian's hair
preparatory to adjusting the cluster of puffs that had completed her
astonishing coiffure the night before. "Furthermore, I have been assured
by persons of extreme good taste that my new gowns give me a distinct
individuality I have never before possessed."

"That person of extreme good taste is named Hammond," thought Grace.
"That remark about 'individuality' sounds just like him. I'll make one
more appeal to her."

Going over to where Marian stood viewing herself with satisfaction in
the long mirror, Grace slipped her arm around her old friend.

"Listen, dear," she coaxed, "we mustn't quarrel on Christmas Eve. You
know we are all Phi Sigma Taus and it seems so strange to see you
looking so stately and grown up. Put on your white dress to-night, just
to please me."

But Marian drew away from her, frowning angrily. "Really, Grace," she
exclaimed, "you are too provoking for any use, and I wish you would mind
your own business and let me wear what I choose."

"Please pardon me, Marian," said Grace, turning toward the door. "I am
sorry to have troubled you," and was gone like a flash.

"You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Marian Barber!" burst forth Eva.
"The idea of telling Grace to mind her own business! You haven't been a
bit like yourself lately, and I know that it's all on account of that
Henry Hammond, the old snake."

"You will oblige me greatly, Eva, by referring more respectfully to my
friend, Mr. Hammond," said Marian with offended dignity. Then she sailed
out of the room, her train dragging half a yard behind her, while Eva
turned to the mirror with a contemptuous sniff and powdered her little
freckled nose almost savagely before following her irate roommate down
stairs.




CHAPTER XI

SANTA CLAUS VISITS THE JUDGE


The moment that dinner was over the judge was hustled into the library
by Nora and Miriam, and informed by them that they constituted a
committee of two to amuse him until eleven o'clock. He was their
prisoner and they dared him to try to escape.

Next to Grace, Nora, with her rosy cheeks and ready Irish wit was
perhaps the judge's favorite, while he had a profound admiration for
stately Miriam; so he was well satisfied with his captors, who
triumphantly conducted him to the drawing room, where Miriam played and
Nora sang Irish ballads with a delicious brogue that completely
captivated the old gentleman.

At eleven o'clock there was a great jingling of bells and into the room
dashed Santa Claus, looking as fat and jolly as a story-book Kris
Kringle.

"Merry Christmas," he cried in a high squeaky voice. "It's a little
early to wish you Merry Christmas, judge, but I've an engagement in
China at midnight so I thought I'd drop in here a trifle early, leave a
few toys for you and your little playmates and be gone. I always make it
a point to remember good little boys. So hurry up, everybody, and follow
me, for I haven't long to stay."

With these words Kris Kringle dashed through the hall followed by the
judge who, entering fully into the spirit of the affair, seized Nora and
Miriam by the hand and the three raced after their strange visitor at
full speed, catching up with him at the door of the dining room which
was closed. Here Santa Claus paused and gave three knocks on the oak
door.

"Who is there?" demanded a voice, that sounded like David Nesbit's.

"Kris Kringle and three good children."

"Enter into the realm of Christmas," answered the voice, and the door
was flung open.

The sight that greeted them was sufficiently brilliant to dazzle their
eyes for a moment. In one corner of the dining room stood the great
tree, radiant with gilt and silver ornaments. At the top was a huge
silver star, while the branches were wound with glittering tinsel, and
heavily laden with beribboned bundles of all shapes and sizes, while the
space around the base of the tree was completely filled with presents.

At one side of the tree stood a graceful figure clad in a white robe
that glittered and sparkled as though covered with diamonds. She wore a
gilt crown on her head and carried a scepter, while over her shoulder
trailed a long garland of holly fastened with scarlet ribbons. It was
Grace Harlowe in a robe made of cotton wadding thickly sprinkled with
diamond dust, gotten up to represent the spirit of Christmas.

On the other side of the tree lay old Father Time, apparently fast
asleep, his sickle by his side. His long white cotton beard flowed
realistically down to his waist, and in his folded hands was a placard
bearing these words, "Gone to sleep for the next hundred years," while
in the opposite corner his sister and the rest of the guests had grouped
themselves, and as the old gentleman stepped over the threshold, a
chorus of laughing voices rang out:

"Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!"

Then Grace glided forward and escorted the judge to a sort of double
throne that had been improvised from two easy chairs raised to a small
platform constructed by the boys, and draped with the piano cover, and a
couple of silken curtains, while Santa Claus performed the same office
for Miss Putnam.

After they had been established with great pomp and ceremony, Santa
Claus awoke Father Time by shaking him vigorously, apologizing to the
company between each shake for doing so, and promising to put him to
sleep the moment the festivities were over.

Then the fun of distributing the presents began, and for the next hour a
great unwrapping and rattling of papers ensued, mingled with constant
exclamations of surprise and delight from all present, as they opened
and admired their gifts.

The judge was particularly pleased with the little personal gifts that
the girls themselves had made for him, and exclaimed with the delight of
a schoolboy as he opened each one. At last nothing remained save one
rather imposing package.

"This must be something very remarkable," said the judge, as he untied
the bow of scarlet ribbon and unwrapped the folds of tissue paper,
disclosing a cut glass inkstand, with a heavy silver top, on which were
engraved his initials in block letters.

There was a general murmur of admiration from all.

"Very fine, very fine," said the judge, picking up the card which read,
"Merry Christmas, from Miss Barber."

"Miss Barber?" he repeated questioningly. Then it dawned upon him that
this expensive gift was from one of his guests.

"Pardon me, my dear," he said turning to Marian, who looked half
complacent, half embarrassed. "I am an old man and don't always remember
names as well as I should. The beauty of your gift quite overcame me.
Allow me to thank you and express my appreciation of it."

Marian smiled affectedly at the judge's words, in a manner so foreign to
her former, blunt, good-natured self, that the girl chums watched her in
silent amazement.

But the judge's inkstand was merely the fore-runner of surprises. A
sudden cry from Grace attracted the attention of the others.

"Why, Marian Barber, what made you do it?"

Then other exclamations followed in quick succession as the Phi Sigma
Taus rushed over to her in a body, each carrying a jeweler's box.

"You shouldn't have been so generous, Marian," said Grace. "I never
dreamed of receiving this beautiful gold chain."

"Just look at my bracelet!" cried Jessica.

"And my lovely ring!" put in Nora.

"Not half so fine as my silver purse," commented Anne.

Miriam Nesbit was the recipient of a cut glass powder box with a silver
top, while Eva Allen was in raptures over a gold chatelaine pin, that
more than once she had vainly sighed for.

Even the boys had been so well remembered that they felt rather
embarrassed when they compared their simple gifts to Marian with those
she had given them. As for Mr. Henry Hammond, he had received a complete
toilet set mounted in silver that was truly a magnificent affair, while
Marian proudly exhibited a gold chain and locket set with small
diamonds, which she had received from him.

When the last package had been opened, Santa Claus removed his huge
white beard, slipped out of his scarlet bath robe bordered with cotton
and stood forth as Hippy Wingate; while Father Time set his sickle
carefully up in one corner, divested himself of his flowing beard and
locks, took off David's gray dressing gown and appeared as Tom Gray.

It was long after midnight before the guests sought their rooms, their
arms piled with gifts.

"Come into my room for an after-gathering," said Miriam to the girls, as
they stood in a group at the head of the stairs.

"Wait until we deposit our spoils and get comfy," said Grace.

Fifteen minutes later the Phi Sigma Taus, with the exception of Marian
Barber, wrapped in kimonos, were monopolizing the floor space around the
big open fireplace in Miriam's room.

"Where's Marian?" asked Grace.

"Gone to bed," answered Eva laconically. "She said she didn't propose to
stay up half the night to gossip."

"The very idea!" exclaimed Jessica. "We never do gossip, but I think she
has furnished plenty of material so far for a gossiping match."

"And it looks as though we were in a fair way to start one, now," said
Anne slyly.

"Anne, you rascal," said Jessica laughing. "I'll acknowledge my sins and
change the subject."

"My presents were all beautiful!" said Miriam Nesbit, who, clad in a
kimono of cream-colored silk bordered with red poppies, her long black
braids hanging far below her waist, looked like a princess of the
Orient.

"And mine," echoed Grace. "The chain Marian gave me is a dear."

She stopped abruptly. A sudden silence had fallen upon the group at her
words. Grace instantly divined that in the minds of her friends there
lurked a secret disapproval of Marian's extravagance in the matter of
gifts.




CHAPTER XII

THE MISTLETOE BOUGH


After breakfast the next morning the judge proposed a sleigh ride, and
soon the entire party were skimming over the ground in two big
old-fashioned sleighs. Though the day was fairly cold, the guests were
too warmly wrapped to pay any attention to the weather, and keenly
enjoyed every moment of the ride.

After lunch a mysterious council took place in the library, and directly
after a visit was made to the attic, Grace having received permission to
rummage there. Later Reddy and Tom Gray were seen staggering down the
stairs under the weight of a huge cedar chest, and later still the girls
hurried down, their arms piled high with costumes of an earlier period.

Christmas dinner was to be a grand affair, and the judge had invited
half a dozen friends of his own age to share "his borrowed children."

The girls had saved their prettiest gowns for the occasion, and the boys
had put on evening dress. The judge viewed them with unmistakable pride
as they stood grouped about the drawing room, awaiting the announcement
of dinner. An almost imperceptible frown gathered between his brows,
however, as his eyes rested upon Marian Barber, who was wearing a
fearfully and wonderfully made gown of gold-colored silk, covered with
spangles, that gave her a serpentine effect, and made her look ten years
older than the other girls.

On going upstairs to dress, Marian had asked Eva Allen if she objected
to dressing with Miriam Nesbit, and Eva had obligingly taken her
belongings into Miriam's room after obtaining the latter's permission to
do so. Marian had engaged the attention of Miss Putnam's maid for the
greater part of an hour, and when she did appear the varied expressions
upon the faces of her friends plainly showed that she had succeeded in
creating a sensation.

"For goodness sake, what ails Marian!" growled Reddy Brooks in an
undertone to David. "Can't the girls make her see that she looks like a
fright beside them?"

