[Illustration: Cover]

DOROTHY DAINTY AT THE MOUNTAINS

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[Illustration: "HERE! HERE!" CRIED DOROTHY, AND ECHO ANSWERED, "HERE, --ERE!"--_Page 4. _]

DOROTHY DAINTY AT THE MOUNTAINS

BY

AMY BROOKS

 AUTHOR OF "DOROTHY DAINTY SERIES, " "THE RANDY BOOKS, " "THE PRUE BOOKS, " AND "A JOLLY CAT TALE"

_WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR_

[Illustration]

 BOSTON LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. 

 DOROTHY DAINTY TRADE-MARK Registered in U. S. Patent Office

 Published, August, 1911

 COPYRIGHT, 1911, BY LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. 

 _All Rights Reserved_

 DOROTHY DAINTY AT THE MOUNTAINS

 Norwood Press Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass. , U. S. A. 

CONTENTS

 CHAPTER PAGE

 I. AT THE CLEVERTON 1

 II. A DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE 21

 III. AN ENTERTAINMENT 42

 IV. IN A BIRCH ARBOR 62

 V. THE MOUNTAIN PARTY 81

 VI. THE ECHO CAPTURED 101

 VII. FLORETTA'S RETURN 122

 VIII. AT THE FAIR 141

 IX. FLOSSIE'S LETTER 162

 X. A GIFT OF WILDFLOWERS 182

 XI. ARABELLA MAKES A CALL 201

 XII. A SERENADE 222

ILLUSTRATIONS

 "Here! Here!" cried Dorothy, and echo answered, "Here, --ere!" (_Page 4_) _Frontispiece_

 FACING PAGE

 Often she looked back, as she sped over the road 32

 "Oh, what a lovely, _lovely_ story!" said Dorothy 66

 With feet and hands she strove to loosen the tough, wiry vines 120

 She took a few tripping steps, smiling at her reflection 176

 She offered two cards to Floretta 210

DOROTHY DAINTY AT THE MOUNTAINS

CHAPTER I

AT THE CLEVERTON

THE great hotel on the crest of the hill was bathed in sunlight thatpoured from a rift in the clouds, as if sent for the sole purpose ofshowing the grand portico, the broad piazza, and the flag that floatedgracefully on the summer breeze. 

Its many windows seemed to be looking across the valley to oppositemountain peaks, and one could easily imagine that its wide, opendoorway, smiled genially as if offering a welcome to all arrivingguests. 

Two little girls ran across the lawn, the one with flaxen curls, theother with sunny brown ringlets. 

The fair-haired little girl had eyes as blue as the blue blossoms thatshe held in her hand, while her playmate's eyes were soft and brown, andtold that her heart was loving and true. 

The little blue-eyed girl was Dorothy Dainty, and the child who claspedher hand was her dearest friend, Nancy Ferris. 

Nancy had no parents, and a few years before Dorothy's mamma had takenher under her care and protection, and she was being trained andeducated as carefully as was Dorothy, the little daughter of the house. 

They had come to the Hotel Cleverton to spend the summer, and the firstfew days of their stay, they had explored all the land that layimmediately around the hotel, and had found many beautiful spots, butone thing held their interest, --they loved the echo, and never tired ofawakening it. 

"Come!" cried Dorothy. "Run with me over to the white birches, and we'llshout, and listen!"

Mrs. Dainty had told them the story of Echo, the nymph, who for lovingPan and following him and calling to him had been changed into a hugerock on the mountainside, and forever compelled to mock each voice sheheard. 

The old legend of the nymph had caught their fancy, and often theypaused in their play to shout, and listen to what seemed to them thevoice of some fairy of the mountains. 

Now they stood beside the birches, Dorothy with one arm around a whitetrunk, and Nancy near her. At their feet were countless bluebells, overhead the blue sky, while across and beyond the valley rose themountain capped by white clouds that looked as soft as swan's-down. 

"Here! Here!" cried Dorothy, and echo answered, "Here, --ere!"

"Listen!" cried Dorothy, clasping her hands, and laughing with delight. "It answers as if it was a truly voice that heard and replied. 

"Nancy, I love you!" she cried, and again they plainly heard:--

"Love you-oo!"

They thought it great fun to shout and call, and hear their cries socleverly repeated. 

And now another child ran out from the great doorway, paused a moment asif looking for some one, then, seeing the two little figures near theclump of birches, stole softly near them. 

On tiptoe, and with tread as soft and noiseless as a cat, she made herway over the short grass, until she was quite near them. Then, hidingbehind a low bush, she watched them. How still she stood! For what wasshe waiting? Her bold eyes were full of mischief, as she whispered, "Oh, hurry _up_!"

Dorothy Dainty put her hands to her mouth, trumpet fashion, and called:

"Come and catch us!" and instantly the echo from the distant mountainand a shrill voice behind them, repeated:

"Come and catch us!"

"Oh, oh-o!" cried Dorothy, and Nancy ran to her, and threw her armsabout her. 

"You ought not to frighten Dorothy like that!" cried Nancy. 

A saucy laugh answered her. 

"Well, it isn't nice to be shrieked at, and you do it just like theecho, you know you do, and it's enough to frighten any one, " said Nancy. 

The little tease was not in the least abashed. She could imitate almostany sound that she had ever heard, and each success made her eager torepeat her efforts at mocking. 

"I made old Mrs. Hermanton fly up out of her chair, and drop her ball ofworsted and knitting-needles, when I shouted close to her ear. "

"Why, Floretta!" cried Nancy. 

Now you think that was horrid, but _I_ tell you it was funny. She'd justbeen telling about her darling little lap-dog that died _ten yearsago_, and she got out her handkerchief to cry, and put it up to hereyes. 

"'Oh, if I only could hear his lovely bark again!' she said, and rightbehind her chair, I said:

"'Ki-yi! Yip! Yip!' and she jumped up much as a foot from her seat. "

Nancy laughed. How could she help it? The old lady had told every man, woman, and child who sat upon the piazza, how much she had suffered inthe loss of the dog. 

One testy old gentleman who was troubled with gout, spoke ratherplainly. "Madam, " he said, "I've heard that story every day of thisweek, and all I can say is, I wish you had gout in your feet as I have, and you'd have no time to waste crying for a puppy!"

He certainly was hopelessly rude, but one must admit every day is fartoo often to be forced to listen to an uninteresting tale. 

Floretta stood looking down at the toe of her shoe. She moved it fromside to side along the grass for a moment, then she spoke again. 

"You know old Mr. Cunningham has gout, and is awful cross?"

Dorothy and Nancy nodded. They did indeed know that. 

"Well, he sat on the piazza and laughed when I scared Mrs. Hermanton, soI want to know if he'll think it's funny _every_ time I do things. Youknow he puts one foot up on a chair, and every time any one touches thatchair ever so little, he cries: '_Oh_, oh, oh!' and holds on to hisfoot. 

"The next time I'm near him, I'm going to make b'lieve hit my footagainst something, and then I'll cry out, just 'zactly as he does:

"'_Oh_, oh, oh!' and I'll hold on to my foot, " said Floretta. 

"I know it's funny, " said Dorothy, "but I don't think you ought to. "

"Well, _you_ needn't. P'raps you couldn't do it just like other folks, but I _can_, and I'm going to!" said Floretta. 

She was a handsome child, but her boldness marred her beauty. 

She was, indeed, a clever imitator, but she had been told so too often. Her mother constantly praised her cleverness, and unwise friendsapplauded her efforts, until Floretta acquired the idea that she must, on all occasions, mimic some one. 

Sometimes those whom she mocked thought it clever, and laughed when theyhad thus been held up to derision. 

At other times Floretta found that she had chosen the wrong person tomimic, and had received a sharp rebuke. 

This taught her nothing, however. 

She thought any one who did not enjoy her antics must be veryill-natured, while her silly mother considered that Floretta had beenabused. 

While Dorothy and Nancy were talking with Floretta, they were pickinglarge bouquets of bluebells and a tiny white flower that grew asabundantly as the bluebells, and blossomed as freely. 

It pleased her, for the moment, to gather some of the blossoms, and soonthe three were too busy to talk, each trying to see which could gatherthe largest bouquet. 

On the hotel piazza Mrs. Paxton sat, occupied with her embroidery, butnot too busy to talk. She was _never_ too busy to talk, if she couldfind any one to listen. 

Near her sat two ladies who had just arrived, and old Mr. Cunningham, who frowned darkly at the magazine that he was trying to read. 

It was not that the story displeased him that he frowned, but that hewas bored with hearing what Mrs. Paxton was saying, mainly because shealways said the same thing. 

"You see, with our wealth and position, it is impossible that littleFloretta should ever make any use of her talents for any purpose otherthan the amusement of her friends, " she said. 

One of the two ladies, whose fine face and sweet low voice bespokerefinement, looked fixedly at Mrs. Paxton, and wondered that any womanshould be willing to boast so foolishly. 

The other, whose garments told of a great love of display, seemedinterested, and even impressed. 

"What is her especial talent?" she asked, "I really should like to know. Is she musical?"

"O dear, yes, " Mrs. Paxton hastened to reply; "she plays delightfully, and she has a voice that is really quite unusual for a child; shedances, too, but her greatest gift is her power of imitation. She has asensitive nature that is open to impressions, and she sees the funnyside of everything. She really is a wonderful little mimic. You must seeher to appreciate her charm. "

The quiet woman looked as if she thought this a doubtful accomplishment, but the one who had eagerly listened said:

"Where is she? I should be _so_ pleased to see her. Not all children areso interesting. Many are dull. "

"And lucky they are!" growled old Mr. Cunningham, under his breath, butthe ladies did not hear that. 

 * * * * *

"I don't want these flowers now I've picked them, " cried Floretta. "Youcan have them if you want them, " she said, as she turned toward Dorothy. 

"I can't hold any more than I have, " said Dorothy, "but you could--"

"Then here they go!" cried Floretta, as she flung them broadcast, to lieand wilt in the sunlight. 

"Oh, it was too bad to throw them away, " said Dorothy. "I was going tosay, if you didn't care for them, perhaps Mrs. Hermanton might likethem. She said she liked wild flowers and used to pick them, but herrheumatism won't let her pick them now. "

"Pooh! I wouldn't have bothered to take them back to her, " Florettareplied; and turning about, she ran back to the hotel. 

"Come here, Floretta!" said Mrs. Paxton. "This lady wishes to see you. "

Usually Floretta when asked to do anything, preferred to do somethingelse. 

This time, thinking that she saw an opportunity for a lark, she wentpromptly and paused beside her mother's chair. 

"This is Mrs. Dayne, Floretta. Mrs. Dayne, this is my little daughter. "

Floretta looked up and smiled, but said nothing. She had never beentaught that she must reply courteously when spoken to. 

Her pretty face pleased Mrs. Dayne, who was much the same sort of womanthat Mrs. Paxton was. She wished that Floretta could be induced toperform. 

_Induced!_ She was already wondering if she would have a chance to showoff. 

The opportunity came soon, and she was delighted. 

Mr. Cunningham had become drowsy, and his magazine dropped to the piazzafloor. 

In stooping to recover it, he hurt his gouty foot, and cried out. 

"_Oh_, oh-o!" he cried, and like an echo, "_Oh_, oh-o!" cried Floretta, catching hold of her own foot and hopping wildly about. 

Of course Mrs. Paxton laughed gaily, as if Floretta had done a verysmart thing, while Mrs. Dayne, who was as silly a woman as Mrs. Paxton, joined in the merriment, thus hoping to gain favor with her new friend. 

Mr. Cunningham, without a word, took his magazine and, limpingpainfully, left the piazza, and went indoors. 

Mrs. Vinton, an odd expression on her fine face, took her parasol fromthe chair where it lay, and went for a walk down the path toward thebirches. She was disgusted with Mrs. Paxton, Floretta, and Mrs. Dayne, although she felt that the little girl was least of all at fault. 

She was only an untaught, untrained child, to be pitied rather thanblamed. She knew that they would think her very unkind if she did notseem to approve of Floretta, and she could not laugh at cruelty. 

The child was indeed a clever imitator, but the fact remained that it_was_ cruel to mock an outcry caused by pain. 

Dorothy and Nancy were coming toward her, on their way toward the hotel, their hands filled with blossoms, faces bright and smiling. 

They greeted her gaily, and Dorothy offered her some of the flowers. 

"I'll give half to you, and half to mamma, " said Dorothy. "I mean, Iwill if you'd like to have them. "

"It is a sweet gift, and I shall enjoy them in my room, " Mrs. Vintonsaid. "I have a lovely vase that is worthy to hold such beautifulblossoms. "

"I'll divide mine between Aunt Charlotte and Mrs. Hermanton, " saidNancy. 

"You both like to give, " said Mrs. Vinton. 

"Oh, yes!" they cried together, and as she left them, Dorothy said:

"Isn't she a sweet, lovely lady?"

"Yes, and I like to hear her talk, her voice always sounds so pleasant. "

Mrs. Vinton, as she walked along the little path, her flowers in herhand, thought of Dorothy and Nancy. 

"They are two dear little girls, " she said, "and add to the charm ofthis lovely place. "

"Would you dare to give Mr. Cunningham some bluebells for hisbuttonhole?" said Nancy. "I'd like to, but _I_ wouldn't dare. "

"I don't know, " Dorothy said. "I'd like to, too, and he 'most always hasa rosebud, but sometimes he doesn't. When we get back, if he's on thepiazza, and hasn't a bud in his buttonhole, I'll try to dare to offerhim some of these blossoms. "

Dear little Dorothy! She wondered if she would be rewarded with afrown!

Floretta and her mother were not there, neither was Mrs. Dayne, but in ashady corner sat Mr. Cunningham. 

Nancy ran in to take her flowers to Aunt Charlotte and Mrs. Hermanton. 

Dorothy hesitated. She would have been even more timid, had she knownhow recently he had been offended. 

He looked up from his book, frowned, then smiled and nodded pleasantly. 

He had thought that Floretta had returned, and was pleasantly surprisedto see Dorothy, instead. 

Softly she crossed the piazza until she stood beside him. 

"May I give you a few of these bluebells for your buttonhole?" she said. "They're only wild flowers, but they're pretty ones, " she added, fearingthat, after all, he might not care for them. 

"Why, thank you, my dear. I surely would like them, especially as theyare offered me by a real little lady. "

He placed the cluster that she offered him in his lapel, as he spoke, and looked to Dorothy for approval. 

"They are wild flowers, truly, " he said, "but I think they are quite asattractive as the buds I have been wearing, " and Dorothy was glad thatshe had offered them. 

CHAPTER II

A DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE

THREE weeks had passed, and as nearly every day had been fair, theguests at the Cleverton had lived out of doors, appearing at the hotelat meal-time, and at night. 

Other wild flowers beside the bluebells were blossoming gaily, peepingup from the grass as if offering a welcome to all who looked at them;and even great rocks and ledges held tiny blossoming plants in theircrevices. 

The pony, Romeo, had come to the mountains with the family, and seemedto enjoy the outing. 

Every morning Dorothy and Nancy went for a drive, and Romeo tossed hismane, and pranced as if to show his delight. 

One morning the pony was standing at the porch, waiting for his littlemistress, who soon came running down the stairs. 

Floretta was standing in the hall, spinning a top. 

A sign on the wall plainly stated that children must not play in thehall, but that did not disturb Floretta. 

Deftly she wound the string, and the great top fell to the floor, whereit hummed and spun as rapidly as if a boy's hand had flung it. 

She picked it up, and again wound it, this time throwing it with evengreater force. 

"Look! Look!" she cried. "I b'lieve it spins faster every time I throwit!"

Dorothy looked over the baluster at the humming top, but said nothing. 

She knew that Floretta had seen the notice; indeed a number of thechildren had stood in the hall when it had been tacked up. 

Looking up at Dorothy, Floretta noticed the whip in her hand. 

"Riding?" she asked. 

"Yes, for a little while, " said Dorothy. "It's a lovely morning, and Imean to see how quickly Romeo will take me to the 'Spring. '"

"I wouldn't care to ride horseback, " said Floretta, rudely. 

"You won't care to spin tops in this hall if Matson catches you, " crieda shrill voice, from an upper hall. 

"Pooh! I'm not afraid of Matson, " Floretta said, boldly, looking up atthe boy who had tried to frighten her. 

"Oh, aren't you?" said the boy in a teasing voice. "Well, he managesthis hotel, and he'll _make_ you stop if he catches you!"

"You stop, Jack Tiverton!" cried Floretta. 

"You'll be the one to stop!" said Jack, with a loud laugh. 

Dorothy crossed the hall, stepping around Floretta, who stood exactly inthe way. 

Looking back, she saw Floretta show the tip of her tongue to Jack, whileJack, not to be outdone, made a most outrageous face. 

"I wish they weren't so horrid!" Dorothy said to herself, as she leftthe hall. 

Having mounted Romeo, with the groom's aid, she rode off down thelovely, shady road, the man on his horse, following at a respectfuldistance. 

She touched the pony lightly with her whip, and he responded by breakinginto a gentle gallop. 

Dorothy's bright curls flew back from her flushed face, and she laughedas she flew over the road. 

The groom watched her admiringly, and marvelled that so small a girlcould be such a perfect little equestrienne. 

The ride had brightened her eyes, and she always looked smaller than shereally was when mounted upon Romeo. 

He was a handsome animal, with flowing mane and tail, and the groomspoke truthfully when he muttered:

"Them two makes a high-bred pair. Miss Dorothy is a girl 'ristycrat, an'the little hoss is a hoss 'ristycrat, if ever there was one. "

The groom had been in the service of the Dainty family but a fewmonths, but in that time he had become devoted to the little daughter ofthe house. All the servants loved Dorothy, and were almost as fond ofNancy Ferris. 

The young groom had heard Nancy's story, and he felt a deep interest inthe little girl, who once had been a waif. 

Now, his pleasant face wore a smile as he followed Dorothy, and saw howfirmly the little figure stuck to the saddle, and rode as if girl andpony were one and inseparable. 

They reached the "Spring, " a spot whose beauty drew all travellers toit, and artists lingered there to paint, and thus perpetuate its charm. 

Romeo looked down at the clear stream that reflected his figure soperfectly. 

"He wants a drink, " said Dorothy; "lead him to a good place, Thomas, please. "

He helped her to dismount, and then led the pony to a shady spot wherehe could drink, and enjoy the cool, clear water. 

Dorothy at once commenced to gather some of the lovely wild flowers thatgrew near the water's edge, but farther up the stream. 

"These are different from any that I've ever found here, " she thought. 

Her hands were nearly filled with the lovely blossoms, and she wasreaching out to grasp an especially pretty one, when a strangelyfamiliar voice, just behind her, said:

"I think I see some one I've _often_ seen before!"

Dorothy turned, and a little cry of surprise and pleasure escaped herlips. 

There were Mrs. Barnet and dear little Flossie coming toward her, whilevery near her was the owner of the voice, Flossie's handsome, merry-hearted Uncle Harry! Just behind him was his lovely young wife, and the baby in charge of a maid. 

"Oh, I _am_ glad, _so_ glad to see you!" cried Dorothy. "And FlossieBarnet, did you know you were coming up here, when I said 'good-by' toyou and Molly Merton at Merrivale?"

"I didn't know _surely_, but I _almost_ knew, " Flossie admitted, "butUncle Harry said, 'Don't tell 'til you _know_, ' and I didn't _truly_know until after you were gone. "

"Well, it's fine to have you here, " said Dorothy, "but I do trulyb'lieve it's almost nicer to be surprised, and have you;" and she threwher arm around Flossie, as she walked beside her. 

Tall, handsome Uncle Harry thought he saw a chance for a bit of a joke. 

"I wonder why some one isn't surprised to see _me_?" he said. 

"Oh, I am, " said Dorothy, "and glad, too. "

"Well, thank you, " said Uncle Harry; then with a face that he tried tomake sad, he said:

"But I know you aren't as glad as you were to see Flossie, because, --youdidn't put your arm around _my_ waist!"

He had tried to look very glum, but his blue eyes were laughing. 

