r school hours has never been followed that I
know of. There is really no reason for it, and it might cause some delay
in the morning, in case Mrs. Gunby were not around to unlock the doors."

"You will have to send a bill to father for all the broken glass," laughed
Grace. "I shouldn't have been here at this moment if I hadn't done some
smashing."

Miss Thompson smiled.

"You were perfectly right to do it, my dear. It was an exhibition of good
judgment and great courage. As for the bill, certainly the victim of an
employe's stupidity should not be held accountable for costs. But we won't
disturb you now with any more questions. You deserve to win the game and I
hope with all my heart you will."

There was still a little time left and Grace determined to improve those
shining moments by having a talk with Miriam.

Miriam never looked up when Grace approached her. Her dark brows were knit
in an ugly frown and her eyes were on the floor.

"Miriam, aren't you glad I got out of prison in time?" asked Grace
cordially.

"I suppose so," answered Miriam, looking anywhere but at Grace.

"Is there anything the matter with you to-day?" continued Grace.

"No," answered Miriam shortly.

"Your playing is not up to mark. The girls are very uneasy. Won't you try
to do a little better next half?"

There was a childlike appeal in Grace's voice that grated so on Miriam's
nerves, at that moment that she deliberately turned and walked away,
leaving Grace standing alone.

"Wait a minute, Miriam," called Nora, who, with some of the other
sophomores, had been watching the scene. "You aren't ill to-day, are you?"

"No," replied Miriam angrily.

"Because, if you are really ill, you know," continued Nora, "your sub.
could take your place. Anna Ray can play a great deal better game than you
played the first half."

Miriam turned on Nora furiously, and was about to make one of her most
violent replies, when the whistle blew and the girls flew to their places.

Julia Crosby and Grace smiled at each other in the most friendly fashion
as they stood face to face for the last time that season. There was
nothing but good-natured rivalry between them now.

The referee balanced the ball for an instant, her whistle to her lips.
Then the ball shot up, her whistle sounded and the great decisive last
half had begun.

Grace managed to bat the ball as it descended in the direction of one of
her eager forwards who tried for the basket and ju