Part 30 (1/2)

She was an omnivorous reader. The only rule she ever thought of breaking, was to rise in the dead of night, when the house was still, and taking a secreted candle, lock herself in the bathroom--which had an outside window to give back no tell-tale reflection--and read until the dawn.

She changed her position after awhile, and getting up went to the door and locked it, listening for footsteps down the hall. None pa.s.sed, evidently, for she went over to her bed and turning back the mattress brought out a book which had been carefully hidden. Then she drew up the comfortable chair again, placing it by a table which stood near Blue Bonnet's bureau. Adjusting the reading lamp to a proper angle, she was soon lost in the book, the leaves of which she turned with eager haste.

She had been reading but a short time when a knock at the door startled her. Reaching over, she pulled out one of Blue Bonnet's bureau drawers stealthily, and laid the book inside, carefully covering it with some underwear. Then she opened the door.

Miss Martin, a.s.sistant to the house-mother, stood outside.

”I began to think you were not here, Miss Cross,” she said. ”May I come in?”

Joy opened the door.

”I was busy,” she answered, dropping her eyes. ”I came as quickly as I could.”

Miss Martin was not long in making her business known.

”I am inspecting drawers, and I am late to-day. Things seem to have piled up so this week. Shall I begin with yours? It is quite unnecessary; they are always immaculate--but rules are rules.”

She smiled pleasantly, and glancing through the drawers found them neat and orderly. She then turned to Blue Bonnet's bureau.

Under the usual pallor of Joy Cross's face a dull red mounted, dying out quickly, leaving it whiter than before.

”Miss Ashe is away, isn't she? Gone home for the week-end. She seems to be an unusually sweet, attractive girl--so unaffected and genuine. You must count yourself very lucky, Miss Cross--Why, what is this?”

She drew from its hiding-place the book that had been placed there only a moment before, and held it closer to the light.

”To whom does this belong, Miss Cross, do you know? I am amazed to find such a book in this room. French literature of this kind is expressly forbidden.”

Joy shook her head slowly. Her lips refused to speak.

”You have never seen it before?”

Again the head shook slowly.

”Have you seen Miss Ashe reading it at any time?”

”No, Miss Martin.”

”This is her drawer, is it not?”

”Yes--it is her drawer.”

Miss Martin finished the inspection of the bureau rather hurriedly, and book in hand, left the room.

Joy went over to the window and stood looking out. The color had come back into her face, but her hand trembled as she put it up to brush a stray lock of hair from her forehead.

She had not really meant to incriminate Blue Bonnet Ashe, but circ.u.mstances were against her. It had all happened so quickly--she hadn't had time to think clearly. There had been but one thought in her mind; she, a Senior, could not afford to be found with a book of that character in her possession. It might mean defeat after three years'

struggle--struggle to graduate with the highest honor. She had been cheated out of so much in Miss North's school--_that_ should not escape her, now! No, her record must go on, clear to the end.

She took a few steps round the room and then came back to the window.