read. Grace rose, and strolling
over to the bookcase fell to examining the various bindings. Her
friend's flattering comment, "It's splendid, Grace. I had no idea you
could write so well," caused her to look up in surprise from the book
she held in her hand.

"I don't think it is very remarkable," she contradicted. "It hasn't a
shred of literary style."

"It's convincing," argued Mabel.

"That is because I felt strongly on my subject. When it comes to
anything that lies near my heart I am always convincing. Father says I
put up the most convincing argument of any one he knows," smiled Grace.
"He always declares he is wax in my hands. I hope you will make me a
visit and meet my father and mother, Mabel," she added.

"I surely will," promised Mabel. "We must correspond after I leave
college. I wish you could go home with me for one of the holiday
vacations. Can't you manage it?"

"I am afraid not this year," returned Grace doubtfully. "Father and
Mother wouldn't object, but they miss me so during the year that I feel
as though my holidays belonged to them. I am an only child, you know."

"So am I," returned Mabel. "I am also extremely popular with my father.
If I can tear myself away from him to make you a visit, surely you ought
to be equally public spirited."

"I'll think it over," laughed Grace. "Oh, dear!" she exclaimed a moment
later, glancing at the little French clock on the chiffonier, "I must
go. It is twenty minutes to ten. How the time has slipped away."

"Thank you," bowed Mabel. "Such appreciation of my society is gratifying
in the extreme. I'll invite you again."

"See that you do," retorted Grace. "Have you any engagement for Saturday
afternoon? If you haven't, then suppose we have luncheon at Vinton's;
then go for a long walk. We can stay out all afternoon, stop at the tea
shop for supper and come home on the street car, or walk in, if we
choose. We might ask Frances and Anne to join us. Miriam and Elfreda are
going out for a ride. Miriam has a horse here this year. She had her
choice between a horse and a runabout and she took the horse. The moment
Elfreda found out she had one, she wrote home about it. Now she has a
riding horse, too."

"I had my own pet mount, Elixir, here during my freshman and sophomore
years. The latter part of my second year I didn't take him out enough to
exercise him. So I ordered him sent home. He is a beauty. Jet black with
a three-cornered white spot in the middle