rom the Semper Fidelis fund now, and I
imagine most of them have done so. Of course, only the treasurer knows
that."

"It looks to me as though there were more real need of a little
Christmas cheer," declared Arline thoughtfully. "Couldn't we arrange
some kind of entertainment to take place before we all go?"

"But that wouldn't seem much like Christmas unless it happened on
Christmas Day," objected Grace. "We'll all be at home then."

"Why not have a talk with Miss Barlow?" proposed Arline eagerly. "You
are the one to do it. You know her better than I do. Suppose we call
upon her within the next few days. Then you can find out what she and
her friends intend to do. If she says they are all going to stay here,
then ask her if she wouldn't like to--" Arline paused and looked rather
helplessly at Grace. "That's as far as I can go," she confessed. "I
haven't the least idea of what I should ask her."

"I am equally destitute of ideas," agreed Grace. "Perhaps the
inspiration is yet to come."

"It will have to come soon then, or we won't have the time to carry it
out," commented Arline dryly. "Keep it in mind, and if you think of
anything let me know instantly, won't you?"

Grace gave the desired promise and thought no more of it until she and
Arline almost came into violent collision just outside the library the
following Monday evening.

"Grace Harlowe!" exclaimed the little girl. "I was coming to Wayne Hall
to see you the instant I finished here. It has come, Grace! The great
inspiration! But it is a dreadful disappointment to me." Several big
tears chased each other down Arline's rosy cheeks. Her lip quivered, and
with a little, choking sob she sat down on the lowest step of the
library and began to cry softly.

"Arline, dear child, whatever is the matter?" cried Grace in quick
alarm. A moment later she had slipped to the step beside Arline, passing
one arm about her friend's shoulder. She could scarcely believe this
weeping, disconsolate little creature to be the smiling, self-assured
Arline Thayer, who was forever receiving flowers from admiring freshmen
crushes.

"Father's going to--Europe--on--important business," quavered Arline
brokenly. "He--he sails to-morrow morning and he can't possibly return
before the middle of January." She raised her sad little face to Grace's
sympathetic one, then, straightening up, she went on bravely, "We had so
many lovely Christmas plans."

"Come home with me, Arline," beg