am
compelled to admit. 'Behold how great a matter a little fire
kindleth.' A miserable rumor started has wide-spread effect. I could
preach you a sermon on that topic, but I won't. Run along back to your
mates and try it. Just whisper 'Hallowe'en Party' to any one of them
and see if every girl at Oak Knowe doesn't know beforehand that after
chapel, to-night, the Lady Principal will announce this intended
event. Now, good day, my dear 'Betty,' and for the present, to oblige
me, just put those decorated shoes out of sight."

This talk had been two days before: and with the Lady Principal's
announcement of the affair had been coupled the decision:

"Those of you young ladies that have no costume suitable may expend
their week's allowance in material for one. Of course, this restricts
the expense to utmost simplicity. No one may run in debt, nor borrow
more than suggestions from her neighbors. Under these conditions I
hope you will have the happy time you anticipate."

So they were dismissed in gay spirits, to gather in groups everywhere
to discuss costumes and the possibility of evolving a fetching one at
the modest cost of a quarter dollar. By the afternoon following, most
of the preparations had been made. Some of the maids had lent a hand
to the sewing and the good-natured matron had planned and purchased
and cut till her arms ached. But she had entered into the spirit of
the occasion as heartily as any girl of them all; and the sixth and
seventh Form students, who rather fancied themselves too grown-up for
such frivolity, had willingly helped the preparations of the lower
school pupils.

Only one who might have enjoyed the fun was out of it. Gwendolyn was
in the hospital, in the furthest west wing: for the time being a
nervous and physical wreck from her experience at the Maiden's Bath.
Even yet nobody dared speak to her of that terrible time, for it made
her so hysterical; and for some reason she shrank from Dorothy's
visits of inquiry and sympathy more than from any other's. But this
seemed ungrateful to Lady Jane, her mother, now in residence at the
school to care for and be near her daughter. She determined this
"nonsense" must be overcome and had especially begged Dolly to come to
the sick room, dressed for the party, and to relate in detail all that
had happened on that dreadful day.

So Dorothy had slipped away from her mates, to oblige Lady Jane, but
dreading to meet the girl she had saved, yet who still