imes," declared Elfreda to Miriam. "Here we are,
you and I, rooming together again just as we did at Overton. Sometimes
when I stop to think that those days are gone for good and all, it gives
me the blues. I can't realize that you, Miriam Nesbit, and Grace
Harlowe, too, are actually grown-up and getting ready to be married. Why
it seems only yesterday since I was the verdant freshman who invited
herself to room with you and kept you in hot water for a whole year
because she didn't know enough to behave like a human being."

"What about the Elfreda Briggs who proved herself the most loyal friend
and roommate one could ever hope to have?" demanded Miriam, laying a
friendly hand on Elfreda's shoulder.

"Oh, I had to get in line," returned Elfreda with a flashing
affectionate glance that belied her brusque words. "I could see that the
way I had started out wouldn't take me far. You and Grace made me over."

"Yet, if it hadn't been for Grace I would have stayed a hateful,
conceited snob all my days," returned Miriam soberly. "There isn't one
of us who doesn't owe her a debt of gratitude that we can never hope to
repay. If happiness is the certain reward of good works, then Grace
Harlowe ought never to know an unhappy moment."

Miriam spoke with a certainty born of her deep regard for Grace. To her
it seemed that naught save the brightest of futures could come to her
friend. Yet happiness is at best a fragile, evanescent thing.

CHAPTER IV

"TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE"

"Well, Daffydowndilly, what is on your mind?" began Grace when the last
gay good-night had sounded and Arline had closed the door of her dainty
blue and white room.

"Let's get comfy first. I can talk a great deal better." Arline began a
listless unfastening of her fluffy lingerie frock, her eyes fixed
moodily on Grace.

"All right." Grace had already divested herself of her gown of soft
white China silk and was now seated before the dressing table
energetically brushing her wealth of golden brown hair.

Nothing more was said until, with a little fluttering sigh, Arline had
curled up like a kitten at Grace's feet, her golden head resting against
her friend's knee. Smiling tenderly down on her, Grace could not help
noting how utterly like a tired child she looked in her baby-blue
negligee. "Now is the time for all good Sempers and true to come to the
aid of their comrades," she encouraged with a smile.

"Grace," Arline lifted solemn blue ey