“Just as I suspected,” thought Grace, “she really did have a hand in that signal affair.”

Then she continued.

“A few days ago I had occasion to call upon the junior captain, Miss Crosby.  While there, she assured me that the juniors did receive our signals, but that Miss Pierson had absolutely nothing to do with the matter.  I was not sure that you would care to take my word, alone, for this”—­Grace couldn’t resist this one tiny thrust—­“so she very kindly gave me the assurance in writing, signed by herself.”

Grace then unfolded the paper and in a clear voice read Julia’s statement.

There was not a sound in the room.  Grace stood waiting.  She had done her part, the rest lay with her classmates.

Nora and Jessica had their arms around Anne, who had begun to cry quietly.  The relief was so great that it had unnerved her.  Then Marian Barber sprang to Grace’s side and seized her by the hand.

“Listen, girls,” she cried, “I want to acknowledge for the second time that I am heartily ashamed of myself.  We have all been nasty and suspicious toward Anne.  We never gave her a chance to defend herself, we just went ahead and behaved like a lot of silly children.  I am sorry for anything I have ever said about her, and I want to tell you right here that I consider Grace Harlowe the ideal type of High School girl.  I only wish I were half as noble and courageous.  I suppose you all wonder why Grace went to see Julia Crosby.  Well I’ll tell you.  I found out about it from Julia’s sister this morning.”

“Oh Marian, please don’t,” begged Grace, rosy with confusion.

But the girls cried in chorus, “Tell us, Marian!  Don’t mind Grace!”

When Marian had finished many of the girls were in tears.  They crowded around Anne and Grace vying with each other in trying to show their good will.  Then Eva Allen proposed three cheers for Grace and Anne.

They were given with a will.  The noise of the ovation bringing one of the teachers to the door with the severe injunction, “Young ladies please contain yourselves.  There is too much noise here.”

The girls dispersed by twos and threes, until Marian Barber and the chums were the only ones left.

“I have a motto,” said Marian, “that I shall bring here to-morrow and hang in the locker-room.  If I had paid more attention to it it would have been better for me.”

“What is it, Marian?” asked Jessica.

“Wait and see,” replied Marian.  “Oh, it’s a good one, and appropriate, too.”

After saying good-bye to Marian the four chums walked on together.

“Are you happy, Anne, dear?” said Grace, slipping her hand into Anne’s.

Anne looked up at Grace with a smile so full of love and gratitude that Grace felt well repaid for all she had endured for friendship’s sake.

“Everything has turned out just like the last chapter in a book,” sighed Nora with satisfaction “The sinner—­that’s Julia Crosby—­has repented, and the truly good people—­Anne and Grace—­have triumphed and will live happy forever after.”