fair was in no way due to Grace Harlowe, and many of the girls who had
hitherto believed that Grace was a necessary factor in High School fun,
decided that they had perhaps overrated her ability.

Grace was fully cognizant of their change of heart, and spent more than
one unhappy hour over it, but outwardly she carried herself as though
unaware of the many little ill-natured stabs directed toward her. Anne,
who was completely ignored, took it philosophically, her only regret being
the fact that Grace had been dragged into difficulties on her account.

Thanksgiving had come and gone. The High School boys had played their
usual game of football with a neighboring school and whipped them to a
standstill, David had played on the team and covered himself with glory by
making a sensational touchdown. The girl chums had worn his colors and
shrieked themselves hoarse with joy over the prowess of their friend.

Miriam, secretly proud of her brother, resolved to make a like record for
herself during the next basketball game, which was to take place during
the following week. She believed that it was the last touch needed to make
her the avowed leader of her class. She even dreamed that the basketball
captaincy might one day be hers. To be sure Grace had Nora on her side,
and Nora was one of the regular players, but the other two players were
Miriam's faithful allies. That made three against two, and the second team
had practically declared in her favor. Grace would have to do differently
if she expected to keep the captaincy.

Meanwhile Grace was finding the captaincy of a team divided against itself
anything but satisfactory. The girls, with the exception of Nora, obeyed
her orders indifferently and as though under protest. It was almost
impossible to get every member to come to practice. Some one of them
invariably stayed away. On one occasion she spoke rather sharply to the
team about it, but her earnest words were received with sullen
resentment.

"What is the use of working ourselves to death simply to have our game
handed over to the enemy?" one girl had muttered.

Grace colored at this thrust, but closed her lips tightly and made no
reply. But the attitude of her team worked upon her mind, and she lost
confidence in herself. She realized that a new and injurious influence was
at work, and she was powerless to stem the tide of dissension that had
arisen.

The practice game was played on the afternoon before the contes