the
date for the tenth of September, so we needn't feel in the least
embarrassed if we find it necessary to change it."

"Oh, I'll be back before the last of August," was Tom's confident
prediction. "That will give us plenty of time to make all our
arrangements. And now I must go, Grace. I have a good deal to do before
train time. I'll leave Oakdale on that 4.30 express. I'll drive over
here for you in the roadster. I'd like just you to see me off on my
journey. Aunt Rose will understand when I tell her. Then if you will,
you can drive the roadster back to our garage."

[Illustration: Devoted Love Shone in Her Clear Gray Eyes.]

"I will," acquiesced Grace briefly. A swift rush of unbidden emotion
brought her very near to tears. Accompanying Tom to the door, she
watched him wistfully down the walk. She was forcibly reminded of a day,
belonging to the past, when she had seen him go down that same walk,
and, as she then believed, out of her life. On that dark rainy afternoon
of the long ago she had felt only pity as she gazed after his retreating
form. She had gone into the house and cried bitterly, out of sheer
sorrow of the hurt which she had inflicted upon her childhood's friend.
Now all was changed. Devoted love shone through the windows of the clear
gray eyes that followed Tom Gray's tall, broad-shouldered figure, as he
swung through the gate and down the street. And, as she stood there in
the doorway, the triumphant knowledge that she loved and was loved in
return swept away her inclination to tears. Even the shadow of
separation could not dim the glory of the summer that lived in her
heart.

CHAPTER VII

THE VEILED PROPHETESS OF DESTINY

"But is Emma really coming, Elfreda?" questioned Sara Emerson anxiously.
"She wrote us that she would surely be here."

Seven eager faces reflected the anxiety in Sara's tones as she made this
inquiry. The first day of the Semper Fidelis week of reunion was well on
its way toward sunset. Of the original members, six had descended upon
the Briggs' spacious cottage to keep Elfreda company. With them had come
Kathleen West and Patience Eliot, the guests of honor. Five members were
still among the missing. Marian Cummings, Gertrude Wells, Elsie Wilton
and Ruth Denton had been unable to grace the occasion with their
presence. Ruth's inability to attend lay in the fact that she was with
her father in Nevada. This had been a great cross to her chum, Arline
Thayer. The oth