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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-13 15:35:32 -0800 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-13 15:35:32 -0800 |
| commit | 79561f22d4ae4bbbe1106444c95cf71248d1f518 (patch) | |
| tree | 82c46707858e4f09c8bb0198be574248ce473b62 /30088-h | |
| parent | aa1f4c4e7b504e5c4617f86f787f5cbe837777d1 (diff) | |
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diff --git a/30088-h/30088-h.htm b/30088-h/30088-h.htm index cda22d0..36705d0 100644 --- a/30088-h/30088-h.htm +++ b/30088-h/30088-h.htm @@ -1,6740 +1,6740 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
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- <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" />
- <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" />
- <title>
- The Project Gutenberg eBook of Dorothy Dainty at the Mountains, by Amy Brooks.
- </title>
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- padding: 0; line-height: .75em; font-size: 300%; text-align: justify;}
- .cap {text-align: justify;}
-
- </style>
- </head>
-<body>
-<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30088 ***</div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="width: 426px;">
-<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="426" height="600" alt="Cover" title="" />
-</div>
-
-
-
-
-<h1>DOROTHY DAINTY AT<br />
-THE MOUNTAINS</h1>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div class='bbox'>
-<h2>Popular Stories.</h2>
-
-
-<div class='center'><span class="smcap">By AMY BROOKS.</span></div>
-
-<div class='center'>Each beautifully illustrated by the Author.</div>
-
-<div class='center'>THE RANDY BOOKS.</div>
-
-<div class='center'>12mo. Cloth. Cover Designs by the Author. Price $1.00 each.</div>
-
-
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE RANDY BOOKS">
-<tr><td align='left'>RANDY'S SUMMER.</td><td align='left'>RANDY'S GOOD TIMES.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>RANDY'S WINTER.</td><td align='left'>RANDY'S LUCK.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>RANDY AND HER FRIENDS. </td><td align='left'>RANDY'S LOYALTY.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>RANDY AND PRUE.</td><td align='left'>RANDY'S PRINCE.</td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-<div class='center'>——————</div>
-<h3>For Younger Readers.</h3>
-
-
-<div class='center'>DOROTHY DAINTY SERIES.</div>
-
-<div class='center'>Large 12mo. Cloth. Cover Designs by the Author. Set in large
-English type. Price $1.00 each.</div>
-
-
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="DOROTHY DAINTY SERIES.">
-<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY'S PLAYMATES.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY AT SCHOOL.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY AT THE SHORE.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY IN THE CITY.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY AT HOME.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY'S GAY TIMES.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY IN THE COUNTRY.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY'S WINTER.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY AT THE MOUNTAINS.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY'S HOLIDAYS.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY'S VACATION.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY'S VISIT.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY AT CRESTVILLE.</td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-
-<div class='center'><br />THE PRUE BOOKS.</div>
-
-<div class='center'>12mo. Cloth. Cover Designs by the Author. Price $1.00 each.</div>
-
-
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE PRUE BOOKS">
-<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE SISTER PRUE.</td><td align='left'>PRUE'S MERRY TIMES.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>PRUE AT SCHOOL.</td><td align='left'>PRUE'S LITTLE FRIENDS.</td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>PRUE'S PLAYMATES. </td><td align='left'>PRUE'S JOLLY WINTER.</td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-
-<div class='center'>——————</div>
-
-<div class='center'>
-A JOLLY CAT TALE. Large 12mo. Cloth. Profusely Illustrated. Price $1.00<br />
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" />
-<div class="figcenter" style="width: 395px;"><a name="Frontispiece" id="Frontispiece"></a>
-<img src="images/i001.jpg" width="395" height="500" alt=""Here! Here!" cried Dorothy, and echo answered, "Here,—ere!"—Page 4." title="" />
-<span class="caption">"Here! Here!" cried Dorothy, and echo answered, "Here,—ere!"—<i><a href="#Page_4">Page 4</a>.</i></span>
-</div>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" />
-<h1>DOROTHY DAINTY<br />
-AT THE MOUNTAINS</h1>
-
-<h3>BY</h3>
-
-<h2>AMY BROOKS</h2>
-
-<div class='center'>
-<small>AUTHOR OF "DOROTHY DAINTY SERIES," "THE RANDY</small><br />
-<small>BOOKS," "THE PRUE BOOKS," AND</small><br />
-<small>"A JOLLY CAT TALE"</small><br />
-<br />
-<br /><br />
-<i>WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR</i><br /><br /></div>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="width: 79px;">
-<img src="images/emblem.png" width="79" height="100" alt="Emblem" title="" />
-</div>
-
-<div class='center'><br /><br />
-BOSTON<br />
-LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.<br />
-</div>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" />
-<div class='copyright'>
-DOROTHY DAINTY<br />
-TRADE-MARK<br />
-Registered in U. S. Patent Office<br />
-<br /><br /><br />
-Published, August, 1911<br />
-<br /><br /><br />
-<span class="smcap">Copyright, 1911, By LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.</span><br />
-——————<br />
-<i>All Rights Reserved</i><br />
-——————<br />
-<span class="smcap">Dorothy Dainty at the Mountains</span><br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<br />
-Norwood Press<br />
-Berwick & Smith Co.<br />
-Norwood, Mass., U. S. A.<br />
-</div>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" />
-<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
-
-
-
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents">
-<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><small>CHAPTER</small></td><td align='right'><small>PAGE</small></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">At the Cleverton</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Delightful Surprise</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">An Entertainment</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">In A Birch Arbor</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Mountain Party</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Echo Captured</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Floretta's Return</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_122">122</a></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">At the Fair</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Flossie's Letter</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_162">162</a></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Gift of Wildflowers</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_182">182</a></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Arabella Makes a Call</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_201">201</a></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Serenade</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_222">222</a></td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" />
-<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2>
-
-
-
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Illustrations">
-<tr><td align='left'>"Here! Here!" cried Dorothy, and echo answered, "Here,—ere!" (<i><a href="#Page_4">Page 4</a></i>) </td><td align='right'><i><a href="#Frontispiece">Frontispiece</a></i></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'><small>FACING<br />PAGE</small></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>Often she looked back, as she sped over the road</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>"Oh, what a lovely, <i>lovely</i> story!" said Dorothy</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>With feet and hands she strove to loosen the tough, wiry vines</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_120">120</a></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>She took a few tripping steps, smiling at her reflection</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'>She offered two cards to Floretta</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_210">210</a></td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p>
-<h2>DOROTHY DAINTY AT THE MOUNTAINS</h2>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" />
-<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
-
-<h3>AT THE CLEVERTON</h3>
-
-<div class='cap'>THE great hotel on the crest of the hill
-was bathed in sunlight that poured
-from a rift in the clouds, as if sent for the
-sole purpose of showing the grand portico,
-the broad piazza, and the flag that floated
-gracefully on the summer breeze.</div>
-
-<p>Its many windows seemed to be looking
-across the valley to opposite mountain
-peaks, and one could easily imagine that
-its wide, open doorway, smiled genially as
-if offering a welcome to all arriving guests.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Two little girls ran across the lawn, the
-one with flaxen curls, the other with sunny
-brown ringlets.</p>
-
-<p>The fair-haired little girl had eyes as blue
-as the blue blossoms that she held in her
-hand, while her playmate's eyes were soft
-and brown, and told that her heart was loving
-and true.</p>
-
-<p>The little blue-eyed girl was Dorothy
-Dainty, and the child who clasped her hand
-was her dearest friend, Nancy Ferris.</p>
-
-<p>Nancy had no parents, and a few years
-before Dorothy's mamma had taken her
-under her care and protection, and she was
-being trained and educated as carefully as
-was Dorothy, the little daughter of the
-house.</p>
-
-<p>They had come to the Hotel Cleverton
-to spend the summer, and the first few days
-of their stay, they had explored all the land<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span>
-that lay immediately around the hotel, and
-had found many beautiful spots, but one
-thing held their interest,—they loved the
-echo, and never tired of awakening it.</p>
-
-<p>"Come!" cried Dorothy. "Run with
-me over to the white birches, and we'll
-shout, and listen!"</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Dainty had told them the story of
-Echo, the nymph, who for loving Pan and
-following him and calling to him had been
-changed into a huge rock on the mountainside,
-and forever compelled to mock each
-voice she heard.</p>
-
-<p>The old legend of the nymph had caught
-their fancy, and often they paused in their
-play to shout, and listen to what seemed to
-them the voice of some fairy of the mountains.</p>
-
-<p>Now they stood beside the birches,
-Dorothy with one arm around a white<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>
-trunk, and Nancy near her. At their feet
-were countless bluebells, overhead the
-blue sky, while across and beyond the valley
-rose the mountain capped by white
-clouds that looked as soft as swan's-down.</p>
-
-<p>"Here! Here!" cried Dorothy, and echo
-answered, "Here,—ere!"</p>
-
-<p>"Listen!" cried Dorothy, clasping her
-hands, and laughing with delight. "It answers
-as if it was a truly voice that heard
-and replied.</p>
-
-<p>"Nancy, I love you!" she cried, and
-again they plainly heard:—</p>
-
-<p>"Love you-oo!"</p>
-
-<p>They thought it great fun to shout and
-call, and hear their cries so cleverly repeated.</p>
-
-<p>And now another child ran out from the
-great doorway, paused a moment as if looking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>
-for some one, then, seeing the two little
-figures near the clump of birches, stole
-softly near them.</p>
-
-<p>On tiptoe, and with tread as soft and
-noiseless as a cat, she made her way over
-the short grass, until she was quite near
-them. Then, hiding behind a low bush, she
-watched them. How still she stood! For
-what was she waiting? Her bold eyes were
-full of mischief, as she whispered, "Oh,
-hurry <i>up!</i>"</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy Dainty put her hands to her
-mouth, trumpet fashion, and called:</p>
-
-<p>"Come and catch us!" and instantly the
-echo from the distant mountain and a shrill
-voice behind them, repeated:</p>
-
-<p>"Come and catch us!"</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, oh-o!" cried Dorothy, and Nancy
-ran to her, and threw her arms about
-her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"You ought not to frighten Dorothy like
-that!" cried Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>A saucy laugh answered her.</p>
-
-<p>"Well, it isn't nice to be shrieked at, and
-you do it just like the echo, you know you
-do, and it's enough to frighten any one,"
-said Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>The little tease was not in the least
-abashed. She could imitate almost any
-sound that she had ever heard, and each
-success made her eager to repeat her efforts
-at mocking.</p>
-
-<p>"I made old Mrs. Hermanton fly up out
-of her chair, and drop her ball of worsted
-and knitting-needles, when I shouted close
-to her ear."</p>
-
-<p>"Why, Floretta!" cried Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>Now you think that was horrid, but <i>I</i>
-tell you it was funny. She'd just been telling
-about her darling little lap-dog that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>
-died <i>ten years ago</i>, and she got out her
-handkerchief to cry, and put it up to her
-eyes.</p>
-
-<p>"'Oh, if I only could hear his lovely bark
-again!' she said, and right behind her chair,
-I said:</p>
-
-<p>"'Ki-yi! Yip! Yip!' and she jumped up
-much as a foot from her seat."</p>
-
-<p>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 in the loss of the
-dog.</p>
-
-<p>One testy old gentleman who was
-troubled with gout, spoke rather plainly.
-"Madam," he said, "I've heard that story
-every day of this week, 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!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>He certainly was hopelessly rude, but one
-must admit every day is far too often to be
-forced to listen to an uninteresting tale.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta stood looking down at the toe of
-her shoe. She moved it from side to side
-along the grass for a moment, then she
-spoke again.</p>
-
-<p>"You know old Mr. Cunningham has
-gout, and is awful cross?"</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy and Nancy nodded. They did
-indeed know that.</p>
-
-<p>"Well, he sat on the piazza and laughed
-when I scared Mrs. Hermanton, so I want
-to know if he'll think it's funny <i>every</i> time
-I do things. You know he puts one foot up
-on a chair, and every time any one touches
-that chair ever so little, he cries: '<i>Oh</i>, oh,
-oh!' and holds on to his foot.</p>
-
-<p>"The next time I'm near him, I'm going
-to make b'lieve hit my foot against something,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>
-and then I'll cry out, just 'zactly as
-he does:</p>
-
-<p>"'<i>Oh</i>, oh, oh!' and I'll hold on to my
-foot," said Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>"I know it's funny," said Dorothy, "but
-I don't think you ought to."</p>
-
-<p>"Well, <i>you</i> needn't. P'raps you couldn't
-do it just like other folks, but I <i>can</i>, and
-I'm going to!" said Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>She was a handsome child, but her boldness
-marred her beauty.</p>
-
-<p>She was, indeed, a clever imitator, but
-she had been told so too often. Her mother
-constantly praised her cleverness, and unwise
-friends applauded her efforts, until
-Floretta acquired the idea that she must, on
-all occasions, mimic some one.</p>
-
-<p>Sometimes those whom she mocked
-thought it clever, and laughed when they
-had thus been held up to derision.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>At other times Floretta found that she
-had chosen the wrong person to mimic, and
-had received a sharp rebuke.</p>
-
-<p>This taught her nothing, however.</p>
-
-<p>She thought any one who did not enjoy
-her antics must be very ill-natured, while
-her silly mother considered that Floretta
-had been abused.</p>
-
-<p>While Dorothy and Nancy were talking
-with Floretta, they were picking large
-bouquets of bluebells and a tiny white
-flower that grew as abundantly as the bluebells,
-and blossomed as freely.</p>
-
-<p>It pleased her, for the moment, to gather
-some of the blossoms, and soon the three
-were too busy to talk, each trying to
-see which could gather the largest bouquet.</p>
-
-<p>On the hotel piazza Mrs. Paxton sat, occupied
-with her embroidery, but not too<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>
-busy to talk. She was <i>never</i> too busy
-to talk, if she could find any one to
-listen.</p>
-
-<p>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.</p>
-
-<p>It was not that the story displeased him
-that he frowned, but that he was bored with
-hearing what Mrs. Paxton was saying,
-mainly because she always said the same
-thing.</p>
-
-<p>"You see, with our wealth and position,
-it is impossible that little Floretta should
-ever make any use of her talents for any
-purpose other than the amusement of her
-friends," she said.</p>
-
-<p>One of the two ladies, whose fine face and
-sweet low voice bespoke refinement, looked
-fixedly at Mrs. Paxton, and wondered that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>
-any woman should be willing to boast so
-foolishly.</p>
-
-<p>The other, whose garments told of a great
-love of display, seemed interested, and even
-impressed.</p>
-
-<p>"What is her especial talent?" she
-asked, "I really should like to know. Is
-she musical?"</p>
-
-<p>"O dear, yes," Mrs. Paxton hastened to
-reply; "she plays delightfully, and she
-has a voice that is really quite unusual for a
-child; she dances, too, but her greatest gift
-is her power of imitation. She has a sensitive
-nature that is open to impressions, and
-she sees the funny side of everything. She
-really is a wonderful little mimic. You
-must see her to appreciate her charm."</p>
-
-<p>The quiet woman looked as if she thought
-this a doubtful accomplishment, but the one
-who had eagerly listened said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Where is she? I should be <i>so</i> pleased
-to see her. Not all children are so interesting.
-Many are dull."</p>
-
-<p>"And lucky they are!" growled old Mr.
-Cunningham, under his breath, but the
-ladies did not hear that.</p>
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-<p>"I don't want these flowers now I've
-picked them," cried Floretta. "You can
-have them if you want them," she said, as
-she turned toward Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>"I can't hold any more than I have,"
-said Dorothy, "but you could—"</p>
-
-<p>"Then here they go!" cried Floretta, as
-she flung them broadcast, to lie and wilt in
-the sunlight.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, it was too bad to throw them
-away," said Dorothy. "I was going to say,
-if you didn't care for them, perhaps Mrs.
-Hermanton might like them. She said she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>
-liked wild flowers and used to pick them,
-but her rheumatism won't let her pick them
-now."</p>
-
-<p>"Pooh! I wouldn't have bothered to
-take them back to her," Floretta replied;
-and turning about, she ran back to the
-hotel.</p>
-
-<p>"Come here, Floretta!" said Mrs. Paxton.
-"This lady wishes to see you."</p>
-
-<p>Usually Floretta when asked to do anything,
-preferred to do something else.</p>
-
-<p>This time, thinking that she saw an opportunity
-for a lark, she went promptly and
-paused beside her mother's chair.</p>
-
-<p>"This is Mrs. Dayne, Floretta. Mrs.
-Dayne, this is my little daughter."</p>
-
-<p>Floretta looked up and smiled, but said
-nothing. She had never been taught that
-she must reply courteously when spoken to.</p>
-
-<p>Her pretty face pleased Mrs. Dayne, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>
-was much the same sort of woman that Mrs.
-Paxton was. She wished that Floretta
-could be induced to perform.</p>
-
-<p><i>Induced!</i> She was already wondering if
-she would have a chance to show off.</p>
-
-<p>The opportunity came soon, and she was
-delighted.</p>
-
-<p>Mr. Cunningham had become drowsy,
-and his magazine dropped to the piazza
-floor.</p>
-
-<p>In stooping to recover it, he hurt his
-gouty foot, and cried out.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Oh</i>, oh-o!" he cried, and like an echo,
-"<i>Oh</i>, oh-o!" cried Floretta, catching hold
-of her own foot and hopping wildly
-about.</p>
-
-<p>Of course Mrs. Paxton laughed gaily, as
-if Floretta had done a very smart thing,
-while Mrs. Dayne, who was as silly a
-woman as Mrs. Paxton, joined in the merriment,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>
-thus hoping to gain favor with her
-new friend.</p>
-
-<p>Mr. Cunningham, without a word, took
-his magazine and, limping painfully, left
-the piazza, and went indoors.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Vinton, an odd expression on her
-fine face, took her parasol from the chair
-where it lay, and went for a walk down the
-path toward the birches. She was disgusted
-with Mrs. Paxton, Floretta, and
-Mrs. Dayne, although she felt that the little
-girl was least of all at fault.</p>
-
-<p>She was only an untaught, untrained
-child, to be pitied rather than blamed. She
-knew that they would think her very unkind
-if she did not seem to approve of
-Floretta, and she could not laugh at cruelty.</p>
-
-<p>The child was indeed a clever imitator,
-but the fact remained that it <i>was</i> cruel to
-mock an outcry caused by pain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Dorothy and Nancy were coming toward
-her, on their way toward the hotel, their
-hands filled with blossoms, faces bright and
-smiling.</p>
-
-<p>They greeted her gaily, and Dorothy offered
-her some of the flowers.</p>
-
-<p>"I'll give half to you, and half to
-mamma," said Dorothy. "I mean, I will if
-you'd like to have them."</p>
-
-<p>"It is a sweet gift, and I shall enjoy
-them in my room," Mrs. Vinton said. "I
-have a lovely vase that is worthy to hold
-such beautiful blossoms."</p>
-
-<p>"I'll divide mine between Aunt Charlotte
-and Mrs. Hermanton," said Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>"You both like to give," said Mrs. Vinton.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, yes!" they cried together, and as
-she left them, Dorothy said:</p>
-
-<p>"Isn't she a sweet, lovely lady?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Yes, and I like to hear her talk, her
-voice always sounds so pleasant."</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Vinton, as she walked along the
-little path, her flowers in her hand, thought
-of Dorothy and Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>"They are two dear little girls," she
-said, "and add to the charm of this lovely
-place."</p>
-
-<p>"Would you dare to give Mr. Cunningham
-some bluebells for his buttonhole?"
-said Nancy. "I'd like to, but <i>I</i> wouldn't
-dare."</p>
-
-<p>"I don't know," Dorothy said. "I'd
-like to, too, and he 'most always has a rosebud,
-but sometimes he doesn't. When we
-get back, if he's on the piazza, and hasn't
-a bud in his buttonhole, I'll try to dare to
-offer him some of these blossoms."</p>
-
-<p>Dear little Dorothy! She wondered if
-she would be rewarded with a frown!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Floretta and her mother were not there,
-neither was Mrs. Dayne, but in a shady corner
-sat Mr. Cunningham.</p>
-
-<p>Nancy ran in to take her flowers to Aunt
-Charlotte and Mrs. Hermanton.</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy hesitated. She would have been
-even more timid, had she known how recently
-he had been offended.</p>
-
-<p>He looked up from his book, frowned,
-then smiled and nodded pleasantly.</p>
-
-<p>He had thought that Floretta had returned,
-and was pleasantly surprised to see
-Dorothy, instead.</p>
-
-<p>Softly she crossed the piazza until she
-stood beside him.</p>
-
-<p>"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, fearing that, after all, he might
-not care for them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Why, thank you, my dear. I surely
-would like them, especially as they are offered
-me by a real little lady."</p>
-
-<p>He placed the cluster that she offered
-him in his lapel, as he spoke, and looked to
-Dorothy for approval.</p>
-
-<p>"They are wild flowers, truly," he said,
-"but I think they are quite as attractive
-as the buds I have been wearing," and
-Dorothy was glad that she had offered
-them.</p>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p>
-<h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
-
-<h3>A DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE</h3>
-
-<div class='cap'>THREE weeks had passed, and as nearly
-every day had been fair, the guests at
-the Cleverton had lived out of doors, appearing
-at the hotel at meal-time, and at
-night.</div>
-
-<p>Other wild flowers beside the bluebells
-were blossoming gaily, peeping up 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 their
-crevices.</p>
-
-<p>The pony, Romeo, had come to the mountains
-with the family, and seemed to enjoy
-the outing.</p>
-
-<p>Every morning Dorothy and Nancy went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>
-for a drive, and Romeo tossed his mane, and
-pranced as if to show his delight.</p>
-
-<p>One morning the pony was standing at
-the porch, waiting for his little mistress,
-who soon came running down the stairs.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta was standing in the hall, spinning
-a top.</p>
-
-<p>A sign on the wall plainly stated that
-children must not play in the hall, but that
-did not disturb Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>Deftly she wound the string, and the
-great top fell to the floor, where it hummed
-and spun as rapidly as if a boy's hand had
-flung it.</p>
-
-<p>She picked it up, and again wound it, this
-time throwing it with even greater force.</p>
-
-<p>"Look! Look!" she cried. "I b'lieve
-it spins faster every time I throw it!"</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy looked over the baluster at the
-humming top, but said nothing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>She knew that Floretta had seen the notice;
-indeed a number of the children had
-stood in the hall when it had been tacked
-up.</p>
-
-<p>Looking up at Dorothy, Floretta noticed
-the whip in her hand.</p>
-
-<p>"Riding?" she asked.</p>
-
-<p>"Yes, for a little while," said Dorothy.
-"It's a lovely morning, and I mean to see
-how quickly Romeo will take me to the
-'Spring.'"</p>
-
-<p>"I wouldn't care to ride horseback,"
-said Floretta, rudely.</p>
-
-<p>"You won't care to spin tops in this hall
-if Matson catches you," cried a shrill voice,
-from an upper hall.</p>
-
-<p>"Pooh! I'm not afraid of Matson,"
-Floretta said, boldly, looking up at the boy
-who had tried to frighten her.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, aren't you?" said the boy in a teasing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>
-voice. "Well, he manages this hotel,
-and he'll <i>make</i> you stop if he catches
-you!"</p>
-
-<p>"You stop, Jack Tiverton!" cried
-Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>"You'll be the one to stop!" said Jack,
-with a loud laugh.</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy crossed the hall, stepping
-around Floretta, who stood exactly in the
-way.</p>
-
-<p>Looking back, she saw Floretta show the
-tip of her tongue to Jack, while Jack, not
-to be outdone, made a most outrageous
-face.</p>
-
-<p>"I wish they weren't so horrid!"
-Dorothy said to herself, as she left the hall.</p>
-
-<p>Having mounted Romeo, with the
-groom's aid, she rode off down the lovely,
-shady road, the man on his horse, following
-at a respectful distance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>She touched the pony lightly with her
-whip, and he responded by breaking into a
-gentle gallop.</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy's bright curls flew back from
-her flushed face, and she laughed as she flew
-over the road.</p>
-
-<p>The groom watched her admiringly, and
-marvelled that so small a girl could be such
-a perfect little equestrienne.</p>
-
-<p>The ride had brightened her eyes, and she
-always looked smaller than she really was
-when mounted upon Romeo.</p>
-
-<p>He was a handsome animal, with flowing
-mane and tail, and the groom spoke truthfully
-when he muttered:</p>
-
-<p>"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."</p>
-
-<p>The groom had been in the service of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>
-Dainty family but a few months, but in that
-time he had become devoted to the little
-daughter of the house. All the servants
-loved Dorothy, and were almost as fond of
-Nancy Ferris.</p>
-
-<p>The young groom had heard Nancy's
-story, and he felt a deep interest in the
-little girl, who once had been a waif.</p>
-
-<p>Now, his pleasant face wore a smile as he
-followed Dorothy, and saw how firmly the
-little figure stuck to the saddle, and rode
-as if girl and pony were one and inseparable.</p>
-
-<p>They reached the "Spring," a spot
-whose beauty drew all travellers to it, and
-artists lingered there to paint, and thus
-perpetuate its charm.</p>
-
-<p>Romeo looked down at the clear stream
-that reflected his figure so perfectly.</p>
-
-<p>"He wants a drink," said Dorothy;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>
-"lead him to a good place, Thomas,
-please."</p>
-
-<p>He helped her to dismount, and then led
-the pony to a shady spot where he could
-drink, and enjoy the cool, clear water.</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy at once commenced to gather
-some of the lovely wild flowers that grew
-near the water's edge, but farther up the
-stream.</p>
-
-<p>"These are different from any that I've
-ever found here," she thought.</p>
-
-<p>Her hands were nearly filled with the
-lovely blossoms, and she was reaching out
-to grasp an especially pretty one, when a
-strangely familiar voice, just behind her,
-said:</p>
-
-<p>"I think I see some one I've <i>often</i> seen
-before!"</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy turned, and a little cry of surprise
-and pleasure escaped her lips.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>There were Mrs. Barnet and dear little
-Flossie coming toward her, while very
-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.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, I <i>am</i> glad, <i>so</i> glad to see you!"
-cried Dorothy. "And Flossie Barnet, did
-you know you were coming up here, when
-I said 'good-by' to you and Molly Merton
-at Merrivale?"</p>
-
-<p>"I didn't know <i>surely</i>, but I <i>almost</i>
-knew," Flossie admitted, "but Uncle
-Harry said, 'Don't tell 'til you <i>know</i>,' and
-I didn't <i>truly</i> know until after you were
-gone."</p>
-
-<p>"Well, it's fine to have you here," said
-Dorothy, "but I do truly b'lieve it's almost
-nicer to be surprised, and have you;" and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>
-she threw her arm around Flossie, as she
-walked beside her.</p>
-
-<p>Tall, handsome Uncle Harry thought he
-saw a chance for a bit of a joke.</p>
-
-<p>"I wonder why some one isn't surprised
-to see <i>me?</i>" he said.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, I am," said Dorothy, "and glad,
-too."</p>
-
-<p>"Well, thank you," said Uncle Harry;
-then with a face that he tried to make sad,
-he said:</p>
-
-<p>"But I know you aren't as glad as you
-were to see Flossie, because,—you didn't
-put your arm around <i>my</i> waist!"</p>
-
-<p>He had tried to look very glum, but his
-blue eyes were laughing.</p>
-
-<p>Big, handsome Uncle Harry could not
-look woebegone, and the two little girls
-laughed at his attempt.</p>
-
-<p>"The barge is taking our party over to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>
-the 'Cleverton,' and I see you have the
-pony, Dorothy," said Uncle Harry. "Will
-you run a race with the barge?"</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, yes, yes!" cried Dorothy, "and
-Romeo will come in ahead!"</p>
-
-<p>"If he does," said Uncle Harry, "I'll
-surely decorate him with a blue ribbon!"</p>
-
-<p>With many a laugh and jest, and much
-guessing as to which would be the winner,
-the merry party clambered into the barge;
-Dorothy mounted Romeo, and they were
-off over the road, on the way to the
-hotel.</p>
-
-<p>The horses, like the average barge horses,
-were not beauties, but they saw the pony
-rush forward, and they made an effort at
-speed. They plunged forward, at what, to
-them, seemed a reckless pace, but the fine,
-handsome Romeo shot past them, his nostrils<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>
-dilated, and his eyes bright with excitement.
-Dorothy's gay laugh rang out as
-she passed them, and Uncle Harry, as he
-looked after the flying figure, exclaimed:</p>
-
-<p>"The little fairy! I believe no other
-child could ride so fearlessly as that!"</p>
-
-<p>Often she looked back, as she sped over
-the road. Try as they would, the old horses
-could not overtake her.</p>
-
-<p>As soon as the barge appeared in sight
-between the trees, she touched Romeo
-lightly with her whip-stock, and then she
-laughed gaily as he plunged forward, the
-old barge rattling along far behind.</p>
-
-<p>She did not permit Romeo to again
-slacken his pace, and thus arrived at the
-Cleverton before the barge was in sight, so
-slow had been its progress.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, Nancy!" she cried, "Who <i>do</i> you
-think has come?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="width: 397px;">
-<img src="images/i003.jpg" width="397" height="500" alt="Often she looked back, as she sped over the road.—Page 31." title="" />
-<span class="caption">Often she looked back, as she sped over the road.—<i><a href="#Page_31">Page 31.</a></i></span>
-</div>
-
-<p>"Who has come?" Nancy asked.
-"Where are they?"</p>
-
-<p>"I mean you can't guess who is coming,
-and there they come now, Nancy, just
-look!"</p>
-
-<p>Nancy did look, saw the barge swinging
-around the curve of the road, saw a
-tiny handkerchief waving, and then a
-sweet little face looked out to smile at
-her.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, it's Flossie Barnet!" cried Nancy,
-joyfully, "and her mamma, and,—why, yes
-it <i>is!</i> It's Flossie's Uncle Harry!"</p>
-
-<p>He heard the cry, and heard the welcome
-in her voice.</p>
-
-<p>"Yes, it's Flossie's Uncle Harry, and all
-the other little girls' Uncle Harry who care
-to claim him for an uncle," he said, with a
-laugh, as he lifted his little niece down from
-the barge.</p>
-<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p>
-<p>"Oh, I'm <i>so</i> glad he came, too," said
-Dorothy, upon hearing which, he turned
-and lifting his hat, bowed, thus acknowledging
-the compliment that she had paid
-him. His eyes twinkled with pleasure, for
-he loved children, and he valued their regard.
-He was a big, manly fellow, with a
-warm heart, as loving, and as merry as that
-of a child.</p>
-
-<p>The Barnet party added much to the
-pleasure of little events and entertainments
-at the Hotel Cleverton. Flossie became, at
-once, a favorite with the other children,
-and her charming mother was deservedly
-popular with all.</p>
-
-<p>Uncle Harry, who possessed a fine voice,
-willingly sang whenever a musical program
-was arranged for an evening, while his
-lovely young wife, who was an accomplished
-pianist, played his accompaniments,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>
-or rendered solos, thus generously
-adding to the pleasure of the other guests.</p>
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-<p>"I tell you what it is," said old Mr. Cunningham,
-"that big bank of clouds hanging
-over that mountain means rain, and plenty
-of it, I believe."</p>
-
-<p>"I think you are right," said Uncle
-Harry, "and if we <i>do</i> have a three days'
-rain, as we sometimes do, we shall have to
-use every effort to keep things humming,
-and so forget the storm."</p>
-
-<p>They had been sitting on the piazza, and
-talking of the days of uninterrupted sunshine
-that they had enjoyed, when, in a few
-minutes, the blue sky had been hidden, as
-if by a thin, pearly veil, while hanging over
-the mountain was the mass of leaden clouds
-that had seemed to prophesy rain.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, <i>I</i> don't want it to rain," wailed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>
-Floretta, who stood near them, her pretty
-face puckered into a most unpleasant
-frown.</p>
-
-<p>"I'm afraid the weather can't be arranged
-especially for you," said Mr. Cunningham.</p>
-
-<p>He, like all the guests, was very tired of
-the child who was either whining, or boisterously,
-rudely gay. Just at this point,
-Mrs. Paxton came out on the piazza, a small
-note-book and pencil in her hand.</p>
-
-<p>She hastened toward the two gentlemen,
-and smiled as if she were conferring a
-favor.</p>
-
-<p>"With the chance of a stormy evening,
-we are trying to arrange a program that
-will give us a pleasant evening indoors,"
-she said. "I am sure you will help
-me."</p>
-
-<p>She had smiled at both, and old Mr. Cunningham,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>
-who heartily disliked her, was
-only too glad to reply.</p>
-
-<p>"I'm not musical, madam," he said,
-"but I'll whistle 'Hail Columbia' for you,
-if you will promise not to reprimand me if
-I get off the key."</p>
-
-<p>"Dear, dear!" she cried. "You are always
-so amusing. One never knows if you
-are joking, or serious."</p>
-
-<p>"It would be very serious, and no joke,
-I assure you, if you were actually obliged
-to listen to my whistling," was the curt
-reply, and he turned once more to scan the
-sky and the distant mountains.</p>
-
-<p>Uncle Harry, of course, agreed to sing,
-his wife promised to play, and Mrs. Paxton
-moved toward where Mrs. Dainty and her
-companion, Aunt Charlotte, were sitting,
-with Dorothy and Nancy near them.</p>
-
-<p>"Will your little daughter sing for us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>
-this evening?" she asked. "We are eager
-to have quite a fine program."</p>
-
-<p>"Dorothy shall sing for you, surely,"
-Mrs. Dainty said, "and Nancy, I am sure,
-will give a little solo."</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, does Nancy sing or play?" Mrs.
-Paxton asked, in surprise, for thus far
-Nancy had not exhibited her talent, whatever
-it might be.</p>
-
-<p>"She will give you a solo that shall be
-neither singing nor playing," Mrs. Dainty
-replied, with a quiet smile.</p>
-
-<p>"How very interesting!" said Mrs. Paxton.
