e dollars," replied Grace. "The girls in the
boarding houses are not overburdened with money. I collected half of it
from the Holland House girls. Miriam has promised me five dollars and I
will put in five. That makes thirty-five dollars. I haven't asked
Elfreda yet. She went out on a last shopping tour early this afternoon
and hasn't come home yet. I suppose she went to Vinton's for dinner.
Anne hasn't given me her money yet."

"Did you ask Miss Atkins?" was Arline's sudden inquiry. She was seized
with a recollection of what transpired earlier in the fall.

Grace shook her head. "I couldn't. She hasn't spoken to me since the
beginning of the term."

"Shall I run up and ask her?" proposed Arline. "She is quite cordial to
me in that queer, stiff way of hers."

"It is only fair to give her a chance to contribute if she wishes," said
Grace slowly. "I should say you might better ask her than leave her
out."

"I'll go now, while I feel in the humor," declared Arline.

"You might ask Miss Taylor, too. She is Miss Atkins's roommate. She has
been rather distant with me, so I haven't approached her on the
subject."

Arline danced off on her errand with joyful little skips of
anticipation. It was not long before she returned, a pleased smile on
her baby face. "What do you think!" she whispered, gleefully. "She gave
me ten dollars! She was lovely, too, and didn't scowl at all. I wished
her a Merry Christmas, and she asked me to take luncheon or dinner with
her some time after Christmas. Miss Taylor wasn't there."

Grace was on the point of replying humorously that she hoped Arline
would not share Elfreda's fate when the hour to dine came round. She
checked herself in time, however. She had no right to betray Elfreda's
confidence even to Arline. "That was generous in her," she said warmly.
"Would you like to come upstairs with me now, Arline, while I collect my
share of the contributions? Miriam and Elfreda will soon be here and I
will ask Anne for her money."

Arline obediently followed Grace upstairs to her room. Grace lighted the
gas. As she did so she espied an envelope lying on the rug near the
door. Crossing to where it lay, Grace picked it up. It bore no
superscription. She turned it over, then finding it unsealed pulled back
the flap and peered into it. With an exclamation of wonder she drew
forth a crisp ten dollar bill. "Who do you suppose left it there?" she
gasped in amazement. "I thought Anne was here. She m