Lou
was jolly and frank and offhanded, while Ruth was painfully shy and
reserved, and that was the secret of the whole matter.

There was "no fun in her," the girls said, and so it came about that
she was left out of their social life, and was almost as solitary at
Oaklawn as if she had been the only girl there. She was there for the
special purpose of studying music, and expected to earn her own living
by teaching it when she left. She believed that the girls looked down
on her on this account; this was unjust, of course, but Ruth had no
idea how much her own coldness and reserve had worked against her.

Across the room Carol Golden was, as usual, the centre of an animated
group; Golden Carol as her particular friends sometimes called her,
partly because of her beautiful voice, and partly because of her
wonderful fleece of golden hair. Carol was one of the seminary pets,
and seemed to Ruth Mannering to have everything that she had not.

Presently the mail was brought in, and there was a rush to the table,
followed by exclamations of satisfaction or disappointment. In a few
minutes the room was almost deserted. Only two girls remained: Carol
Golden, who had dropped into a big chair to read her many letters; and
Ruth Mannering, who had not received any and had gone silently back to
her part of the window.

Presently Carol gave a little cry of delight. Her mother had written
that she might invite any friend she wished home with her to spend the
holidays. Carol had asked for this permission, and now that it had
come was ready to dance for joy. As to whom she would ask, there could
be only one answer to that. Of course it must be her particular
friend, Maud Russell, who was the cleverest and prettiest girl at
Oaklawn, at least so her admirers said. She was undoubtedly the
richest, and was the acknowledged "leader." The girls affectionately
called her "Princess," and Carol adored her with that romantic
affection that is found only among school girls. She knew, too, that
Maud would surely accept her invitation because she did not intend to
go home. Her parents were travelling in Europe, and she expected to
spend her holidays with some cousins, who were almost strangers to
her.

Carol was so much pleased that she felt as if she must talk to
somebody, so she turned to Ruth.

"Isn't it delightful to think that we'll all be going home in a
fortnight?"

"Yes, very--for those that have homes to go to," said Ruth drearily.