-She had invited Dorothy to sing because
-other guests had expressed the wish
-to hear her.</p>
-
-<p>Here was a <i>second</i> child with talent of
-<i>some</i> kind! Well, Floretta's imitations of
-other people would certainly eclipse the efforts
-of the other little girls! Mrs. Paxton's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>
-sole idea in arranging the entertainment
-was for the purpose of showing Floretta's
-mimicry.</p>
-
-<p>A small figure paused a moment in the
-doorway, then stepped back, and peeped
-out, scanning the groups upon the piazza.</p>
-
-<p>"She isn't there!" he whispered. "She's
-backed out, an' she <i>said</i> she'd do
-it!"</p>
-
-<p>He drew back into the shadow, and
-waited, hoping that when he looked again
-he might see her.</p>
-
-<p>A second peep at the guests on the piazza
-showed that Floretta was not among them.</p>
-
-<p>"She didn't <i>try</i> to do it!" he muttered.</p>
-
-<p>He held something in his hand, which he
-kept behind his back.</p>
-
-<p>He was about to peep again when a light
-hand touched his shoulder.</p>
-
-<p>He turned, and there stood Floretta,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>
-looking prettier than usual in her short
-white frock, white shoes, and pink hair
-ribbons.</p>
-
-<p>"Did you get one?" whispered Jack.</p>
-
-<p>"Look!" said Floretta, and from behind
-her back she produced a long corn-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?"</p>
-
-<p>"I asked the head waiter to get mine for
-me," said Jack, "and he acted as if he
-thought me a ninny. He gave it to me all
-the same, and asked what I was up to. I
-didn't tell him, though."</p>
-
-<p>They giggled softly.</p>
-
-<p>"Ready?" whispered Jack, softly.</p>
-
-<p>"Yes," whispered Floretta, and then,
-with corn-cobs held to their mouths, and
-their fingers working as if playing upon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>
-flutes, they marched out on to the piazza,
-loudly singing, "Hail Columbia."</p>
-
-<p>Some of the guests laughed, none so
-loudly as Mrs. Paxton, who declared that
-it taxed her intellect to imagine what put
-such outrageously funny notions into children's
-heads.</p>
-
-<p>"I can answer that, madam, and without
-trying very hard, either. It's Satan,
-madam, Satan, who from watching their
-actions, takes them to be his near relatives,"
-said Mr. Cunningham.</p>
-
-<p>Meanwhile the little procession of two,
-encouraged by the laughter, marched in and
-out between the groups of guests, until unlucky
-Floretta let her corn-cob slip from
-her fingers, the moist, sticky thing falling
-upon the light silk skirt of a lady who sat
-near Mrs. Paxton.</p>
-
-<p>"There, there, Floretta, never mind,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>
-said Mrs. Paxton; then turning to the
-wearer of the gown, she said, "I don't
-think it will stain it in the least. Children
-will be children, and must have their fun!"</p>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p>
-<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
-
-<h3>AN ENTERTAINMENT</h3>
-
-<div class='cap'>MRS. PAXTON had laughed at what
-she chose to call the "funny" antics
-of Floretta and Jack, but in truth, she
-had been very angry.</div>
-
-<p>She swept from the piazza, Floretta,
-firmly grasped, walking beside her. Jack
-Tiverton's mother took him to her room,
-where she could talk to him, without fear
-of interruption.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta sat on a low divan, sullen and
-obstinate.</p>
-
-<p>For twenty minutes she had listened,
-while her mother had told what a disrespectful
-thing she had done.</p>
-
-<p>"I don't see how it was not respectful,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>
-grumbled Floretta, "we were just having
-a little fun."</p>
-
-<p>"And it was fun at my expense," said
-Mrs. Paxton. "I was annoyed, just when
-I was making plans for a <i>fine</i> entertainment,
-to have you and that boy parade out
-on to the piazza with those old corn-cobs,
-singing, or rather <i>howling</i>, like young savages!"</p>
-
-<p>This, and much more Floretta was forced
-to listen to, but during the remainder of
-the scolding, she did not speak, or reply in
-any way.</p>
-
-<p>She was still very sullen when her mother
-left the room, and no one saw her until she
-appeared in the dining-room at dinner.</p>
-
-<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>It proved to be wasted effort. Mrs. Paxton
-had been so interested in what Mrs.
-Dayne was saying that she had not noticed
-that Floretta let the various courses go untasted.</p>
-
-<p>She had hoped to worry her mother, but
-had only punished herself!</p>
-
-<p>She was very hungry when they left the
-table, and also very angry.</p>
-
-<p>"I might just as well have eaten my dinner,"
-she muttered, "she never noticed
-that I didn't."</p>
-
-<p>When the hour arrived that had been set
-for the concert, every guest was present,
-and all were talking and laughing gaily,
-and very glad that an evening's amusement
-had been provided.</p>
-
-<p>Outside, the rain was descending in torrents,
-while a cold wind whistled around
-the corners, as if demanding admittance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Indoors the heavy red hangings were
-drawn over the lace draperies, great logs
-blazed in the fireplaces, while over all
-softly shaded lights gave an air of cozy
-comfort that made one feel sheltered and
-safe from the storm.</p>
-
-<p>A group of ladies sat chatting together,
-and one, a recent arrival, was saying that
-she had understood that children were not
-permitted as guests at the Cleverton.</p>
-
-<p>"There are only a few children here,"
-Mrs. Vinton said, "and some of them are
-charming."</p>
-
-<p>"While others are <i>not?</i>" questioned the
-stranger, with an odd smile.</p>
-
-<p>"I'd rather not say just that," Mrs. Vinton
-said, "but I will say that Mrs. Dainty's
-little daughter, and Dorothy's little friend,
-Nancy, and Flossie Barnet, are three of the
-sweetest children I have ever met. My<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>
-stay here is brighter and far pleasanter
-because they are also here."</p>
-
-<p>"Dorothy Dainty is an unusually fine
-singer for a child," another lady said, "and
-she is to sing for us to-night. I believe
-Nancy Ferris is to do something, but I do
-not know what. Does any one know if
-Nancy sings?"</p>
-
-<p>"I've not the least idea what her talent
-is," said a pleasant-voiced matron, "but
-she is such a bright, interesting child that
-I feel sure that whatever she is able
-to do at all, she will do exceedingly
-well."</p>
-
-<p>"Aunt Vera is to play a solo for the first
-number," said little Flossie Barnet, to a
-lady who sat near her.</p>
-
-<p>"That is delightful," said the lady,
-"and what are you to do?"</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, I'll listen, and listen," said Flossie,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>
-"and then, I'll clap to show how much
-I liked what the people did."</p>
-
-<p>"And your friend Dorothy is to sing,"
-said the lady, "do you know what Nancy
-does?"</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, yes, I do!" cried Flossie, "and she
-does it so lovely, you'll wonder how she
-could! I'm not to tell <i>what</i> she'll do, none
-of us are to tell. You'll <i>see</i> when she does
-it!"</p>
-
-<p>"Dear little girl, you seem quite as
-happy as if you were to be a soloist," said
-the lady.</p>
-
-<p>"Why, yes," said Flossie, "for when the
-other little girls do pretty things, I see
-them, but I couldn't see myself do anything!"</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, you sweet, funny little girl," the
-pleasant-faced lady said, as she drew Flossie
-closer, "I never knew so dear a child."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Dorothy and Nancy are dear," said
-Flossie, "and oh, you haven't seen Molly
-Merton! She's another one of my little
-friends, and she's <i>always</i> lovely to play
-with. We're always together when I'm at
-home at Merrivale."</p>
-
-<p>Before the lady could express regret that
-she did not know Molly, the orchestra
-began the opening chords of an overture.</p>
-
-<p>The musicians gave an afternoon and
-evening concert daily, throughout the season,
-but to-night their numbers were to
-be interspersed with solos given by the
-guests.</p>
-
-<p>The orchestra was generously applauded,
-and then a slender figure in a gown of soft,
-pink satin seated itself at the piano, and
-with light touch and brilliant execution,
-played a rondo that delighted all.</p>
-
-<p>In response to repeated applause, she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>
-played the "Caprice Hongroise," which
-aroused wild enthusiasm.</p>
-
-<p>She smiled, and bowed gracefully in acknowledgment,
-then turning toward her
-husband, who now stood beside her, took
-from his hand the duplicate of the song that
-he was to sing. She always played his accompaniments.</p>
-
-<p>How full of music was his rare voice, how
-like the tones of a silver trumpet when he
-sang "A Song of the Sea," how tender his
-tones when for a second number, he sang an
-"Italian Love Song!"</p>
-
-<p>"Didn't he sing <i>fine</i>, just <i>fine?</i>" Flossie
-asked, eagerly.</p>
-
-<p>"Indeed he did," the lady replied, "I
-never heard a more excellent voice."</p>
-
-<p>"Well, he's my own Uncle Harry!" said
-Flossie, a world of love and pride in her
-voice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>A young girl played a serenade on the
-guitar, and a member of the orchestra
-played a waltz for violin, and both were encored.</p>
-
-<p>Those who were to perform were in a
-small room awaiting their turn. They were
-laughing and chatting while they waited,
-and all, save a little girl, who kept apart
-from the others, seemed bright and happy.
-Her eyes were dull, and her red lips pouting.
-It was Floretta Paxton, and she was
-watching Nancy Ferris, noticing every detail
-of her costume, and looking as unpleasant
-as possible.</p>
-
-<p>Nancy wore a frock of white gauze,
-thickly strewn with tiny gold spangles.
-Her girdle was white satin, her slippers
-were white, and she wore a cluster of pink
-rosebuds in her hair.</p>
-
-<p>"What's she going to do?" Floretta<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>
-asked in a fretful voice, but Mrs. Paxton,
-who stood beside her, could not tell her
-that. She knew no more of Nancy's talent
-than Floretta did.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta had been angry in the afternoon;
-she had foolishly refused dinner, and was
-very hungry; she was made more angry
-because hers was not the first number on
-the program, and now, here was Nancy Ferris
-wearing a beautiful frock that far outshone
-her own!</p>
-
-<p>She was wearing a simple pink muslin,
-and had felt that she was finely dressed,
-until Nancy appeared.</p>
-
-<p>The satin girdle, the white slippers, and
-the spangles were more than she could forgive.</p>
-
-<p>"What's she going to <i>do?</i>" she asked
-again, more fretfully than before.</p>
-
-<p>"I <i>don't know</i>," Mrs. Paxton said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Well, I won't do a thing 'til I do
-know!" said Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>Silly little girl! Always a jealous child,
-she now thought that Nancy <i>might</i> be another
-impersonator or imitator, and she
-was nearly wild.</p>
-
-<p>The orchestra was now playing a dreamy
-waltz. Nancy's foot tapped the measure.
-Her eyes were brighter.</p>
-
-<p>"What <i>is</i> she going to do?" whispered
-Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>The tall man, who had been announcing
-the numbers, now swung aside the portière,
-and Nancy slipped from her chair, ran out
-upon the stage, and then,—oh, the fairy
-motion of her arms, the lightness with
-which, on the tips of her toes, she flew
-across the stage!</p>
-
-<p>With her finger-tips she lifted the hem of
-her skirt, and courtesied low, then away in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>
-a dreamy whirl she sped, turning to look
-over her shoulder, and laugh at the faces
-that showed greatest surprise.</p>
-
-<p>On swept the strains of sweetest music,
-and little Nancy, carried away with love of
-the music, danced more charmingly than
-ever before.</p>
-
-<p>Aunt Charlotte and Mrs. Dainty watched
-her flying figure, and often as they had seen
-her, they knew that she was excelling herself.</p>
-
-<p>"Nancy, Nancy, dear child!" murmured
-Aunt Charlotte.</p>
-
-<p>Now, with her feet crossed, and still on
-the tips of her toes she whirled like a top,
-did the graceful rocking step, swayed like
-a flower in the wind, whirled about again,
-courtesied once more, and laughing like a
-merry, dark-eyed sprite, ran back into the
-little waiting-room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Oh, what thunders of applause greeted
-her, yet she sat quietly chatting with a lady
-who stood near her!</p>
-
-<p>Again and again they seemed to be begging
-that the little dancer might return.</p>
-
-<p>"I'll bow to them," said Nancy, and she
-ran out to do so.</p>
-
-<p>"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 to respond.</p>
-
-<p>She extended her arms for a second, then
-whirling rapidly, she repeated the last half
-of the dance, courtesied again, and when
-she ran back to the little room, Dorothy
-embraced her tenderly.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, Nancy darling!" she cried, "you
-never danced finer. Do you know how
-pleased every one is?"</p>
-
-<p>"I danced to please and surprise them,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>
-said Nancy. "I <i>do</i> love to see people look
-happy. They couldn't remember how hard
-it was raining while I was whirling and
-dancing for them."</p>
-
-<p>Floretta, now more unhappy than before,
-turned so that she might not see Nancy, nor
-note the shimmer of her spangles.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Paxton, who had been talking with
-a friend, now turned toward Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>"Come!" she said, "now run out, and
-do your very best, Floretta."</p>
-
-<p>"I'm not going out!" said Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>"What an idea!" cried Mrs. Paxton.
-"Of course you'll run out, and show every
-one how cute you are. Why, I planned this
-entertainment just to give you a chance to
-show off!"</p>
-
-<p>"And made me the last one on the whole
-list!" snarled Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>"Come, come!" cried her mother,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>
-"every one couldn't be first. I thought I'd
-have the others perform first, and then <i>you</i>
-could show who was the smartest! Come!
-They're just wild to see what you can do,
-and they're waiting."</p>
-
-<p>"They'll <i>have</i> to wait!" hissed Floretta,
-like a cross little cat.</p>
-
-<p>It was no use to urge, plead, or insist.
-Floretta was stubborn, and when once she
-had determined what she would, or would
-not do, nothing could move her.</p>
-
-<p>Prayers and threats were equally useless.</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy sang very sweetly, and was cordially
-received.</p>
-
-<p>Uncle Harry and his wife sang a charming
-duet that delighted all, the orchestra
-played a military caprice, and then the remainder
-of the evening was spent in a little,
-informal dance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>All was light, laughter, and music, and
-there were two kinds of music that gladdened
-their hearts,—the sweet music of the
-violins, and the still sweeter melody of
-happy voices!</p>
-
-<p>Silly little Floretta had ruined the evening
-for no one save her own jealous little
-self.</p>
-
-<p>Because she could not be the first on the
-program, she would not appear at all, although,
-at heart, she longed to show her
-really clever mimicry. Later, after having
-sulked during the early part of the evening,
-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 at fault,—herself.</p>
-
-<p>Her efforts at imitating would surely
-have amused, and would, doubtless, have
-been well received. She was rather a graceful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>
-dancer, in any of the ordinary ballroom
-dances, and she thus might have joined the
-other children when the concert was over.
-She had needlessly spent a most unhappy
-evening.</p>
-
-<p>Now, in her room, she heard the strains
-of the orchestra, and for the first time realized
-how foolish she had been.</p>
-
-<p>"I <i>had</i> a chance, and I lost it," she
-sobbed, but her tears were not tears of
-grieving. They were angry tears, and the
-droll part of it was that while she alone was
-at fault, she was angry with every one but
-herself.</p>
-
-<p>For a few moments she lay, her face hidden
-in her pillow. Then, she turned over
-into a more comfortable position, and softly
-she whispered, "I'll do enough to-morrow
-to make up!"</p>
-
-<p>She did not say <i>what</i> she intended to do,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>
-but the idea evidently pleased her, for she
-laughed through her tears.</p>
-
-<p>She sprang from her bed, found a box of
-bonbons that her mother had won as a prize
-in an afternoon whist party the day before,
-and crept back into bed. When she had
-eaten nearly all of the candy, she sat up
-and in the softly shaded light, looked at
-the box with its few remaining bits of
-candy. She was wondering where she
-could hide it.</p>
-
-<p>"Ma will surely notice the empty box,
-or anyway, I've made it <i>almost</i> empty," she
-said. "She might not miss it if I hid it!"</p>
-
-<p>She had never been taught to be honest,
-so whenever she did a naughty thing, her
-first thought was to hide, or cover up the
-act. She never felt regret.</p>
-
-<p>No one ever heard her gently say, "I'm
-sorry."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Softly she crept from her bed, and made
-her way across the floor to the dressing-case.</p>
-
-<p>She put the box upon the floor, and
-pushed it well under it, and wholly out of
-sight.</p>
-
-<p>"There!" she whispered. "That's all
-right. I would have finished the candy, but
-I didn't want the whole of it. I ate the best
-of it. The others weren't very nice."</p>
-
-<p>Down in the long parlor the guests were
-no longer dancing.</p>
-
-<p>They were resting, and listening to a
-lovely barcarolle played softly by the
-orchestra.</p>
-
-<p>Flossie, clinging to Uncle Harry's hand,
-drew him toward the window.</p>
-
-<p>"Look!" she said, as she parted the curtains.
-"It isn't raining now, and the moon
-is coming out. It will be pleasant to-morrow!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>
-And it has been lovely in here to-night."</p>
-
-<p>"Dear little Flossie, dear little niece, it
-was your cheery, loving nature that led
-us to give your name to our baby. She
-has two fine names, she is Beatrice Florence.
-The first is Vera's mother's name,
-the second, dear, is yours."</p>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p>
-<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
-
-<h3>IN A BIRCH ARBOR</h3>
-
-<div class='cap'>THE storm had cleared the air, no mist
-veiled the mountains, the sunlight lay
-everywhere, gilding valley and stream.</div>
-
-<p>Many of the guests had started early in
-the morning for a trip to a distant mountain
-from the summit of which a delightful view
-might be enjoyed.</p>
-
-<p>They were to ride over in the barge to
-the base of the mountain, have a picnic
-lunch under the trees, and then climb the
-rugged path up the mountain side.</p>
-
-<p>It would occupy half the day and it would
-be afternoon before the barge would return
-with its merry, tired party.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta Paxton and Jack Tiverton were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>
-usually in sight, or, as they were always
-noisy, within hearing might be nearer the
-truth, but they had gone over to a spot that
-the children called "The Pool," a bit of
-water not much larger than a big puddle.</p>
-
-<p>It existed only after a heavy rain, but
-near its edge the slender birches grew, and
-their silvery white trunks and the bright,
-blue sky were clearly reflected on its surface.</p>
-
-<p>Jack had decided to launch his toy boat
-there, and, as Floretta had hemmed the
-tiny sails, he had felt obliged to listen
-to her coaxing, and permit her to go with
-him.</p>
-
-<p>"I'll let you christen her," he had said,
-in a moment of generosity, and then regretted
-it.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta's idea of a christening ceremony<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>
-was very elaborate, while Jack thought
-that shouting the vessel's name, and shoving
-it into the water was all that was necessary.</p>
-
-<p>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 rocking chairs and hammocks
-that were swaying in the wind.</p>
-
-<p>"Every one has gone somewhere," she
-thought; "didn't any one stay at home?"</p>
-
-<p>She stood for a moment in the doorway,
-wondering what to do. Suddenly her face
-brightened, and she clapped her hands.</p>
-
-<p>"The very thing!" she said, and she
-turned and hastened to her room to find her
-latest gift.</p>
-
-<p>It was a beautiful book of fairy tales, and
-although it had been given her over a week
-ago, she had read but a few of the stories.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>
-Mrs. Dainty had sent to the city for the
-book, and ever since the day of its arrival
-Dorothy had been wild to read it.</p>
-
-<p>Something had been planned for each
-sunny day, and as the weather had continued
-fair, the book had been opened but
-a few times, and then for only a brief glance
-at the tales or the illustrations.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Dainty had gone to the village, a
-ride of about an hour from the hotel, and
-Aunt Charlotte was still occupied with her
-letters.</p>
-
-<p>Nancy was sealing and stamping the
-envelopes, as Dorothy passed the door.</p>
-
-<p>"I'm going over to the little 'birch
-arbor,'" she said. "I'm taking my new
-fairy book for company."</p>
-
-<p>"I'll come, too, just as soon as I've
-finished these envelopes," said Nancy, and
-she began to work faster.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="width: 396px;">
-<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="396" height="500" alt=""Oh, what a lovely, LOVELY story!" said Dorothy.—Page 67." title="" />
-<span class="caption">"Oh, what a lovely, <i>LOVELY</i> story!" said Dorothy.—<i><a href="#Page_67">Page 67</a></i>.</span>
-</div>
-
-<p>The "birch arbor" was not an actual
-arbor, but it was a lovely spot, and the
-birches were exceptionally fine. Nancy
-and Dorothy had often been there together,
-and they had given it the name.</p>
-
-<p>A tiny mountain brook ran through it,
-and it was a lovely spot in which to enjoy
-legends or fairy tales.</p>
-
-<p>In a few moments Dorothy had reached
-the place, and when she had seated herself,
-she opened the book where a fine picture
-showed the prince, whose father had given
-him three wishes as his only inheritance,
-and then had sent him out to seek his fortune.</p>
-
-<p>Twice she had commenced to read the
-story, and had been obliged to lay it aside.
-Now, with only the bees and the butterflies
-hovering about her, she read the fascinating
-tale.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>It proved to be even more charming than
-she had expected.</p>
-
-<p>The prince was tall, and dark, and handsome,
-and his heart was so good and true,
-that Dorothy felt that he richly deserved
-the beautiful princess whom he finally won.</p>
-
-<p>Her eyes sparkled as she read of the
-great court wedding.</p>
-
-<p>"And the lovely princess looked more
-beautiful than ever in her wedding gown of
-cloth of gold, thickly set with diamonds,
-and her crown of diamonds and sapphires."</p>
-
-<p>"Oh what a lovely, <i>lovely</i> story!" said
-Dorothy, as she turned the page.</p>
-
-<p>"Tiny princes carried her train, and as
-the happy pair reached the palace gates,
-and were about to enter the royal coach,
-the blare of trumpets sounded, as the
-guards in blue and gold played a gay fanfare."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Toot! Toot! Toot!"</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy sprang to her feet.</p>
-
-<p>It was as if those silver-toned trumpets
-had sounded close beside her. A moment
-more, and a huge automobile appeared
-from behind the trees and shrubbery, and
-slackening its speed, came, at last, to a
-standstill, and an old lady leaned out to
-question her.</p>
-
-<p>"Are we going in the right direction,
-my dear, to reach the Hotel Cleverton?"</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy walked toward the car, and
-looked up into the hard, old face.</p>
-
-<p>"This little road is <i>right</i>," said Dorothy,
-"but the broad road that leads out of this
-one is not so rough, and it is a <i>little</i>
-shorter."</p>
-
-<p>"There, Minturn, I <i>said plainly</i> that I
-believed we could get there quicker some
-other way!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"You are <i>sure</i> about the Cleverton?"
-the old lady asked. "You <i>know</i> where it
-is?"</p>
-
-<p>"I'm staying there with mamma, and
-that truly is the right way," said Dorothy,
-her soft eyes looking up into the hard, old
-face.</p>
-
-<p>"I guess I can trust you," the old lady
-said, not smiling, but looking a bit less
-stern.</p>
-
-<p>"Now, Minturn, we'll <i>try</i> to reach the
-hotel, sometime before dark!" she said
-curtly.</p>
-
-<p>Puffing and whirring the big automobile
-started off up the road, the old lady sitting
-stern and erect, as if she thought her driver
-needed watching, and she was determined
-to keep a sharp eye upon him.</p>
-
-<p>"Why, how queer!" said Dorothy.
-"She didn't even say 'good-bye,' or 'good-morning.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>
-Perhaps she was very tired, and
-forgot,"—then after a moment she added,
-"but my beautiful mamma <i>never</i> forgets."</p>
-
-<p>She went back to the pretty spot where
-she had been reading, and sitting down,
-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 printed page.</p>
-
-<p>How small and sharp her eyes had been,
-and how she asked the same question again
-and again. Did she doubt the answer given
-her?</p>
-
-<p>All these, and many more questions puzzled
-Dorothy, and with the open book lying
-upon her lap, she looked off where the sunlight
-lay upon the grass.</p>
-
-<p>She was still sitting thus when a merry
-voice aroused her, and she turned to see
-Nancy running toward her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Oh, Dorothy!" she cried. "You ought
-to have been up at the hotel just a few
-moments ago. A new guest came, and
-she was so cross, it <i>must</i> be that she didn't
-want to come. But if she truly <i>didn't</i> want
-to, then why <i>did</i> she?"</p>
-
-<p>"Why, Nancy, who wouldn't think it
-fine to come up here to the mountains, and
-stay at the Cleverton?" said Dorothy in
-surprise.</p>
-
-<p>"Well, you wouldn't have thought the
-old lady was glad to be there, if you'd seen
-her," said Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, was it an old lady that you were
-talking about?" Dorothy asked quickly.</p>
-
-<p>"Yes, and you ought to have seen her
-eyes snap when she scolded her chauffeur.
-She told him she might have arrived an
-hour before just as well as not, and she
-kept right on scolding to herself, all the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>
-way up to the piazza, and, Dorothy, she
-looked so cross, I wouldn't wonder if she
-was scolding up in her room now!"</p>
-
-<p>"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 the Cleverton. When I told her,
-she made the man rush off over the road,
-and she was scolding him when they
-left here. Perhaps she was tired, and
-will feel pleasanter when she has
-rested."</p>
-
-<p>"Perhaps," agreed Nancy, "but I know
-Aunt Charlotte and your mamma don't act
-that way when they are tired."</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy could not dispute that, and soon
-the two little girls were enjoying the fairy
-book together.</p>
-
-<p>"Now, this is the story I've just been
-reading," said Dorothy, "and this is the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>
-picture of the prince. Isn't he handsome?"</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, yes," said Nancy, "and doesn't he
-look like Flossie's Uncle Harry?"</p>
-
-<p>"Why, he <i>does</i>, truly," cried Dorothy.
-"I'll show the picture to Flossie, and I'm
-sure she'll say it looks ever so much like
-him."</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, she will," agreed Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>"Why, it would look <i>exactly</i> like him, if
-<i>he</i> only had a cap with plumes," said
-Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>Uncle Harry, coming briskly up the path,
-was just in time to hear the last few words.</p>
-
-<p>"I'm very curious to know who it is who
-needs a cap with plumes," he said.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, who knew you were right here to
-hear it?" said Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, was it a state secret?" he asked.
-"Well, now it's a pity I heard it, but as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>
-it happens I <i>did</i>, I think I must ask for the
-rest of the secret."</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, <i>would</i> you tell?" Dorothy asked,
-turning to Nancy, but before she could
-reply, Uncle Harry spoke.</p>
-
-<p>"I'm really too curious," he said, "so I
-think I'll threaten to sit on this stump,
-until you tell me the secret, and let me tell
-you two little friends, that <i>I've</i> a secret;
-it's a nice one, too, but,—" he paused to
-watch the effect of his words.</p>
-
-<p>"But—But—" they cried.</p>
-
-<p>"But,—" said Uncle Harry, "I
-wouldn't tell mine <i>first!</i>"</p>
-
-<p>Wag that he was, he could not resist the
-temptation to tease just a bit.</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy took the pretty book, and opening
-it at the page that showed the picture
-of the prince, she said, "We only said the
-brave prince looked like you, no, I mean<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>
-you look like him, and we said you'd
-look <i>just</i> like him if you had a cap with
-plumes."</p>
-
-<p>Uncle Harry appeared to study the picture
-very carefully. After a moment, he
-said:</p>
-
-<p>"That's a fine compliment, but there's
-one thing about it that worries me, so I'll
-have to ask about it.</p>
-
-<p>"In this picture the prince wears a blue
-blouse and a pair of green shoes, 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
-you expect me to come out arrayed in all
-those colors? I really feel that the costume
-is a <i>bit</i>, just a <i>bit</i> too gay."</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, we'll not ask you to be quite as gay
-as that," said Dorothy, "and we'll promise
-one thing. We won't even ask you to buy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>
-a pink cap if you'll tell us your secret
-now."</p>
-
-<p>He laughed gaily.</p>
-
-<p>"Perhaps I really <i>ought</i> to keep it a
-little longer. How would it do if I should
-tell you my secret some time next week?"
-he asked.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, no, no!" they cried, "tell it now!"</p>
-
-<p>"Well, then, there's to be a fair 'way
-down in the village, a real country fair, and
-I'm intending to hire a barge, and take all
-of the <i>very</i> young ladies over with me to see
-the fun. I mean ladies as young as you, and
-Nancy, and Flossie. I shall invite all the
-wee ladies that are stopping at the hotel,
-and I shall take all who accept."</p>
-
-<p>He looked into their bright faces, and
-laughed when Dorothy said:</p>
-
-<p>"As if <i>any</i> little girl <i>wouldn't</i> accept!"</p>
-
-<p>"You mustn't expect it to be a grand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>
-affair. It will be, as I said, a real old-fashioned
-country fair, but there will be a
-jolly ride over there, and the return trip,
-and I fancy you will enjoy it all," he said,
-"and I shall have the delight of giving
-pleasure."</p>
-
-<p>A friend who had been looking for Uncle
-Harry, now appeared on the winding path,
-a clump of large trees having hidden his
-approach.</p>
-
-<p>The two young men started off for a long
-tramp, and Dorothy and Nancy walked
-slowly back to the hotel.</p>
-
-<p>"The prince <i>did</i> look like Uncle Harry,"
-said Nancy, "and the picture of the
-naughty old fairy that enchanted the sleeping
-beauty, looks like the lady that came
-this morning, and was so very cross."</p>
-
-<p>"Then that <i>is</i> the same one who stopped
-to ask the way, for she looked just like that.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>
-I'll always think, every time I look at her,
-that she's the black fairy."</p>
-
-<p>And when they ran up on to the piazza,
-there sat the very person whom they had
-been speaking of, looking somewhat cooler
-with her long travelling cloak removed.</p>
-
-<p>Her black gown was of some thin material,
-and just as the two little girls ran up
-on to the piazza, she dropped the large,
-black fan that she had been wielding.</p>
-
-<p>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 did not sound like it.</p>
-
-<p>"She seems very strange," said Dorothy,
-"but perhaps she's still tired."</p>
-
-<p>She was always unwilling to say that any
-one was wilfully rude or disagreeable.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>And now Aunt Charlotte, with Mrs.
-Dainty, came out to enjoy the fine air, and
-Dorothy and Nancy ran to them to tell them
-of the treat that Uncle Harry had in store
-for them.</p>
-
-<p>"It's only a few days to wait, and isn't
-he kind to take us?" said Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>"He is indeed," said Mrs. Dainty, "and
-I hope all his little friends will be very
-thoughtful, and make him just as little
-trouble as possible. He takes quite a care
-in inviting so many children."</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, all the children love him, and there
-isn't one who would want to be any bother,
-unless it was Floretta," said Dorothy,
-"and perhaps she'll be having such a nice
-time, she won't think to be naughty."</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Dainty smiled at this view of it.
-She could not help thinking that Floretta
-never needed time to think in order<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>
-to be disagreeable, but she did not say
-so.</p>
-
-<p>Aunt Charlotte Grayson, seeing the
-stranger sitting alone, paused near her
-chair to say a friendly word.</p>
-
-<p>She remained but few moments, however,
-because the woman seemed not inclined
-to talk.</p>
-
-<p>Aunt Charlotte well knew that the
-stranger was not courteous, but she tried
-to think, as Dorothy had, that fatigue, after
-a long journey, made her eager for silence
-and rest.</p>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p>
-<h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
-
-<h3>THE MOUNTAIN PARTY</h3>
-
-<div class='cap'>AS the days flew by, the stranger became
-a bit more friendly, conversing
-sometimes with Mrs. Dainty and Aunt
-Charlotte, but often, far more often, with
-Mrs. Paxton.</div>
-
-<p>It was not that she sought to become acquainted
-with Floretta's mother; it was,
-rather, that Mrs. Paxton seemed determined
-to force the friendship.</p>
-
-<p>"Her name is Fenton, Mrs. Fenton, and
-isn't it odd, <i>my</i> name was Fenton before I
-married. Floretta's middle name is Fenton.
-I really feel almost as if I were related
-to her, because of the name," declared Mrs.
-Paxton one morning, whereupon Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>
-Fenton, coming out on to the piazza, remarked:</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, indeed!"</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Paxton blushed and hesitated, then
-recovering herself, she said:</p>
-
-<p>"I was just telling these ladies of my
-friendly feeling for you."</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, indeed!" Mrs. Fenton repeated, as
-she sank into a large rocker, and looked off
-across the valley to the distant mountains.</p>
-
-<p>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 if she were eager to finish the
-pretty doily.</p>
-
-<p>Two little figures came slowly up the
-path to the piazza. They were returning
-from the christening of the little boat.</p>
-
-<p>"What is wrong, Jack? You don't look
-very happy," said Mrs. Tiverton.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"He wanted me to christen his boat, but
-he wouldn't give it my name!" said Floretta,
-before Jack could reply.</p>
-
-<p>"She thought just because she hemmed
-the sails I'd name it the <i>Floretta</i>, but I
-wouldn't, so I shoved it into the water myself,
-and shouted <i>Carlotta</i>. That's the name
-of a girl that goes to my school, and I like
-her."</p>
-
-<p>"You say Floretta hemmed your sails,"
-said Mrs. Tiverton.</p>
-
-<p>"Well, I thanked her for that, and I let
-her go to the launching, and I let her christen
-it, but I don't see that I need name it
-for her," said Jack, stoutly.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Fenton had not heeded what the
-children were saying. One might have fancied
-that she did not hear, although both
-Floretta and Jack stood quite near her
-chair.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>A large spool that she had wound with
-colored silk slipped from her lap, and rolled
-toward Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>"Pick it up, dear," Mrs. Paxton said.</p>
-
-<p>"Don't want to," said Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Fenton stooped, and recovered the
-spool, and, taking her embroidery frame in
-her hand, left the piazza, and mounted the
-stairs to her room.</p>
-
-<p>"Why <i>were</i> you so rude?" said Mrs.
-Paxton, but Floretta, perching upon the
-low railing, began softly humming "Yankee
-Doodle."</p>
-
-<p>Jack Tiverton, espying a boy that he
-knew, whistled loudly, and then, as the
-other boy turned, ran after him, the two
-whooping and shouting like savages.</p>
-
-<p>"It is almost lunch time, Jack!" Mrs.
-Tiverton cried, and the boy turned, and
-waved his hand to show that he heard her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Boys aren't apt to forget meal time,"
-muttered old Mr. Cunningham behind his
-paper.</p>
-
-<p>True enough, Jack returned in ample
-time, and was the first at the table.</p>
-
-<p>Early in the afternoon Dorothy and
-Nancy went out for a drive with Romeo.</p>
-
-<p>It was one of those sunny days that tempt
-nearly every one to ride or walk.</p>
-
-<p>The mountain roads were rather lonely,
-and Mrs. Dainty insisted that whether Dorothy
-were riding Romeo, or driving in the
-phaeton, the groom must ride at a little distance
-behind her.</p>
-
-<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>
-its stately head from its base of velvet
-leaves.</p>
-
-<p>Oh, it seemed like an enchanted country,
-where new beauties were to be found on
-either hand!</p>
-
-<p>"Look!" cried Dorothy, "close beside
-that mullein is an evening primrose, and
-their blossoms are the same color."</p>
-
-<p>Then a tiny chipmunk sprang upon the
-wall, sat erect, and watched them for a moment,
-then ran up the trunk of a slender
-tree, where from a low branch he watched
-until they had passed. Then back to the
-wall he sprang, where he chattered as if
-scolding the little girls who had disturbed
-his solitude. It may be that, instead, he
-was talking to himself, and telling what
-charming little girls they were.</p>
-
-<p>A long way from the hotel they passed
-Jack Tiverton, with a number of other boys<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span>
-who were staying at a hotel a few miles
-distant from the Cleverton.</p>
-
-<p>They were all somewhat larger than
-Jack, and he thought it fine to be with them.</p>
-
-<p>He had met them at a ball game three
-weeks before, and he had been very busy
-holding their acquaintance ever since.</p>
-
-<p>"We're going to catch the echo, and
-keep it, too!" shouted Jack.</p>
-
-<p>"It's mocking you now," said Dorothy,
-with a laugh.</p>
-
-<p>"I know it," said Jack, "but we'll catch
-it, and fasten it so it can't get away."</p>
-
-<p>"<i>How</i> will you fasten an echo?" Nancy
-asked, turning, and looking over her shoulder
-as the little phaeton sped past.</p>
-
-<p>"Trust us to find a way!" cried Jack,
-and the others laughed as if they already
-knew exactly how to do it.</p>
-
-<p>They left the road, and, vaulting over the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>
-wall, crossed the open field, singing a gay,
-rollicking song as they went.</p>
-
-<p>"They just <i>say</i> they're going hunting for
-the echo," said Dorothy, "and they say it
-for fun, but I wonder where they are
-going, and what they truly are going to
-do."</p>
-
-<p>The groom, riding nearer, touched his
-hat.</p>
-
-<p>"Please, Miss Dorothy, I heard the lads
-saying that there's an old house over near
-that mountain, where a hermit lived years
-ago, and they're off to find it if they
-can."</p>
-
-<p>"Then why didn't they say so, instead
-of telling such a tale about catching the
-echo?" Dorothy asked.</p>
-
-<p>"They were saying that they wanted to
-find the hut, and hunt in it, and around it
-ter find things the old fellow may have hidden.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>
-They feared you or Miss Nancy might
-tell some other lad. They're wanting it all
-to themselves."</p>
-
-<p>Having told this bit of information, the
-groom allowed the carriage to pass him,
-and once more rode behind it.</p>
-
-<p>The two little girls talked of the long
-tramp that the boys would have before they
-would find the hermit's hut.</p>
-
-<p>"And perhaps they won't find it at all,
-after all their hunting," said Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>"Well, I hope they will," said Dorothy,
-"because it's so horrid to hunt and hunt,
-for nothing."</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, look!" she cried a moment later.
