ading party sang the rest of their verses and departed gayly, yet
in spite of their gayety there lurked in each heart the shadow of the
parting that was to come all too soon.

CHAPTER XXIII

GRACE FINDS HER WORK

Commencement day dawned smilingly, as though anxious to contribute to
the happiness of the four chums by putting on its most sunshiny face. A
cool breeze swept across the campus, and, according to J. Elfreda
Briggs, one didn't really mind being graduated on such a day.

The hotels of Overton were well filled with friends and relatives of the
graduates. The Southards, Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Pierson and her daughter Mary,
together with Mrs. Allison, Mabel and the remainder of the Eight
Originals Plus Two had been staying at the "Tourraine" for the past two
days. Elfreda's father and mother had also arrived and were staying at
the "Wilton," an old-fashioned hotel near the campus. The four chums
found it somewhat of a problem to divide their time equally among their
classmates, friends and families. During those last days their
opportunities for confidential talks came only at the end of the
evening, when, having bade a round of affectionate good-nights, they
spent a few moments in either Grace's or Miriam's room before retiring.

"I feel at least a hundred years old to-day," announced J. Elfreda
Briggs, as she stood arranging her hair before the mirror preparatory to
putting on her cap and gown.

"Yes, you look quite like some grand old ruin," observed Miriam soberly,
as she unearthed her slippers from the depths of her closet and hunted
vainly about for a shoe horn.

Elfreda laid her comb on the dressing table, grinned her appreciation of
this pleasantry, then, giving her smoothly coiffed hair a last pat,
reached for her cap. "I am so glad I can wear black without looking like
a funeral procession," she observed.

"Hurry, girls," sounded Grace's clear tones outside their door. "It is
time we were on our way."

"Coming," called Miriam, springing from the edge of the bed, where she
had sat to put on her slippers, and hastily adjusting her cap. In the
next instant the four friends accompanied by Emma Dean were hurrying
across the campus to the gymnasium, where the senior class were to meet,
then proceed in a body to the chapel, where the commencement exercises
were to be held.

The little procession of seniors walked two by two to the chapel, and to
Grace, who walked with Anne, it seemed the most wonder