Grace Harlowe's Problem

by Josephine Chase

  CHAPTER XVII

  THE SUMMONS

  "There are Deans and _deans_," observed Emma Dean with savage emphasis,"but the Deans, of whom I am which, are, in my humble opinion,infinitely superior to the dean person stalking about the halls of dearold Overton."

  "What do you mean, Emma?" asked Grace. The dry bitterness of herfriend's outburst regarding deans in general was too significant to beallowed to pass unquestioned.

  It was the evening of Grace Harlowe's return from the Christmas holidayshe had spent with her dear ones at Oakdale. Grace and Emma were intheir room. Despite the one sad memory which time alone could efface,Grace was experiencing a peace and comfort which always hovered abouther for many days after her visits home. Next to home, however, Overtonwas, to her, the place of places, and she had returned to her work withfresh energy and enthusiasm. She believed that she had definitely putbehind her forever all that unhappy part of her life regarding Tom Gray.It had been hard indeed, and had brought tears to the eyes sounaccustomed to weeping. Still Grace was glad that she had faced theinevitable and seen clearly. Tom would, in time, forget her and perhapsmarry some one else. She wished with all her heart that he might behappy, and her one regret was that she had caused him pain.

  In reality Grace had exhibited toward her old friend a hardness ofpurpose quite at variance with her usually sweet nature. She wondered alittle that she could have been so inexorable in her decision, yet shebelieved herself to be wholly justified in the course she had taken.Already she was beginning to commend herself inwardly for her loyalty toher work, and Emma's blunt arraignment of the dean of Overton Collegeacted like a dash of cold water upon her half-fledged self-content.

  "All day I've been tempted to tell you a few things, Gracious," beganEmma, "but I hated to disturb you. I know just how you feel when youcome back from that blessed little town of yours. So I've been keepingstill while you told me all about Anne's wedding and the good times youhad. It was one glorious succession of good times, wasn't it?"

  "Yes." Grace was silent for a brief space of time. Then she saidgravely, "There was only one flaw, Emma. I refused again, and for thelast time, to marry Tom Gray. I was sorry, but I couldn't help it. Idon't love him."

  "I'm sorry, too, that you couldn't find it in your heart to care forhim. I liked him best of those four young men."

  "Every one likes him. My friends all hoped that we would marry." Gracesighed. "Still one's friends can't decide such matters for one. One mustsolve that particular problem alone."

  "Just so," agreed Emma. "Although no one ever asked my hand in holymatrimony except a callow youth whom I tutored in algebra last summer.He had failed in his June examination and had to pass in September or beforever labeled a dunce by his fond family. Now you see why I canunderstand the psychology of saying 'no' to a proposal. This stripling,who was at least five years my junior, proposed to me out of sheergratitude. I actually succeeded in drumming quadratic equations into hisstupid head, and he offered me his hand by the way of reward."

  Grace's sad expression had by this time vanished. She was regarding Emmawith a smiling face. "Really and truly, Emma, did that happen to you?"

  "It did, indeed," averred Emma solemnly. "You aren't half so amazed as Iwas. I felt as though one of my Sunday-school class of little boys hadsuddenly exhibited signs of the tender passion. I labored long andearnestly to convince him that I was not his fate, and in due season hepassed his examination and promptly forgot me. I did not weep and wailat being forgotten, either. Still there was a grain of satisfaction inbeing sought. If I go down to my grave in single blessedness I shall atleast have the satisfaction of knowing that some one yearned for mylife-long society." She beamed owlishly at Grace, and laughter routedthe sorrowful face she had turned to Emma only a moment before.

  But Emma was only trying to prepare Grace for unpleasant news. Now thatshe had put her in a lighter frame of mind, she said: "I might as welltell you about Miss Wharton, Grace."

  Grace's eyes were immediately fixed on her in mute question.

