ing home to beautify myself for the great
moment when I shall stand in line with my sophomore sisters to greet the
infant freshmen."

"I'm going home, too, but without bursting into language," drawled J.
Elfreda Briggs. "I pounded my thumb with a hammer, scratched my nose on
an obstinate hemlock bough, and lost a bran span new pair of scissors. I
think it is high time to leave this place. I'm not on the reception
committee, 'tis true, but I have weighty matters to consider and am on
the verge of a perilous undertaking." She uttered the last words in an
all too familiar undertone, shooting a mischievous glance at her friends
which caused Grace, Anne and Miriam to laugh outright.

"What are you girls laughing at?" demanded Gertrude Wells.

"Elfreda is so funny," explained Grace enigmatically. Then, fearing to
offend Gertrude, she said hastily, "What she said was extremely
laughable to us, because she was imitating some one we know."

The knot of girls separated soon after, going their separate ways. Anne,
Grace, Miriam, Elfreda and Emma Dean turned their faces toward Wayne
Hall.

"I wonder if Ruth is going?" remarked Grace, who walked behind Anne. "I
thought we'd see her this afternoon."

"I noticed how sharply Arline answered you," said Anne significantly.

"Poor Ruth, I haven't a minute to spare or I'd run down there. We must
go to-morrow afternoon, Anne. We'll take Ruth to Vinton's for dinner
and, oh, Anne! let's invite Arline and make them be friends!"

"Splendid!" admired Anne. "I'll take charge of Ruth and you can look out
for Arline."

"If you don't hurry, you'll be ready for the reception some time
to-morrow," called Elfreda derisively. The two quickened their steps.
The three girls ahead looked back, then mischievously began running
toward Wayne Hall.

"We can catch them, Anne," exulted Grace.

"You mean you can," laughed Anne. "Run ahead and surprise them."

Grace was off like the wind. Although the three girls ran well they were
no match for the lithe, slender young woman who ran like a hunted deer.
She soon passed her friends and running on to the hall sat down on the
steps with no apparent traces of exhaustion to wait for them.

"Let me see, what track team did you say you belonged to?" quizzed
Elfreda, with open admiration. "If I could run like that I'd be happy.
Where did you learn to run?"

"Back in Oakdale, where I was the prize tomboy of the school," laughed
Grace. "Have you seen to your