had circulated throughout Oakdale, and she and her friends were
the topic of the hour.

The one cloud on their horizon had been the fact of the inevitable
separation. They had begged and entreated Mrs. Allison to take up
her residence in Oakdale for the balance of Mabel's junior year,
but on account of home matters she had been unable to comply with
their wishes. So Mabel had departed for Denver with her mother,
while the chums had kissed her and cried over her and had
extracted a laughing promise from Mrs. Allison to bring her to
Oakdale during commencement week to witness the graduation of the
Phi Sigma Tau.

"It seems as though we have done nothing but say good-bye to
people ever since school began," said Anne Pierson with a little
sigh.

"I know it," exclaimed Nora. "First our boys, then Mabel, and--"

"And now all we can do is to wonder who will fade away and
disappear next," finished Grace. "Promise me that none of you will
run away from Oakdale, or elope, or do anything that can be
classed under the head of vanishing."

"Oh, I think we're all rooted to the spot for this year," said
Jessica, "but what about next? Nora and I will be in a
conservatory, Grace will be in college and Anne--where will you
be, Anne?"

"Goodness knows," replied Anne. "I'd like to try for a