"Anne told me that Grace and Eva have both talked to her," replied David
in guarded tones. "Grace thinks Hammond has put this grown-up idea into
her head."

"Humph!" growled Reddy in disgust. "She used to be a mighty pleasant,
sensible girl, but lately she acts like a different person. I don't
think much of that fellow Hammond. He's too good to be true."

"What have we here?" whispered Hippy to Nora under cover of general
conversation. "I never before saw so many spingles and spangles
collected in one spot."

"Sh-h-h!" pleaded Nora. "Don't make me laugh, Hippy. Marian is looking
this way, and she'll be awfully cross if she thinks we are making sport
of her."

"She reminds me of a song I once heard in a show which went something
like this," and Hippy naughtily sang under his breath:

    "My well-beloved circus queen,
    My human snake, my Angeline!"

There was a queer choking sound from Nora and she walked quickly down to
the other end of the drawing room and earnestly fixed her gaze upon a
portrait of one of the judge's ancestors, until she could gain control
of her risibles.

The dinner was a memorable one to both the judge and his guests, and it
was after nine o'clock before the last toast had been drunk in fruit
punch. Then every one repaired again to the drawing room.

Shortly after, Grace, Anne, Nora, Jessica, Eva and Miriam, accompanied
by David, Tom, Hippy and Reddy disappeared, closing the massive doors
between the drawing room and the wide hall. Half an hour later Arnold
Evans announced that all those wishing to attend the pantomime, "The
Mistletoe Bough," could obtain front seats in the hall.

There was a general rush for the hall where the spectators found rows of
chairs arranged at one end.

Hardly had they seated themselves when the first notes of that quaint
old ballad, "The Mistletoe Bough," sounded from the piano in the drawing
room, Nora O'Malley appeared in the archway, and in her clear, sweet
voice sang the first verse of the song.

As she finished, the strains of a wedding march were heard, and from the
room at the opposite side of the hall came a wedding procession.

Anne, as the bride, was attired in an old-time, short-waisted gown of
white satin with a long lace veil, yellow with age, while David in a
square-cut costume with powdered wig, enacted the part of the
bridegroom. Arnold Evans was the clergyman, Grace and Tom the parents of
the bride, while Reddy, Jessica, Hippy and Eva were the wedding guests.

All were garbed in the fashion of "ye olden time," the boys in wigs and
square cuts, the girls in short-waisted, low-necked gowns, with hair
combed high and powdered.

Then the ceremony was performed in pantomime and the bride and groom
received the congratulations of their friends. The groom bowed low over
the bride's hand and led her to the center of the hall. The other
couples formed in line behind them and a stately minuet was danced.

While the minuet was in progress the bride suddenly stopped in the midst
of the figure and professing weariness of the dance, ran out of the
room, after signifying to her husband and guests that she would hide,
and after a brief interval they should seek for her.

Entering into her fun, the young husband and guests smilingly lingered a
moment after her departure, and then ran eagerly off to find her. This
closed the scene, and Nora again appeared and sang the next verse.

The cedar chest, brought from the attic by the boys, had been set on the
broad landing at the turn of the open staircase, and in the next scene
Anne appeared, alone, and discovering the chest climbed gleefully into
it and drew the lid down.

Then followed the vain search for her and the deep despair of the young
husband at the failure to find his bride, with the final departure of
the wedding guests, their joy changed to sorrow over the bride's
mysterious disappearance.

There was a brief wait until the next scene, during which another verse
of the ballad was sung. Then the husband, grown old, appeared and in
pantomime reviewed the story of the strange vanishing of his beautiful
bride on her wedding night so many years before. In the next scene two
servants appeared with orders to clean out and remove the old chest from
the landing. Hippy and Jessica, as the two mischievous prying servants,
enacted their part to perfection. Hippy carrying a broom and dust pan,
did one of the eccentric dances, for which he was famous, while Jessica,
armed with a huge duster, tried to drive him to work.

Finally both lay hold of the old chest, the rusted lock broke and the
lid flew open. After one look both servants ran away in terror, and
beckoned to the forsaken husband who had appeared in the meantime,
seating himself on the oak settee in the lower hall. With eager gestures
they motioned him to the landing where the old chest stood. The final
tableau, depicted the stricken husband on his knees beside the chest
with a portion of the wedding veil in his shaking hands, while the
servants, ignorant of the story of the lost bride, looked on in wonder.

During the last tableau Nora softly sang the closing verse and the
refrain. Even after the last note had died away the spectators sat
perfectly still for a moment. Then the applause burst forth and David
bowing in acknowledgment, turned and helped Anne out of the chest, where
she had lain quietly after hiding.

The chest had been set with the side that opened toward the wall. While
planning for the pantomime the boys had arranged the lid so that it did
not close, yet the opening was not perceptible to those seated below.
Thus there had been no danger of Anne meeting the fate of the
ill-starred Ginevra, the heroine of the ballad.

"You clever children," cried the old judge. "How did you ever get up
anything like that on such short notice? It was beautifully done. I have
always been very fond of 'The Mistletoe Bough.' My sister used to sing
it for me."

"Grace thought of it," said Anne. "We found all those costumes up in the
garret in the old cedar chest. We knew the story by heart, and we knew
the minuet. We danced it at an entertainment in Oakdale last winter. We
had a very short rehearsal this afternoon in the garret and that's all."

"Anne arranged the scenes and coached David in his part of the
pantomime," said Grace. "She did more than I."

The judge's guests, also, added their tribute of admiration to that of
the judge.

"It was all so real. I could scarcely refrain from telling that poor
young husband where his bride had hidden herself," laughed one old
gentleman.

"Why don't you children have a little dance?" asked the judge. "This
hall ought to make a good ball room, and you can take turns at the
piano."

"Oh, may we, Judge?" cried Grace in delight. "I am simply dying to have
a good waltz on this floor."

"I'll play for you for a while," volunteered Miriam, "then Eva and
Jessica can take my place."

Five minutes later the young folks were gliding about the big hall to
the strains of a Strauss' waltz, while the judge and his friends looked
on, taking an almost melancholy pleasure in the gay scene of youthful
enjoyment.

"Will you dance the next waltz with me, Miss Harlowe!" said Henry
Hammond to Grace, as she sat resting after a two-step.

After a second's hesitation Grace replied in the affirmative. Despite
her resolve to make peace with him, up to that moment Grace had been
unable to bring herself to the point of speaking pleasantly to him.

The waltz began, and as they glided around the room she was obliged to
acknowledge herself that Henry Hammond's dancing left nothing to be
desired.

"Perhaps my impressions of him are unjust, after all," thought Grace. "I
suppose I have no right to criticize him so severely, even though he was
rude to me the other night. I was rude, too. Perhaps he will turn out--"

But Grace's reflections were cut short by her partner, who had stopped
in the center of the hall.

"Miss Harlowe," he said with a disagreeable smile, "you are standing
directly under the mistletoe. I suppose you know the penalty."

Grace looked at him with flashing eyes. "Mr. Hammond," she replied,
flushing angrily, "you purposely halted under the mistletoe, and if for
one minute you think that you can take advantage of a foolish tradition
by so doing you are mistaken. When we girls coaxed Judge Putnam under
the mistletoe the other night, it was merely with the view of offering a
pretty courtesy to an elderly gentleman. None of our boys would think of
being so silly, and I want you to distinctly understand that not one of
our crowd is given to demonstrations of that sort."

"Miss Harlowe," replied Henry Hammond between his teeth, "you are an
insolent, ill-bred young woman, and it is plain to be seen that you are
determined to misconstrue my every action and incur my enmity. So be it,
but let me warn you that my hatred is no light matter."

"Your friendship or your enmity are a matter of equal indifference to
me, Mr. Hammond," answered Grace, and with a cool nod she crossed the
room and joined Nora and Hippy, who were sitting on the stairs playing
cats' cradle with the long silver chain of Nora's fan.




CHAPTER XIII

TOM AND GRACE SCENT TROUBLE


The time passed all too rapidly, and with many expressions of regret on
both sides the judge and his youthful guests parted, two days before the
New Year.

On account of the house party the Phi Sigma Tau had been obliged to
postpone until New Year's Day entertaining as they had done the previous
year the stray High School girls who were far from home. Therefore, the
moment they arrived in Oakdale they found their hands full.

Mrs. Gray had been in California with her brother since September, and
the girls greatly missed the sprightly old lady. It was the first
Christmas since they had entered High School that she had not been with
them, and they were looking forward with great eagerness to her return
in February.

Julia Crosby, who was at Smith College, had accepted an invitation from
her roommate to spend the holidays in Boston, much to Grace's
disappointment, who had reckoned on Julia as one of the judge's house
party.

New Year's Day the Phi Sigma Tau nobly lived up to their reputation as
entertainers of those girls who they had originally pledged themselves
to look out for, but New Year's Night the four girl chums had reserved
for a special gathering which included the "eight originals" only. It
was Miriam who had made this possible by inviting Eva Allen, James
Gardiner, Arnold Evans, Marian Barber, and much against her will, Henry
Hammond, to a dinner.

"Don't feel slighted at being left off my dinner list," she said to
Grace, then added slyly, "Why don't the eight originals hold forth at
Nora's?"

"You're a positive dear, Miriam," Grace replied. "We have been wanting
to have an old-time frolic, but didn't wish to seem selfish and
clannish."

"Opportunity is knocking at your gate, get busy," was Miriam's advice,
which Grace was not slow to follow.

"At last there are signs of that spread that I was promised at the
bazaar," proclaimed Hippy Wingate cheerfully, as attired in a long
gingham apron belonging to Nora's elder sister, he energetically stirred
fudge in a chafing dish and insisted every other minute that Nora should
try it to see if it were done.

"You'll have to stir it a lot, yet," Nora informed him.

"But I'm so tired," protested Hippy. "I think Tom or Reddy might change
jobs with me."

"Not so you could notice it," was the united reply from these two young
men who sat with a basket of English walnuts between them and did great
execution with nut crackers, while Anne and David separated the kernels
from their shells.