Big, handsome Uncle Harry could not look woebegone, and the two littlegirls laughed at his attempt. 

"The barge is taking our party over to the 'Cleverton, ' and I see youhave the pony, Dorothy, " said Uncle Harry. "Will you run a race with thebarge?"

"Oh, yes, yes!" cried Dorothy, "and Romeo will come in ahead!"

"If he does, " said Uncle Harry, "I'll surely decorate him with a blueribbon!"

With many a laugh and jest, and much guessing as to which would be thewinner, the merry party clambered into the barge; Dorothy mounted Romeo, and they were off over the road, on the way to the hotel. 

The horses, like the average barge horses, were not beauties, but theysaw the pony rush forward, and they made an effort at speed. Theyplunged forward, at what, to them, seemed a reckless pace, but the fine, handsome Romeo shot past them, his nostrils dilated, and his eyesbright with excitement. Dorothy's gay laugh rang out as she passed them, and Uncle Harry, as he looked after the flying figure, exclaimed:

"The little fairy! I believe no other child could ride so fearlessly asthat!"

Often she looked back, as she sped over the road. Try as they would, theold horses could not overtake her. 

As soon as the barge appeared in sight between the trees, she touchedRomeo lightly with her whip-stock, and then she laughed gaily as heplunged forward, the old barge rattling along far behind. 

She did not permit Romeo to again slacken his pace, and thus arrived atthe Cleverton before the barge was in sight, so slow had been itsprogress. 

"Oh, Nancy!" she cried, "Who _do_ you think has come?"

[Illustration: OFTEN SHE LOOKED BACK, AS SHE SPED OVER THE ROAD. --_Page31. _]

"Who has come?" Nancy asked. "Where are they?"

"I mean you can't guess who is coming, and there they come now, Nancy, just look!"

Nancy did look, saw the barge swinging around the curve of the road, sawa tiny handkerchief waving, and then a sweet little face looked out tosmile at her. 

"Oh, it's Flossie Barnet!" cried Nancy, joyfully, "and her mamma, and, --why, yes it _is_! It's Flossie's Uncle Harry!"

He heard the cry, and heard the welcome in her voice. 

"Yes, it's Flossie's Uncle Harry, and all the other little girls' UncleHarry who care to claim him for an uncle, " he said, with a laugh, as helifted his little niece down from the barge. 

"Oh, I'm _so_ glad he came, too, " said Dorothy, upon hearing which, heturned and lifting his hat, bowed, thus acknowledging the complimentthat she had paid him. His eyes twinkled with pleasure, for he lovedchildren, and he valued their regard. He was a big, manly fellow, with awarm heart, as loving, and as merry as that of a child. 

The Barnet party added much to the pleasure of little events andentertainments at the Hotel Cleverton. Flossie became, at once, afavorite with the other children, and her charming mother was deservedlypopular with all. 

Uncle Harry, who possessed a fine voice, willingly sang whenever amusical program was arranged for an evening, while his lovely youngwife, who was an accomplished pianist, played his accompaniments, orrendered solos, thus generously adding to the pleasure of the otherguests. 

 * * * * *

"I tell you what it is, " said old Mr. Cunningham, "that big bank ofclouds hanging over that mountain means rain, and plenty of it, Ibelieve. "

"I think you are right, " said Uncle Harry, "and if we _do_ have a threedays' rain, as we sometimes do, we shall have to use every effort tokeep things humming, and so forget the storm. "

They had been sitting on the piazza, and talking of the days ofuninterrupted sunshine that they had enjoyed, when, in a few minutes, the blue sky had been hidden, as if by a thin, pearly veil, whilehanging over the mountain was the mass of leaden clouds that had seemedto prophesy rain. 

"Oh, _I_ don't want it to rain, " wailed Floretta, who stood near them, her pretty face puckered into a most unpleasant frown. 

"I'm afraid the weather can't be arranged especially for you, " said Mr. Cunningham. 

He, like all the guests, was very tired of the child who was eitherwhining, or boisterously, rudely gay. Just at this point, Mrs. Paxtoncame out on the piazza, a small note-book and pencil in her hand. 

She hastened toward the two gentlemen, and smiled as if she wereconferring a favor. 

"With the chance of a stormy evening, we are trying to arrange a programthat will give us a pleasant evening indoors, " she said. "I am sure youwill help me. "

She had smiled at both, and old Mr. Cunningham, who heartily dislikedher, was only too glad to reply. 

"I'm not musical, madam, " he said, "but I'll whistle 'Hail Columbia' foryou, if you will promise not to reprimand me if I get off the key. "

"Dear, dear!" she cried. "You are always so amusing. One never knows ifyou are joking, or serious. "

"It would be very serious, and no joke, I assure you, if you wereactually obliged to listen to my whistling, " was the curt reply, and heturned once more to scan the sky and the distant mountains. 

Uncle Harry, of course, agreed to sing, his wife promised to play, andMrs. Paxton moved toward where Mrs. Dainty and her companion, AuntCharlotte, were sitting, with Dorothy and Nancy near them. 

"Will your little daughter sing for us this evening?" she asked. "Weare eager to have quite a fine program. "

"Dorothy shall sing for you, surely, " Mrs. Dainty said, "and Nancy, I amsure, will give a little solo. "

"Oh, does Nancy sing or play?" Mrs. Paxton asked, in surprise, for thusfar Nancy had not exhibited her talent, whatever it might be. 

"She will give you a solo that shall be neither singing nor playing, "Mrs. Dainty replied, with a quiet smile. 

"How very interesting!" said Mrs. Paxton. She had invited Dorothy tosing because other guests had expressed the wish to hear her. 

Here was a _second_ child with talent of _some_ kind! Well, Floretta'simitations of other people would certainly eclipse the efforts of theother little girls! Mrs. Paxton's sole idea in arranging theentertainment was for the purpose of showing Floretta's mimicry. 

A small figure paused a moment in the doorway, then stepped back, andpeeped out, scanning the groups upon the piazza. 

"She isn't there!" he whispered. "She's backed out, an' she _said_ she'ddo it!"

He drew back into the shadow, and waited, hoping that when he lookedagain he might see her. 

A second peep at the guests on the piazza showed that Floretta was notamong them. 

"She didn't _try_ to do it!" he muttered. 

He held something in his hand, which he kept behind his back. 

He was about to peep again when a light hand touched his shoulder. 

He turned, and there stood Floretta, looking prettier than usual in hershort white frock, white shoes, and pink hair ribbons. 

"Did you get one?" whispered Jack. 

"Look!" said Floretta, and from behind her back she produced a longcorn-cob. "I took mine from the table at noon, when ma wasn't looking, and ran from the dining-room, and hid it in our room, " said Floretta. "How did you get yours?"

"I asked the head waiter to get mine for me, " said Jack, "and he actedas if he thought me a ninny. He gave it to me all the same, and askedwhat I was up to. I didn't tell him, though. "

They giggled softly. 

"Ready?" whispered Jack, softly. 

"Yes, " whispered Floretta, and then, with corn-cobs held to theirmouths, and their fingers working as if playing upon flutes, theymarched out on to the piazza, loudly singing, "Hail Columbia. "

Some of the guests laughed, none so loudly as Mrs. Paxton, who declaredthat it taxed her intellect to imagine what put such outrageously funnynotions into children's heads. 

"I can answer that, madam, and without trying very hard, either. It'sSatan, madam, Satan, who from watching their actions, takes them to behis near relatives, " said Mr. Cunningham. 

Meanwhile the little procession of two, encouraged by the laughter, marched in and out between the groups of guests, until unlucky Florettalet her corn-cob slip from her fingers, the moist, sticky thing fallingupon the light silk skirt of a lady who sat near Mrs. Paxton. 

"There, there, Floretta, never mind, " said Mrs. Paxton; then turning tothe wearer of the gown, she said, "I don't think it will stain it in theleast. Children will be children, and must have their fun!"

CHAPTER III

AN ENTERTAINMENT

MRS. PAXTON had laughed at what she chose to call the "funny" antics ofFloretta and Jack, but in truth, she had been very angry. 

She swept from the piazza, Floretta, firmly grasped, walking beside her. Jack Tiverton's mother took him to her room, where she could talk tohim, without fear of interruption. 

Floretta sat on a low divan, sullen and obstinate. 

For twenty minutes she had listened, while her mother had told what adisrespectful thing she had done. 

"I don't see how it was not respectful, " grumbled Floretta, "we werejust having a little fun. "

"And it was fun at my expense, " said Mrs. Paxton. "I was annoyed, justwhen I was making plans for a _fine_ entertainment, to have you and thatboy parade out on to the piazza with those old corn-cobs, singing, orrather _howling_, like young savages!"

This, and much more Floretta was forced to listen to, but during theremainder of the scolding, she did not speak, or reply in any way. 

She was still very sullen when her mother left the room, and no one sawher until she appeared in the dining-room at dinner. 

She tasted one dish after another, but managed to eat but little dinner. She wished her mother to think that the scolding had made her ill. 

It proved to be wasted effort. Mrs. Paxton had been so interested inwhat Mrs. Dayne was saying that she had not noticed that Floretta letthe various courses go untasted. 

She had hoped to worry her mother, but had only punished herself!

She was very hungry when they left the table, and also very angry. 

"I might just as well have eaten my dinner, " she muttered, "she nevernoticed that I didn't. "

When the hour arrived that had been set for the concert, every guest waspresent, and all were talking and laughing gaily, and very glad that anevening's amusement had been provided. 

Outside, the rain was descending in torrents, while a cold wind whistledaround the corners, as if demanding admittance. 

Indoors the heavy red hangings were drawn over the lace draperies, greatlogs blazed in the fireplaces, while over all softly shaded lights gavean air of cozy comfort that made one feel sheltered and safe from thestorm. 

A group of ladies sat chatting together, and one, a recent arrival, wassaying that she had understood that children were not permitted asguests at the Cleverton. 

"There are only a few children here, " Mrs. Vinton said, "and some ofthem are charming. "

"While others are _not_?" questioned the stranger, with an odd smile. 

"I'd rather not say just that, " Mrs. Vinton said, "but I will say thatMrs. Dainty's little daughter, and Dorothy's little friend, Nancy, andFlossie Barnet, are three of the sweetest children I have ever met. Mystay here is brighter and far pleasanter because they are also here. "

"Dorothy Dainty is an unusually fine singer for a child, " another ladysaid, "and she is to sing for us to-night. I believe Nancy Ferris is todo something, but I do not know what. Does any one know if Nancy sings?"

"I've not the least idea what her talent is, " said a pleasant-voicedmatron, "but she is such a bright, interesting child that I feel surethat whatever she is able to do at all, she will do exceedingly well. "

"Aunt Vera is to play a solo for the first number, " said little FlossieBarnet, to a lady who sat near her. 

"That is delightful, " said the lady, "and what are you to do?"

"Oh, I'll listen, and listen, " said Flossie, "and then, I'll clap toshow how much I liked what the people did. "

"And your friend Dorothy is to sing, " said the lady, "do you know whatNancy does?"

"Oh, yes, I do!" cried Flossie, "and she does it so lovely, you'llwonder how she could! I'm not to tell _what_ she'll do, none of us areto tell. You'll _see_ when she does it!"

"Dear little girl, you seem quite as happy as if you were to be asoloist, " said the lady. 

"Why, yes, " said Flossie, "for when the other little girls do prettythings, I see them, but I couldn't see myself do anything!"

"Oh, you sweet, funny little girl, " the pleasant-faced lady said, as shedrew Flossie closer, "I never knew so dear a child. "

"Dorothy and Nancy are dear, " said Flossie, "and oh, you haven't seenMolly Merton! She's another one of my little friends, and she's _always_lovely to play with. We're always together when I'm at home atMerrivale. "

Before the lady could express regret that she did not know Molly, theorchestra began the opening chords of an overture. 

The musicians gave an afternoon and evening concert daily, throughoutthe season, but to-night their numbers were to be interspersed withsolos given by the guests. 

The orchestra was generously applauded, and then a slender figure in agown of soft, pink satin seated itself at the piano, and with lighttouch and brilliant execution, played a rondo that delighted all. 

In response to repeated applause, she played the "Caprice Hongroise, "which aroused wild enthusiasm. 

She smiled, and bowed gracefully in acknowledgment, then turning towardher husband, who now stood beside her, took from his hand the duplicateof the song that he was to sing. She always played his accompaniments. 

How full of music was his rare voice, how like the tones of a silvertrumpet when he sang "A Song of the Sea, " how tender his tones when fora second number, he sang an "Italian Love Song!"

"Didn't he sing _fine_, just _fine_?" Flossie asked, eagerly. 

"Indeed he did, " the lady replied, "I never heard a more excellentvoice. "

"Well, he's my own Uncle Harry!" said Flossie, a world of love and pridein her voice. 

A young girl played a serenade on the guitar, and a member of theorchestra played a waltz for violin, and both were encored. 

Those who were to perform were in a small room awaiting their turn. Theywere laughing and chatting while they waited, and all, save a littlegirl, who kept apart from the others, seemed bright and happy. Her eyeswere dull, and her red lips pouting. It was Floretta Paxton, and she waswatching Nancy Ferris, noticing every detail of her costume, and lookingas unpleasant as possible. 

Nancy wore a frock of white gauze, thickly strewn with tiny goldspangles. Her girdle was white satin, her slippers were white, and shewore a cluster of pink rosebuds in her hair. 

"What's she going to do?" Floretta asked in a fretful voice, but Mrs. Paxton, who stood beside her, could not tell her that. She knew no moreof Nancy's talent than Floretta did. 

Floretta had been angry in the afternoon; she had foolishly refuseddinner, and was very hungry; she was made more angry because hers wasnot the first number on the program, and now, here was Nancy Ferriswearing a beautiful frock that far outshone her own!

She was wearing a simple pink muslin, and had felt that she was finelydressed, until Nancy appeared. 

The satin girdle, the white slippers, and the spangles were more thanshe could forgive. 

"What's she going to _do?_" she asked again, more fretfully than before. 

"I _don't know_, " Mrs. Paxton said. 

"Well, I won't do a thing 'til I do know!" said Floretta. 

Silly little girl! Always a jealous child, she now thought that Nancy_might_ be another impersonator or imitator, and she was nearly wild. 

The orchestra was now playing a dreamy waltz. Nancy's foot tapped themeasure. Her eyes were brighter. 

"What _is_ she going to do?" whispered Floretta. 

The tall man, who had been announcing the numbers, now swung aside theportière, and Nancy slipped from her chair, ran out upon the stage, andthen, --oh, the fairy motion of her arms, the lightness with which, onthe tips of her toes, she flew across the stage!

With her finger-tips she lifted the hem of her skirt, and courtesiedlow, then away in a dreamy whirl she sped, turning to look over hershoulder, and laugh at the faces that showed greatest surprise. 

On swept the strains of sweetest music, and little Nancy, carried awaywith love of the music, danced more charmingly than ever before. 

Aunt Charlotte and Mrs. Dainty watched her flying figure, and often asthey had seen her, they knew that she was excelling herself. 

"Nancy, Nancy, dear child!" murmured Aunt Charlotte. 

Now, with her feet crossed, and still on the tips of her toes shewhirled like a top, did the graceful rocking step, swayed like a flowerin the wind, whirled about again, courtesied once more, and laughinglike a merry, dark-eyed sprite, ran back into the little waiting-room. 

Oh, what thunders of applause greeted her, yet she sat quietly chattingwith a lady who stood near her!

Again and again they seemed to be begging that the little dancer mightreturn. 

"I'll bow to them, " said Nancy, and she ran out to do so. 

"Once more, once more!" cried an eager voice, and then more clapping, and even a few shrill whistles from some very young men begged her torespond. 

She extended her arms for a second, then whirling rapidly, she repeatedthe last half of the dance, courtesied again, and when she ran back tothe little room, Dorothy embraced her tenderly. 

"Oh, Nancy darling!" she cried, "you never danced finer. Do you know howpleased every one is?"

"I danced to please and surprise them, " said Nancy. "I _do_ love to seepeople look happy. They couldn't remember how hard it was raining whileI was whirling and dancing for them. "

Floretta, now more unhappy than before, turned so that she might not seeNancy, nor note the shimmer of her spangles. 

Mrs. Paxton, who had been talking with a friend, now turned towardFloretta. 

"Come!" she said, "now run out, and do your very best, Floretta. "

"I'm not going out!" said Floretta. 

"What an idea!" cried Mrs. Paxton. "Of course you'll run out, and showevery one how cute you are. Why, I planned this entertainment just togive you a chance to show off!"

"And made me the last one on the whole list!" snarled Floretta. 

"Come, come!" cried her mother, "every one couldn't be first. I thoughtI'd have the others perform first, and then _you_ could show who was thesmartest! Come! They're just wild to see what you can do, and they'rewaiting. "

"They'll _have_ to wait!" hissed Floretta, like a cross little cat. 

It was no use to urge, plead, or insist. Floretta was stubborn, and whenonce she had determined what she would, or would not do, nothing couldmove her. 

Prayers and threats were equally useless. 

Dorothy sang very sweetly, and was cordially received. 

Uncle Harry and his wife sang a charming duet that delighted all, theorchestra played a military caprice, and then the remainder of theevening was spent in a little, informal dance. 

All was light, laughter, and music, and there were two kinds of musicthat gladdened their hearts, --the sweet music of the violins, and thestill sweeter melody of happy voices!

Silly little Floretta had ruined the evening for no one save her ownjealous little self. 

Because she could not be the first on the program, she would not appearat all, although, at heart, she longed to show her really clevermimicry. Later, after having sulked during the early part of theevening, she refused to join the dancers, and ran away to her room, angry, very angry with every one save the one person who was really atfault, --herself. 

Her efforts at imitating would surely have amused, and would, doubtless, have been well received. She was rather a graceful dancer, in any ofthe ordinary ballroom dances, and she thus might have joined the otherchildren when the concert was over. She had needlessly spent a mostunhappy evening. 

Now, in her room, she heard the strains of the orchestra, and for thefirst time realized how foolish she had been. 

"I _had_ a chance, and I lost it, " she sobbed, but her tears were nottears of grieving. They were angry tears, and the droll part of it wasthat while she alone was at fault, she was angry with every one butherself. 

For a few moments she lay, her face hidden in her pillow. Then, sheturned over into a more comfortable position, and softly she whispered, "I'll do enough to-morrow to make up!"

She did not say _what_ she intended to do, but the idea evidentlypleased her, for she laughed through her tears. 

She sprang from her bed, found a box of bonbons that her mother had wonas a prize in an afternoon whist party the day before, and crept backinto bed. When she had eaten nearly all of the candy, she sat up and inthe softly shaded light, looked at the box with its few remaining bitsof candy. She was wondering where she could hide it. 

"Ma will surely notice the empty box, or anyway, I've made it _almost_empty, " she said. "She might not miss it if I hid it!"

She had never been taught to be honest, so whenever she did a naughtything, her first thought was to hide, or cover up the act. She neverfelt regret. 

No one ever heard her gently say, "I'm sorry. "

Softly she crept from her bed, and made her way across the floor to thedressing-case. 

She put the box upon the floor, and pushed it well under it, and whollyout of sight. 

"There!" she whispered. "That's all right. I would have finished thecandy, but I didn't want the whole of it. I ate the best of it. Theothers weren't very nice. "

Down in the long parlor the guests were no longer dancing. 

They were resting, and listening to a lovely barcarolle played softly bythe orchestra. 

Flossie, clinging to Uncle Harry's hand, drew him toward the window. 

"Look!" she said, as she parted the curtains. "It isn't raining now, andthe moon is coming out. It will be pleasant to-morrow! And it has beenlovely in here to-night. "

"Dear little Flossie, dear little niece, it was your cheery, lovingnature that led us to give your name to our baby. She has two finenames, she is Beatrice Florence. The first is Vera's mother's name, thesecond, dear, is yours. "

CHAPTER IV

IN A BIRCH ARBOR

THE storm had cleared the air, no mist veiled the mountains, thesunlight lay everywhere, gilding valley and stream. 

Many of the guests had started early in the morning for a trip to adistant mountain from the summit of which a delightful view might beenjoyed. 

