denly began to avoid us. For a long time we didn't know the
reason." Grace paused for an instant. "By the time we found out, it was
too late. Other things had happened. I can't really tell you much about
that part of it," she added, reddening, "but in fairness to myself and
my friends I will say that we were not to blame for what followed.
There, that isn't very definite, is it? But I know you won't ask any
questions."

"Not one," returned Patience gravely. "I knew, of course, that relations
between you two were strained, but hadn't the slightest idea of the
cause of it all. I believe I understand something of the situation now."

They tramped along in silence for a time. Grace was thinking almost
resentfully that even in her senior year she seemed unable to free
herself from a sense of responsibility toward Kathleen West. Her great
affection for Mabel Ashe had undoubtedly been at the bottom of it, but,
deep in her heart, Grace knew that had there been no Mabel to pave the
way for Kathleen, she would have done whatever lay in her power to help
this strange girl, who had no conception of, and was not likely ever to
imbibe, that intangible and yet wholly necessary principle, college
spirit. She wondered a little sadly why Mabel Ashe had not written her.
Could it be possible that Mabel had heard unkind, untruthful tales of
her from the newspaper girl? Grace impatiently accused herself of being
suspicious and tried to shake off the impression.

While she was pursuing this uncomfortable train of thought, Patience
Eliot was covertly watching her companion's face. The expression she saw
there evidently did not please her, and with a slightly determined set
of her lips and a gleam of sudden purpose in her frank eyes, she
promised herself that, beginning that very day, she would try to study
Kathleen from an entirely different standpoint than heretofore. Laying
her hand on Grace's shoulder she said warmly: "Don't worry, Grace. I
will take back what I said about leaving Wayne Hall. I'm going to stay
there until the last day of my sophomore year, at least. And as long as
I stay I shall no doubt go on rooming with Miss West. There, does that
make you feel better?"

"It is positively noble in you to say that, Patience," responded Grace
gratefully. "I know you are bound to be put to endless personal
inconvenience on account of it. I feel peculiarly responsible for Miss
West, because I promised Mabel Ashe, who knows her, that I wou