She hesitated, looked rather confused, then added: "I used to think I disliked you, Miss Harlowe, but I find my feelings toward you are quite the opposite.

I hope we shall some day be friends." "I hope so, too," agreed Grace earnestly.

"We have a mutual friend, you know, in Mabel Ashe, although yours and Mabel's friendship began long before I came to Overton." A shadow crossed Beatrice's face.

Grace noted it and interpreted it correctly.

"You are very fond of Mabel, are you not, Miss Alden ?" she asked.
"Very," was the short answer.
"Anne Pierson is the dearest girl friend I have in the world," declared wily Grace.