The eight originals had repaired to the O'Malley kitchen immediately
after their arrival, and were deep in the preparation of the spread,
long deferred.

Grace stood by the gas range watching the chocolate she was making,
while Nora and Jessica sat at a table making tiny sandwiches of white
and brown bread with fancy fillings.

"This spread will taste much better because we've all had a hand in it,"
remarked David, as he handed Nora a dish of nut kernels, which she
dropped into the mixture over which Hippy labored.

"I never fully realized my own cleverness until to-night," said Hippy
modestly. "My powers as a fudge maker are simply marvelous."

"Humph!" jeered David, "you haven't done anything except stir it, and
you tried to quit doing that."

"But no one paid any attention to my complaints, so I turned out
successfully without aid," retorted Hippy, waving his spoon in triumph.

"Stop talking," ordered Nora, "and pour that fudge into this pan before
it hardens."

"At your service," said Hippy, with a flourish of the chafing dish that
almost resulted in sending its contents to the floor, and elicited
Nora's stern disapproval.

"How fast the time has gone," remarked David to Anne. "Just to think
that it's back to the college for us to-morrow."

"It will seem a long time until Easter," replied Anne rather sadly.

"And still longer to us," was David's answer.

"Oh, I don't know about that," put in Grace, who had heard the
conversation. "I think it is always more lonely for those who are left
behind. Oakdale will seem awfully dull and sleepy. We can't play
basketball any more this year on account of the loss of the gym., and we
seniors are going to give a concert instead of a play. So there are no
exciting prospects ahead. There will be no class dances as we have no
place to dance, unless we hire a hall, and we never have money enough
for that."

"How about the five hundred dollars the judge sent?" asked Reddy.

"Oh, we have decided not to touch that. The money we take in at the
concert will be added to it," said Nora. "That will be two
entertainments for the seniors, and we think that is enough. We want the
other classes to have a chance to make some money, too."

"If we only had the bazaar money that was stolen," said Anne
regretfully.

"Strange that no trace of the thief was ever found," remarked David. "I
know that my wrist was lame for a week from the twist that rascal gave
it."

"I have always had a curious conviction that the man who took that money
had been traveling around in the hall all evening," said Anne
thoughtfully. "Whoever it was, he must have seen Grace deposit the money
in the box, and he also knew the exact location of the switch."

"One would imagine the box too heavy to have been spirited away so
easily," said Tom Gray. "The weight of all that silver must have been
considerable."

"Yes, it did weigh heavily," replied Grace. "Still, we had a great many
bills, too. In spite of the weight the thief did make a successful get
away, and we owe Judge Putnam a heavy debt of gratitude for making good
our loss."

"'Look not mournfully into the past,'" quoted Hippy, "but rather turn
your attention to the important matter of refreshing the inner man."

"You fixed your attention on that matter years ago, Hippopotamus," said
Reddy, "and since then you've never turned it in any other direction."

"Which proves me to be a person of excellent judgment and unqualified
good taste," answered Hippy with a broad grin.

"More taste than judgment, I should say," remarked David.

"This conversation is becoming too personal," complained Hippy. "Excuse
me, Nora, use that Irish wit of yours and lay these slanderers low."

"I am neither a life preserver nor a repairer of reputations," replied
Nora cruelly. "Fight your own battles."

"All right, here goes," said Hippy. "Now Reddy Brooks and David Nesbit,
I said, that what you said, and formerly have said to have said, was
said, because you happened to have said something that I formerly was
said to have said that never should have been said. What I really
said--"

But what Hippy really did say was never revealed, for David and Reddy
laid violent hands upon their garrulous friend and, escorting him to the
kitchen door, shoved him outside and calmly locking the door, left him
to meditate in the back yard, until Nora suddenly remembering that she
had set the fudge on the steps to cool, opened the door in a hurry to
find Hippy seated upon the lower step, a piece of fudge in either hand,
looking the picture of content.

[Illustration: Hippy Sat With A Piece of Fudge in Either Hand]

The party broke up at eleven o'clock, and the hard task of saying
good-bye began. The boys were to leave early the next morning, so the
girls would not see them again until Easter.

"Don't forget to write," called Nora after Hippy, as he hurried down the
steps after the others, who had reached the gate.

"You'll hear from me as soon as we hit the knowledge shop," was the
reassuring answer.

At the corner the little party separated, Hippy, Reddy and Jessica going
in one direction, Anne and David in another, leaving Tom and Grace to
pursue their homeward way alone. As they turned into Putnam Square,
Grace gave a little exclamation, and seizing Tom by the arm, drew him
behind a statue of Israel Putnam at the entrance of the square.

"Marian Barber is coming this way with that horrid Henry Hammond," she
whispered. "I don't care to meet them. I have not spoken to him since
the house party, and Marian will be so angry if I cut him deliberately
when he is with her. I am sure they have not seen us. They were invited
to Miriam's to-night. We'll stand here until they pass."

The two young people stood in the shadow quietly waiting, unseen by the
approaching couple, who were completely absorbed in conversation.

"I tell you I can't do it," Grace heard Marian say impatiently. "It
doesn't belong to me, and I have no right to touch it."

Hammond's reply was inaudible, but it was evident that Marian's remark
had angered him, for he grasped her by the arm so savagely that she
cried out: "Don't hold my arm so tightly, Henry, you are hurting me. I
am not foolish to refuse to give it to you. Suppose you should lose it
all--"

They had passed the statue by this time, and Grace and Tom heard no more
of their conversation. There was a brief silence between them, then
Grace spoke.

"Tom, what do you suppose that means?"

"I don't know, Grace," was the answer. "It didn't sound very promising."

"I should say not," said Grace decidedly. "I feel sure that Henry
Hammond is a thoroughly unscrupulous person, and I shall not rest until
I find out what the conversation we overheard leads to."

"I believe you are right," said Tom, "and I'm only sorry I can't be here
to help ferret the thing out."

"I'll write and keep you posted as to my progress," promised Grace, as
she said good-bye to Tom at the Harlowe's door, a little later.

"Good-bye, Tom. Best wishes to Arnold. I'm sorry I didn't see him
again."

"Good-night, Grace, and good-bye," said Tom, and with a hearty handshake
they parted.

As Grace prepared for bed that night she turned Marian's words over and
over in her mind, but could arrive at no logical conclusion, and finally
dropped to sleep with the riddle still unsolved.




CHAPTER XIV

GRACE AND ANNE PLAN A STUDY CAMPAIGN


With the delights of the past holiday season still fresh in their
memories, the pupils of Oakdale High School went back to their studies
on the fourth of January, and in the course of a few days everything was
again in smooth running order.

Semi-annual examinations were but three weeks away, and that meant a
general brushing up in studies on the part of every pupil.

The senior class had, perhaps, less to do in the way of study than the
three lower classes. A few of the seniors already had enough credits to
insure graduation, although the majority expected the results of the
January examinations to place them securely among the number to be
graduated.

The members of the Phi Sigma Tau, with the exception of Anne, were among
the latter, and had settled down to a three weeks' grind, from which no
form of pleasure could beguile them.

As for Anne, she had carried five studies the entire time she had been
in High School and had never failed in even one examination. She might
have graduated a year earlier had she been so disposed.

Away down in her heart Anne cherished a faint hope that the way for a
college career would yet be opened to her. She had made up her mind to
try for a scholarship, and she prayed earnestly that before the close of
her senior year she might hit upon some plan that would furnish the
money for her support during her freshman year in college.

Grace was optimistic in regard to Anne's college career.

"You'll have some opportunity to earn money before the year is out, just
see if you don't," she said to Anne one day at recess, when the latter
had developed an unusual case of the blues. "If you just keep wishing
hard enough for a thing you are pretty sure to get it. That is, if it's
something that's good for you to have."

"I've been wishing for the same thing ever since I came to Oakdale, and
I haven't got it yet," replied Anne rather mournfully. "I've been
unusually short of money this year, too, because Mrs. Gray has been
away, and the money I received from her work was a great help."

"Poor little Anne," said Grace sympathetically. "I wish you didn't have
to worry over money. However, Mrs. Gray will be home in February, and
you'll have her work until June."

"But even so, I can't have the use of it myself," was Anne's response.
"I shall have to use it at home. We need every cent of it."

"Oh, dear," sighed Grace. "Why doesn't some one appear all of a sudden
and offer you a fine position at about fifty dollars a week."

"Yes," said Anne, laughing in spite of her blues. "That is what really
ought to happen, only the day for miracles is past."

"At any rate, I have always felt that you and I were going to college
together, and I believe we shall," predicted Grace.

"I hope so, but I doubt it," replied Anne wistfully. "By the way, Grace,
do you recite in any of Marian Barber's classes?"

"No," said Grace, "not this term. Why?"

"She is in my section in astronomy," answered Anne, "and lately she
fails every day in recitation. You know it's a one-term study, and she
will have to try an exam in it before long. I don't believe she'll pass,
and she told Nora at the beginning of the year that if she failed in one
study this year she wouldn't have enough credits to get through and
graduate."

"Oh, she'll pull through, I think," said Grace. "She is really brilliant
in mathematics, and always has kept up in other things."

"I know," persisted Anne, "but she has finished her mathematics' group,
and her studies this year are things she doesn't care for, and
consequently left them until the last. We wouldn't want a Phi Sigma Tau
to fail, you know."

"I should say not," was Grace's emphatic response. "What shall we do
about it?"

Anne pondered for a little. "We might take turns coaching her. We have
all passed in astronomy. I don't know how she is in her other studies,"
she said. "Do you suppose she'd be angry if we proposed it to her?"

"I don't know," said Grace doubtfully. "She hasn't been to the last two
Phi Sigma Tau meetings, and she is awfully cool to me. That's because I
don't approve of Henry Hammond. To tell you the truth, I believe he
absorbs her attention so completely that she doesn't have time for her
studies."

"It's a pity her mother is away just at the time when Marian needs her
most," Anne remarked.

"Yes," said Grace. "You know I asked her to come and stay with me, when
we came back from the judge's, but she refused rather sharply, and
practically told me that she was able to take care of herself."

