ournful question.

"Of course she will. You don't know her as I do."

Kathleen's emphatic assurance had a visibly cheering effect upon the
other girl. When they reached Overton, however, her dread of meeting
Grace returned with renewed force. "I can't face her to-night," she
pleaded.

"We are going to Harlowe House now. Come on." Kathleen grasped Evelyn's
arm and piloted her up the street at a brisk pace. Neither girl ever
forgot that walk across the campus.

"Here we are." They had mounted the steps of Harlowe House. Kathleen
rang the bell.

A moment's wait and the door opened. Grace stood peering out at the two
girls. "I knew you'd come. I've been watching for you," she cried. She
held out her hands to Evelyn, who dropped her suit case and grasped them
with a half smothered sob.

"Come up to my room." Slipping her arm about Evelyn, Grace drew her
toward the stairs.

"Good night, Grace, I'll see you to-morrow." The vestibule door closed
with a decided click. Kathleen did not wish to be a third party. Grace
and Evelyn were better off without her.

Once in Grace's room Evelyn broke down. "Oh, Miss Harlowe, can you, will
you forgive me?" she sobbed.

"You mustn't cry so, Miss Ward," soothed Grace. "Of course I forgive
you. If Miss West had not brought you home to me I intended to go to New
York City to look for you. Remember, you are, and I hope will be until
your college days are over, a Harlowe House girl."

"You are too good to me," sobbed Evelyn.

Grace led her gently to a chair. "Sit down," she urged.

Evelyn sank into the chair. "I can't come back to Overton next year."
Her head drooped in shame and humiliation.

"You must," said Grace simply, "for your own sake as well as your
sister's. She must never be worried with the slightest inkling of what
has happened. It is to be a secret. Outside of Miss Dean and Miss West
no one except ourselves knows."

"Miss Pierson and Mr. Southard took me to see Mr. Forest. He engaged me
to play a part in his new play 'The Reckoning,'" began Evelyn. "I--I
didn't--tell--the Southards--about--things. Kathleen wouldn't let me,
but she says I must tell them if you say so. I'd--rather. I--I want to
be--honest--now--and--and always." Evelyn's voice shook with the
intensity of her feelings.

"Kathleen was right in not allowing you to tell them. You have suffered
enough, Evelyn. You must look to the future. Your work this summer will
make it possible for you to pay the mo