y charges made against her. I wish to
say that I have a communication to make which may put a different face on
the whole matter. I know something of the story of those signals. When I
go back to school I shall call a meeting of the basketball team and its
subs. and tell them what I know about it; but not until then. Furthermore
it is not strictly a class matter, as it pertains to the basketball
players alone. Therefore any one outside the team has no right to
interfere. Please don't think me disagreeable. It is because I am trying
to avoid unpleasant consequences that I am firm about having no names
mentioned here."

[Illustration: "You Need Mention No Names While in My House."]

There was an absolute silence in the room. The girls had a deep regard for
Grace on account of her frank, open nature and love of fair play; but
Miriam had her own particular friends who had respect for her on account
of her being a Nesbit. She had a faculty of obtaining her own way, too,
that seemed, to them, little short of marvellous, and she spent more money
than any other girl in Oakdale High School. It was therefore difficult to
choose between the two factions.

Nora broke the embarrassing pause.

"Grace is right as usual," she said, "and none of you girls should feel
offended. What's the use of wasting the whole afternoon quarrelling over
an old basketball game? Do talk about something pleasant. The sophomore
ball for instance. Do you girls realize that we ought to be making some
plans for it? It's the annual class dance, and should be welcomed, with
enthusiasm. We've all been so crazy over basketball that we've neglected
to think about our class responsibilities. We ought to try to make it a
greater success than any other dance ever given by a sophomore class. We
must call a meeting very soon, not to fight over basketball, but to make
arrangements for our dance."

Nora's reminder of the coming ball was a stroke of diplomacy on her part.

What school girl does not grow enthusiastic over a class dance? A buzz of
conversation immediately arose as to gowns, decorations, refreshments and
the thousand and one things all important to a festivity of that kind.

Miriam seeing that it was useless to try to raise any further disturbance,
cut her call short, taking with her several girls who were her staunch
upholders.

Those who remained did not seem sorry at her departure, and Grace drew a
breath of relief as the door closed upon the wil