They were to ride over in the barge to the base of the mountain, have apicnic lunch under the trees, and then climb the rugged path up themountain side. 

It would occupy half the day and it would be afternoon before the bargewould return with its merry, tired party. 

Floretta Paxton and Jack Tiverton were usually in sight, or, as theywere always noisy, within hearing might be nearer the truth, but theyhad gone over to a spot that the children called "The Pool, " a bit ofwater not much larger than a big puddle. 

It existed only after a heavy rain, but near its edge the slenderbirches grew, and their silvery white trunks and the bright, blue skywere clearly reflected on its surface. 

Jack had decided to launch his toy boat there, and, as Floretta hadhemmed the tiny sails, he had felt obliged to listen to her coaxing, andpermit her to go with him. 

"I'll let you christen her, " he had said, in a moment of generosity, andthen regretted it. 

Floretta's idea of a christening ceremony was very elaborate, whileJack thought that shouting the vessel's name, and shoving it into thewater was all that was necessary. 

Nancy was helping Aunt Charlotte, so when Dorothy ran out to the piazza, she found it deserted, and she stood looking in surprise at the rockingchairs and hammocks that were swaying in the wind. 

"Every one has gone somewhere, " she thought; "didn't any one stay athome?"

She stood for a moment in the doorway, wondering what to do. Suddenlyher face brightened, and she clapped her hands. 

"The very thing!" she said, and she turned and hastened to her room tofind her latest gift. 

It was a beautiful book of fairy tales, and although it had been givenher over a week ago, she had read but a few of the stories. Mrs. Daintyhad sent to the city for the book, and ever since the day of its arrivalDorothy had been wild to read it. 

Something had been planned for each sunny day, and as the weather hadcontinued fair, the book had been opened but a few times, and then foronly a brief glance at the tales or the illustrations. 

Mrs. Dainty had gone to the village, a ride of about an hour from thehotel, and Aunt Charlotte was still occupied with her letters. 

Nancy was sealing and stamping the envelopes, as Dorothy passed thedoor. 

"I'm going over to the little 'birch arbor, '" she said. "I'm taking mynew fairy book for company. "

"I'll come, too, just as soon as I've finished these envelopes, " saidNancy, and she began to work faster. 

[Illustration: "OH, WHAT A LOVELY, _LOVELY_ STORY!" SAID DOROTHY. --_Page67. _]

The "birch arbor" was not an actual arbor, but it was a lovely spot, andthe birches were exceptionally fine. Nancy and Dorothy had often beenthere together, and they had given it the name. 

A tiny mountain brook ran through it, and it was a lovely spot in whichto enjoy legends or fairy tales. 

In a few moments Dorothy had reached the place, and when she had seatedherself, she opened the book where a fine picture showed the prince, whose father had given him three wishes as his only inheritance, andthen had sent him out to seek his fortune. 

Twice she had commenced to read the story, and had been obliged to layit aside. Now, with only the bees and the butterflies hovering abouther, she read the fascinating tale. 

It proved to be even more charming than she had expected. 

The prince was tall, and dark, and handsome, and his heart was so goodand true, that Dorothy felt that he richly deserved the beautifulprincess whom he finally won. 

Her eyes sparkled as she read of the great court wedding. 

"And the lovely princess looked more beautiful than ever in her weddinggown of cloth of gold, thickly set with diamonds, and her crown ofdiamonds and sapphires. "

"Oh what a lovely, _lovely_ story!" said Dorothy, as she turned thepage. 

"Tiny princes carried her train, and as the happy pair reached thepalace gates, and were about to enter the royal coach, the blare oftrumpets sounded, as the guards in blue and gold played a gay fanfare. "

"Toot! Toot! Toot!"

Dorothy sprang to her feet. 

It was as if those silver-toned trumpets had sounded close beside her. Amoment more, and a huge automobile appeared from behind the trees andshrubbery, and slackening its speed, came, at last, to a standstill, andan old lady leaned out to question her. 

"Are we going in the right direction, my dear, to reach the HotelCleverton?"

Dorothy walked toward the car, and looked up into the hard, old face. 

"This little road is _right_, " said Dorothy, "but the broad road thatleads out of this one is not so rough, and it is a _little_ shorter. "

"There, Minturn, I _said plainly_ that I believed we could get therequicker some other way!"

"You are _sure_ about the Cleverton?" the old lady asked. "You _know_where it is?"

"I'm staying there with mamma, and that truly is the right way, " saidDorothy, her soft eyes looking up into the hard, old face. 

"I guess I can trust you, " the old lady said, not smiling, but looking abit less stern. 

"Now, Minturn, we'll _try_ to reach the hotel, sometime before dark!"she said curtly. 

Puffing and whirring the big automobile started off up the road, the oldlady sitting stern and erect, as if she thought her driver neededwatching, and she was determined to keep a sharp eye upon him. 

"Why, how queer!" said Dorothy. "She didn't even say 'good-bye, ' or'good-morning. ' Perhaps she was very tired, and forgot, "--then after amoment she added, "but my beautiful mamma _never_ forgets. "

She went back to the pretty spot where she had been reading, and sittingdown, opened the book, but she could not keep her mind upon the stories. The strange face of the old lady seemed to look at her from the printedpage. 

How small and sharp her eyes had been, and how she asked the samequestion again and again. Did she doubt the answer given her?

All these, and many more questions puzzled Dorothy, and with the openbook lying upon her lap, she looked off where the sunlight lay upon thegrass. 

She was still sitting thus when a merry voice aroused her, and sheturned to see Nancy running toward her. 

"Oh, Dorothy!" she cried. "You ought to have been up at the hotel just afew moments ago. A new guest came, and she was so cross, it _must_ bethat she didn't want to come. But if she truly _didn't_ want to, thenwhy _did_ she?"

"Why, Nancy, who wouldn't think it fine to come up here to themountains, and stay at the Cleverton?" said Dorothy in surprise. 

"Well, you wouldn't have thought the old lady was glad to be there, ifyou'd seen her, " said Nancy. 

"Oh, was it an old lady that you were talking about?" Dorothy askedquickly. 

"Yes, and you ought to have seen her eyes snap when she scolded herchauffeur. She told him she might have arrived an hour before just aswell as not, and she kept right on scolding to herself, all the way upto the piazza, and, Dorothy, she looked so cross, I wouldn't wonder ifshe was scolding up in her room now!"

"She must be the same one that was here just a little while ago, "Dorothy said, "and she asked me to tell her the nearest way to theCleverton. When I told her, she made the man rush off over the road, andshe was scolding him when they left here. Perhaps she was tired, andwill feel pleasanter when she has rested. "

"Perhaps, " agreed Nancy, "but I know Aunt Charlotte and your mamma don'tact that way when they are tired. "

Dorothy could not dispute that, and soon the two little girls wereenjoying the fairy book together. 

"Now, this is the story I've just been reading, " said Dorothy, "and thisis the picture of the prince. Isn't he handsome?"

"Oh, yes, " said Nancy, "and doesn't he look like Flossie's Uncle Harry?"

"Why, he _does_, truly, " cried Dorothy. "I'll show the picture toFlossie, and I'm sure she'll say it looks ever so much like him. "

"Oh, she will, " agreed Nancy. 

"Why, it would look _exactly_ like him, if _he_ only had a cap withplumes, " said Dorothy. 

Uncle Harry, coming briskly up the path, was just in time to hear thelast few words. 

"I'm very curious to know who it is who needs a cap with plumes, " hesaid. 

"Oh, who knew you were right here to hear it?" said Dorothy. 

"Oh, was it a state secret?" he asked. "Well, now it's a pity I heardit, but as it happens I _did_, I think I must ask for the rest of thesecret. "

"Oh, _would_ you tell?" Dorothy asked, turning to Nancy, but before shecould reply, Uncle Harry spoke. 

"I'm really too curious, " he said, "so I think I'll threaten to sit onthis stump, until you tell me the secret, and let me tell you two littlefriends, that _I've_ a secret; it's a nice one, too, but, --" he pausedto watch the effect of his words. 

"But--But--" they cried. 

"But, --" said Uncle Harry, "I wouldn't tell mine _first_!"

Wag that he was, he could not resist the temptation to tease just a bit. 

Dorothy took the pretty book, and opening it at the page that showed thepicture of the prince, she said, "We only said the brave prince lookedlike you, no, I mean you look like him, and we said you'd look _just_like him if you had a cap with plumes. "

Uncle Harry appeared to study the picture very carefully. After amoment, he said:

"That's a fine compliment, but there's one thing about it that worriesme, so I'll have to ask about it. 

"In this picture the prince wears a blue blouse and a pair of greenshoes, a pink cap with white plumes, gray hose, and crimson trunks. Now, if I should decide to purchase a pink cap with white plumes, would youexpect me to come out arrayed in all those colors? I really feel thatthe costume is a _bit_, just a _bit_ too gay. "

"Oh, we'll not ask you to be quite as gay as that, " said Dorothy, "andwe'll promise one thing. We won't even ask you to buy a pink cap ifyou'll tell us your secret now. "

He laughed gaily. 

"Perhaps I really _ought_ to keep it a little longer. How would it do ifI should tell you my secret some time next week?" he asked. 

"Oh, no, no!" they cried, "tell it now!"

"Well, then, there's to be a fair 'way down in the village, a realcountry fair, and I'm intending to hire a barge, and take all of the_very_ young ladies over with me to see the fun. I mean ladies as youngas you, and Nancy, and Flossie. I shall invite all the wee ladies thatare stopping at the hotel, and I shall take all who accept. "

He looked into their bright faces, and laughed when Dorothy said:

"As if _any_ little girl _wouldn't_ accept!"

"You mustn't expect it to be a grand affair. It will be, as I said, areal old-fashioned country fair, but there will be a jolly ride overthere, and the return trip, and I fancy you will enjoy it all, " he said, "and I shall have the delight of giving pleasure. "

A friend who had been looking for Uncle Harry, now appeared on thewinding path, a clump of large trees having hidden his approach. 

The two young men started off for a long tramp, and Dorothy and Nancywalked slowly back to the hotel. 

"The prince _did_ look like Uncle Harry, " said Nancy, "and the pictureof the naughty old fairy that enchanted the sleeping beauty, looks likethe lady that came this morning, and was so very cross. "

"Then that _is_ the same one who stopped to ask the way, for she lookedjust like that. I'll always think, every time I look at her, that she'sthe black fairy. "

And when they ran up on to the piazza, there sat the very person whomthey had been speaking of, looking somewhat cooler with her longtravelling cloak removed. 

Her black gown was of some thin material, and just as the two littlegirls ran up on to the piazza, she dropped the large, black fan that shehad been wielding. 

Nancy, who was nearer to her than Dorothy, picked up the fan for her. Without a smile, she took the fan, and they heard some slight sound. Possibly it might have been a softly murmured word of thanks, but it didnot sound like it. 

"She seems very strange, " said Dorothy, "but perhaps she's still tired. "

She was always unwilling to say that any one was wilfully rude ordisagreeable. 

And now Aunt Charlotte, with Mrs. Dainty, came out to enjoy the fineair, and Dorothy and Nancy ran to them to tell them of the treat thatUncle Harry had in store for them. 

"It's only a few days to wait, and isn't he kind to take us?" saidDorothy. 

"He is indeed, " said Mrs. Dainty, "and I hope all his little friendswill be very thoughtful, and make him just as little trouble aspossible. He takes quite a care in inviting so many children. "

"Oh, all the children love him, and there isn't one who would want to beany bother, unless it was Floretta, " said Dorothy, "and perhaps she'llbe having such a nice time, she won't think to be naughty. "

Mrs. Dainty smiled at this view of it. She could not help thinking thatFloretta never needed time to think in order to be disagreeable, butshe did not say so. 

Aunt Charlotte Grayson, seeing the stranger sitting alone, paused nearher chair to say a friendly word. 

She remained but few moments, however, because the woman seemed notinclined to talk. 

Aunt Charlotte well knew that the stranger was not courteous, but shetried to think, as Dorothy had, that fatigue, after a long journey, madeher eager for silence and rest. 

CHAPTER V

THE MOUNTAIN PARTY

AS the days flew by, the stranger became a bit more friendly, conversingsometimes with Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte, but often, far moreoften, with Mrs. Paxton. 

It was not that she sought to become acquainted with Floretta's mother;it was, rather, that Mrs. Paxton seemed determined to force thefriendship. 

"Her name is Fenton, Mrs. Fenton, and isn't it odd, _my_ name was Fentonbefore I married. Floretta's middle name is Fenton. I really feel almostas if I were related to her, because of the name, " declared Mrs. Paxtonone morning, whereupon Mrs. Fenton, coming out on to the piazza, remarked:

"Oh, indeed!"

Mrs. Paxton blushed and hesitated, then recovering herself, she said:

"I was just telling these ladies of my friendly feeling for you. "

"Oh, indeed!" Mrs. Fenton repeated, as she sank into a large rocker, andlooked off across the valley to the distant mountains. 

After a few moments she seemed to have lost interest in the view, and, taking up a small embroidery frame, commenced to ply her needle as ifshe were eager to finish the pretty doily. 

Two little figures came slowly up the path to the piazza. They werereturning from the christening of the little boat. 

"What is wrong, Jack? You don't look very happy, " said Mrs. Tiverton. 

"He wanted me to christen his boat, but he wouldn't give it my name!"said Floretta, before Jack could reply. 

"She thought just because she hemmed the sails I'd name it the_Floretta_, but I wouldn't, so I shoved it into the water myself, andshouted _Carlotta_. That's the name of a girl that goes to my school, and I like her. "

"You say Floretta hemmed your sails, " said Mrs. Tiverton. 

"Well, I thanked her for that, and I let her go to the launching, and Ilet her christen it, but I don't see that I need name it for her, " saidJack, stoutly. 

Mrs. Fenton had not heeded what the children were saying. One might havefancied that she did not hear, although both Floretta and Jack stoodquite near her chair. 

A large spool that she had wound with colored silk slipped from her lap, and rolled toward Floretta. 

"Pick it up, dear, " Mrs. Paxton said. 

"Don't want to, " said Floretta. 

Mrs. Fenton stooped, and recovered the spool, and, taking her embroideryframe in her hand, left the piazza, and mounted the stairs to her room. 

"Why _were_ you so rude?" said Mrs. Paxton, but Floretta, perching uponthe low railing, began softly humming "Yankee Doodle. "

Jack Tiverton, espying a boy that he knew, whistled loudly, and then, asthe other boy turned, ran after him, the two whooping and shouting likesavages. 

"It is almost lunch time, Jack!" Mrs. Tiverton cried, and the boyturned, and waved his hand to show that he heard her. 

"Boys aren't apt to forget meal time, " muttered old Mr. Cunninghambehind his paper. 

True enough, Jack returned in ample time, and was the first at thetable. 

Early in the afternoon Dorothy and Nancy went out for a drive withRomeo. 

It was one of those sunny days that tempt nearly every one to ride orwalk. 

The mountain roads were rather lonely, and Mrs. Dainty insisted thatwhether Dorothy were riding Romeo, or driving in the phaeton, the groommust ride at a little distance behind her. 

There were the lovely, slender birches on either side of the roads, there were patches of bright green moss upon which the sunlight rested, there were blackberry vines and woodbine wreathing the low stone walls, and here and there a mullein raised its stately head from its base ofvelvet leaves. 

Oh, it seemed like an enchanted country, where new beauties were to befound on either hand!

"Look!" cried Dorothy, "close beside that mullein is an eveningprimrose, and their blossoms are the same color. "

Then a tiny chipmunk sprang upon the wall, sat erect, and watched themfor a moment, then ran up the trunk of a slender tree, where from a lowbranch he watched until they had passed. Then back to the wall hesprang, where he chattered as if scolding the little girls who haddisturbed his solitude. It may be that, instead, he was talking tohimself, and telling what charming little girls they were. 

A long way from the hotel they passed Jack Tiverton, with a number ofother boys who were staying at a hotel a few miles distant from theCleverton. 

They were all somewhat larger than Jack, and he thought it fine to bewith them. 

He had met them at a ball game three weeks before, and he had been verybusy holding their acquaintance ever since. 

"We're going to catch the echo, and keep it, too!" shouted Jack. 

"It's mocking you now, " said Dorothy, with a laugh. 

"I know it, " said Jack, "but we'll catch it, and fasten it so it can'tget away. "

"_How_ will you fasten an echo?" Nancy asked, turning, and looking overher shoulder as the little phaeton sped past. 

"Trust us to find a way!" cried Jack, and the others laughed as if theyalready knew exactly how to do it. 

They left the road, and, vaulting over the wall, crossed the openfield, singing a gay, rollicking song as they went. 

"They just _say_ they're going hunting for the echo, " said Dorothy, "andthey say it for fun, but I wonder where they are going, and what theytruly are going to do. "

The groom, riding nearer, touched his hat. 

"Please, Miss Dorothy, I heard the lads saying that there's an old houseover near that mountain, where a hermit lived years ago, and they're offto find it if they can. "

"Then why didn't they say so, instead of telling such a tale aboutcatching the echo?" Dorothy asked. 

"They were saying that they wanted to find the hut, and hunt in it, andaround it ter find things the old fellow may have hidden. They fearedyou or Miss Nancy might tell some other lad. They're wanting it all tothemselves. "

Having told this bit of information, the groom allowed the carriage topass him, and once more rode behind it. 

The two little girls talked of the long tramp that the boys would havebefore they would find the hermit's hut. 

"And perhaps they won't find it at all, after all their hunting, " saidNancy. 

"Well, I hope they will, " said Dorothy, "because it's so horrid to huntand hunt, for nothing. "

"Oh, look!" she cried a moment later. "See the lovely mosses! Let's takesome back to mamma and Aunt Charlotte. "

They were, indeed, beautiful. There was green moss that looked likevelvet, and gray moss formed like tiny cups with scarlet edges, andother moss tipped with red. 

On an old stump they found shell-like fungus, some a creamy white, others white, with soft brown markings. 

Oh, a fine collection of rarely beautiful mosses and lichens theygathered, and heaped on the bottom of the phaeton. 

Romeo turned his head to watch them as if he wondered when they wouldhave gathered enough. 

"Oh, we do keep you standing, dear, don't we?" Dorothy said, patting hisneck as she spoke. 

"Oh, you needn't look for sugar, " she said, laughing, "for I haven't anywith me, but we'll get you some fresh clover. "

With Nancy's help she soon had a fine bunch of pink clover for Romeo, and he seemed quite as pleased as if it had been the cubes that he sooften enjoyed. 

 * * * * *

When the party of boys had left the road to cross the fields that laybetween them, and the forest at the foot of the mountain, they hadbelieved that they knew exactly how to go to reach the hermit's hut. 

The old hermit had been dead for years, but every season the summerguests at the hotels and farmhouses searched all around the desertedhut, expecting to find some relic to take home and label as a bit of thehermit's property. 

The boys supposed that they had the woods to themselves, and that theywould be uninterrupted in their search of the place. 

They did not know that the mountain climbers had taken the samedirection, intending, before they enjoyed their lunch beneath the trees, to stop at the old, deserted house. 

Mrs. Paxton and little Floretta had worked more persistently than anyothers of the party, and Mrs. Paxton had found a small, brass button. 

The others had laughed at the prize, asking her if she intended to keepit as a souvenir. 

"Certainly, " said Mrs. Paxton. "I'm sure this brass button must havebelonged on some old coat that the hermit wore!"

"Perhaps in his youth, before he came up here to live, he may have beena janitor, " said a young man, with a saucy laugh. 

"Or a brakeman, " suggested another. 

Mrs. Paxton pretended not to hear their teasing, and though the prizethat she had found had been only a valueless thing, she kept it. 

Floretta was very eager to stay, and continue to peep into cracks in thefloor and walls, and to poke with a stick under the doorsill, and in thesoft earth around the hut. 

The older members of the party knew that if they were to ascend themountain, see the view, and descend before twilight, they must start atonce. 

As soon as their picnic lunch had been enjoyed they commenced to climbthe rugged mountain path. 

It was very steep and rough, and it had been said that no childrenshould be allowed in the party. 