-"See the lovely mosses! Let's take some
-back to mamma and Aunt Charlotte."</p>
-
-<p>They were, indeed, beautiful. There was
-green moss that looked like velvet, and
-gray moss formed like tiny cups with scarlet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>
-edges, and other moss tipped with
-red.</p>
-
-<p>On an old stump they found shell-like
-fungus, some a creamy white, others white,
-with soft brown markings.</p>
-
-<p>Oh, a fine collection of rarely beautiful
-mosses and lichens they gathered, and
-heaped on the bottom of the phaeton.</p>
-
-<p>Romeo turned his head to watch them as
-if he wondered when they would have gathered
-enough.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, we do keep you standing, dear,
-don't we?" Dorothy said, patting his neck
-as she spoke.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, you needn't look for sugar,"
-she said, laughing, "for I haven't any
-with me, but we'll get you some fresh
-clover."</p>
-
-<p>With Nancy's help she soon had a fine
-bunch of pink clover for Romeo, and he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>
-seemed quite as pleased as if it had been
-the cubes that he so often enjoyed.</p>
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-<p>When the party of boys had left the road
-to cross the fields that lay between them,
-and the forest at the foot of the mountain,
-they had believed that they knew
-exactly how to go to reach the hermit's
-hut.</p>
-
-<p>The old hermit had been dead for years,
-but every season the summer guests at the
-hotels and farmhouses searched all around
-the deserted hut, expecting to find some
-relic to take home and label as a bit of the
-hermit's property.</p>
-
-<p>The boys supposed that they had the
-woods to themselves, and that they would
-be uninterrupted in their search of the
-place.</p>
-
-<p>They did not know that the mountain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>
-climbers had taken the same direction, intending,
-before they enjoyed their lunch
-beneath the trees, to stop at the old, deserted
-house.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Paxton and little Floretta had
-worked more persistently than any others
-of the party, and Mrs. Paxton had found
-a small, brass button.</p>
-
-<p>The others had laughed at the prize, asking
-her if she intended to keep it as a souvenir.</p>
-
-<p>"Certainly," said Mrs. Paxton. "I'm
-sure this brass button must have belonged
-on some old coat that the hermit
-wore!"</p>
-
-<p>"Perhaps in his youth, before he came
-up here to live, he may have been a janitor,"
-said a young man, with a saucy
-laugh.</p>
-
-<p>"Or a brakeman," suggested another.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Paxton pretended not to hear their
-teasing, and though the prize that she had
-found had been only a valueless thing, she
-kept it.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta was very eager to stay, and continue
-to peep into cracks in the floor and
-walls, and to poke with a stick under the
-doorsill, and in the soft earth around the
-hut.</p>
-
-<p>The older members of the party knew
-that if they were to ascend the mountain,
-see the view, and descend before twilight,
-they must start at once.</p>
-
-<p>As soon as their picnic lunch had been
-enjoyed they commenced to climb the
-rugged mountain path.</p>
-
-<p>It was very steep and rough, and it had
-been said that no children should be allowed
-in the party.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Paxton had insisted that her small<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>
-daughter was a wonderful little climber,
-who was quite equal to the demands of a
-long tramp.</p>
-
-<p>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 complaining every step of the way, until
-one young man voiced the feeling of the
-entire party.</p>
-
-<p>"This is a horrid, rough old path, and
-I'm tired. I wish I'd stayed at <i>home!</i>"
-said Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>"I wish so, <i>too!</i>" said the young man,
-and several of the party, too polite to say
-it, at heart, agreed with him.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta's was the only gloomy face,
-however. The others tramped gaily onward,
-singing snatches of song, and laughing
-as they stepped upon rolling stones, or
-tripped over long, gnarled roots that rose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>
-above the surface, as if especially designed
-to catch lagging feet.</p>
-
-<div class='poem'>
-"All day upon the hills<br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">We've chased the chamois far,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">But deeper joy now thrills</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Beneath the evening star."</span><br />
-</div>
-
-<p>The youth sang gaily, and several of
-his friends joined him in singing the old
-song.</p>
-
-<p>Arrived at the summit they rested, enjoyed
-the view, laughed and joked about
-their weariness, and made many wild
-guesses as to how long it would take them
-to make the descent and drive back to the
-hotel.</p>
-
-<p>"It will be three o'clock before we reach
-the Cleverton," said one.</p>
-
-<p>"Nonsense!" cried another, "this is
-really called a mountain by courtesy. It's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>
-only a big hill. I say we shall be on the
-piazza, and wondering what we can do next,
-as early as half-past two."</p>
-
-<p>"It's more likely to be half-past <i>three!</i>"
-declared another, and when all felt sufficiently
-rested, they commenced the descent.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta refused to keep closely beside
-her mother, insisting upon clinging to another
-member of the party, to whom she
-had taken a fancy.</p>
-
-<p>The party was a large one, much larger,
-indeed, than had at first been planned, and
-while half of the number were guests at the
-Cleverton, the others were from the Merlington,
-a hotel situated nearer the village,
-and from several large farmhouses that entertained
-summer boarders.</p>
-
-<p>The guests from the Cleverton had kept
-closely together during the trip, while those
-from the Merlington had done the same.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>They had reached the foot of the mountain,
-and were tramping along a path that
-ran nearly parallel to that on which the
-hermit's house stood.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta saw the boys, near the house,
-and also saw that Jack Tiverton was with
-them.</p>
-
-<p>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 to sneak in at the
-door of the hut, without having been seen
-by the party of boys.</p>
-
-<p>The lady, with whom she had been walking,
-supposed that she had run back to join
-her mother, while Mrs. Paxton felt quite
-undisturbed, because she believed that her
-little girl was still clinging to the arm of
-the lady with whom she had chosen to
-walk.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>It had required two barges to convey the
-party, and now they found them waiting,
-the horses a bit impatient to be off.</p>
-
-<p>The guests from the Merlington clambered
-into the first barge, and they with a
-few of the farmhouse party filled it to overflowing,
-some of the men being obliged to
-ride homeward, seated upon the steps.
-Meanwhile the Cleverton people were
-forced to wait until the barge for their
-party drove up.</p>
-
-<p>The first barge had started, and was rolling
-along, and a chorus of college songs was
-wafted back on the breeze, while handkerchiefs
-fluttered as the gay passengers
-laughed at the crowd that had not yet
-started.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Paxton paused with her foot on the
-step, and looked back.</p>
-
-<p>"Why, where's Floretta?" she asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"In the first barge," cried a voice in
-reply.</p>
-
-<p>"Are you <i>sure?</i>" she asked.</p>
-
-<p>"Why, certainly," said the other, "she's
-with that tall, fine-looking lady from the
-Merlington. She'll be home before you
-are."</p>
-
-<p>The second barge was soon filled and on
-its way. The horses were less fresh than
-those of the first barge, and seemed determined
-to lag. Indeed, they required constant
-urging to keep them from dropping
-into a slow walk.</p>
-
-<p>"Those other fellows ahead of us started
-some lively college songs," said a disgusted
-passenger, "and they're actually out of
-sight now; but the way these nags are poking
-I couldn't think of anything to sing
-that would be slow enough to be appropriate."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>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, was having a most exciting time.</p>
-
-<p>Once inside the place, she had crouched
-beneath a window to learn, if possible, what
-the boys were talking about.</p>
-
-<p>She had wanted to remain there when the
-party had started for the mountain 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.</p>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p>
-<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
-
-<h3>THE ECHO CAPTURED</h3>
-
-<div class='cap'>FLORETTA had intended to hunt for
-treasure, hoping to get something more
-valuable than the brass button that her
-mother had found.</div>
-
-<p>She was not at all afraid of Jack Tiverton,
-but of those larger boys she was not
-quite sure.</p>
-
-<p>As she knelt beneath the window she
-could hear only the voices of the boys that
-were nearest to the hut, and hearing only
-parts of their conversation, she could not
-understand what the first speaker expected
-to find.</p>
-
-<p>"If I find it, I'll put it where it will be
-safe," he said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>There was a pause, and then a voice more
-distant replied.</p>
-
-<p>She did not hear what it said, but she did
-hear the answer made by the boy who had
-first spoken.</p>
-
-<p>"If the ghost of the old hermit was in
-the hut, it might hear you."</p>
-
-<p>"Yes, and what would he say about your
-hunting for things that may have belonged
-to him?" said another, with a teasing
-laugh.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, I'm not afraid," was the careless
-answer.</p>
-
-<p>"You're not?" jeered a laughing
-voice.</p>
-
-<p>"I think we've poked around out here
-long enough without finding anything,"
-said Jack Tiverton, "let's hunt inside the
-house."</p>
-
-<p>"Wait a minute," called a boy who had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>
-not yet spoken, "just till I've looked into
-this hollow tree trunk."</p>
-
-<p>"And <i>then</i> what?" asked a merry voice.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Then</i> hunt in the house, of course!"
-was the curt reply.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta thought she saw a chance for
-fun.</p>
-
-<p>Softly, yet quickly, she crept up the rickety
-little stairway, built close against the
-wall, and leading to the tiny loft.</p>
-
-<p>The loft was really little more than a
-space beneath the roof where the old hermit
-might have stored a few provisions.
-She could not stand, or even sit, erect, and
-she crouched upon the bit of dusty flooring.</p>
-
-<p>She was none too soon, for in a few seconds
-the boys rushed in, and then began a
-discussion as to whether it would be safe
-to take a plank up from the floor to look
-beneath it for hidden treasure.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"You oughtn't to do that," said Jack
-Tiverton, "somebody might arrest you,
-or all of us, if folks found out we did
-it."</p>
-
-<p>"Arrest us for spoiling a floor in this old
-hut!" cried an older boy. "I wonder you
-don't think the old hermit might holler if
-he heard us pull up a plank!"</p>
-
-<p>"Well," said Jack stoutly, "you'd be as
-scared as I would if he did holler!"</p>
-
-<p>"You're a small boy, Jack, and easily
-scared," was the taunting reply.</p>
-
-<p>"Well, pull up a plank, and see what
-happens. I dare you to!" cried Jack.</p>
-
-<p>"Here goes then!" said the older boy,
-and catching hold of a plank that had rotted
-at one end, he pulled it up.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Oh, let it alone!</i>" groaned a boy in a
-farther corner of the room, in an attempt to
-imitate an old voice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"<i>Oh, let it alone!</i>" came in exactly the
-same voice from the loft.</p>
-
-<p>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.</p>
-
-<p>"Come, come!" said Sidney, when he
-caught his breath, "we're a precious pack
-of sillies! Help me lift this big board, will
-you?"</p>
-
-<p>"Will you?" came from the loft, in
-the very manner in which he had said
-it.</p>
-
-<p>Again he dropped the plank.</p>
-
-<p>"What does it mean?" cried Sidney.</p>
-
-<p>"Mean?" came his last word repeated.</p>
-
-<p>The boys were now thoroughly frightened.</p>
-
-<p>"Come!" cried Sidney, "let's leave
-here!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Here!" came a repetition of his last
-word, and big as he was, he had turned to
-run, when a faint ripple of smothered
-laughter came down from the loft.</p>
-
-<p>Immediately Sidney's pale face flushed
-red. It flashed through his mind that these
-younger boys had seen that he was frightened.</p>
-
-<p>He had been laughed at by the owner of
-the voice that had mocked him, and the
-boys would <i>never</i> stop laughing.</p>
-
-<p>Quickly he mounted the steps, and
-roughly he dragged little Floretta from her
-hiding place, half carrying her down the
-stairway, because it was too narrow for
-two to descend.</p>
-
-<p>"So you thought it was funny, just
-<i>funny</i> to mock us, did you?" he asked,
-when they reached the floor.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta was not laughing now.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>She was sullen, and at the same time
-frightened.</p>
-
-<p>What would they do to her?</p>
-
-<p>They crowded around her, frowning and
-making all sorts of wild suggestions as to
-what should be done with her.</p>
-
-<p>"Keep her mocking till she's got enough
-of it!" cried one.</p>
-
-<p>"Put her back in the loft, and leave her
-there! She seemed to like there," said another.</p>
-
-<p>The big boy, whose hand was still on her
-shoulder, was more angry than either of the
-others.</p>
-
-<p>He was a bully, always ready to torment
-some one smaller than himself.</p>
-
-<p>He had reason to be provoked with Floretta,
-and the fact that she was only a little
-girl, made no impression upon him.</p>
-
-<p>He would as willingly punish a girl, as a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>
-boy, and the fact that his captive was
-smaller than he, only proved that the task
-would be an easy one.</p>
-
-<p>"You think it's smart to imitate, and it
-is. P'raps you think you're the echo that's
-over in the mountain!" he sneered.</p>
-
-<p>She made no answer. She was crying
-now.</p>
-
-<p>"Say! Let her off!" cried Jack Tiverton.
-"She's only a girl!"</p>
-
-<p>The smallest boy in the crowd, he saw
-Sidney's cowardice.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, are you sweet on Floretta?" jeered
-Sidney.</p>
-
-<p>Jack drew back abashed. He did not
-like Floretta at all, but he did think it
-mean for a big boy to frighten so small a
-girl.</p>
-
-<p>"I ain't going to hurt you," said Sidney,
-"but I'm going to give you a chance to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>
-play echo, till you're tired of it. I guess
-you'll get enough of it before you get
-through!</p>
-
-<p>"Come, fellows! Get some good long
-pieces of wild grape-vine! I'll fasten Miss
-Echo where she can shout all day, and nobody'll
-stop her!"</p>
-
-<p>"I won't go with you!" screamed Floretta,
-who had found her voice, "You sha'n't
-tie me!"</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, is that so?" said Sidney, in a teasing
-tone. "We'll tie you so you can't get
-away!"</p>
-
-<p>She pulled back.</p>
-
-<p>"No, you don't!" said Sidney, grasping
-her arm with a firmer hold.</p>
-
-<p>"Now, walk right along, or these other
-fellows will help me carry you!" he added,
-and Floretta thought best to walk.</p>
-
-<p>"Where'll you take her?" asked one.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Right there," said Sidney. "That
-rock is just covered with vines that cling
-fast to it. Hurry, now! Pull down some
-long, strong pieces! Here, you scratch like
-a cat! Stop that!"</p>
-
-<p>Floretta, half wild to get away, was attacking
-his hand in the manner of a little
-wild animal.</p>
-
-<p>"Let me go, then!" she screamed.</p>
-
-<p>"Not much!" cried Sidney, and with the
-help of another boy, he dragged her, screaming
-and kicking, all the way, until they
-reached the rocky ledge.</p>
-
-<p>"There, now! Hold on! You're showing
-too much temper!" cried a stout lad
-who was helping to bind her.</p>
-
-<p>"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 a network of stems and stout<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>
-vines that it would be impossible for her to
-escape.</p>
-
-<p>"There!" cried Sidney, when he felt sure
-that she was securely made a little prisoner,
-"You can shout till you're tired, and
-if you want to mock any one, you can mock
-yourself! Good-afternoon, Miss Echo!"</p>
-
-<p>He lifted his cap, with elaborate courtesy,
-and marched off whistling:</p>
-
-<div class='center'>
-"The Girl I Left Behind Me."<br />
-</div>
-
-<p>They did not look back. Sidney marched
-boldly away, believing that he had done a
-very smart thing, but the other boys felt
-less comfortable.</p>
-
-<p>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 they were leaving her alone in the
-woods!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Jack Tiverton was, by far, the most uneasy.</p>
-
-<p>He was the smallest of the party, and,
-while he had asked Sidney to let Floretta
-go, he had known it was useless to do
-more.</p>
-
-<p>The eight other boys were stronger than
-he, and any attempt upon his part to free
-her would be worse than useless. They
-would not listen, but instead, would pounce
-upon him.</p>
-
-<p>The other boys talked, laughed, and whistled,
-to imply that they were not thinking
-of what they had done, but all the way back
-to the Cleverton, little Jack was wondering
-what he could do.</p>
-
-<p>He dared not go straight to Floretta's
-mother, and tell her of her little girl's
-plight.</p>
-
-<p>He knew if he did that, the boys would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>
-soon learn who had played "tell-tale," and
-then,—what would they do to <i>him?</i></p>
-
-<p>And yet, he was determined, in some way,
-to help Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>How could he let a little girl stay out
-there in the woods all night?</p>
-
-<p>Of course some one, walking through the
-woods might find her, but if no one happened
-to?</p>
-
-<p>Jack knew that the risk was too great.
-It was just before he reached the Cleverton,
-that he thought of the best way that he
-could do it.</p>
-
-<p>He would write a note to Mrs. Paxton.
-He would drop that note into the mail box
-that hung at the side door. The letters were
-always distributed at four, and Sidney Cumston,
-who had a fine watch, had just said
-that it was three. He left the boys at the
-entrance to the Merlington, and hurried on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>
-that he might have plenty of time for his
-note.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Tiverton was out driving with a
-friend, and Jack had quite a hunt before he
-could find pencil or paper for his note.</p>
-
-<p>At last he found a blank book, and with
-a pencil he wrote this note.</p>
-
-<div class="blockquot"><p>"Deer Mrs. Paxton:—</p>
-
-<p>"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.</p>
-
-<div class='sig'>
-"Yors trooly."<br />
-</div></div>
-
-<p>He folded it, and, in place of the envelope
-that he could not find, he tied around it a
-bit of string that he found in his pocket.</p>
-
-<p>Boldly he addressed it, in very large letters,
-and sneaking down the stairway, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>
-around on the piazza toward the side door,
-watched his chance, and slipped it into the
-mail box.</p>
-
-<p>There was much excitement on the front
-piazza, because the guests had arrived in
-the barge but a few moments before, and
-Mrs. Paxton had given a maid a generous
-"tip" to go over to the Merlington, and
-bring Floretta back with her.</p>
-
-<p>"She returned with the party that came
-from the Merlington, and I don't wish her
-to remain there. I want her to come right
-back to me," said Mrs. Paxton.</p>
-
-<p>"Very well, ma'am," the maid had replied,
-and with the coins in her hand, had
-started off at once toward the other hotel.</p>
-
-<p>When little Jack Tiverton ran around to
-the front piazza, the maid had just returned.</p>
-
-<p>"If you please, Mrs. Paxton, your little
-girl isn't over to the Merlington, and hasn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>
-been there, and a lady that was with the
-party that came home from the mountain
-trip, says the child wasn't in their barge at
-all. I asked her if she was <i>sure</i>, and she
-said, she couldn't help being sure, because
-there wasn't <i>any</i> child in their barge."</p>
-
-<p>Of course excitement reigned supreme.
-Mrs. Paxton seemed half wild, and every
-one shared her anxiety.</p>
-
-<p>The fact that Floretta was not a favorite
-made no difference. No one liked to think
-of a little girl out there alone on the mountain
-path, or in the woods, especially as it
-was already late afternoon.</p>
-
-<p>"What a dreadful thing!" cried Mrs.
-Paxton, wringing her hands, and walking
-up and down the piazza.</p>
-
-<p>"Who will go with me? I cannot go
-alone, and where, <i>where</i> shall we look first?
-Who saw her last?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>At this moment a man-servant came out
-from the hall with a tray of letters that he
-began to distribute.</p>
-
-<p>"One for you, Mrs. Paxton," said the
-man, as he touched her arm gently.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, I can't think of letters now," she
-said, but something about the note seemed
-so unusual that she looked at it.</p>
-
-<p>She drew off the string that had been
-loosely tied, and read the hastily scrawled
-lines.</p>
-
-<p>She screamed, and Aunt Charlotte, who
-was standing near her, put her arm around
-her and supported her, or she would have
-fallen.</p>
-
-<p>Many of those who gathered around Mrs.
-Paxton were inclined to think the note a
-hoax, but Mrs. Dainty, coming forward,
-lifted her handsome head, and looking
-at the men who were lounging comfortably<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>
-in the large rockers, or sitting upon the
-piazza railing, spoke the word that spurred
-them to action.</p>
-
-<p>"Is it safe to <i>guess</i> that this is a joke?
-True, it is written in a boyish hand, and
-while it <i>may</i> be a boy's joke, may it not be
-a boy's means of telling us what has actually
-happened? I would not, were I a man,
-take the responsibility or chance, of leaving
-Floretta out there, because I would go to
-the place, and thus learn, not guess, if this
-information be true."</p>
-
-<p>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:</p>
-
-<p>"We are off, madam. We only needed
-an inspiration to move us to endeavor."</p>
-
-<p>She bowed and smiled, as she said:</p>
-
-<p>"One thing I ask of you. Go as quickly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>
-as possible, for the sake of the frightened
-child, and the anxious mother."</p>
-
-<p>"In all possible haste," was the quick
-reply, and she turned to offer what comfort
-she might to the woman who seemed nearly
-distracted.</p>
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-<p>And all this time, what had been happening
-in the wood? For a long time Floretta
-had cried, screamed, and shouted, hoping
-that the boys would come back and release
-her.</p>
-
-<p>Then, when she knew that they must be
-too far away to hear her, she tore at the
-clasping bonds, trying in every way to free
-herself. With feet and hands she strove
-to loosen the tough, wiry vines, kicking and
-trampling with her restless feet, beating
-and bending with her little hands, until
-they were torn and bleeding, and the tormenting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>
-vines seemed only to hold her with
-a firmer grasp, as if to prove how useless
-was her struggle.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="width: 391px;">
-<img src="images/i005.jpg" width="391" height="500" alt="With feet and hands she strove to loosen the tough, wiry vines.—Page 119." title="" />
-<span class="caption">With feet and hands she strove to loosen the tough, wiry vines.—<i><a href="#Page_119">Page 119</a></i>.</span>
-</div>
-
-<p>She had cried until she could cry no more,
-and the sturdy vines had cut and bruised
-her.</p>
-
-<p>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.</p>
-
-<p>How still the woodland seemed! Sometimes
-a twig would snap, or a buzzing insect
-would pause, as if to look at her, but
-no one came to set her free.</p>
-
-<p>She waited for a moment to regain her
-breath, and then again she fought and struggled
-with those tough, sturdy vines.</p>
-
-<p>She tried to wrench them apart, to break,
-to tear them from her, but they only yielded
-enough to bend, and then snap back into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>
-the very place that she had pushed them
-from.</p>
-
-<p>Not a vine broke, not a stem gave way,
-and she set her lips tightly for yet greater
-effort!</p>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p>
-<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
-
-<h3>FLORETTA'S RETURN</h3>
-
-<div class='cap'>AT a far corner of the piazza sat Dorothy,
-her eyes terrified, and her cheeks
-pale. Nancy, close beside her, wound her
-arms about her, and sought, in every way,
-to comfort her.</div>
-
-<p>"They'll find her soon, Dorothy, so don't
-you be frightened," she whispered.
-"They'll <i>surely</i> find her soon."</p>
-
-<p>Dear little Nancy knew, better than any
-of Dorothy's other friends could have
-known, how ready was her sympathy, how
-kind and loving was her heart.</p>
-
-<p>She had not loved Floretta, but with
-Dorothy, that did not count. It was the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>
-dreadful fear that something had happened
-to a little girl, who, so recently had been at
-play with them,—ah, that was what
-grieved sweet Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>She was thinking of what Mrs. Dainty
-had said to Aunt Charlotte when the mountain
-trip was first talked of.</p>
-
-<p>"I think the long tramp is a rougher
-form of amusement than I can well endure.
-I should be so weary long before it was time
-to return, that I should derive but little
-pleasure from the trip. There is another
-thought in connection with the picnic," she
-continued, "and that is an element of danger.
-Not great danger perhaps, but such
-that I would not join the party, nor would
-I permit Dorothy, or Nancy to do so. One
-gentleman who was talking of the mountain
-path that they have chosen, spoke of
-the great danger to the climbers from small,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>
-rolling stones, and from places where the
-earth seems to crumble near the edge of the
-narrow foot-path. A careless step might
-lead to a fall that would mean, I hardly
-dare to say what!"</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy and Nancy had been wishing to
-join the party, but upon hearing this, they
-lost all interest in it, and had cheerfully
-taken the drive behind gentle Romeo, instead.
-Now, as Dorothy sat with Nancy's
-arms about her, she was glad that they had
-not been permitted to go, and she heartily
-wished that Floretta had remained at the
-Cleverton.</p>
-
-<p>"Had she rolled from the path, and
-fallen, fallen,—"</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy covered her eyes with her hands,
-as if she almost saw the little girl falling,
-down, down to the ravine so far below the
-path, and was trying to shut out the picture.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>
-Nancy, still striving to quiet her fear, heard
-some one telling what the scribbled note
-had said.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, Dorothy!" she whispered, eagerly,
-"Floretta is just where they know how to
-find her, and they've promised to hurry,
-and bring her back."</p>
-
-<p>"Are you <i>sure?</i>" Dorothy asked.</p>
-
-<p>"Yes, <i>sure!</i>" said Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>Then Nancy climbed into the big chair
-beside her, and the two little girls sat, each
-tightly clasping the other's hands, while
-they waited and watched for the first
-glimpse of the men who should return,
-bringing Floretta with them.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte remained
-with Mrs. Paxton, who seemed to
-have lost all control of herself.</p>
-
-<p>One moment she would cry as if her
-heart would break, and then she would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span>
-spring up, threatening to follow the direction
-that the men had taken, and try to
-reach the woods, thus to sooner see her little
-girl.</p>
-
-<p>At last, after what seemed endless waiting,
-but was actually only an hour, some
-one espied the men in the distance, and
-cried out:</p>
-
-<p>"They're coming! They're coming!"</p>
-
-<p>"Have they got Floretta? Oh, <i>have</i>
-they found her?" shrieked Mrs. Paxton.</p>
-
-<p>"We can't see from here," said the one
-who had spoken, and the mother rushed
-forward, shading her eyes with her hand,
-and straining to catch the first glimpse of
-her child.</p>
-
-<p>She would have rushed down the road to
-meet them, but Mrs. Dainty held her back.
-She had seen that they were carrying Floretta,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>
-and she thought, in case the child were
-injured, the mother would far better save
-her strength.</p>
-
-<p>Two of the men had clasped their hands
-to form an "arm-chair," and thus they
-brought to the piazza, a very limp, tired
-Floretta, whose vivacity was all gone, and
-whose face bore the trace of desperate
-weeping, while her arms and hands were
-covered with cuts and bruises, and her
-little frock was torn and tattered by her
-struggle with the tough and tightly knotted
-vines.</p>
-
-<p>She lay back against the shoulder of one
-man who supported her, and looked as if
-her strength were spent.</p>
-
-<p>She changed on the instant that they set
-her on her feet.</p>
-
-<p>Rushing to her mother, she permitted her
-to clasp her for a moment to her breast, then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>
-turning to the group that gathered around
-her, she cried fiercely:</p>
-
-<p>"Look! See my hands! See my arms!
-See the scratches, where I tried to get
-away, and it was Sidney Cumston who
-tied me! He <i>did</i> it, but the other boys
-<i>let</i> 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 they
-wouldn't. Oh, somebody punish all but
-Jack! He <i>tried</i>, but he couldn't help me."</p>
-
-<p>She was hysterical, and sank to the floor
-of the piazza, sobbing, and crying, before
-her mother could catch her.</p>
-
-<p>She scrambled to her feet, and was
-clasped in her mother's arms.</p>
-
-<p>Old Mr. Cunningham surprised every one
-by speaking most kindly to her. She had
-so often tormented him that it seemed generous
-that he should offer a bit of comfort.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"I don't think we shall let those young
-rascals escape without a sharp reprimand,
-and if I was to venture a guess about it, I
-should say that little Jack, after all, managed
-to help you, Floretta," he said.</p>
-
-<p>She turned in surprise to look at the old
-face, that now looked so kindly at her.</p>
-
-<p>"Come out here, Jack," said the old gentleman,
-"didn't you write the note that
-sent us searching for this little girl?"</p>
-
-<p>"Yes, sir," said Jack, "and I wrote it
-'cause I thought the other big fellows were
-mean, but if they find out I told, they'll—"</p>
-
-<p>"No, they won't," said Mr. Cunningham.
-"You're no 'tell-tale.' You did just right,
-and the men here will stand by you. Those
-big boys were the cowards to torment a little
-girl. You're the best boy up here in the
-mountains."</p>
-
-<p>"Three cheers for young Tiverton!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>
-shouted some one, and in the midst of the
-excitement, Mrs. Paxton, with her little
-daughter, slipped away to their room, after
-having thanked little Jack for his valuable
-assistance.</p>
-
-<p>Meanwhile old Mr. Cunningham had been
-searching in this pocket and that for something
-which he seemed most anxious to
-find.</p>
-
-<p>"Ah, I knew I had it! Come here,
-Jack!"</p>
-
-<p>Blushing and diffident, Jack walked over
-to the big rocker.</p>
-
-<p>"'Tisn't much, boy, but I think you
-ought to have a medal. Here's a silver dollar
-I've been keeping for a pocket piece.
-I'll give it to you for a medal, for being
-brave enough to tell what you knew <i>ought</i>
-to be told. That's not tale-bearing, and as
-you were afraid to tell, for fear of those big<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>
-bullies, it was a brave act. You're a lad
-that knows <i>what</i> to do, <i>when</i> to do, and then
-<i>does</i> it!"</p>
-
-<p>"Hurrah for Jack Tiverton!" some one
-cried again, and this time they were given
-with a will.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Tiverton, returning from a long
-drive, wondered what all the excitement
-meant, and why they were cheering her
-little son.</p>
-
-<p>Jack, with his silver dollar tightly
-clasped, hung his head, and looked as if
-overpowered by his conspicuous position.</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy, now bright and happy, since
-Floretta was safe, saw that Jack hesitated.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, Mrs. Tiverton," she said, "Jack
-has been truly the <i>best</i> boy in the world,
-but he can't speak just now. When he tells
-you what he's done, you won't wonder why
-they cheered him!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Barnet and Flossie, with Uncle
-Harry and his wife, now arrived in their
-big automobile from a three-days' trip that
-they had been enjoying.</p>
-
-<p>Of course Dorothy and Nancy tried to
-tell Flossie all about Floretta and Jack, and
-they were both so excited that Flossie got
-a very twisted idea of the affair.</p>
-
-<p>Uncle Harry, not dreaming that the matter
-was at all serious, turned, after greeting
-the children, to enter the house.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, Uncle Harry!" cried Flossie, "you
-ought to hear about it. There were ever
-so many big boys, and only one little girl,
-and they tied her so she couldn't get away,
-and Jack wrote a note, and when they
-found her,—"</p>
-
-<p>"Now, Flossie, dear, I'm perfectly willing
-to be scared half out of my wits, but I
-<i>must</i> know what I'm being scared about.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>
-You're getting me so mixed up that I've
-not the least idea what this is all about.
-Have you?" he asked.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, no," said Flossie, "I don't <i>half</i> understand
-it, but it does sound so frightful,
-that I'm so scared, I need to have you be
-scared, too."</p>
-
-<p>"Well, then," Uncle Harry replied, "if
-it will help you to know it, I'll admit that
-my teeth are chattering, and shivers are
-running up and down my spine!</p>
-
-<p>"I thought at first that it was the draft
-across this piazza, but perhaps, after all, it
-was caused by what you were telling me."</p>
-
-<p>When, at last, he had heard the story, he
-was full of disgust that any boy, and his
-friends, should have been guilty of such a
-contemptible act, and his sympathy for the
-little girl was deep and sincere.</p>
-
-<p>"She will need rest and quiet to-morrow,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>
-he said, "and you three little friends
-will be kind, I think, if you stay rather
-closely here, and help, in some quiet way,
-to amuse her."</p>
-
-<p>"We will," said Dorothy, "I'll let her
-read my new fairy book if she'd like to.
