“I’ll wager anything Eleanor and Edna won’t go with the crowd,” said Eva Allen.

“I don’t know about that,” remarked Nora O’Malley.  “Eleanor has just been elected secretary, therefore it behooves her to keep on the right side of those who elected her.”

“She owes her office to Edna Wright,” said Marian Barber, “and also to the fact that her opponent, Miss Wells, is not popular.  For my part, I think Miss Wells would have been a better secretary.  We could at least have gotten along peaceably with her.  I can’t see why Eleanor accepted, knowing she would have to act with us in class matters.”

“I have noticed that ever since the play she has been trying to gain a footing in the class,” said Miriam Nesbit thoughtfully.  “She has gone out of her way to be nice to girls that she used to snub unmercifully.  We are the only ones she keeps away from.  I believe she will try to influence the rest of the class against us.”

“She’ll have to hurry up if she does it this term,” said Nora.

“Perhaps she won’t come back to school next year, she is so changeable,” said Jessica hopefully.

“Yes, she will,” said Grace, taking part in the discussion for the first time since it had touched on Eleanor.

“How do you know?” was the question.

“She told me so the night of the play,” was Grace’s answer.  “Girls, I have never told you about what happened that night.  Anne knows, but, you see, it particularly concerned her.  I was too angry at the time to trust myself to tell any one else.  As members of the same sorority, I know that you can be trusted not to repeat what I shall tell you.”

In a few words Grace told the story of Eleanor’s treachery, omitting, however, the part concerning Miss Thompson.  She had decided to reveal that to no one.

“Well, of all things,” said Nora O’Malley.  “I knew she was to blame.  So she threatened revenge, did she?”

“Yes,” replied Grace.  “That is why I have told you this.  Be careful what you do.  Never give her a chance to take advantage of you in any way, for she is determined to make mischief.  Now let us forget her, and talk about the picnic.”

With the talk of the picnic, Grace’s warning soon passed from the girls’ minds.  They had no knowledge of the trials that their senior year was to bring them or how fully the truth of Grace’s words was to be proved.

* * * * *

The day of the picnic dawned fair and cloudless.  By nine o’clock a merry party of laughing, chattering girls had gathered in front of the High School, where the two immense wagons generally used by Oakdale picnickers, each drawn by four horses, awaited them.  For a wonder every one was on time, and the start was made with a great fluttering of handkerchiefs, accompanied by enthusiastic cheers and High School yells.  As they rattled down the street people paused and looked smilingly after them.  Oakdale was very proud of her High School boys and girls, and enjoyed seeing them happy.