"On the contrary, we must treat her better, if anything, than before,"
said Anne quietly. "Don't you remember we promised Mrs. Gray that we would try to help her?"
"Yes, I remember all that; but I can't bear to have any one say horrid things to Grace," grumbled Nora.
"What a queer girl she is," said Jessica. "Yesterday she treated us as though we were her dearest friends, while to-day she scorns us utterly.
It's a case of 'blow hot, blow cold.'"
"That is because she has the artistic temperament," replied Anne, smiling.
"You may say what you like about the artistic temperament," said Nora, "but in my opinion it's nothing more nor less than just plain temper."
CHAPTER VIII
ELEANOR THROWS DOWN THE GAUNTLET
"The Phi Sigma Tau is to have a special meeting to-night at Jessica's,"
called Grace Harlowe to Nora O'Malley as the latter entered the locker-room at the close of school one day about two weeks after the initiation at Jessica's.
"Does Jessica know it?" inquired Nora.
"Not yet," replied Grace, "but she will as soon as she comes in.
I rushed down here the minute the last bell rang, because I wanted to be here when the girls come in. You are the first, however."
"Why are we to hold a meeting?" asked Nora, her curiosity aroused.
"Wait and see," replied Grace, smiling. "Of what use is it to hold a meeting, if I tell you all the business beforehand?"
"All right," said Nora, "you keep your secrets and I'll keep mine."
"What have you heard that's new?" asked Grace.
"Wait and see," replied Nora, with a grin of delight. "I am saving my news for the meeting."
By this time the remaining members of the Phi Sigma Tau, with the exception of Eleanor Savell, had come into the locker-room, and had been promptly hailed by Grace. Marian Barber, Miriam Nesbit and Eva Allen after agreeing to be at Jessica's, at eight o'clock, had gone their separate ways.
"Every one excepting Eleanor has been told," said Grace. "I really don't know how to approach her. She has been so distant of late."
"Don't wait to ask her," said Nora decidedly. "She won't attend the meeting."
"How do you know?" asked Jessica.
"I'll tell you to-night," answered Nora mysteriously, "but I know positively that she won't come, because she is going to have company at 'Heartsease.' Now I've told you more than I intended to, and I shall not say another word until to-night."
"Come on then," said Grace, "we won't wait any longer. Jessica, will you ask your father if he will be at liberty for a few minutes this evening?"
"Certainly," replied Jessica.
"Oh, I know now whom it's all about," cried Nora gleefully. "Mary Stevens."
"You have guessed it," said Grace, "but, like yourself, I decline to talk until to-night."
Before eight o'clock the seven girls had taken possession of the Bright's big, comfortable sitting room and were impatiently waiting for Grace to tell her news.
"Before I tell you what is on my mind," said Grace, "we ought to have a president, vice president and secretary for this worthy organization.
I move therefore that we choose Miriam Nesbit for president of this sorority. Those in favor say 'aye.' We'll dispense with seconding the motion."
There was an instant's pause, then a chorus of "ayes" burst forth.
"Contrary, 'no.'"
The only "no" was from Miriam.
"We appreciate the fact that you are too polite to vote for yourself, Miriam," said Grace, "but your 'no' doesn't amount to a row of pins.
You're elected, so come over here and occupy the chair of state. Long live the president of the Phi Sigma Tau."
Miriam, flushed with pleasure, then took the seat that Grace had vacated. She had not expected this honor and was deeply touched by it.
Her summer with her girl chums at Lake George had made her an entirely different girl from the Miriam of old. Admiration for Grace and her friends had taken the place of the old animosity. Although the chums had not taken her into their inner circle, still they made much of her, and she came nearer to being one of them than any other girl in the junior class.
"I am sure I thank you all," began Miriam, "and now we must have a vice president and a secretary."
Grace and Anne were elected with enthusiasm to the respective offices, then Miriam requested Grace to tell the other members what was on her mind.
After addressing the chair, Grace began: "I know you will all be glad to hear that Mabel has received a letter from Mary Stevens. It was addressed to me on the outside envelope and Mabel has given me permission to open and read it to you. She is willing for us to do whatever we think best. I won't attempt to read all the letter, only that part that interests us.
"Here it is: 'I am so sorry about the way in which you are treated, but glad to know that you have found friends at last. Miss Brant has no claim on you whatever. She took you from the orphanage with the understanding that if you did not suit her she was to be allowed to send you back. The matron asked her why she did not adopt you, or at least appoint herself your guardian, and she said that under no circumstances would she do so; that she wanted a good maid of all work, not a daughter. I enclose a statement from the matron to this effect. I would have advised you before this to leave her, but you are too young to drift about the world alone. I hope that when I next hear from you, you will be in happier surroundings. I have always believed that your parents were people of means and that you were lost or stolen when a baby. Perhaps if they are still living you will find them some day.'"
"That is about all we need," said Grace, as she folded the letter and put it back in the envelope. "The next thing to do is to see Mr.
Bright."
"I'll go for him at once," said Jessica, and darted off to the library, where her father sat reading. He rose, and, tucking his daughter's arm in his, walked out to the sitting room, where the Phi Sigma Tau eagerly awaited him.
"Well, well!" he exclaimed, smiling at the circle of girls. "What's all this? Am I invited to be present at a suffragette's meeting or is Jessica simply anxious to show me what nice friends she has?"
"No compliments allowed," laughed Grace. "We wish to ask your advice about something."
"I am at your service," said Jessica's father, making her an elaborate bow. "Command me as you will."
"'Tis well, most reverend sir. I thank you," said Grace, with a curtsy.
"Now sit you down, I pray, for presently I have a tale to tell."
Having conducted Mr. Bright with great ceremony to the arm chair in the corner, Grace established him with many low bows, much to the amusement of the girls, with whom Jessica's father was a great favorite. Then Grace began with her meeting with Mabel Allison and ended with the letter from Mary Stevens, enclosing the matron's statement.
"Now, those are all the facts of the case, Mr. Bright," she concluded.
"Will it be possible for us to get Mabel away from Miss Brant, or can Miss Brant hold her against her will?"