be
suiciding on account of the returned Calla--that lily is the one that
stands beings boxed up without food or--atmosphere--for half the year,
I believe, hence my comparison: you have withstood Glenwood, and come
out of the ring more beautiful than when you entered. Oh, you need not
protest! Everybody admits that you are a perfect Dresden, animated, of
course," and Tavia gazed with unstinted admiration at the girl under
the study lamp.

"Well, I hope I have not actually grown homely," conceded Dorothy,
"for Aunt Winnie is so fond of a good appearance."

"Your hair is darker--that is, on the ripe corn shade. I like that
better than the fourteen karat variety. I only wish mine would turn
mahogany. I have a mind to turn it."

"I wonder the thoughts do not poison the roots--the idea of you saying
a word against your hair! Why, it's simply wonderful! Edna says it
sings in the sunshine."

"Oh, Ned pities me I suppose--she has such a fine crop herself. But I
would--love--to--be handsome!"

"Suppose you start in to drag down some of that stuff you insist on
taking home, Tavia," said Dorothy, indicating the decorations that
hung on Tavia's side of the room. "Then it will be handsome is as----"

"Handsome didn't," misquoted Tavia. "I don't mind dragging it down,
but I have a mind to get some one to help me. I might give out that we
were having a 'doings' and so entice Ned Ebony, and a couple of the
others."

"You compendium of laziness! You proverbial prolonger! There, I have
used up more energy in giving expression to those expressions----"

"Than I should have used up in expressing the whole art gallery _via_
the Amalgamated Express Company. Now, Doro, I am going to give a
dragging-down evening. If you have anything you value, that might get
in the drag, take notice," and she left the room, to gather in the
innocent victims of her plot.

Dorothy laughed. She did love Tavia, and once more they were
separating from the days and nights spent together at dear old
Glenwood. The girls had occupied room "nineteen" in spite of the fact
that their advance in class entitled them to other quarters, but each
loved the apartment, and they had "grown into it," as Tavia remarked.

"I believe I had better rescue my things," mused Dorothy, "for there
is no telling where the dragging may end," and, suiting her act to the
words, she promptly put a pile of cushions on the highest chair, and
began to take from her side of the room suc