Just then the gong sounded, and the girls had no further opportunity to
discuss the subject until school closed for the day, then while waiting
in the locker-room for Nora and Jessica, the talk was again renewed, and
after swearing Anne to secrecy, Grace imparted to her the conversation
between Marian and Henry Hammond that she and Tom had overheard on New
Year's Night.

"I was so uneasy about it that I went all around town the next day to
see what I could find out about him. I didn't get much satisfaction,
however. He claims to be a real estate agent, and Mr. Furlow in the
First National Bank says that he has interested a number of Oakdale
citizens in land in the west. He is well liked, and it's surprising the
way the business men have taken him up," concluded Grace.

"Perhaps what you heard him say to Marian was nothing of importance
after all," said Anne.

But Grace shook her head obstinately. "No, Anne," she answered, "my
intuitions never fail me. Henry Hammond is a rascal, and some day I
shall prove it. As for Marian we'd better have a meeting of the Phi
Sigma Tau to-morrow night and especially request her to be present. Then
we'll all turn in and offer to help her get ready for the exams. Here
come the girls now."

Nora, Jessica, Miriam and Eva Allen entered the senior locker-room
together.

"Where's Marian?" asked Grace.

"You'd never guess if we told you," exclaimed Nora. "I never was more
surprised in my life."

"Why? What's the matter?" asked Anne and Grace together.

"Who is the last person you'd expect to see her with?" asked Jessica.

"I don't know," said Grace. "Edna Wright?"

"Worse," was Nora's answer. "She's up in the study hall with Eleanor
Savelli."

"Eleanor Savelli?" echoed Grace. "Why she is Marian's pet aversion."

"Past history," said Miriam Nesbit. "They appear to be thicker than
thieves."

"I don't at all understand what ails her, but listen, girls, while I
tell you my idea," and Grace rapidly narrated her plan of action.

"I foresee trouble, but I'll be on hand," said Miriam.

"We'll all be there!" was the chorus.

"Remember, Eva," were Grace's parting words, "I rely on you to coax
Marian over to your house, then we'll surround her and make her accept
our services."

"All right," responded Eva. "I'll do my best. Be careful what you say
about Henry Hammond, or your mission may be in vain."




CHAPTER XV

THE PHI SIGMA TAUS MEET WITH A LOSS


After considerable coaxing, Eva finally wrung from Marian a promise to
visit her that evening. She arrived about eight o'clock, and Eva
tactfully producing a box of nut chocolates, a confection of which
Marian was very fond, the two girls seated themselves in the Allen's
cozy sitting room, with the box on a taboret between them.

Marian became more like her old self again, and the two girls were
laughing merrily over the antics of Eva's Angora kitten when the
doorbell rang, and Eva, looking rather conscious, went to the door.

At the sound of girlish voices, Marian rose, a look of intense annoyance
on her face, which deepened as the Phi Sigma Tau trooped into the room,
and laughingly surrounded her.

"How are you, Marian?" they cried. "You wouldn't come to us, so we
planned a little surprise."

"So I see," replied Marian stiffly. "I am sorry, but I really must go,
Eva. You should have told me that the girls were coming."

"Why, Marian Barber, what are you talking about?" asked Nora O'Malley in
pretended surprise. "Why should you run away from the members of your
own sorority?"

Marian did not answer, but half tried to free herself from the detaining
hands of her friends. For a moment her expression softened, then she
tossed her head and said, "Let me go, please."

"Marian," said Grace bluntly, "you have been acting very strangely
toward us since we came back from the house party, and we don't
understand it. You have stayed away from two sorority meetings and have
deliberately avoided all of us, with the exception of Eva. We feel badly
over it, because we have always liked you, and because you are a Phi
Sigma Tau."

"Yes, Marian," interrupted Jessica, "have you forgotten the solemn
initiation rites that were conducted at my house last year?"

"No," Marian admitted, smiling a little.

"Then listen, while Anne, who speaks more impressive English than the
rest of us, tells you why we have thus entrapped you and used Eva for a
bait. Speechify, Anne, and we will put in the applause at the proper
intervals."

"Marian," began Anne, "Grace has already told you how kindly our feeling
is for you, and the reason that we tried to see you to-night is because
of something that I spoke of to Grace yesterday. I had noticed that you
were having trouble in your astronomy recitations, and, of course, we
all know that you must pass in all your subjects, both now and in June,
in order to graduate; so I suggested that as the other girls have all
passed in astronomy, we might take turns in coaching you. An hour or so
of review every night from now until the exams, would put you in good
condition."

"Yes, Marian," interrupted Nora. "Anne and Jessica did that for me last
year in ancient history, and I never should have passed if they hadn't
helped me."

Marian stood silently looking from one girl to the other, then she said
with a mixture of hurt pride, anger and obstinacy in her voice:

"I don't need your help. In fact, I think the less we see of each other
in future the better it will be for us all. The past three months have
caused me to have an entirely different opinion than I used to have of
you girls. You are all very nice as long as things go your way, but if
one happens to make a friend or hold an opinion contrary to your views,
then the Phi Sigma Taus feel bound to step in and interfere.

"Here is my sorority pin, and I sincerely hope you will elect another
girl to my place. She is welcome to both the pin and your friendship. I
am thankful that this is my last year in High School."

"You are a foolish girl, Marian Barber," cried Nora, "and you'll wake up
some morning and find yourself awfully sorry for what you've just said.
You are the last person I should have suspected of being so ridiculous.
Why we've all played together since we were kiddies."

Marian tried to look dignified and unrelenting, but for an instant her
lip quivered suspiciously.

Anne seeing that Marian showed signs of wavering, crossed over to her
side, and slipping her arm around the obstinate girl, said gently:

"Better think it over before you do any thing rash, dear. We are not
trying in the least to interfere in your affairs. You know the primary
object of the Phi Sigma Tau is to help one another. We thought that you
would be glad to have us coach you in astronomy. You know how thankful
Grace was for your help in trigonometry last year."

Marian hesitated as though at loss for an answer to this direct appeal
to her common sense. The girls watched her anxiously, hoping that Anne's
words had bridged the difficulty.

"Come on, Marian," said Nora O'Malley briskly. "Here's your sorority
pin. Put it on and forget that you ever took it off. You are too
sensible to nurse an imaginary grievance. Don't behave as Eleanor
Savelli did. You know--"

But Nora was not allowed to finish the sentence, for Marian whirled upon
her with flashing eyes, her temporary softness disappearing entirely.

"I don't wish to hear one word against Eleanor Savelli," she cried
wrathfully. "She is my friend, and I shall stand up for her."

"Your friend?" was the united exclamation.

"Yes, my friend," reiterated Marian stormily, "and she is a true friend,
too. Last year she was initiated into your sorority, and then
deliberately slighted and left out of all your plans until in justice to
herself she resigned.

"This year you are behaving in the same way with me. You began it by
criticizing my friend, Henry Hammond, and invited him to the judge's
house party for the express purpose of humiliating and insulting him.
The boys of your crowd gave him the cold shoulder when he tried to be
friendly and Grace was insufferably rude to him on two different
occasions.

"Then you criticized my gowns and made fun of me behind my back, when in
reality I was the only one of you who was properly dressed. You left Mr.
Hammond and I both out of the pantomime, and made us last in everything.

"I tried to forgive and forget it all, and be just the same to you, but
the first thing that Nora did when we reached Oakdale was to invite part
of the crowd to her house and leave the rest of us out, and I am
surprised that neither Miriam nor Eva resented the slight."

Here Grace and Miriam could not refrain from exchanging amused glances,
but to Marian, who intercepted their glances, this was the last straw.

Dashing the sorority pin which Nora had previously shoved into her hand
to the floor, with a sob of mingled anger and chagrin she exclaimed:

"How dare you ridicule me to my very face! I never want to speak to any
of you again, and I shall not stay here to be laughed at."

With these words she fairly ran out of the room, and before any one
could expostulate with her, she had for the second time in three months
rushed out of the house and away from her real friends.

"She is hopeless," sighed Grace, as they heard the outer door of the
hall close noisily.

"Can you blame her?" said Anne earnestly. "She has been influenced all
along by that Henry Hammond, and now she has fallen into Eleanor's
hands. We know Eleanor's state of mind toward us, but why Henry Hammond
should encourage Marian to break with her sorority is harder to
understand. Yet he has undoubtedly used his influence against us for
some purpose of his own. Marian's accusations are foolish and unjust.
You all know that she was so engrossed with that miserable old trouble
maker that she repeatedly refused to take part in the different things
we planned."

"Of course, we know that," agreed Grace. "I don't even feel hurt at her
outburst to-night. I wouldn't think of accepting her resignation from
the Phi Sigma Tau, either. We won't try to make up with her, but we'll
all keep a starboard eye upon her, and see that she doesn't come to
grief."

"I had almost reduced her to reason," remarked Anne, with a rueful
smile, "when Nora unfortunately mentioned Eleanor."

"Wasn't I an idiot, though?" asked Nora. "I forgot for the moment about
having seen them together."

"I am going to turn detective," announced Grace.

"Are you going to detect or deduct?" asked Nora solemnly.

"Both," replied Grace confidently. "I am going to become a combination
of Nick Carter and Sherlock Holmes, and my first efforts will be
directed toward finding out who and what Mr. Henry Hammond really is."




CHAPTER XVI

THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS


Grace lost no time in putting her resolution into practice, and left no
stone unturned regarding the object of her distrust. But her efforts met
with no better success than the first time she had instituted inquiry.

"Why are you so bitter against that young man, daughter?" asked her
father rather curiously when she interviewed him as to the best means of
finding out something of Henry Hammond's past. "He seems to be a good
straight-forward young fellow."

"He's a villain, I know he is," asserted Grace, "but he's too sharp for
me."

"Nonsense," laughed her father. "Having no basketball this winter you
are bound to devote that surplus energy of yours to something. Are you
making Hammond your victim?"

"You may tease me if you like," replied Grace with dignity, "but some
day you'll acknowledge that I was right."

"All right, girlie," smiled her father. "Shall I say so, now?"

