my pretty often and often, I hope. But
I'll never hear her sing again like this."

The exercises went smoothly. A learned man made a helpful speech. Then,
while there was more music, a curtain fell between the graduating class
and the audience.

When it rose again the girls were grouped about a light throne, trimmed
with flowers, on which sat the girl who had proved herself to be the best
scholar of them all--the lame girl, Mercy Curtis. She was flushed, she was
excited and, if never before, Mercy Curtis looked actually pretty.

Laughing and singing, her mates rolled the throne down to the edge of the
platform, and there, still sitting in her pretty, flowing white robes,
Mercy gave them the valedictory oration. It was Ruth's idea, filched from
the transformation scene in her moving picture scenario.

Afterward the other girls had their turns. Ruth's own paper upon "The
Force of Character" and Jennie's funny "History of a Bunch of Briers"
received the most applause.

Mrs. Tellingham came last. As was her custom she spoke briefly of the work
of the past year and her hopes for the next one; but mainly she lingered
upon the story of the rebuilding of the West Dormitory and the loyalty the
girls had shown in making the new building a possibility.

There was a debt upon it yet; but the royalties from the picture play were
coming in most satisfactorily. The preceptress urged all her guests to do
what they could to advertise the film of "The Heart of a Schoolgirl" in
their home towns, and especially urged them to see it.

"You will be well repaid. Not alone because it is a true picture of our
boarding school life, but because the writer of the scenario has produced
a good and helpful story, and Mr. Hammond has put it on the screen with
taste and judgment."

These were Mrs. Tellingham's words, and they made Ruth Fielding very
proud.

The diplomas were given out after a touching address by the local
clergyman. The girls received the parchments with happy hearts. Their
faces shone and their eyes were bright.

The graduating class held a sort of reception on the platform; but after a
time Helen urged Ruth away from the crowd. "Come on!" she said. "Let's go
up into the new-old-room. We'll not have many chances of being in it now."

"That's right. Only to-night," sighed Ruth. "Away to-morrow for the Red
Mill. And next week we start for Dixie. I wonder if we shall have a good
time, Helen. Do you think we ought to have prom