mind. Then at the next words she saw the light flash into full
radiance, as Mr. Benton, with something in his extended hand, turned
full toward Elinor where she sat.

"And now, Miss Kendall," he finished with grave satisfaction in every
word. "It is my privilege to award to you the Roberts prize of one
hundred dollars, in recognition of the meritorious work done by you in
the late competition. Will you kindly come forward to receive it?"

There was a general murmur of surprise and a following rustle of
gratification.

Patricia's eyes were too blurred with happy tears to see very clearly,
but she made out Elinor's figure bowing over the same purse that Doris
Leighton had received ten short days ago, and she whispered to herself
joyously, "Dear old Norn, they've more than paid up for all the
horridness now, haven't they? And you deserve it all, too."

Judith, whose eyes were still wide with astonishment, touched her arm.

"Did you know?" she asked breathlessly. "Did anyone know she was going
to get it?"

"Can't you tell by looking at them?" demanded Patricia. "Do they look
as though they'd expected anything like this? Of course we didn't
know. The Board didn't even peep to Bottle Green, for she's gaping
like the rest."

"I see," acknowledged Judith, sweeping the ringleaders with her sharp
scrutiny. "They're all simply stunned, but they're mighty glad, too.
They're going to give the Academy Howl. Oh, Patricia, I wish I could
howl, too!"

"Go ahead, if you can do it," said a masculine voice at her elbow.
"The Academy won't object, I'm sure."

Patricia turned with a gasp of delight. "Bruce!" she cried
delightedly. "You dear thing! You've come in the nick of time. Isn't
it splendid that Elinor's won the prize? Did you hear about it?
Aren't you perfectly crazy over it?"

Bruce laughed good-naturedly as he shook hands.

"I can't undertake to answer all that at once, Miss Pat," he said.
"Let's go find what Elinor thinks about it."

He pushed a way for them to the group which surrounded the flushed and
gracious recipient of the Roberts prize, and before Patricia quite
realized how he did it, he had them ensconced with Elinor in a cozy
corner of the print room, and had heard the whole story of the stolen
design.

"It's a good thing you two innocents have a responsible person like
Judith to look after you," he said seriously. "I don't know what you'd
do without a protector to play providence for you