"You're a dear," laughed Grace, rubbing her soft cheek against his.
"Only you will tease."

Since the evening that Marian Barber had repudiated her sorority, none
of the members had spoken to her. She had studiously avoided going
within speaking distance of them and had divided her time after school
equally between Eleanor Savelli and Henry Hammond.

Eleanor had kept her word in reference to Edna Wright, and the two girls
exchanged only the barest civilities whenever they chanced to meet.
Eleanor had, however, gained considerable popularity with a number of
the senior class, and wielded a tremendous influence over them. She had
dropped her annoying tactics toward the teachers, and her conduct during
the year had been irreproachable.

Anne Pierson's assertion that Eleanor would be better off away from Edna
had proved true, and unconsciously the spoiled, temperamental girl was
receiving great benefit from her High School associations. She stood
next to Anne Pierson in her classes, and her aptitude for study and
brilliant recitations evoked the admiration of the entire class.

But despite these changes for the better, Eleanor still nursed her
grudge against the Phi Sigma Tau, and held to her unrelenting resolve to
be revenged upon them, individually or collectively, whenever the
opportunity should arise.

In cautioning her friends the previous year against placing themselves
in a position liable to put them at a disadvantage with Eleanor, Grace
had unwittingly divined the former's intentions.

Now that Marian had strayed away from the Phi Sigma Tau and straight to
their common enemy, Grace felt uneasy as to the result.

"I don't know what to think about Marian's sudden intimacy with
Eleanor," she confided to Anne, one day at the beginning of the new
term.

"So far nothing startling has happened," replied Anne. "Really, Eleanor
happened along at a good time for Marian."

"Why did she?" asked Grace quickly.

"Because I understand that she coached Marian in astronomy and just
simply made her cut out Henry Hammond for her books. It's due to Eleanor
that she passed," answered Anne.

"I hadn't heard that," said Grace. "Isn't Eleanor a wonder in her
studies? It's a pleasure to hear her recite."

"I do admire her ability," agreed Anne. "Perhaps she will see through
Henry Hammond and persuade Marian to drop him."

"I don't know about that," said Grace dubiously. "I saw him with Eleanor
in the run-about the other day. He was at the wheel, and they seemed to
be having a very interesting session without Marian."

"He never did give me the impression of being a very constant swain,"
laughed Anne.

"I'm so glad that mid-year exams are over," sighed Grace. "I'm a sure
enough graduate now, unless something serious happens."

"So am I," replied Anne. "If I could get clerical work to do this term
I'd recite in the morning only and give my afternoons to earning a
little money. It seems as though everything is against me. Did you know
that Mrs. Gray has postponed coming home until March?"

"Yes," answered Grace. She understood Anne's growing despair as time
went on, and the prospect of earning enough money to defray her college
expenses grew less.

"I'm afraid I'll have to give it all up for next year at least, Grace,"
Anne's voice trembled a little. "But perhaps I can enter the year after.
I can't give up the idea of being in the same college with you."

"Don't give up yet, dear," Grace pressed Anne's hand. "Maybe the
unexpected will happen."

The girls separated at the corner and went their separate ways, Anne
with the conviction that there was no use in wishing for the impossible
and Grace deploring the fact that Anne was too proud to accept any help
from her friends.

As Grace was about to curl herself up in a big chair before the fire
that night with "Richard Carvel" in one hand and a box of peanut brittle
in the other, she was startled by a loud ringing of the bell. Going to
the door she beheld Anne who was fairly wriggling with excitement. Her
cheeks were flushed and her dark eyes were like stars.

"Oh, Grace," she cried. "The unexpected has happened!"

"What are you talking about, Anne?" exclaimed Grace laughing. "Stop
dancing up and down out there. Come in and explain yourself. That is if
you can stand still long enough to do it."

"I have had the surprise of my life to-night, Grace," said Anne, as she
entered the hall, while Grace unfastened her fur collar and pulled the
pins from her hat. "I just couldn't wait until to-morrow to tell you
about it. It's so wonderful I can't believe that it has happened to
insignificant me."

"I know just as much now as I did at first, and perhaps a trifle less,"
said Grace.

Then taking Anne by the shoulders she marched her into the sitting room,
shoved her into the easy-chair opposite her own and said, "Now, begin at
the beginning, and don't leave out any details."

"Well," said Anne, drawing a long breath, "when I reached home after
leaving you, I found a letter for me postmarked New York City. For an
instant I thought it was from my father, but the hand writing was not
his. I opened it, and who do you suppose it was from?"

"I don't know, and I'm a poor guesser, so tell me," responded Grace.

"It was from Mr. Everett Southard."

"No! Really?" cried Grace. "How nice of him to write to you."

"But I haven't told you the nicest part," continued Anne. "He wants me
to go to New York to play a six-weeks' engagement in his company."

"Anne Pierson, you don't mean it," ejaculated Grace in intense
astonishment.

"Grace Harlowe, I do mean it," retorted Anne. "Why it's the very
opportunity that I've been yearning for, but never expected to get. Let
me read you his letter."

Unfolding the letter that she had been holding in one hand, Anne read:

     "MY DEAR MISS PIERSON:

     "Remembering your exceptionally fine work as 'Rosalind' in the
      production of 'As You Like It,' given at your High School last
      year, I now write to offer you the same part in a six weeks'
      revival of the same play about to be presented in New York. Your
      acceptance will be a source of gratification to me, as it is very
      hard to engage actors who are particularly adapted to Shakespearian
      roles. The salary will be one hundred dollars per week with all
      traveling expenses paid.

     "My sister extends a cordial invitation to you to make our home
      yours during your stay in New York, and will write you at once.
      I have already written Miss Tebbs regarding my offer. Hoping to
      receive an affirmative answer by return mail, with best wishes,
      I remain

     "Yours sincerely,

     "EVERETT SOUTHARD."

"Well, I should say the unexpected had happened," said Grace, as Anne
finished reading. "One hundred dollars a week for six weeks! Why, Anne,
think of it! You will have six hundred dollars for six weeks' work. I
had no idea they paid such salaries."

"They pay more than that in companies like Mr. Southard's," replied
Anne. "If I had acquired fame I could command twice that sum. I can't
imagine why he ever chose me. Suppose I should fail entirely."

"Nonsense," retorted Grace. "You couldn't fail if you tried. The only
thing that I am afraid of is that you'll be so carried away with the
stage that you'll forget to come back to us again."

"Don't say that, Grace," said Anne quickly. "I never shall. I am wild to
play this engagement, because it means that I am sure of at least two
years in college, and I think if I can get tutoring to do, I can pull
through the whole four. Aside from that, the stage is the last career in
the world that I should choose. You know my views on that subject."

"I was only jesting, dear," Grace assured her, seeing the look of
anxiety that crept into Anne's eyes. "I know you'll come back. We
couldn't graduate without you. When shall you write to Mr. Southard?"

"I have already written," replied Anne gravely. "I knew that nothing
could induce me to refuse, so I settled the matter at once."

"Confess, you bad child," said Grace, rising and putting one finger
under Anne's chin. "Look me straight in the face and tell the truth. You
thought I'd be shocked."

Anne colored, laughed a little and then said frankly, "Yes, I was afraid
you wouldn't look at the matter in the same light. Now, I must go,
because it is after nine and sister worries if I stay out late."

"Wait, I'll go to the corner with you," said Grace.

Slipping into her coat, and throwing a silk scarf over her head. Grace
accompanied Anne into the street.

"Come as far as the next corner," begged Anne, and the two girls walked
slowly on.

"Now I must go back," said Grace, as they neared the corner.

Just then Anne exclaimed very softly, "Look, Grace, isn't that Marian
and her cavalier?"

"Where!" asked Grace, turning quickly.

"Across the street, coming in this direction. I do believe Marian is
crying, too. They are crossing now, and will pass us. I don't think
they've seen us yet."

Completely absorbed in their own affairs the approaching couple had not
noticed either Grace or Anne.

"How could I have been so foolish!" the two girls heard Marian say
tearfully.

"Don't be an idiot," her companion answered in rough tones. "You may win
yet. I had inside information that it was safe to put the money on it.
You act like a baby." Then he muttered something that was inaudible to
the listeners.

"You are very unkind, Henry," wailed Marian.

But in the next instant Henry Hammond had seen the two girls. With a
savage "cut it out, can't you! Don't let every one know your business,"
his scowling expression changed to the polite smiling mask that he
habitually wore.

But Grace, who in spite of her former disagreement with him, had for
Marian's sake favored him with a cool bow when he happened to cross her
path even after Marian had stopped speaking, was up in arms at his
display of rudeness to the girl who had cut herself off from her dearest
friends to please him.

Marian averted her face as they passed opposite the chums, but her
companion, who was preparing to bow, became suddenly disconcerted by the
steady, scornful gaze of two pairs of eyes, that looked their full
measure of contempt, and hastily turning his attention to Marian passed
by without speaking.

"Contemptible coward!" raged Grace. "Did you hear what he said, Anne?"

"I should have cut his acquaintance on the spot."

"There is something queer about all this," mused Grace. "This is the
second conversation of the sort that has taken place between those two
that I have overheard. I wonder if he has persuaded Marian to put money
into his real estate schemes, for I believe they are nothing but
schemes."

"But Marian has no money of her own," protested Anne. "Don't you
remember how delighted she was when she deposited the judge's check and
received her first check book?"

"I wonder--"

Grace paused. A sudden suspicion entered her mind, that she instantly
dismissed.

"You don't believe--" began Anne, but Grace stopped her.

"No, dear," she answered firmly. "We mustn't ever allow ourselves to
entertain such a thought. Marian may have foolishly risked money of her
own that we know nothing of, but as for anything else--Marian is still a
member of our sorority and the honor of the Phi Sigma Tau is above
reproach."




CHAPTER XVII

ANNE BECOMES FAMOUS


That Anne Pierson was to play a six weeks' engagement in New York under
the management of the great Southard was a nine days' matter of wonder
in Oakdale.

In spite of the fact that Anne tried to keep the news within her
immediate circle of friends, it spread like wildfire.

