our girls
with you?"

"No; I haven't seen one to-day; neither at the boat-house nor on our
ride."

During commencement week, the regular order of meals was infringed upon.
Dinner began earlier and lasted later than usual. The students took second
place, giving precedence to the guests and Seniors. So it came about that
the Middlers and Freshmen had scarcely finished before time for the
beginning of the evening festivities.

"Every one is to go to chapel after dinner," someone started the order. It
was passed on and on until all the girls of the first and second classes
received the word.

The dresses which they had worn to dinner answered for such an informal
affair as this must be, to judge from the manner of issuing the
invitations.

As they quitted the dining-hall, Elizabeth looked about for Mary, but
could not find her. Nora, Landis, Min and Anna Cresswell also were among
the missing. Then she hurried to join Nancy and Mame.

"Mary is not to be found. Perhaps she has already gone to chapel."

The audience hall was almost filled when they entered. Bright fans on the
wing looked like a swarm of gay butterflies. The subdued hush of
conversation came from all parts of the room. Elizabeth looked about but
could not see her roommate.

"How perfectly awful the stage looks!" whispered Mame, who possessed the
artistic temperament. "I think I could have decorated it better than that.
I feel mournful at the mere looking at it."

The stage had been robbed of its furniture. A high-backed chair and
reading-desk of black walnut were the only pieces in sight. White roses
were there in profusion but not one bit of color.

While conversation buzzed, and fans fluttered, Azzie, dressed as somberly
as the rostrum looked, walked slowly down the main aisle. Her gown was of
some thin black stuff. She suited her walk and expression to match the
color of her dress. She wore no flowers. A big roll of music was in her
hand.

"She's going to play." Each one straightened her shoulders and leaned
eagerly forward, fairly holding her breath in anticipation, for Azzie's
fame as a pianist was far-reaching.

Moving slowly to the front of the rostrum, she seated herself at the
piano. So she sat for a few moments without touching the keys.

Slowly following her came Anna Cresswell, in gown but no cap. Her linen
collar and cuffs showed white against the dead black of her student's
robe. With glances neither to right nor left, she slowly