her that of Arline
Thayer.

"Don't wait for me, Grace. Go on upstairs and read your letters. I must
see Mrs. Elwood about that package I expected by express." Setting down
her suit case, Anne hurried down the hall. Always thoughtful for others,
she now determined that Grace should be alone when she opened her
father's letter.

With a grateful glance after Anne's retreating figure and a "see you
later" to Miriam, Elfreda and Patience, who had stopped at the living
room door to talk with Laura Atkins and Mildred Taylor, Grace went to
her room. With trembling fingers she tore open the envelope, glancing
through the first page of the letter. Then, with a little choking cry of
relief, she sank into a chair and began to cry softly.

It was at least fifteen minutes before Anne appeared in the room, and
during that time Grace had wiped away her tears and calmed herself to
the point of finishing her father's letter. She looked up smilingly as
Anne entered, although her eyes were red. "It is all right, Anne! Father
is the most forgiving man! Just listen to what he says:"

"MY DEAR GRACE:--

"There is no use in scolding you. I know that your intentions were
good, above reproach, no doubt, but how many times have I cautioned
you to go slowly? I received your letter, but, deciding you
deserved a certain amount of punishment for your rashness,
purposely delayed answering you. Your fame has traveled the length
and breadth of Oakdale, however, as I am not the only man in town
who reads the New York papers. In the light of your early police
court career I might say that this last bit of sleuthing merely
adds to your reputation in Oakdale as an apostle of justice. I
forgive you, of course, and do not blame you very severely. You
were rather shabbily dealt with, but still you must consider that
if you had kept your promise to me this annoying episode would
never have taken place.

"Considering your legitimate claim to senior dignity, I am not
going to lecture you any further. I am sure you will be more
careful another time. We missed our little girl more than I can say
on Thanksgiving Day. Your mother and I, who, you will remember,
were elected honorary members of the Phi Sigma Tau the summer we
went to Europe with that illustrious organization, carried out to
the best of our ability your old plan of making some one else happy