During the busy days which followed the dinner with Miss Susanna, the firm of Page and Dean proved themselves worthy of the name promoters. Their first meeting with Peter Graham was the beginning of earnest daily consultations with him. Not a day passed that did not find them on the ground where their work was going steadily forward. They were a wise pair of promoters who left the management to Mr. Graham and never annoyed him by interfering with his arrangements. Part of the workmen were from the town of Hamilton, the other part from a colony of dark-faced foreigners who lived in the eastern section of the town.

Robin declared enthusiastically after her first morning spent at the site that just to see the men at work was inspiring. The minds of the two young women had been trained to grasp the principle of a problem or operation. It was not long before they had become familiar with the work in hand and understood much of it in detail.

Peter Graham was quietly happy over the rapid progress which was being made in the demolishment of the row of old houses. For years he had waited and longed for “a big chance.” Now it had come. He was devoted hardly less loyally to the building of the dormitory than were Robin and Marjorie.

Leila and Vera spent the days thinking up pleasant amusements for Page and Dean’s leisure hours. They were usually on hand with the roadster to take the pair of promoters to and from the site and for long drives afterward. They simulated a respect for Page and Dean which was flattering, but not genuine. They gave each other much loud advice about breaking in on a rising firm during business hours. Neither followed either her own or the other’s caution.

Since their kindly but unsuccessful attempt to welcome Doris Monroe to Wayland Hall and Hamilton College, none of the Travelers had ventured further friendly overtures. The four girls at the Hall breakfasted early. Miss Monroe invariably breakfasted as late as she could before the close of the breakfast hour. Once or twice they had met her sauntering into the dining room as they were leaving it.

A half smiling, indifferent nod, intended to include the four was indicative of her lack of interest in her recent callers. Occasionally one or another of the chums would chance to encounter her about the Hall or on the campus. She met them with the same slighting manner; only a remove from discourtesy.

“Miss Monroe of London and Paris has the manners of neither,” Leila delivered this unflattering opinion of the aloof student one Sunday afternoon. The chums had just encountered Miss Monroe on their way toward the east gate and the garage. “She is as rude as Leslie Cairns used to be. What a fine time the two could have together. One has no more politeness than the other.”

“She is so lovely, even though she isn’t a tiny bit cordial,” Marjorie said charitably. “It seems too bad that we can’t find a way to charm our fairy-tale princess.”

“Let her strictly alone,” was Leila’s succinct advice. “She would not be grateful to us for our trouble.”

“I can’t help agreeing with you, Leila,” Kathie said frankly. “Later she may thaw and decide she would like to know us. If that should happen, we’re not small-souled enough to resent past snubs.”

“Neither do we belong to the Royal Order of the Doormat,” Leila retorted. “She will have to turn most gracious if my wounded Irish pride is to be soothed.” Leila’s accompanying grin indicated precisely how greatly her sensitive Irish pride had been hurt.

“Do let us talk of something more interesting than that enigma,” Vera said with a patient sigh. “Why she should treat four learned P. G.’s and a member of the faculty as though they were presuming freshies and she a senior is something I shall not attempt to puzzle out. Where to this afternoon, children? How about straight north on Hamilton Highway with an evening stop for dinner at Orchard Inn?”

A chorus of “Fine”; “Bully”; “Ducky” and “Right-o,” rose in answer to her solicitous inquiries.

“Oh, dear; I wish I didn’t have to go home Wednesday,” came rather disconsolately from Marjorie. “I’m anxious to see Captain and General; as anxious as can be. But the work here is so fascinating!”

“I don’t admire your choice of subject, either,” Vera declared critically.

“All right. Miss Midget Mason. I’ll try not to mention it again,” Marjorie obligingly promised. “You seem to be another sensitive soul; something like Celtic Leila.”

“Oh, I am,” Vera assured, then out rippled her merry little laugh. “Vera’s Own Variety,” Marjorie had playfully named it.

“I’m overdue at home now. Can’t help it if the subject is painful to you, Midget. I have to say that much.”

“Marjorie has a date with her superior officers. Robin’s overdue in Virginia. Two plus two make four. And the moral of that little sum, my dears, is: What’s the use in teasing ’em to stay?” propounded Kathie.

“What, indeed? Since Robin must go and Kathie must stay what is to become of Midget and me?” Leila’s attempt at looking forlorn was short-lived. She could not keep a sober face.

“Now what do you know that I don’t?” Marjorie demanded. Leila’s smiles were directed to her.

