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272
FIDELIA

for there had been plenty of time for Fidelia's letter to Mrs. Hartley Bolton to reach Menton, Oregon, and for a reply to reach Chicago.

On this day, as upon others when she inquired for a letter and received none, Fidelia felt relieved, at first; but the relief did not last. She went to a film theater for the rest of the afternoon, leaving in time to be sure to be at the hotel when David got in.

He and she were alone while dressing before dinner and after dinner they were alone again but it was not until late, when they had returned to their suite and were preparing for bed that Fidelia said: "I didn't tell you, I was in Evanston to-day. I was at the college, David."

"You were? That's good."

"Yes," said Fidelia. "Rushing's started. Tau Gamma is after a lot of girls."

"Were you," asked David and stopped, "were you helping Tau Gamma rush?"

"No; they don't ask me," Fidelia replied. "I was up seeing Mrs. Fansler. She often phones me, you know; she's just had her house done over, inside and out; she wanted me to see it."

"Yes," said David and waited, sure that something else was coming.

"It's gray and green outside now. It looks awfully much better."

"Yes."

"The woodwork's white now. I saw Alice there, David. She was rushing for Tau Gamma; there's a girl at Mrs. Fansler's they want."

"Yes," said David again with pulses hastening.