Mrs. Paxton had insisted that her small daughter was a wonderful littleclimber, who was quite equal to the demands of a long tramp. 

Floretta had wished to remain at the hut, but as she could not do that, she proceeded to make herself as unpleasant as possible, by complainingevery step of the way, until one young man voiced the feeling of theentire party. 

"This is a horrid, rough old path, and I'm tired. I wish I'd stayed at_home_!" said Floretta. 

"I wish so, _too_!" said the young man, and several of the party, toopolite to say it, at heart, agreed with him. 

Floretta's was the only gloomy face, however. The others tramped gailyonward, singing snatches of song, and laughing as they stepped uponrolling stones, or tripped over long, gnarled roots that rose above thesurface, as if especially designed to catch lagging feet. 

 "All day upon the hills We've chased the chamois far, But deeper joy now thrills Beneath the evening star. "

The youth sang gaily, and several of his friends joined him in singingthe old song. 

Arrived at the summit they rested, enjoyed the view, laughed and jokedabout their weariness, and made many wild guesses as to how long itwould take them to make the descent and drive back to the hotel. 

"It will be three o'clock before we reach the Cleverton, " said one. 

"Nonsense!" cried another, "this is really called a mountain bycourtesy. It's only a big hill. I say we shall be on the piazza, andwondering what we can do next, as early as half-past two. "

"It's more likely to be half-past _three_!" declared another, and whenall felt sufficiently rested, they commenced the descent. 

Floretta refused to keep closely beside her mother, insisting uponclinging to another member of the party, to whom she had taken a fancy. 

The party was a large one, much larger, indeed, than had at first beenplanned, and while half of the number were guests at the Cleverton, theothers were from the Merlington, a hotel situated nearer the village, and from several large farmhouses that entertained summer boarders. 

The guests from the Cleverton had kept closely together during the trip, while those from the Merlington had done the same. 

They had reached the foot of the mountain, and were tramping along apath that ran nearly parallel to that on which the hermit's house stood. 

Floretta saw the boys, near the house, and also saw that Jack Tivertonwas with them. 

Without a word, she left the lady to whose arm she had been clinging, and making her way along behind bushes and underbrush, she managed tosneak in at the door of the hut, without having been seen by the partyof boys. 

The lady, with whom she had been walking, supposed that she had run backto join her mother, while Mrs. Paxton felt quite undisturbed, becauseshe believed that her little girl was still clinging to the arm of thelady with whom she had chosen to walk. 

It had required two barges to convey the party, and now they found themwaiting, the horses a bit impatient to be off. 

The guests from the Merlington clambered into the first barge, and theywith a few of the farmhouse party filled it to overflowing, some of themen being obliged to ride homeward, seated upon the steps. Meanwhile theCleverton people were forced to wait until the barge for their partydrove up. 

The first barge had started, and was rolling along, and a chorus ofcollege songs was wafted back on the breeze, while handkerchiefsfluttered as the gay passengers laughed at the crowd that had not yetstarted. 

Mrs. Paxton paused with her foot on the step, and looked back. 

"Why, where's Floretta?" she asked. 

"In the first barge, " cried a voice in reply. 

"Are you _sure_?" she asked. 

"Why, certainly, " said the other, "she's with that tall, fine-lookinglady from the Merlington. She'll be home before you are. "

The second barge was soon filled and on its way. The horses were lessfresh than those of the first barge, and seemed determined to lag. Indeed, they required constant urging to keep them from dropping into aslow walk. 

"Those other fellows ahead of us started some lively college songs, "said a disgusted passenger, "and they're actually out of sight now; butthe way these nags are poking I couldn't think of anything to sing thatwould be slow enough to be appropriate. "

And while one barge was going over the road at a lively rate of speed, and the other jogging along at a snail's pace, Floretta, at the hut, washaving a most exciting time. 

Once inside the place, she had crouched beneath a window to learn, ifpossible, what the boys were talking about. 

She had wanted to remain there when the party had started for themountain path, and she had been very impatient during the long tramp. She cared nothing for the view, and determined, on the return, to stop, if only for a few moments, at the hut. 

CHAPTER VI

THE ECHO CAPTURED

FLORETTA had intended to hunt for treasure, hoping to get something morevaluable than the brass button that her mother had found. 

She was not at all afraid of Jack Tiverton, but of those larger boys shewas not quite sure. 

As she knelt beneath the window she could hear only the voices of theboys that were nearest to the hut, and hearing only parts of theirconversation, she could not understand what the first speaker expectedto find. 

"If I find it, I'll put it where it will be safe, " he said. 

There was a pause, and then a voice more distant replied. 

She did not hear what it said, but she did hear the answer made by theboy who had first spoken. 

"If the ghost of the old hermit was in the hut, it might hear you. "

"Yes, and what would he say about your hunting for things that may havebelonged to him?" said another, with a teasing laugh. 

"Oh, I'm not afraid, " was the careless answer. 

"You're not?" jeered a laughing voice. 

"I think we've poked around out here long enough without findinganything, " said Jack Tiverton, "let's hunt inside the house. "

"Wait a minute, " called a boy who had not yet spoken, "just till I'velooked into this hollow tree trunk. "

"And _then_ what?" asked a merry voice. 

"_Then_ hunt in the house, of course!" was the curt reply. 

Floretta thought she saw a chance for fun. 

Softly, yet quickly, she crept up the rickety little stairway, builtclose against the wall, and leading to the tiny loft. 

The loft was really little more than a space beneath the roof where theold hermit might have stored a few provisions. She could not stand, oreven sit, erect, and she crouched upon the bit of dusty flooring. 

She was none too soon, for in a few seconds the boys rushed in, and thenbegan a discussion as to whether it would be safe to take a plank upfrom the floor to look beneath it for hidden treasure. 

"You oughtn't to do that, " said Jack Tiverton, "somebody might arrestyou, or all of us, if folks found out we did it. "

"Arrest us for spoiling a floor in this old hut!" cried an older boy. "Iwonder you don't think the old hermit might holler if he heard us pullup a plank!"

"Well, " said Jack stoutly, "you'd be as scared as I would if he didholler!"

"You're a small boy, Jack, and easily scared, " was the taunting reply. 

"Well, pull up a plank, and see what happens. I dare you to!" criedJack. 

"Here goes then!" said the older boy, and catching hold of a plank thathad rotted at one end, he pulled it up. 

"_Oh, let it alone!_" groaned a boy in a farther corner of the room, inan attempt to imitate an old voice. 

"_Oh, let it alone!_" came in exactly the same voice from the loft. 

Sidney Cumston, the big boy, who had laughed at little Jack Tiverton, dropped the plank, and turned pale, while not a boy spoke or moved. 

"Come, come!" said Sidney, when he caught his breath, "we're a preciouspack of sillies! Help me lift this big board, will you?"

"Will you?" came from the loft, in the very manner in which he had saidit. 

Again he dropped the plank. 

"What does it mean?" cried Sidney. 

"Mean?" came his last word repeated. 

The boys were now thoroughly frightened. 

"Come!" cried Sidney, "let's leave here!"

"Here!" came a repetition of his last word, and big as he was, he hadturned to run, when a faint ripple of smothered laughter came down fromthe loft. 

Immediately Sidney's pale face flushed red. It flashed through his mindthat these younger boys had seen that he was frightened. 

He had been laughed at by the owner of the voice that had mocked him, and the boys would _never_ stop laughing. 

Quickly he mounted the steps, and roughly he dragged little Florettafrom her hiding place, half carrying her down the stairway, because itwas too narrow for two to descend. 

"So you thought it was funny, just _funny_ to mock us, did you?" heasked, when they reached the floor. 

Floretta was not laughing now. 

She was sullen, and at the same time frightened. 

What would they do to her?

They crowded around her, frowning and making all sorts of wildsuggestions as to what should be done with her. 

"Keep her mocking till she's got enough of it!" cried one. 

"Put her back in the loft, and leave her there! She seemed to likethere, " said another. 

The big boy, whose hand was still on her shoulder, was more angry thaneither of the others. 

He was a bully, always ready to torment some one smaller than himself. 

He had reason to be provoked with Floretta, and the fact that she wasonly a little girl, made no impression upon him. 

He would as willingly punish a girl, as a boy, and the fact that hiscaptive was smaller than he, only proved that the task would be an easyone. 

"You think it's smart to imitate, and it is. P'raps you think you're theecho that's over in the mountain!" he sneered. 

She made no answer. She was crying now. 

"Say! Let her off!" cried Jack Tiverton. "She's only a girl!"

The smallest boy in the crowd, he saw Sidney's cowardice. 

"Oh, are you sweet on Floretta?" jeered Sidney. 

Jack drew back abashed. He did not like Floretta at all, but he didthink it mean for a big boy to frighten so small a girl. 

"I ain't going to hurt you, " said Sidney, "but I'm going to give you achance to play echo, till you're tired of it. I guess you'll get enoughof it before you get through!

"Come, fellows! Get some good long pieces of wild grape-vine! I'llfasten Miss Echo where she can shout all day, and nobody'll stop her!"

"I won't go with you!" screamed Floretta, who had found her voice, "Yousha'n't tie me!"

"Oh, is that so?" said Sidney, in a teasing tone. "We'll tie you so youcan't get away!"

She pulled back. 

"No, you don't!" said Sidney, grasping her arm with a firmer hold. 

"Now, walk right along, or these other fellows will help me carry you!"he added, and Floretta thought best to walk. 

"Where'll you take her?" asked one. 

"Right there, " said Sidney. "That rock is just covered with vines thatcling fast to it. Hurry, now! Pull down some long, strong pieces! Here, you scratch like a cat! Stop that!"

Floretta, half wild to get away, was attacking his hand in the manner ofa little wild animal. 

"Let me go, then!" she screamed. 

"Not much!" cried Sidney, and with the help of another boy, he draggedher, screaming and kicking, all the way, until they reached the rockyledge. 

"There, now! Hold on! You're showing too much temper!" cried a stout ladwho was helping to bind her. 

"I won't stay! You sha'n't tie me!" she screamed, but without replying, they drew the tough vines closer about her, lashing her into such anetwork of stems and stout vines that it would be impossible for her toescape. 

"There!" cried Sidney, when he felt sure that she was securely made alittle prisoner, "You can shout till you're tired, and if you want tomock any one, you can mock yourself! Good-afternoon, Miss Echo!"

He lifted his cap, with elaborate courtesy, and marched off whistling:

 "The Girl I Left Behind Me. "

They did not look back. Sidney marched boldly away, believing that hehad done a very smart thing, but the other boys felt less comfortable. 

They had been angry with her, and they had wished to see her punished, but they could not help thinking that she was a little girl, and theywere leaving her alone in the woods!

Jack Tiverton was, by far, the most uneasy. 

He was the smallest of the party, and, while he had asked Sidney to letFloretta go, he had known it was useless to do more. 

The eight other boys were stronger than he, and any attempt upon hispart to free her would be worse than useless. They would not listen, butinstead, would pounce upon him. 

The other boys talked, laughed, and whistled, to imply that they werenot thinking of what they had done, but all the way back to theCleverton, little Jack was wondering what he could do. 

He dared not go straight to Floretta's mother, and tell her of herlittle girl's plight. 

He knew if he did that, the boys would soon learn who had played"tell-tale, " and then, --what would they do to _him_?

And yet, he was determined, in some way, to help Floretta. 

How could he let a little girl stay out there in the woods all night?

Of course some one, walking through the woods might find her, but if noone happened to?

Jack knew that the risk was too great. It was just before he reached theCleverton, that he thought of the best way that he could do it. 

He would write a note to Mrs. Paxton. He would drop that note into themail box that hung at the side door. The letters were always distributedat four, and Sidney Cumston, who had a fine watch, had just said that itwas three. He left the boys at the entrance to the Merlington, andhurried on that he might have plenty of time for his note. 

Mrs. Tiverton was out driving with a friend, and Jack had quite a huntbefore he could find pencil or paper for his note. 

At last he found a blank book, and with a pencil he wrote this note. 

 "Deer Mrs. Paxton:--

 "Yor litle girl is tied up in the woods opsite the hermits hut. You better go get her real quick or somethin may happen too her. 

 "Yors trooly. "

He folded it, and, in place of the envelope that he could not find, hetied around it a bit of string that he found in his pocket. 

Boldly he addressed it, in very large letters, and sneaking down thestairway, and around on the piazza toward the side door, watched hischance, and slipped it into the mail box. 

There was much excitement on the front piazza, because the guests hadarrived in the barge but a few moments before, and Mrs. Paxton had givena maid a generous "tip" to go over to the Merlington, and bring Florettaback with her. 

"She returned with the party that came from the Merlington, and I don'twish her to remain there. I want her to come right back to me, " saidMrs. Paxton. 

"Very well, ma'am, " the maid had replied, and with the coins in herhand, had started off at once toward the other hotel. 

When little Jack Tiverton ran around to the front piazza, the maid hadjust returned. 

"If you please, Mrs. Paxton, your little girl isn't over to theMerlington, and hasn't been there, and a lady that was with the partythat came home from the mountain trip, says the child wasn't in theirbarge at all. I asked her if she was _sure_, and she said, she couldn'thelp being sure, because there wasn't _any_ child in their barge. "

Of course excitement reigned supreme. Mrs. Paxton seemed half wild, andevery one shared her anxiety. 

The fact that Floretta was not a favorite made no difference. No oneliked to think of a little girl out there alone on the mountain path, orin the woods, especially as it was already late afternoon. 

"What a dreadful thing!" cried Mrs. Paxton, wringing her hands, andwalking up and down the piazza. 

"Who will go with me? I cannot go alone, and where, _where_ shall welook first? Who saw her last?"

At this moment a man-servant came out from the hall with a tray ofletters that he began to distribute. 

"One for you, Mrs. Paxton, " said the man, as he touched her arm gently. 

"Oh, I can't think of letters now, " she said, but something about thenote seemed so unusual that she looked at it. 

She drew off the string that had been loosely tied, and read the hastilyscrawled lines. 

She screamed, and Aunt Charlotte, who was standing near her, put her armaround her and supported her, or she would have fallen. 

Many of those who gathered around Mrs. Paxton were inclined to think thenote a hoax, but Mrs. Dainty, coming forward, lifted her handsome head, and looking at the men who were lounging comfortably in the largerockers, or sitting upon the piazza railing, spoke the word that spurredthem to action. 

"Is it safe to _guess_ that this is a joke? True, it is written in aboyish hand, and while it _may_ be a boy's joke, may it not be a boy'smeans of telling us what has actually happened? I would not, were I aman, take the responsibility or chance, of leaving Floretta out there, because I would go to the place, and thus learn, not guess, if thisinformation be true. "

She had scarcely finished speaking when a number of men rose, and one, who chose to lead the party, lifted his hat to Mrs. Dainty, saying:

"We are off, madam. We only needed an inspiration to move us toendeavor. "

She bowed and smiled, as she said:

"One thing I ask of you. Go as quickly as possible, for the sake of thefrightened child, and the anxious mother. "

"In all possible haste, " was the quick reply, and she turned to offerwhat comfort she might to the woman who seemed nearly distracted. 

 * * * * *

And all this time, what had been happening in the wood? For a long timeFloretta had cried, screamed, and shouted, hoping that the boys wouldcome back and release her. 

Then, when she knew that they must be too far away to hear her, she toreat the clasping bonds, trying in every way to free herself. With feetand hands she strove to loosen the tough, wiry vines, kicking andtrampling with her restless feet, beating and bending with her littlehands, until they were torn and bleeding, and the tormenting vinesseemed only to hold her with a firmer grasp, as if to prove how uselesswas her struggle. 

[Illustration: WITH FEET AND HANDS SHE STROVE TO LOOSEN THE TOUGH, WIRYVINES. --_Page 119_. ]

She had cried until she could cry no more, and the sturdy vines had cutand bruised her. 

So firmly was she bound that she could not sink to the grass to rest, and she had only the hard, rocky ledge to lean against. 

How still the woodland seemed! Sometimes a twig would snap, or a buzzinginsect would pause, as if to look at her, but no one came to set herfree. 

She waited for a moment to regain her breath, and then again she foughtand struggled with those tough, sturdy vines. 

She tried to wrench them apart, to break, to tear them from her, butthey only yielded enough to bend, and then snap back into the veryplace that she had pushed them from. 

Not a vine broke, not a stem gave way, and she set her lips tightly foryet greater effort!

CHAPTER VII

FLORETTA'S RETURN

AT a far corner of the piazza sat Dorothy, her eyes terrified, and hercheeks pale. Nancy, close beside her, wound her arms about her, andsought, in every way, to comfort her. 

"They'll find her soon, Dorothy, so don't you be frightened, " shewhispered. "They'll _surely_ find her soon. "

Dear little Nancy knew, better than any of Dorothy's other friends couldhave known, how ready was her sympathy, how kind and loving was herheart. 

She had not loved Floretta, but with Dorothy, that did not count. It wasthe dreadful fear that something had happened to a little girl, who, sorecently had been at play with them, --ah, that was what grieved sweetDorothy. 

She was thinking of what Mrs. Dainty had said to Aunt Charlotte when themountain trip was first talked of. 

"I think the long tramp is a rougher form of amusement than I can wellendure. I should be so weary long before it was time to return, that Ishould derive but little pleasure from the trip. There is anotherthought in connection with the picnic, " she continued, "and that is anelement of danger. Not great danger perhaps, but such that I would notjoin the party, nor would I permit Dorothy, or Nancy to do so. Onegentleman who was talking of the mountain path that they have chosen, spoke of the great danger to the climbers from small, rolling stones, and from places where the earth seems to crumble near the edge of thenarrow foot-path. A careless step might lead to a fall that would mean, I hardly dare to say what!"

Dorothy and Nancy had been wishing to join the party, but upon hearingthis, they lost all interest in it, and had cheerfully taken the drivebehind gentle Romeo, instead. Now, as Dorothy sat with Nancy's armsabout her, she was glad that they had not been permitted to go, and sheheartily wished that Floretta had remained at the Cleverton. 

"Had she rolled from the path, and fallen, fallen, --"

Dorothy covered her eyes with her hands, as if she almost saw the littlegirl falling, down, down to the ravine so far below the path, and wastrying to shut out the picture. Nancy, still striving to quiet herfear, heard some one telling what the scribbled note had said. 

"Oh, Dorothy!" she whispered, eagerly, "Floretta is just where they knowhow to find her, and they've promised to hurry, and bring her back. "

"Are you _sure_?" Dorothy asked. 

"Yes, _sure_!" said Nancy. 

Then Nancy climbed into the big chair beside her, and the two littlegirls sat, each tightly clasping the other's hands, while they waitedand watched for the first glimpse of the men who should return, bringingFloretta with them. 

Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte remained with Mrs. Paxton, who seemed tohave lost all control of herself. 

One moment she would cry as if her heart would break, and then shewould spring up, threatening to follow the direction that the men hadtaken, and try to reach the woods, thus to sooner see her little girl. 

At last, after what seemed endless waiting, but was actually only anhour, some one espied the men in the distance, and cried out:

"They're coming! They're coming!"

"Have they got Floretta? Oh, _have_ they found her?" shrieked Mrs. Paxton. 

"We can't see from here, " said the one who had spoken, and the motherrushed forward, shading her eyes with her hand, and straining to catchthe first glimpse of her child. 

She would have rushed down the road to meet them, but Mrs. Dainty heldher back. She had seen that they were carrying Floretta, and shethought, in case the child were injured, the mother would far bettersave her strength. 

Two of the men had clasped their hands to form an "arm-chair, " and thusthey brought to the piazza, a very limp, tired Floretta, whose vivacitywas all gone, and whose face bore the trace of desperate weeping, whileher arms and hands were covered with cuts and bruises, and her littlefrock was torn and tattered by her struggle with the tough and tightlyknotted vines. 

She lay back against the shoulder of one man who supported her, andlooked as if her strength were spent. 

She changed on the instant that they set her on her feet. 

