d Grace thoughtfully. "I still believe it, and I am not going to
give her up yet."

"I don't envy you the task of finding it," said Jessica.

"I wonder what Marian Barber's motto is?" mused Anne. "She said it would
be a good one."

"I have no doubt of that. Marian Barber doesn't usually do things by
halves when once she starts," said Jessica. "I am surprised that she ever
allowed herself to be drawn into Miriam's net. She seems awfully sorry for
it now."

"Oh, girls," cried Nora suddenly. "I have a half a dollar."

"Really?" said Jessica. "I didn't suppose there was that much money in
Oakdale."

"My sister gave it to me this morning," Nora went on, ignoring Jessica's
remark. "I am supposed to buy a new collar with it, but if you are
thirsty----"

"I am simply perishing with thirst," murmured Grace.

Five minutes later the four girls were seated in the nearest drug store
busily engaged with hot chocolate, while they congratulated Nora on having
spent her money in a good cause.

The sophomores smiled to themselves next morning at Marian's motto. It
hung in a prominent place in the locker-room and read: "An ounce of
loyalty is worth a pound of cleverness."

CHAPTER XVII

BURYING THE HATCHET

It was some days before Julia Crosby was able to return to school, but
when she did put in an appearance, she lost no time in taking her class in
hand and bringing about a much-needed reform. The part played by Grace
Harlowe in Julia's rescue had been related by her to various classmates
who had visited her during her illness, and Grace found that the older
girls were inclined to lionize her more than she cared to be. She received
praise enough to have completely turned her head had she not been too
sensible to allow it to do so.

After holding a conference with Julia, the two girls sent out notices to
their respective classes that a grand reunion of the two classes would
take place on the next Saturday afternoon at one o'clock, at the old
Omnibus House, providing the weather permitted. A tax of twenty-five cents
apiece was levied on the members of both classes. "Please pay your money
promptly to the treasurer of your class," ended the notices, "if you wish
to have plenty to eat. Important rites and ceremonies will be observed.
You will be sorry if you stay away, as an interesting program is
promised. Please keep this notice a secret."

"The field back of the Omnibus House is an ideal place for the burial,"
J