n whose
capture she had been instrumental during her senior year at high school.
Should she notify the Overton authorities of her discovery? Perhaps by
this time the thief was many miles from Overton. Grace disliked the idea
of figuring even privately in the affair. Yet was it right to withhold
her knowledge? She could not determine on any particular course of
action, and with an impatient sigh at her own lack of decision in the
matter she rose from her chair and prepared to go to her first class in
anything but a cheerful frame of mind.

CHAPTER X

KATHLEEN'S PROMISE

"Not in, Miss," was the disappointing information Grace received from
the maid who answered the door at Morton House.

"Did she leave word when she would return?" questioned Grace.

"She did not, Miss. She went out with Miss Denton, and didn't say
nothin', Miss," was the discouraging reply. "An' will I tell her you was
askin' for her, Miss?"

"No; I may come again this evening."

Grace walked slowly down the steps and across the campus. She was not at
all sure that she would repeat her call. Dear as was Arline to her, the
inevitable reaction had set in. Now Grace's pride whispered to her that
there was no real reason why she should humble herself to her
too-easily-offended friend. It was Arline, not she, who was in the
wrong, she mused resentfully. She was rather glad, after all, that
Arline had not been at home.

Glancing undecidedly toward Wayne Hall, then at her watch, Grace set off
in the opposite direction at a rapid walk. It was five o'clock. She
would have time to do a little shopping in the Overton stores before
they closed. She hurried toward the nearest dry goods store, so intent
upon reaching there that she paid little or no attention to the people
she passed in the street.

Shopping at this late hour proved a comparatively easy matter. Here and
there a belated customer might be seen wandering from counter to
counter, but the day's business was practically finished and the
saleswomen were busily counting their sales or conversing with their
nearest neighbors in low tones. It was ten minutes to six when Grace,
inwardly congratulating herself on having been able to do so much
shopping in so short a space of time, hurried to the ribbon counter.
Blue velvet ribbon was the last item on her list. Then she could go home
feeling that her hour had been well spent.

"We're out of that shade of blue velvet ribbon," said the saleswoman