t. I wonder
how the boys spent Thanksgiving. Of course they went to the football
game. I'll warrant Hippy ate too much."

"I wish Jessica and Nora could have been with us," remarked Anne. "Miss
Southard wrote them, too, but they couldn't come. Did you see Nora's
telegram?"

"Yes," replied Grace. "It said a letter would follow. I suppose she'll
explain in that. Well, it's back to college again for us. I wonder if
Elfreda has moved."

"We shall know in due season," returned Miriam grimly. "I have visions
of the appearance of my hapless room, if she has vacated it. I expect to
see my best beloved belongings scattered to the four corners or else
piled in a heap in the middle of the floor."

"Perhaps she has thought it over and come to the conclusion that there
are worse roommates than you," suggested Anne hopefully.

The early winter darkness was falling when the three girls hurried up
the stairs at Wayne Hall as fast as the weight of their suit cases would
permit. Miriam's door was closed. She knocked on it, at first softly,
then with more force. Hearing no sound from within she turned the knob,
flung open the door and stepped inside. Striking a match, she lighted
the gas and looked about her. The room was in perfect order, but no
vestige of Elfreda's belongings met her eye. The stout girl had kept her
word.

CHAPTER XVII

CHRISTMAS PLANS

The month of December seemed interminably long to Grace Harlowe. Since
her visit to the Southards the longing to be at home remained with her.
She hung a little calendar at the head of her bed and every night marked
off one day with an air of triumph. During the three weeks that followed
their trip to New York, Overton had not been the most congenial spot in
the world for Grace or Anne. 19---- was a very large class, and
considered itself extremely democratic; nevertheless, the story of
Anne's theatrical career was bandied about among the freshmen and passed
on to the sophomores, until the truth of it was lost in the haze of
fiction that surrounded it.

A certain percentage of the class who knew Everett Southard's standing
in the theatrical world and understood that Anne must have the highest
ability to be able to play in his company treated the young girl with
the deference due an artist. Then there were a number of young women
who, though fond of attending the theatre, looked askance at the clever
men and women whose business it was to amuse them. They approved of t