that time, and they had all had a
lovely time. Ruth, who had never been a member of the secret society,
had been left out--a proceeding which so angered her as to cause her to
seek in some way to get even with Marjorie. And this had been the
beginning of all the trouble! Now as she looked back upon it, the whole
affair seemed childish; she realized that whatever parties she gave in
the future would include Ruth.

Marjorie's mother had told her that she might invite Lily, or any other
friend, to spend part or all of the holidays with her; and she had
received a lovely invitation from Doris's mother to go to their home
for Christmas week. But she had resolutely refused all these
suggestions; she had other plans--not of a social nature.

It was with this purpose in mind that she visited Miss Phillips the
night of the children's party.

"Could you possibly spare me a day during your holiday, Miss Phillips?"
she asked. "I want to go and see Frieda's mother."

"Why, what an idea!" exclaimed the teacher in surprise. "But do you
think she knows where her daughter is?"

"I think she must know something. And maybe she could tell us why Frieda
ran away. And----" Marjorie paused, shyly,--"and I want to get word to
her if I can that I don't mind her taking my canoe!"

"Marjorie, you're a strange girl!" remarked Miss Phillips, looking at
her quizzically. Then, "But have you asked your parents' consent?"

"Yes; papa said he would drive us over. But he also said that he
wouldn't let me go without you. And he was afraid it would be asking too
much of you!"

"Not at all. I could easily arrange to meet you. What day do you want to
go?"

"Whatever day suits you best."

Miss Phillips went to her desk and consulted an engagement pad.

"How about Friday--a week from to-morrow?" she suggested. "Then, if it
should rain, we could go Saturday."

"Fine!" concluded Marjorie, rising to go. But Miss Phillips detained her
for a moment.

"Marjorie, I want to thank you for your lovely gift. It was sweet of you
to do all that work for me."

The girl smiled, delighted that her favorite teacher was pleased. In
fact, Miss Phillips was not only her favorite teacher, but the only one
in whom she took any interest.

"I'm glad you liked it, Miss Phillips," she said, as she turned to leave
the office.

Marjorie and Ruth rode home in the train together. As soon as the girls
were away from Miss Allen's, and there was no longer any rivalry ragi