ure the long evening ahead of her. She was seized with an insane desire to break from Marjorie's light hold on her arm and rush out of the house of this girl who had stole

s pasteboard nest. Then a great trying-on had followed. She recalled with jealous clearness how great Marjorie's disappointment had been when she found it too small for her. Then Marjorie had said as she lovingly patted its soft folds, "Never mi

moment more and she was surrounded by Geraldine Macy, Irma Linton and Susan Atwell, who had come forth in a body from the long, palm-decorated parlor off the hall

Sherman Norwood, known as the Crane to his

she has spoken to me so often," smiled Hal Macy. "We a

iked equally well Lawrence Armitage's deferential greeting and she found the Crane's wide, boyish grin irresistible as he bowed low over her small hand. Yes, the Sanford boys wer

n impromptu ball-room by taking up the rugs and moving the pian

ary's and conducted her to the piano where stood a man with an immense shoc

soft voice. His stern, almost sad face broke in

r, Mr. Stevens," introduced Constance

at meeting her. Old John Roland's faded blue eyes contained a puzzled

e, who had joined them. "You have never see

quaint habit of repetition, although he had improved immensely in other ways sin

ask her fickle chum about them. She would find out whatever she wished to know from others. Now that she was a pupil of Sanford High she would soon become acquainted with girls of her class other than those she ha

er and smilingly shaking his gray head.

instant Mary felt a small hand slip into hers. "I knew you comed to see Charlie again. Charlie wouldn't

ashed sudden intelligence. "I know. Of course she's like Connie

e John," nodded M

d face had read her very soul. For a brief instant she sensed dimly the ignobleness of her jealousy of his daughter. She felt that she would rather die than have him know it. Perhaps, afte

d. "Connie says I have to go to

and kissed his eager face. And that embrace sealed the beginning of an affection between them, the ver

thought I was your very best girl." She made reproachful eyes at Charlie, who, delighted at rece

ved complacently. "Now he can stay

tance. "No, Charlie must go to bed and sleep and sleep, or he wi

ead edict, died suddenly. Even the joys of staying up all night

soon in the daytime when I don't have to go to bed. I'll play a new p

t. After kissing everyone in his immediate vicinity, Charlie made a quai

darling?" was Mary's

m so well and lively?" She turned radiantly to the white-haired musician. His face lighted again in that wonderful smile. He was about to answer

have first, gir

, in company with a mischievous-eyed, freckled-faced youth who rejoiced in the dignified

Miss Raymond," i

Mary. Mr. Stevens had already handed the old violinist the music for the dance and placed his own score in positio

pidly growing circle of dancers. Irma Linton and the Crane danced together, while Jerry Macy, who dan

ere were no wall flowers. An even number of boys and girls had been invited and every one had put in an appearance. At eleven o'clock a dainty repast, best ca

ng was again at its height, that Marjorie and

ance's pretty blue and white bedroom to

ce. "I'm glad you happened to need repairing. I hope Mary is having a good

"All the boys have been perfectly lovely to her and so have the girls. I knew everyone w

joyous prediction. Then her pretty face s

etting to rights. Something in Constance's ton

ing to Mary about you-and

nk of doing so unless I

didn't know. It is all past, and, as long as so few persons kno

year. She had felt dimly that, perhaps, Mary ought to be put in possession of the story, although she had not the remotest suspicion of the jealousy that was already warping her chum's thoughts. Her one idea had been to answer all

not think so well of me. I wish her to like me, Marjorie, just because she is your dearest friend. Don't you think I am right about it? You wouldn't care to have even the friend of your be

stions regarding her affairs, Constance might think Mary unduly curious. Perhaps, after all, silence was wisest. Mary might forget all about it, and

urged Constance. Her natural reticence made her dre

alf sigh. "There, I guess that flounce will

n them. Then her face cleared. She thought she knew what that talk was about. Marjorie had been asking Constance's permission to tell her everything. She would hear the great secret on the way home, no

to co