owing
the truth. The very fact that you are at fault will be sufficient to tie
Grace's tongue. However, I shall ask Grace to tell me, as her refusal to
come to this room again, is my affair, too."

"Your faith in Miss Harlowe is touching," sneered the newspaper girl.

"I only wish I had the same faith in you," returned Patience gravely.
And Kathleen could think of no answer to Patience's significant words.

CHAPTER XIII

THE INVITATION

Neither Grace nor Kathleen went to their classes that morning. Feeling
reasonably certain that the newspaper girl was in the wrong, Patience
made no further effort toward discovering the nature of the quarrel. She
unpacked her bag, putting away its contents in her usual methodical
manner without so much as a glance in Kathleen's direction. Then, taking
her note book, she went quietly out to her class in English, leaving her
roommate still standing at the window, her very back expressing defiant
animosity.

Once in her room, Grace reread Mabel Ashe's note. She now understood its
import.

"MY DEAR GRACE:--

"Words cannot tell you how sorry I am for what has occurred. I did
not know until it was too late. The edition had gone to press. I am
afraid I couldn't have helped much, for the powers that be were
delighted with the story, and that little traitor, Kathleen West,
scored a triumph. Knowing you as I do, I am sure you never gave her
permission to publish that story.

"Of course, you were simply a great heroine in it, but having heard
the Oakdale part of the tale from you, and knowing of your promise
to your father, it is plain to be seen that she took advantage of
you in some way. If you haven't already delivered my invitation to
her, then don't do so. I feel deeply resentful toward her. You can
tell me the whole thing when you are with me. I shall expect you
and the girls on Wednesday evening on the train that leaves Overton
between two and three o'clock in the afternoon. You know the one I
mean. I'll look it up in the time table before Wednesday.

"If you happen to know one extra-delightful girl who has no
Thanksgiving plans ask her to come, too. Frances can't arrange to
be with us, so we need one more girl to do away with the problem of
the 'lonely fifth.' Three pairs are much nicer than two and a half.
The half always seems out of things. Of course, I am proceed