Rushing to her mother, she permitted her to clasp her for a moment toher breast, then turning to the group that gathered around her, shecried fiercely:

"Look! See my hands! See my arms! See the scratches, where I tried toget away, and it was Sidney Cumston who tied me! He _did_ it, but theother boys _let_ him. Not one tried to hinder him except Jack Tiverton, the littlest one of them all. He tried to make them let me go, but theywouldn't. Oh, somebody punish all but Jack! He _tried_, but he couldn'thelp me. "

She was hysterical, and sank to the floor of the piazza, sobbing, andcrying, before her mother could catch her. 

She scrambled to her feet, and was clasped in her mother's arms. 

Old Mr. Cunningham surprised every one by speaking most kindly to her. She had so often tormented him that it seemed generous that he shouldoffer a bit of comfort. 

"I don't think we shall let those young rascals escape without a sharpreprimand, and if I was to venture a guess about it, I should say thatlittle Jack, after all, managed to help you, Floretta, " he said. 

She turned in surprise to look at the old face, that now looked sokindly at her. 

"Come out here, Jack, " said the old gentleman, "didn't you write thenote that sent us searching for this little girl?"

"Yes, sir, " said Jack, "and I wrote it 'cause I thought the other bigfellows were mean, but if they find out I told, they'll--"

"No, they won't, " said Mr. Cunningham. "You're no 'tell-tale. ' You didjust right, and the men here will stand by you. Those big boys were thecowards to torment a little girl. You're the best boy up here in themountains. "

"Three cheers for young Tiverton!" shouted some one, and in the midstof the excitement, Mrs. Paxton, with her little daughter, slipped awayto their room, after having thanked little Jack for his valuableassistance. 

Meanwhile old Mr. Cunningham had been searching in this pocket and thatfor something which he seemed most anxious to find. 

"Ah, I knew I had it! Come here, Jack!"

Blushing and diffident, Jack walked over to the big rocker. 

"'Tisn't much, boy, but I think you ought to have a medal. Here's asilver dollar I've been keeping for a pocket piece. I'll give it to youfor a medal, for being brave enough to tell what you knew _ought_ to betold. That's not tale-bearing, and as you were afraid to tell, for fearof those big bullies, it was a brave act. You're a lad that knows_what_ to do, _when_ to do, and then _does_ it!"

"Hurrah for Jack Tiverton!" some one cried again, and this time theywere given with a will. 

Mrs. Tiverton, returning from a long drive, wondered what all theexcitement meant, and why they were cheering her little son. 

Jack, with his silver dollar tightly clasped, hung his head, and lookedas if overpowered by his conspicuous position. 

Dorothy, now bright and happy, since Floretta was safe, saw that Jackhesitated. 

"Oh, Mrs. Tiverton, " she said, "Jack has been truly the _best_ boy inthe world, but he can't speak just now. When he tells you what he'sdone, you won't wonder why they cheered him!"

Mrs. Barnet and Flossie, with Uncle Harry and his wife, now arrived intheir big automobile from a three-days' trip that they had beenenjoying. 

Of course Dorothy and Nancy tried to tell Flossie all about Floretta andJack, and they were both so excited that Flossie got a very twisted ideaof the affair. 

Uncle Harry, not dreaming that the matter was at all serious, turned, after greeting the children, to enter the house. 

"Oh, Uncle Harry!" cried Flossie, "you ought to hear about it. Therewere ever so many big boys, and only one little girl, and they tied herso she couldn't get away, and Jack wrote a note, and when they foundher, --"

"Now, Flossie, dear, I'm perfectly willing to be scared half out of mywits, but I _must_ know what I'm being scared about. You're getting meso mixed up that I've not the least idea what this is all about. Haveyou?" he asked. 

"Oh, no, " said Flossie, "I don't _half_ understand it, but it does soundso frightful, that I'm so scared, I need to have you be scared, too. "

"Well, then, " Uncle Harry replied, "if it will help you to know it, I'lladmit that my teeth are chattering, and shivers are running up and downmy spine!

"I thought at first that it was the draft across this piazza, butperhaps, after all, it was caused by what you were telling me. "

When, at last, he had heard the story, he was full of disgust that anyboy, and his friends, should have been guilty of such a contemptibleact, and his sympathy for the little girl was deep and sincere. 

"She will need rest and quiet to-morrow, " he said, "and you threelittle friends will be kind, I think, if you stay rather closely here, and help, in some quiet way, to amuse her. "

"We will, " said Dorothy, "I'll let her read my new fairy book if she'dlike to. She could lie in the hammock, and do that. "

"I'll keep the hammock swinging, " said Nancy. 

"And I'll give her my new box of candy I just brought home, " saidFlossie. 

"That's right, " said Uncle Harry, "and for your sweet promises ofkindness toward the child who has suffered so much to-day I'll remindyou that on day after to-morrow I shall give myself the pleasure oftaking you all to the fair. I promise you a _fine_ time. "

He turned to look over his shoulder, and laugh at their wild littlecries of delight. 

He was anticipating the pleasure quite as much as they. 

 * * * * *

Dorothy, Nancy, and Flossie kept the promise that they had made, andFloretta fully enjoyed their kindness. She seemed unusually gentle, andMrs. Paxton thanked them for so sweetly helping to amuse her, and thusmake her willing to spend the day quietly. 

The day set for the visit to the village fair dawned bright and sunny, alight breeze making it just cool enough to be delightful. 

The barge was waiting for its gay little passengers. 

The children stood with impatient feet on the piazza, waiting for theirhost, merry, handsome Uncle Harry. 

At last a firm tread caused them to turn, and there he was, lookinggayer than ever, a picture of health, strength, and kindliness, andclad in a most becoming outing suit of light gray serge. 

The blue of his tie was not bluer than his fine eyes, and no one couldhave glanced at him without knowing that he possessed a generous, lovingnature, a kind and merry heart. 

"Come, little friends!" he cried. "Is every young lady that I invitedhere?" he added, looking anxiously lest some child be late, and thus bychance, be left behind. 

"Every one is here!" said Flossie. "I know because I've counted. "

"Then we'll start at once, unless some one would rather wait 'tilto-morrow?" he said, his eyes twinkling. 

"Oh, no! No!" they cried. "We just _couldn't_ wait!"

"In that case we'll go now!" he said, with a droll expression, as if hestarted at once, merely as an accommodation. 

"Why, Uncle Harry! You're only joking, " cried Flossie. "You wouldn't bewilling to wait until to-morrow. I heard you tell Aunt Vera to hurry andfind your tie, because you were in such a rush to start!"

"To think that my own little niece would tell tales like that, and thuslet out the secret. What chance have I now, of making them think that Iwas really very shy about riding with such a large party of girls?"

Shouts of laughter greeted this speech, and Uncle Harry waited until ithad subsided, then he said:

"Oh, well, if no one _believes_ that I am shy or diffident, it's wasteof time to try to appear so, so I shall not try. Instead, I shall bevery bold. Come, dears, let me help you in!"

And amid shouts of laughter from the children, he lifted each high inair, and placed her in the barge, thus saving her the trouble ofmounting the steps. 

Then taking his seat in the middle of the laughing, chattering littleparty, he called to the driver to start. 

The long whip cracked, Jack Tiverton, from the piazza, blew loudly on atin trumpet, and they were off over the road, the happiest party thatever filled a barge. 

Uncle Harry told some amusing stories, then, led by his fine voice, theysang some gay little songs, and before they dreamed that they hadarrived at the fair, the driver shouted:

"Here we are!" and sure enough, they had reached the fair grounds. 

"Why, I didn't suppose we were more than half-way here, " said Dorothy, "and the reason is that the ride has been so jolly. "

"That's just it, " agreed Nancy. 

"The reason _I_ enjoyed the ride, " said Uncle Harry, "is because I wasso charmed with my little guests. "

"And the reason why we had such a fine ride, " said Flossie, "is becausewe had the _best_ man in the world taking care of us. "

Uncle Harry bowed low. 

"This must be a wedding party, if I'm the 'best man, '" he said with alaugh, "so we'll not fuss because there's no musician to play a marchfor us, but we'll play you are all bridesmaids, and we'll hurry rightalong. The entrance is this way, I think, and under that evergreenarch. "

A large tent had been pitched for the display of the various wares andnumerous attractions; a smaller tent near it serving as fortune teller'sbooth. 

"We'll coax Uncle Harry to have his fortune told, " whispered Flossie toDorothy, when, to their great surprise, he said:

"Oh, Flossie, you little witch! Uncle Harry heard what you said, and notonly is he going to have his fortune told, but he's going to make everyone of you little girls have yours told, also!"

CHAPTER VIII

AT THE FAIR

THE fair proved a great delight to the children. They had all been tofine fairs patronized by fashionable matrons, whose names were quiteenough to insure success, but the country fair was an absolute novelty. 

At the large city fairs, merry débutantes graced the booths, and soldflowers, or tickets for the various games of chance. 

Here in the mountain village all was different, and the novelty gavegreater interest. 

Farmers' daughters were in the booths, and sold huge bouquets ofold-fashioned garden flowers, homemade candy, and honey, while onerosy-cheeked lass dispensed sweet cider, or sweet apples, according tothe preference of her customer. 

Uncle Harry purchased a huge stalk of hollyhocks for each of his guests, but for himself he chose an enormous sunflower which he insisted looked_fine_ in his buttonhole. 

There was music, if it could be called music, furnished by the localband. 

Uncle Harry said he had never seen such independent people as thosemusicians were. He declared that the music sounded, to him, as if eachman commenced to play when he chose, and stopped when he got ready, regardless of what the other players were doing. 

"Oh, I do believe that is the way they play!" cried Dorothy, laughing. 

"Of course it is, " cried Uncle Harry, "and a great deal of bother itsaves, for no one has to direct them; they do not know that they aremaking discord, and thus they play and play with all their might, andare absolutely care-free and happy. "

There were heaps of giant pumpkins, and more red and yellow ears of cornthan they had ever seen before, while everywhere was laughter, andfriendly gossip, and chatter, that made the fair a jolly place in whichto roam about. 

The children were determined to see every object in the big tent, andwhile some were interested in one thing, others wished to see somethingelse, so they decided to divide into two groups. 

One half of the little party turned to the right intent upon seeing somegaudy patchwork quilts, while the others turned to the left declaringtheir intention of investing all their pennies in the "fish-pond. "

There were so many things to see on the way, that it was a long timebefore they met, as they had agreed, at the entrance. 

Somewhere on the way they had missed Uncle Harry, and they could notimagine where he had gone. 

It happened that Uncle Harry had seen a very small girl crying, and hisfirst thought was to help her, and thus dry her tears. 

Upon questioning her, he found that the wee little maid had, byaccident, knocked a small doll from one of the tables, and had beenroundly scolded. 

"That pretty girl with the black eyes says I did it a-purpose, but Ididn't, " she cried, "I wanted to see it, and I just touched it, and ittumbled off the table. "

Her tears fell afresh, and in place of a handkerchief, she drew up herblue-checked apron, and hid her face in it. 

"Look up, little girl, " Uncle Harry said, and his voice sounded sokindly, that she at once peeped at him through her tears. 

"Which is the table where all this happened?"

"That one, " said the child, "and the big girl is looking at me now. "

"Then give me your hand, and, just for fun, _we'll_ go and look at_her_. "

A moment she hesitated. 

"Come, " he said, and with a sunny smile, the little girl placed her handin his, and the big, handsome man with the wee country lass approachedthe table together. 

"I'll lift you up so you can see nicely, " he said. "Now, which was thedoll that fell from the table?"

Before the child could reply, the girl spoke sharply. 

"'Twas that one, sir, and her meddlesome fingers, --"

"Never mind about that, " said Uncle Harry, then turning to the child hesaid:

"Did you like that one best, or is that larger one finer?"

"That large one is the loveliest. I didn't _ever_ see one so fine asthat. "

"We'll have that one, then, " he said, offering a bill to the astonishedsalesgirl. 

"There, little girl, she's yours, " he said, as he placed the big doll inher arms. 

"I can hold her a little while?" she asked, eagerly. 

"You can hold her _always_, if you want to, " he said gently, "I boughther for you. "

Rapturously she clasped the gift in her arms. 

"Oh, I love you, because you are good, " she cried. 

"Then tell me your name, " he said. 

"I'm Lois Ann Ferguson, " chirped the little girl, "and father is SandyFerguson. Oh, there he is now. He's to play the pipes. "

She ran toward a sturdy man dressed in Highland costume, and carryingthe bagpipes under his arm. 

Mr. Ferguson glanced at her flushed cheeks, saw the gorgeous doll thatshe flourished before his astonished eyes, and finally understood thatthe tall, handsome stranger had bestowed it upon his wee daughter, as agift. 

He took her little hand, and hurried forward, saying:

"I dinna ken why he should dae it for my wee lassie. 

"I wad gladly thank ye, sir, " he said, "but I'm lost in wonder that yemade wee Lois sae blithe an' gay wi' the braw gift. "

"She's a dear little lass, " said Uncle Harry, "and when I found hercrying, I knew that a fine new doll would dry her tears. Don't bother tothank me. I made myself happy, when I comforted her. "

"I wish there were mair like ye, " said Sandy Ferguson, "an' some daywhen ye're older, an' ha' a wee daughter of yer ain, --"

"I have a wife and baby girl now, " was the quick reply, "and they are mydearest possessions. "

"An' I thought ye a braw, bonny laddie, wi' yer fair hair an' blue een!Weel, weel, ye dinna hae tae live 'til ye're auld before ye ken tae daea kindly act, " Sandy Ferguson replied, "an' later when I play thepipes, an' Lois dances, she shall make her first bow tae her newfriend. "

"Oh, Uncle Harry, _did_ you buy the new doll for the little girl?"

It was little Flossie, who, after having searched every corner of thetent, had found him talking to the Scotchman and his little girl. 

"Is he your own uncle?" little Lois asked, looking up into Flossie'slovely face. 

"Oh, yes, " said Flossie, "and he's the best uncle in the world. "

"I know he must be, " said the little girl. "See how good he was to me. "

They turned to join the rest of their party, and little Lois looked overher shoulder, with one hand held fast in her father's, while with theother she tightly clasped the precious doll. 

"I saw the notice near the entrance when we came in, that a Scotchfarmer would play, and his little daughter would dance, " said UncleHarry, "but that child is not much more than a baby. She cannot be morethan four. It will be amusing to see her dance, and Nancy Ferris willenjoy it most of all. "

They found the others reading the notice of which they had been talking, and they were delighted when they heard what a very little girl it waswho was to dance. 

They had a lunch served by girls dressed as dairy maids, and it was justsuch a lunch as might have been enjoyed at a farmhouse. 

The long table spread with its white cloth, and set with blue and whitedishes, was decorated by a garland of small sunflowers that lay upon thecloth, down the centre, and the entire length of the table. 

There were plates heaped with biscuit, there were dishes of both wildand cultivated strawberries, and delicious cream to be eaten with them, there were sandwiches and little cakes, honey enough to tempt the beesto the feast, and the children thought it finer than a hotel dinner. Howthey laughed, and chattered, as they enjoyed the spread!

Uncle Harry was in his sunniest mood, and told stories and jokes thatkept them amused, and seemed to be the gayest member of the party. 

"Tell us a story about when you were a _little_ boy, " said Flossie. 

"My small niece thinks I'm nothing but a _big_ boy now!" he said. 

"Well, the big Scotchman thought you were only a lad. I heard him sayso, " said Flossie. 

"When you were a boy were you ever naughty, _real_ naughty?" Florettaasked. 

She had been very quiet, and all were surprised at her question. 

"Once upon a time, when I was little, " said Uncle Harry, "I was very, _very_ fond of good things, but the one thing that I liked better thananything else was strawberry jam. 

"I was always allowed to have it, but I felt sure that it would tasteeven nicer if I had more of it at a time, and still finer if I couldhave a long handled spoon, and eat it right from the jar. 

"I used often to think how fine it would be if I, some day, could havethe chance to eat it that way, but I never could get even _very_ nearthe jar. 

"One day the opportunity came. My sister and I were in the nursery, andthe maid had been down-stairs for a long time. 

"The rest of the family were away, and we were to have our tea in thenursery, as usual, only, as we had had to remain at home, we were tohave an extra treat. 

"Among other good things, we were to have strawberry jam. 

"My sister, that is Flossie's mamma, was a little older than I, and shewas always trying to give me lessons in good behavior. 

"'Now, Harry, ' she said, 'while nurse is down-stairs, we might commenceto set our table. '

"'There isn't anything here to set it with but the tablecloth and thejam, ' I said, 'but you're a girl, so you know how to put the cloth on, and I'll bring the jam. '"

"I guess Uncle Harry was so fond of the jam, that he liked even tocarry the jar, " said Flossie. 

"We wondered why the nurse stayed so long down-stairs, " continued UncleHarry, "and I told my sister that I was tired of waiting for tea, and Isaid I'd taste of the jam, if only I had a long handled spoon. 

"'Why, Harry, ' she answered in disgust, 'I wouldn't think you'd be sonaughty, but, --if you really _want_ to taste it, here's the spoon besidethe jar. '"

"And _did_ you?" questioned Dorothy. 

"Well, yes, I have to admit that I did. In truth, I tasted and tasteduntil my sister cried:

"'Why, Harry, you naughty boy! When you get done tasting, there won't beany left!'

"'You won't care, because _you_ wouldn't be so naughty as to taste it!'I said. 

"'Oh, wouldn't I?' she cried. 'Well, you just let me take that spoon, and you'll see!'

"Well, a funny mix-up followed, in which we each tried to get possessionof the spoon and the jam. We were laughing while we struggled for it, but at last, one of us slipped, and fell, dragging the other down; thejar of jam tipped over, and her white frock, my gray jacket andtrousers, and even my long, yellow curls became smeared with the jam. 

"Nurse opened the door, and screamed with terror, for the red jam lookedas if we had been terribly hurt, and it was some time before we couldconvince her that we were not cut or bruised, but only _very sticky_!

"Then came the scolding, and my sister tried to screen me. 

"'Harry couldn't help tasting it, he's so fond of jam, ' she said. 

"'Well, he's got a good share of it, inside and out, ' said nurse, grimly. 

"'She's got as much as I have, ' I said, 'just look at her frock!'

"Of course our clothes were changed, and the jam cleaned from thepolished floor, but we had our tea without jam. 

"Nurse said we could eat our biscuits with the _memory_ of the jam wehad already enjoyed. "

"Oh, Uncle Harry, " cried Flossie, "I wish, even though you were naughty, she'd let you have more jam. She didn't know how good you'd be when yougrew up. "

"I still am fond of jam!" he said, and the children laughed to see himpour honey over his berries that already were covered with sugar. 

"You like _anything_ that's sweet!" said Dorothy, "whether it's jam, orsugar, or honey, --"

"Or little girls, " said Uncle Harry. "You notice, I made this party alllittle girls, and I'm having a _lovely_ time. "

"So are we, " laughed Dorothy. 

"And he says 'lovely' just as we do, " said Nancy, "he does it to make uslaugh. "

"Then why don't you laugh?" said Uncle Harry, and they _did_ laugh, every member of the party, and laughed because they could not help it. 

And when the merry feast was over, they hastened to the small tent wherethe old gypsy was telling fortunes. 

Each had intended to have her fortune told, and thus learn what thefuture held for her. 

To their great surprise, she flatly refused to tell any child'sfortune, saying that she would only foretell events for "grown ups. " Thelittle girls were rather afraid of her, but Uncle Harry boldly offeredhis hand, saying:

"Am I big enough to hear my fortune?"

"No nonsense, young lad, " she said, while the children dared not laugh. She bent over his palm for a moment, then she solemnly said:

"You're a brave lad, and you need to be for you will fall in love with agirl who'll have red hair, and the temper that usually goes with it. "

"O dear!" sighed Uncle Harry. 

"Don't worry, young man, " said the old gypsy, "because it will be somemonths before you marry. "

"Indeed, " said Uncle Harry, "and what shall I do if the girl proves tohave the temper you prophesy? Shall I try to calm her by holding herunder a pump, or would you advise tying her until she feels less fiery?"

"Young man, this is no laughing matter, " was the sharp reply. 

