school," begged Grace, as the Senator arose and started towards
the Hall again.

He did not say that he would. But to himself the Senator muttered, with
puckered brow and half-shut eyes:

"Who would have thought it! That girl here--right where I sent Grace!
I--I certainly shall have to see Gordon about this. Hang his impudence!
What does he mean by sending that girl to a place like this?"

CHAPTER XXII

IS IT A CLUE?

The most beautiful sight she had ever seen! That was what Nancy Nelson
enthusiastically called it when, from the end of the long line of girls,
walking two by two, she saw the flower-crowned seniors winding from the
Hall, through the sun-spattered grounds, to the old brick church on the
highway, beyond the estate, where the baccalaureate sermon was always
preached.

No girl, she was sure, could ever be disloyal to Pinewood Hall, after
having once seen the graduation procession. And then, the graduating
girls themselves! Why, they were all ready for college!

How much they must know! Nancy sighed with envy, and hoped heartily that
she would be able to remain at Pinewood long enough to be a chief figure
in a similar spectacle.

Corinne Pevay looked like an angel. And Carrie Littlefield read the
valedictory. To the mind of the girl just finishing her freshman year,
these great girls--real young ladies, now!--were so far above her that
it almost made her blink to look at them.

At Higbee School class after class had been graduated above Nancy, and
she had seen the day approach--even her own graduation--without much
excitement. But this was an entirely different occasion.

She had something to look forward to this summer. At the break-up for
the long vacation she was going to have just as much part in the bustle
as anyone.

Jessie Pease had already looked over her wardrobe, and there were
several new summer dresses, including swimming and boating costumes. Mr.
Gordon had sent the extra money needed without comment or objection.

And now Nancy's trunk was packed, and her bag, and with Jennie Bruce she
was ready to take the first 'bus that left for the Clintondale station
in the morning.

How different from her coming to the school in September!

She was at the head of her class. The freshmen had given her an
overwhelming vote for class president for the soph. year. And Corinne
had prophesied that she would yet be captain of the West Side--when she
grew to be a senior.

Girls ran to k