d? I'm SO proud to be the one to bring
you the news!"

There was one strong qualification possessed by Mrs. Dott which the
bearer of good news omitted to mention. Serena was supposed to be
Annette Black's most devoted friend. Announcement of her candidacy would
have the effect of splitting the Black party in twain. Mrs. Lake and her
followers were very much aware of this, although their spokeswoman said
nothing about it.

"You'll accept, of course," gushed Mrs. Lake. "Of course you will. I
shall be so proud to vote and work for you."

Serena hesitated. The honor of being president of her beloved Chapter
was a dazzling prospect. And yet--and yet--

"You will, won't you?" begged the caller.

"No," said Serena. "No, Mrs. Lake, I can't. I could not run against
Annette Black. She is my best and dearest friend. If it were not for her
I should not have come to Scarford at all. It would be treachery of the
meanest kind. No, Mrs. Lake, I am not that kind of a friend. No."

"But--"

"Please don't speak of it again. I am ashamed even to hear you. Let's
talk of something else."

But Mrs. Lake did not want to talk of anything else. She urged and
argued and pleaded in vain. Then she began to lose her temper. The
parting was not cordial.

And then came Mrs. Black, herself. She, somehow or other, had learned of
the offer to be made Serena. When she found that the latter had refused
that offer because of loyalty to her, she fairly bubbled over.

"You dear!" she cried, embracing her hostess. "You dear, splendid thing!
It was what I expected; I knew you'd do it; but I'm SO happy and SO
grateful. I never shall forget it--never. And whenever I can prove my
loyalty and devotion to you, be sure I shall do it."

Serena was touched and gratified, but there was just a shade of
disappointment in her tone as she answered.

"I know you will," she said. "Of course, I had rather be president of
Scarford Chapter than anything else in the world, but--"

And then Annette had an idea. She clasped her hands.

"You shall be," she cried. "You shall be. Not this term, but the
next--the very next. This term I shall be president, and you--YOU shall
be vice-president. With you as our candidate we can beat that Canby
creature to death. Oh, lovely! It is an inspiration."

And on that basis it was settled. The opposing tickets were Black and
Dott against Canby and a lady by the name of Saunderson, another of Mrs.
Lake's "dear friends." The Chapt