Grace Harlowes Golden Summer | Page 2

had a great deal of faith in you." Hippy became ingratiating. "I'm sorry
I can't say as much for certain other persons whose names I courteously
refrain from bringing into the discussion." Without waiting for the
requested permission, Hippy crowded himself onto the small space
which Anne, seated at one end of the top step, obligingly made for him,
and calmly awaited the return of his pursuer.
"Oh, what's the use!" jibed the disgruntled avenger, when, strolling
back to the steps, he beheld the nimble object of his pursuit waiting for
him with a wide grin.
"Thus one is always brought to recognize the futility of revenge,"
murmured Hippy with sad gentleness. "Let us agree to forget the bitter
past, Reddy, and turn our faces toward the glorious future. I might also

add that it doesn't pay to take up another's grievances. After all I didn't
actually accuse David of being a know-nothing. I merely asked him
about it. However, I take it all back. David may know a great deal more
than appears on the surface."
"I decline to rise to the bait," laughed David. "I came out here to enjoy
myself; not to squabble. It's our last evening together until we all gather
home again to see Grace and Tom take the highway of matrimony.
Let's make the most of it."
Those who have faithfully followed Grace Harlowe through the
eventful phases of her high school and college life are equally well
acquainted with the other seven members of the Eight Originals. In
"Grace Harlowe's Plebe Year at High School," "Grace Harlowe's
Sophomore Year at High School," "Grace Harlowe's Junior Year at
High School," and "Grace Harlowe's Senior Year at High School,"
were recorded the countless interesting sayings and doings of these
eight highly congenial friends. Later, when Grace had been graduated
from Oakdale High School to continue her education at Overton
College, accompanied by her friends, Anne Pierson and Miriam Nesbit,
the devoted little band had remained unswerving in their allegiance to
one another.
Once she had become a freshman at Overton College, Grace's equable
disposition and love of fair play had attracted equally loyal allegiance
to her standard. In "Grace Harlowe's First Year at Overton College,"
"Grace Harlowe's Second Year at Overton College," "Grace Harlowe's
Third Year at Overton College," "Grace Harlowe's Fourth Year At
Overton College," "Grace Harlowe's Return To Overton Campus" and
"Grace Harlowe's Problem," will be found a minute record of the
principal happenings which made her college years memorable.
Absorbed in what she had firmly believed to be her destined work,
Grace had long and obstinately shut love from her life, only to find at
last that even her beloved work could not forever crowd it out. Seeing
clearly, after months of doubt, she had cheerfully resigned her position
as manager of Harlowe House to prepare for the more important
position in life which early September was to bring her.

"It doesn't seem possible that we've had the blessed chance to be
together for two whole weeks." Grace's eyes had grown dreamy. "I
can't really believe that I've been back in Oakdale that long. It seems
not more than two evenings ago that we held a reunion at our Fairy
Godmother's and--" She paused, a little flush rising to her cheeks.
"And you and Tom told us the good news," supplemented Nora
mischievously.
"I hadn't intended to say that, but never mind," laughed Grace. "It
ceased to be a secret on that night. While I am on the subject I might as
well add that until yesterday we couldn't make up our minds regarding
our wedding day. But it's all settled now. Every one of you must be
sure to be with us on the evening of September tenth."
"'Must' is the word," broke in Tom Gray, his eyes resting fondly on the
slender, radiant-faced girl beside him. "We can't start on the great
adventure without the blessing of this happy band."
"Rest assured, Thomas, we'll be there," averred Hippy. "Having
comported myself with dignity at my own and several other weddings,
I shall hail yours with the greatest of joy."
"Which means that I shall be obliged to keep a watchful eye on you
every moment," translated Nora, her blue eyes twinkling.
"I'll help you, Nora," volunteered Reddy. "I haven't yet forgiven your
wayward husband for the unkind remarks he made about my hair on my
wedding day."
"I don't remember them," retorted Hippy, unabashed. "I've made so
many remarks at so many different times about those same flaming,
crimson locks that it would take a long while to sort out the dates. But
there's nothing like trying. Let me see. The first occasion on which I
chanced to note----"
"Now see what you've done." David Nesbit fixed the unfortunate
Reddy with a