a real orchestra of eight pieces from the town of
Overton, seated on a palm-screened platform which had been erected for
the occasion; while a long line of freshmen in their best bib and tucker
crowded up to pay their respects to the receiving line of sophomores,
headed by the class president.

The freshmen of Wayne Hall had elected to go together, and Ruth Denton
had also been invited to take dinner and dress with Anne, then go with
her and her friends to the reception. At first Ruth demurred on account
of her gown, which was a very plain little affair of white dotted swiss.
Then Grace had come to the rescue and insisted that Ruth should wear a
very beautiful white satin ribbon belt with long, graceful ends,
belonging to her, which quite transformed the simple frock. There was
also a white satin hair ornament to match, and Miriam's clever fingers
had done her soft brown hair in a new, becoming fashion. Even Elfreda
had insisted on lending her a white opera cape and praising her
appearance until the little girl was in a maze of delight at so much
unexpected attention. Grace, Anne, and Miriam had put on their
graduating gowns and Elfreda was arrayed in all the glory of the gown
she had ordered for the occasion and afterward entertained so little
hope of wearing.

Just as they were ready to start the door bell rang. There was a sound
of laughing voices and the patter of slippered feet on the stairs, and
Mabel Ashe, accompanied by Frances Marlton, Constance Fuller, and two
other juniors, appeared on the landing.

"Better late than never," announced Mabel cheerily, as Grace appeared in
the doorway. "We've come to take you to the reception. We weren't
invited until the eleventh hour, but we're making up for lost time."

"Why, I didn't know juniors were invited to the reception," exclaimed
Grace, taking Mabel's extended hand in both her own. "Judging from all
outward signs I suppose you are going to the reception, else why wear
your costliest raiment?"

"Your deduction is not only marvelous but correct," returned Mabel. "We
were invited because the sophomores found themselves lacking not in
quality, but quantity. There weren't nearly enough sophomore 'gentlemen'
to go round, so we juniors were pressed into service.

"I'm so glad," returned Grace warmly. "We know nearly all the freshmen,
but we know only a few sophomores. We were lamenting to-night because
we expected to be wall flowers."

"Not if Frances and I can he