ecked by
a stern hand. It is almost five o'clock, and we haven't even seen our
rooms yet. Besides, Anne will have to leave before long for the theatre.
Let us hurry with our dressing, order an early dinner and keep Anne here
for it. Shall you be able to stay?" she asked, turning to Anne.

"I think so," replied Anne. "I do not have to be in the theatre until
after seven. But I am not dressed for dinner," she added, looking
doubtfully at her street costume. "You see, I came straight from
rehearsal."

"Never mind, Anne," interposed Grace, "you are a star, and stars have
the privilege of doing as they choose. At least that's what the Sunday
papers say. Miriam and I are going to room together. Come up with us."

Mrs. Gibson had engaged rooms ahead for her party, and the girls soon
found themselves in very luxurious quarters, with a trim maid on hand to
attend to their wants.

The boys had engaged rooms on the floor above that occupied by Mrs.
Gibson and the Phi Sigma Tau. James Gardiner heaved a sigh of relief as
he deposited his suit case beside Tom's in the room to which they had
been assigned.

"Girls are an awful responsibility," he remarked gloomily, with a
care-worn expression that made Tom shout with laughter. "I like them all
right enough, but not in bunches."

By making a special effort, the party was ready by six o'clock to
descend to dinner, which was served to them in a private dining room,
Mrs. Gibson having thoughtfully made this arrangement, in order to give
the young folks as much time together as possible.

They made a pretty picture as they sat at the round table, the delicate
finery of the girls gaining in effect from the sombre evening coats of
the boys. Mrs. Gibson, gowned in white silk with an overdress of black
chiffon, sat at the head of the table and did the honors of the
occasion.

"I feel frightfully out of place in this company of chivalry and
beauty," Anne remarked, looking fondly about her at the friends whose
presence told more plainly than words could have done the place she
occupied in their hearts.

"Think how we shall fade into insignificance to-night when you hold
forth with the great Southard," retorted Nora. "I shall consider myself
honored by even a mere bow from you, after you have taken curtain calls
before a New York audience."

"When I was with Edwin Booth," began Hippy reminiscently, "he often said
to me, 'Hippy, my boy, my acting is nothing compared to yours. You
are