CHAPTER IX.
MARY REYNOLDS MAKES A NEW FRIEND "Twenty-nine, thirty, thirty-one and Mary Reynolds makes thirty-two.
Isn't it fortunate that there was a place all ready for her ?" Grace Harlowe looked eagerly up from the list of names which she had been intently scanning.
"Very fortunate," smiled Miss Wilder.

"I am quite curious to see your protege, Miss Harlowe." Miss Wilder, the dean of Overton College, had been genuinely glad to welcome Grace Harlowe back to the college fold.

During Grace's four years as a student at Overton she had greatly endeared herself to the dignified, but kindly, dean, who had watched her pass from honor to honor with the same sympathetic interest which Miss Thompson, the principal of Oakdale High School, had ever exhibited in Grace's progress.
It was now almost four o'clock in the afternoon.

Grace had spent a busy two hours in Miss Wilder's office going over the applications for admittance to Harlowe House and discussing ways and means with her superior.
"Do you know, Miss Wilder, that one of the very nicest things about you is your interest in one's friends and plans ?" Grace regarded the older woman with sparkling eyes.

"Away back in my freshman days I can remember that I never came to you with anything, but that you were interested and sympathetic." "My dear child!" Miss Wilder put up a protesting hand.
"It's perfectly true," persisted Grace staunchly.