“Listen to the witch woman, Leila.” The Irish girl reached for one of Marjorie’s hands and peered at the pink outspread palm. “You are going on a journey——”

“Of course I am. I know that. Tell me something I don’t——”

“Treat the seeress with more respect. You are going on a long journey in a car. Might it not be a roadster? You——”

“Oh, see here. I can tell my own fortune as well as that,” objected Marjorie.

“Not yet. Now be more civil. I am no ordinary person,” Leila rebuked. “On this journey you will be in the company of a small, fair woman. She is considered a good driver. Ha! I see also a tall, dark woman. She is Irish, and sits beside you in the tonneau. The journey is long, but——”

“You said that before,” Kathie put in mischievously.

“Now did I?” Leila beamed more broadly.

“Never mind the rest of that fortune. I need my hand.” Marjorie caught Leila around the waist and hugged her with vigor.

They had reached the garage now and were standing near the doorway waiting for Vera and the roadster.

“You and Vera are going to Sanford with me, you darling!” was the delighted lieutenant’s cry. “It will be the greatest lark imaginable—to go home in the roadster. How I wish Robin and Kathie could go, too.”

“Sorry,” Kathie’s one word of regret spoke volumes.

“So am I,” echoed Robin. “I’m going home with Marjorie at Christmas if I can. I know you girls will have a gorgeous time.”

As the five took places in the car they talked of the trip Leila had planned to Sanford and of the engagements they had made previous to Wednesday. On Monday evening Miss Remson and the five post graduates were to be entertained at dinner by President and Mrs. Matthews. Tuesday afternoon and evening were to be spent at Hamilton Arms. What with luncheon at Baretti’s on Monday at one o’clock and luncheon the next day at the Lotus their time was well filled.

While the roadster was traveling the stretch of highway which formed a complete southern boundary of the college campus the chums again happened upon Miss Monroe. To see her was to admire her beauty afresh without inquiring into her failings. The sleeveless frock she wore, a delicate French creation of pale green silk and filmy white net, served to enhance the astonishing whiteness of her throat, shoulders and arms. Under the pale green lining of a white parasol which she held between herself and the too-ardent sun, her eyes shone forth, deeply mysteriously green. There was artistry in the rather simple waving and coiffing of her spun gold hair. White silk stockings and white suede slippers completed a costume which made her appear so charmingly lovely the chums found themselves regretting her lack of sociability.

“It is too bad not to ask her to go with us,” Marjorie said in a low tone to Leila. “I imagine she is out for a walk today because she is lonely.”

“Let us see. I will be the first to disregard my own advice.” Leila rose to the occasion wholly to please Marjorie.

“Oh, Leila, I’d rather you——”

Leila leaned forward and said: “Stop the wagon, Midget.” She flashed Marjorie a smile of utter good humor. “Don’t worry, Beauty. I shall not groan with broken bones.”

Miss Monroe was strolling along the time-worn stone walk of the college which lay between the highway and the campus wall. On the other side of the highway was only a footpath. Her attention fixed on the opposite side of the highway she had not noted the stopping of the roadster. She turned her eyes ahead only when she had come up within a few feet of it. Her face darkened with annoyance. She half turned as though about to bolt in an opposite direction. Then she tossed her blonde head and advanced along the walk.

“Good afternoon, Miss Monroe,” Leila leaned out of the car. “We’re off for a ride and dinner at Orchard Inn. Won’t you come with us?” Leila conscientiously endeavored to put persuasive friendliness into the invitation.

“No.” Miss Monroe stopped short and shook a decisive head. “I don’t care in the least for that sort of treat. Thank you.” A chilly smile flickered only to die on her lips.

“We’re going to have luncheon at Baretti’s on Monday——” Marjorie spoke the rest of the invitation into the air. Miss Monroe had gone on, apparently without having heard it.

“I have no patience with that girl!” Vera broke out indignantly as the discourteous student continued to put distance between herself and the carload of girls. In her vexation Vera allowed the car to stand for an instant.

“Uh-h-h!” Leila was cautiously going over her arms, shoulders and hands for broken bones. “Keep your temper, Midget. Your Irish friend is still alive. So is Beauty; who thinks she is talking to someone, and finds she has been talking to the wind.”

“Better luck another day. I decline to abandon the field of honor,” Marjorie said with cheerful undauntedness. “I believe the fairy-tale princess has been enchanted by a wicked wizard and is under a magic spell. Some day I’m going to break the spell.”