hile quiet
little Mary Reynolds had been made treasurer. The reading of each name
elicited its quota of applause, but it was plain that, of the four
officers, Evelyn was, by far, the greatest favorite. After appointing a
committee of four girls to assist her in drawing up the constitution and
by-laws, Grace said pleasantly: "Will the new officers please come
forward so that we can all see you. You must be formally introduced, you
know."

The newly elected officers rose from their various positions which they
occupied in the room and advanced to where Grace stood. About Evelyn
Ward's red lips played a smile of suppressed triumph as she shook the
hand Grace offered her and listened to the former's sincere wish for her
success. For an instant the gray eyes studied the perfect face gravely,
as though trying to penetrate what lay behind its smiling mask. Then
Grace turned to greet the vice-president, just in time to miss the
mocking flash which lighted Evelyn's blue eyes.

CHAPTER XIII

PLANNING FOR THE RECEPTION

The committee on the constitution and by-laws for the new club met the
very next evening and drew up a terse little document setting forth
their object in banding themselves together. Grace had already made note
of the few rules she wished the girls to observe, but, so far as
possible, she wished the committee to draw up their own regulations,
subject to her approval. To create a spirit of independence and
self-confidence in the girls of Harlowe House had been Grace's basic
motive. She realized that many of them were hampered with an undue sense
of gratitude which made them too humble for their own interest. She
purposed to make them self-reliant and free. Therefore the rules which
she herself made were few and sensible, relating chiefly to the care of
rooms, the entertaining of guests and the problems which, if not
properly handled, were the most likely to cause friction among so many
young women of so many different dispositions.

"But what are we to do about money, Miss Harlowe?" asked Mary Reynolds
in a plaintive tone, when the question arose of whether the club should
be assessed for dues, and Grace spoke against it. "Of what use is it to
have a treasureless treasurer?"

The committee set up a unanimous giggle.

"That is really a serious question," smiled Grace, "and one which the
girls will have to decide for themselves. I should not wish any girl to
feel that she were obliged to contribute m