ect
that filled her with a vague apprehension of some impending
unpleasantness.

She knocked briskly at the door, then waited a little. There was no
response. She knocked again, harder and longer, but still silence
unbroken by any footfall, reigned within. After pounding upon the door
at intervals for at least ten minutes, she turned and walked dejectedly
away from the house of denial, speculating as to what could possibly
have become of the Stevens'.

At the corner she almost ran against Mr. Stevens, who, with his soft
black felt hat pulled low over his forehead, was hurrying along, his
violin case under his arm.

"Oh, Mr. Stevens," cried Marjorie, "where is Constance? I have just come
from your house, and there is no one at home."

Mr. Stevens looked mildly surprised. "I thought you knew," he answered.
"Didn't Constance tell you she was going away? She and Charlie went to
New York City yesterday. They are to meet Constance's aunt there. It was
very unexpected. She received a letter from her aunt on Tuesday. I was
sure she had told you." Mr. Stevens' fine face took on an expression of
perplexity.

"I did not know it," responded Marjorie, soberly. "When will she
return?"

"I am not quite sure. I shall not know definitely until I hear from
her," was the discouraging reply.

"I'm sorry I didn't see her," was all Marjorie could find words for, as
she turned to go. "Good-bye, Mr. Stevens."

"Good-bye, Miss Marjorie." The musician bared his head, his thick, white
hair ruffling in the wind. "You will hear from Constance, no doubt."

"No doubt I won't," breathed Marjorie, as she walked on. "What would he
say, I wonder, if he knew? He'll never know from me, neither will anyone
else. I hope those girls will forget all about seeing Constance wear the
pin."

But the affair of the pin was destined not to sink into oblivion, for
the next morning Marjorie found on her desk the following note:

"Miss Dean:

"Do you think you are doing right in shielding a thief? It looks as
though a certain person either stole or found and kept a certain article
belonging to you and yet you allow her to wear it before your very eyes
without protest. If you do not immediately insist on the return of your
property and denounce the thief, we will put the matter before Miss
Archer, as this is not the first offense. This is the decision of
several indignant students who insist that the girls of the freshman
class shall be above reproach."