know I haven't lived up to----" she began.

Patience shook her head vigorously. "Don't tell me," she said. "Just
decide that hereafter you are going to cultivate Overton as your Alma
Mater for all you're worth. You'll find you can adapt Overton standards
to your paper more successfully than you can adapt newspaper tactics
here. At least it will do no harm to try out my suggestion and see how
far it will carry you."

"I will try," responded Kathleen with a suddenness that surprised even
herself. "Only," her eyes grew resentful, "you mustn't expect me to be
an angel all in a twinkling, or even like certain girls you and I know.
I can't, and that settles it."

"I shall have no expectations in the matter," smiled Patience. "Your
likes and dislikes concern no one save yourself. Please forgive me for
locking the door and speaking so candidly."

Patience stepped to the door and unlocked it. Kathleen took an uncertain
step forward, wavered, then, advancing almost timidly, held out her
hand.

"Will you shake hands?" she asked. "I am glad you did it, and I am going
to be different--if I can," she added moodily.

"Be fair to yourself and give the clever, capable Kathleen West a
chance," was the New England girl's advice. "This little talk of ours
has served to clear the atmosphere of this room. Let us be friends and
keep it clear."

"I will try," Kathleen repeated, but Patience was obliged to confess to
herself that she had very little faith in the newspaper girl's promise.
She felt that the fact that James Merton Eliot was her father had made
far more impression upon Kathleen than had her little lecture on
standards.

CHAPTER VII

WHEN FRIENDS FALL OUT

"What has happened to the Semper Fidelis Club? Did such a worthy
organization ever exist, or did I merely dream?" inquired Arline Thayer,
walking suddenly into the living room at Wayne Hall one evening, where
Grace sat idly turning the pages of a magazine, at the same time trying
to decide the best possible way of spending her evening.

"Oh, Arline!" she exclaimed. "I am so glad you came. You are just
in time. I was trying to decide what I had better do this evening.
For a wonder, I haven't a line of studying to worry me. But there are
so many other things I ought and wish to do. My correspondence is fast
going to rack and ruin, and I owe at least a dozen calls, the
drop-in-in-the-evening kind. Anne wants me to go for a walk, and Elfreda
and Miriam are dete