t at the seminary at present. She had come the previous day and attended to business matters, put her r

ining-hall and chapel. From this extended an east dormitory, and one on the west. Each suite of rooms consisted of a bedroom and a small study or sitting-room. This was occupied by two students. Number Sixty-two wh

." The previous spring, she had put in an application for Number Sixty-two. She had come down several days before the opening of school to take possession, feeling sure that if she was once placed

ted it, by means of a gay cover and cushions into a cosy corner. The study table held a few books and a candle with a shade. Across one end of the room, gay ribbons had been s

not like to do more until you came. I was afraid you might not like my style of decoration. I

Vail Lo

cing the first tinge of homesickness; but she had no intention of giving way to her feelings. She could do just as Helen had done

en had rigidly observed the old time custom of the hall and had stretched a blue r

g from the sitting-room into the hall. She paused a moment to ascertain the reason for the bell's ringing. A murmur of voices came

e Fraulein told me that Helen had gone to h

r two terms?" This voice had in it a touch of petulant decision, as though the speaker

t into the private office and remained ever so long. I would have waited had not Miss Burkham

mor in them; but she did not know of the smile which passed ove

ling notes. "I saw her when she crossed the campus, and was sure it was Helen. I was just about to run out and give her a hug-Helen is the dearest girl in the world-when I saw I was mi

owner had grown weary of life, but meant to live it down if she could. "Perhaps she may be Helen's sister, who knows?"

"Sara Summerson, do arouse yourself. Life is w

er down to work. When I thought I could get out my 'Unter Linden,' Miss Laird would call me to button her waist. If I ever am principal of a seminary, I'll have a law passed making it criminal for a teacher to wear

turned into her room and closed the door. She heard the sound of

the least intention of sitting down and giving way to her homesick feeling. The fear that she might give way, aroused her. She grew antagonistic with he

t out and examined it carefully. The little bit of cut glass in the center attracted her strongly. In the sun

e was rich in bits of china, linen, and silverware which had been handed down from generation to generation; but this little c

e. Hester felt privileged to inspect the posters,

lier in the evening were to call the students to the dining-room. Hester had not understood that, but it rea

he duty of hall-girls to play the part of hostess to new students. Fortunat

th favor upon crackers and cheese, when a knock came at the door. She opened to

room below. "I am Sara Summerson, one of last year's girls. I did not know until after dinner was over that you were here

cried Hester. "W

d back the books from the nearest study table and had set down her tray. "I brought you some tea," she said. "Will you not please sit down and eat whi

hysique, but of wholly different coloring. Her eyes were gray and calm; while Hester's were black and at times snapping. She wore a simple white gown with a Dutch neck. She was not at al

inished her meal, Sara looked across at her, viewed her slowly and serenely and sa

o herself in the asking. Sara scanned her slowly, deliberately. "If she were, I should not tell you. I never spoil people by complimenting them

know what you mean. T

. Miss Webster declares my French is startling in its originality. You wish to know of Helen? She is one of those people that you nee

r" in this sense meant the s

was mistaken to-day fo

t there is a difference.

ever heard the n

; the conventions which were observed when one had a spread, and the social distinction between that and a fudge party. Fudge-making w

n-girls who had not been in school a month-had had the audacity to i

right track socially, Sara t

ara had informed her. This gave the girls a hal

She felt like an alien now. Perhaps, she would soon become part. She hoped so at least; for there is nothing quite as lonesome as being alone among many people.

she placed it in the corner of her wardrobe, where it fitted snugly. In the shadow, it was hardly distinguishable from the

their spring semesters, were well provided for in the line of pictures. Hester looked them over. There were girls and girls and yet more girls. Some wore ev

ther and children. The mother was young and beautiful. A boy leaned against her knee and a baby nestled in her arms. The boy was a hands

ugh she was the prettiest thing in the world and Mary is homely-just ordinarily homely, and Jane Orr's mother-." The thought was too much for Hester. Her lips quivered, her eyes filled wi

taken a mother's place to her, she added quickly. "But I wo

children. She was awakened from her reverie by the half-hour bell. She was relieved at th

to disturb her. She was too far gone in slumber to realize where she was. She thought that she was back home and Aunt Debby had slipped in to see that she was properly covered. Satisfied t

The rising-bell rang long a

her, a tall, slender girl enveloped in a soft kimona, and

t that instant that she had

ot waken you. I am Helen Loraine. I hope w

n Loraine.