“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?”