ere was a significant question in the other girl's eyes.
Grace pressed the hand and said in a whisper: "I understood, Elfreda.
Thank you for showing me the way."

CHAPTER XVII

WHAT THE SENIORS THOUGHT OF THE PLAN

"I can't forgive myself for being so disagreeable," was Arline Thayer's
regretful cry. Grace had met Arline half an hour earlier than the time
appointed for the senior class meeting the following afternoon and the
two girls had hurried to the room in Overton Hall, where the meeting was
to be held, for the express purpose of having a confidential chat before
the others should arrive.

"Don't think of it again, Daffydowndilly." Grace regarded Arline with
affectionate eyes. She was glad almost to the point of tears that the
cloud between her and the dainty little girl had been lifted.

"Oh, but I must think of it this once, Grace," persisted Arline. "I
haven't told you yet how truly sorry I am for behaving so badly toward
you. But I was so angry with you for troubling yourself about that
horrid Kathleen West. But first let me ask: Did you see that New York
newspaper story? Father sent me a copy of the paper. I showed it to
Ruth, but didn't tell any one else. It is known here, though."

"Yes, I knew of it the day after it was published," answered Grace
soberly. "Mabel sent me a marked copy. I am sorry my name was used. It
was a surprise to me."

Arline's eyebrows lifted. "A surprise!" she exclaimed with fine sarcasm.
"I think I can understand just how pleased you felt over that surprise.
I am not going to allow a certain person to come between our friendship
again, but I can't help saying that if ever you speak to her again, you
will be doing yourself a great injustice."

"Would it surprise you to hear me say that I am inclined to endorse what
you have just said?" questioned Grace. "What I tried to do for her was
done largely to please Mabel Ashe. Mabel has released me from my
promise. I seldom take violent dislikes to persons I meet, but, to tell
the plain truth, I have never liked Miss West, although I have admired
her ability and perseverance. In fact, I have never met any one I
disliked so much," confessed Grace. "I don't know what has come over me,
but I simply can't endure the thought of her, let alone forgiving her."

"I don't blame you. I hope you will continue to take that stand. You
won't, though. If you knew, to-morrow, of something that would be to her
advantage to know, you wouldn't