-She could lie in the hammock, and do that."</p>
-
-<p>"I'll keep the hammock swinging," said
-Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>"And I'll give her my new box of candy
-I just brought home," said Flossie.</p>
-
-<p>"That's right," said Uncle Harry, "and
-for your sweet promises of kindness toward
-the child who has suffered so much to-day
-I'll remind you that on day after to-morrow
-I shall give myself the pleasure of taking
-you all to the fair. I promise you a <i>fine</i>
-time."</p>
-
-<p>He turned to look over his shoulder, and
-laugh at their wild little cries of delight.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>He was anticipating the pleasure quite as
-much as they.</p>
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-<p>Dorothy, Nancy, and Flossie kept the
-promise that they had made, and Floretta
-fully enjoyed their kindness. She seemed
-unusually gentle, and Mrs. Paxton thanked
-them for so sweetly helping to amuse her,
-and thus make her willing to spend the day
-quietly.</p>
-
-<p>The day set for the visit to the village
-fair dawned bright and sunny, a light breeze
-making it just cool enough to be delightful.</p>
-
-<p>The barge was waiting for its gay little
-passengers.</p>
-
-<p>The children stood with impatient feet on
-the piazza, waiting for their host, merry,
-handsome Uncle Harry.</p>
-
-<p>At last a firm tread caused them to turn,
-and there he was, looking gayer than ever,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span>
-a picture of health, strength, and kindliness,
-and clad in a most becoming outing
-suit of light gray serge.</p>
-
-<p>The blue of his tie was not bluer than his
-fine eyes, and no one could have glanced at
-him without knowing that he possessed a
-generous, loving nature, a kind and merry
-heart.</p>
-
-<p>"Come, little friends!" he cried. "Is
-every young lady that I invited here?" he
-added, looking anxiously lest some child be
-late, and thus by chance, be left behind.</p>
-
-<p>"Every one is here!" said Flossie. "I
-know because I've counted."</p>
-
-<p>"Then we'll start at once, unless some
-one would rather wait 'til to-morrow?" he
-said, his eyes twinkling.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, no! No!" they cried. "We just
-<i>couldn't</i> wait!"</p>
-
-<p>"In that case we'll go now!" he said,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>
-with a droll expression, as if he started at
-once, merely as an accommodation.</p>
-
-<p>"Why, Uncle Harry! You're only joking,"
-cried Flossie. "You wouldn't be
-willing to wait until to-morrow. I heard
-you tell Aunt Vera to hurry and find your
-tie, because you were in such a rush to
-start!"</p>
-
-<p>"To think that my own little niece would
-tell tales like that, and thus let out the
-secret. What chance have I now, of making
-them think that I was really very shy
-about riding with such a large party of
-girls?"</p>
-
-<p>Shouts of laughter greeted this speech,
-and Uncle Harry waited until it had subsided,
-then he said:</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, well, if no one <i>believes</i> that I am
-shy or diffident, it's waste of time to try to
-appear so, so I shall not try. Instead, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>
-shall be very bold. Come, dears, let me help
-you in!"</p>
-
-<p>And amid shouts of laughter from the
-children, he lifted each high in air, and
-placed her in the barge, thus saving her the
-trouble of mounting the steps.</p>
-
-<p>Then taking his seat in the middle of the
-laughing, chattering little party, he called
-to the driver to start.</p>
-
-<p>The long whip cracked, Jack Tiverton,
-from the piazza, blew loudly on a tin
-trumpet, and they were off over the road,
-the happiest party that ever filled a barge.</p>
-
-<p>Uncle Harry told some amusing stories,
-then, led by his fine voice, they sang some
-gay little songs, and before they dreamed
-that they had arrived at the fair, the driver
-shouted:</p>
-
-<p>"Here we are!" and sure enough, they
-had reached the fair grounds.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"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."</p>
-
-<p>"That's just it," agreed Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>"The reason <i>I</i> enjoyed the ride," said
-Uncle Harry, "is because I was so charmed
-with my little guests."</p>
-
-<p>"And the reason why we had such a fine
-ride," said Flossie, "is because we had the
-<i>best</i> man in the world taking care of us."</p>
-
-<p>Uncle Harry bowed low.</p>
-
-<p>"This must be a wedding party, if I'm
-the 'best man,'" he said with a laugh, "so
-we'll not fuss because there's no musician
-to play a march for us, but we'll play you
-are all bridesmaids, and we'll hurry right
-along. The entrance is this way, I think,
-and under that evergreen arch."</p>
-
-<p>A large tent had been pitched for the display<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>
-of the various wares and numerous
-attractions; a smaller tent near it serving
-as fortune teller's booth.</p>
-
-<p>"We'll coax Uncle Harry to have his
-fortune told," whispered Flossie to Dorothy,
-when, to their great surprise, he said:</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, Flossie, you little witch! Uncle
-Harry heard what you said, and not only
-is he going to have his fortune told, but he's
-going to make every one of you little girls
-have yours told, also!"</p>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p>
-<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
-
-<h3>AT THE FAIR</h3>
-
-<div class='cap'>THE fair proved a great delight to the
-children. They had all been to fine
-fairs patronized by fashionable matrons,
-whose names were quite enough to insure
-success, but the country fair was an absolute
-novelty.</div>
-
-<p>At the large city fairs, merry débutantes
-graced the booths, and sold flowers, or tickets
-for the various games of chance.</p>
-
-<p>Here in the mountain village all was different,
-and the novelty gave greater interest.</p>
-
-<p>Farmers' daughters were in the booths,
-and sold huge bouquets of old-fashioned
-garden flowers, homemade candy, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>
-honey, while one rosy-cheeked lass dispensed
-sweet cider, or sweet apples, according
-to the preference of her customer.</p>
-
-<p>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 <i>fine</i> in his buttonhole.</p>
-
-<p>There was music, if it could be called
-music, furnished by the local band.</p>
-
-<p>Uncle Harry said he had never seen
-such independent people as those musicians
-were. He declared that the music sounded,
-to him, as if each man commenced to play
-when he chose, and stopped when he got
-ready, regardless of what the other players
-were doing.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, I do believe that is the way they
-play!" cried Dorothy, laughing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Of course it is," cried Uncle Harry,
-"and a great deal of bother it saves, for no
-one has to direct them; they do not know
-that they are making discord, and thus they
-play and play with all their might, and are
-absolutely care-free and happy."</p>
-
-<p>There were heaps of giant pumpkins,
-and more red and yellow ears of corn than
-they had ever seen before, while everywhere
-was laughter, and friendly gossip,
-and chatter, that made the fair a jolly place
-in which to roam about.</p>
-
-<p>The children were determined to see
-every object in the big tent, and while some
-were interested in one thing, others wished
-to see something else, so they decided to
-divide into two groups.</p>
-
-<p>One half of the little party turned to the
-right intent upon seeing some gaudy patchwork
-quilts, while the others turned to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>
-left declaring their intention of investing
-all their pennies in the "fish-pond."</p>
-
-<p>There were so many things to see on the
-way, that it was a long time before they
-met, as they had agreed, at the entrance.</p>
-
-<p>Somewhere on the way they had missed
-Uncle Harry, and they could not imagine
-where he had gone.</p>
-
-<p>It happened that Uncle Harry had seen a
-very small girl crying, and his first thought
-was to help her, and thus dry her tears.</p>
-
-<p>Upon questioning her, he found that the
-wee little maid had, by accident, knocked
-a small doll from one of the tables, and had
-been roundly scolded.</p>
-
-<p>"That pretty girl with the black eyes
-says I did it a-purpose, but I didn't,"
-she cried, "I wanted to see it, and
-I just touched it, and it tumbled off the
-table."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Her tears fell afresh, and in place of a
-handkerchief, she drew up her blue-checked
-apron, and hid her face in it.</p>
-
-<p>"Look up, little girl," Uncle Harry said,
-and his voice sounded so kindly, that she at
-once peeped at him through her tears.</p>
-
-<p>"Which is the table where all this happened?"</p>
-
-<p>"That one," said the child, "and the big
-girl is looking at me now."</p>
-
-<p>"Then give me your hand, and, just for
-fun, <i>we'll</i> go and look at <i>her</i>."</p>
-
-<p>A moment she hesitated.</p>
-
-<p>"Come," he said, and with a sunny smile,
-the little girl placed her hand in his, and
-the big, handsome man with the wee country
-lass approached the table together.</p>
-
-<p>"I'll lift you up so you can see nicely,"
-he said. "Now, which was the doll that fell
-from the table?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Before the child could reply, the girl
-spoke sharply.</p>
-
-<p>"'Twas that one, sir, and her meddlesome
-fingers,—"</p>
-
-<p>"Never mind about that," said Uncle
-Harry, then turning to the child he said:</p>
-
-<p>"Did you like that one best, or is that
-larger one finer?"</p>
-
-<p>"That large one is the loveliest. I didn't
-<i>ever</i> see one so fine as that."</p>
-
-<p>"We'll have that one, then," he said,
-offering a bill to the astonished salesgirl.</p>
-
-<p>"There, little girl, she's yours," he said,
-as he placed the big doll in her arms.</p>
-
-<p>"I can hold her a little while?" she
-asked, eagerly.</p>
-
-<p>"You can hold her <i>always</i>, if you want
-to," he said gently, "I bought her for you."</p>
-
-<p>Rapturously she clasped the gift in her
-arms.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Oh, I love you, because you are good,"
-she cried.</p>
-
-<p>"Then tell me your name," he said.</p>
-
-<p>"I'm Lois Ann Ferguson," chirped the
-little girl, "and father is Sandy Ferguson.
-Oh, there he is now. He's to play the
-pipes."</p>
-
-<p>She ran toward a sturdy man dressed in
-Highland costume, and carrying the bagpipes
-under his arm.</p>
-
-<p>Mr. Ferguson glanced at her flushed
-cheeks, saw the gorgeous doll that she flourished
-before his astonished eyes, and finally
-understood that the tall, handsome stranger
-had bestowed it upon his wee daughter, as
-a gift.</p>
-
-<p>He took her little hand, and hurried forward,
-saying:</p>
-
-<p>"I dinna ken why he should dae it for
-my wee lassie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"I wad gladly thank ye, sir," he said,
-"but I'm lost in wonder that ye made wee
-Lois sae blithe an' gay wi' the braw
-gift."</p>
-
-<p>"She's a dear little lass," said Uncle
-Harry, "and when I found her crying, I
-knew that a fine new doll would dry her
-tears. Don't bother to thank me. I made
-myself happy, when I comforted her."</p>
-
-<p>"I wish there were mair like ye," said
-Sandy Ferguson, "an' some day when ye're
-older, an' ha' a wee daughter of yer ain,—"</p>
-
-<p>"I have a wife and baby girl now," was
-the quick reply, "and they are my dearest
-possessions."</p>
-
-<p>"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 dae a kindly act," Sandy Ferguson
-replied, "an' later when I play the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>
-pipes, an' Lois dances, she shall make her
-first bow tae her new friend."</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, Uncle Harry, <i>did</i> you buy the new
-doll for the little girl?"</p>
-
-<p>It was little Flossie, who, after having
-searched every corner of the tent, had found
-him talking to the Scotchman and his little
-girl.</p>
-
-<p>"Is he your own uncle?" little Lois
-asked, looking up into Flossie's lovely face.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, yes," said Flossie, "and he's the
-best uncle in the world."</p>
-
-<p>"I know he must be," said the little girl.
-"See how good he was to me."</p>
-
-<p>They turned to join the rest of their party,
-and little Lois looked over her shoulder,
-with one hand held fast in her father's,
-while with the other she tightly clasped the
-precious doll.</p>
-
-<p>"I saw the notice near the entrance when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>
-we came in, that a Scotch farmer would
-play, and his little daughter would dance,"
-said Uncle Harry, "but that child is not
-much more than a baby. She cannot be
-more than four. It will be amusing to see
-her dance, and Nancy Ferris will enjoy it
-most of all."</p>
-
-<p>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 was who was to dance.</p>
-
-<p>They had a lunch served by girls dressed
-as dairy maids, and it was just such a lunch
-as might have been enjoyed at a farmhouse.</p>
-
-<p>The long table spread with its white
-cloth, and set with blue and white dishes,
-was decorated by a garland of small sunflowers
-that lay upon the cloth, down
-the centre, and the entire length of the
-table.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>There were plates heaped with biscuit,
-there were dishes of both wild and cultivated
-strawberries, and delicious cream to
-be eaten with them, there were sandwiches
-and little cakes, honey enough to tempt the
-bees to the feast, and the children thought
-it finer than a hotel dinner. How they
-laughed, and chattered, as they enjoyed the
-spread!</p>
-
-<p>Uncle Harry was in his sunniest mood,
-and told stories and jokes that kept them
-amused, and seemed to be the gayest member
-of the party.</p>
-
-<p>"Tell us a story about when you were a
-<i>little</i> boy," said Flossie.</p>
-
-<p>"My small niece thinks I'm nothing but
-a <i>big</i> boy now!" he said.</p>
-
-<p>"Well, the big Scotchman thought you
-were only a lad. I heard him say so," said
-Flossie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"When you were a boy were you ever
-naughty, <i>real</i> naughty?" Floretta asked.</p>
-
-<p>She had been very quiet, and all were
-surprised at her question.</p>
-
-<p>"Once upon a time, when I was little,"
-said Uncle Harry, "I was very, <i>very</i> fond
-of good things, but the one thing that I
-liked better than anything else was strawberry
-jam.</p>
-
-<p>"I was always allowed to have it, but I
-felt sure that it would taste even nicer if
-I had more of it at a time, and still finer if
-I could have a long handled spoon, and eat
-it right from the jar.</p>
-
-<p>"I used often to think how fine it would
-be if I, some day, could have the chance to
-eat it that way, but I never could get even
-<i>very</i> near the jar.</p>
-
-<p>"One day the opportunity came. My
-sister and I were in the nursery, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>
-maid had been down-stairs for a long
-time.</p>
-
-<p>"The rest of the family were away, and
-we were to have our tea in the nursery, as
-usual, only, as we had had to remain at
-home, we were to have an extra treat.</p>
-
-<p>"Among other good things, we were to
-have strawberry jam.</p>
-
-<p>"My sister, that is Flossie's mamma,
-was a little older than I, and she was always
-trying to give me lessons in good
-behavior.</p>
-
-<p>"'Now, Harry,' she said, 'while nurse
-is down-stairs, we might commence to set
-our table.'</p>
-
-<p>"'There isn't anything here to set it
-with but the tablecloth and the jam,' I said,
-'but you're a girl, so you know how to put
-the cloth on, and I'll bring the jam.'"</p>
-
-<p>"I guess Uncle Harry was so fond of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>
-jam, that he liked even to carry the jar,"
-said Flossie.</p>
-
-<p>"We wondered why the nurse stayed so
-long down-stairs," continued Uncle Harry,
-"and I told my sister that I was tired of
-waiting for tea, and I said I'd taste of the
-jam, if only I had a long handled spoon.</p>
-
-<p>"'Why, Harry,' she answered in disgust,
-'I wouldn't think you'd be so
-naughty, but,—if you really <i>want</i> to taste
-it, here's the spoon beside the jar.'"</p>
-
-<p>"And <i>did</i> you?" questioned Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>"Well, yes, I have to admit that I did.
-In truth, I tasted and tasted until my sister
-cried:</p>
-
-<p>"'Why, Harry, you naughty boy! When
-you get done tasting, there won't be any
-left!'</p>
-
-<p>"'You won't care, because <i>you</i> wouldn't
-be so naughty as to taste it!' I said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"'Oh, wouldn't I?' she cried. 'Well,
-you just let me take that spoon, and you'll
-see!'</p>
-
-<p>"Well, a funny mix-up followed, in which
-we each tried to get possession of 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;
-the jar of jam tipped over, and her white
-frock, my gray jacket and trousers, and
-even my long, yellow curls became smeared
-with the jam.</p>
-
-<p>"Nurse opened the door, and screamed
-with terror, for the red jam looked as if
-we had been terribly hurt, and it was some
-time before we could convince her that we
-were not cut or bruised, but only <i>very
-sticky!</i></p>
-
-<p>"Then came the scolding, and my sister
-tried to screen me.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"'Harry couldn't help tasting it, he's
-so fond of jam,' she said.</p>
-
-<p>"'Well, he's got a good share of it, inside
-and out,' said nurse, grimly.</p>
-
-<p>"'She's got as much as I have,' I said,
-'just look at her frock!'</p>
-
-<p>"Of course our clothes were changed,
-and the jam cleaned from the polished floor,
-but we had our tea without jam.</p>
-
-<p>"Nurse said we could eat our biscuits
-with the <i>memory</i> of the jam we had already
-enjoyed."</p>
-
-<p>"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 you grew up."</p>
-
-<p>"I still am fond of jam!" he said, and
-the children laughed to see him pour honey
-over his berries that already were covered
-with sugar.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"You like <i>anything</i> that's sweet!" said
-Dorothy, "whether it's jam, or sugar, or
-honey,—"</p>
-
-<p>"Or little girls," said Uncle Harry.
-"You notice, I made this party all little
-girls, and I'm having a <i>lovely</i> time."</p>
-
-<p>"So are we," laughed Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>"And he says 'lovely' just as we do,"
-said Nancy, "he does it to make us laugh."</p>
-
-<p>"Then why don't you laugh?" said
-Uncle Harry, and they <i>did</i> laugh, every
-member of the party, and laughed because
-they could not help it.</p>
-
-<p>And when the merry feast was over, they
-hastened to the small tent where the old
-gypsy was telling fortunes.</p>
-
-<p>Each had intended to have her fortune
-told, and thus learn what the future held
-for her.</p>
-
-<p>To their great surprise, she flatly refused<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>
-to tell any child's fortune, saying that she
-would only foretell events for "grown
-ups." The little girls were rather afraid
-of her, but Uncle Harry boldly offered his
-hand, saying:</p>
-
-<p>"Am I big enough to hear my fortune?"</p>
-
-<p>"No nonsense, young lad," she said,
-while the children dared not laugh. She
-bent over his palm for a moment, then she
-solemnly said:</p>
-
-<p>"You're a brave lad, and you need to
-be for you will fall in love with a girl who'll
-have red hair, and the temper that usually
-goes with it."</p>
-
-<p>"O dear!" sighed Uncle Harry.</p>
-
-<p>"Don't worry, young man," said the old
-gypsy, "because it will be some months
-before you marry."</p>
-
-<p>"Indeed," said Uncle Harry, "and what
-shall I do if the girl proves to have the temper<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>
-you prophesy? Shall I try to calm her
-by holding her under a pump, or would you
-advise tying her until she feels less fiery?"</p>
-
-<p>"Young man, this is no laughing matter,"
-was the sharp reply.</p>
-
-<p>"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 got to marry a red-haired
-girl, with a temper like chain lightning!
-Who was ever in a worse fix?"</p>
-
-<p>The old gypsy flew into a rage. "You're
-poking fun at me!" she cried.</p>
-
-<p>"There! There! The fun was worth
-that!" he cried, laying a handful of small
-coins on the table before her.</p>
-
-<p>In her eagerness to count the money, she
-forgot her wrath, and they hastened from
-the tent, where, safely outside, they were
-free to laugh as much as they chose.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>As they re-entered the large tent, they
-saw that near the centre, a space had been
-cleared, and there was a crowd of people
-waiting, as if expecting some attraction to
-be exhibited.</p>
-
-<p>They had not long to wait, for almost
-immediately the Scotch piper appeared,
-and tightly clasping her precious new doll
-in her arms was wee Lois, dressed in Highland
-costume.</p>
-
-<p>Placing her doll on a table, and making
-sure that it was safe, she ran forward, courtesied
-first to Uncle Harry, as she had
-promised, and then, to the music of the
-pipes, the wee lassie did the "Highland
-Fling."</p>
-
-<p>She was such a round, dimpled little girl,
-one would never have dreamed that she
-could dance with such infantile grace.</p>
-
-<p>And when she had finished, with another<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>
-courtesy, they crowded around her, and it
-was Nancy who most generously praised
-her. Dear little Nancy, who danced like a
-fairy, never had a jealous thought in her
-loving heart!</p>
-
-<p>It was Uncle Harry who caught little
-Lois, and lifted her so that he could look
-into her eyes.</p>
-
-<p>"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.</p>
-
-<p>"My wee lassie said she wisht she had a
-gift tae gi' ye," said Sandy.</p>
-
-<p>"I have a dear little girl of my own, and
-I prize her baby kisses," said Uncle Harry.
-"Will <i>you</i> give me one, little Lois?"</p>
-
-<p>She clasped her arms around his neck,
-and kissed him softly.</p>
-
-<p>"Best man next to father," she said.</p>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p>
-<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
-
-<h3>FLOSSIE'S LETTER</h3>
-
-<div class='cap'>THE children said "good-by" to little
-Lois, and as her father carried her
-away, she waved her hand to them.</div>
-
-<p>"Wasn't she cunning?" said Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>"She was very sweet," said Nancy,
-"and how well she did her little
-dance!"</p>
-
-<p>"She didn't dance half as fine as you do,
-Nancy Ferris," said Floretta. "You <i>know</i>
-that."</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, but I was trained for dancing,"
-said Nancy, "and, beside, she was very little
-to dance so cleverly."</p>
-
-<p>Floretta made no reply, but she thought
-of what Nancy had said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Trained for dancing. She said she was
-<i>trained</i> to dance. I wonder where? I
-wish I knew, but I didn't quite dare to
-ask her."</p>
-
-<p>Once more they walked around the big
-tent, and Uncle Harry purchased a gift for
-each to carry home as a souvenir.</p>
-
-<p>There were little baskets that the gypsies
-had woven, and fancy boxes filled with
-woodland plants. The boxes were made
-from birch bark, and were very dainty.</p>
-
-<p>These the children prized, and lovingly
-they thanked him for the pretty gifts.</p>
-
-<p>At the candy table he purchased enough
-of the homemade bonbons to fill the baskets,
-and then they left the tent to start
-on the homeward trip.</p>
-
-<p>The barge was waiting for them, and
-they clambered in, tired, but very happy.</p>
-
-<p>"This is the nicest fair I ever went to,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>
-said Dorothy, "and I've had so many good
-things that I'm going to save my basket of
-candy until to-morrow."</p>
-
-<p>"So am I," cried all the others.</p>
-
-<p>"And so am <i>I</i>," said Uncle Harry, as he
-held up a huge basket filled with all kinds
-of candy.</p>
-
-<p>How they laughed, and accused him of
-having a "sweet-tooth."</p>
-
-<p>"Now, just a moment!" he cried, as he
-held up his finger for silence, "I'm taking
-this <i>big</i> basket home to treat the <i>big</i> ladies
-with. I took the <i>little</i> ladies with me, but
-I've not forgotten the <i>big</i> ladies that I left
-at the hotel."</p>
-
-<p>"Because you don't ever forget any
-one," said Flossie, and the others cried:</p>
-
-<p>"That's it! Just it! He does nice things
-for every one."</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, spare my blushes," said Uncle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>
-Harry, but it was easy to see that their
-affection for him pleased him.</p>
-
-<p>The ride home seemed shorter than the
-trip to the fair.</p>
-
-<p>They joined in singing the merry songs
-that his fine voice led, and the horses, knowing
-that they were on the homeward trip,
-jogged along at a better pace than when
-they had started out.</p>
-
-<p>Uncle Harry had found some bells, and
-fastened them to their harnesses, and they
-made a jingling accompaniment to the
-merry voices.</p>
-
-<p>And when the barge drew up at the Cleverton,
-Uncle Harry, with elaborate courtesy,
-handed each young lady down, bowing
-low, and thanking her for the honor she
-had conferred upon him by permitting him
-to take her to the fair.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, you do truly know we have to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>
-thank you for giving us such a lovely day!"
-said Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>"But think how happy I have been,"
-he said, and although his blue eyes
-were laughing, they knew that he meant
-it.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, mamma, we had the finest time,"
-cried Dorothy, "and see the fine basket of
-candy and the pretty birch bark box! See
-the little ferns growing in it. Isn't he
-<i>dear?</i>"</p>
-
-<p>"He surely is charming," said Mrs.
-Dainty. "His generous, sunny nature
-makes every one love him, and I believe
-he values the love of his friends more than
-most things."</p>
-
-<p>"He has been gay, and full of fun all
-day," said Nancy, "and it will take a long
-time to tell you all the pleasant things he
-did for us. I do wish you and Aunt Charlotte<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>
-<i>could</i> have been there when he had his
-fortune told."</p>
-
-<p>"And he couldn't have been any nicer to
-us if we'd been tall ladies," said Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>"I hope every one of you little friends
-were real <i>little ladies</i>, thus rewarding him
-for his kindness," Aunt Charlotte said,
-gently.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, we were," said Nancy, "not a single
-one of us did anything that could
-trouble him."</p>
-
-<p>"There were a number of little girls who
-only came here last week, so we weren't
-much acquainted with them, but they were
-all very nice, and he said he had as fine a
-time as we did," said Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>She climbed into a large hammock, and
-with Nancy beside her, sat swinging, and
-thinking of the day that had been so delightfully
-spent.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Fenton came out upon the piazza,
-and, instead of sitting down, seemed to be
-looking for something.</p>
-
-<p>"Can I help you?" said Nancy, slipping
-from the hammock, and hastening toward
-her.</p>
-
-<p>"I've mislaid my glasses," she said,
-"and I can't find them."</p>
-
-<p>She did not thank Nancy for so kindly
-offering to help her, but Nancy seemed not
-to notice that. She peeped under chairs,
-lifted their cushions, and even looked between
-folds of newspapers that lay near at
-hand, but the glasses were not in sight.</p>
-
-<p>"How trying!" said Mrs. Fenton, "I
-have some letters that I wish to read, and
-I can't read them until my glasses are
-found."</p>
-
-<p>"Did you use them anywhere but just
-here?" Nancy asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Fenton stood for a moment thinking.</p>
-
-<p>"Seems to me I <i>did</i> have them in the
-dining-room," she said.</p>
-
-<p>"I'll go and ask the waitresses if they
-have seen them," said Nancy, as she ran
-toward the hall.</p>
-
-<p>She paused in the doorway, amazed at
-what she saw.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta, with a pair of eyeglasses upon
-her small nose, was walking up and down
-the room, as nearly as possible, in Mrs.
-Fenton's manner, and exactly imitating her
-voice, while a group of waitresses, the cook,
-and two kitchen maids laughed, and applauded
-her.</p>
-
-<p>She cared not who composed her audience,
-so long as she obtained applause.
-Floretta was, evidently, quite herself once
-more!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Oh, Floretta!" cried Nancy, "you
-mustn't, truly you mustn't. Give me the
-glasses. Mrs. Fenton is looking everywhere
-for them!"</p>
-
-<p>"Well, I shan't give them to you!" said
-Floretta, rudely. "You aren't Mrs. Fenton."</p>
-
-<p>"But I've been helping her to hunt for
-them. She has some letters she wants to
-read, and she can't till she has her glasses,"
-insisted Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>"Then let her come for them!" cried
-Floretta, when a quiet voice spoke.</p>
-
-<p>"Very well, I <i>have</i> come for them," it
-said, and there in the doorway stood Mrs.
-Fenton.</p>
-
-<p>The silly maids who had laughed so
-loudly, now hastily disappeared in the
-kitchen.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta dropped the glasses upon the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>
-table, and then, wholly ashamed, crawled
-under it, where Mrs. Fenton's sharp eyes
-might not look at her.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Fenton took the glasses, and without
-another word, swept from the room.</p>
-
-<p>Nancy, waiting in the hall, crept softly
-toward her, and gently laid her hand on the
-lady's arm.</p>
-
-<p>"I'm <i>so</i> sorry she did that. I wish I
-could have got the glasses from her, and
-brought them to you before you came to
-find them. Then you needn't have known
-how naughty,—" Nancy caught her breath.</p>
-
-<p>"Never mind that, Nancy. Remember,
-as <i>I</i> shall, that <i>you</i> were not the naughty,
-disgusting child," said Mrs. Fenton, and
-she turned, with her letters and glasses in
-her hand, and went up the long stairway to
-her room.</p>
-
-<p>It was nearly time to dress for dinner,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>
-which was always served promptly at
-six.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Dainty with Dorothy, and Aunt
-Charlotte with Nancy hastened to their
-rooms, to freshen their toilettes, and Nancy
-realized that there would not be time to tell
-Aunt Charlotte all about the unpleasant
-happening.</p>
-
-<p>"I've something to tell you, but I'll have
-to wait till we've plenty of time," she
-said.</p>
-
-<p>Aunt Charlotte, tying the soft, blue ribbon
-into the brown curls, looked into the
-mirror before which they were standing,
-and smiled at the thoughtful face.</p>
-
-<p>"Will it keep until then, dear?" she
-asked.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, yes," said Nancy, "I only tell it
-to you because I love to tell you everything."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Dear child," said Aunt Charlotte, "I
-bless the day that you, as a little waif, were
-taken in by Mrs. Dainty, and that I was
-asked to come and care for you. I could
-not love you more if you were my own little
-girl."</p>
-
-<p>"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."</p>
-
-<p>Gentle Aunt Charlotte's eyes were wet
-with happy tears, as she hooked the pretty,
-white muslin frock, with its slip of light
-blue, and tied the soft blue belt.</p>
-
-<p>"Your shoes must be changed, Nancy,"
-she said. "You know how particular
-Mrs. Dainty is about the matter of shoes
-and stockings. They must match the
-frock."</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, yes," said Nancy, "and with this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>
-one she said: 'Wear blue stockings and
-bronze slippers,' so I will."</p>
-
-<p>She found the blue hose and the pretty
-bronze slippers, then, with elfin grace, she
-caught the edge of her skirt, and with rosy,
-bare feet, tripped across the floor in a graceful,
-gliding step, crying:</p>
-
-<p>"Look, Aunt Charlotte, look! This
-pretty step Bonfanti taught me."</p>
-
-<p>Aunt Charlotte did look, and as she
-watched the pretty child, and saw her joy
-in dancing, she marvelled that little Nancy
-could smile as she danced, remembering all
-that she had been taught, while apparently
-forgetting all the unhappy months upon the
-stage.</p>
-
-<p>She thought of poor little Nancy, forced
-to dance, night after night, to support her
-old Uncle Steve, who was too lazy to support
-himself.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>She thought of the time that the little
-pitiful note from Nancy had reached them,
-and, together, she and Mrs. Dainty had
-found the child, and brought her safely
-home.</p>
-
-<p>She did not speak of all this. Nancy's
-happy little heart should never be reminded
-of sad days that were past.</p>
-
-<p>Now her life was filled with bright sunshine,
-the sunshine of love, and it was reflected
-in her happy face.</p>
-
-<p>A gong rang out a silvery note.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, my shoes!" cried Nancy, with a
-peal of merry laughter. "I wanted to
-show you those pretty steps, and I forgot
-all about dinner."</p>
-
-<p>It was the work of but a few seconds for
-Nancy to draw on the light blue hose, and
-even less time to put on the pretty slippers.
-She ran to the mirror, and courtesied, took<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>
-a few tripping steps, smiling at her reflection,
-and then hastened to the hall to join
-Dorothy.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="width: 392px;">
-<img src="images/i006.jpg" width="392" height="500" alt="She took a few tripping steps, smiling at her reflection.—Page 176." title="" />
-<span class="caption">She took a few tripping steps, smiling at her reflection.—<a href="#Page_176"><i>Page 176.</i></a></span>
-</div>
-
-<p>"All ready," cried Nancy, springing to
-her feet, to follow Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>A pretty pair they made as with arms
-about each other's waist, they tripped along
-the hall.</p>
-
-<p>Fair, blue-eyed Dorothy Dainty was very
-lovely in a pale pink frock with soft frillings
-of fine lace. Her stockings were of the
-same shade, and her shoes were white.
-Mrs. Dainty in dark blue satin, and Aunt
-Charlotte in pearl color made, with the two
-children, a pleasing group.</p>
-
-<p>In the lower hall they met Mrs. Paxton
-with Floretta, the former wearing a gown
-of purple satin, while Floretta wore a frock
-of scarlet silk. Mrs. Fenton, passing, on
-her way to the dining-room, looked sharply<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span>
-at the two groups, and <i>did</i> she look amused
-when her eyes rested upon Mrs. Paxton,
-and her small daughter? Dorothy noticed
-the look, and turned to her mamma.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Dainty read the question in Dorothy's
-eyes, and ever so slightly, shook
-her head, and they passed into the dining-room.</p>
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-<p>The next morning, when the mail was
-distributed, there was great excitement, because
-every one had so many letters.</p>
-
-<p>"See mine!" cried Flossie Barnet.
-"Everybody see mine! It looks like boy's
-writing. See it!"</p>
-
-<p>"If some very young man wrote it, he
-might not be delighted to have it so freely
-exhibited, Flossie," said Uncle Harry, with
-a laugh.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, why should he care?" she asked in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>
-surprise. "Who do you s'pose wrote it?
-Guess, Uncle Harry!"</p>
-
-<p>"Well, now let me think," said Uncle
-Harry, covering his eyes with his hand, then
-peeping through his fingers.</p>
-
-<p>"There's a small boy at home, who glories
-in the name of Reginald Merton Deane.
-Open the letter, dear, and if I guessed right,
-you can give me a prize, and if I'm wrong,
-I'll give you one."</p>
-
-<p>Flossie studied the address for a moment,
-then she opened the letter, and laughed
-with delight.</p>
-
-<p>"I'll have to give you the prize, but why
-did he think to write to me?"</p>
-
-<p>Dear little Flossie had never seemed
-aware that small Reginald preferred her to
-any of his friends. Even when she was so
-little that she could not pronounce his
-name, and called him "Weginald," he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>
-thought her the dearest of all his playmates.
-And this was his letter:</p>
-
-<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Flossie:</span></p>
-
-<p>"I miss you so much that I'm going to
-write, and tell you all the news.</p>
-
-<p>"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!</p>
-
-<p>"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 <i>first</i>. Well, her aunt
-has had to go way up to New Hampshur (I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>
-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.</p>
-
-<p>"She stays out doors most all the time,
-and goes just where she pleases.</p>
-
-<p>"Some days she's way down by the stashun
-until its almost dark.</p>
-
-<p>"You know she's always taking medesin,
-and carries the bottles in her pockets.</p>
-
-<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span>
-Nancy are. I don't believe it, but if she
-does, and you see her, you needn't give my
-love to her.</p>
-
-<div class='sig'>
-<span style="margin-right: 2em;">"Your tru friend,</span><br />
-"<span class="smcap">Reginald.</span>"<br />
-</div></div>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p>
-<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
-
-<h3>A GIFT OF WILDFLOWERS</h3>
-
-<div class='cap'>OF course, Dorothy and Nancy were
-greatly interested in the letter, and
-Uncle Harry said that he was glad that
-Reginald had thought to say that the fish-bone
-had been removed from Carlo's throat.</div>
-
-<p>He said it would have seemed quite a trip
-to take to leave the Cleverton, and go to
-Merrivale to feel Carlo's pulse, and inquire
-for his health.</p>
-
-<p>"Now that that bone is removed, I
-breathe easier," said Uncle Harry, "and
-so does Carlo!"</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, you wouldn't have gone home just
-to call on Carlo," said Flossie.</p>
-
-<p>"Well, I don't know," he said, trying to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>
-look solemn, "I wouldn't like Carlo to feel
-neglected, and now I think of it, does Reginald
-speak of the cat?"</p>
-
-<p>"No," said Flossie, "but when I answer
-the letter, I'll tell Reginald you're anxious
-about her."</p>
-
-<p>"I am," said Uncle Harry, "because the
-last time I saw her, Carlo was barking at
-her very rudely, and her back was up in
-a hump like a camel's. Reginald ought to
-have told us if her back is <i>still</i> up, or
-whether she has taken the kink out of her
-spine. We might telephone and ask, instead
-of worrying."</p>
-
-<p>He rose, and walked toward the hall,
-whistling as he went, an old nursery song
-that he used to sing to Flossie.</p>
-
-<div class='poem'>
-"The cat came fiddling out of the barn,<br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">With a pair of bagpipes under her arm."</span><br />
-</div>
-
-<p>How the children laughed!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Look!" said Flossie, "he's going
-right toward the telephone, just to
-make us think that he's <i>truly</i> going to
-ring up Reginald, and inquire for the
-cat."</p>
-
-<p>"Who is Arabella?" Floretta asked.</p>
-
-<p>"She lives near us," said Dorothy, "and
-she used to go to Aunt Charlotte's private
-school with us."</p>
-
-<p>"Doesn't she now?" asked Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>"No, she left our class, and went to a
-large school in the city."</p>
-
-<p>"By what the letter says, I'd think she
-was rather queer," said Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>"Well—" said Dorothy, hesitating,
-"Arabella <i>is</i> queer."</p>
-
-<p>"Why don't you like to say so?" was
-the sharp reply.</p>
-
-<p>"Because Dorothy never likes to say
-anything that isn't kind about any one, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>
-Arabella <i>is</i> queer, so Dorothy won't say she
-isn't," said Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>It was a few days later that Dorothy was
-reminded of what Reginald had said in his
-letter to Flossie.</p>
-
-<p>She was waiting for Nancy to go for a
-walk, and stooping to pick some of the
-pretty wildflowers that blossomed everywhere.</p>
-
-<p>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.</p>
-
-<p>She looked back toward the hotel, but
-Nancy was not yet in sight, so she seated
-herself upon the grass, and began to arrange
-the flowers in a fine bouquet.</p>
-
-<p>She was trying to mix the white blossoms
-and pink buds so as to show the beauty
-of each, when a carriage passed, and before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>
-she looked up a shrill little voice
-shouted:</p>
-
-<p>"Dorothy! Dorothy! We're over at the
-farmhouse just beyond the Merlington.
-Aunt Matilda wouldn't <i>let</i> pa take us to
-a hotel. She doesn't approve of hotels.
-Aunt Matilda says,—"</p>
-
-<p>She was looking back to shout at Dorothy,
-and doubtless would have given even
-more particulars, but a firm hand had hastily
-forced her to turn around, and sit
-down.</p>
-
-<p>Nancy ran along the path a few moments
-later, and her eyes were dancing.</p>
-
-<p>"Did you see Arabella?" she asked.
