CoverBRIARWOOD GIRLS
BY
JULIA LESTARJETTE GLOVER
"I follow, follow, sure to meet the sun,
And confident that what the future yields
Will be the right, unless myself be wrong."
THE BOOK CONCERN
COLUMBUS, OHIO
MADE IN
Columbus
U.S.A.
CONTENTS
Chapter Page
I. Alison's Wonderful Lamp 5
II. Briarwood College 19
III. Some of the Girls 25
IV. Essays and Essays 31
V. The Tangled Skein 38
VI. Mysteries 47
VII. Without Leave 54
VIII. In Miss Harland's Office 64
IX. Adventure of the Lamp 70
X. Discoveries 79
XI. Class Prophecy 89
Chapter I
ALISON'S WONDERFUL LAMP
"Mother, isn't there any way for me to go back?"
It was the first of June, and Alison Fair, just returned home forvacation at the end of her Freshman year, found herself confronted withthe staggering knowledge that she could not return to Briarwood tofinish her college course, so well and happily begun.
It was her mother who told her, breaking the hard news as gently as shecould, that the pressure of hard times and financial stress made itimpossible for her father to think of sending her back in the fall. Shetold it very tenderly and lovingly, making it clear that only sternnecessity compelled them to deny her the opportunity; but the tendernesscould not alter the hard fact.[Pg 6]
"You are not more disappointed than we are, darling," she said. "I wouldnot have told you so soon, but it would be worse if I would leave youunder the impression that you can return to Briarwood College. You willbe brave, and try not to distress your father by showing yourdisappointment too much. I know how hard it is, dear. But be patient,and perhaps some way will open. You are only sixteen, you can afford towait a little."
Alison swallowed the lump in her throat and said nothing. Wait—yes—butthen she could not go on with her class—with Polly and Evelyn and Joanand th