story
that he had purposely dropped out of sight. We know that could not be
so, yet others might not share our belief in him. But lately I've been
seeing matters differently. So long as the affair is kept a secret, he
will never be found. With the news of his disappearance spread abroad by
the newspapers, some one may come to light who has seen him or heard of
him in some way. I am going to try to regard the public as friends who
would like to help us all they can."

"I think you are right about that," emphasized Hippy. "You are true
blue, Grace. You have carried yourself through this nightmare summer
like a soldier and a gentleman. That's the highest praise I can offer.
No wonder you annexed the name 'Loyalheart' at college."

"Grace, have you any idea who furnished the copy for this?" Nora pointed
a disapproving finger at the newspaper. "Do you--that is--do you suppose
one of the girls--I thought--perhaps----"

"No, Kathleen West would never break her word." Grace smiled
whimsically. "You were thinking of her?"

"Yes; I knew she was connected with a newspaper," admitted Nora,
coloring.

"None of the girls to whom I wrote about Tom had anything to do with
this. I trust them as fully as I trust you. This information found its
way into the newspapers through a different channel."

"Then you know who--" began Nora.

"Yes, I know," Across Grace's brain flashed the vision of an angry face,
lighted by two narrowing black eyes. She mentally heard a threatening
voice predict vindictively, "You will regret this interference in my
affairs." The misdirected letter had again created trouble. She recalled
having feared this when Arline had explained her blunder in confusing
the two letters. Undoubtedly in writing to Grace, Daffydowndilly had
mentioned Tom Gray's name and, in expressing her sympathy, had
practically gone over the information contained in Grace's letter to her
regarding the postponement of her marriage.

"I should like to tell you, children," she continued, "but I can't,
because the telling would involve a certain person whose confidence I
hold. I will say this much. It was petty spite which prompted the deed."
Grace's lips curved in faint scorn. Stanley Forde was truly a person of
small soul and less honor. Such despicable retaliation against a woman
was the last touch needed to prove his unfitness to protect the welfare
of loyal little Daffydowndilly.

"Oh, don't think of us," hastily assured Hippy. "We