Grace Harlowe's Junior Year at High School / Or, Fast Friends in the Sororities

r a halt w

ace in a deep voice. "One, two,

evel ground. This was one of the oldest and mildest forms of initiation, but Nora had insisted upon it, and giggled violently as the four girl

ly true. To show fear or reluctance in obeying the demands made upon o

sic begin,"

ised three combs, wrapped in tissue paper, to their li

ing," continued Grace, "and then sit down in the four oppos

gered dizzily toward what they thought were the corners of the room. Miriam Nesbit made straight for the door in which the chums stood, and Grace was obliged to take her by the shoulders and gently steer her in the opposite direction. Eleanor, after groping along one side of the room for a corn

chorus of any song you know, only be sure that you don't choose the same song, and don't stop until you have finished," directed

ra, who had been instructed to play "The Star Spangled B

counted Grace, an

, "Schooldays," while Eleanor contributed "The Marseillaise" in French. The orchestra

accompaniment ended in a shriek of suppressed mirth, but the candid

race. "I see you will be valu

heir hands in water charged with electricity, caress a mechanical rubber snake that wriggled realistically, drink a c

ainst their bare arms, and the shock made the victims gasp

lemnly swear that I will faithfully execute my duties as a member of the Phi Sigm

iety, the handkerchiefs were removed from their e

," remarked Miriam Nesbit, trying to r

taken by the President of the United States at inau

t sounded so much more expressive than to say, 'May my bones be c

he girls agreeing that Grace's choic

trials of initiation, you shall receive yo

iful lunch awaited them, to which, after the mann

rganized with a definite object, that of helping others. We are to look after girls who have no one to make things pleasant or happy for them. Why, do you know that there are quite a number of girls attending High School who come from other places, and who have to spend the

if a girl were allowed to finish her education, she could earn so much m

xplain that to her," said Nora.

te out on poor Mabel. If we could only get Mabel away from her. But if she has legally

papa about it. Lawyers always know everything about such things.

nd at the end of that time she would have finished her sophomore year. Then she could get something pleasant to do through the summer vacation. That would give her some money for clothes for next year. P

an!" exclaimed Grace Harlowe with rapture.

me," said Jessica. "Papa

Don't plan too much, until you find out whethe

hat do you girls think of it?" she asked, turning to Eva,

said Eva and Ma

Eleanor?"

"My aunt won't care, either. When we lived in Spain she used to help every beggar we c

alled a beggar; and if we adopt her, we ought never to let her think that we consider her a dependent. Of course we know very little about her yet, but I th

at Grace with a

it is, I don't think I shall stay long. I like to drift along and do only

third year in Oakdale High School, and I never had any good times until I came here. As for res

to become acclimated, you wouldn't feel very responsible, either," said Eleanor in such rueful tone

aminations hard?" ask

us she would put me in the senior class, but I held out for the juniors and finally got my own way. If you are going to take such a serious view of this gay world, however, perhaps I'll wish I had joined the seniors, after all. No, I don't mean that. I'm awfully glad to know you, and feel honor

are," said Eva Allen warmly. She had

to the old-fashioned clock in the corner. "Half past

hers following suit, with the exception of Eleano

ith: "What a queer girl that Eleanor Savell is. She is beautifu

"You know the members of this s

Marian. "She is different from the rest of us. I d

s, and, of course, we wish to please her. Anne, Jessica, Nora and I were talking about it the other day, and while we were laying plans for th

o-night you can see that she needs some wholesome advice occasionally," said Nora bluntly. "Mrs. Gr

to be nice to her, if she doesn't attempt to patronize me. I couldn't stand that.

ed Eva Allen. "It's a wonder those boys didn't put

nce, the surrounding grounds extending for a block. It had been untenanted for some time, as the owners were in Europe, although both house and g

aid Marian Barber. "It is so terribly sti

in white stole out from the shadow of the pines and glided down the wide, graveled drive toward the gate. Their appearance was terrifying. Their faces w

Marian Barber shrieked in unison and fled down the street as fast as their legs would carry them. Grace, Nora, Anne and M

whispered Grace to her friends.

rive and took to their heels across the lawn. But Grace, who was well in the lead, caught the last fleeing ghost by its robe and held on for dear life. There wa

white mask smeared around the eye-holes with phosphorus, which explained the flamelike

, will you?" he said

ean by dressing up like this? Don't you know y

uld like to make a sudden break for liberty. "Part of the sacred obligations of the 'Knigh

ces we shall have to forgive you. Did y

out of her wits," replied James, laughing. "Two o

you, James, I'd take off that costume and hurry away. Miss Brant is liable

where the fellows went. I'd better put them on. We never tho

d the girls. "Go

Can't scare you." With a nod to them he started across the

afraid when first I saw them that they might be our boys. I didn't fe

mount of courage," said Nora, laughing.

re ahead of u

stood on the corner waiting

alled Nora. "'The goblins will g

ry we ran away, but when I saw those awful white figures coming toward us, I j

race told her wh

im again," cried Eva Allen. "I hope he didn't reco

girls! Here comes Officer Donavan! I was right whe

Nora wickedly. "As for the ghosts, the