  "The news of the sale traveled to Miss Wharton, as I was afraid itwould," began Emma. "Miss Brent wasn't here when first the dean heard ofit. She had gone home with Miss Parker for Christmas. Evelyn Ward wasn'there, either. She and Kathleen West and Mary Reynolds went to New York.Mary and Kathleen to work on the paper, and Evelyn to work for two weeksin that stock company of Mr. Forrest's. You knew about that, of course.It was the day after Christmas that Miss Wharton heard about the sale.She sent for Miss Brent and was greatly displeased to find her gone.However, she had had permission from the registrar, a fact that MissWharton couldn't overlook. Then Miss Wharton sent for me. She said thesale was a disgrace to Overton, and that she was amazed to think youallowed such a proceeding. I explained to her that you knew nothing ofit, that you were away at the time it took place, and she said you hadacted most unwisely in placing your responsibilities on the shoulders ofothers even for a day. Your place was at Harlowe House every day of thecollege year. You had no business to assume such a responsible positionif you did not intend to live up to it.

  "That's about the extent of all she said. I was so angry I couldscarcely control myself, but I managed to say quietly that PresidentMorton and Miss Wilder had never questioned your absences from HarloweHouse, and that I was sure you would lose no time in taking up thematter with her when you returned. Now you know what you may expect. Idon't know whether she has sent for Miss Brent since she came from NewYork. If she hasn't, then mark my words, the summons will cometo-morrow."

  Emma proved to be a true prophet. The nine o'clock mail next morningbrought two letters written on the stationery used by the Overtonfaculty. One was addressed to Grace, the other to Jean Brent. If the twoyoung women had compared them they would have discovered that each onecontained the same curt summons to the dean's office. Both appointmentswere for half-past four o'clock that afternoon.

  Grace stopped at Jean's table at luncheon that day and said softly."Will you come to my office after you have finished your luncheon, MissBrent?"

  Jean turned very pale. She bowed her acquiescence, and Grace went on toher own place.

  "I have been requested to call on Miss Wharton at half-past four o'clockthis afternoon, Miss Brent," informed Grace as, later, Jean stood beforeher. "I noted that you also received a letter written on the businessstationery of Overton. Am I right in guessing that you have received thesame summons?"

  For answer Jean opened the book she held under her arm and took from itan envelope. In silence she drew from it a letter, spread it open andhanded it to Grace.

  "Just as I thought." Grace returned the letter. "Miss Wharton haslearned of your sale, Miss Brent. She is very indignant. Are youprepared to tell her what you confided to me?" Grace eyed the girlsquarely.

  "Why should I, Miss Harlowe?" burst forth Jean. "No; I will tell MissWharton nothing."

  "Nor will I," was Grace's quiet rejoinder. "Whatever she learns mustcome from you. I wrote to Miss Lipton and received a letter from herassuring me that you are not at fault in the matter that made youradvent into Overton College a mystery to me. I need no furtherassurance. Miss Lipton's school is known to the public as being one ofthe finest preparatory schools in the United States. If it were MissWilder instead of Miss Wharton I should advise you to tell her all. I amso sorry you did not tell us in the beginning. You must do whatever yourconscience dictates. If necessary I will show Miss Wharton my letterfrom Miss Lipton, but I shall not betray your confidence unless yousanction my speaking."

  "Please don't tell her," begged Jean.

  "It shall be as you ask," returned Grace, but she was secretlydisappointed at what might be either Jean's selfishness or her pureinability to see the unpleasantness of the position in which she wasplacing the young woman who had befriended her.

  When Grace entered the familiar office and saw Miss Wharton's dumpyfigure occupying her dear Miss Wilder's place she felt a distinctsinking of the he
art. The dean surveyed her out of cold blue eyes, thatseemed to Grace to contain a spark of deliberate malice.

  "Good afternoon, Miss Harlowe," she said stiffly. As she spoke the dooropened and Jean Brent walked calmly in. She bowed to Miss Wharton in amanner as chilly as her own and took a seat at one side of the room. Thedean waved Grace to a chair. "Now, young women," she began in a severetone, "I wish a full explanation of this disgraceful sale that recentlytook place at Harlowe House. I will first ask you, Miss Brent if you hadMiss Harlowe's permission to conduct it?"

  "No. She refused to permit it. I held it in her absence," answered Jean,defiance blazing in her blue eyes.

  "I see; a clear case of disobedience. What was your object in holdingit?"

  "I needed money. I lost the greater part of my money on the train when Icame to Overton."

  "Why did you need money?" Miss Wharton exhibited a lawyer-likepersistency.

  "To pay my college fees," Jean made prompt answer.

  "But how could a girl with a wardrobe as complete and expensive asyours--I have been informed that it was remarkable--be in need of moneyto pay her expenses, or obliged to live in a charitable institution, asI believe Harlowe House is?"