"Guess it isn't!" said Uncle Harry. "I've seldom been so discouraged. Here am I, a man who has a lovely wife and baby girl, and yet I've gotto marry a red-haired girl, with a temper like chain lightning! Who wasever in a worse fix?"

The old gypsy flew into a rage. "You're poking fun at me!" she cried. 

"There! There! The fun was worth that!" he cried, laying a handful ofsmall coins on the table before her. 

In her eagerness to count the money, she forgot her wrath, and theyhastened from the tent, where, safely outside, they were free to laughas much as they chose. 

As they re-entered the large tent, they saw that near the centre, aspace had been cleared, and there was a crowd of people waiting, as ifexpecting some attraction to be exhibited. 

They had not long to wait, for almost immediately the Scotch piperappeared, and tightly clasping her precious new doll in her arms was weeLois, dressed in Highland costume. 

Placing her doll on a table, and making sure that it was safe, she ranforward, courtesied first to Uncle Harry, as she had promised, and then, to the music of the pipes, the wee lassie did the "Highland Fling. "

She was such a round, dimpled little girl, one would never have dreamedthat she could dance with such infantile grace. 

And when she had finished, with another courtesy, they crowded aroundher, and it was Nancy who most generously praised her. Dear littleNancy, who danced like a fairy, never had a jealous thought in herloving heart!

It was Uncle Harry who caught little Lois, and lifted her so that hecould look into her eyes. 

"I want my dolly, now, " she cried, anxious lest it be lost or stolen. Dorothy brought the doll, and the child clasped it to her breast. 

"My wee lassie said she wisht she had a gift tae gi' ye, " said Sandy. 

"I have a dear little girl of my own, and I prize her baby kisses, " saidUncle Harry. "Will _you_ give me one, little Lois?"

She clasped her arms around his neck, and kissed him softly. 

"Best man next to father, " she said. 

CHAPTER IX

FLOSSIE'S LETTER

THE children said "good-by" to little Lois, and as her father carriedher away, she waved her hand to them. 

"Wasn't she cunning?" said Dorothy. 

"She was very sweet, " said Nancy, "and how well she did her littledance!"

"She didn't dance half as fine as you do, Nancy Ferris, " said Floretta. "You _know_ that. "

"Oh, but I was trained for dancing, " said Nancy, "and, beside, she wasvery little to dance so cleverly. "

Floretta made no reply, but she thought of what Nancy had said. 

"Trained for dancing. She said she was _trained_ to dance. I wonderwhere? I wish I knew, but I didn't quite dare to ask her. "

Once more they walked around the big tent, and Uncle Harry purchased agift for each to carry home as a souvenir. 

There were little baskets that the gypsies had woven, and fancy boxesfilled with woodland plants. The boxes were made from birch bark, andwere very dainty. 

These the children prized, and lovingly they thanked him for the prettygifts. 

At the candy table he purchased enough of the homemade bonbons to fillthe baskets, and then they left the tent to start on the homeward trip. 

The barge was waiting for them, and they clambered in, tired, but veryhappy. 

"This is the nicest fair I ever went to, " said Dorothy, "and I've hadso many good things that I'm going to save my basket of candy untilto-morrow. "

"So am I, " cried all the others. 

"And so am _I_, " said Uncle Harry, as he held up a huge basket filledwith all kinds of candy. 

How they laughed, and accused him of having a "sweet-tooth. "

"Now, just a moment!" he cried, as he held up his finger for silence, "I'm taking this _big_ basket home to treat the _big_ ladies with. Itook the _little_ ladies with me, but I've not forgotten the _big_ladies that I left at the hotel. "

"Because you don't ever forget any one, " said Flossie, and the otherscried:

"That's it! Just it! He does nice things for every one. "

"Oh, spare my blushes, " said Uncle Harry, but it was easy to see thattheir affection for him pleased him. 

The ride home seemed shorter than the trip to the fair. 

They joined in singing the merry songs that his fine voice led, and thehorses, knowing that they were on the homeward trip, jogged along at abetter pace than when they had started out. 

Uncle Harry had found some bells, and fastened them to their harnesses, and they made a jingling accompaniment to the merry voices. 

And when the barge drew up at the Cleverton, Uncle Harry, with elaboratecourtesy, handed each young lady down, bowing low, and thanking her forthe honor she had conferred upon him by permitting him to take her tothe fair. 

"Oh, you do truly know we have to thank you for giving us such a lovelyday!" said Dorothy. 

"But think how happy I have been, " he said, and although his blue eyeswere laughing, they knew that he meant it. 

"Oh, mamma, we had the finest time, " cried Dorothy, "and see the finebasket of candy and the pretty birch bark box! See the little fernsgrowing in it. Isn't he _dear_?"

"He surely is charming, " said Mrs. Dainty. "His generous, sunny naturemakes every one love him, and I believe he values the love of hisfriends more than most things. "

"He has been gay, and full of fun all day, " said Nancy, "and it willtake a long time to tell you all the pleasant things he did for us. I dowish you and Aunt Charlotte _could_ have been there when he had hisfortune told. "

"And he couldn't have been any nicer to us if we'd been tall ladies, "said Floretta. 

"I hope every one of you little friends were real _little ladies_, thusrewarding him for his kindness, " Aunt Charlotte said, gently. 

"Oh, we were, " said Nancy, "not a single one of us did anything thatcould trouble him. "

"There were a number of little girls who only came here last week, so weweren't much acquainted with them, but they were all very nice, and hesaid he had as fine a time as we did, " said Dorothy. 

She climbed into a large hammock, and with Nancy beside her, satswinging, and thinking of the day that had been so delightfully spent. 

Mrs. Fenton came out upon the piazza, and, instead of sitting down, seemed to be looking for something. 

"Can I help you?" said Nancy, slipping from the hammock, and hasteningtoward her. 

"I've mislaid my glasses, " she said, "and I can't find them. "

She did not thank Nancy for so kindly offering to help her, but Nancyseemed not to notice that. She peeped under chairs, lifted theircushions, and even looked between folds of newspapers that lay near athand, but the glasses were not in sight. 

"How trying!" said Mrs. Fenton, "I have some letters that I wish toread, and I can't read them until my glasses are found. "

"Did you use them anywhere but just here?" Nancy asked. 

Mrs. Fenton stood for a moment thinking. 

"Seems to me I _did_ have them in the dining-room, " she said. 

"I'll go and ask the waitresses if they have seen them, " said Nancy, asshe ran toward the hall. 

She paused in the doorway, amazed at what she saw. 

Floretta, with a pair of eyeglasses upon her small nose, was walking upand down the room, as nearly as possible, in Mrs. Fenton's manner, andexactly imitating her voice, while a group of waitresses, the cook, andtwo kitchen maids laughed, and applauded her. 

She cared not who composed her audience, so long as she obtainedapplause. Floretta was, evidently, quite herself once more!

"Oh, Floretta!" cried Nancy, "you mustn't, truly you mustn't. Give methe glasses. Mrs. Fenton is looking everywhere for them!"

"Well, I shan't give them to you!" said Floretta, rudely. "You aren'tMrs. Fenton. "

"But I've been helping her to hunt for them. She has some letters shewants to read, and she can't till she has her glasses, " insisted Nancy. 

"Then let her come for them!" cried Floretta, when a quiet voice spoke. 

"Very well, I _have_ come for them, " it said, and there in the doorwaystood Mrs. Fenton. 

The silly maids who had laughed so loudly, now hastily disappeared inthe kitchen. 

Floretta dropped the glasses upon the table, and then, wholly ashamed, crawled under it, where Mrs. Fenton's sharp eyes might not look at her. 

Mrs. Fenton took the glasses, and without another word, swept from theroom. 

Nancy, waiting in the hall, crept softly toward her, and gently laid herhand on the lady's arm. 

"I'm _so_ sorry she did that. I wish I could have got the glasses fromher, and brought them to you before you came to find them. Then youneedn't have known how naughty, --" Nancy caught her breath. 

"Never mind that, Nancy. Remember, as _I_ shall, that _you_ were not thenaughty, disgusting child, " said Mrs. Fenton, and she turned, with herletters and glasses in her hand, and went up the long stairway to herroom. 

It was nearly time to dress for dinner, which was always servedpromptly at six. 

Mrs. Dainty with Dorothy, and Aunt Charlotte with Nancy hastened totheir rooms, to freshen their toilettes, and Nancy realized that therewould not be time to tell Aunt Charlotte all about the unpleasanthappening. 

"I've something to tell you, but I'll have to wait till we've plenty oftime, " she said. 

Aunt Charlotte, tying the soft, blue ribbon into the brown curls, lookedinto the mirror before which they were standing, and smiled at thethoughtful face. 

"Will it keep until then, dear?" she asked. 

"Oh, yes, " said Nancy, "I only tell it to you because I love to tell youeverything. "

"Dear child, " said Aunt Charlotte, "I bless the day that you, as alittle waif, were taken in by Mrs. Dainty, and that I was asked to comeand care for you. I could not love you more if you were my own littlegirl. "

"I never saw my own mamma; she died when I was a baby, " said Nancy, "so, because you love me, you seem like my very own. "

Gentle Aunt Charlotte's eyes were wet with happy tears, as she hookedthe pretty, white muslin frock, with its slip of light blue, and tiedthe soft blue belt. 

"Your shoes must be changed, Nancy, " she said. "You know how particularMrs. Dainty is about the matter of shoes and stockings. They must matchthe frock. "

"Oh, yes, " said Nancy, "and with this one she said: 'Wear bluestockings and bronze slippers, ' so I will. "

She found the blue hose and the pretty bronze slippers, then, with elfingrace, she caught the edge of her skirt, and with rosy, bare feet, tripped across the floor in a graceful, gliding step, crying:

"Look, Aunt Charlotte, look! This pretty step Bonfanti taught me. "

Aunt Charlotte did look, and as she watched the pretty child, and sawher joy in dancing, she marvelled that little Nancy could smile as shedanced, remembering all that she had been taught, while apparentlyforgetting all the unhappy months upon the stage. 

She thought of poor little Nancy, forced to dance, night after night, tosupport her old Uncle Steve, who was too lazy to support himself. 

She thought of the time that the little pitiful note from Nancy hadreached them, and, together, she and Mrs. Dainty had found the child, and brought her safely home. 

She did not speak of all this. Nancy's happy little heart should neverbe reminded of sad days that were past. 

Now her life was filled with bright sunshine, the sunshine of love, andit was reflected in her happy face. 

A gong rang out a silvery note. 

"Oh, my shoes!" cried Nancy, with a peal of merry laughter. "I wanted toshow you those pretty steps, and I forgot all about dinner. "

It was the work of but a few seconds for Nancy to draw on the light bluehose, and even less time to put on the pretty slippers. She ran to themirror, and courtesied, took a few tripping steps, smiling at herreflection, and then hastened to the hall to join Dorothy. 

[Illustration: SHE TOOK A FEW TRIPPING STEPS, SMILING AT HERREFLECTION. --_Page 176. _]

"All ready, " cried Nancy, springing to her feet, to follow Dorothy. 

A pretty pair they made as with arms about each other's waist, theytripped along the hall. 

Fair, blue-eyed Dorothy Dainty was very lovely in a pale pink frock withsoft frillings of fine lace. Her stockings were of the same shade, andher shoes were white. Mrs. Dainty in dark blue satin, and Aunt Charlottein pearl color made, with the two children, a pleasing group. 

In the lower hall they met Mrs. Paxton with Floretta, the former wearinga gown of purple satin, while Floretta wore a frock of scarlet silk. Mrs. Fenton, passing, on her way to the dining-room, looked sharplyat the two groups, and _did_ she look amused when her eyes rested uponMrs. Paxton, and her small daughter? Dorothy noticed the look, andturned to her mamma. 

Mrs. Dainty read the question in Dorothy's eyes, and ever so slightly, shook her head, and they passed into the dining-room. 

 * * * * *

The next morning, when the mail was distributed, there was greatexcitement, because every one had so many letters. 

"See mine!" cried Flossie Barnet. "Everybody see mine! It looks likeboy's writing. See it!"

"If some very young man wrote it, he might not be delighted to have itso freely exhibited, Flossie, " said Uncle Harry, with a laugh. 

"Oh, why should he care?" she asked in surprise. "Who do you s'posewrote it? Guess, Uncle Harry!"

"Well, now let me think, " said Uncle Harry, covering his eyes with hishand, then peeping through his fingers. 

"There's a small boy at home, who glories in the name of Reginald MertonDeane. Open the letter, dear, and if I guessed right, you can give me aprize, and if I'm wrong, I'll give you one. "

Flossie studied the address for a moment, then she opened the letter, and laughed with delight. 

"I'll have to give you the prize, but why did he think to write to me?"

Dear little Flossie had never seemed aware that small Reginald preferredher to any of his friends. Even when she was so little that she couldnot pronounce his name, and called him "Weginald, " he thought her thedearest of all his playmates. And this was his letter:

 "DEAR FLOSSIE:

 "I miss you so much that I'm going to write, and tell you all the news. 

 "Our old dog had a fit yesterday, and my brother got the vet'nary doctor. When he came, he said Carlo hadn't any fit. He was acting just awful. I said 'what makes him tare round so?' an he said maybe I'd tare round sum if I had a fish-bone in my throat! The doctor took it out, and then Carlo was so glad he tore round worsen ever!

 "Arabella Corryville is acting worse than Carlo did. You know her Aunt Matilda lives with them, an neether Arabella, or her pa, or her ma dare to do ennything without asking Aunt Matilda _first_. Well, her aunt has had to go way up to New Hampshur (I guess I didn't spell that rite) and Arabella thinks its just her chanse to act awful. Carlo is real quiet side of Arabella when she acts the way she does now. 

 "She stays out doors most all the time, and goes just where she pleases. 

 "Some days she's way down by the stashun until its almost dark. 

 "You know she's always taking medesin, and carries the bottles in her pockets. 

 "She carries em now, but she told me she's takin the kind she likes best. Theres two kinds her Aunt Matilda made her take, one tasted horrid, and the other tasted nice. Arabella threw the horrid one away, and ate the nice pills for candy. She told me this morning that her Aunt Matilda is coming home just for one day, and then they're all going up where you, and Dorothy, and Nancy are. I don't believe it, but if she does, and you see her, you needn't give my love to her. 

 "Your tru friend, "REGINALD. "

CHAPTER X

A GIFT OF WILDFLOWERS

OF course, Dorothy and Nancy were greatly interested in the letter, andUncle Harry said that he was glad that Reginald had thought to say thatthe fish-bone had been removed from Carlo's throat. 

He said it would have seemed quite a trip to take to leave theCleverton, and go to Merrivale to feel Carlo's pulse, and inquire forhis health. 

"Now that that bone is removed, I breathe easier, " said Uncle Harry, "and so does Carlo!"

"Oh, you wouldn't have gone home just to call on Carlo, " said Flossie. 

"Well, I don't know, " he said, trying to look solemn, "I wouldn't likeCarlo to feel neglected, and now I think of it, does Reginald speak ofthe cat?"

"No, " said Flossie, "but when I answer the letter, I'll tell Reginaldyou're anxious about her. "

"I am, " said Uncle Harry, "because the last time I saw her, Carlo wasbarking at her very rudely, and her back was up in a hump like acamel's. Reginald ought to have told us if her back is _still_ up, orwhether she has taken the kink out of her spine. We might telephone andask, instead of worrying. "

He rose, and walked toward the hall, whistling as he went, an oldnursery song that he used to sing to Flossie. 

 "The cat came fiddling out of the barn, With a pair of bagpipes under her arm. "

How the children laughed!

"Look!" said Flossie, "he's going right toward the telephone, just tomake us think that he's _truly_ going to ring up Reginald, and inquirefor the cat. "

"Who is Arabella?" Floretta asked. 

"She lives near us, " said Dorothy, "and she used to go to AuntCharlotte's private school with us. "

"Doesn't she now?" asked Floretta. 

"No, she left our class, and went to a large school in the city. "

"By what the letter says, I'd think she was rather queer, " saidFloretta. 

"Well--" said Dorothy, hesitating, "Arabella _is_ queer. "

"Why don't you like to say so?" was the sharp reply. 

"Because Dorothy never likes to say anything that isn't kind about anyone, but Arabella _is_ queer, so Dorothy won't say she isn't, " saidNancy. 

It was a few days later that Dorothy was reminded of what Reginald hadsaid in his letter to Flossie. 

She was waiting for Nancy to go for a walk, and stooping to pick some ofthe pretty wildflowers that blossomed everywhere. 

She had walked slowly along toward the clump of white birches where, when they had first arrived, they had called, and listened to the echo. 

She looked back toward the hotel, but Nancy was not yet in sight, so sheseated herself upon the grass, and began to arrange the flowers in afine bouquet. 

She was trying to mix the white blossoms and pink buds so as to show thebeauty of each, when a carriage passed, and before she looked up ashrill little voice shouted:

"Dorothy! Dorothy! We're over at the farmhouse just beyond theMerlington. Aunt Matilda wouldn't _let_ pa take us to a hotel. Shedoesn't approve of hotels. Aunt Matilda says, --"

She was looking back to shout at Dorothy, and doubtless would have giveneven more particulars, but a firm hand had hastily forced her to turnaround, and sit down. 

Nancy ran along the path a few moments later, and her eyes were dancing. 

"Did you see Arabella?" she asked. "_Did_ you?"

"Yes, just a few moments ago, and she turned around in the carriage andscreamed to me, " said Dorothy. 

"I can guess what she said, " laughed Nancy, "because she screamed atme. She told me she was staying at a farmhouse, and said that her AuntMatilda didn't approve of hotels. "

"That is _just_ what she said, " said Dorothy, "and she would have saidmore but some one, I think it was her Aunt Matilda, pulled her back intothe carriage. "

"Why, that's just the way it was when I saw her. I ran out on to thepiazza, and down the steps, and the carriage rolled by, and she twistedround to shout. There was this difference, though, " said Nancy. "Youwere out here alone, and no one would know if you laughed, but when Iran out, our piazza was full of people, and when Arabella shouted, you'dought to have seen them look. 

"Flossie and her Uncle Harry were on the lawn, and as she rode past, hesaid with a sigh:

 "'Arabella, Arabella, If I had my new umbrella, '

and I was wild to know the rest of it, but his wife, who was standingnear him, said:

"'Hush, Harry, really you mustn't, ' and he only laughed, and said:

"'Oh, _mustn't_ I? Why, when I saw Arabella and her Aunt Matilda, Ireally felt as if I _must_!'"

"Let's ask him what the rest of the verse is, " said Dorothy. 

"I'm wild to hear it, " Nancy said, "because the very way he looked mademe think that the other lines, whatever they were, would be funny. "

She stooped to gather more of the little blossoms to add to Dorothy'sbouquet, and then commenced to make a bouquet of her own. 

"Arabella will be coming over to see you, " she said, a moment later, "and I wonder if it is naughty to say, 'I wish she wouldn't?' Do youthink it is?"

"I don't know, " said Dorothy, "but I _do_ wish it. I wouldn't, only sheis so hard to please. Mamma wishes us to be nice to every one, but, Nancy, you _do_ know that when we try the hardest to please Arabella, wedon't please her at all. "

"I know it, " agreed Nancy, "but perhaps she'll come some time when weare out, and then we won't have to amuse her. "

"I'm sure I ought not to say it, but I _do_ wish it would happen thatway, " said Dorothy. 

They had reached the birches, and they paused to wake the echo. What funit was to hear their shouts repeated. 

Again and again they called, and then a droll thing happened. They hadcalled this name and that, and each time the echo, like a voice from themountain, had repeated it with wonderful distinctness. Then Dorothy, leaning forward, called, loudly:

"Dorothy!"

"_What?_" came the reply. 

She turned, and looked at Nancy. "Dorothy!" she cried, again. 

"_Dainty!_" was the answer, and upon looking toward a little path thatwas nearly opposite where they were standing, they saw the low bushesmove, and faintly they heard a smothered laugh. 

Dorothy was laughing now. 

"Boys!" she cried, and back came the laughing echo:

"_Girls!_" and then the boys peeped out a bit too far, and Dorothy sawwho had been playing echo. 