-"<i>Did</i> you?"</p>
-
-<p>"Yes, just a few moments ago, and she
-turned around in the carriage and screamed
-to me," said Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>"I can guess what she said," laughed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>
-Nancy, "because she screamed at me. She
-told me she was staying at a farmhouse,
-and said that her Aunt Matilda didn't approve
-of hotels."</p>
-
-<p>"That is <i>just</i> what she said," said
-Dorothy, "and she would have said
-more but some one, I think it was her
-Aunt Matilda, pulled her back into the
-carriage."</p>
-
-<p>"Why, that's just the way it was when
-I saw her. I ran out on to the piazza, and
-down the steps, and the carriage rolled by,
-and she twisted round to shout. There was
-this difference, though," said Nancy. "You
-were out here alone, and no one would know
-if you laughed, but when I ran out, our
-piazza was full of people, and when Arabella
-shouted, you'd ought to have seen
-them look.</p>
-
-<p>"Flossie and her Uncle Harry were on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>
-the lawn, and as she rode past, he said with
-a sigh:</p>
-
-<div class='poem'>
-"'Arabella, Arabella,<br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">If I had my new umbrella,'</span><br />
-</div>
-
-<div class='unindent'>and I was wild to know the rest of it, but
-his wife, who was standing near him,
-said:</div>
-
-<p>"'Hush, Harry, really you mustn't,' and
-he only laughed, and said:</p>
-
-<p>"'Oh, <i>mustn't</i> I? Why, when I saw
-Arabella and her Aunt Matilda, I really felt
-as if I <i>must!</i>'"</p>
-
-<p>"Let's ask him what the rest of the verse
-is," said Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>"I'm wild to hear it," Nancy said, "because
-the very way he looked made me
-think that the other lines, whatever they
-were, would be funny."</p>
-
-<p>She stooped to gather more of the little
-blossoms to add to Dorothy's bouquet, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>
-then commenced to make a bouquet of her
-own.</p>
-
-<p>"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 you think it is?"</p>
-
-<p>"I don't know," said Dorothy, "but I
-<i>do</i> wish it. I wouldn't, only she is so
-hard to please. Mamma wishes us to be
-nice to every one, but, Nancy, you <i>do</i>
-know that when we try the hardest to
-please Arabella, we don't please her at
-all."</p>
-
-<p>"I know it," agreed Nancy, "but perhaps
-she'll come some time when we are
-out, and then we won't have to amuse
-her."</p>
-
-<p>"I'm sure I ought not to say it, but I
-<i>do</i> wish it would happen that way," said
-Dorothy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>They had reached the birches, and they
-paused to wake the echo. What fun it was
-to hear their shouts repeated.</p>
-
-<p>Again and again they called, and then a
-droll thing happened. They had called this
-name and that, and each time the echo,
-like a voice from the mountain, had repeated
-it with wonderful distinctness.
-Then Dorothy, leaning forward, called,
-loudly:</p>
-
-<p>"Dorothy!"</p>
-
-<p>"<i>What?</i>" came the reply.</p>
-
-<p>She turned, and looked at Nancy. "Dorothy!"
-she cried, again.</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Dainty!</i>" was the answer, and upon
-looking toward a little path that was nearly
-opposite where they were standing, they
-saw the low bushes move, and faintly they
-heard a smothered laugh.</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy was laughing now.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Boys!" she cried, and back came the
-laughing echo:</p>
-
-<p>"<i>Girls!</i>" and then the boys peeped out
-a bit too far, and Dorothy saw who had
-been playing echo.</p>
-
-<p>It was Jack Tiverton and a boy whom he
-had chosen for a "chum." Jack had not
-intended so soon to be discovered, and he
-and his friend disappeared in a little grove,
-while Dorothy and Nancy continued their
-walk.</p>
-
-<p>There were sunny paths and bits of woodland
-that were so near the hotel as to be
-absolutely safe, where all the summer
-guests, especially the children, loved to
-roam at will. Along one of these little
-paths were sweet little yellow blossoms,
-and these they gathered to brighten their
-bouquets.</p>
-
-<p>"Let's have some of these little vines to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>
-hang from our bouquets," said Dorothy,
-and the graceful vines proved to be an
-added beauty.</p>
-
-<p>When they returned to the Cleverton
-there were but few people upon the piazza.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte sat talking
-with Mrs. Vinton, and farther along,
-Mrs. Fenton sat with an open book upon her
-lap, although she was not reading.</p>
-
-<p>She often had a book or magazine, but
-rarely did she read them.</p>
-
-<p>She would sit looking off at the distant
-mountain-range, the white clouds, or the
-sunny valley over which those clouds cast
-floating shadows.</p>
-
-<p>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 watch some one; and was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>
-Floretta right? Mrs. Fenton's actions certainly
-seemed strange day after day. She
-talked little, took slight interest in what
-was going on about her, and was a mystery
-to all the other guests.</p>
-
-<p>But what, or whom could she be watching?</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy and Nancy, returning from their
-walk, saw the group, and also noticed Mrs.
-Fenton, who always chose to sit apart from
-the others.</p>
-
-<p>"I'll give my flowers to mamma and Mrs.
-Vinton," said Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>"And I'll give mine to Aunt Charlotte
-and to Mrs. Fenton,—if she wants them,"
-said Nancy, hesitating because it was so
-hard to guess what might, or might not,
-please Mrs. Fenton.</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy ran to show her blossoms to her
-mamma and to Mrs. Vinton, while Nancy,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>
-pausing beside Mrs. Fenton's chair, held
-forth her pretty bouquet, as she said:</p>
-
-<p>"We've just gathered them. Aren't they
-pretty?"</p>
-
-<p>"Lovely, very lovely," said Mrs. Fenton,
-with more interest than usual. "I remember
-picking just such flowers; even the long
-vines I know are like those I used to see
-when I was a little girl."</p>
-
-<p>"Would you enjoy some of these? I'd
-so like to give them to you," Nancy said,
-and she was surprised at the quick reply.</p>
-
-<p>"I would really prize them, Nancy, and
-you're a sweet child to give them to me,"
-she said.</p>
-
-<p>Quickly Nancy divided the bouquet, and
-smiled as she laid the pretty things in Mrs.
-Fenton's lap.</p>
-
-<p>"I cannot let them wilt, so I will take
-them at once to my room," said Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span>
-Fenton, and Nancy saw her bend to catch
-their perfume, as she turned toward the
-hall.</p>
-
-<p>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 was given color by the pretty wildflowers
-that Nancy had given her. They
-were the first flowers that she had worn
-since her arrival.</p>
-
-<p>Nancy smiled with pleasure, and Mrs.
-Fenton, looking across the table, returned
-the smile.</p>
-
-<p>Had the gift of simple wildflowers cheered
-her?</p>
-
-<p>Thus far she had worn only black, but to-night
-a dull gold slip shimmered through
-the black lace; and were her eyes brighter?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Nancy thought so, and without knowing
-why, was glad.</p>
-
-<p>There was a musicale in the evening, and
-Mrs. Fenton joined Mrs. Dainty and Aunt
-Charlotte, and seemed to enjoy the conversation,
-between the numbers of the program.</p>
-
-<p>Once, while she was talking, she laid her
-hand lightly upon Nancy's shoulder, and
-Nancy looked up to smile. Aunt Charlotte
-saw that the lady was more cheerful, and
-also noticed that she wore Nancy's flowers.
-The evening passed pleasantly, and Nancy's
-drowsy words, just before she went to sleep,
-were:</p>
-
-<p>"I do really think I cheered her."</p>
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-<p>A few days later Mrs. Dainty invited Mrs.
-Fenton to be her guest during a drive over
-a lovely road that neither of them had yet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>
-seen. It was said to be one of the most picturesque
-roads in that section of the country.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Fenton accepted, and with Aunt
-Charlotte and Mrs. Vinton they formed a
-pleasant party.</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy and Nancy were to drive in their
-little phaeton, and they felt quite as important
-as the four ladies in the barouche.</p>
-
-<p>True, Mrs. Dainty owned a handsome
-span of bays, but was not the pony, Romeo,
-a beauty?</p>
-
-<p>The road was some distance from the
-Cleverton, and there were some charming
-places to be seen on the way, so it happened
-that the trip, which proved to be most enjoyable,
-occupied the afternoon.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Paxton had a number of letters to
-write, and Floretta, feeling very lonely, and
-wishing that she had some one to play with,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span>
-climbed into a hammock, and wondered
-what she might do to amuse herself.</p>
-
-<p>"Every one but me has gone somewhere,
-and I wish <i>I</i> had," she said, as she
-gave a smart kick that sent the hammock
-higher.</p>
-
-<p>"What's the fun of swinging alone?" she
-grumbled, but there was no one on the piazza
-to answer her, and she let the hammock
-sway lazily while she looked down the sunny
-road, and thought how strange it was that
-the place seemed so still.</p>
-
-<p>Not a leaf stirred, and Floretta's disgust
-increased.</p>
-
-<p>"Nothing in sight, not even an old hen,"
-she said, when, way down where the road
-looked so narrow and distant, a little figure
-appeared, coming directly toward the Cleverton.
-She watched the approaching figure,
-and wondered who it might be.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"'Tisn't any one I know," she thought,
-"and <i>doesn't</i> she look queer?"</p>
-
-<p>Any one who had ever known Arabella
-Corryville would also have known that she
-always looked decidedly odd and strange,
-and it was Arabella who was marching
-steadily along the road.</p>
-
-<p>So determined was her tread that one
-might have thought that there was a band
-behind her playing martial music to which
-she was obliged to keep step.</p>
-
-<p>"Well, whoever she is, she's carrying an
-umbrella, this pleasant day," murmured
-Floretta; then as she came near, she
-added:</p>
-
-<p>"And wearing rubbers and a raincoat,
-as true as I live!"</p>
-
-<p>Arabella was more bundled and wrapped
-than at first appeared, for, as she came up
-the gravel walk, Floretta saw that a long<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span>
-veil was closely tied over her hat, and wound
-about her throat.</p>
-
-<p>From her appearance one might have
-thought that she expected freezing weather
-before night.</p>
-
-<p>She walked up on to the piazza, and then
-stood, for a moment, looking about, as if in
-search of some one.</p>
-
-<p>It was not politeness that prompted Floretta
-to speak. It was simply curiosity. She
-was wild to know who the strange-looking
-child was, and whom she wished to see.</p>
-
-<p>"Are you looking for some one?" she
-asked, at the same time slipping from the
-hammock, and going so close to Arabella
-that she could peep into the queer little face.</p>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p>
-<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
-
-<h3>ARABELLA MAKES A CALL</h3>
-
-<div class='cap'>ARABELLA peered at Floretta through
-her spectacles, and was tempted not
-to reply, but after a moment's pause she
-changed her mind.</div>
-
-<p>"I came to see Dorothy Dainty, and
-Nancy Ferris," she said.</p>
-
-<p>"They're out driving," said Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>"How do you know?" Arabella asked,
-rudely.</p>
-
-<p>"Because I heard them say they were
-going, and because I saw them go," was the
-quick reply.</p>
-
-<p>"It's a long way over here, and now I've
-got to take the same walk back," said Arabella.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"They're going to be out all the afternoon,"
-said Floretta, "but why don't you
-sit down, and rest a while before you go
-back?"</p>
-
-<p>It sounded kind, and Arabella at once
-seated herself, while Floretta sat near
-her.</p>
-
-<p>She thought it would be great fun to question
-this odd child, and there was no one
-near to check her.</p>
-
-<p>"Aren't you nearly roasted in that raincoat?"
-she asked.</p>
-
-<p>"Well, I'm not chilly," said Arabella,
-fixing her sharp eyes upon the other little
-girl.</p>
-
-<p>"Did you think it was going to rain?"
-was the next question. "You've rubbers,
-and umbrella."</p>
-
-<p>Floretta barely managed to hide the fact
-that she wanted to laugh. Her question<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span>
-seemed so absurd with the blue sky overhead,
-and the sunshine everywhere.</p>
-
-<p>"I didn't want to wear them," said Arabella,
-"and I told Aunt Matilda it was too
-pleasant to rain, but she said you never could
-tell, and she said, too, that I could wear
-them, or stay at home, so what could I
-do?"</p>
-
-<p>"<i>I'd</i> have stayed at home," said Floretta,
-bluntly. "I wouldn't wear raincoat and
-rubbers, and lug an umbrella for any Aunt
-Matilda or Aunt Jemima!"</p>
-
-<p>"Who is Aunt Jemima?" Arabella asked,
-stupidly.</p>
-
-<p>"I don't know," said Floretta, sharply,
-"but then, I don't know your Aunt Matilda."</p>
-
-<p>She longed to say that she did not want
-to, but for once she did not quite dare to say
-what she thought.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Then there was an awkward pause. Floretta
-could not think what to say next, while
-Arabella did not try.</p>
-
-<p>Silence never made her uneasy. She
-could stare at any one who sat opposite her,
-for a half-hour, without so much as winking,
-and it rather amused her if the other person
-became nervous, and wriggled uneasily beneath
-her persistent stare. At last Floretta
-spoke.</p>
-
-<p>"You might take some of those things
-off," she said; "you won't need them while
-you stay."</p>
-
-<p>"Aunt Matilda told me not to," said Arabella,
-"and if I <i>did</i>, it would be just my
-luck to have her come right by here, and
-see me with them off. My! <i>Wouldn't</i> she
-be angry?"</p>
-
-<p>Arabella's eyes dilated as she asked the
-question.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Does your Aunt Matilda poke 'round
-after you like that?" asked Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>"She doesn't ever <i>seem</i> to follow me, but
-all the same, she's always catching me doing
-something."</p>
-
-<p>"Then you <i>do</i> risk doing what she tells
-you not to," said Floretta, with a saucy
-laugh.</p>
-
-<p>"Look here!" cried Arabella, "I don't
-know you, but I'm going to tell you something.
-I can't do one single thing I want
-to, neither can my papa or mamma. Aunt
-Matilda is little, and my papa is big. He
-says he was centre-rush on the college football
-team, but when Aunt Matilda tells him
-what to do, he says, 'Yes'm,' and does it.
-One of our neighbors at home says Aunt
-Matilda holds the purse-strings, but I don't
-know what that means. Her purse hasn't
-any strings on it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Well, if it <i>had</i>, I'd cut 'em off,"
-said Floretta, "so she <i>couldn't</i> hold
-'em."</p>
-
-<p>"You wouldn't if she lived at <i>your</i>
-house," said Arabella.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta, in spite of her boldness, was
-more than half convinced.</p>
-
-<p>"Well,—perhaps I wouldn't," she said.
-"Why, what are you taking?"</p>
-
-<p>"Pills," said Arabella, counting out
-six very pink pills from a little bottle,
-and taking them, then making a horrid
-face.</p>
-
-<p>"You don't look sick," said Floretta,
-"but you're taking medicine."</p>
-
-<p>"Aunt Matilda says these are for my
-color," was the answer.</p>
-
-<p>"You haven't any; you're pale as a
-sheet," said Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>"That's why I take them," said Arabella,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span>
-"and look! I've got some green ones
-I take," and six green pills followed the
-pink ones.</p>
-
-<p>"Why, what are those for?" gasped
-Floretta. "Ought you to take two kinds
-at the same time?"</p>
-
-<p>Arabella, determined to startle her new
-acquaintance, took a third bottle from her
-pocket, and swallowed three very large
-white pills.</p>
-
-<p>She was delighted with the effect that she
-had produced.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta sprang to her feet, and tried to
-snatch the bottle, but Arabella had put it
-in her pocket, and was holding the pocket
-together.</p>
-
-<p>She narrowed her shrewd little eyes, and
-smiled broadly.</p>
-
-<p>"Guess you couldn't take all that, and
-not feel queer!" she said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"I wouldn't wonder if you felt funny.
-<i>Do</i> you?" asked Floretta.</p>
-
-<p>"Not <i>yet</i>," said Arabella.</p>
-
-<p>Floretta was getting tired of her
-caller. She hoped that she hadn't any
-more kinds of medicine that she could
-take.</p>
-
-<p>She wished that Dorothy would return
-and amuse Arabella.</p>
-
-<p>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.</p>
-
-<p>She had a nervous feeling that if she
-turned to leave her, Arabella might snatch
-at her, and draw her back. She certainly
-did look odd.</p>
-
-<p>There was something catlike in the way
-in which she kept her eyes riveted upon
-Floretta.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>She looked as if, at any moment, she
-might spring at her!</p>
-
-<p>She was not thinking of doing anything
-of the sort, however.</p>
-
-<p>The truth was that she <i>did</i> feel just a bit
-queer.</p>
-
-<p>Was it the three kinds of pills?
-She could not tell, but she began to feel
-as if she would be glad if she were at
-home.</p>
-
-<p>"I guess I'll go now," she said. "I
-think it must be time."</p>
-
-<p>"What time did your Aunt Matilda
-tell you to come home?" Floretta
-asked.</p>
-
-<p>"She said I could stay to dinner if Dorothy
-asked me, but she doesn't come home,
-so I guess I won't wait."</p>
-
-<p>"Go to dinner at the Cleverton in that
-plaid gingham!" thought Floretta, for she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span>
-had seen the plain little frock beneath the
-raincoat.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter" style="width: 395px;">
-<img src="images/i007.jpg" width="395" height="500" alt="She offered two cards to Floretta.—Page 210." title="" />
-<span class="caption">She offered two cards to Floretta.—<i><a href="#Page_210">Page 210.</a></i></span>
-</div>
-
-<p>Arabella grasped her big umbrella firmly,
-and turned, as she went down the steps, to
-say:</p>
-
-<p>"You may tell Dorothy Dainty that
-<i>Miss</i> Corryville called."</p>
-
-<p>Floretta giggled.</p>
-
-<p>"And you might tell your Aunt Matilda
-that you talked with <i>Miss</i> Paxton," she
-said.</p>
-
-<p>"I will," said Arabella, without a sign
-of a smile.</p>
-
-<p>"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, without looking at them, offered
-two cards to Floretta, saying:</p>
-
-<p>"There they are."</p>
-
-<p>Then, without looking back, she marched<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span>
-resolutely down the road. She did not
-thank Floretta for talking with her while
-she rested, nor did she say "good-by."</p>
-
-<p>For some moments Floretta stood watching
-the odd little figure as it tramped down
-the road, the umbrella, like a huge walking
-stick, thumping the gravel at every step.
-She thought Arabella would turn around,
-but she did not.</p>
-
-<p>One might have thought that she had
-already forgotten the child with whom she
-had been talking. When, at last, she
-disappeared behind a clump of trees
-that hid the curve of the road, Floretta
-looked at the two cards in her hand,
-stared at them in amazement, and then
-laughed, laughed until her eyes were full
-of tears.</p>
-
-<p>Who could have helped laughing? One
-card bore these lines:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p>
-
-<div class='center'>
-<span class="smcap">James Horton Worth,<br />
-Painless Dentistry,<br />
-10 Trevor Street, Merrivale.</span><br />
-</div>
-
-<div class='unindent'>While the other, equally interesting, bore
-this statement:</div>
-
-<div class='center'>
-<span class="smcap">Alton Justus Meer,<br />
-Jeweller,<br />
-90 Rupert Road, Merrivale.</span><br />
-</div>
-
-<p>"How perfectly funny," cried Floretta.
-"I'll run up and show them to mamma, and
-then I'll wait here to give them to Dorothy
-and Nancy when they come. I wonder if
-they'll have any choice?"</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy and Nancy felt, as did the older
-members of the party, that the ride had
-been the most delightful of any that they
-had enjoyed since their arrival.</p>
-
-<p>The horses were tossing their manes, and
-Romeo, as if in imitation, tossed his so that
-it showed all its silken beauty.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"See him!" cried Dorothy. "He thinks
-he's as fine as any horse."</p>
-
-<p>"Well, he is as dear as they," said
-Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, yes," said Dorothy, "and dearer."</p>
-
-<p>And when the horses and the pony had
-been led around to the stable, and the
-older members of the party had reached
-the piazza, Dorothy and Nancy, who had
-paused for a moment to talk, ran up the
-steps, intending to sit together in a large
-rocker.</p>
-
-<p>Before they reached the chair, Floretta
-flew toward them.</p>
-
-<p>"You had a funny caller while you were
-out driving," she said, with a giggle, "and
-she was so very fashionable that she left
-these cards. She told me to tell you that
-<i>Miss</i> Corryville had called."</p>
-
-<p>"It was Arabella," said Nancy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Did she truly say '<i>Miss?</i>'" Dorothy
-asked.</p>
-
-<p>"Well, didn't I <i>say</i> so?" Floretta asked
-rudely; "and I told her to tell her Aunt
-Matilda that she talked with <i>Miss</i> Paxton,
-and she said she would. She waited a long
-time for you to come home, because she said
-she meant to stay to dinner with you. Say!
-She had on a calico dress! Wouldn't she
-have looked gay?"</p>
-
-<p>"It isn't very kind to laugh at any one's
-clothes," said Dorothy, "and it's not very
-nice to laugh at other people's friends."</p>
-
-<p>"Pooh!" cried Floretta, "I shall laugh
-at whoever I please," and she turned and
-ran up to her room.</p>
-
-<p>But she had laughed once too often!
-During the ride, Mrs. Fenton had spoken
-of Floretta's rude ways, and of the day
-when, upon following Nancy to the dining-room,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span>
-she had caught the provoking child
-in the act of mimicking her.</p>
-
-<p>"Your little Nancy was grieved and distressed
-because she knew that I saw it.
-What a difference there is in children! The
-Paxton child is disgusting, while Nancy,
-who, I have heard, was a little waif, is as
-gentle as Dorothy, who was born the little
-daughter of a fine, old family."</p>
-
-<p>Aunt Charlotte and Mrs. Dainty had told
-Mrs. Fenton something of Nancy's life, and
-noticed how deeply interested she seemed
-to be.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Paxton had realized that ever since
-the day that Floretta had told of being
-caught mimicking Mrs. Fenton for the
-amusement of the waitresses and maids,
-Mrs. Fenton had shunned them. She had
-made desperate efforts to win Mrs. Fenton's
-friendship, but never very successfully, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span>
-she found that her little daughter's silly
-act had rendered any intimacy quite impossible.</p>
-
-<p>A few days after the ride, Mrs. Fenton
-did not appear at lunch, or at dinner, and
-when Mrs. Paxton, with elaborate interest,
-inquired for her, she learned that the lady
-had left very early that morning, before any
-guests were on the piazza to see her depart.</p>
-
-<p>It certainly did seem odd that she should
-have left, without a word to those whom
-she had known, but Mrs. Dainty, with her
-customary good taste, made no comment,
-and Aunt Charlotte Grayson was equally
-silent.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Paxton did just as one might have
-expected. She expressed, in a very loud
-voice, her disgust at being thus pointedly
-slighted, for so she chose to feel.</p>
-
-<p>"After all my friendliness, I can't see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span>
-how she could leave the Cleverton without
-so much as a word to me. Why, I felt almost
-like a relative, as my name was Fenton
-before I married!"</p>
-
-<p>"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 politely turned her back.</p>
-
-<p>Two letters arrived at the Cleverton that
-afternoon, and it would be difficult to say
-which caused the greater surprise.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Paxton told the contents of hers to
-all who would listen, and there were enough
-who were curious, to make a good audience.</p>
-
-<p>"<span class="smcap">To Mrs. Clara Fenton Paxton</span>:" it
-began, refraining from any endearing
-terms.</p>
-
-<p>"I knew, before I met you, that you and
-your small daughter were related to my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span>
-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 deal
-fairly with all my kin (I have but three
-such), I came to the Cleverton to see you
-and your little daughter, intending, if she
-proved sweet-tempered and attractive, to
-will my property to her. She is the only
-one of the three relatives who bears my
-husband's name.</p>
-
-<p>"I do not wish to be harsh, but I am
-forced to admit that I find her to be bold,
-naturally unkind, and wholly lacking in the
-grace and courtesy which most children
-possess, either by training or inheritance.</p>
-
-<p>"I, therefore, have made my will in favor
-of Nancy Ferris, once a little waif, now a
-sweet, gentle, and attractive child, whose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span>
-little acts of courtesy and kindness are fully
-appreciated by</p>
-
-<div class='sig'>
-<span style="margin-right: 8em;">"Her friend,</span><br />
-"<span class="smcap">Cecilia Cullen Fenton.</span>"<br />
-</div>
-
-<p>"A most singular woman, to leave her
-property to a waif, a child of the theatre,
-and not bequeath so much as a penny to
-my Floretta, whom <i>any</i> one could see is an
-aristocrat," said Mrs. Paxton.</p>
-
-<p>"Mrs. Fenton, or anybody else, would
-need some rather strong glasses to see
-<i>that!</i>" muttered Mr. Cunningham.</p>
-
-<p>He was a testy old fellow, and he, like
-other guests of the hotel, had become exceedingly
-tired of Mrs. Paxton and her unlovely
-child.</p>
-
-<p>The other letter gave surprise and delight
-to the two who had shared in the care and
-training of little Nancy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"<span class="smcap">To Mrs. Rudolph Dainty, and to
-Mrs. Charlotte Grayson</span>,</p>
-
-<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear friends</span>:—" was its greeting,
-and then followed the story of the writer's
-visit to the Cleverton, and the statement
-that her few relatives were too distant to
-have any valid claim to her estate.</p>
-
-<p>"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 say that Dorothy Dainty
-and Nancy Ferris, are the two dearest children
-that it has been my pleasure to know.</p>
-
-<p>"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 child who, under your loving care,
-had blossomed like a lovely flower.</p>
-
-<p>"Dorothy has her parents, and will inherit
-a fortune. Nancy has no parents, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span>
-I know, will be kindly cared for by you, but
-that fact will not deter me from making a
-bequest that gives me greatest pleasure.</p>
-
-<p>"I shall leave all of my estate to Nancy
-Ferris, and I remind her, in some little
-verses that I enclose, how deeply I have
-appreciated her many little kindnesses.</p>
-
-
-<div class='center'><span class="smcap">To Nancy</span></div>
-
-<div class='poem'>
-"Dear little girl, I know that you will daily<br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Do loving acts of kindness, and of cheer,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Thus urging life to sing its song more gaily</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And making friendship lasting and more dear.</span><br />
-<br />
-"I felt your charm, dear child, I saw how sweetly<br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">You gave your kindness, with no thought of gain.</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I give you a reward, and how completely</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I joy in giving, words cannot explain."</span><br />
-</div>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p>
-<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
-
-<h3>A SERENADE</h3>
-
-<div class='cap'>JACK TIVERTON stood in the lower hall
-one morning, and appeared as if waiting
-for some one. In his hand was a short
-switch that he had cut from a shrub that
-grew beside the driveway. Often he looked
-up the staircase, and then, as no one appeared,
-he would continue to strike at the
-flies that flew past the doorway.</div>
-
-<p>At last he heard merry voices upon the
-landing, and then Dorothy and Nancy came
-hurrying down the stairs.</p>
-
-<p>"Good morning!" they called, but Jack,
-in his eagerness to ask questions, forgot to
-return their greeting.</p>
-
-<p>"Say!" he cried, "do you know that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span>
-Mrs. Paxton and Floretta left this morning
-before breakfast?"</p>
-
-<p>No, the little girls did not know that.</p>
-
-<p>"Well, they have. I saw them go, and
-I'm glad. Floretta was fun to play with,
-but she wasn't fair. She'd get me to do
-things, and then if we got caught, she'd always
-say I planned it," said Jack.</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy tried to think of something kind
-to say of Floretta, but she knew that what
-Jack said was true. Floretta truly was not
-in the habit of playing "fair."</p>
-
-<p>"Her mamma said something queer just
-as she was going off. She was talking to a
-lady, I don't know what her name is, and
-Mrs. Paxton said:</p>
-
-<p>"'Well, Dorothy Dainty has always
-seemed to be fond of Nancy, but now that
-Nancy is to have a <i>fortune</i>, shell love her
-a deal more than she ever did before.'"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>And now Dorothy spoke, her blue eyes
-flashing, and her cheeks flushed.</p>
-
-<p>"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! Nothing could make
-any difference. I love her all I can.
-Nancy knows that. Every one knows
-that."</p>
-
-<p>How keenly she felt Mrs. Paxton's silly
-speech!</p>
-
-<p>She was indignant that any one should
-think her love for Nancy so little worth
-while that fortune could make it stronger.</p>
-
-<p>How could she love Nancy more than she
-had always loved her?</p>
-
-<p>Nancy threw her arms about her, and
-drew her closer.</p>
-
-<p>"Don't you mind, Dorothy," she said,
-"<i>I</i> know how truly you love me. Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span>
-Paxton didn't know, because I guess she
-couldn't understand it. <i>She</i> couldn't love
-the way you do."</p>
-
-<p>Dorothy smiled through the tears that
-had filled her eyes.</p>
-
-<p>"There's no one dearer than you,
-Nancy," she said.</p>
-
-<p>Jack swung his switch at a dragon-fly
-that flew past the doorway.</p>
-
-<p>"Did you see that darning-needle?" he
-asked.</p>
-
-<p>"Well," he continued, without waiting
-for an answer, "I was down the road a few
-days ago, trying to catch some of those big
-steel-colored ones in my fly-net. I hadn't
-seen any one after I left this piazza, but
-just 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 in sight. I was just going to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span>
-swing my net again, when some one giggled,
-and then I saw a little skinny girl looking
-at me from between some bushes."</p>
-
-<p>"What was she doing?" Dorothy asked.</p>
-
-<p>"You couldn't guess if you tried for a
-month!" said Jack.</p>
-
-<p>"She was sitting on a big stone, beside
-a big puddle that was left there after the
-shower. She said she was playing she was
-a frog, and when she stared at me through
-her glasses, and smiled, no, <i>grinned</i> at me,
-I couldn't help thinking she looked like one.
-Say, she had on a green cloak, a regular
-frog-color."</p>
-
-<p>"It must have been <i>Arabella!</i>" said
-Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>"I don't know what her name was. I
-didn't ask her, but while I watched her
-she hopped off the stone into the puddle
-with both feet, and cried, 'po-dunk!' just<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span>
-like an old bullfrog. My! Weren't her
-shoes wet!"</p>
-
-<p>"I wonder what her Aunt Matilda said
-when she went home with wet feet," said
-Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>Without noticing what she said, Jack continued.</p>
-
-<p>"I never saw such a queer girl!" he said,
-in disgust, "for when I told her dragonflies
-would never bite, she said: 'They will.
-They'll sew your eyes, and nose, and mouth
-up. Po-dunk!' and she hopped back on to
-the stone, and grinned at me just as she did
-at first. Say! She made me feel queer to
-look at her, and I turned and ran away. I
-wasn't afraid of her, of course, but she <i>did</i>
-make me feel queer!"</p>
-
-<p>"She'd make any one feel queer," said
-Nancy as they turned toward the dining-room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Jack wished that they might have stayed
-longer in the hall. He had intended to ask
-them if they knew Arabella, and if she was
-always doing queer things, but Mrs. Dainty
-and Aunt Charlotte joined them, and they
-went in for breakfast.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Tiverton, coming in from an early
-walk, took Jack with her to the other side
-of the dining-room. He looked across at
-them, and wondered what they could have
-told of Arabella if they had had a chance.
-He decided to question them, whispering
-softly to himself:</p>
-
-<p>"I'll <i>make</i> them tell me all they know
-about that funny girl."</p>
-
-<p>For several days he tried to catch Dorothy
-or Nancy at a time when he could question
-them.</p>
-
-<p>He chased Dorothy up the long stairway
-one morning, only to see her disappear into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span>
-her room. He had not told her that he had
-wished to talk with her, and she, believing
-that he was only chasing her for fun, ran
-from him, laughing as she went.</p>
-
-<p>He found Nancy, a few minutes later,
-and coaxed her to wait on the landing.</p>
-
-<p>"Now, Nancy," he said, "you've got to
-tell me something about that queer girl
-that you and Dorothy know."</p>
-
-<p>"If you mean Arabella," said Nancy,
-"I don't see what I could tell you, only
-that she <i>is</i> queer, and you know that
-now."</p>
-
-<p>"You'll better believe I know it!" cried
-Jack, "for I met her again yesterday, and
-guess what she was doing!"</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, I couldn't," said Nancy. "No one
-ever could guess what Arabella Corryville
-would do."</p>
-
-<p>"Well, she looked like a witch, and acted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span>
-like one, too," Jack replied. "It was yesterday
-that I saw her. I was going across
-the field, and had nearly reached the wall,
-when I looked up, and saw her sitting on
-the top bar of the—the—oh, the place
-where they take down the bars to let the
-cattle through."</p>
-
-<p>"I know where you mean," said Nancy,
-"but why was it strange that she was sitting
-there?"</p>
-
-<p>"It was what she was doing that was
-funny," Jack replied, "and because you
-couldn't guess, I'll tell you.</p>
-
-<p>"She didn't look toward me, though I'm
-sure she must have heard me coming, for
-I was just tramping along, and whistling
-all the way. She was looking up at the
-clouds, and counting, 'one—two—three—'
-very slowly, and when I was close behind
-her, she said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"'Hush—sh—sh! I'm charming the
-crows!'</p>
-
-<p>"'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.</p>
-
-<p>"'Hush—sh!' she said again. 'There
-comes one of them now!' and sure enough
-a big, black crow did come flying right
-down, and perched on the limb of an old
-tree near her."</p>
-
-<p>"Why, Jack Tiverton," cried Nancy,
-"you don't believe Arabella really <i>made</i>
-him come down, do you?"</p>
-
-<p>"Of course not," cried Jack, "but she
-wanted me to think so. Say! She said she
-was saying a charm, and when I asked her
-what it was, she wouldn't tell me. She said
-it would spoil the charm to tell it. She
-looked funny sitting up there on the top
-rail, and staring at the crows till her eyes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span>
-watered. She didn't look like a 'charmer.'
-She looked ever so much more like a scarecrow!"</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, Jack, it's horrid to say that!"
-cried Nancy, at the same time trying not to
-let him see how near she was to laughing.</p>
-
-<p>"Well, she <i>did!</i>" Jack insisted, "and
-you're almost laughing now, Nancy Ferris,
-and you'd have screamed if you'd seen
-her roosting there, and calling herself a
-charmer! Why, that old crow just flopped
-down there for fun, and when he saw the
-queer-looking girl, he cawed as if it made
-him mad, and I didn't blame him. Say!
