But
as it is now Friday and you will receive this on Saturday, I know
that if you have received no word from him, you will not mind
coming home a day earlier than you had planned. Once we are
together again, we can decide on some method of action. Thus far I
have done nothing. Believe me, my dear, only my great anxiety
compels me to ask you to make this sacrifice.

"Yours lovingly,

"ROSE GRAY."

The letter sliding from her nerveless fingers, Grace saw her
surroundings through a swirling mist. For a moment or two she yielded to
the terror that clutched at her heart. Her sturdy nature reasserting
itself, she rose, recovered the letter and walked slowly into the
living-room.

"Girls," she said, her voice a trifle unsteady, "I must leave you at
once. I--Mrs. Gray needs me and has sent for me. I am sorry I can't tell
you the reason. I am sure you will understand that I am giving you as
much of my confidence as I can." She paused, her gray eyes looking utter
affection on the startled group about the table. "I want you to promise
to finish the reunion just as happily as though I were with you. Later,
perhaps I can tell you what I mayn't tell you now. It is not yet eleven
o'clock, so I am sure I can catch the noon express."

Grace's remarkable announcement drove the business of letter-writing to
the winds. A bevy of sympathetic girls gathered about her, sending up a
concerted lament. Yet none ventured to inquire into the cause of her
departure, or to ask her to reconsider her decision to depart at once.
Loyal to the core, her wish was their law. Each eagerly offered her
services in behalf of the love they bore her. Torn though she was by the
shock of this new sorrow, Grace could not help thinking as she stood
there, how gloriously worthy were these staunch comrades to bear the
name Semper Fidelis.

CHAPTER X

THE SHADOW DEEPENS

"Oh, Fairy Godmother, what does it mean?" The tall, slender girl, who
had been obsequiously ushered into Mrs. Gray's stately, old-fashioned
house on Chapel Hill, darted down the hall and straight into a pair of
arms outstretched to receive her.

"I--don't--know--my dear. I wish I--" Mrs. Gray's broken utterance ended
in a sob, as she laid her silvery head on Grace's breast. Until that
moment she had remained calm. The sight of one who was equally enveloped
in the shadow that had dropped down upon her, proved too much for her.
Clinging to Grac