nd obliged to spend
Christmas eve on a windswept siding with only a ham sandwich between her
and starvation, and Eleanor, whose vacation had been one mad whirl of
metropolitan gaiety. Her young aunt, who sympathized with her niece's
distaste for college life, and couldn't imagine why on earth Judge
Watson had insisted upon his only daughter's trying it for a year at
least, did her utmost to make Eleanor enjoy her visit. So she had dined
at the Waldorf, sat in a box at the theatre and the opera, danced and
shopped to her heart's content, and had seen all the sights of New York.
And at all the festivities Paul West, a friend of the family and also of
Eleanor's, was present as Eleanor's special escort and avowed admirer.
Naturally she had come back in an ill humor. Between late hours and
excitement she was completely worn out. She wanted to be in New York,
and failing that she wanted Paul West to come and talk New York to her,
and bring her roses for the big brass bowl that she had found in a dingy
little shop in the Russian quarter. She threw her good resolutions to
the winds, received Miss Hale's thanks for the violets very coldly, and
begged Betty to forget the sentimental letter that she had written
before Christmas.

"But I thought it was a nice letter," said Betty. "Eleanor, why won't
you give yourself a chance? Go and see Ethel this afternoon, and--and
then set to work to show her what you said you would," she ended lamely.

Eleanor only laughed. "Sorry, Betty, but I'm going to Winsted this
afternoon. Paul has taken pity on me; there's a sleighing party. I
thought perhaps you were invited too."

"No, but I'm going skating with Mary and Katherine," said Betty
cheerfully, "and then at four Rachel and I are going to do Latin."

"Oh, Latin," said Eleanor significantly. "Let me think. Is it two or
three weeks to mid-years?"

"Two, just."

"Well, I suppose I shall have to do a little something then myself,"
said Eleanor, "but I shan't bother yet awhile. Here comes the sleigh,"
she added, looking out of the window. "Paul's driving, and your Mr.
Parsons has asked Georgie Arnold. What do you think of that?"

"I should certainly hope he wouldn't ask the same girl to everything, if
that's what you mean," said Betty calmly, helping Eleanor into her new
coat.

Eleanor shrugged her shoulders. "Good-bye," she said. "For my part, I
prefer to be the one and only--while I last," and snatching up her furs
she was off.

Bet