r
weeks. The time had come for herself and for her three chums to bind
themselves together as a sorority. As charter members, they would
initiate four other girls, as soon as proper rites could be thought of.
It should be a Greek letter society. Grace thought "Phi Sigma Tau" would
sound well. Aside from the social part, their chief object would be to
keep a watchful eye open for girls in school who needed assistance of
any sort.

Mrs. Gray's anxiety over Eleanor Savell had set the bee in Grace's
bonnet buzzing, and now her plans were practically perfected. All that
remained to be done was to tell her three friends, and consult them as
to what other four girls would be eligible to membership.

Her proposition was hailed with acclamation by Anne, Nora and Jessica.
Miriam Nesbit, Marian Barber, Eva Allen and Eleanor Savell were chosen
as candidates and promptly notified to report at Jessica's home the next
Thursday evening for initiation. They at once accepted the invitation
and solemnly promised to be there.

"'Where are you going, my pretty maid?'" said David Nesbit, stopping
directly in front of Grace Harlowe as she hurried toward the Bright home
the following Thursday evening.

Grace laughed merrily, dropped a little curtsy and recited, "I'm going
to an initiation, sir, she said."

"'And may I go with you, my pretty maid?'" replied David, bowing low.

"No boys allowed there, sir, she said."

"That settles it," sighed David. "I suppose a sorority is about to come
to the surface. Am I right, and will you take me along?"

"Yes, we are going to initiate members into our new sorority, but you
can't come, so you might as well be resigned to fate," retorted Grace.
"We didn't receive invitations to your fraternity initiations."

"Be kind to Anne, won't you. Tell her she has my sympathy," said David
solemnly.

"Anne is a charter member, if you please," laughed Grace. "She is spared
the ordeals of initiation. But Miriam will not escape so easily. She is
one of the candidates."

"Ah, ha!" exclaimed David. "That's what she was so mysterious over.
I tried to find out where she was going, but she wouldn't tell me. By
the way, where does the affair take place?" he added, trying to look
innocent.

"Don't you wish you knew?" teased Grace. "However, you shan't find out
from me. I know too well what would happen if you boys traced us to our
lair. But I must go or I shall be late. Good night, David. Please be
good and don'