-She had a shoe on one foot, and a slipper
-on the other. Her apron was put on back-side-to,
-and she had a hen's feather in each
-hand, and she waved them up and down
-while she mumbled some kind of a verse.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span>
-She said her clothes were put on that way
-to help the charm. Isn't she a <i>ninny?</i>"</p>
-
-<p>Just at that moment, before Nancy could
-reply, Mrs. Tiverton called Jack, and Nancy
-ran to tell the story of Arabella's latest
-freak to Dorothy.</p>
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-<p>One afternoon, a number of little girls
-were sitting on the piazza at the Cleverton,
-and their merry voices attracted Jack Tiverton,
-who glanced up from the book that
-he was reading, and then, because he
-was curious to know what so interested
-them, crossed the piazza, and joined the
-group.</p>
-
-<p>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 the hotel, sat upon the railing, or
-in the large rockers that stood near.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>Jack joined the row perched upon the
-railing.</p>
-
-<p>"Tell a fellow what you are all talking
-about, will you? Will you, <i>please</i>, I
-mean?" he asked.</p>
-
-<p>"Dorothy Dainty has been reading us a
-lovely story," said a little girl, whose merry
-eyes showed that she had enjoyed it.</p>
-
-<p>"What's it about?" Jack asked, and
-then, "Oh, <i>fairy</i> tales!" he said.</p>
-
-<p>"Don't you like fairy tales?" Flossie
-questioned, looking up at him.</p>
-
-<p>No one liked to differ with dear little
-Flossie, least of all, Jack Tiverton.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, I like them <i>some</i>," he said, awkwardly,
-"but,—are there any stories about
-bandits or pirates in that book?"</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, no," they cried, in a laughing
-chorus, "and there aren't any wild Indians
-in it, either."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"I don't care much about Indian stories,"
-Jack replied, "but I do like to read
-about pirates."</p>
-
-<p>"But just hear what this one was
-about," said Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>"The wandering prince had, for years,
-been searching for a lovely princess, who
-should look like a beautiful picture that
-hung in his father's palace. One day he
-came to a castle where the people told him
-a handsome princess was imprisoned, and
-he asked why she was kept there. They
-told him that she was enchanted, and that
-some day, a wandering prince would sing
-beneath her window, and then the
-spell would be broken, and she would be
-free."</p>
-
-<p>Jack was interested.</p>
-
-<p>"But s'posing he couldn't sing?" he
-asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Oh, a prince could surely sing!" said
-Flossie.</p>
-
-<p>"And p'raps he could sing under her
-window, if he couldn't anywhere else,"
-ventured a dreamy-eyed little girl who sat
-near Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>"And how would he know <i>what</i> to
-sing?" a cheery voice questioned, and a
-pair of merry eyes peered over the piazza
-railing.</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, Uncle Harry!" cried Flossie,
-"what difference would it make?"</p>
-
-<p>"All the difference in the world," declared
-Uncle Harry, "for while the proper
-melody would set the princess free, how are
-we to know that the wrong melody might
-not chain her closer than before!"</p>
-
-<p>"Why, the story doesn't say that," said
-Nancy.</p>
-
-<p>"Perhaps not, but the prince took an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span>
-<i>awful</i> risk when he chose what to sing,"
-declared Uncle Harry.</p>
-
-<p>"You're laughing when you say it,"
-said Dorothy.</p>
-
-<p>"He is," agreed Flossie, "and what he
-says is funny, but I know this: I'd love to
-hear some one singing under <i>my</i> window!"</p>
-
-<p>Some ladies, who sat near enough to hear
-the conversation, were amused at the children's
-enthusiasm, and at Uncle Harry's
-evident interest.</p>
-
-<p>"The prince had his guitar slung over
-his shoulder by a ribbon," said Dorothy.
-"See the picture," and she slipped from
-the hammock, and offered the book that he
-might see the illustration.</p>
-
-<p>"I'm glad he carried his guitar instead
-of a banjo," he said.</p>
-
-<p>"Why are you glad of that?" Flossie
-asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>"Oh, because I really <i>am</i>, in fact, I might
-even say I am delighted," he replied.</p>
-
-<p>"I do believe he intends to serenade
-those children," said a handsome woman,
-to her friend who sat beside her; "he is a
-brilliant man, and one who is blessed with
-many talents, and one of his greatest
-charms is his love of children. He will go
-far out of his way to afford them a bit of
-fun."</p>
-
-<p>That evening, when nearly every one had
-left the piazza, and all of the children were
-in their rooms, the soft twanging of guitar
-strings floated up toward Flossie's window.</p>
-
-<p>She was not yet asleep, and she sat up in
-bed, and listened.</p>
-
-<p>Yes, it was a guitar! Was it Uncle
-Harry's?</p>
-
-<p>A little prelude softly played, drew her
-toward the window.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p>
-
-<p>She crept closer, and peeped out. Yes,
-there he was, looking right up toward her
-window.</p>
-
-<p>Now his fine voice was softly singing,
-and Flossie held her breath.</p>
-
-<div class='poem'>
-"Under thy window, my little lady,<br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Under thy window, Flossie dear,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Here where the moonbeams softly flicker,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sing I this song that you may hear.</span><br />
-<br />
-"Moonlight, and starlight weave enchantment,<br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Yet shall my song your freedom bring,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">You shall be happy little lady,</span><br />
-<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Give me your love for the song I sing."</span><br />
-</div>
-
-<p>"Oh, Uncle Harry, you have it <i>now!</i>"
-cried Flossie. "I love you, when you're
-singing, and <i>all</i> the time."</p>
-
-<p>"I know that, dear little girl, but I <i>must</i>
-have my fun, so I came here to sing the song
-I made for you," he said gently.</p>
-
-<p>"Well, you're <i>dear</i>," she cried, "and I'll
-throw you a kiss," and she did, reaching<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span>
-far out of the window that he might surely
-see her.</p>
-
-<p>"I caught it!" he cried, and as he
-turned toward the porch, she heard
-him softly strumming the prelude
-again.</p>
-
-<p>Others had heard the pretty song, for
-Dorothy and Nancy had a room next to
-Flossie's.</p>
-
-<p>The next morning he was coaxed and
-teased to sing the song again, but he declared
-that he could only sing it in the
-moonlight, that the daylight would spoil its
-effect.</p>
-
-<p>The sunny days sped on wings, and soon
-the guests began to think of turning homeward.</p>
-
-<p>Mrs. Dainty's party and the Barnets
-were to leave the hotel at the same time,
-and Dorothy, Nancy, and Flossie were delighted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span>
-that they were to take the return
-trip together.</p>
-
-<p>They were talking of the pleasures that
-they were looking forward to, and telling of
-some delightful events that were already
-planned, when Jack Tiverton gave them a
-genuine surprise.</p>
-
-<p>"Mamma has just told me something
-fine," he said, "and I ran right down to tell
-it to you."</p>
-
-<p>"Oh, tell it quick!" said Flossie.</p>
-
-<p>"We're going to live in Merrivale,
-and we'll be there soon after we leave
-here. I'm glad. Are you, <i>all</i> of you?" he
-asked.</p>
-
-<p>"Of course we're glad," said Dorothy
-and Nancy; and Flossie hastened to
-add:</p>
-
-<p>"Every one of us is glad."</p>
-
-<p>There were bright days, and many pleasures<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span>
-in store for the little friends, and those
-who would like also to enjoy them, and to
-know what happened during the winter,
-may read of all this in</p>
-
-<div class='center'>
-"Dorothy Dainty's Holidays."<br />
-</div>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" />
-<h2>THE DOROTHY DAINTY SERIES</h2>
-
-<h3>By AMY BROOKS</h3>
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-<div class='center'>Large 12mo Cloth Illustrated by the Author<br />
-
-Price, $1.00 each<br /></div>
-
-
-
-
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" summary="Dorothy books">
-<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/i008.png" width="153" height="200" alt="Dorothy Dainty's Winter" title="" />
-</td><td align='left'><i>Dorothy Dainty</i><br />
-<i>Dorothy's Playmates</i><br />
-<i>Dorothy Dainty at School</i><br />
-<i>Dorothy Dainty at the Shore</i><br />
-<i>Dorothy Dainty in the City</i><br />
-<i>Dorothy Dainty at Home</i><br />
-<i>Dorothy Dainty's Gay Times</i><br />
-<i>Dorothy Dainty in the Country</i><br />
-<i>Dorothy Dainty's Winter</i><br />
-<i>Dorothy Dainty in the Mountains</i><br />
-<i>Dorothy Dainty's Holidays</i><br />
-<i>Dorothy Dainty's Vacation</i><br /></td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Little Dorothy Dainty</span> 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."—<i>Boston Courier.</i></p>
-
-<p>"<span class="smcap">Dorothy Dainty</span>, 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."—<i>Pittsburg Christian Advocate.</i></p></div>
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Dorothy Dainty books continued">
-<tr><td align='left'><p>"No finer little lady than <span class="smcap">Dorothy Dainty</span>
-was ever placed in a book for children."—<i>Teachers'
-Journal, Pittsburg.</i></p>
-<p>"<span class="smcap">Miss Brooks</span> 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."—<i>Rochester
-(N.Y.) Herald.</i></p>
-</td><td align='left'><img src="images/i008b.png" width="153" height="200" alt="Dorothy Dainty's Holidays" title="" />
-</td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-<div class='center'>
-LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON<br />
-</div>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" />
-<h2><i>THE PRUE BOOKS</i></h2>
-
-<h3>By AMY BROOKS</h3>
-
-<div class='center'>Illustrated by the Author 12mo Cloth Price, $1.00 each</div>
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Prue cover and description">
-<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/i009a.png" width="156" height="200" alt="Little Sister Prue" title="" />
-</td><td align='left'><div class='cap'>CUNNING little Prue, one of the most
-winsome little girls ever "put in a
-book," has already been met in another
-series where she gave no small part of
-the interest. She well deserved books
-of her own for little girls of her age,
-and they are now ready with everything
-in the way of large, clear type, and
-Miss Brooks's best pictures and her
-pleasing cover designs to make them
-attractive.</div></td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-
-
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Prue Books">
-<tr><td align='left'><i>Little Sister Prue</i></td><td align='left'><i>Prue's Merry Times</i></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Prue at School</i></span></td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Prue's Little Friends</i></span></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>Prue's Playmates</i></span></td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>Prue's Jolly Winter</i></span></td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-
-
-<div class="figright" style="width: 150px;">
-<img src="images/i009b.png" width="150" height="200" alt="Prue's Little Friends" title="" />
-</div>
-
-<div class="blockquot"><p>"Miss Brooks always brings out the best
-ways of acting and living and provides a good
-deal of humor in her original country characters.—<i>Watchman,
-Boston.</i></p>
-
-<p>"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."—<i>Kennebec Journal</i>, <i>Augusta, Me.</i></p>
-
-<p>"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."—<i>Kindergarten Magazine.</i></p></div>
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-<div class='center'>
-<i>For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt<br />
-of price by the publishers</i><br />
-<br />
-LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON<br />
-</div>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" />
-<h2><i>THE RANDY BOOKS</i></h2>
-
-<h3><i>By AMY BROOKS</i></h3>
-
-<div class='center'>
-12mo <span class="smcap">Cloth Artistic Cover Design in Gold and Colors<br />
-Illustrated by the Author Price $1.00 Each</span><br />
-</div>
-
-<div class="figleft" style="width: 142px;">
-<img src="images/i010a.png" width="142" height="200" alt="Randy's Good Times" title="" />
-</div>
-
-<p>The progress of the "Randy Books"
-has been one continual triumph over the
-hearts of girls of all ages, for dear little
-fun-loving sister Prue is almost as much
-a central figure as Randy, growing toward
-womanhood with each book. The
-sterling good sense and simple naturalness
-of Randy, and the total absence of
-slang and viciousness, make these books
-in the highest degree commendable,
-while abundant life is supplied by the
-doings of merry friends, and there is rich
-humor in the droll rural characters.</p>
-
-
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Randy books">
-<tr><td align='left'><i>Randy's Summer</i></td><td align='left'><i>Randy's Good Times</i></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Randy's Winter</i></span></td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Randy's Luck</i></span></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>Randy and Her Friends</i></span></td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>Randy's Loyalty</i></span></td></tr>
-<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 6em;"><i>Randy and Prue</i></span></td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 6em;"><i>Randy's Prince</i></span></td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-
-
-
-<div class="figright" style="width: 141px;">
-<img src="images/i010b.png" width="141" height="200" alt="Randy's Luck" title="" />
-</div>
-
-<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Randy Books are among the very
-choicest books for young people to make
-a beginning with."</p>
-<div class='sig'>
-—<i>Boston Courier.</i><br />
-</div>
-
-<p>"The Randy Books of Amy Brooks
-have had a deserved popularity among
-young girls. They are wholesome and
-moral without being goody-goody."</p>
-
-<div class='sig'>
-—<i>Chicago Post.</i><br />
-</div></div>
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-<div class='center'>
-LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON<br />
-</div>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" />
-<div class='unindent'><span class="u"><big><b>Only Dollie</b></big></span></div>
-
-<div class='center'>By <span class="smcap">Nina Rhoades</span> Illustrated by Bertha Davidson
-Square 12mo Cloth $1.00</div>
-
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Only Dollie">
-<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/i011a.png" width="149" height="200" alt="Only Dollie" title="" />
-</td><td align='left'><div class='cap'>THIS is a brightly written story of a girl of
-twelve, who, when the mystery of her birth
-is solved, like Cinderella, passes from drudgery to
-better circumstances. There is nothing strained
-or unnatural at any point. All descriptions or
-portrayals of character are life-like, and the
-book has an indescribable appealing quality
-which wins sympathy and secures success.</div>
-<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is delightful reading at all times."—<i>Cedar
-Rapids (Ia.) Republican.</i></p>
-
-<p>"It is well written, the story runs smoothly, the idea
-is good, and it is handled with ability.—<i>Chicago
-Journal.</i></p></div></td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-<div class='unindent'><span class="u"><big><b>The Little Girl Next Door</b></big></span></div>
-
-<div class='center'>By <span class="smcap">Nina Rhoades</span> Large 12mo Cloth Illustrated
-by Bertha Davidson $1.00</div>
-
-
-<div class='cap'>A DELIGHTFUL story of true and genuine friendship between an
-impulsive little girl in a fine New York home and a little blind girl
-in an apartment next door. The little girl's determination to cultivate
-the acquaintance, begun out of the window during a rainy day, triumphs
-over the barriers of caste, and the little blind girl proves to be in every
-way a worthy companion. Later a mystery of birth is cleared up, and the
-little blind girl proves to be of gentle birth as well as of gentle manners.</div>
-
-
-
-
-<div class='unindent'><br /><span class="u"><big><b>Winifred's Neighbors</b></big></span></div>
-
-<div class='center'>By <span class="smcap">Nina Rhoades</span> Illustrated
-by Bertha G. Davidson Large
- 12mo Cloth $1.00</div>
-
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Winifred's Neighbors">
-<tr><td align='left'><div class='cap'>LITTLE Winifred's efforts to find some
-children of whom she reads in a book
-lead to the acquaintance of a neighbor
-of the same name, and this acquaintance
-proves of the greatest importance to Winifred's
-own family. Through it all she is just such a
-little girl as other girls ought to know, and
-the story will hold the interest of all ages.</div>
-</td><td align='left'><img src="images/i011b.png" width="143" height="200" alt="Winifred's Neighbors" title="" />
-</td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-<div class='center'>
-<i>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt<br />
-of price by the publishers</i><br />
-<br />
-LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD Co., BOSTON<br />
-</div>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" />
-<div class='unindent'><br /><span class="u"><big><b>The Children on the Top Floor</b></big></span></div>
-
-<div class='center'>By <span class="smcap">Nina Rhoades</span> Large 12mo
-Cloth Illustrated by Bertha
-Davidson $1.00</div>
-
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="The Children on the Top Floor">
-<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/i012a.png" width="150" height="200" alt="The Children on the Top Floor" title="" />
-</td><td align='left'><div class='cap'>IN this book little Winifred Hamilton, the
-child heroine of "Winifred's Neighbors,"
-reappears, living in the second of the four
-stories of a New York apartment house. On
-the top floor are two very interesting children,
-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 glad reunion,
-and also other good fortune for crippled
-Jack, and Winifred's kind little heart has once
-more indirectly caused great happiness to others.</div>
-</td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-
-
-
-
-<div class='unindent'><br /><span class="u"><big><b>How Barbara Kept Her Promise</b></big></span></div>
-
-<div class='center'>By <span class="smcap">Nina Rhoades</span> Large 12mo Cloth Illustrated
-by Bertha Davidson $1.00</div>
-
-
-<div class='cap'>TWO orphan sisters, Barbara, aged twelve, and little Hazel, who is
-"only eight," are sent from their early home in London to their
-mother's family in New York. Faithful Barbara has promised her father
-that she will take care of pretty, petted, mischievous Hazel, and how she
-tries to do this, even in the face of great difficulties, forms the story which
-has the happy ending which Miss Rhoades wisely gives to all her stories.</div>
-
-
-
-
-<div class='unindent'><br /><span class="u"><big><b>Little Miss Rosamond</b></big></span></div>
-
-<div class='center'>By <span class="smcap">Nina Rhoades</span> Illustrated
-by Bertha G. Davidson
-Large 12mo Cloth $1.00</div>
-
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Little Miss Rosamond">
-<tr><td align='left'><div class='cap'>ROSAMOND lives in Richmond, Va.,
-with her big brother, who cannot
-give her all the comfort that she needs in
-the trying hot weather, and she goes to the
-seaside cottage of an uncle whose home
-is in New York. Here she meets Gladys
-and Joy, so well known in a previous
-book, "The Little Girl Next Door," and
-after some complications are straightened
-out, bringing Rosamond's honesty and
-kindness of heart into prominence, all are made very happy.</div>
-</td><td align='left'><img src="images/i012b.png" width="139" height="200" alt="Little Miss Rosamund" title="" />
-</td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-<div class='center'>
-<i>For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt<br />
-of price by the publishers</i><br />
-<br />
-LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON<br />
-</div>
-
-
-
-<hr style="width: 65%;" />
-<h2>"<i>Brick House Books</i>"</h2>
-
-<h3><i>By NINA RHOADES</i></h3>
-
-<div class='center'><i>Cloth 12mo Illustrated $1.00 each</i></div>
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Priscilla of the Doll Shop">
-<tr><td align='left'><div class='unindent'><br /><span class="u"><big><b>Priscilla of the Doll Shop</b></big></span></div>
-<div class='cap'>THE "Brick House Books," as they are
-called from their well-known cover designs,
-are eagerly sought by children all over
-the country. There are three good stories in
-this book, instead of one, and it is hard to
-say which little girls, and boys, too, for that
-matter, will like the best.</div></td><td align='left'><img src="images/i013a.png" width="150" height="200" alt="Priscilla of the Doll Shop" title="" />
-</td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-
-
-
-<div class='unindent'><br /><span class="u"><big><b>Brave Little Peggy</b></big></span></div>
-
-
-<div class='cap'>PEGGY comes from California to New Jersey to live with a brother and
-sister whom she has not known since very early childhood. She is so
-democratic in her social ideas that many amusing scenes occur, and it is
-hard for her to understand many things that she must learn. But her good
-heart carries her through, and her conscientiousness and moral courage
-win affection and happiness.</div>
-
-
-<div class='center'>
-<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="The Other Sylvia">
-<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/i013b.png" width="146" height="200" alt="The Other Sylvia" title="" />
-</td><td align='left'><div class='unindent'><br /><span class="u"><big><b>The Other Sylvia</b></big></span></div>
-
-
-
-<div class='cap'>EIGHT-year-old Sylvia learns that girls who
-are "Kings' Daughters" pledge themselves
-to some kind act or service, and that one little
-girl named Mary has taken it upon herself to be
-helpful to all the Marys of her acquaintance.
-This is such an interesting way of doing good that
-she adopts it in spite of her unusual name, and
-really finds not only "the other Sylvia," but great
-happiness.</div></td></tr>
-</table></div>
-
-
-<hr style="width: 45%;" />
-
-<div class='center'>
-<i>For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of<br />
-price by the publishers</i><br />
-<br />
-LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON<br />
-</div>
-<hr style="width: 65%;" />
-
-<div class='tnote'>Transcriber's Note: Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</div>
-
-<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30088 ***</div>
-</body>
-</html>
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Dorothy Dainty at the Mountains, by Amy Brooks. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + .copyright {text-align: center; font-size: 70%;} + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold; font-size: 70%; font-variant: small-caps;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .right {text-align: right;} + .poem {margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .poem2 {margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .sig {margin-right: 10%; text-align: right;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + .cap:first-letter {float: left; clear: left; margin: -0.2em 0.1em 0; margin-top: 0%; + padding: 0; line-height: .75em; font-size: 300%; text-align: justify;} + .cap {text-align: justify;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30088 ***</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 426px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="426" height="600" alt="Cover" title="" /> +</div> + + + + +<h1>DOROTHY DAINTY AT<br /> +THE MOUNTAINS</h1> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div class='bbox'> +<h2>Popular Stories.</h2> + + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">By AMY BROOKS.</span></div> + +<div class='center'>Each beautifully illustrated by the Author.</div> + +<div class='center'>THE RANDY BOOKS.</div> + +<div class='center'>12mo. Cloth. Cover Designs by the Author. Price $1.00 each.</div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE RANDY BOOKS"> +<tr><td align='left'>RANDY'S SUMMER.</td><td align='left'>RANDY'S GOOD TIMES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>RANDY'S WINTER.</td><td align='left'>RANDY'S LUCK.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>RANDY AND HER FRIENDS. </td><td align='left'>RANDY'S LOYALTY.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>RANDY AND PRUE.</td><td align='left'>RANDY'S PRINCE.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + + + + + +<div class='center'>——————</div> +<h3>For Younger Readers.</h3> + + +<div class='center'>DOROTHY DAINTY SERIES.</div> + +<div class='center'>Large 12mo. Cloth. Cover Designs by the Author. Set in large +English type. Price $1.00 each.</div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="DOROTHY DAINTY SERIES."> +<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY'S PLAYMATES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY AT SCHOOL.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY AT THE SHORE.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY IN THE CITY.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY AT HOME.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY'S GAY TIMES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY IN THE COUNTRY.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY'S WINTER.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY AT THE MOUNTAINS.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY'S HOLIDAYS.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY'S VACATION.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY'S VISIT.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DOROTHY DAINTY AT CRESTVILLE.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<div class='center'><br />THE PRUE BOOKS.</div> + +<div class='center'>12mo. Cloth. Cover Designs by the Author. Price $1.00 each.</div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE PRUE BOOKS"> +<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE SISTER PRUE.</td><td align='left'>PRUE'S MERRY TIMES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PRUE AT SCHOOL.</td><td align='left'>PRUE'S LITTLE FRIENDS.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PRUE'S PLAYMATES. </td><td align='left'>PRUE'S JOLLY WINTER.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<div class='center'>——————</div> + +<div class='center'> +A JOLLY CAT TALE. Large 12mo. Cloth. Profusely Illustrated. Price $1.00<br /> +</div> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 395px;"><a name="Frontispiece" id="Frontispiece"></a> +<img src="images/i001.jpg" width="395" height="500" alt=""Here! Here!" cried Dorothy, and echo answered, "Here,—ere!"—Page 4." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"Here! Here!" cried Dorothy, and echo answered, "Here,—ere!"—<i><a href="#Page_4">Page 4</a>.</i></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1>DOROTHY DAINTY<br /> +AT THE MOUNTAINS</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>AMY BROOKS</h2> + +<div class='center'> +<small>AUTHOR OF "DOROTHY DAINTY SERIES," "THE RANDY</small><br /> +<small>BOOKS," "THE PRUE BOOKS," AND</small><br /> +<small>"A JOLLY CAT TALE"</small><br /> +<br /> +<br /><br /> +<i>WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR</i><br /><br /></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 79px;"> +<img src="images/emblem.png" width="79" height="100" alt="Emblem" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class='center'><br /><br /> +BOSTON<br /> +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='copyright'> +DOROTHY DAINTY<br /> +TRADE-MARK<br /> +Registered in U. S. Patent Office<br /> +<br /><br /><br /> +Published, August, 1911<br /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<span class="smcap">Copyright, 1911, By LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.</span><br /> +——————<br /> +<i>All Rights Reserved</i><br /> +——————<br /> +<span class="smcap">Dorothy Dainty at the Mountains</span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Norwood Press<br /> +Berwick & Smith Co.<br /> +Norwood, Mass., U. S. A.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><small>CHAPTER</small></td><td align='right'><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">At the Cleverton</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Delightful Surprise</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">An Entertainment</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">In A Birch Arbor</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Mountain Party</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Echo Captured</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Floretta's Return</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_122">122</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">At the Fair</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Flossie's Letter</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_162">162</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Gift of Wildflowers</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_182">182</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Arabella Makes a Call</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_201">201</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Serenade</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_222">222</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Illustrations"> +<tr><td align='left'>"Here! Here!" cried Dorothy, and echo answered, "Here,—ere!" (<i><a href="#Page_4">Page 4</a></i>) </td><td align='right'><i><a href="#Frontispiece">Frontispiece</a></i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'><small>FACING<br />PAGE</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Often she looked back, as she sped over the road</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>"Oh, what a lovely, <i>lovely</i> story!" said Dorothy</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>With feet and hands she strove to loosen the tough, wiry vines</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_120">120</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>She took a few tripping steps, smiling at her reflection</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>She offered two cards to Floretta</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_210">210</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<h2>DOROTHY DAINTY AT THE MOUNTAINS</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>AT THE CLEVERTON</h3> + +<div class='cap'>THE great hotel on the crest of the hill +was bathed in sunlight that poured +from a rift in the clouds, as if sent for the +sole purpose of showing the grand portico, +the broad piazza, and the flag that floated +gracefully on the summer breeze.</div> + +<p>Its many windows seemed to be looking +across the valley to opposite mountain +peaks, and one could easily imagine that +its wide, open doorway, smiled genially as +if offering a welcome to all arriving guests.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + +<p>Two little girls ran across the lawn, the +one with flaxen curls, the other with sunny +brown ringlets.</p> + +<p>The fair-haired little girl had eyes as blue +as the blue blossoms that she held in her +hand, while her playmate's eyes were soft +and brown, and told that her heart was loving +and true.</p> + +<p>The little blue-eyed girl was Dorothy +Dainty, and the child who clasped her hand +was her dearest friend, Nancy Ferris.</p> + +<p>Nancy had no parents, and a few years +before Dorothy's mamma had taken her +under her care and protection, and she was +being trained and educated as carefully as +was Dorothy, the little daughter of the +house.</p> + +<p>They had come to the Hotel Cleverton +to spend the summer, and the first few days +of their stay, they had explored all the land<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +that lay immediately around the hotel, and +had found many beautiful spots, but one +thing held their interest,—they loved the +echo, and never tired of awakening it.</p> + +<p>"Come!" cried Dorothy. "Run with +me over to the white birches, and we'll +shout, and listen!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dainty had told them the story of +Echo, the nymph, who for loving Pan and +following him and calling to him had been +changed into a huge rock on the mountainside, +and forever compelled to mock each +voice she heard.</p> + +<p>The old legend of the nymph had caught +their fancy, and often they paused in their +play to shout, and listen to what seemed to +them the voice of some fairy of the mountains.</p> + +<p>Now they stood beside the birches, +Dorothy with one arm around a white<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +trunk, and Nancy near her. At their feet +were countless bluebells, overhead the +blue sky, while across and beyond the valley +rose the mountain capped by white +clouds that looked as soft as swan's-down.</p> + +<p>"Here! Here!" cried Dorothy, and echo +answered, "Here,—ere!"</p> + +<p>"Listen!" cried Dorothy, clasping her +hands, and laughing with delight. "It answers +as if it was a truly voice that heard +and replied.</p> + +<p>"Nancy, I love you!" she cried, and +again they plainly heard:—</p> + +<p>"Love you-oo!"</p> + +<p>They thought it great fun to shout and +call, and hear their cries so cleverly repeated.</p> + +<p>And now another child ran out from the +great doorway, paused a moment as if looking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +for some one, then, seeing the two little +figures near the clump of birches, stole +softly near them.</p> + +<p>On tiptoe, and with tread as soft and +noiseless as a cat, she made her way over +the short grass, until she was quite near +them. Then, hiding behind a low bush, she +watched them. How still she stood! For +what was she waiting? Her bold eyes were +full of mischief, as she whispered, "Oh, +hurry <i>up!</i>"</p> + +<p>Dorothy Dainty put her hands to her +mouth, trumpet fashion, and called:</p> + +<p>"Come and catch us!" and instantly the +echo from the distant mountain and a shrill +voice behind them, repeated:</p> + +<p>"Come and catch us!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, oh-o!" cried Dorothy, and Nancy +ran to her, and threw her arms about +her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You ought not to frighten Dorothy like +that!" cried Nancy.</p> + +<p>A saucy laugh answered her.</p> + +<p>"Well, it isn't nice to be shrieked at, and +you do it just like the echo, you know you +do, and it's enough to frighten any one," +said Nancy.</p> + +<p>The little tease was not in the least +abashed. She could imitate almost any +sound that she had ever heard, and each +success made her eager to repeat her efforts +at mocking.</p> + +<p>"I made old Mrs. Hermanton fly up out +of her chair, and drop her ball of worsted +and knitting-needles, when I shouted close +to her ear."</p> + +<p>"Why, Floretta!" cried Nancy.</p> + +<p>Now you think that was horrid, but <i>I</i> +tell you it was funny. She'd just been telling +about her darling little lap-dog that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +died <i>ten years ago</i>, and she got out her +handkerchief to cry, and put it up to her +eyes.</p> + +<p>"'Oh, if I only could hear his lovely bark +again!' she said, and right behind her chair, +I said:</p> + +<p>"'Ki-yi! Yip! Yip!' and she jumped up +much as a foot from her seat."</p> + +<p>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 in the loss of the +dog.</p> + +<p>One testy old gentleman who was +troubled with gout, spoke rather plainly. +"Madam," he said, "I've heard that story +every day of this week, 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!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> + +<p>He certainly was hopelessly rude, but one +must admit every day is far too often to be +forced to listen to an uninteresting tale.</p> + +<p>Floretta stood looking down at the toe of +her shoe. She moved it from side to side +along the grass for a moment, then she +spoke again.</p> + +<p>"You know old Mr. Cunningham has +gout, and is awful cross?"</p> + +<p>Dorothy and Nancy nodded. They did +indeed know that.</p> + +<p>"Well, he sat on the piazza and laughed +when I scared Mrs. Hermanton, so I want +to know if he'll think it's funny <i>every</i> time +I do things. You know he puts one foot up +on a chair, and every time any one touches +that chair ever so little, he cries: '<i>Oh</i>, oh, +oh!' and holds on to his foot.</p> + +<p>"The next time I'm near him, I'm going +to make b'lieve hit my foot against something,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +and then I'll cry out, just 'zactly as +he does:</p> + +<p>"'<i>Oh</i>, oh, oh!' and I'll hold on to my +foot," said Floretta.</p> + +<p>"I know it's funny," said Dorothy, "but +I don't think you ought to."</p> + +<p>"Well, <i>you</i> needn't. P'raps you couldn't +do it just like other folks, but I <i>can</i>, and +I'm going to!" said Floretta.</p> + +<p>She was a handsome child, but her boldness +marred her beauty.</p> + +<p>She was, indeed, a clever imitator, but +she had been told so too often. Her mother +constantly praised her cleverness, and unwise +friends applauded her efforts, until +Floretta acquired the idea that she must, on +all occasions, mimic some one.</p> + +<p>Sometimes those whom she mocked +thought it clever, and laughed when they +had thus been held up to derision.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> + +<p>At other times Floretta found that she +had chosen the wrong person to mimic, and +had received a sharp rebuke.</p> + +<p>This taught her nothing, however.</p> + +<p>She thought any one who did not enjoy +her antics must be very ill-natured, while +her silly mother considered that Floretta +had been abused.</p> + +<p>While Dorothy and Nancy were talking +with Floretta, they were picking large +bouquets of bluebells and a tiny white +flower that grew as abundantly as the bluebells, +and blossomed as freely.</p> + +<p>It pleased her, for the moment, to gather +some of the blossoms, and soon the three +were too busy to talk, each trying to +see which could gather the largest bouquet.</p> + +<p>On the hotel piazza Mrs. Paxton sat, occupied +with her embroidery, but not too<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +busy to talk. She was <i>never</i> too busy +to talk, if she could find any one to +listen.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>It was not that the story displeased him +that he frowned, but that he was bored with +hearing what Mrs. Paxton was saying, +mainly because she always said the same +thing.</p> + +<p>"You see, with our wealth and position, +it is impossible that little Floretta should +ever make any use of her talents for any +purpose other than the amusement of her +friends," she said.</p> + +<p>One of the two ladies, whose fine face and +sweet low voice bespoke refinement, looked +fixedly at Mrs. Paxton, and wondered that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +any woman should be willing to boast so +foolishly.</p> + +<p>The other, whose garments told of a great +love of display, seemed interested, and even +impressed.</p> + +<p>"What is her especial talent?" she +asked, "I really should like to know. Is +she musical?"</p> + +<p>"O dear, yes," Mrs. Paxton hastened to +reply; "she plays delightfully, and she +has a voice that is really quite unusual for a +child; she dances, too, but her greatest gift +is her power of imitation. She has a sensitive +nature that is open to impressions, and +she sees the funny side of everything. She +really is a wonderful little mimic. You +must see her to appreciate her charm."</p> + +<p>The quiet woman looked as if she thought +this a doubtful accomplishment, but the one +who had eagerly listened said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Where is she? I should be <i>so</i> pleased +to see her. Not all children are so interesting. +Many are dull."</p> + +<p>"And lucky they are!" growled old Mr. +Cunningham, under his breath, but the +ladies did not hear that.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"I don't want these flowers now I've +picked them," cried Floretta. "You can +have them if you want them," she said, as +she turned toward Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"I can't hold any more than I have," +said Dorothy, "but you could—"</p> + +<p>"Then here they go!" cried Floretta, as +she flung them broadcast, to lie and wilt in +the sunlight.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it was too bad to throw them +away," said Dorothy. "I was going to say, +if you didn't care for them, perhaps Mrs. +Hermanton might like them. She said she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +liked wild flowers and used to pick them, +but her rheumatism won't let her pick them +now."</p> + +<p>"Pooh! I wouldn't have bothered to +take them back to her," Floretta replied; +and turning about, she ran back to the +hotel.</p> + +<p>"Come here, Floretta!" said Mrs. Paxton. +"This lady wishes to see you."</p> + +<p>Usually Floretta when asked to do anything, +preferred to do something else.</p> + +<p>This time, thinking that she saw an opportunity +for a lark, she went promptly and +paused beside her mother's chair.</p> + +<p>"This is Mrs. Dayne, Floretta. Mrs. +Dayne, this is my little daughter."</p> + +<p>Floretta looked up and smiled, but said +nothing. She had never been taught that +she must reply courteously when spoken to.</p> + +<p>Her pretty face pleased Mrs. Dayne, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +was much the same sort of woman that Mrs. +Paxton was. She wished that Floretta +could be induced to perform.</p> + +<p><i>Induced!</i> She was already wondering if +she would have a chance to show off.</p> + +<p>The opportunity came soon, and she was +delighted.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cunningham had become drowsy, +and his magazine dropped to the piazza +floor.</p> + +<p>In stooping to recover it, he hurt his +gouty foot, and cried out.</p> + +<p>"<i>Oh</i>, oh-o!" he cried, and like an echo, +"<i>Oh</i>, oh-o!" cried Floretta, catching hold +of her own foot and hopping wildly +about.</p> + +<p>Of course Mrs. Paxton laughed gaily, as +if Floretta had done a very smart thing, +while Mrs. Dayne, who was as silly a +woman as Mrs. Paxton, joined in the merriment,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +thus hoping to gain favor with her +new friend.