"Mr. Southard and"--Anne paused briefly to give due effect to her words--"Miriam." A ripple of surprise passed along the row. "What do you mean, Anne?" was Grace's quick question. "I mean that for nearly four years Mr. Southard has cared for Miriam," replied Anne steadily. Nora's puckered red lips emitted a surprised whistle. "This _is_ news," averred Jessica. "But Miriam could never care for him. He is so much older." "How old do you imagine Mr. Southard to be, Jessica?" asked Anne slyly. "Oh, I don't know. He must be--" Jessica paused reflectively. Then a sudden look of astonishment passed over her face. "Why how funny! He isn't really old. I don't believe he is as old as thirty-five, but he _seems_ older." Anne nodded. "He is thirty-three. That isn't very ancient, is it?" "Miriam is twenty-four," mused Grace aloud. "She is so brilliant, self-possessed and stunning that one feels as though she were even older than that. I know she is very fond of the Southards, but I don't believe she suspects that Mr. Southard--" "She doesn't," put in Anne eagerly. "He has been careful that she shouldn't. I believe Miss Southard knows, but she would never say so, even to me. Do you remember the time we went to New York City for Thanksgiving, when we were freshmen at Overton, Grace? Well, it began then. I know him so thoroughly that I could see things that you girls couldn't. After that I took particular pains to notice the way he acted toward Miriam whenever they met, and, as Elfreda says, I could see his love for her grow and deepen. He cared a great deal last commencement, and he was so dreadfully afraid she'd find out that he actually kept away from her." "I remember that," interposed Grace. "Miriam noticed it, too. She told me that she was afraid she had in some way offended Mr. Southard, for he treated her with almost distant courtesy. I suppose he imagines himself as being too old for Miriam." "This _is_ an interesting secret and no mistake," said Nora, wagging her head with satisfaction, "but what about poor Arnold Evans?" "You are running ahead too fast, Nora," smiled Anne. "Remember Miriam doesn't suspect that Mr. Southard loves her. The chances are she doesn't nor never will care for him. But I'll be generous and tell you another secret. Miriam and Arnold aren't the least bit in love with each other." "Do you know, Anne, I've always thought that, too," agreed Grace. "They have always acted more like two good comrades." "Exactly," replied Anne, "but, as far as I am concerned, girls, to me it would be a wonderful thing if some day Everett Southard and Miriam Nesbit should decide that they were necessary to each other's welfare. They are so admirably suited in temperament, disposition, and all that goes toward making two persons absolutely happy." "Hear the sage expound life and love," giggled Nora. "What about poor David's future happiness?"