grace been said than Cora rose.

"May I speak, Mrs. Livingston?"

"Yes, my dear."

"Girls," began Cora. "I have a confession to make. I have been a
despicable creature." Her voice faltered. For a few seconds she threatened
to break down entirely, "I have proven myself unfit to associate with good
girls like yourselves. I might never have known what a miserable
contemptible girl I was had it not been for one girl who by her beautiful
spirit of forgiveness showed me to myself in my true light. It was I who
hazed Miss Burrell and Miss Thompson, or who was one of the leaders in
that hazing; it was I who spoiled the soup and tucked the soap into the
cooking kit of Miss Burrell. Then worse than all I deceived Mrs.
Livingston by going to 'The Pines' to the dance last night with Mr.
Collier and his sister One girl knew I had gone. She had every reason to
hate me as I thought I hated her. But she did not speak. Instead, she
protected me. She got herself into difficulties in trying to do so. I
might never have known what she had done for me, for she was too noble to
speak of it to me, had not Jane McCarthy come to me and told me the whole
miserable truth. It was then that I saw my real self for the first time in
my life. I went to Mrs. Livingston and told her all. Another girl was sent
from the camp, sent home disgraced. I was told that I might stay. I don't
know why, for I also deserve to be sent away. I now wish you girls to say
whether or not I shall go. If, after Mrs. Livingston has told you all that
I cannot tell, you think I ought to go, as I feel I should, I will do so,
knowing that you are right."

Mrs. Livingston rapped sharply on the table.

"Miss Kidder wishes an expression from her companions," she said in the
matter of fact tone of a presiding officer. "Any who believe that she
should be dismissed, will please rise."

Not a girl moved, scarcely a breath was heard.

"All in favor of her remaining will please rise."

Every girl in the room sprang to her feet. Mrs. Livingston smiled, a
smile of happy satisfaction. Cora Kidder stood pale and trembling. She
stepped forward until she was facing Harriet Burrell, whose face was as
pale as her own.

"Ha-arriet! Can you forgive me?"

"I--I think I forgave you long ago, Cora, for I knew that it was not
yourself. I, too, was at fault. I think my fault was the greater of the
two," answered Harriet steadily, sweeping the tense faces of her
companions in a slow glance.