tepped between the two
girls, taking a hand of each. "I had meant to introduce Miss Alden a
little later on to our friends at the commencement exercises," announced
Miss Tolliver, "but I believe I would rather do it now. I wish to state
that, although Miss Morton has delivered the valedictory, Miss Phyllis
Alden's average during the four years she has spent at my preparatory
school has been equally high. It was her wish that Miss Morton should be
chosen to deliver the valedictory. But Miss Alden's friends have another
honor which they wish to bestow upon her. She has been voted, without her
knowledge, the most popular girl in my school. Her fellow students have
asked me to present her with this pin as a mark of their affection."

Miss Matilda leaned over, and before Phil could grasp what was happening
had pinned in the soft folds of her organdie gown the class pin, which
was usually an enameled shield with a crown of laurel above it; but the
center of Phil's shield was formed of small rubies and the crown of tiny
diamonds.

Phyllis turned scarlet with embarrassment, but Madge's eyes sparkled with
delight. She was no longer ashamed of having been chosen as
valedictorian. In spite of herself, Phyllis Alden was the star of their
commencement.

It was not until the four girls were seated with their dear ones about a
round luncheon table in the largest hotel in Harborpoint that Madge
suddenly recalled the stranger whose warning cry had probably saved her
from a serious hurt.

Mrs. Curtis and Tom were entertaining in honor of Madge and Phyllis.
There were no other guests except the two houseboat girls, Eleanor and
Lillian, Dr. and Mrs. Alden, and Mr. and Mrs. Butler.

Madge sat next to Tom Curtis, and during the progress of the luncheon
managed to say softly: "Did you see who it was that called my name so
strangely this morning, Tom? I was so frightened at having to deliver my
valedictory that when I heard that sudden shout, 'Madge!' I was too much
confused to recognize the voice."

Tom shook his head. "I don't know who it was. I heard the voice but
couldn't discover its owner. It must have been some one at the very back
of the room, for no one in the audience seems to know who called out to
you."

"I suppose I'll never know," sighed Madge. "It is a real commencement day
mystery, isn't it?"

Tom nodded smilingly. "By the way, Madge, where are the houseboat girls
going to spend the summer after you come to Madeleine'