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cunningham, without a word, took +his magazine and, limping painfully, left +the piazza, and went indoors.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Vinton, an odd expression on her +fine face, took her parasol from the chair +where it lay, and went for a walk down the +path toward the birches. She was disgusted +with Mrs. Paxton, Floretta, and +Mrs. Dayne, although she felt that the little +girl was least of all at fault.</p> + +<p>She was only an untaught, untrained +child, to be pitied rather than blamed. She +knew that they would think her very unkind +if she did not seem to approve of +Floretta, and she could not laugh at cruelty.</p> + +<p>The child was indeed a clever imitator, +but the fact remained that it <i>was</i> cruel to +mock an outcry caused by pain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dorothy and Nancy were coming toward +her, on their way toward the hotel, their +hands filled with blossoms, faces bright and +smiling.</p> + +<p>They greeted her gaily, and Dorothy offered +her some of the flowers.</p> + +<p>"I'll give half to you, and half to +mamma," said Dorothy. "I mean, I will if +you'd like to have them."</p> + +<p>"It is a sweet gift, and I shall enjoy +them in my room," Mrs. Vinton said. "I +have a lovely vase that is worthy to hold +such beautiful blossoms."</p> + +<p>"I'll divide mine between Aunt Charlotte +and Mrs. Hermanton," said Nancy.</p> + +<p>"You both like to give," said Mrs. Vinton.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" they cried together, and as +she left them, Dorothy said:</p> + +<p>"Isn't she a sweet, lovely lady?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, and I like to hear her talk, her +voice always sounds so pleasant."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Vinton, as she walked along the +little path, her flowers in her hand, thought +of Dorothy and Nancy.</p> + +<p>"They are two dear little girls," she +said, "and add to the charm of this lovely +place."</p> + +<p>"Would you dare to give Mr. Cunningham +some bluebells for his buttonhole?" +said Nancy. "I'd like to, but <i>I</i> wouldn't +dare."</p> + +<p>"I don't know," Dorothy said. "I'd +like to, too, and he 'most always has a rosebud, +but sometimes he doesn't. When we +get back, if he's on the piazza, and hasn't +a bud in his buttonhole, I'll try to dare to +offer him some of these blossoms."</p> + +<p>Dear little Dorothy! She wondered if +she would be rewarded with a frown!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> + +<p>Floretta and her mother were not there, +neither was Mrs. Dayne, but in a shady corner +sat Mr. Cunningham.</p> + +<p>Nancy ran in to take her flowers to Aunt +Charlotte and Mrs. Hermanton.</p> + +<p>Dorothy hesitated. She would have been +even more timid, had she known how recently +he had been offended.</p> + +<p>He looked up from his book, frowned, +then smiled and nodded pleasantly.</p> + +<p>He had thought that Floretta had returned, +and was pleasantly surprised to see +Dorothy, instead.</p> + +<p>Softly she crossed the piazza until she +stood beside him.</p> + +<p>"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, fearing that, after all, he might +not care for them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, thank you, my dear. I surely +would like them, especially as they are offered +me by a real little lady."</p> + +<p>He placed the cluster that she offered +him in his lapel, as he spoke, and looked to +Dorothy for approval.</p> + +<p>"They are wild flowers, truly," he said, +"but I think they are quite as attractive +as the buds I have been wearing," and +Dorothy was glad that she had offered +them.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>A DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE</h3> + +<div class='cap'>THREE weeks had passed, and as nearly +every day had been fair, the guests at +the Cleverton had lived out of doors, appearing +at the hotel at meal-time, and at +night.</div> + +<p>Other wild flowers beside the bluebells +were blossoming gaily, peeping up 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 their +crevices.</p> + +<p>The pony, Romeo, had come to the mountains +with the family, and seemed to enjoy +the outing.</p> + +<p>Every morning Dorothy and Nancy went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +for a drive, and Romeo tossed his mane, and +pranced as if to show his delight.</p> + +<p>One morning the pony was standing at +the porch, waiting for his little mistress, +who soon came running down the stairs.</p> + +<p>Floretta was standing in the hall, spinning +a top.</p> + +<p>A sign on the wall plainly stated that +children must not play in the hall, but that +did not disturb Floretta.</p> + +<p>Deftly she wound the string, and the +great top fell to the floor, where it hummed +and spun as rapidly as if a boy's hand had +flung it.</p> + +<p>She picked it up, and again wound it, this +time throwing it with even greater force.</p> + +<p>"Look! Look!" she cried. "I b'lieve +it spins faster every time I throw it!"</p> + +<p>Dorothy looked over the baluster at the +humming top, but said nothing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> + +<p>She knew that Floretta had seen the notice; +indeed a number of the children had +stood in the hall when it had been tacked +up.</p> + +<p>Looking up at Dorothy, Floretta noticed +the whip in her hand.</p> + +<p>"Riding?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, for a little while," said Dorothy. +"It's a lovely morning, and I mean to see +how quickly Romeo will take me to the +'Spring.'"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't care to ride horseback," +said Floretta, rudely.</p> + +<p>"You won't care to spin tops in this hall +if Matson catches you," cried a shrill voice, +from an upper hall.</p> + +<p>"Pooh! I'm not afraid of Matson," +Floretta said, boldly, looking up at the boy +who had tried to frighten her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, aren't you?" said the boy in a teasing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +voice. "Well, he manages this hotel, +and he'll <i>make</i> you stop if he catches +you!"</p> + +<p>"You stop, Jack Tiverton!" cried +Floretta.</p> + +<p>"You'll be the one to stop!" said Jack, +with a loud laugh.</p> + +<p>Dorothy crossed the hall, stepping +around Floretta, who stood exactly in the +way.</p> + +<p>Looking back, she saw Floretta show the +tip of her tongue to Jack, while Jack, not +to be outdone, made a most outrageous +face.</p> + +<p>"I wish they weren't so horrid!" +Dorothy said to herself, as she left the hall.</p> + +<p>Having mounted Romeo, with the +groom's aid, she rode off down the lovely, +shady road, the man on his horse, following +at a respectful distance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + +<p>She touched the pony lightly with her +whip, and he responded by breaking into a +gentle gallop.</p> + +<p>Dorothy's bright curls flew back from +her flushed face, and she laughed as she flew +over the road.</p> + +<p>The groom watched her admiringly, and +marvelled that so small a girl could be such +a perfect little equestrienne.</p> + +<p>The ride had brightened her eyes, and she +always looked smaller than she really was +when mounted upon Romeo.</p> + +<p>He was a handsome animal, with flowing +mane and tail, and the groom spoke truthfully +when he muttered:</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>The groom had been in the service of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +Dainty family but a few months, but in that +time he had become devoted to the little +daughter of the house. All the servants +loved Dorothy, and were almost as fond of +Nancy Ferris.</p> + +<p>The young groom had heard Nancy's +story, and he felt a deep interest in the +little girl, who once had been a waif.</p> + +<p>Now, his pleasant face wore a smile as he +followed Dorothy, and saw how firmly the +little figure stuck to the saddle, and rode +as if girl and pony were one and inseparable.</p> + +<p>They reached the "Spring," a spot +whose beauty drew all travellers to it, and +artists lingered there to paint, and thus +perpetuate its charm.</p> + +<p>Romeo looked down at the clear stream +that reflected his figure so perfectly.</p> + +<p>"He wants a drink," said Dorothy;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +"lead him to a good place, Thomas, +please."</p> + +<p>He helped her to dismount, and then led +the pony to a shady spot where he could +drink, and enjoy the cool, clear water.</p> + +<p>Dorothy at once commenced to gather +some of the lovely wild flowers that grew +near the water's edge, but farther up the +stream.</p> + +<p>"These are different from any that I've +ever found here," she thought.</p> + +<p>Her hands were nearly filled with the +lovely blossoms, and she was reaching out +to grasp an especially pretty one, when a +strangely familiar voice, just behind her, +said:</p> + +<p>"I think I see some one I've <i>often</i> seen +before!"</p> + +<p>Dorothy turned, and a little cry of surprise +and pleasure escaped her lips.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> + +<p>There were Mrs. Barnet and dear little +Flossie coming toward her, while very +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.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I <i>am</i> glad, <i>so</i> glad to see you!" +cried Dorothy. "And Flossie Barnet, did +you know you were coming up here, when +I said 'good-by' to you and Molly Merton +at Merrivale?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't know <i>surely</i>, but I <i>almost</i> +knew," Flossie admitted, "but Uncle +Harry said, 'Don't tell 'til you <i>know</i>,' and +I didn't <i>truly</i> know until after you were +gone."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's fine to have you here," said +Dorothy, "but I do truly b'lieve it's almost +nicer to be surprised, and have you;" and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +she threw her arm around Flossie, as she +walked beside her.</p> + +<p>Tall, handsome Uncle Harry thought he +saw a chance for a bit of a joke.</p> + +<p>"I wonder why some one isn't surprised +to see <i>me?</i>" he said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am," said Dorothy, "and glad, +too."</p> + +<p>"Well, thank you," said Uncle Harry; +then with a face that he tried to make sad, +he said:</p> + +<p>"But I know you aren't as glad as you +were to see Flossie, because,—you didn't +put your arm around <i>my</i> waist!"</p> + +<p>He had tried to look very glum, but his +blue eyes were laughing.</p> + +<p>Big, handsome Uncle Harry could not +look woebegone, and the two little girls +laughed at his attempt.</p> + +<p>"The barge is taking our party over to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +the 'Cleverton,' and I see you have the +pony, Dorothy," said Uncle Harry. "Will +you run a race with the barge?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, yes!" cried Dorothy, "and +Romeo will come in ahead!"</p> + +<p>"If he does," said Uncle Harry, "I'll +surely decorate him with a blue ribbon!"</p> + +<p>With many a laugh and jest, and much +guessing as to which would be the winner, +the merry party clambered into the barge; +Dorothy mounted Romeo, and they were +off over the road, on the way to the +hotel.</p> + +<p>The horses, like the average barge horses, +were not beauties, but they saw the pony +rush forward, and they made an effort at +speed. They plunged forward, at what, to +them, seemed a reckless pace, but the fine, +handsome Romeo shot past them, his nostrils<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +dilated, and his eyes bright with excitement. +Dorothy's gay laugh rang out as +she passed them, and Uncle Harry, as he +looked after the flying figure, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"The little fairy! I believe no other +child could ride so fearlessly as that!"</p> + +<p>Often she looked back, as she sped over +the road. Try as they would, the old horses +could not overtake her.</p> + +<p>As soon as the barge appeared in sight +between the trees, she touched Romeo +lightly with her whip-stock, and then she +laughed gaily as he plunged forward, the +old barge rattling along far behind.</p> + +<p>She did not permit Romeo to again +slacken his pace, and thus arrived at the +Cleverton before the barge was in sight, so +slow had been its progress.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Nancy!" she cried, "Who <i>do</i> you +think has come?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 397px;"> +<img src="images/i003.jpg" width="397" height="500" alt="Often she looked back, as she sped over the road.—Page 31." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Often she looked back, as she sped over the road.—<i><a href="#Page_31">Page 31.</a></i></span> +</div> + +<p>"Who has come?" Nancy asked. +"Where are they?"</p> + +<p>"I mean you can't guess who is coming, +and there they come now, Nancy, just +look!"</p> + +<p>Nancy did look, saw the barge swinging +around the curve of the road, saw a +tiny handkerchief waving, and then a +sweet little face looked out to smile at +her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's Flossie Barnet!" cried Nancy, +joyfully, "and her mamma, and,—why, yes +it <i>is!</i> It's Flossie's Uncle Harry!"</p> + +<p>He heard the cry, and heard the welcome +in her voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's Flossie's Uncle Harry, and all +the other little girls' Uncle Harry who care +to claim him for an uncle," he said, with a +laugh, as he lifted his little niece down from +the barge.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> +<p>"Oh, I'm <i>so</i> glad he came, too," said +Dorothy, upon hearing which, he turned +and lifting his hat, bowed, thus acknowledging +the compliment that she had paid +him. His eyes twinkled with pleasure, for +he loved children, and he valued their regard. +He was a big, manly fellow, with a +warm heart, as loving, and as merry as that +of a child.</p> + +<p>The Barnet party added much to the +pleasure of little events and entertainments +at the Hotel Cleverton. Flossie became, at +once, a favorite with the other children, +and her charming mother was deservedly +popular with all.</p> + +<p>Uncle Harry, who possessed a fine voice, +willingly sang whenever a musical program +was arranged for an evening, while his +lovely young wife, who was an accomplished +pianist, played his accompaniments,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +or rendered solos, thus generously +adding to the pleasure of the other guests.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"I tell you what it is," said old Mr. Cunningham, +"that big bank of clouds hanging +over that mountain means rain, and plenty +of it, I believe."</p> + +<p>"I think you are right," said Uncle +Harry, "and if we <i>do</i> have a three days' +rain, as we sometimes do, we shall have to +use every effort to keep things humming, +and so forget the storm."</p> + +<p>They had been sitting on the piazza, and +talking of the days of uninterrupted sunshine +that they had enjoyed, when, in a few +minutes, the blue sky had been hidden, as +if by a thin, pearly veil, while hanging over +the mountain was the mass of leaden clouds +that had seemed to prophesy rain.</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>I</i> don't want it to rain," wailed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +Floretta, who stood near them, her pretty +face puckered into a most unpleasant +frown.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid the weather can't be arranged +especially for you," said Mr. Cunningham.</p> + +<p>He, like all the guests, was very tired of +the child who was either whining, or boisterously, +rudely gay. Just at this point, +Mrs. Paxton came out on the piazza, a small +note-book and pencil in her hand.</p> + +<p>She hastened toward the two gentlemen, +and smiled as if she were conferring a +favor.</p> + +<p>"With the chance of a stormy evening, +we are trying to arrange a program that +will give us a pleasant evening indoors," +she said. "I am sure you will help +me."</p> + +<p>She had smiled at both, and old Mr. Cunningham,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +who heartily disliked her, was +only too glad to reply.</p> + +<p>"I'm not musical, madam," he said, +"but I'll whistle 'Hail Columbia' for you, +if you will promise not to reprimand me if +I get off the key."</p> + +<p>"Dear, dear!" she cried. "You are always +so amusing. One never knows if you +are joking, or serious."</p> + +<p>"It would be very serious, and no joke, +I assure you, if you were actually obliged +to listen to my whistling," was the curt +reply, and he turned once more to scan the +sky and the distant mountains.</p> + +<p>Uncle Harry, of course, agreed to sing, +his wife promised to play, and Mrs. Paxton +moved toward where Mrs. Dainty and her +companion, Aunt Charlotte, were sitting, +with Dorothy and Nancy near them.</p> + +<p>"Will your little daughter sing for us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +this evening?" she asked. "We are eager +to have quite a fine program."</p> + +<p>"Dorothy shall sing for you, surely," +Mrs. Dainty said, "and Nancy, I am sure, +will give a little solo."</p> + +<p>"Oh, does Nancy sing or play?" Mrs. +Paxton asked, in surprise, for thus far +Nancy had not exhibited her talent, whatever +it might be.</p> + +<p>"She will give you a solo that shall be +neither singing nor playing," Mrs. Dainty +replied, with a quiet smile.</p> + +<p>"How very interesting!" said Mrs. Paxton. +She had invited Dorothy to sing because +other guests had expressed the wish +to hear her.</p> + +<p>Here was a <i>second</i> child with talent of +<i>some</i> kind! Well, Floretta's imitations of +other people would certainly eclipse the efforts +of the other little girls! Mrs. Paxton's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +sole idea in arranging the entertainment +was for the purpose of showing Floretta's +mimicry.</p> + +<p>A small figure paused a moment in the +doorway, then stepped back, and peeped +out, scanning the groups upon the piazza.</p> + +<p>"She isn't there!" he whispered. "She's +backed out, an' she <i>said</i> she'd do +it!"</p> + +<p>He drew back into the shadow, and +waited, hoping that when he looked again +he might see her.</p> + +<p>A second peep at the guests on the piazza +showed that Floretta was not among them.</p> + +<p>"She didn't <i>try</i> to do it!" he muttered.</p> + +<p>He held something in his hand, which he +kept behind his back.</p> + +<p>He was about to peep again when a light +hand touched his shoulder.</p> + +<p>He turned, and there stood Floretta,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +looking prettier than usual in her short +white frock, white shoes, and pink hair +ribbons.</p> + +<p>"Did you get one?" whispered Jack.</p> + +<p>"Look!" said Floretta, and from behind +her back she produced a long corn-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?"</p> + +<p>"I asked the head waiter to get mine for +me," said Jack, "and he acted as if he +thought me a ninny. He gave it to me all +the same, and asked what I was up to. I +didn't tell him, though."</p> + +<p>They giggled softly.</p> + +<p>"Ready?" whispered Jack, softly.</p> + +<p>"Yes," whispered Floretta, and then, +with corn-cobs held to their mouths, and +their fingers working as if playing upon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +flutes, they marched out on to the piazza, +loudly singing, "Hail Columbia."</p> + +<p>Some of the guests laughed, none so +loudly as Mrs. Paxton, who declared that +it taxed her intellect to imagine what put +such outrageously funny notions into children's +heads.</p> + +<p>"I can answer that, madam, and without +trying very hard, either. It's Satan, +madam, Satan, who from watching their +actions, takes them to be his near relatives," +said Mr. Cunningham.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the little procession of two, +encouraged by the laughter, marched in and +out between the groups of guests, until unlucky +Floretta let her corn-cob slip from +her fingers, the moist, sticky thing falling +upon the light silk skirt of a lady who sat +near Mrs. Paxton.</p> + +<p>"There, there, Floretta, never mind,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +said Mrs. Paxton; then turning to the +wearer of the gown, she said, "I don't +think it will stain it in the least. Children +will be children, and must have their fun!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>AN ENTERTAINMENT</h3> + +<div class='cap'>MRS. PAXTON had laughed at what +she chose to call the "funny" antics +of Floretta and Jack, but in truth, she +had been very angry.</div> + +<p>She swept from the piazza, Floretta, +firmly grasped, walking beside her. Jack +Tiverton's mother took him to her room, +where she could talk to him, without fear +of interruption.</p> + +<p>Floretta sat on a low divan, sullen and +obstinate.</p> + +<p>For twenty minutes she had listened, +while her mother had told what a disrespectful +thing she had done.</p> + +<p>"I don't see how it was not respectful,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +grumbled Floretta, "we were just having +a little fun."</p> + +<p>"And it was fun at my expense," said +Mrs. Paxton. "I was annoyed, just when +I was making plans for a <i>fine</i> entertainment, +to have you and that boy parade out +on to the piazza with those old corn-cobs, +singing, or rather <i>howling</i>, like young savages!"</p> + +<p>This, and much more Floretta was forced +to listen to, but during the remainder of +the scolding, she did not speak, or reply in +any way.</p> + +<p>She was still very sullen when her mother +left the room, and no one saw her until she +appeared in the dining-room at dinner.</p> + +<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> + +<p>It proved to be wasted effort. Mrs. Paxton +had been so interested in what Mrs. +Dayne was saying that she had not noticed +that Floretta let the various courses go untasted.</p> + +<p>She had hoped to worry her mother, but +had only punished herself!</p> + +<p>She was very hungry when they left the +table, and also very angry.</p> + +<p>"I might just as well have eaten my dinner," +she muttered, "she never noticed +that I didn't."</p> + +<p>When the hour arrived that had been set +for the concert, every guest was present, +and all were talking and laughing gaily, +and very glad that an evening's amusement +had been provided.</p> + +<p>Outside, the rain was descending in torrents, +while a cold wind whistled around +the corners, as if demanding admittance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> + +<p>Indoors the heavy red hangings were +drawn over the lace draperies, great logs +blazed in the fireplaces, while over all +softly shaded lights gave an air of cozy +comfort that made one feel sheltered and +safe from the storm.</p> + +<p>A group of ladies sat chatting together, +and one, a recent arrival, was saying that +she had understood that children were not +permitted as guests at the Cleverton.</p> + +<p>"There are only a few children here," +Mrs. Vinton said, "and some of them are +charming."</p> + +<p>"While others are <i>not?</i>" questioned the +stranger, with an odd smile.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather not say just that," Mrs. Vinton +said, "but I will say that Mrs. Dainty's +little daughter, and Dorothy's little friend, +Nancy, and Flossie Barnet, are three of the +sweetest children I have ever met. My<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +stay here is brighter and far pleasanter +because they are also here."</p> + +<p>"Dorothy Dainty is an unusually fine +singer for a child," another lady said, "and +she is to sing for us to-night. I believe +Nancy Ferris is to do something, but I do +not know what. Does any one know if +Nancy sings?"</p> + +<p>"I've not the least idea what her talent +is," said a pleasant-voiced matron, "but +she is such a bright, interesting child that +I feel sure that whatever she is able +to do at all, she will do exceedingly +well."</p> + +<p>"Aunt Vera is to play a solo for the first +number," said little Flossie Barnet, to a +lady who sat near her.</p> + +<p>"That is delightful," said the lady, +"and what are you to do?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll listen, and listen," said Flossie,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +"and then, I'll clap to show how much +I liked what the people did."</p> + +<p>"And your friend Dorothy is to sing," +said the lady, "do you know what Nancy +does?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I do!" cried Flossie, "and she +does it so lovely, you'll wonder how she +could! I'm not to tell <i>what</i> she'll do, none +of us are to tell. You'll <i>see</i> when she does +it!"</p> + +<p>"Dear little girl, you seem quite as +happy as if you were to be a soloist," said +the lady.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes," said Flossie, "for when the +other little girls do pretty things, I see +them, but I couldn't see myself do anything!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you sweet, funny little girl," the +pleasant-faced lady said, as she drew Flossie +closer, "I never knew so dear a child."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Dorothy and Nancy are dear," said +Flossie, "and oh, you haven't seen Molly +Merton! She's another one of my little +friends, and she's <i>always</i> lovely to play +with. We're always together when I'm at +home at Merrivale."</p> + +<p>Before the lady could express regret that +she did not know Molly, the orchestra +began the opening chords of an overture.</p> + +<p>The musicians gave an afternoon and +evening concert daily, throughout the season, +but to-night their numbers were to +be interspersed with solos given by the +guests.</p> + +<p>The orchestra was generously applauded, +and then a slender figure in a gown of soft, +pink satin seated itself at the piano, and +with light touch and brilliant execution, +played a rondo that delighted all.</p> + +<p>In response to repeated applause, she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +played the "Caprice Hongroise," which +aroused wild enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>She smiled, and bowed gracefully in acknowledgment, +then turning toward her +husband, who now stood beside her, took +from his hand the duplicate of the song that +he was to sing. She always played his accompaniments.</p> + +<p>How full of music was his rare voice, how +like the tones of a silver trumpet when he +sang "A Song of the Sea," how tender his +tones when for a second number, he sang an +"Italian Love Song!"</p> + +<p>"Didn't he sing <i>fine</i>, just <i>fine?</i>" Flossie +asked, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Indeed he did," the lady replied, "I +never heard a more excellent voice."</p> + +<p>"Well, he's my own Uncle Harry!" said +Flossie, a world of love and pride in her +voice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> + +<p>A young girl played a serenade on the +guitar, and a member of the orchestra +played a waltz for violin, and both were encored.</p> + +<p>Those who were to perform were in a +small room awaiting their turn. They were +laughing and chatting while they waited, +and all, save a little girl, who kept apart +from the others, seemed bright and happy. +Her eyes were dull, and her red lips pouting. +It was Floretta Paxton, and she was +watching Nancy Ferris, noticing every detail +of her costume, and looking as unpleasant +as possible.</p> + +<p>Nancy wore a frock of white gauze, +thickly strewn with tiny gold spangles. +Her girdle was white satin, her slippers +were white, and she wore a cluster of pink +rosebuds in her hair.</p> + +<p>"What's she going to do?" Floretta<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +asked in a fretful voice, but Mrs. Paxton, +who stood beside her, could not tell her +that. She knew no more of Nancy's talent +than Floretta did.</p> + +<p>Floretta had been angry in the afternoon; +she had foolishly refused dinner, and was +very hungry; she was made more angry +because hers was not the first number on +the program, and now, here was Nancy Ferris +wearing a beautiful frock that far outshone +her own!</p> + +<p>She was wearing a simple pink muslin, +and had felt that she was finely dressed, +until Nancy appeared.</p> + +<p>The satin girdle, the white slippers, and +the spangles were more than she could forgive.</p> + +<p>"What's she going to <i>do?</i>" she asked +again, more fretfully than before.</p> + +<p>"I <i>don't know</i>," Mrs. Paxton said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, I won't do a thing 'til I do +know!" said Floretta.</p> + +<p>Silly little girl! Always a jealous child, +she now thought that Nancy <i>might</i> be another +impersonator or imitator, and she +was nearly wild.</p> + +<p>The orchestra was now playing a dreamy +waltz. Nancy's foot tapped the measure. +Her eyes were brighter.</p> + +<p>"What <i>is</i> she going to do?" whispered +Floretta.</p> + +<p>The tall man, who had been announcing +the numbers, now swung aside the portière, +and Nancy slipped from her chair, ran out +upon the stage, and then,—oh, the fairy +motion of her arms, the lightness with +which, on the tips of her toes, she flew +across the stage!</p> + +<p>With her finger-tips she lifted the hem of +her skirt, and courtesied low, then away in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +a dreamy whirl she sped, turning to look +over her shoulder, and laugh at the faces +that showed greatest surprise.</p> + +<p>On swept the strains of sweetest music, +and little Nancy, carried away with love of +the music, danced more charmingly than +ever before.</p> + +<p>Aunt Charlotte and Mrs. Dainty watched +her flying figure, and often as they had seen +her, they knew that she was excelling herself.</p> + +<p>"Nancy, Nancy, dear child!" murmured +Aunt Charlotte.</p> + +<p>Now, with her feet crossed, and still on +the tips of her toes she whirled like a top, +did the graceful rocking step, swayed like +a flower in the wind, whirled about again, +courtesied once more, and laughing like a +merry, dark-eyed sprite, ran back into the +little waiting-room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> + +<p>Oh, what thunders of applause greeted +her, yet she sat quietly chatting with a lady +who stood near her!</p> + +<p>Again and again they seemed to be begging +that the little dancer might return.</p> + +<p>"I'll bow to them," said Nancy, and she +ran out to do so.</p> + +<p>"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 to respond.</p> + +<p>She extended her arms for a second, then +whirling rapidly, she repeated the last half +of the dance, courtesied again, and when +she ran back to the little room, Dorothy +embraced her tenderly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Nancy darling!" she cried, "you +never danced finer. Do you know how +pleased every one is?"</p> + +<p>"I danced to please and surprise them,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +said Nancy. "I <i>do</i> love to see people look +happy. They couldn't remember how hard +it was raining while I was whirling and +dancing for them."</p> + +<p>Floretta, now more unhappy than before, +turned so that she might not see Nancy, nor +note the shimmer of her spangles.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Paxton, who had been talking with +a friend, now turned toward Floretta.</p> + +<p>"Come!" she said, "now run out, and +do your very best, Floretta."</p> + +<p>"I'm not going out!" said Floretta.</p> + +<p>"What an idea!" cried Mrs. Paxton. +"Of course you'll run out, and show every +one how cute you are. Why, I planned this +entertainment just to give you a chance to +show off!"</p> + +<p>"And made me the last one on the whole +list!" snarled Floretta.</p> + +<p>"Come, come!" cried her mother,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +"every one couldn't be first. I thought I'd +have the others perform first, and then <i>you</i> +could show who was the smartest! Come! +They're just wild to see what you can do, +and they're waiting."</p> + +<p>"They'll <i>have</i> to wait!" hissed Floretta, +like a cross little cat.</p> + +<p>It was no use to urge, plead, or insist. +Floretta was stubborn, and when once she +had determined what she would, or would +not do, nothing could move her.</p> + +<p>Prayers and threats were equally useless.</p> + +<p>Dorothy sang very sweetly, and was cordially +received.</p> + +<p>Uncle Harry and his wife sang a charming +duet that delighted all, the orchestra +played a military caprice, and then the remainder +of the evening was spent in a little, +informal dance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>All was light, laughter, and music, and +there were two kinds of music that gladdened +their hearts,—the sweet music of the +violins, and the still sweeter melody of +happy voices!</p> + +<p>Silly little Floretta had ruined the evening +for no one save her own jealous little +self.</p> + +<p>Because she could not be the first on the +program, she would not appear at all, although, +at heart, she longed to show her +really clever mimicry. Later, after having +sulked during the early part of the evening, +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 at fault,—herself.</p> + +<p>Her efforts at imitating would surely +have amused, and would, doubtless, have +been well received. She was rather a graceful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +dancer, in any of the ordinary ballroom +dances, and she thus might have joined the +other children when the concert was over. +She had needlessly spent a most unhappy +evening.</p> + +<p>Now, in her room, she heard the strains +of the orchestra, and for the first time realized +how foolish she had been.</p> + +<p>"I <i>had</i> a chance, and I lost it," she +sobbed, but her tears were not tears of +grieving. They were angry tears, and the +droll part of it was that while she alone was +at fault, she was angry with every one but +herself.</p> + +<p>For a few moments she lay, her face hidden +in her pillow. Then, she turned over +into a more comfortable position, and softly +she whispered, "I'll do enough to-morrow +to make up!"</p> + +<p>She did not say <i>what</i> she intended to do,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +but the idea evidently pleased her, for she +laughed through her tears.</p> + +<p>She sprang from her bed, found a box of +bonbons that her mother had won as a prize +in an afternoon whist party the day before, +and crept back into bed. When she had +eaten nearly all of the candy, she sat up +and in the softly shaded light, looked at +the box with its few remaining bits of +candy. She was wondering where she +could hide it.</p> + +<p>"Ma will surely notice the empty box, +or anyway, I've made it <i>almost</i> empty," she +said. "She might not miss it if I hid it!"</p> + +<p>She had never been taught to be honest, +so whenever she did a naughty thing, her +first thought was to hide, or cover up the +act. She never felt regret.</p> + +<p>No one ever heard her gently say, "I'm +sorry."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + +<p>Softly she crept from her bed, and made +her way across the floor to the dressing-case.</p> + +<p>She put the box upon the floor, and +pushed it well under it, and wholly out of +sight.</p> + +<p>"There!" she whispered. "That's all +right. I would have finished the candy, but +I didn't want the whole of it. I ate the best +of it. The others weren't very nice."</p> + +<p>Down in the long parlor the guests were +no longer dancing.</p> + +<p>They were resting, and listening to a +lovely barcarolle played softly by the +orchestra.</p> + +<p>Flossie, clinging to Uncle Harry's hand, +drew him toward the window.</p> + +<p>"Look!" she said, as she parted the curtains. +"It isn't raining now, and the moon +is coming out. It will be pleasant to-morrow!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +And it has been lovely in here to-night."</p> + +<p>"Dear little Flossie, dear little niece, it +was your cheery, loving nature that led +us to give your name to our baby. She +has two fine names, she is Beatrice Florence. +The first is Vera's mother's name, +the second, dear, is yours."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>IN A BIRCH ARBOR</h3> + +<div class='cap'>THE storm had cleared the air, no mist +veiled the mountains, the sunlight lay +everywhere, gilding valley and stream.</div> + +<p>Many of the guests had started early in +the morning for a trip to a distant mountain +from the summit of which a delightful view +might be enjoyed.</p> + +<p>They were to ride over in the barge to +the base of the mountain, have a picnic +lunch under the trees, and then climb the +rugged path up the mountain side.</p> + +<p>It would occupy half the day and it would +be afternoon before the barge would return +with its merry, tired party.</p> + +<p>Floretta Paxton and Jack Tiverton were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +usually in sight, or, as they were always +noisy, within hearing might be nearer the +truth, but they had gone over to a spot that +the children called "The Pool," a bit of +water not much larger than a big puddle.</p> + +<p>It existed only after a heavy rain, but +near its edge the slender birches grew, and +their silvery white trunks and the bright, +blue sky were clearly reflected on its surface.</p> + +<p>Jack had decided to launch his toy boat +there, and, as Floretta had hemmed the +tiny sails, he had felt obliged to listen +to her coaxing, and permit her to go with +him.</p> + +<p>"I'll let you christen her," he had said, +in a moment of generosity, and then regretted +it.</p> + +<p>Floretta's idea of a christening ceremony<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +was very elaborate, while Jack thought +that shouting the vessel's name, and shoving +it into the water was all that was necessary.</p> + +<p>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 rocking chairs and hammocks +that were swaying in the wind.</p> + +<p>"Every one has gone somewhere," she +thought; "didn't any one stay at home?"</p> + +<p>She stood for a moment in the doorway, +wondering what to do. Suddenly her face +brightened, and she clapped her hands.</p> + +<p>"The very thing!" she said, and she +turned and hastened to her room to find her +latest gift.</p> + +<p>It was a beautiful book of fairy tales, and +although it had been given her over a week +ago, she had read but a few of the stories.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +Mrs. Dainty had sent to the city for the +book, and ever since the day of its arrival +Dorothy had been wild to read it.</p> + +<p>Something had been planned for each +sunny day, and as the weather had continued +fair, the book had been opened but +a few times, and then for only a brief glance +at the tales or the illustrations.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dainty had gone to the village, a +ride of about an hour from the hotel, and +Aunt Charlotte was still occupied with her +letters.</p> + +<p>Nancy was sealing and stamping the +envelopes, as Dorothy passed the door.</p> + +<p>"I'm going over to the little 'birch +arbor,'" she said. "I'm taking my new +fairy book for company."</p> + +<p>"I'll come, too, just as soon as I've +finished these envelopes," said Nancy, and +she began to work faster.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 396px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="396" height="500" alt=""Oh, what a lovely, LOVELY story!" said Dorothy.—Page 67." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"Oh, what a lovely, <i>LOVELY</i> story!" said Dorothy.—<i><a href="#Page_67">Page 67</a></i>.</span> +</div> + +<p>The "birch arbor" was not an actual +arbor, but it was a lovely spot, and the +birches were exceptionally fine. Nancy +and Dorothy had often been there together, +and they had given it the name.</p> + +<p>A tiny mountain brook ran through it, +and it was a lovely spot in which to enjoy +legends or fairy tales.</p> + +<p>In a few moments Dorothy had reached +the place, and when she had seated herself, +she opened the book where a fine picture +showed the prince, whose father had given +him three wishes as his only inheritance, +and then had sent him out to seek his fortune.</p> + +<p>Twice she had commenced to read the +story, and had been obliged to lay it aside. +Now, with only the bees and the butterflies +hovering about her, she read the fascinating +tale.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + +<p>It proved to be even more charming than +she had expected.</p> + +<p>The prince was tall, and dark, and handsome, +and his heart was so good and true, +that Dorothy felt that he richly deserved +the beautiful princess whom he finally won.</p> + +<p>Her eyes sparkled as she read of the +great court wedding.</p> + +<p>"And the lovely princess looked more +beautiful than ever in her wedding gown of +cloth of gold, thickly set with diamonds, +and her crown of diamonds and sapphires."</p> + +<p>"Oh what a lovely, <i>lovely</i> story!" said +Dorothy, as she turned the page.</p> + +<p>"Tiny princes carried her train, and as +the happy pair reached the palace gates, +and were about to enter the royal coach, +the blare of trumpets sounded, as the +guards in blue and gold played a gay fanfare."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Toot! Toot! Toot!"</p> + +<p>Dorothy sprang to her feet.</p> + +<p>It was as if those silver-toned trumpets +had sounded close beside her. A moment +more, and a huge automobile appeared +from behind the trees and shrubbery, and +slackening its speed, came, at last, to a +standstill, and an old lady leaned out to +question her.</p> + +<p>"Are we going in the right direction, +my dear, to reach the Hotel Cleverton?"</p> + +<p>Dorothy walked toward the car, and +looked up into the hard, old face.</p> + +<p>"This little road is <i>right</i>," said Dorothy, +"but the broad road that leads out of this +one is not so rough, and it is a <i>little</i> +shorter."</p> + +<p>"There, Minturn, I <i>said plainly</i> that I +believed we could get there quicker some +other way!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You are <i>sure</i> about the Cleverton?" +the old lady asked. "You <i>know</i> where it +is?"</p> + +<p>"I'm staying there with mamma, and +that truly is the right way," said Dorothy, +her soft eyes looking up into the hard, old +face.</p> + +<p>"I guess I can trust you," the old lady +said, not smiling, but looking a bit less +stern.</p> + +<p>"Now, Minturn, we'll <i>try</i> to reach the +hotel, sometime before dark!" she said +curtly.</p> + +<p>Puffing and whirring the big automobile +started off up the road, the old lady sitting +stern and erect, as if she thought her driver +needed watching, and she was determined +to keep a sharp eye upon him.</p> + +<p>"Why, how queer!" said Dorothy. +"She didn't even say 'good-bye,' or 'good-morning.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +Perhaps she was very tired, and +forgot,"—then after a moment she added, +"but my beautiful mamma <i>never</i> forgets."