West as she was going out of the house to-night and walked as
far as the library with her. I could see she wasn't yearning for my
company, but I wanted to tell her that I knew she was 'Peter Rabbit' at
the dance. Well, I told her," continued Elfreda grimly, "but I had hard
work doing it. She talked about everything under the sun and wouldn't
give me a chance to say a word. And how she did walk! But I kept up with
her. I could see she wanted to get away from me. I told her just as we
reached the library steps." Elfreda paused.

"Well, what did she say?" asked Grace almost impatiently.

"She said 'good night' and ran up the library steps like a flash. I
don't know whether she was angry or not. I can't see why she should be."

"Here is something at last that Elfreda can't see," murmured Miriam.

"I can see that it will be a long time before I tell you girls anything
again," retorted Elfreda, but her smiling face belied her brusque words.

CHAPTER XXII

KATHLEEN'S GREAT MOMENT

By five o'clock the following afternoon the greater part of the students
of Overton College had assembled in the gymnasium to learn who had won
the honor pin. Every pair of eyes was fixed upon Dr. Hepburn as he rose
from his seat on the platform and faced the gathering of expectant
students who were eagerly awaiting his announcement.

"It is with the sincerest pleasure that I rise, this afternoon, to
announce that, after due consideration, the judges appointed by the
senior class play committee to pass judgment upon the plays submitted
have decided in favor of the morality play submitted by Miss Kathleen
West, entitled 'Loyalheart; Her Four Years' Pilgrimage.' It is,
perhaps, the most notable manuscript of its kind that has come within
the notice of any member of the committee during a period covering a
number of years," continued Dr. Hepburn, "and Miss West is to be
congratulated on the merit of her remarkable literary effort. I have
also been requested to say that, in the opinion of the judges, the
comedy entitled 'A Quiet Vacation,' by Miss J. Elfreda Briggs, was the
second choice of the committee."

For an instant after Dr. Hepburn ceased speaking a deep stillness
pervaded the gymnasium, then from all sides rose cries of "Kathleen
West! Elfreda Briggs! Speech! speech!"

Dr. Hepburn raised his hand for silence, and when quiet had been
restored he said, "If Miss Briggs and Miss West are present, will they
kindly come to the plat