ose she does find out?"

"She can't prove that we wrote the note," was the quick retort. "When
Miss Harlowe tried to pin us to it that day at Stuart Hall I merely said
that a number of sophomores felt justified in sending the note. Of
course, she drew her own conclusions, but conclusions are far from
proof, you know. She would hardly dare circulate any reports concerning
it. We aren't going to bother with J. Elfreda much longer at any rate.
It's getting too near warm weather to risk being bored to death. Mary
expects a check from home soon, and I've written Mother for some extra
money, so we won't need hers. Besides, I don't wish to let our
acquaintance lap over into my junior year. She's frightfully ill bred,
and I'm going to begin to be more careful about my associates next
year."

"What a frightful snob you are, Bert," said Beatrice rather disgustedly.

"Well, you are my first cousin, you know," retorted Alberta
significantly. "I never considered you particularly democratic."

"I'm not deceitful, at any rate," reminded Beatrice. "If I dislike a
girl I take no pains to conceal it, and I am certainly not a grafter."

"Neither am I, Beatrice Alden, and the fact of your being my cousin
doesn't give you the right to insult me. I intended to tell you about a
stunt we had planned for Friday night, but since you seem to be so
conscientious about Miss Briggs, I shan't tell you anything."

Then a silence fell that was broken the next instant by the violent slam
of the front door. Grace rose to her feet, took a step forward, paused
irresolutely, then pushing apart the heavy curtains walked into the
other room. Beatrice Alden stood unconcernedly running through the
leaves of a magazine she had picked up from the table.

"Miss Alden!"

The senior turned quickly, looking inquiringly, then sternly, at Grace.
"How long have you been here?" she said abruptly.

"I heard part of the conversation," replied Grace coldly. "When you
began talking I recognized your voices, then I heard my name mentioned,
and true to the old adage about listeners I heard no good of myself.
When I heard Miss Briggs's name spoken I decided that under the
circumstances I was justified in listening further, as I intended at any
rate to announce my presence and just what I heard as soon as you two
had finished speaking. Miss Wicks's sudden departure prevented me from
carrying out my intention as far as she was concerned. I shall, however,
notify her at