"You'll just have to let me tell it, Anne," laughed Nora O'Malley. "I
can't keep it to myself."

Rather to Anne's surprise, there was little disapproval expressed in
regard to her coming engagement. Those who had seen her enact "Rosalind"
in the High School production of "As You Like It," fully described in
"Grace Harlowe's Junior Year at High School," had been then
convinced that her ability was little short of genius. But the interest
of the thing deepened when the story crept about that this engagement
meant a college career for her, and Anne became the idol of the hour.

"The whole town has gone mad over Anne," replied Jessica. "I expect to
see a howling populace at the station when she leaves for New York
to-morrow."

The three chums were seated upon the single bed in Anne's little room at
the Pierson cottage, while Anne sat on the floor before an open trunk,
busily engaged in packing.

"What shall we do without you!" lamented Grace. "Positively I have
sorrowfully accompanied departing friends to the station so many times
since school began that it's becoming second nature to me."

"Good-bye, forever; good-bye, forever," hummed Nora.

"Stop it instantly, Nora," commanded Grace. "Don't harrow my feelings
until the time comes."

"Anne, you must write to us often," stipulated Jessica.

"Of course I shall," replied Anne. "Remember you are all coming down to
see me, the very first Saturday that you can. I do hope the boys can
make arrangements to be there at the same time."

"How lovely it was of Mrs. Gibson to suggest a theatre party and offer
to chaperon us," said Nora.

"Everyone has been too sweet for anything," replied Anne, looking up
from her task with a fond smile at the three eager faces of her friends.

"You didn't have the least bit of trouble about getting away from
school, did you?" asked Jessica.

"No," replied Anne. "You see, I have enough counts to graduate now. I'm
not depending on any of my June exams. I can easily make up the time
when I come back."

"I imagine Marian Barber wishes that she hadn't been quite so hasty,"
said Nora. "She is going to miss an awfully nice trip."

"Perhaps we ought to send her an invitation," suggested Jessica.

"No, Jessica," said Grace gravely. "Marian must be the one to make
advances. If she comes back to us, it must be of her own free will. We
have done our part."

"Can we do anything to help you, Anne?" asked Grace.

"Yes," replied Anne, looking ruefully at the overflowing trunk. "You can
all come over and sit upon this trunk. I never shall get the lid down
any other way."

This having been successfully accomplished, the three girls took leave
of Anne, who promised to be on hand for a final session that night at
Grace's.

Before eight o'clock the next morning Anne departed for New York, laden
with flowers, magazines and candy, bestowed upon her by the Phi Sigma
Tau, who had risen before daybreak in order to be in time to see her
off. She had purposely chosen an early train, as she wished to arrive in
New York before the darkness of the winter evening closed in.

Mr. Southard and his sister were to meet her at the Jersey station, but
careful little soul that she was, Anne decided that in case anything
unforeseen arose to prevent their coming, she would have less difficulty
in finding her way about in daylight.

"Take good care of yourself, Anne," commanded Nora, patting Anne on the
shoulder.

"You do the same," replied Anne. "Don't forget that theatre party,
either."

"We'll be there," Grace assured her, as she followed Anne up the aisle
with her suit case. "By the way, Anne, here's my sweater. I thought you
might need it during rehearsals. The stage is likely to be draughty."

"Grace Harlowe, you are too good to me," murmured Anne, as she
reluctantly took the package that Grace thrust into her unwilling hands.

"All aboard," shouted the brakeman, and with a hasty kiss Grace hurried
down the steps to join her friends, who stood on the station platform
waving their farewells to the brown-eyed girl who was to separate from
them for the first time since the beginning of their High School career.

The days slipped quickly away, and the girl chums heard frequently from
Anne, who had arrived at her destination in safety, was met by the
Southards and carried off to their comfortable home. She was enjoying
every minute of her stay, she wrote them, and every one was very kind to
her. Miss Southard was a dear, and she was looking forward to the visit
of the Phi Sigma Tau with almost as much enthusiasm as Anne herself.

The boys had been duly informed of Anne's good fortune, and the Saturday
of the third week of Anne's engagement had been the date fixed upon for
the theatre party. Tom Gray would bring Arnold Evans. Hippy, David and
Reddy would join them in New York. Then the five boys would repair to
the hotel where the girls were to stop, accompanied by Mrs. Gibson and
James Gardiner, who was again invited to make the number even.

Intense excitement prevailed in school when it was learned that the Phi
Sigma Tau were to go to New York to see Anne as "Rosalind," and the five
girls were carried upon the top wave of popularity.

Marian and Eleanor alone remained aloof, evincing no outward interest in
the news, although both thought rather enviously of the good time in New
York that awaited the girls they had repudiated.

The eventful Saturday came at last, and the five girls, chaperoned by
Mrs. Gibson, with James Gardiner for a bodyguard, boarded the same
express that had carried Anne off and were whirled away to the
metropolis.

As soon as they arrived in New York they were conveyed by taxicabs to
their hotel and on entering the reception room were hailed with delight
by the boys, who had arrived only half an hour before. While they were
busily engaged in exchanging news, Anne hurried in from a rehearsal, was
seized by Grace, then passed from one to the other until, freeing
herself, she said, laughing:

"Do let me stand still for a second. I haven't had a really good look at
any of you yet."

"What do you mean by becoming a Shakespearian star without consulting me
first!" demanded David, with mock severity, although there was a rather
wistful look in his eyes as they looked into Anne's. David preferred to
keep Anne the little High School girl he had known for the past three
years. Theatrical stars were somewhat out of his firmament.

"Don't worry," Anne assured him. "It's only for three more weeks. I'll
be back in Oakdale in plenty of time to finish up my senior year with
the girls."

"Anne, you haven't any idea of how much we have missed you," cried Nora.
"We can't get used to being without you."

"I've missed you, too," responded Anne who stood with Grace's arm around
her, smiling lovingly at her little circle of friends.

"Of course I have had a good many rehearsals--one every day, and
sometimes two--so the time has fairly raced by; but when the play is
over and I am on the way home at night, then I think of all of you, and
it seems as though I must take the next train back to Oakdale."

"Do let me talk," interposed Hippy, who had hitherto been devoting his
attention to Nora. "No one knows how I long to be back in Oakdale, fair
village of my birth, home of the chafing dish and the cheerful chocolate
cream. 'Tis there that the friends of my youth flourish, and the grass
green banner of O'Malley waves. Take me back; oh, take me--"

"You will be taken away back and set down with a jar in about two
seconds if you are seized with another of those spells," promised Tom
Gray, turning a withering glance upon Hippy.

"What sort of jar," asked Hippy, with an interested grin. "A cooky jar
or merely a glass candy jar? Be sure you make it a full one."

"It will be a full one," replied Tom with emphasis, "and will last you
for a long time."

"I don't believe I'll take up with your proposition," said Hippy
hastily. "There is something about the tone of your voice that makes my
spinal column vibrate with nervous apprehension. I think I had better
confine my conversation strictly to Nora. She is sympathetic and also
skilled in argument."

With this, he took Nora by the arm and would have marched her out of the
group had she not protested so vigorously that he turned from her in
disgust and began questioning James Gardiner as to how he managed to
survive the journey and what methods he had used to insure good behavior
on the part of his charges, much to the embarrassment of that youth, who
was anything but a "ladies' man."

"My dear young people," finally said Mrs. Gibson, laughingly, "this
impromptu reception is liable to last all night unless it is checked by
a stern hand. It is almost five o'clock, and we haven't even seen our
rooms yet. Besides, Anne will have to leave before long for the theatre.
Let us hurry with our dressing, order an early dinner and keep Anne here
for it. Shall you be able to stay?" she asked, turning to Anne.

"I think so," replied Anne. "I do not have to be in the theatre until
after seven. But I am not dressed for dinner," she added, looking
doubtfully at her street costume. "You see, I came straight from
rehearsal."

"Never mind, Anne," interposed Grace, "you are a star, and stars have
the privilege of doing as they choose. At least that's what the Sunday
papers say. Miriam and I are going to room together. Come up with us."

Mrs. Gibson had engaged rooms ahead for her party, and the girls soon
found themselves in very luxurious quarters, with a trim maid on hand to
attend to their wants.

The boys had engaged rooms on the floor above that occupied by Mrs.
Gibson and the Phi Sigma Tau. James Gardiner heaved a sigh of relief as
he deposited his suit case beside Tom's in the room to which they had
been assigned.

"Girls are an awful responsibility," he remarked gloomily, with a
care-worn expression that made Tom shout with laughter. "I like them all
right enough, but not in bunches."

By making a special effort, the party was ready by six o'clock to
descend to dinner, which was served to them in a private dining room,
Mrs. Gibson having thoughtfully made this arrangement, in order to give
the young folks as much time together as possible.

They made a pretty picture as they sat at the round table, the delicate
finery of the girls gaining in effect from the sombre evening coats of
the boys. Mrs. Gibson, gowned in white silk with an overdress of black
chiffon, sat at the head of the table and did the honors of the
occasion.

"I feel frightfully out of place in this company of chivalry and
beauty," Anne remarked, looking fondly about her at the friends whose
presence told more plainly than words could have done the place she
occupied in their hearts.

"Think how we shall fade into insignificance to-night when you hold
forth with the great Southard," retorted Nora. "I shall consider myself
honored by even a mere bow from you, after you have taken curtain calls
before a New York audience."

"When I was with Edwin Booth," began Hippy reminiscently, "he often said
to me, 'Hippy, my boy, my acting is nothing compared to yours. You
are--'"

"A first cousin to Ananias and Sapphira," finished David derisively.

"Never heard of them," replied Hippy unabashed. "Not branches of our
family tree. As I was saying--"

"Never mind what you were saying," said Nora in cutting tones. "Listen
to me. It is seven o'clock. Anne must go, and in a taxicab, at that."

"Where shall we see you after the performance, dear?" asked Grace.

"Mr. Southard has obtained special permission for all of you to go
behind the scenes after the play."

"How lovely!" cried the girls.