It was Jack Tiverton and a boy whom he had chosen for a "chum. " Jack hadnot intended so soon to be discovered, and he and his friend disappearedin a little grove, while Dorothy and Nancy continued their walk. 

There were sunny paths and bits of woodland that were so near the hotelas to be absolutely safe, where all the summer guests, especially thechildren, loved to roam at will. Along one of these little paths weresweet little yellow blossoms, and these they gathered to brighten theirbouquets. 

"Let's have some of these little vines to hang from our bouquets, " saidDorothy, and the graceful vines proved to be an added beauty. 

When they returned to the Cleverton there were but few people upon thepiazza. 

Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte sat talking with Mrs. Vinton, and fartheralong, Mrs. Fenton sat with an open book upon her lap, although she wasnot reading. 

She often had a book or magazine, but rarely did she read them. 

She would sit looking off at the distant mountain-range, the whiteclouds, or the sunny valley over which those clouds cast floatingshadows. 

Did she hear the conversation, or notice what was going on about her?Floretta Paxton said that Mrs. Fenton acted as if she sat there to watchsome one; and was Floretta right? Mrs. Fenton's actions certainlyseemed strange day after day. She talked little, took slight interest inwhat was going on about her, and was a mystery to all the other guests. 

But what, or whom could she be watching?

Dorothy and Nancy, returning from their walk, saw the group, and alsonoticed Mrs. Fenton, who always chose to sit apart from the others. 

"I'll give my flowers to mamma and Mrs. Vinton, " said Dorothy. 

"And I'll give mine to Aunt Charlotte and to Mrs. Fenton, --if she wantsthem, " said Nancy, hesitating because it was so hard to guess whatmight, or might not, please Mrs. Fenton. 

Dorothy ran to show her blossoms to her mamma and to Mrs. Vinton, whileNancy, pausing beside Mrs. Fenton's chair, held forth her prettybouquet, as she said:

"We've just gathered them. Aren't they pretty?"

"Lovely, very lovely, " said Mrs. Fenton, with more interest than usual. "I remember picking just such flowers; even the long vines I know arelike those I used to see when I was a little girl. "

"Would you enjoy some of these? I'd so like to give them to you, " Nancysaid, and she was surprised at the quick reply. 

"I would really prize them, Nancy, and you're a sweet child to give themto me, " she said. 

Quickly Nancy divided the bouquet, and smiled as she laid the prettythings in Mrs. Fenton's lap. 

"I cannot let them wilt, so I will take them at once to my room, " saidMrs. Fenton, and Nancy saw her bend to catch their perfume, as sheturned toward the hall. 

That night, when nearly all the guests had entered the dining-room, Mrs. Fenton came in at the main entrance, and as she sat nearly opposite Mrs. Dainty's party, they noticed that the bodice of her black lace gown wasgiven color by the pretty wildflowers that Nancy had given her. Theywere the first flowers that she had worn since her arrival. 

Nancy smiled with pleasure, and Mrs. Fenton, looking across the table, returned the smile. 

Had the gift of simple wildflowers cheered her?

Thus far she had worn only black, but to-night a dull gold slipshimmered through the black lace; and were her eyes brighter?

Nancy thought so, and without knowing why, was glad. 

There was a musicale in the evening, and Mrs. Fenton joined Mrs. Daintyand Aunt Charlotte, and seemed to enjoy the conversation, between thenumbers of the program. 

Once, while she was talking, she laid her hand lightly upon Nancy'sshoulder, and Nancy looked up to smile. Aunt Charlotte saw that the ladywas more cheerful, and also noticed that she wore Nancy's flowers. Theevening passed pleasantly, and Nancy's drowsy words, just before shewent to sleep, were:

"I do really think I cheered her. "

 * * * * *

A few days later Mrs. Dainty invited Mrs. Fenton to be her guest duringa drive over a lovely road that neither of them had yet seen. It wassaid to be one of the most picturesque roads in that section of thecountry. 

Mrs. Fenton accepted, and with Aunt Charlotte and Mrs. Vinton theyformed a pleasant party. 

Dorothy and Nancy were to drive in their little phaeton, and they feltquite as important as the four ladies in the barouche. 

True, Mrs. Dainty owned a handsome span of bays, but was not the pony, Romeo, a beauty?

The road was some distance from the Cleverton, and there were somecharming places to be seen on the way, so it happened that the trip, which proved to be most enjoyable, occupied the afternoon. 

Mrs. Paxton had a number of letters to write, and Floretta, feeling verylonely, and wishing that she had some one to play with, climbed into ahammock, and wondered what she might do to amuse herself. 

"Every one but me has gone somewhere, and I wish _I_ had, " she said, asshe gave a smart kick that sent the hammock higher. 

"What's the fun of swinging alone?" she grumbled, but there was no oneon the piazza to answer her, and she let the hammock sway lazily whileshe looked down the sunny road, and thought how strange it was that theplace seemed so still. 

Not a leaf stirred, and Floretta's disgust increased. 

"Nothing in sight, not even an old hen, " she said, when, way down wherethe road looked so narrow and distant, a little figure appeared, comingdirectly toward the Cleverton. She watched the approaching figure, andwondered who it might be. 

"'Tisn't any one I know, " she thought, "and _doesn't_ she look queer?"

Any one who had ever known Arabella Corryville would also have knownthat she always looked decidedly odd and strange, and it was Arabellawho was marching steadily along the road. 

So determined was her tread that one might have thought that there was aband behind her playing martial music to which she was obliged to keepstep. 

"Well, whoever she is, she's carrying an umbrella, this pleasant day, "murmured Floretta; then as she came near, she added:

"And wearing rubbers and a raincoat, as true as I live!"

Arabella was more bundled and wrapped than at first appeared, for, asshe came up the gravel walk, Floretta saw that a long veil was closelytied over her hat, and wound about her throat. 

From her appearance one might have thought that she expected freezingweather before night. 

She walked up on to the piazza, and then stood, for a moment, lookingabout, as if in search of some one. 

It was not politeness that prompted Floretta to speak. It was simplycuriosity. She was wild to know who the strange-looking child was, andwhom she wished to see. 

"Are you looking for some one?" she asked, at the same time slippingfrom the hammock, and going so close to Arabella that she could peepinto the queer little face. 

CHAPTER XI

ARABELLA MAKES A CALL

ARABELLA peered at Floretta through her spectacles, and was tempted notto reply, but after a moment's pause she changed her mind. 

"I came to see Dorothy Dainty, and Nancy Ferris, " she said. 

"They're out driving, " said Floretta. 

"How do you know?" Arabella asked, rudely. 

"Because I heard them say they were going, and because I saw them go, "was the quick reply. 

"It's a long way over here, and now I've got to take the same walkback, " said Arabella. 

"They're going to be out all the afternoon, " said Floretta, "but whydon't you sit down, and rest a while before you go back?"

It sounded kind, and Arabella at once seated herself, while Floretta satnear her. 

She thought it would be great fun to question this odd child, and therewas no one near to check her. 

"Aren't you nearly roasted in that raincoat?" she asked. 

"Well, I'm not chilly, " said Arabella, fixing her sharp eyes upon theother little girl. 

"Did you think it was going to rain?" was the next question. "You'verubbers, and umbrella. "

Floretta barely managed to hide the fact that she wanted to laugh. Herquestion seemed so absurd with the blue sky overhead, and the sunshineeverywhere. 

"I didn't want to wear them, " said Arabella, "and I told Aunt Matilda itwas too pleasant to rain, but she said you never could tell, and shesaid, too, that I could wear them, or stay at home, so what could I do?"

"_I'd_ have stayed at home, " said Floretta, bluntly. "I wouldn't wearraincoat and rubbers, and lug an umbrella for any Aunt Matilda or AuntJemima!"

"Who is Aunt Jemima?" Arabella asked, stupidly. 

"I don't know, " said Floretta, sharply, "but then, I don't know yourAunt Matilda. "

She longed to say that she did not want to, but for once she did notquite dare to say what she thought. 

Then there was an awkward pause. Floretta could not think what to saynext, while Arabella did not try. 

Silence never made her uneasy. She could stare at any one who satopposite her, for a half-hour, without so much as winking, and it ratheramused her if the other person became nervous, and wriggled uneasilybeneath her persistent stare. At last Floretta spoke. 

"You might take some of those things off, " she said; "you won't needthem while you stay. "

"Aunt Matilda told me not to, " said Arabella, "and if I _did_, it wouldbe just my luck to have her come right by here, and see me with themoff. My! _Wouldn't_ she be angry?"

Arabella's eyes dilated as she asked the question. 

"Does your Aunt Matilda poke 'round after you like that?" askedFloretta. 

"She doesn't ever _seem_ to follow me, but all the same, she's alwayscatching me doing something. "

"Then you _do_ risk doing what she tells you not to, " said Floretta, with a saucy laugh. 

"Look here!" cried Arabella, "I don't know you, but I'm going to tellyou something. I can't do one single thing I want to, neither can mypapa or mamma. Aunt Matilda is little, and my papa is big. He says hewas centre-rush on the college football team, but when Aunt Matildatells him what to do, he says, 'Yes'm, ' and does it. One of ourneighbors at home says Aunt Matilda holds the purse-strings, but I don'tknow what that means. Her purse hasn't any strings on it. "

"Well, if it _had_, I'd cut 'em off, " said Floretta, "so she _couldn't_hold 'em. "

"You wouldn't if she lived at _your_ house, " said Arabella. 

Floretta, in spite of her boldness, was more than half convinced. 

"Well, --perhaps I wouldn't, " she said. "Why, what are you taking?"

"Pills, " said Arabella, counting out six very pink pills from a littlebottle, and taking them, then making a horrid face. 

"You don't look sick, " said Floretta, "but you're taking medicine. "

"Aunt Matilda says these are for my color, " was the answer. 

"You haven't any; you're pale as a sheet, " said Floretta. 

"That's why I take them, " said Arabella, "and look! I've got some greenones I take, " and six green pills followed the pink ones. 

"Why, what are those for?" gasped Floretta. "Ought you to take two kindsat the same time?"

Arabella, determined to startle her new acquaintance, took a thirdbottle from her pocket, and swallowed three very large white pills. 

She was delighted with the effect that she had produced. 

Floretta sprang to her feet, and tried to snatch the bottle, butArabella had put it in her pocket, and was holding the pocket together. 

She narrowed her shrewd little eyes, and smiled broadly. 

"Guess you couldn't take all that, and not feel queer!" she said. 

"I wouldn't wonder if you felt funny. _Do_ you?" asked Floretta. 

"Not _yet_, " said Arabella. 

Floretta was getting tired of her caller. She hoped that she hadn't anymore kinds of medicine that she could take. 

She wished that Dorothy would return and amuse Arabella. 

She would have run away from any one else, and rudely left her alone, but there was something so strange about this child that she feared her. 

She had a nervous feeling that if she turned to leave her, Arabellamight snatch at her, and draw her back. She certainly did look odd. 

There was something catlike in the way in which she kept her eyesriveted upon Floretta. 

She looked as if, at any moment, she might spring at her!

She was not thinking of doing anything of the sort, however. 

The truth was that she _did_ feel just a bit queer. 

Was it the three kinds of pills? She could not tell, but she began tofeel as if she would be glad if she were at home. 

"I guess I'll go now, " she said. "I think it must be time. "

"What time did your Aunt Matilda tell you to come home?" Floretta asked. 

"She said I could stay to dinner if Dorothy asked me, but she doesn'tcome home, so I guess I won't wait. "

"Go to dinner at the Cleverton in that plaid gingham!" thought Floretta, for she had seen the plain little frock beneath the raincoat. 

[Illustration: SHE OFFERED TWO CARDS TO FLORETTA. --_Page 210. _]

Arabella grasped her big umbrella firmly, and turned, as she went downthe steps, to say:

"You may tell Dorothy Dainty that _Miss_ Corryville called. "

Floretta giggled. 

"And you might tell your Aunt Matilda that you talked with _Miss_Paxton, " she said. 

"I will, " said Arabella, without a sign of a smile. 

"I wonder you don't leave cards, " said Floretta, and to her surprise, the queer child put her hand in the pocket of her raincoat, and, withoutlooking at them, offered two cards to Floretta, saying:

"There they are. "

Then, without looking back, she marched resolutely down the road. Shedid not thank Floretta for talking with her while she rested, nor didshe say "good-by. "

For some moments Floretta stood watching the odd little figure as ittramped down the road, the umbrella, like a huge walking stick, thumpingthe gravel at every step. She thought Arabella would turn around, butshe did not. 

One might have thought that she had already forgotten the child withwhom she had been talking. When, at last, she disappeared behind a clumpof trees that hid the curve of the road, Floretta looked at the twocards in her hand, stared at them in amazement, and then laughed, laughed until her eyes were full of tears. 

Who could have helped laughing? One card bore these lines:

 JAMES HORTON WORTH, PAINLESS DENTISTRY, 10 TREVOR STREET, MERRIVALE. 

While the other, equally interesting, bore this statement:

 ALTON JUSTUS MEER, JEWELLER, 90 RUPERT ROAD, MERRIVALE. 

"How perfectly funny, " cried Floretta. "I'll run up and show them tomamma, and then I'll wait here to give them to Dorothy and Nancy whenthey come. I wonder if they'll have any choice?"

Dorothy and Nancy felt, as did the older members of the party, that theride had been the most delightful of any that they had enjoyed sincetheir arrival. 

The horses were tossing their manes, and Romeo, as if in imitation, tossed his so that it showed all its silken beauty. 

"See him!" cried Dorothy. "He thinks he's as fine as any horse. "

"Well, he is as dear as they, " said Nancy. 

"Oh, yes, " said Dorothy, "and dearer. "

And when the horses and the pony had been led around to the stable, andthe older members of the party had reached the piazza, Dorothy andNancy, who had paused for a moment to talk, ran up the steps, intendingto sit together in a large rocker. 

Before they reached the chair, Floretta flew toward them. 

"You had a funny caller while you were out driving, " she said, with agiggle, "and she was so very fashionable that she left these cards. Shetold me to tell you that _Miss_ Corryville had called. "

"It was Arabella, " said Nancy. 

"Did she truly say '_Miss_?'" Dorothy asked. 

"Well, didn't I _say_ so?" Floretta asked rudely; "and I told her totell her Aunt Matilda that she talked with _Miss_ Paxton, and she saidshe would. She waited a long time for you to come home, because she saidshe meant to stay to dinner with you. Say! She had on a calico dress!Wouldn't she have looked gay?"

"It isn't very kind to laugh at any one's clothes, " said Dorothy, "andit's not very nice to laugh at other people's friends. "

"Pooh!" cried Floretta, "I shall laugh at whoever I please, " and sheturned and ran up to her room. 

But she had laughed once too often! During the ride, Mrs. Fenton hadspoken of Floretta's rude ways, and of the day when, upon followingNancy to the dining-room, she had caught the provoking child in the actof mimicking her. 

"Your little Nancy was grieved and distressed because she knew that Isaw it. What a difference there is in children! The Paxton child isdisgusting, while Nancy, who, I have heard, was a little waif, is asgentle as Dorothy, who was born the little daughter of a fine, oldfamily. "

Aunt Charlotte and Mrs. Dainty had told Mrs. Fenton something of Nancy'slife, and noticed how deeply interested she seemed to be. 

Mrs. Paxton had realized that ever since the day that Floretta had toldof being caught mimicking Mrs. Fenton for the amusement of thewaitresses and maids, Mrs. Fenton had shunned them. She had madedesperate efforts to win Mrs. Fenton's friendship, but never verysuccessfully, as she found that her little daughter's silly act hadrendered any intimacy quite impossible. 

A few days after the ride, Mrs. Fenton did not appear at lunch, or atdinner, and when Mrs. Paxton, with elaborate interest, inquired for her, she learned that the lady had left very early that morning, before anyguests were on the piazza to see her depart. 

It certainly did seem odd that she should have left, without a word tothose whom she had known, but Mrs. Dainty, with her customary goodtaste, made no comment, and Aunt Charlotte Grayson was equally silent. 

Mrs. Paxton did just as one might have expected. She expressed, in avery loud voice, her disgust at being thus pointedly slighted, for soshe chose to feel. 

"After all my friendliness, I can't see how she could leave theCleverton without so much as a word to me. Why, I felt almost like arelative, as my name was Fenton before I married!"

"I guess Mrs. Fenton didn't have what you might call a family feeling, "said old Mr. Cunningham, which so angered Mrs. Paxton that she politelyturned her back. 

Two letters arrived at the Cleverton that afternoon, and it would bedifficult to say which caused the greater surprise. 

Mrs. Paxton told the contents of hers to all who would listen, and therewere enough who were curious, to make a good audience. 

"TO MRS. CLARA FENTON PAXTON:" it began, refraining from any endearingterms. 

"I knew, before I met you, that you and your small daughter were relatedto my husband, and also knew that he entertained no admiration for you. He left his entire estate to me, and as you were but a distant relative, you could expect no inheritance. However, with a determination to dealfairly with all my kin (I have but three such), I came to the Clevertonto see you and your little daughter, intending, if she provedsweet-tempered and attractive, to will my property to her. She is theonly one of the three relatives who bears my husband's name. 

"I do not wish to be harsh, but I am forced to admit that I find her tobe bold, naturally unkind, and wholly lacking in the grace and courtesywhich most children possess, either by training or inheritance. 

"I, therefore, have made my will in favor of Nancy Ferris, once a littlewaif, now a sweet, gentle, and attractive child, whose little acts ofcourtesy and kindness are fully appreciated by

 "Her friend, "CECILIA CULLEN FENTON. "

"A most singular woman, to leave her property to a waif, a child of thetheatre, and not bequeath so much as a penny to my Floretta, whom _any_one could see is an aristocrat, " said Mrs. Paxton. 

"Mrs. Fenton, or anybody else, would need some rather strong glasses tosee _that_!" muttered Mr. Cunningham. 

He was a testy old fellow, and he, like other guests of the hotel, hadbecome exceedingly tired of Mrs. Paxton and her unlovely child. 

The other letter gave surprise and delight to the two who had shared inthe care and training of little Nancy. 

"TO MRS. RUDOLPH DAINTY, AND TO MRS. CHARLOTTE GRAYSON, "DEAR FRIENDS:--" was its greeting, and then followed the story of thewriter's visit to the Cleverton, and the statement that her fewrelatives were too distant to have any valid claim to her estate. 

"I was greatly displeased with the two of my kin whom I came to observe, and I will not dwell upon that, but, instead, will take this time to saythat Dorothy Dainty and Nancy Ferris, are the two dearest children thatit has been my pleasure to know. 

"Dorothy's life has been sunny, and Nancy's story, as you told it to me, appealed to me, and I looked with even greater interest at the childwho, under your loving care, had blossomed like a lovely flower. 

"Dorothy has her parents, and will inherit a fortune. Nancy has noparents, and I know, will be kindly cared for by you, but that factwill not deter me from making a bequest that gives me greatest pleasure. 

"I shall leave all of my estate to Nancy Ferris, and I remind her, insome little verses that I enclose, how deeply I have appreciated hermany little kindnesses. 

TO NANCY

 "Dear little girl, I know that you will daily Do loving acts of kindness, and of cheer, Thus urging life to sing its song more gaily And making friendship lasting and more dear. 

 "I felt your charm, dear child, I saw how sweetly You gave your kindness, with no thought of gain. I give you a reward, and how completely I joy in giving, words cannot explain. "

CHAPTER XII

A SERENADE

JACK TIVERTON stood in the lower hall one morning, and appeared as ifwaiting for some one. In his hand was a short switch that he had cutfrom a shrub that grew beside the driveway. Often he looked up thestaircase, and then, as no one appeared, he would continue to strike atthe flies that flew past the doorway. 

At last he heard merry voices upon the landing, and then Dorothy andNancy came hurrying down the stairs. 

"Good morning!" they called, but Jack, in his eagerness to askquestions, forgot to return their greeting. 

"Say!" he cried, "do you know that Mrs. Paxton and Floretta left thismorning before breakfast?"

