t
space of time.

The girl chums had been entertained at "Hawk's Nest" by Mrs. Gibson, and
were in consequence the most important persons in the Girls' High
School. They had found Mrs. Gibson charming, and had been invited to
repeat their visit at an early date. Mabel's story had circulated
throughout Oakdale, and she and her friends were the topic of the hour.

The one cloud on their horizon had been the fact of the inevitable
separation. They had begged and entreated Mrs. Allison to take up her
residence in Oakdale for the balance of Mabel's junior year, but on
account of home matters she had been unable to comply with their wishes.
So Mabel had departed for Denver with her mother, while the chums had
kissed her and cried over her and had extracted a laughing promise from
Mrs. Allison to bring her to Oakdale during commencement week to witness
the graduation of the Phi Sigma Tau.

"It seems as though we have done nothing but say good-bye to people ever
since school began," said Anne Pierson with a little sigh.

"I know it," exclaimed Nora. "First our boys, then Mabel, and--"

"And now all we can do is to wonder who will fade away and disappear
next," finished Grace. "Promise me that none of you will run away from
Oakdale, or elope, or do anything that can be classed under the head of
vanishing."

"Oh, I think we're all rooted to the spot for this year," said Jessica,
"but what about next? Nora and I will be in a conservatory, Grace will
be in college and Anne--where will you be, Anne?"

"Goodness knows," replied Anne. "I'd like to try for a scholarship, but
how on earth would I support myself even if I were fortunate enough to
win?"

"Don't worry about that," said Grace quickly. "That is for that all-wise
body, the Phi Sigma Tau, to consider. We will be your ways and means
committee, Anna."

"Oh, I couldn't think of weighing you girls down with my cares," replied
Anne soberly. "I must work out my own salvation."

By this time they had turned out of High School Street and were moving
in the direction of Grace's home, where the majority of their chats took
place, when Nora suddenly exclaimed in a low tone:

"Look, girls, there is Eleanor Savelli!"

"Where? where?" demanded three eager voices, as their owners followed
Nora's glance.

"Across the street," replied Nora. "Don't let her know that we are
looking at her."

Sure enough, on the opposite side of the street, Eleanor Savelli was to
be seen stroll