r round of applause greeted the
conclusion of their famous Wonderland song. The demonstration continued
until Alice stepped forward and made a funny little speech, in which she
introduced the animals, who skipped, waddled or shuffled forward
according to each one's conception of what its own peculiar gait should
be.

Emma Dean, who had not taken part in the Circus, appeared in her
ridiculous Sphinx costume, and, after a monologue that elicited constant
laughter, added to her ability as a fun maker by the weirdly funny dance
that she had intended to give at the bazaar, and which she was obliged
to repeat before her audience was satisfied.

A reception followed, and delicious buffet refreshments were served by
the seniors in one corner of the big gymnasium, which had been roped off
with the senior colors and made as attractive as senior hands could make
it. Mrs. Gray was in her element and held court like a veritable queen.
Before the evening was over the senior class, to a member, had vowed
eternal allegiance to her. Dr. Morton, Miss Wilder and Mr. Redfield,
too, apparently succumbed to her spell, for toward the close of the
evening they formed an interesting group about her, and, at the end of a
lengthy confab, shook her hand with an earnestness which seemed almost
to indicate a promise of loyalty. To Grace, Anne and Miriam Mrs. Gray's
long conversation with the faculty was merely a further proof of her
ability to make friends, but the watchful Elfreda regarded the matter
from a different viewpoint.

"I wonder what Mrs. Gray was talking about to Professor Morton, Miss
Wilder and our fairy godfather?" she remarked in a speculative tone to
Miriam as they prepared for sleep late that night. "Fairy godfather is a
good name for Mr. Redfield, isn't it?" she laughed.

"Certainly it is," returned Miriam. "I always bestow appropriate names
upon people. Isn't he the fairy godfather of Semper Fidelis and didn't I
give him that name after he sent us the first check?"

"He is," admitted Elfreda, "and you did."

"What is on your mind now?" asked Miriam. "What do you find so
mysterious in the fact that Mrs. Gray held discourse with the powers
that be?"

"You can make fun of me if you like," said Elfreda, smiling a little,
"but I know what I saw with my own eyes. There is a conspiracy on foot
among those persons. It's a delightful conspiracy, of course, but mark
my words, they are planning something, and some day when the whole