ar that train whistling? I

alert eyes spied the smoke of the approaching train before it rounded the bend and appeared in

er father would arrive at Sanford on Wednesday on the 4.30 train and her impatience grew. It was not alone that she desired to see Mary. There was the "mysterious mission" to be considered. What girl

behind him followed a slender girl in blue. With a cluck of joy and a "There she is!" Marjorie fairly raced up the station platform. Constance followed, but proceeded more slowly. To Marjorie belonged the right to the first rapturous moments with her chum. In her girl

imed, her clear voice

vered Mary Raymond. Then the two be

jured voice, as the two young women continued

from Mary's detaining arms and turn

ther side of the station. But first, let me introduce my friend, Constance Stevens. Why

once friendless girl. Miss Allison had purchased a handsome property on the outskirts of Sanford, and, after much persuasion, had, with one exception, induced the occupants of the little gray house to share it with her. Soon afterward Mr. Stevens, Constance's foster-father, whose name she still bore and refused to change, had accepted a position as first violin in a symphony orchestra and had gone to ful

ast. Naturally humble and self-effacing, she had no ambition to shine socially. Her one aim was to become a great singer, and it was understood between

esire, but of the great good which had come to her in one short year she felt that above all she priz

was prepared to give this girl who was Marjorie's dearest friend a loyal

Mary had clasped hands. "I've been so anxious for you two to know each other. Now that you're here together I can see t

half-startled expression, which neither Constance nor Marjorie noted. Then she said in a tone intended to be cordial

ver and over again of you,"

er," laughed Marjorie. "Mother will wonder what has happened to us. She'

erhaps it would have been better if she had not accompanied Marjorie to the station to meet Mary. Perhaps Mary was a trifle hurt that her chum had not come alone. She decided that she would not ride to Marjorie's home with the party, although she had been invited to dine with them that night. She could not b

aid in a low voice. They had reached the waiting automobile

appy face clouded. "You know we'd l

iled at Constance, but aga

k her head alm

here was a shadowy return of the old baffling reserve that had so

ke dinner with us to-ni

ll be best for me to go home, I

nd, after bidding a courteous farewell to the Deans' guest

nce, Marjorie?" asked

ked after her friend's rapidly disappearing f

long separation she felt that her chum's every thought ought to be for her alone. And in that instant a certain fabled green-eyed monster, that Mary ha

to co