w that essay before: I never in all my life went to
Dora Russell's desk. I am headstrong and wild, but I don't do spiteful
things. I have no object in injuring Dora; she is nothing to me--nothing.
She is trying for the essay prize, but she has no chance of winning it.
Why should I trouble myself to injure her? Why should I even take the
pains to parody her words and copy her handwriting? Mrs. Willis, you need
not believe me--I see you do not believe me--but I am quite innocent."

Here Annie burst into sudden tears, and ran out of the room.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

UNTRUSTWORTHY.

Dora Russell had declared, in Hester's presence, and with intense energy
in her manner, that the author of the insult to which she had been
exposed should be publicly punished and, if possible, expelled. On the
evening of her interview with the head teacher, she had so far forgotten
herself as to reiterate this desire with extreme vehemence. She had
boldly declared her firm conviction of Annie's guilt, and had broadly
hinted at Mrs. Willis' favoritism toward her. The great dignity, however,
of her teacher's manner, and the half-sorrowful, half-indignant look she
bestowed on the excited girl, calmed her down after a time. Mrs. Willis
felt full sympathy for Dora, and could well understand how trying and
aggravating this practical joke must be to so proud a girl; but although
her faith was undoubtedly shaken in Annie, she would not allow this
sentiment to appear.

"I will do all I can for you, Dora," she said, when the weeping Annie had
left the room; "I will do everything in my power to find out who has
injured you. Annie has absolutely denied the accusation you bring against
her, and unless her guilt can be proved it is but right to believe her
innocent. There are many other girls in Lavender House, and to-morrow
morning I will sift this unpleasant affair to the very bottom. Go, now,
my dear, and if you have sufficient self-command and self-control, try to
have courage to write your essay over again. I have no doubt that your
second rendering of your subject will be more attractive than the first.
Beginners cannot too often re-write their themes."

Dora gave her head a proud little toss, but she was sufficiently in awe
of Mrs. Willis to keep back any retort, and she went out of the room
feeling unsatisfied and wretched, and inclined for a sympathizing chat
with her little friend Hester Thornton.

Hester, however when she reached her, see