le opportunity for
Julia was alone.

"Miss Crosby," said Grace coldly. "I should like to speak to you about a
very important matter."

"There's nothing to hinder you, Miss Harlowe," replied Julia brusquely.
"I'm here. Are you sure that it really is important?"

She stopped and eyed Grace insolently.

"I am very sure that it is important, Miss Crosby," said Grace. "Not long
ago a certain sophomore overheard you telling a member of your class that
we sophomores could thank a girl in our class for our basketball defeat. A
certain girl had already been unjustly accused of betraying our signals.
When your remark was repeated to the team, they immediately decided that
you meant her. Since then her classmates have taken the matter up and are
determined to cut her acquaintance."

"Well what has all this childish prattle to do with me?" demanded Julia
rudely.

"It has this to do with you, that you can set the matter right by saying
it was not Anne. You know perfectly well she had nothing to do with it. I
don't know how you got those signals, but I do know that Anne never gave
them to you."

"Did I say that she did?" asked Julia.

"No," said Grace, "neither did you say that she didn't."

"Very true," replied Julia in a disagreeable tone, "and I don't intend to
say so either. She may or she may not have given them to me. I'll never
tell. She's a snippy, conceited, little prig, and a little punishment for
her sins will do her good."

"You are a cruel, heartless girl," cried Grace angrily. "Knowing Anne to
be innocent, you refuse to clear her name of the suspicion resting upon
it. Let me tell you one thing. I know who tripped me the day of the game,
and so does Anne. If you don't clear Anne instantly, I shall go straight
to Miss Thompson with it."

Grace's threat went home. Julia stood in actual dread of the principal. It
looked as though the tables had been turned at last. If Grace went to Miss
Thompson what a commotion there would be!

In a moment, however, Julia recovered herself. What was it Miss Thompson
had said about rough play? Ah, Julia remembered now, and with the
recollection of the principal's words came the means of worsting Grace
Harlowe in her efforts to vindicate Anne.

"You may go to Miss Thompson if you think it wise," she said with a
malicious smile, "but I wouldn't advise it--that is, unless you have
gotten over caring for basketball."

"What do you mean?" asked Grace. Then like a flash she unde