"My curiosity will at last be satisfied. I have always wanted to go
behind the scenes of a New York theatre," remarked Mrs. Gibson.

"I have the dearest dressing room," said Anne, with enthusiasm. "Mr. and
Miss Southard are going to carry you off to their house after the
performance to-night. I almost forgot to tell you. So don't make any
other plans."

"We are in the hands of our friends," said Hippy, with an exaggerated
bow.

"You'll be in the hands of the law if you don't mend your ways,"
prophesied Reddy. "If we get you safely into the theatre without
official assistance it will surprise me very much."

"Reddy, you amaze me," responded Hippy reproachfully. "I may make
mistakes, but I am far from lawless. Neither do I flaunt the flame
colored signal of anarchy every time I remove my hat."

There was a burst of good-natured laughter at Reddy's expense. His red
hair was as common a subject of joke as was Hippy's behavior.

"That was a fair exchange of compliments," said Tom Gray. "Now forget
it, both of you."

"Good-bye, every one, until eleven o'clock," cried Anne, who, knowing
that she would be obliged to hurry away, had brought her wraps to the
dining room with her.

David accompanied Anne to the entrance of the hotel, put her in a
taxicab and walked into the hotel, hardly knowing whether he were glad
or sorry that Anne had had greatness thrust upon her.




CHAPTER XVIII

THE THEATRE PARTY


It was a very merry party that took possession of the box that Mr.
Southard had placed at their disposal and waited with ill-concealed
impatience for the rise of the curtain.

Anne's friends had thought her the ideal "Rosalind" in the High School
production of the piece, but her powers as an actress under the constant
instruction of Everett Southard had increased tenfold. His own marvelous
work was a source of inspiration to Anne, and from the instant that she
set foot upon the stage until the final fall of the curtain she became
and was "Rosalind."

Thrilling with pride as she eagerly watched Anne's triumph, Grace was in
a maze of delight, and every round of applause that Anne received was as
music to her ears. David, too, was more deeply moved than he liked to
admit even to himself. In his own heart he had a distinct fear that in
spite of her assertions to the contrary, Anne might after all yield to
the call of her talent and seek a stage career. During the evening he
became so unusually grave and silent that Grace, having an inkling of
what was passing in his mind, leaned over and said:

"Don't worry, David, she won't. I am sure of it. Her mind is fixed upon
college."

David drew a long breath of almost relief. "I believe it if you say so,
Grace; it has worried me a lot, however. She is such a wonderful little
actress."

"Nevertheless, take my word for it, she won't," was the assuring answer.

After the play was over, the visit behind the scenes being next on the
programme, Mrs. Gibson and her charges were conducted through a long
passage to the back of the house. The boys were taken to Mr. Southard's
dressing room, and Mrs. Gibson and the five girls to Anne's.

There were many exclamations over the cosy dressing room which Anne
occupied. As is the case in most of the recently built theatres, the
star's dressing room had been comfortably furnished and was in direct
comparison to the cheerless, barn-like rooms that make life on the road
a terror to professional people.

"You see, I have had you right with me," smiled Anne, who was seated at
a dressing table taking off her make-up with cold cream. She pointed to
a photograph that the Phi Sigma Tau had had taken the previous summer.

"Only one face missing to-night," said Grace in low tones as she drew
her chair close to Anne's.

"Have you found out anything else?" asked Anne in the same guarded
tones.

"Nothing very important," replied Grace. "Marian and Henry Hammond have
had some sort of quarrel. Nora saw them pass the other day without
speaking."

"That's a step in the right direction", said Anne. "Once she has dropped
him for good and all, she'll begin to see her own folly. Then she'll
come back and be her old self again."

"I hope so," sighed Grace.

Then the conversation became general and the two girls had no further
opportunity for discussion of the subject.

Just as Anne had completed her dressing, a knock sounded on the door,
and Mr. Southard's deep voice called out:

"All aboard for the actors' retreat."

"Come in, Mr. Southard," said Anne, and the door opened to admit the
eminent actor, who looked bigger and handsomer than ever in his long
coat and soft black hat.

Then Anne presented him to Mrs. Gibson, and a general handshaking
ensued.

For the third time that night they were handed into the "uncomplaining
but over-worked taxicab," according to Nora's version, and set out for
the Southard home.

The entire party promptly fell in love with Miss Southard, who was the
counterpart of her brother, except that she was considerably older, and
she apparently returned their liking from the moment of meeting.

"I know every one of you," she said. "Anne talks of no one else to me.
Your fame has already preceded you."

The Southards proved to be hospitable entertainers, and exerted every
effort in behalf of their young guests. The time slipped by on wings,
and it was well after one o'clock before any one thought of returning to
the hotel.

"I am not a very reliable chaperon," laughed Mrs. Gibson, "to allow my
charges to keep such late hours as this."

"It's only once in a life time," remarked Nora.

"How very cruel," said Mr. Southard solemnly. "I had hoped that you
would all honor us again with your society."

"I didn't mean that," she cried, laughing a little. "I only meant that
this was a red-letter night for us. We are basking in the light of
greatness."

"Very pretty, indeed," was the actor's reply, and he gave Nora one of
his rare, beautiful smiles that caused her to afterwards aver that he
was truly the handsomest man in the whole world.

With many expressions of pleasure for the delightful hours they had
passed, the revelers bade the Southards good night and good-bye.

"I am going to give a special party to the Phi Sigma Tau and these young
men, when my season closes," announced the actor as they stood in the
wide hall for a moment before leaving. "I trust that you may be able to
again assume the role of chaperon," he added to Mrs. Gibson.

"I shall need no second invitation," replied Mrs. Gibson. "But may I not
hope to see your sister and yourself at Hawks' Nest, in the near
future?"

"You are indeed kind," responded Mr. Southard. "It would be a distinct
pleasure and perhaps I may be able to arrange it. My season is to be a
short one."

"Get your things and come with us, Anne," teased Grace. "We've loads of
things to talk of, and you can breakfast with us, and go to the train,
too. Please don't say no, because you won't see us again for three whole
weeks."

"I give you my official permission to carry her off, this one time,
Grace," laughed Mr. Southard.

"Better wear your long coat, dear. It is very cold," called Miss
Southard as Anne ran upstairs after her wraps.

Then the final good-byes were said and the party were driven back to
their hotel.

Mrs. Gibson invited Miriam to share her apartment, thus Grace and Anne
were left to themselves, and indulged in one of their old heart-to-heart
talks.

Breakfast the next morning was a late affair. After breakfast, the
entire party went for a drive, and after a one-o'clock luncheon repaired
to the station.

Mrs. Gibson, James Gardiner and the Phi Sigma Tau were to take the 2.30
train for Oakdale. The boys would leave at five o'clock. Tom and Arnold
were to travel part of the journey with David, Hippy and Reddy. Then
their ways diverged.

The girls kissed and embraced Anne tenderly, then there was a rush for
the ferry. They stood on the deck waving to her until they could
scarcely see the flutter of her handkerchief. After agreeing to meet the
boys at the ferry, David escorted Anne back to the Southard's and spent
a brief half hour with her.

"Promise me, Anne," said David earnestly, as he was leaving, "that you
won't accept any engagement that you may receive an offer of."

"Of course not, you foolish David," replied Anne. "Notwithstanding the
fact that you won't believe me, I solemnly promise to run from
prospective managers, as I would from small-pox, and there's my hand
upon it."

"I am satisfied," answered David, grasping her out-stretched hand. "I
know you will keep your word."




CHAPTER XIX

GRACE MEETS WITH A REBUFF


During the journey to Oakdale, Anne and the Southards formed the chief
topic of conversation. It was jointly agreed that Anne had been
fortunate indeed in winning the friendship of the great actor and his
charming sister.

"They treat her as though she were their own sister," remarked Eva
Allen. "They will miss her sadly when she leaves them."

"Every one misses Anne," said Miriam Nesbit. "She is so sweet and
lovable that she simply draws one's affection to her. I am frightfully
jealous of Grace."

"Yes, Grace is Anne's favorite," said Jessica. "Anne would give her life
for Grace if it were necessary."

"And Mabel Allison feels the same way toward you, Jessica," interposed
Grace.

"How I wish Mabel had been with us," sighed Jessica.

"I received a letter from Mrs. Allison, just before leaving Oakdale,"
said Mrs. Gibson. "She expects to come east in June. Mabel has set her
heart upon being here for commencement week. I shall invite the
Southards, too, and perhaps your people will lend you to me for the week
following graduation."

"We should love to go," said Grace, and her friends echoed her answer.

Before their journey ended night closed in around them. They had dinner
in the dining car, and after dinner the girls began to feel a trifle
tired and sleepy.

James Gardiner had discovered a boy friend on the train and had been
graciously granted permission by the Phi Sigma Tau to go over and
cultivate his society.

"You have been an angel, James," said Nora, "and have proved yourself
worthy of a little recreation. Don't forget to be on hand when the train
stops, however. I never saw your equal as a luggage carrier."

One by one the five girls leaned against the comfortable backs of their
seats and closed their eyes. Mrs. Gibson became absorbed in the pages of
a new book.

Grace dozed for a brief space and then opening her eyes gazed idly about
her. The seat on which she sat had been reversed in order that she and
Nora might face Mrs. Gibson and Miriam. Their seats being near to the
middle of the car, she could obtain a good view of a number of the other
passengers. She noticed that the car was very full, every seat being
occupied.

Her eye rested for a second upon a portly, well-dressed old gentleman in
the last seat of the car, who was leaning back with closed eyes, then
traveled on to the man who shared the seat.

"What a remarkable face that man has," she thought. "He looks like a
combination of a snake and a fox. I never before saw such tricky eyes.
He is rather good looking, but there is something about him that
frightens one."

Grace found herself watching, with a kind of fascination, every move
that the stranger made. Once her eyes met his and she shuddered
slightly, there was a world of refined cruelty in their depths. She
looked out of the window as the train rushed on through the darkness,
then almost against her will turned her eyes again in the direction of
the repellent stranger.

