n't we?"
she asked.

"Yes," replied Beatrice simply. She hesitated, looked rather confused,
then added: "I used to think I disliked you, Miss Harlowe, but I find my
feelings toward you are quite the opposite. I hope we shall some day be
friends."

"I hope so, too," agreed Grace earnestly. "We have a mutual friend, you
know, in Mabel Ashe, although yours and Mabel's friendship began long
before I came to Overton." A shadow crossed Beatrice's face. Grace noted
it and interpreted it correctly. "You are very fond of Mabel, are you
not, Miss Alden?" she asked.

"Very," was the short answer.

"Anne Pierson is the dearest girl friend I have in the world," declared
wily Grace. "Then two Oakdale girls who are studying in an eastern
conservatory of music come next, and after that Miriam Nesbit. There are
also three other girls, members of a high school sorority to which I
belong, and a girl in Denver, who have very strong claims on my
affection. I have a number of dearest friends, you see. Some time I
should like to tell you more of them."

Beatrice had brightened visibly as Grace talked. She now felt assured
that this attractive freshman with her clear grey eyes and
straightforward manner would never attempt to monopolize Mabel's entire
attention.

At this moment Mabel's voice was heard at the head of the stairs. She
descended, followed by Leona Rowe and Helen Burton.

"Why, hello, Bee!" cried Mabel. "I asked for you upstairs, but was told
you were out."

"So I was," smiled Beatrice, "but I'm here now. What is your pleasure?"

"Come over to Holland House and have tea and cakes and candy, if there's
any left in the box of Huyler's that came last night. Every girl in the
house sampled it. You know what that means."

"I'll go for my hat and coat," returned Beatrice brightly. "See you in a
minute." She ran lightly up the stairs, smiling to herself. Helen and
Leona rushed out in the hall to interview a girl who had just come in.
Finding themselves alone for the moment Mabel turned to Grace with a
solemnly inquiring air, "How did you do it?" she asked in a low tone.

"I'll tell you some other time," replied Grace. "It was a surprise to
me, but the chance just happened to come and I took advantage of it."

The return of the three young women cut off further opportunity for
explanation, but as Grace walked back to Holland House, one arm linked
in that of Mabel Ashe, while Beatrice Alden, heretofore frigid and
unapproacha