CHAPTER XVIII.
THE THEATRE PARTY It was a very merry party that took possession of the box that Mr.
Southard had placed at their disposal and waited with ill-concealed impatience for the rise of the curtain.
Anne's friends had thought her the ideal "Rosalind" in the High School production of the piece, but her powers as an actress under the constant instruction of Everett Southard had increased tenfold.

His own marvelous work was a source of inspiration to Anne, and from the instant that she set foot upon the stage until the final fall of the curtain she became and was "Rosalind." Thrilling with pride as she eagerly watched Anne's triumph, Grace was in a maze of delight, and every round of applause that Anne received was as music to her ears.

David, too, was more deeply moved than he liked to admit even to himself.

In his own heart he had a distinct fear that in spite of her assertions to the contrary, Anne might after all yield to the call of her talent and seek a stage career.

During the evening he became so unusually grave and silent that Grace, having an inkling of what was passing in his mind, leaned over and said: "Don't worry, David, she won't.