'm
eligible," she announced as she made a third.

"So am I," declared Jessica a trifle soberly, taking her place at the
other end of the row.

"Ladies and no gentlemen," announced Nora, rising and bowing profoundly
to the three girls, "the great secret session of the four inseparables
is about to begin. Remember, you are not limited to one secret. If you
happen to know several, now is the time to tell them. Go ahead, Anne."

Nora seated herself again and with the eyes of her chums fixed
expectantly upon her, Anne began the secret session.

CHAPTER V

THE WAY TO PERPETUAL YOUTH

"This isn't a secret that any one told me," stated Anne. "It's something
I found out for myself. One of the two persons it concerns doesn't know
it yet. Perhaps she will never know."

"How mysteriously interesting," commented Nora. "Hurry on with it, Anne.
Who are the persons concerned?"

"Mr. Southard and"--Anne paused briefly to give due effect to her
words--"Miriam."

A ripple of surprise passed along the row.

"What do you mean, Anne?" was Grace's quick question.

"I mean that for nearly four years Mr. Southard has cared for Miriam,"
replied Anne steadily.

Nora's puckered red lips emitted a surprised whistle.

"This _is_ news," averred Jessica. "But Miriam could never care for him.
He is so much older."

"How old do you imagine Mr. Southard to be, Jessica?" asked Anne slyly.

"Oh, I don't know. He must be--"

Jessica paused reflectively. Then a sudden look of astonishment passed
over her face. "Why how funny! He isn't really old. I don't believe he
is as old as thirty-five, but he _seems_ older."

Anne nodded. "He is thirty-three. That isn't very ancient, is it?"

"Miriam is twenty-four," mused Grace aloud. "She is so brilliant,
self-possessed and stunning that one feels as though she were even older
than that. I know she is very fond of the Southards, but I don't believe
she suspects that Mr. Southard--"

"She doesn't," put in Anne eagerly. "He has been careful that she
shouldn't. I believe Miss Southard knows, but she would never say so,
even to me. Do you remember the time we went to New York City for
Thanksgiving, when we were freshmen at Overton, Grace? Well, it began
then. I know him so thoroughly that I could see things that you girls
couldn't. After that I took particular pains to notice the way he acted
toward Miriam whenever they met, and, as Elfreda says, I could see his
love for her grow and deepe