party. Meet me in the living-room at six." With this Jane departed to go on to Dorothy's room. Passing the door of Alicia's room she noted that it was now closed. As Alicia was out she guessed that Elsie Noble was in. She was now not sorry that she had refrained from approaching it. Undoubtedly she would have met with an unpleasant reception. Finding her other friends at home, Jane quickly made the rounds and hurried back to her own room. Judith appeared soon afterward with the information that Christine and Barbara had joyfully accepted and would be on hand at the Inn. When at six o'clock the party from the Hall gathered in the living-room, first glance about showed her that Alicia was missing. Going over to where Ethel stood, Jane anxiously asked: "Did you see Alicia, Ethel?" "Yes. She isn't coming. She said to tell you it was impossible for her to accept. I went to her room a few minutes after you left. I knocked until I was tired but no one answered. So I went back to my room. After a while I tried again and while I was standing at her door she came down the hall with Miss Noble. I asked her to come into my room a minute and told her." "Funny she didn't give you any reason why she couldn't come," pondered Jane with drawn brows. "She looked as though she'd been crying," returned Ethel. "I thought maybe she'd had bad news or something so I didn't urge her. She wasn't a bit snippy. She just looked white and a little bit sad." "I wonder if I ought to run up and see her." Jane stared at Ethel, her eyes fall of active concern. "Better wait until to-morrow," advised Ethel. "Whatever's the matter with her, she may feel like being alone. You know how it is sometimes with one." "Yes, I know." Jane knew only too well how it felt to be sought out by even her friends when occasional black moods descended upon her. "We may as well start," she said slowly. "As hostess I mustn't neglect my guests. I'll surely make it a point to see Alicia in the morning." Nevertheless as the bevy of light-hearted diners left Madison Hall and