mpanion rather doubtfully. "I think Grace is the
person with whom to talk this matter over," she declared. "Suppose we go
over to Wayne Hall now? She went to dinner at Vinton's with Mabel Ashe,
but she must be at the hall by this time."

"Oh, I can't," gasped Mildred nervously, "Yes, yes, I will if you will
come with me while I tell her."

"I think it would be better for you to go to her by yourself," said
Miriam dubiously.

"I can't do it," protested Mildred miserably. "Please, please come with
me."

"Then, let us go now," returned Miriam decisively. "We may catch Grace
at home and alone."

During the walk across the campus the two girls exchanged no words.
Mildred was trying to summon all her courage in order to make the
dreaded confession.

Miriam was thinking of the day that belonged to the long ago when she
had confessed her fault, and, joining hands with Anne Pierson and Grace
Harlowe, had sworn eternal friendship. She felt only the deepest
sympathy for the unhappy little girl at her side, for having been
through a similar experience she understood clearly the struggle that
was going on in Mildred's mind.

Twice the little freshman stopped short, declaring she could not and
would not go on, and each time, with infinite patience, Miriam buoyed
and restored to firmness her shaking resolution.

"You do not know Grace Harlowe," Miriam said as they neared Wayne Hall,
"or you would not be afraid to go to her and tell her what you have just
told me. She is neither revengeful nor unforgiving, and I am sure that
she will be only too glad to help you begin all over again."

"But not here at Overton," quavered Mildred.

"You can decide that later," Miriam said kindly, as they entered the
house. But she smiled to herself, for she felt reasonably sure that
Mildred would come back to Overton for her sophomore year.

CHAPTER XXIII

A FAULT CONFESSED

Grace came home from Vinton's with the firm intention of putting in a
full evening of study. "It is only half-past eight," she exulted. "I'll
have plenty of time for everything. I suppose Anne won't be home until
the last minute's grace."

As she passed through the hall to the stairs she poked her head
inquisitively into the living room. Three or four girls sat at the
library table industriously engaged in writing. Grace turned away
without disturbing them, and went quietly up the stairs. As she walked
down the hall to her own room she noticed that Miriam'