or less," growled Dan. "Her mother wants to put her
through college, to please the wealthy great-aunt. Mrs. Owen has shown
interest in another girl who is now at Wellesley; hence Marian must go
to college, and the bare thought of it bores her to death. She's as
little adapted to a course in college as one of those bright goddesses
who used to adorn Olympus."

"She doesn't strike me as needing education; she's a finished product. I
felt very young in the divine presence."

"She gives one that feeling," laughed Dan, his mood of impatience
dissolving.

"Who's this rival who has made the higher education seem necessary for
Morton Bassett's daughter?"

"She's an amazing girl; quite astonishing. If Mrs. Bassett were a wise
woman she wouldn't enter Marian in competition. And besides, I think her
fears are utterly groundless. Marian is delightful, with her waywardness
and high-handedness; and Mrs. Owen likes originals, not feeble
imitations. I should hate to try to deceive Mrs. Sally Owen--she's about
the wisest person I ever saw."

"Oh, Sylvia! Mrs. Owen has mentioned her. The girl that knows all the
stars and that sort of thing. But where's Morton Bassett in all this?
He's rather more than a shadow on the screen?"

"Same old story of the absorbed American father and the mother with
nerves"

* * * * *

Two afternoons later, as Harwood was crossing University Park on his way
to his boarding-house, he stopped short and stared. A little ahead of
him in the walk strolled a girl and a young man, laughing and talking
with the greatest animation. There was no questioning their identity. It
was five o'clock and quite dark, and the air was sharp. Harwood paused
and waited for the two loiterers to cross the lighted space about the
little park's central fountain. It seemed incredible that Marian and
Allen should be abroad together in this dallying fashion. His anger rose
against Allen, but he curbed an impulse to send him promptly about his
business and take Marian back to the Whitcomb. Mr. Bassett was expected
in town that evening and Dan saw his duty clearly in regard to Marian;
she must be returned to school willy-nilly.

The young people were hitting it off wonderfully, and Marian's laughter
rang out clearly upon the winter air. Her tall, supple figure, her head
capped with a fur toque, and more than all, the indubitable evidence
that such a clandestine stroll as this gave her the keenest de