s
sat in a body at one side of the gymnasium; while the seniors sat on the
opposite side. The rest of the space was given up to the families of the
seniors and their friends. Lucky, indeed, were those who could obtain an
invitation to this most characteristic of class functions.

The four girl chums had been among the fortunate recipients of
invitations. A very pretty picture they made as they followed the usher,
one of the junior class, to their seats.

Grace wore a gown of pale blue organdie that was a marvel of sheer
daintiness. Jessica, a fetching little affair of white silk muslin
sprinkled with tiny pink rosebuds; while Anne and Nora were resplendent in
white lingerie gowns. Anne's frock was particularly beautiful and the
girls had exclaimed with delight over it when they first caught sight of
her.

It was a present from Mrs. Gray, Anne told them. She had fully expected to
wear her little white muslin, but the latter had grown rather shabby and
she felt ashamed of it. Then a boy appeared with a big box addressed to
her. Wrapped in fold after fold of tissue paper lay the exquisite new
gown. Pinned to one sleeve was a note from Mrs. Gray, asking her to accept
the gift in memory of the other Anne--Mrs. Gray's young daughter--who had
passed away years ago. There were tears in Anne's eyes as she told them
about it, the girls agreeing with her that there was no one in the world
quite so utterly dear as Mrs. Gray.

"I'm glad we're early," whispered Nora. "We can watch the classes come in.
See, that place is for the juniors. It is roped off with their colors and
the other side belongs to the seniors."

"How fine the gym. looks," remarked Anne. "They certainly must have worked
hard to fix it up so beautifully."

"Julia Crosby is largely responsible for it," answered Grace. "She has the
most original ideas about decorations and things. You know the juniors
always decorate for the seniors. It's a sacred duty."

"Did you know that Julia was elected president of her class?" asked
Jessica.

"Oh, yes," said Grace, "she told me about it the other day. Oh, girls,
here they come! Doesn't Ethel Post look sweet? There's Julia at the head
of her class."

"It is certainly great to be a graduate," sighed Nora.

"Speaking of graduation," said Grace, "did you know that David has put off
his graduation for another year! He wished to finish school with Hippy and
Reddy. They have planned to enter the same college. So our little c