But what she saw this time caused her to stare in amazement. The
stranger under cover of a newspaper was bent on extracting the handsome
watch and chain that the elderly gentleman's open coat displayed.
Although the paper hid the movement of his hands, Grace divined by the
expression of the man's face what was taking place behind the paper
screen.

Like a flash she was out of her seat and down the aisle. But quick as
had been her movement, the thief was quicker. He straightened up, coolly
turned to his paper, looking up at her with an air of bored inquiry as
she paused before him.

Ignoring him completely, she touched the old man on the shoulder and
said in a low tone, "Please pardon me, but if you value your watch you
had better look to it. I just saw this man attempting to steal it."

The old gentleman bounded up like a rubber ball, saying excitedly, "What
do you mean, young woman?"

"Just what I say," replied Grace.

The thief gave Grace a contemptuous look, then without stirring, said
lazily, "The young lady is entirely mistaken. She must have been
dreaming."

"I repeat my accusation," said Grace firmly. "I have been watching you
for some time, and I saw you attempt it."

The old gentleman put his hand to his vest and drew out a particularly
fine old-fashioned gold watch.

"My watch is safe enough," he growled testily, "and so is my chain. Any
one who steals from me will have to be pretty smart. I guess if this man
had laid hands on my watch I'd have known it. Can't fool me."

"Certainly not," responded the tricky stranger. "If I were a thief you
would be the last person I should attempt to practice upon."

"I should say so," grumbled the old gentleman. "Young woman, you have
let your imagination run away with you. Be careful in the future or you
may get yourself into serious trouble. This gentleman has taken your
nonsense very good-naturedly."

As the two men were occupying the seat nearest the door, save for the
old gentleman's first bounce, the little scene had been so quietly
enacted that the other passengers were paying little attention to the
trio.

"You had better go back to your friends," said the man whom Grace had
accused, looking at her with cold hatred in his eyes. "That is, unless
you wish to make yourself ridiculous."

Grace turned away without speaking. There were tears of mortification in
her eyes. She had attempted to render a service and had been rudely
rebuffed. She slipped into her place beside Nora, who was dozing, and
had not missed her. Mrs. Gibson, too, had not marked her absence.

"Where were you, Grace?" said Miriam curiously. "I opened my eyes and
you were gone. What's the matter? You look ready to cry."

"I am," replied Grace. "I could cry with sheer vexation." Then she
briefly recounted what had occurred.

"What a crusty old man," sympathized Miriam. "It would serve him right
if he did lose his old watch. Where are they sitting?"

"Down the aisle on the other side at the end," directed Grace.

Miriam turned around in her seat. "He looks capable of most anything,"
she remarked after a prolonged stare at the stranger, who was apparently
absorbed in his paper. "Are you sure, however, that you were not
mistaken, Grace? You can't always judge a man by his looks."

"You can this man," asserted Grace. "He is a polite villain of the
deepest dye, and I know it."

It was after eleven o'clock when the train pulled into Oakdale. Mrs.
Gibson's chauffeur awaited them with the big touring car, in which there
was ample room for all of them.

"Keep a sharp lookout for that man," whispered Grace to Miriam. "I want
to see if Oakdale is his destination."

The two girls lagged behind the others, eagerly scanning the platform.

"I think he must have gone on," said Miriam. "I don't see him. Don't
worry any more about him, Grace."

Then she walked on ahead.

But Grace lingered. "That looks like him now," she thought. "He is just
leaving the train. He seems to be waiting for some one."

She stood in the shadow of the station watching the man. Then she saw
another man rapidly approaching. The newcomer walked straight up to the
stranger and shook hands with him. Then the two men turned and she
obtained a full-face view of them both.

Grace gave a little gasp of surprise, for the newcomer who had shaken
the hand of the crook was Henry Hammond.




CHAPTER XX

MARIAN'S CONFESSION


Grace reached home that night with her head in a whirl. She could think
of nothing save the fact that she had seen Henry Hammond warmly welcome
a man whom she knew in her heart to be a professional crook. It formed
the first link in the chain of evidence she hoped to forge against him.
She had become so strongly imbued with the idea that Hammond was an
impostor that the incident at the station only served to confirm her
belief.

The Phi Sigma Tau were besieged with questions the next day, and at
recess the five members held forth separately to groups of eager and
admiring girls on the glories of the visit.

"Where is Marian Barber?" asked Grace of Ruth Deane, as they were
leaving the senior locker-room at the close of the noon recess.

"She hasn't been in school to-day," replied Ruth. "I suppose what
happened Friday was too much for her."

"What happened Friday?" repeated Grace. "Well, what did happen?"

"Oh, Eleanor Savelli and Marian had a quarrel in the locker-room. I was
the only one who heard it, and I shouldn't have stayed but I know
Eleanor of old, and I made up my mind that I had better stay and see
that Marian had fair play. But I might as well have stayed away, for I
wasn't of any use to either side. In fact, I doubt if either one
realized I was there, they were so absorbed in their own troubles."

"It's a wonder that I wasn't around," remarked Grace. "I am really glad,
however, that I wasn't. The Phi Sigma Tau were all in Miss Tebbs'
classroom at recess last Friday. Miss Tebbs is a dear friend of the
Southards, you know. She was invited to go with us, but had made a
previous engagement that she could not break. We were talking things
over with her. After school we all went straight home and I saw neither
Eleanor nor Marian. Have you any idea what it was about?"

"I don't know," returned Ruth bluntly. "Marian and Eleanor came into the
locker-room together. I heard Marian say something about telling Eleanor
what she had in confidence. Then Eleanor just laughed scornfully and
told Marian that she had told her secrets to the wrong person. Marian
grew very angry, and called Eleanor treacherous and revengeful, and
Eleanor said that Marian's opinion was a matter of indifference to her.

"Then she told Marian that she intended to call a class meeting for
Thursday of this week and entertain them with the very interesting
little story that Marian had told her the previous week.

"Marian wilted at that and cried like a baby, but Eleanor kept on
laughing at her, and said that she would know better another time, and
perhaps would think twice before she spoke once. She said that no one
could trample upon her with impunity."

"Oh, pshaw," exclaimed Grace impatiently. "She always says that when she
is angry. She said that last year."

"Well, Marian cried some more," continued Ruth, "and Eleanor made a
number of other spiteful remarks and walked out with a perfectly hateful
look of triumph on her face."

"And what about Marian?" asked Grace.

"She didn't go back to the study hall. She told Miss Thompson that she
was ill and went home."

"Poor Marian," said Grace. "She certainly has been very foolish to leave
her real friends and put her faith in people like Eleanor and that Henry
Hammond. I have been afraid all along that she would be bitterly
disillusioned. I think I'd better go to see her to-night."

"Why, I thought she wasn't on speaking terms with the Phi Sigma Tau!"
exclaimed Ruth.

"Speaking terms or not, I'm going to find out what the trouble is and
straighten it out if I can. Please don't tell that to any one, Ruth. I
don't imagine it's anything serious. Eleanor always goes to extremes."

"Trust me, Grace, not to say a word," was the response.

"I wish Anne were here," mused Grace, as she took her seat and drew out
her text-book on second year French. Then for the time being she
dismissed Marian from her mind, and turned her attention to the lesson
on hand.

By the time school closed that afternoon Grace had made up her mind to
go to see Marian before going home. Leaving Nora and Jessica at the
usual corner, she walked on for a block, then turned into the street
where the Barbers lived.

Grace pulled the bell rather strenuously by way of expressing her
feelings, and waited.

"Is Marian in?" she inquired of Alice, the old servant.

"Yes, Miss Grace," answered the woman, "She's in the sittin' room, walk
right in there. It's a long time since I seen you here, Miss Grace."

"Yes, it is, Alice," replied Grace with a smile, then walked on into the
room.

Over in one corner, huddled up on the wide leather couch, was Marian.
Her eyes were swollen and red, and she looked ill and miserable.

"Marian," began Grace, "Ruth Deane told me you were ill, and so I came
to see you."

"Go away," muttered Marian. "I don't wish to see you."

"I am not so sure of that," answered Grace. "I understand you have been
having some trouble with Eleanor, and that she has threatened revenge."

"Who told you?" cried Marian, sitting up and looking angrily at Grace.
"I can manage my own affairs, without any of your help."

"Very well," replied Grace quietly. "Then I had better go. I thought
when I came that I might be able to help you. You look both ill and
unhappy. I see I have been mistaken."

"You can't help me," replied Marian, her chin beginning to quiver.
"Nobody can help me. I'm the most miserable girl--" her voice ended in a
wail, and she rocked to and fro upon the couch, sobbing wildly.

"Listen to me, Marian," commanded Grace firmly. "You must stop crying
and tell me every single thing about this trouble of yours. I have
crossed swords with Eleanor before this, and I think I can bring her to
reason."

"How can I tell you?" sobbed Marian. "Grace, I am a thief and may have
to go to prison."

"A thief!" echoed Grace. "Nonsense, Marian. I don't believe you would
steal a penny."

"But I am," persisted Marian tearfully. "I stole the class money, and
it's all gone."

She began to sob again.

Grace let Marian finish her cry before interrogating her further. She
wanted time to think. Her mind hastily reviewed the two conversations
she had overheard between Marian and Henry Hammond. This, then, was the
meaning of it all. The brief suspicion that had flashed into her mind
and Anne's on the night that Marian and Henry Hammond had passed them,
had been only too well founded. Marian had drawn the money from the bank
and given it to him.

"Marian," asked Grace, "did you give the money the judge sent us to
Henry Hammond?"

Marian nodded, too overcome as yet to speak.

"Can't you tell me about it?" continued Grace patiently.

Marian struggled for self-control, then began in a shaking voice.

"I have been a perfect idiot over that miserable Henry Hammond, and I
deserve everything. I was not satisfied with being a school-girl, but
thought it very smart to put up my hair and make a general goose of
myself.

"It all began the night of the bazaar. I had no business to pay any
attention to that man. He is really very clever, for before I realized
what I had said I had told him all about our sorority and about being
class treasurer, and a lot of things that were none of his business.

"After the bazaar I saw him often and told him about the judge's check.

"One day he asked me if I had any friends who had money that they would
like to dou

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