  "You are mistaken. Harlowe House is _not_ a charitable institution!"Grace Harlowe's voice vibrated with indignation. "I beg your pardon,"she apologized in the next instant.

  Miss Wharton glared angrily at her for fully a minute. Then, ignoringthe interruption and the protest, turned again to Jean.

  "I cannot answer your question," Jean spoke with quiet composure.

  "You mean you _will_ not answer it," retorted the dean.

  "I have nothing to say that you would care to hear." Jean's lips set inthe stubborn line that signified no yielding.

  Miss Wharton turned to Grace. "You have heard what this young womansays. Can you answer the question I asked Miss Brent?"

  "The answer to the question must come from Miss Brent," replied Gracewith gentle evasion.

  "Miss Harlowe, you have not answered me." Miss Wharton was growingangrier. "I insist upon knowing the details of this affair frombeginning to end. Miss Brent's conduct has been contrary to all thetraditions of Overton."

  "That is perfectly true," admitted Grace.

  "Then if you know it to be true, why do you evade my question? It willbe infinitely better for you to be frank with me. I am greatlydispleased with you and the reports I hear of Harlowe House. I assuredMiss Wilder, when first I met you, that I doubted President Morton's andher judgment in allowing you to hold a position of such greatresponsibility. You are too young, too frivolous. I am informed thatHarlowe House is almost Bohemian in its character."

  "Then you have been misinformed." Cut to the heart, Grace spoke with adignity that was not to be denied. "Harlowe House is conducted on thestrictest principles of law and order. We try to be a well-regulatedhousehold, upholding the high standard of Overton. If it had not beenfor two of my friends and I, Mrs. Gray would never have given it to thecollege, and thirty-four girls would have missed obtaining a collegeeducation. Miss Wilder believed in me. She trusted me. I regret that youdo not. Regarding Miss Brent, I have received ample assurance of herhonesty of purpose from Miss Lipton, the head of the Lipton PreparatorySchool for Girls. Miss Lipton and I are in possession of certain factsconcerning Miss Brent which enable us to understand her peculiarposition here. I regret, beyond all words, that Miss Brent did notconfide in me before having the sale of her clothing. I do not condoneher fault, but I am sure that in her anxiety to do what was best forherself she did not intend deliberately to defy me. Here is a letterfrom Miss Lipton which I wish you to read."

  In her vexation Miss Wharton almost snatched the letter from Grace'shand. There was a tense stillness in the room while she read it. Jeankept her gaze steadily turned from Grace. At last the dean looked upfrom the letter. "This letter is, by no means, an explanation, althoughI am well aware of the excellent reputation Miss Lipton's school bears.What I am determined to have are the _facts_ of this affair. If I canprevail upon neither of you to speak them I shall place the matterbefore President Morton and the Board of Trustees of Overton College."

  Her threat met with no response from either young woman.

  "Before taking the matter up with President Morton, however, I shallgive both of you an opportunity to reflect upon the folly of yourpresent course. Within a few days I shall send for you again. If thenyou still continue to defy me I will take measures to have _you_, MissHarlowe, removed from your charge of Harlowe House as being unfit forthe responsibility, while _you_, Miss Brent, will be expelled fromOverton College for disobedience and insubordination. That will do forthis morning." Miss Wharton dismissed them with a peremptory gesture.

  The two young women passed out of the room in silence. Once outsideOverton Hall, Jean turned impulsively to Grace: "I am sorry, MissHarlowe, but I couldn't tell that horrid woman what I told you. Shewould neither understand me nor sympathize with me. I know you think Ishould have explained everything."

  Grace could not trust herself to answer. Humiliated to the last degreeby Miss Wharton's bald injustice, she felt as though she wished never tosee or hear of Jean Brent again. It was not until they were half wayacross the campus that she found her voice. She was dimly surprised atthe resentment in her tones. "You chose your own course, Miss Brent,regardless of what I thought. That course has not only involved you inserious difficulty, but me as well. If you had obeyed me in thebeginning, I would not be leaving Miss Wharton's office this afternoon,under a cloud. I quite agree with you, however, that to tell MissWharton your secret now would not help matters. I must leave you here. Iam going on to Wayne Hall."

  With a curt inclination of her head, Grace walked away, leaving Jeanstanding in the middle of the campus, looking moodily after her.