Semi-annual examinations were but three weeks away, and that meant a general brushing up in studies on the part of every pupil.

The senior class had, perhaps, less to do in the way of study than the three lower classes.  A few of the seniors already had enough credits to insure graduation, although the majority expected the results of the January examinations to place them securely among the number to be graduated.

The members of the Phi Sigma Tau, with the exception of Anne, were among the latter, and had settled down to a three weeks’ grind, from which no form of pleasure could beguile them.

As for Anne, she had carried five studies the entire time she had been in High School and had never failed in even one examination.  She might have graduated a year earlier had she been so disposed.

Away down in her heart Anne cherished a faint hope that the way for a college career would yet be opened to her.  She had made up her mind to try for a scholarship, and she prayed earnestly that before the close of her senior year she might hit upon some plan that would furnish the money for her support during her freshman year in college.

Grace was optimistic in regard to Anne’s college career.

“You’ll have some opportunity to earn money before the year is out, just see if you don’t,” she said to Anne one day at recess, when the latter had developed an unusual case of the blues.  “If you just keep wishing hard enough for a thing you are pretty sure to get it.  That is, if it’s something that’s good for you to have.”

“I’ve been wishing for the same thing ever since I came to Oakdale, and I haven’t got it yet,” replied Anne rather mournfully.  “I’ve been unusually short of money this year, too, because Mrs. Gray has been away, and the money I received from her work was a great help.”

“Poor little Anne,” said Grace sympathetically.  “I wish you didn’t have to worry over money.  However, Mrs. Gray will be home in February, and you’ll have her work until June.”

“But even so, I can’t have the use of it myself,” was Anne’s response.  “I shall have to use it at home.  We need every cent of it.”

“Oh, dear,” sighed Grace.  “Why doesn’t some one appear all of a sudden and offer you a fine position at about fifty dollars a week.”

“Yes,” said Anne, laughing in spite of her blues.  “That is what really ought to happen, only the day for miracles is past.”

“At any rate, I have always felt that you and I were going to college together, and I believe we shall,” predicted Grace.

“I hope so, but I doubt it,” replied Anne wistfully.  “By the way, Grace, do you recite in any of Marian Barber’s classes?”

“No,” said Grace, “not this term.  Why?”

“She is in my section in astronomy,” answered Anne, “and lately she fails every day in recitation.  You know it’s a one-term study, and she will have to try an exam in it before long.  I don’t believe she’ll pass, and she told Nora at the beginning of the year that if she failed in one study this year she wouldn’t have enough credits to get through and graduate.”