ue and serious consultation with a friendly
cabinet, chose the players and their substitutes.

Undoubtedly Grace Harlowe had the coolest head in the class, and was the
most to be relied upon at critical moments; yet Miriam Nesbit exerted a
strange influence over her followers, who were almost her slaves. She
was the richest of all the girls and wore the costliest clothes. The
parties she gave, from time to time, in her mother's large and handsome
home were the talk of the place. She was also the cleverest girl in the
class, and had taken undisputed first place since she was a child. She
was not a close student, but seemed to absorb her lessons in half the
time that it took her friends to master them. Popular she certainly was,
or rather she was feared by her schoolmates. Her masterful, overpowering
spirit seemed to sweep everything before it.

Grace Harlowe was quite as powerful in her way, but she had a noble,
unselfish disposition and was much beloved by her friends. She stood
well in her studies, but had never taken first place. Perhaps this was
because she had interested herself so much in outdoor sports that she
had not given enough time to study.

Both girls were handsome--Miriam tall, dark and oriental-looking, with
flashing eyes and an imperious curve to her lips; Grace was also tall,
with wavy, chestnut hair, fine gray eyes, regular features, a full,
generous chin and cheeks glowing with health.

Miriam Nesbit had already done a good deal of lobbying when the three
girls arrived on the scene. She wished to be elected captain of the team
at any cost; but Grace's adherents were holding off, quietly waiting for
her arrival.

"Well, here you are at last!" said Marian Barber, who had been preparing
the ballots for the coming election.

Marian was the busy girl of the class, and always made herself useful.

"Is everyone here?" demanded Nora, scanning the crowd of freshmen with a
view to ascertaining what her chum's chances were.

"All that intend coming," replied Miriam. "The softies stayed away, as
usual."

"Suppose we wait five minutes," said Grace, looking at her watch, "and
then, if no one comes, we will cast the votes."

"No, no," exclaimed Miriam impatiently. "I have an engagement and can't
spare any more time. I vote that we have the election at once, without
waiting another moment."

"Very well," assented Grace. "I only suggested waiting because Anne
Pierson promised to come, and, of course, ever