No, the little girls did not know that. 

"Well, they have. I saw them go, and I'm glad. Floretta was fun to playwith, but she wasn't fair. She'd get me to do things, and then if we gotcaught, she'd always say I planned it, " said Jack. 

Dorothy tried to think of something kind to say of Floretta, but sheknew that what Jack said was true. Floretta truly was not in the habitof playing "fair. "

"Her mamma said something queer just as she was going off. She wastalking to a lady, I don't know what her name is, and Mrs. Paxton said:

"'Well, Dorothy Dainty has always seemed to be fond of Nancy, but nowthat Nancy is to have a _fortune_, shell love her a deal more than sheever did before. '"

And now Dorothy spoke, her blue eyes flashing, and her cheeks flushed. 

"That's not true!" she cried. "That's not true! I've always loved Nancy, and always will. I'd love her if she had just nothing at all! Nothingcould make any difference. I love her all I can. Nancy knows that. Everyone knows that. "

How keenly she felt Mrs. Paxton's silly speech!

She was indignant that any one should think her love for Nancy so littleworth while that fortune could make it stronger. 

How could she love Nancy more than she had always loved her?

Nancy threw her arms about her, and drew her closer. 

"Don't you mind, Dorothy, " she said, "_I_ know how truly you love me. Mrs. Paxton didn't know, because I guess she couldn't understand it. _She_ couldn't love the way you do. "

Dorothy smiled through the tears that had filled her eyes. 

"There's no one dearer than you, Nancy, " she said. 

Jack swung his switch at a dragon-fly that flew past the doorway. 

"Did you see that darning-needle?" he asked. 

"Well, " he continued, without waiting for an answer, "I was down theroad a few days ago, trying to catch some of those big steel-coloredones in my fly-net. I hadn't seen any one after I left this piazza, butjust as I swung my net round to catch the dragon-fly, somebody said:'Look out, or you'll get bitten!' and I turned round, but no one was insight. I was just going to swing my net again, when some one giggled, and then I saw a little skinny girl looking at me from between somebushes. "

"What was she doing?" Dorothy asked. 

"You couldn't guess if you tried for a month!" said Jack. 

"She was sitting on a big stone, beside a big puddle that was left thereafter the shower. She said she was playing she was a frog, and when shestared at me through her glasses, and smiled, no, _grinned_ at me, Icouldn't help thinking she looked like one. Say, she had on a greencloak, a regular frog-color. "

"It must have been _Arabella_!" said Nancy. 

"I don't know what her name was. I didn't ask her, but while I watchedher she hopped off the stone into the puddle with both feet, and cried, 'po-dunk!' just like an old bullfrog. My! Weren't her shoes wet!"

"I wonder what her Aunt Matilda said when she went home with wet feet, "said Dorothy. 

Without noticing what she said, Jack continued. 

"I never saw such a queer girl!" he said, in disgust, "for when I toldher dragonflies would never bite, she said: 'They will. They'll sew youreyes, and nose, and mouth up. Po-dunk!' and she hopped back on to thestone, and grinned at me just as she did at first. Say! She made me feelqueer to look at her, and I turned and ran away. I wasn't afraid of her, of course, but she _did_ make me feel queer!"

"She'd make any one feel queer, " said Nancy as they turned toward thedining-room. 

Jack wished that they might have stayed longer in the hall. He hadintended to ask them if they knew Arabella, and if she was always doingqueer things, but Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte joined them, and theywent in for breakfast. 

Mrs. Tiverton, coming in from an early walk, took Jack with her to theother side of the dining-room. He looked across at them, and wonderedwhat they could have told of Arabella if they had had a chance. Hedecided to question them, whispering softly to himself:

"I'll _make_ them tell me all they know about that funny girl. "

For several days he tried to catch Dorothy or Nancy at a time when hecould question them. 

He chased Dorothy up the long stairway one morning, only to see herdisappear into her room. He had not told her that he had wished to talkwith her, and she, believing that he was only chasing her for fun, ranfrom him, laughing as she went. 

He found Nancy, a few minutes later, and coaxed her to wait on thelanding. 

"Now, Nancy, " he said, "you've got to tell me something about that queergirl that you and Dorothy know. "

"If you mean Arabella, " said Nancy, "I don't see what I could tell you, only that she _is_ queer, and you know that now. "

"You'll better believe I know it!" cried Jack, "for I met her againyesterday, and guess what she was doing!"

"Oh, I couldn't, " said Nancy. "No one ever could guess what ArabellaCorryville would do. "

"Well, she looked like a witch, and acted like one, too, " Jack replied. "It was yesterday that I saw her. I was going across the field, and hadnearly reached the wall, when I looked up, and saw her sitting on thetop bar of the--the--oh, the place where they take down the bars to letthe cattle through. "

"I know where you mean, " said Nancy, "but why was it strange that shewas sitting there?"

"It was what she was doing that was funny, " Jack replied, "and becauseyou couldn't guess, I'll tell you. 

"She didn't look toward me, though I'm sure she must have heard mecoming, for I was just tramping along, and whistling all the way. Shewas looking up at the clouds, and counting, 'one--two--three--' veryslowly, and when I was close behind her, she said:

"'Hush--sh--sh! I'm charming the crows!'

"'How long does it take to do it?' I said, for it sounded like nonsense, and I wanted to hurry. It was almost lunch time. 

"'Hush--sh!' she said again. 'There comes one of them now!' and sureenough a big, black crow did come flying right down, and perched on thelimb of an old tree near her. "

"Why, Jack Tiverton, " cried Nancy, "you don't believe Arabella really_made_ him come down, do you?"

"Of course not, " cried Jack, "but she wanted me to think so. Say! Shesaid she was saying a charm, and when I asked her what it was, shewouldn't tell me. She said it would spoil the charm to tell it. Shelooked funny sitting up there on the top rail, and staring at the crowstill her eyes watered. She didn't look like a 'charmer. ' She lookedever so much more like a scarecrow!"

"Oh, Jack, it's horrid to say that!" cried Nancy, at the same timetrying not to let him see how near she was to laughing. 

"Well, she _did_!" Jack insisted, "and you're almost laughing now, NancyFerris, and you'd have screamed if you'd seen her roosting there, andcalling herself a charmer! Why, that old crow just flopped down therefor fun, and when he saw the queer-looking girl, he cawed as if it madehim mad, and I didn't blame him. Say! She had a shoe on one foot, and aslipper on the other. Her apron was put on back-side-to, and she had ahen's feather in each hand, and she waved them up and down while shemumbled some kind of a verse. She said her clothes were put on that wayto help the charm. Isn't she a _ninny_?"

Just at that moment, before Nancy could reply, Mrs. Tiverton calledJack, and Nancy ran to tell the story of Arabella's latest freak toDorothy. 

 * * * * *

One afternoon, a number of little girls were sitting on the piazza atthe Cleverton, and their merry voices attracted Jack Tiverton, whoglanced up from the book that he was reading, and then, because he wascurious to know what so interested them, crossed the piazza, and joinedthe group. 

Dorothy and Nancy, in the big hammock, held the book of fairy tales, Flossie Barnet sat near them, while the others, all little guests at thehotel, sat upon the railing, or in the large rockers that stood near. 

Jack joined the row perched upon the railing. 

"Tell a fellow what you are all talking about, will you? Will you, _please_, I mean?" he asked. 

"Dorothy Dainty has been reading us a lovely story, " said a little girl, whose merry eyes showed that she had enjoyed it. 

"What's it about?" Jack asked, and then, "Oh, _fairy_ tales!" he said. 

"Don't you like fairy tales?" Flossie questioned, looking up at him. 

No one liked to differ with dear little Flossie, least of all, JackTiverton. 

"Oh, I like them _some_, " he said, awkwardly, "but, --are there anystories about bandits or pirates in that book?"

"Oh, no, " they cried, in a laughing chorus, "and there aren't any wildIndians in it, either. "

"I don't care much about Indian stories, " Jack replied, "but I do liketo read about pirates. "

"But just hear what this one was about, " said Nancy. 

"The wandering prince had, for years, been searching for a lovelyprincess, who should look like a beautiful picture that hung in hisfather's palace. One day he came to a castle where the people told him ahandsome princess was imprisoned, and he asked why she was kept there. They told him that she was enchanted, and that some day, a wanderingprince would sing beneath her window, and then the spell would bebroken, and she would be free. "

Jack was interested. 

"But s'posing he couldn't sing?" he asked. 

"Oh, a prince could surely sing!" said Flossie. 

"And p'raps he could sing under her window, if he couldn't anywhereelse, " ventured a dreamy-eyed little girl who sat near Dorothy. 

"And how would he know _what_ to sing?" a cheery voice questioned, and apair of merry eyes peered over the piazza railing. 

"Oh, Uncle Harry!" cried Flossie, "what difference would it make?"

"All the difference in the world, " declared Uncle Harry, "for while theproper melody would set the princess free, how are we to know that thewrong melody might not chain her closer than before!"

"Why, the story doesn't say that, " said Nancy. 

"Perhaps not, but the prince took an _awful_ risk when he chose what tosing, " declared Uncle Harry. 

"You're laughing when you say it, " said Dorothy. 

"He is, " agreed Flossie, "and what he says is funny, but I know this:I'd love to hear some one singing under _my_ window!"

Some ladies, who sat near enough to hear the conversation, were amusedat the children's enthusiasm, and at Uncle Harry's evident interest. 

"The prince had his guitar slung over his shoulder by a ribbon, " saidDorothy. "See the picture, " and she slipped from the hammock, andoffered the book that he might see the illustration. 

"I'm glad he carried his guitar instead of a banjo, " he said. 

"Why are you glad of that?" Flossie asked. 

"Oh, because I really _am_, in fact, I might even say I am delighted, "he replied. 

"I do believe he intends to serenade those children, " said a handsomewoman, to her friend who sat beside her; "he is a brilliant man, and onewho is blessed with many talents, and one of his greatest charms is hislove of children. He will go far out of his way to afford them a bit offun. "

That evening, when nearly every one had left the piazza, and all of thechildren were in their rooms, the soft twanging of guitar stringsfloated up toward Flossie's window. 

She was not yet asleep, and she sat up in bed, and listened. 

Yes, it was a guitar! Was it Uncle Harry's?

A little prelude softly played, drew her toward the window. 

She crept closer, and peeped out. Yes, there he was, looking right uptoward her window. 

Now his fine voice was softly singing, and Flossie held her breath. 

 "Under thy window, my little lady, Under thy window, Flossie dear, Here where the moonbeams softly flicker, Sing I this song that you may hear. 

 "Moonlight, and starlight weave enchantment, Yet shall my song your freedom bring, You shall be happy little lady, Give me your love for the song I sing. "

"Oh, Uncle Harry, you have it _now_!" cried Flossie. "I love you, whenyou're singing, and _all_ the time. "

"I know that, dear little girl, but I _must_ have my fun, so I came hereto sing the song I made for you, " he said gently. 

"Well, you're _dear_, " she cried, "and I'll throw you a kiss, " and shedid, reaching far out of the window that he might surely see her. 

"I caught it!" he cried, and as he turned toward the porch, she heardhim softly strumming the prelude again. 

Others had heard the pretty song, for Dorothy and Nancy had a room nextto Flossie's. 

The next morning he was coaxed and teased to sing the song again, but hedeclared that he could only sing it in the moonlight, that the daylightwould spoil its effect. 

The sunny days sped on wings, and soon the guests began to think ofturning homeward. 

Mrs. Dainty's party and the Barnets were to leave the hotel at the sametime, and Dorothy, Nancy, and Flossie were delighted that they were totake the return trip together. 

They were talking of the pleasures that they were looking forward to, and telling of some delightful events that were already planned, whenJack Tiverton gave them a genuine surprise. 

"Mamma has just told me something fine, " he said, "and I ran right downto tell it to you. "

"Oh, tell it quick!" said Flossie. 

"We're going to live in Merrivale, and we'll be there soon after weleave here. I'm glad. Are you, _all_ of you?" he asked. 

"Of course we're glad, " said Dorothy and Nancy; and Flossie hastened toadd:

"Every one of us is glad. "

There were bright days, and many pleasures in store for the littlefriends, and those who would like also to enjoy them, and to know whathappened during the winter, may read of all this in

 "Dorothy Dainty's Holidays. "

THE DOROTHY DAINTY SERIES

By AMY BROOKS

 * * * * *

Large 12mo Cloth Illustrated by the Author

Price, $1. 00 each

[Illustration]

 _Dorothy Dainty_ _Dorothy's Playmates_ _Dorothy Dainty at School_ _Dorothy Dainty at the Shore_ _Dorothy Dainty in the City_ _Dorothy Dainty at Home_ _Dorothy Dainty's Gay Times_ _Dorothy Dainty in the Country_ _Dorothy Dainty's Winter_ _Dorothy Dainty in the Mountains_ _Dorothy Dainty's Holidays_ _Dorothy Dainty's Vacation_

 "LITTLE DOROTHY DAINTY is one of the most generous-hearted of children. Selfishness is not at all a trait of hers, and she knows the value of making sunshine, not alone in her own heart, but for her neighborhood and friends. "--_Boston Courier. _

 "DOROTHY DAINTY, a little girl, the only child of wealthy parents, is an exceedingly interesting character, and her earnest and interesting life is full of action and suitable adventure. "--_Pittsburg Christian Advocate. _

 "No finer little lady than DOROTHY DAINTY was ever placed in a book for children. "--_Teachers' Journal, Pittsburg. _

[Illustration]

 "MISS BROOKS is a popular writer for the very little folks who can read. She has an immense sympathy for the children, and her stories never fail to be amusing. "--_Rochester (N. Y. ) Herald. _

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_THE PRUE BOOKS_

By AMY BROOKS

Illustrated by the Author 12mo Cloth Price, $1. 00 each

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[Illustration]

CUNNING little Prue, one of the most winsome little girls ever "put in abook, " has already been met in another series where she gave no smallpart of the interest. She well deserved books of her own for littlegirls of her age, and they are now ready with everything in the way oflarge, clear type, and Miss Brooks's best pictures and her pleasingcover designs to make them attractive. 

 _Little Sister Prue_ _Prue at School_ _Prue's Playmates_ _Prue's Merry Times_ _Prue's Little Friends_ _Prue's Jolly Winter_

[Illustration]

 "Miss Brooks always brings out the best ways of acting and living and provides a good deal of humor in her original country characters. --_Watchman, Boston. _

 "Few writers have ever possessed the faculty of reaching the hearts and holding the interest of little girl readers to the extent Miss Brooks has. "--_Kennebec Journal_, _Augusta, Me. _

 "To know Prue is to love her, for no more winsome little girl was ever put in a book, and her keen wit and unexpected drolleries make her doubly attractive. "--_Kindergarten Magazine. _

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_THE RANDY BOOKS_

_By AMY BROOKS_

 12mo CLOTH ARTISTIC COVER DESIGN IN GOLD AND COLORS ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR PRICE $1. 00 EACH

[Illustration]

The progress of the "Randy Books" has been one continual triumph overthe hearts of girls of all ages, for dear little fun-loving sister Prueis almost as much a central figure as Randy, growing toward womanhoodwith each book. The sterling good sense and simple naturalness of Randy, and the total absence of slang and viciousness, make these books in thehighest degree commendable, while abundant life is supplied by thedoings of merry friends, and there is rich humor in the droll ruralcharacters. 

 _Randy's Summer_ _Randy's Winter_ _Randy and Her Friends_ _Randy and Prue_ _Randy's Good Times_ _Randy's Luck_ _Randy's Loyalty_ _Randy's Prince_

[Illustration]

 "The Randy Books are among the very choicest books for young people to make a beginning with. " --_Boston Courier. _

 "The Randy Books of Amy Brooks have had a deserved popularity among young girls. They are wholesome and moral without being goody-goody. " --_Chicago Post. _

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Only Dollie

By NINA RHOADES Illustrated by Bertha Davidson Square 12mo Cloth $1. 00

[Illustration]

THIS is a brightly written story of a girl of twelve, who, when themystery of her birth is solved, like Cinderella, passes from drudgery tobetter circumstances. There is nothing strained or unnatural at anypoint. All descriptions or portrayals of character are life-like, andthe book has an indescribable appealing quality which wins sympathy andsecures success. 

 "It is delightful reading at all times. "--_Cedar Rapids (Ia. ) Republican. _

 "It is well written, the story runs smoothly, the idea is good, and it is handled with ability. --_Chicago Journal. _

The Little Girl Next Door

By NINA RHOADES Large 12mo Cloth Illustrated by Bertha Davidson $1. 00

A DELIGHTFUL story of true and genuine friendship between an impulsivelittle girl in a fine New York home and a little blind girl in anapartment next door. The little girl's determination to cultivate theacquaintance, begun out of the window during a rainy day, triumphs overthe barriers of caste, and the little blind girl proves to be in everyway a worthy companion. Later a mystery of birth is cleared up, and thelittle blind girl proves to be of gentle birth as well as of gentlemanners. 

Winifred's Neighbors

By NINA RHOADES Illustrated by Bertha G. Davidson Large 12mo Cloth $1. 00

[Illustration]

LITTLE Winifred's efforts to find some children of whom she reads in abook lead to the acquaintance of a neighbor of the same name, and thisacquaintance proves of the greatest importance to Winifred's own family. Through it all she is just such a little girl as other girls ought toknow, and the story will hold the interest of all ages. 

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The Children on the Top Floor

By NINA RHOADES Large 12mo Cloth Illustrated by Bertha Davidson $1. 00

[Illustration]

IN this book little Winifred Hamilton, the child heroine of "Winifred'sNeighbors, " reappears, living in the second of the four stories of a NewYork apartment house. On the top floor are two very interestingchildren, Betty, a little older than Winifred, who is now ten, and Jack, a brave little cripple, who is a year younger. In the end comes a gladreunion, and also other good fortune for crippled Jack, and Winifred'skind little heart has once more indirectly caused great happiness toothers. 

How Barbara Kept Her Promise

By NINA RHOADES Large 12mo Cloth Illustrated by Bertha Davidson $1. 00

TWO orphan sisters, Barbara, aged twelve, and little Hazel, who is "onlyeight, " are sent from their early home in London to their mother'sfamily in New York. Faithful Barbara has promised her father that shewill take care of pretty, petted, mischievous Hazel, and how she triesto do this, even in the face of great difficulties, forms the storywhich has the happy ending which Miss Rhoades wisely gives to all herstories. 

Little Miss Rosamond

By NINA RHOADES Illustrated by Bertha G. Davidson Large 12mo Cloth $1. 00

[Illustration]

ROSAMOND lives in Richmond, Va. , with her big brother, who cannot giveher all the comfort that she needs in the trying hot weather, and shegoes to the seaside cottage of an uncle whose home is in New York. Hereshe meets Gladys and Joy, so well known in a previous book, "The LittleGirl Next Door, " and after some complications are straightened out, bringing Rosamond's honesty and kindness of heart into prominence, allare made very happy. 

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"_Brick House Books_"

_By NINA RHOADES_

_Cloth 12 mo Illustrated $1. 00 each_

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=Priscilla of the Doll Shop=

[Illustration]

THE "Brick House Books, " as they are called from their well-known coverdesigns, are eagerly sought by children all over the country. There arethree good stories in this book, instead of one, and it is hard to saywhich little girls, and boys, too, for that matter, will like the best. 

=Brave Little Peggy=

PEGGY comes from California to New Jersey to live with a brother andsister whom she has not known since very early childhood. She is sodemocratic in her social ideas that many amusing scenes occur, and it ishard for her to understand many things that she must learn. But her goodheart carries her through, and her conscientiousness and moral couragewin affection and happiness. 

=The Other Sylvia=

[Illustration]

EIGHT-year-old Sylvia learns that girls who are "Kings' Daughters"pledge themselves to some kind act or service, and that one little girlnamed Mary has taken it upon herself to be helpful to all the Marys ofher acquaintance. This is such an interesting way of doing good that sheadopts it in spite of her unusual name, and really finds not only "theother Sylvia, " but great happiness. 

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Transcriber's Notes:

Obvious punctuation errors repaired.