</p> + +<p>She went back to the pretty spot where +she had been reading, and sitting down, +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 printed page.</p> + +<p>How small and sharp her eyes had been, +and how she asked the same question again +and again. Did she doubt the answer given +her?</p> + +<p>All these, and many more questions puzzled +Dorothy, and with the open book lying +upon her lap, she looked off where the sunlight +lay upon the grass.</p> + +<p>She was still sitting thus when a merry +voice aroused her, and she turned to see +Nancy running toward her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, Dorothy!" she cried. "You ought +to have been up at the hotel just a few +moments ago. A new guest came, and +she was so cross, it <i>must</i> be that she didn't +want to come. But if she truly <i>didn't</i> want +to, then why <i>did</i> she?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Nancy, who wouldn't think it +fine to come up here to the mountains, and +stay at the Cleverton?" said Dorothy in +surprise.</p> + +<p>"Well, you wouldn't have thought the +old lady was glad to be there, if you'd seen +her," said Nancy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, was it an old lady that you were +talking about?" Dorothy asked quickly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and you ought to have seen her +eyes snap when she scolded her chauffeur. +She told him she might have arrived an +hour before just as well as not, and she +kept right on scolding to herself, all the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +way up to the piazza, and, Dorothy, she +looked so cross, I wouldn't wonder if she +was scolding up in her room now!"</p> + +<p>"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 the Cleverton. When I told her, +she made the man rush off over the road, +and she was scolding him when they +left here. Perhaps she was tired, and +will feel pleasanter when she has +rested."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," agreed Nancy, "but I know +Aunt Charlotte and your mamma don't act +that way when they are tired."</p> + +<p>Dorothy could not dispute that, and soon +the two little girls were enjoying the fairy +book together.</p> + +<p>"Now, this is the story I've just been +reading," said Dorothy, "and this is the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +picture of the prince. Isn't he handsome?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," said Nancy, "and doesn't he +look like Flossie's Uncle Harry?"</p> + +<p>"Why, he <i>does</i>, truly," cried Dorothy. +"I'll show the picture to Flossie, and I'm +sure she'll say it looks ever so much like +him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, she will," agreed Nancy.</p> + +<p>"Why, it would look <i>exactly</i> like him, if +<i>he</i> only had a cap with plumes," said +Dorothy.</p> + +<p>Uncle Harry, coming briskly up the path, +was just in time to hear the last few words.</p> + +<p>"I'm very curious to know who it is who +needs a cap with plumes," he said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, who knew you were right here to +hear it?" said Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, was it a state secret?" he asked. +"Well, now it's a pity I heard it, but as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +it happens I <i>did</i>, I think I must ask for the +rest of the secret."</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>would</i> you tell?" Dorothy asked, +turning to Nancy, but before she could +reply, Uncle Harry spoke.</p> + +<p>"I'm really too curious," he said, "so I +think I'll threaten to sit on this stump, +until you tell me the secret, and let me tell +you two little friends, that <i>I've</i> a secret; +it's a nice one, too, but,—" he paused to +watch the effect of his words.</p> + +<p>"But—But—" they cried.</p> + +<p>"But,—" said Uncle Harry, "I +wouldn't tell mine <i>first!</i>"</p> + +<p>Wag that he was, he could not resist the +temptation to tease just a bit.</p> + +<p>Dorothy took the pretty book, and opening +it at the page that showed the picture +of the prince, she said, "We only said the +brave prince looked like you, no, I mean<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +you look like him, and we said you'd +look <i>just</i> like him if you had a cap with +plumes."</p> + +<p>Uncle Harry appeared to study the picture +very carefully. After a moment, he +said:</p> + +<p>"That's a fine compliment, but there's +one thing about it that worries me, so I'll +have to ask about it.</p> + +<p>"In this picture the prince wears a blue +blouse and a pair of green shoes, 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 +you expect me to come out arrayed in all +those colors? I really feel that the costume +is a <i>bit</i>, just a <i>bit</i> too gay."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll not ask you to be quite as gay +as that," said Dorothy, "and we'll promise +one thing. We won't even ask you to buy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +a pink cap if you'll tell us your secret +now."</p> + +<p>He laughed gaily.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I really <i>ought</i> to keep it a +little longer. How would it do if I should +tell you my secret some time next week?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, no!" they cried, "tell it now!"</p> + +<p>"Well, then, there's to be a fair 'way +down in the village, a real country fair, and +I'm intending to hire a barge, and take all +of the <i>very</i> young ladies over with me to see +the fun. I mean ladies as young as you, and +Nancy, and Flossie. I shall invite all the +wee ladies that are stopping at the hotel, +and I shall take all who accept."</p> + +<p>He looked into their bright faces, and +laughed when Dorothy said:</p> + +<p>"As if <i>any</i> little girl <i>wouldn't</i> accept!"</p> + +<p>"You mustn't expect it to be a grand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +affair. It will be, as I said, a real old-fashioned +country fair, but there will be a +jolly ride over there, and the return trip, +and I fancy you will enjoy it all," he said, +"and I shall have the delight of giving +pleasure."</p> + +<p>A friend who had been looking for Uncle +Harry, now appeared on the winding path, +a clump of large trees having hidden his +approach.</p> + +<p>The two young men started off for a long +tramp, and Dorothy and Nancy walked +slowly back to the hotel.</p> + +<p>"The prince <i>did</i> look like Uncle Harry," +said Nancy, "and the picture of the +naughty old fairy that enchanted the sleeping +beauty, looks like the lady that came +this morning, and was so very cross."</p> + +<p>"Then that <i>is</i> the same one who stopped +to ask the way, for she looked just like that.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +I'll always think, every time I look at her, +that she's the black fairy."</p> + +<p>And when they ran up on to the piazza, +there sat the very person whom they had +been speaking of, looking somewhat cooler +with her long travelling cloak removed.</p> + +<p>Her black gown was of some thin material, +and just as the two little girls ran up +on to the piazza, she dropped the large, +black fan that she had been wielding.</p> + +<p>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 did not sound like it.</p> + +<p>"She seems very strange," said Dorothy, +"but perhaps she's still tired."</p> + +<p>She was always unwilling to say that any +one was wilfully rude or disagreeable.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> + +<p>And now Aunt Charlotte, with Mrs. +Dainty, came out to enjoy the fine air, and +Dorothy and Nancy ran to them to tell them +of the treat that Uncle Harry had in store +for them.</p> + +<p>"It's only a few days to wait, and isn't +he kind to take us?" said Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"He is indeed," said Mrs. Dainty, "and +I hope all his little friends will be very +thoughtful, and make him just as little +trouble as possible. He takes quite a care +in inviting so many children."</p> + +<p>"Oh, all the children love him, and there +isn't one who would want to be any bother, +unless it was Floretta," said Dorothy, +"and perhaps she'll be having such a nice +time, she won't think to be naughty."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dainty smiled at this view of it. +She could not help thinking that Floretta +never needed time to think in order<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +to be disagreeable, but she did not say +so.</p> + +<p>Aunt Charlotte Grayson, seeing the +stranger sitting alone, paused near her +chair to say a friendly word.</p> + +<p>She remained but few moments, however, +because the woman seemed not inclined +to talk.</p> + +<p>Aunt Charlotte well knew that the +stranger was not courteous, but she tried +to think, as Dorothy had, that fatigue, after +a long journey, made her eager for silence +and rest.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>THE MOUNTAIN PARTY</h3> + +<div class='cap'>AS the days flew by, the stranger became +a bit more friendly, conversing +sometimes with Mrs. Dainty and Aunt +Charlotte, but often, far more often, with +Mrs. Paxton.</div> + +<p>It was not that she sought to become acquainted +with Floretta's mother; it was, +rather, that Mrs. Paxton seemed determined +to force the friendship.</p> + +<p>"Her name is Fenton, Mrs. Fenton, and +isn't it odd, <i>my</i> name was Fenton before I +married. Floretta's middle name is Fenton. +I really feel almost as if I were related +to her, because of the name," declared Mrs. +Paxton one morning, whereupon Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +Fenton, coming out on to the piazza, remarked:</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Paxton blushed and hesitated, then +recovering herself, she said:</p> + +<p>"I was just telling these ladies of my +friendly feeling for you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed!" Mrs. Fenton repeated, as +she sank into a large rocker, and looked off +across the valley to the distant mountains.</p> + +<p>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 if she were eager to finish the +pretty doily.</p> + +<p>Two little figures came slowly up the +path to the piazza. They were returning +from the christening of the little boat.</p> + +<p>"What is wrong, Jack? You don't look +very happy," said Mrs. Tiverton.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He wanted me to christen his boat, but +he wouldn't give it my name!" said Floretta, +before Jack could reply.</p> + +<p>"She thought just because she hemmed +the sails I'd name it the <i>Floretta</i>, but I +wouldn't, so I shoved it into the water myself, +and shouted <i>Carlotta</i>. That's the name +of a girl that goes to my school, and I like +her."</p> + +<p>"You say Floretta hemmed your sails," +said Mrs. Tiverton.</p> + +<p>"Well, I thanked her for that, and I let +her go to the launching, and I let her christen +it, but I don't see that I need name it +for her," said Jack, stoutly.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Fenton had not heeded what the +children were saying. One might have fancied +that she did not hear, although both +Floretta and Jack stood quite near her +chair.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + +<p>A large spool that she had wound with +colored silk slipped from her lap, and rolled +toward Floretta.</p> + +<p>"Pick it up, dear," Mrs. Paxton said.</p> + +<p>"Don't want to," said Floretta.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Fenton stooped, and recovered the +spool, and, taking her embroidery frame in +her hand, left the piazza, and mounted the +stairs to her room.</p> + +<p>"Why <i>were</i> you so rude?" said Mrs. +Paxton, but Floretta, perching upon the +low railing, began softly humming "Yankee +Doodle."</p> + +<p>Jack Tiverton, espying a boy that he +knew, whistled loudly, and then, as the +other boy turned, ran after him, the two +whooping and shouting like savages.</p> + +<p>"It is almost lunch time, Jack!" Mrs. +Tiverton cried, and the boy turned, and +waved his hand to show that he heard her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Boys aren't apt to forget meal time," +muttered old Mr. Cunningham behind his +paper.</p> + +<p>True enough, Jack returned in ample +time, and was the first at the table.</p> + +<p>Early in the afternoon Dorothy and +Nancy went out for a drive with Romeo.</p> + +<p>It was one of those sunny days that tempt +nearly every one to ride or walk.</p> + +<p>The mountain roads were rather lonely, +and Mrs. Dainty insisted that whether Dorothy +were riding Romeo, or driving in the +phaeton, the groom must ride at a little distance +behind her.</p> + +<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +its stately head from its base of velvet +leaves.</p> + +<p>Oh, it seemed like an enchanted country, +where new beauties were to be found on +either hand!</p> + +<p>"Look!" cried Dorothy, "close beside +that mullein is an evening primrose, and +their blossoms are the same color."</p> + +<p>Then a tiny chipmunk sprang upon the +wall, sat erect, and watched them for a moment, +then ran up the trunk of a slender +tree, where from a low branch he watched +until they had passed. Then back to the +wall he sprang, where he chattered as if +scolding the little girls who had disturbed +his solitude. It may be that, instead, he +was talking to himself, and telling what +charming little girls they were.</p> + +<p>A long way from the hotel they passed +Jack Tiverton, with a number of other boys<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +who were staying at a hotel a few miles +distant from the Cleverton.</p> + +<p>They were all somewhat larger than +Jack, and he thought it fine to be with them.</p> + +<p>He had met them at a ball game three +weeks before, and he had been very busy +holding their acquaintance ever since.</p> + +<p>"We're going to catch the echo, and +keep it, too!" shouted Jack.</p> + +<p>"It's mocking you now," said Dorothy, +with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"I know it," said Jack, "but we'll catch +it, and fasten it so it can't get away."</p> + +<p>"<i>How</i> will you fasten an echo?" Nancy +asked, turning, and looking over her shoulder +as the little phaeton sped past.</p> + +<p>"Trust us to find a way!" cried Jack, +and the others laughed as if they already +knew exactly how to do it.</p> + +<p>They left the road, and, vaulting over the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +wall, crossed the open field, singing a gay, +rollicking song as they went.</p> + +<p>"They just <i>say</i> they're going hunting for +the echo," said Dorothy, "and they say it +for fun, but I wonder where they are +going, and what they truly are going to +do."</p> + +<p>The groom, riding nearer, touched his +hat.</p> + +<p>"Please, Miss Dorothy, I heard the lads +saying that there's an old house over near +that mountain, where a hermit lived years +ago, and they're off to find it if they +can."</p> + +<p>"Then why didn't they say so, instead +of telling such a tale about catching the +echo?" Dorothy asked.</p> + +<p>"They were saying that they wanted to +find the hut, and hunt in it, and around it +ter find things the old fellow may have hidden.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +They feared you or Miss Nancy might +tell some other lad. They're wanting it all +to themselves."</p> + +<p>Having told this bit of information, the +groom allowed the carriage to pass him, +and once more rode behind it.</p> + +<p>The two little girls talked of the long +tramp that the boys would have before they +would find the hermit's hut.</p> + +<p>"And perhaps they won't find it at all, +after all their hunting," said Nancy.</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope they will," said Dorothy, +"because it's so horrid to hunt and hunt, +for nothing."</p> + +<p>"Oh, look!" she cried a moment later. +"See the lovely mosses! Let's take some +back to mamma and Aunt Charlotte."</p> + +<p>They were, indeed, beautiful. There was +green moss that looked like velvet, and +gray moss formed like tiny cups with scarlet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +edges, and other moss tipped with +red.</p> + +<p>On an old stump they found shell-like +fungus, some a creamy white, others white, +with soft brown markings.</p> + +<p>Oh, a fine collection of rarely beautiful +mosses and lichens they gathered, and +heaped on the bottom of the phaeton.</p> + +<p>Romeo turned his head to watch them as +if he wondered when they would have gathered +enough.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we do keep you standing, dear, +don't we?" Dorothy said, patting his neck +as she spoke.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you needn't look for sugar," +she said, laughing, "for I haven't any +with me, but we'll get you some fresh +clover."</p> + +<p>With Nancy's help she soon had a fine +bunch of pink clover for Romeo, and he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +seemed quite as pleased as if it had been +the cubes that he so often enjoyed.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>When the party of boys had left the road +to cross the fields that lay between them, +and the forest at the foot of the mountain, +they had believed that they knew +exactly how to go to reach the hermit's +hut.</p> + +<p>The old hermit had been dead for years, +but every season the summer guests at the +hotels and farmhouses searched all around +the deserted hut, expecting to find some +relic to take home and label as a bit of the +hermit's property.</p> + +<p>The boys supposed that they had the +woods to themselves, and that they would +be uninterrupted in their search of the +place.</p> + +<p>They did not know that the mountain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +climbers had taken the same direction, intending, +before they enjoyed their lunch +beneath the trees, to stop at the old, deserted +house.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Paxton and little Floretta had +worked more persistently than any others +of the party, and Mrs. Paxton had found +a small, brass button.</p> + +<p>The others had laughed at the prize, asking +her if she intended to keep it as a souvenir.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," said Mrs. Paxton. "I'm +sure this brass button must have belonged +on some old coat that the hermit +wore!"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps in his youth, before he came +up here to live, he may have been a janitor," +said a young man, with a saucy +laugh.</p> + +<p>"Or a brakeman," suggested another.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Paxton pretended not to hear their +teasing, and though the prize that she had +found had been only a valueless thing, she +kept it.</p> + +<p>Floretta was very eager to stay, and continue +to peep into cracks in the floor and +walls, and to poke with a stick under the +doorsill, and in the soft earth around the +hut.</p> + +<p>The older members of the party knew +that if they were to ascend the mountain, +see the view, and descend before twilight, +they must start at once.</p> + +<p>As soon as their picnic lunch had been +enjoyed they commenced to climb the +rugged mountain path.</p> + +<p>It was very steep and rough, and it had +been said that no children should be allowed +in the party.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Paxton had insisted that her small<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +daughter was a wonderful little climber, +who was quite equal to the demands of a +long tramp.</p> + +<p>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 complaining every step of the way, until +one young man voiced the feeling of the +entire party.</p> + +<p>"This is a horrid, rough old path, and +I'm tired. I wish I'd stayed at <i>home!</i>" +said Floretta.</p> + +<p>"I wish so, <i>too!</i>" said the young man, +and several of the party, too polite to say +it, at heart, agreed with him.</p> + +<p>Floretta's was the only gloomy face, +however. The others tramped gaily onward, +singing snatches of song, and laughing +as they stepped upon rolling stones, or +tripped over long, gnarled roots that rose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +above the surface, as if especially designed +to catch lagging feet.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"All day upon the hills<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">We've chased the chamois far,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">But deeper joy now thrills</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Beneath the evening star."</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>The youth sang gaily, and several of +his friends joined him in singing the old +song.</p> + +<p>Arrived at the summit they rested, enjoyed +the view, laughed and joked about +their weariness, and made many wild +guesses as to how long it would take them +to make the descent and drive back to the +hotel.</p> + +<p>"It will be three o'clock before we reach +the Cleverton," said one.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" cried another, "this is +really called a mountain by courtesy. It's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +only a big hill. I say we shall be on the +piazza, and wondering what we can do next, +as early as half-past two."</p> + +<p>"It's more likely to be half-past <i>three!</i>" +declared another, and when all felt sufficiently +rested, they commenced the descent.</p> + +<p>Floretta refused to keep closely beside +her mother, insisting upon clinging to another +member of the party, to whom she +had taken a fancy.</p> + +<p>The party was a large one, much larger, +indeed, than had at first been planned, and +while half of the number were guests at the +Cleverton, the others were from the Merlington, +a hotel situated nearer the village, +and from several large farmhouses that entertained +summer boarders.</p> + +<p>The guests from the Cleverton had kept +closely together during the trip, while those +from the Merlington had done the same.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + +<p>They had reached the foot of the mountain, +and were tramping along a path that +ran nearly parallel to that on which the +hermit's house stood.</p> + +<p>Floretta saw the boys, near the house, +and also saw that Jack Tiverton was with +them.</p> + +<p>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 to sneak in at the +door of the hut, without having been seen +by the party of boys.</p> + +<p>The lady, with whom she had been walking, +supposed that she had run back to join +her mother, while Mrs. Paxton felt quite +undisturbed, because she believed that her +little girl was still clinging to the arm of +the lady with whom she had chosen to +walk.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> + +<p>It had required two barges to convey the +party, and now they found them waiting, +the horses a bit impatient to be off.</p> + +<p>The guests from the Merlington clambered +into the first barge, and they with a +few of the farmhouse party filled it to overflowing, +some of the men being obliged to +ride homeward, seated upon the steps. +Meanwhile the Cleverton people were +forced to wait until the barge for their +party drove up.</p> + +<p>The first barge had started, and was rolling +along, and a chorus of college songs was +wafted back on the breeze, while handkerchiefs +fluttered as the gay passengers +laughed at the crowd that had not yet +started.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Paxton paused with her foot on the +step, and looked back.</p> + +<p>"Why, where's Floretta?" she asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>"In the first barge," cried a voice in +reply.</p> + +<p>"Are you <i>sure?</i>" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Why, certainly," said the other, "she's +with that tall, fine-looking lady from the +Merlington. She'll be home before you +are."</p> + +<p>The second barge was soon filled and on +its way. The horses were less fresh than +those of the first barge, and seemed determined +to lag. Indeed, they required constant +urging to keep them from dropping +into a slow walk.</p> + +<p>"Those other fellows ahead of us started +some lively college songs," said a disgusted +passenger, "and they're actually out of +sight now; but the way these nags are poking +I couldn't think of anything to sing +that would be slow enough to be appropriate."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<p>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, was having a most exciting time.</p> + +<p>Once inside the place, she had crouched +beneath a window to learn, if possible, what +the boys were talking about.</p> + +<p>She had wanted to remain there when the +party had started for the mountain 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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>THE ECHO CAPTURED</h3> + +<div class='cap'>FLORETTA had intended to hunt for +treasure, hoping to get something more +valuable than the brass button that her +mother had found.</div> + +<p>She was not at all afraid of Jack Tiverton, +but of those larger boys she was not +quite sure.</p> + +<p>As she knelt beneath the window she +could hear only the voices of the boys that +were nearest to the hut, and hearing only +parts of their conversation, she could not +understand what the first speaker expected +to find.</p> + +<p>"If I find it, I'll put it where it will be +safe," he said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was a pause, and then a voice more +distant replied.</p> + +<p>She did not hear what it said, but she did +hear the answer made by the boy who had +first spoken.</p> + +<p>"If the ghost of the old hermit was in +the hut, it might hear you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and what would he say about your +hunting for things that may have belonged +to him?" said another, with a teasing +laugh.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not afraid," was the careless +answer.</p> + +<p>"You're not?" jeered a laughing +voice.</p> + +<p>"I think we've poked around out here +long enough without finding anything," +said Jack Tiverton, "let's hunt inside the +house."</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute," called a boy who had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +not yet spoken, "just till I've looked into +this hollow tree trunk."</p> + +<p>"And <i>then</i> what?" asked a merry voice.</p> + +<p>"<i>Then</i> hunt in the house, of course!" +was the curt reply.</p> + +<p>Floretta thought she saw a chance for +fun.</p> + +<p>Softly, yet quickly, she crept up the rickety +little stairway, built close against the +wall, and leading to the tiny loft.</p> + +<p>The loft was really little more than a +space beneath the roof where the old hermit +might have stored a few provisions. +She could not stand, or even sit, erect, and +she crouched upon the bit of dusty flooring.</p> + +<p>She was none too soon, for in a few seconds +the boys rushed in, and then began a +discussion as to whether it would be safe +to take a plank up from the floor to look +beneath it for hidden treasure.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You oughtn't to do that," said Jack +Tiverton, "somebody might arrest you, +or all of us, if folks found out we did +it."</p> + +<p>"Arrest us for spoiling a floor in this old +hut!" cried an older boy. "I wonder you +don't think the old hermit might holler if +he heard us pull up a plank!"</p> + +<p>"Well," said Jack stoutly, "you'd be as +scared as I would if he did holler!"</p> + +<p>"You're a small boy, Jack, and easily +scared," was the taunting reply.</p> + +<p>"Well, pull up a plank, and see what +happens. I dare you to!" cried Jack.</p> + +<p>"Here goes then!" said the older boy, +and catching hold of a plank that had rotted +at one end, he pulled it up.</p> + +<p>"<i>Oh, let it alone!</i>" groaned a boy in a +farther corner of the room, in an attempt to +imitate an old voice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"<i>Oh, let it alone!</i>" came in exactly the +same voice from the loft.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"Come, come!" said Sidney, when he +caught his breath, "we're a precious pack +of sillies! Help me lift this big board, will +you?"</p> + +<p>"Will you?" came from the loft, in +the very manner in which he had said +it.</p> + +<p>Again he dropped the plank.</p> + +<p>"What does it mean?" cried Sidney.</p> + +<p>"Mean?" came his last word repeated.</p> + +<p>The boys were now thoroughly frightened.</p> + +<p>"Come!" cried Sidney, "let's leave +here!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Here!" came a repetition of his last +word, and big as he was, he had turned to +run, when a faint ripple of smothered +laughter came down from the loft.</p> + +<p>Immediately Sidney's pale face flushed +red. It flashed through his mind that these +younger boys had seen that he was frightened.</p> + +<p>He had been laughed at by the owner of +the voice that had mocked him, and the +boys would <i>never</i> stop laughing.</p> + +<p>Quickly he mounted the steps, and +roughly he dragged little Floretta from her +hiding place, half carrying her down the +stairway, because it was too narrow for +two to descend.</p> + +<p>"So you thought it was funny, just +<i>funny</i> to mock us, did you?" he asked, +when they reached the floor.</p> + +<p>Floretta was not laughing now.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + +<p>She was sullen, and at the same time +frightened.</p> + +<p>What would they do to her?</p> + +<p>They crowded around her, frowning and +making all sorts of wild suggestions as to +what should be done with her.</p> + +<p>"Keep her mocking till she's got enough +of it!" cried one.</p> + +<p>"Put her back in the loft, and leave her +there! She seemed to like there," said another.</p> + +<p>The big boy, whose hand was still on her +shoulder, was more angry than either of the +others.</p> + +<p>He was a bully, always ready to torment +some one smaller than himself.</p> + +<p>He had reason to be provoked with Floretta, +and the fact that she was only a little +girl, made no impression upon him.</p> + +<p>He would as willingly punish a girl, as a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +boy, and the fact that his captive was +smaller than he, only proved that the task +would be an easy one.</p> + +<p>"You think it's smart to imitate, and it +is. P'raps you think you're the echo that's +over in the mountain!" he sneered.</p> + +<p>She made no answer. She was crying +now.</p> + +<p>"Say! Let her off!" cried Jack Tiverton. +"She's only a girl!"</p> + +<p>The smallest boy in the crowd, he saw +Sidney's cowardice.</p> + +<p>"Oh, are you sweet on Floretta?" jeered +Sidney.</p> + +<p>Jack drew back abashed. He did not +like Floretta at all, but he did think it +mean for a big boy to frighten so small a +girl.</p> + +<p>"I ain't going to hurt you," said Sidney, +"but I'm going to give you a chance to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +play echo, till you're tired of it. I guess +you'll get enough of it before you get +through!</p> + +<p>"Come, fellows! Get some good long +pieces of wild grape-vine! I'll fasten Miss +Echo where she can shout all day, and nobody'll +stop her!"</p> + +<p>"I won't go with you!" screamed Floretta, +who had found her voice, "You sha'n't +tie me!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, is that so?" said Sidney, in a teasing +tone. "We'll tie you so you can't get +away!"</p> + +<p>She pulled back.</p> + +<p>"No, you don't!" said Sidney, grasping +her arm with a firmer hold.</p> + +<p>"Now, walk right along, or these other +fellows will help me carry you!" he added, +and Floretta thought best to walk.</p> + +<p>"Where'll you take her?" asked one.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Right there," said Sidney. "That +rock is just covered with vines that cling +fast to it. Hurry, now! Pull down some +long, strong pieces! Here, you scratch like +a cat! Stop that!"</p> + +<p>Floretta, half wild to get away, was attacking +his hand in the manner of a little +wild animal.</p> + +<p>"Let me go, then!" she screamed.</p> + +<p>"Not much!" cried Sidney, and with the +help of another boy, he dragged her, screaming +and kicking, all the way, until they +reached the rocky ledge.</p> + +<p>"There, now! Hold on! You're showing +too much temper!" cried a stout lad +who was helping to bind her.</p> + +<p>"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 a network of stems and stout<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +vines that it would be impossible for her to +escape.</p> + +<p>"There!" cried Sidney, when he felt sure +that she was securely made a little prisoner, +"You can shout till you're tired, and +if you want to mock any one, you can mock +yourself! Good-afternoon, Miss Echo!"</p> + +<p>He lifted his cap, with elaborate courtesy, +and marched off whistling:</p> + +<div class='center'> +"The Girl I Left Behind Me."<br /> +</div> + +<p>They did not look back. Sidney marched +boldly away, believing that he had done a +very smart thing, but the other boys felt +less comfortable.</p> + +<p>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 they were leaving her alone in the +woods!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> + +<p>Jack Tiverton was, by far, the most uneasy.</p> + +<p>He was the smallest of the party, and, +while he had asked Sidney to let Floretta +go, he had known it was useless to do +more.</p> + +<p>The eight other boys were stronger than +he, and any attempt upon his part to free +her would be worse than useless. They +would not listen, but instead, would pounce +upon him.</p> + +<p>The other boys talked, laughed, and whistled, +to imply that they were not thinking +of what they had done, but all the way back +to the Cleverton, little Jack was wondering +what he could do.</p> + +<p>He dared not go straight to Floretta's +mother, and tell her of her little girl's +plight.</p> + +<p>He knew if he did that, the boys would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +soon learn who had played "tell-tale," and +then,—what would they do to <i>him?</i></p> + +<p>And yet, he was determined, in some way, +to help Floretta.</p> + +<p>How could he let a little girl stay out +there in the woods all night?</p> + +<p>Of course some one, walking through the +woods might find her, but if no one happened +to?</p> + +<p>Jack knew that the risk was too great. +It was just before he reached the Cleverton, +that he thought of the best way that he +could do it.</p> + +<p>He would write a note to Mrs. Paxton. +He would drop that note into the mail box +that hung at the side door. The letters were +always distributed at four, and Sidney Cumston, +who had a fine watch, had just said +that it was three. He left the boys at the +entrance to the Merlington, and hurried on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +that he might have plenty of time for his +note.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Tiverton was out driving with a +friend, and Jack had quite a hunt before he +could find pencil or paper for his note.</p> + +<p>At last he found a blank book, and with +a pencil he wrote this note.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Deer Mrs. Paxton:—</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +"Yors trooly."<br /> +</div></div> + +<p>He folded it, and, in place of the envelope +that he could not find, he tied around it a +bit of string that he found in his pocket.</p> + +<p>Boldly he addressed it, in very large letters, +and sneaking down the stairway, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +around on the piazza toward the side door, +watched his chance, and slipped it into the +mail box.</p> + +<p>There was much excitement on the front +piazza, because the guests had arrived in +the barge but a few moments before, and +Mrs. Paxton had given a maid a generous +"tip" to go over to the Merlington, and +bring Floretta back with her.</p> + +<p>"She returned with the party that came +from the Merlington, and I don't wish her +to remain there. I want her to come right +back to me," said Mrs. Paxton.</p> + +<p>"Very well, ma'am," the maid had replied, +and with the coins in her hand, had +started off at once toward the other hotel.</p> + +<p>When little Jack Tiverton ran around to +the front piazza, the maid had just returned.</p> + +<p>"If you please, Mrs. Paxton, your little +girl isn't over to the Merlington, and hasn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +been there, and a lady that was with the +party that came home from the mountain +trip, says the child wasn't in their barge at +all. I asked her if she was <i>sure</i>, and she +said, she couldn't help being sure, because +there wasn't <i>any</i> child in their barge."</p> + +<p>Of course excitement reigned supreme. +Mrs. Paxton seemed half wild, and every +one shared her anxiety.</p> + +<p>The fact that Floretta was not a favorite +made no difference. No one liked to think +of a little girl out there alone on the mountain +path, or in the woods, especially as it +was already late afternoon.</p> + +<p>"What a dreadful thing!" cried Mrs. +Paxton, wringing her hands, and walking +up and down the piazza.</p> + +<p>"Who will go with me? I cannot go +alone, and where, <i>where</i> shall we look first? +Who saw her last?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> + +<p>At this moment a man-servant came out +from the hall with a tray of letters that he +began to distribute.</p> + +<p>"One for you, Mrs. Paxton," said the +man, as he touched her arm gently.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can't think of letters now," she +said, but something about the note seemed +so unusual that she looked at it.</p> + +<p>She drew off the string that had been +loosely tied, and read the hastily scrawled +lines.</p> + +<p>She screamed, and Aunt Charlotte, who +was standing near her, put her arm around +her and supported her, or she would have +fallen.</p> + +<p>Many of those who gathered around Mrs. +Paxton were inclined to think the note a +hoax, but Mrs. Dainty, coming forward, +lifted her handsome head, and looking +at the men who were lounging comfortably<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +in the large rockers, or sitting upon the +piazza railing, spoke the word that spurred +them to action.</p> + +<p>"Is it safe to <i>guess</i> that this is a joke? +True, it is written in a boyish hand, and +while it <i>may</i> be a boy's joke, may it not be +a boy's means of telling us what has actually +happened? I would not, were I a man, +take the responsibility or chance, of leaving +Floretta out there, because I would go to +the place, and thus learn, not guess, if this +information be true."</p> + +<p>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:</p> + +<p>"We are off, madam. We only needed +an inspiration to move us to endeavor."</p> + +<p>She bowed and smiled, as she said:</p> + +<p>"One thing I ask of you. Go as quickly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +as possible, for the sake of the frightened +child, and the anxious mother."</p> + +<p>"In all possible haste," was the quick +reply, and she turned to offer what comfort +she might to the woman who seemed nearly +distracted.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>And all this time, what had been happening +in the wood? For a long time Floretta +had cried, screamed, and shouted, hoping +that the boys would come back and release +her.</p> + +<p>Then, when she knew that they must be +too far away to hear her, she tore at the +clasping bonds, trying in every way to free +herself. With feet and hands she strove +to loosen the tough, wiry vines, kicking and +trampling with her restless feet, beating +and bending with her little hands, until +they were torn and bleeding, and the tormenting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +vines seemed only to hold her with +a firmer grasp, as if to prove how useless +was her struggle.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 391px;"> +<img src="images/i005.jpg" width="391" height="500" alt="With feet and hands she strove to loosen the tough, wiry vines.—Page 119." title="" /> +<span class="caption">With feet and hands she strove to loosen the tough, wiry vines.—<i><a href="#Page_119">Page 119</a></i>.</span> +</div> + +<p>She had cried until she could cry no more, +and the sturdy vines had cut and bruised +her.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>How still the woodland seemed! Sometimes +a twig would snap, or a buzzing insect +would pause, as if to look at her, but +no one came to set her free.</p> + +<p>She waited for a moment to regain her +breath, and then again she fought and struggled +with those tough, sturdy vines.</p> + +<p>She tried to wrench them apart, to break, +to tear them from her, but they only yielded +enough to bend, and then snap back into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +the very place that she had pushed them +from.</p> + +<p>Not a vine broke, not a stem gave way, +and she set her lips tightly for yet greater +effort!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>FLORETTA'S RETURN</h3> + +<div class='cap'>AT a far corner of the piazza sat Dorothy, +her eyes terrified, and her cheeks +pale. Nancy, close beside her, wound her +arms about her, and sought, in every way, +to comfort her.</div> + +<p>"They'll find her soon, Dorothy, so don't +you be frightened," she whispered. +"They'll <i>surely</i> find her soon."</p> + +<p>Dear little Nancy knew, better than any +of Dorothy's other friends could have +known, how ready was her sympathy, how +kind and loving was her heart.</p> + +<p>She had not loved Floretta, but with +Dorothy, that did not count. It was the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +dreadful fear that something had happened +to a little girl, who, so recently had been at +play with them,—ah, that was what +grieved sweet Dorothy.</p> + +<p>She was thinking of what Mrs. Dainty +had said to Aunt Charlotte when the mountain +trip was first talked of.</p> + +<p>"I think the long tramp is a rougher +form of amusement than I can well endure. +I should be so weary long before it was time +to return, that I should derive but little +pleasure from the trip. There is another +thought in connection with the picnic," she +continued, "and that is an element of danger. +Not great danger perhaps, but such +that I would not join the party, nor would +I permit Dorothy, or Nancy to do so. One +gentleman who was talking of the mountain +path that they have chosen, spoke of +the great danger to the climbers from small,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +rolling stones, and from places where the +earth seems to crumble near the edge of the +narrow foot-path. A careless step might +lead to a fall that would mean, I hardly +dare to say what!"</p> + +<p>Dorothy and Nancy had been wishing to +join the party, but upon hearing this, they +lost all interest in it, and had cheerfully +taken the drive behind gentle Romeo, instead. +Now, as Dorothy sat with Nancy's +arms about her, she was glad that they had +not been permitted to go, and she heartily +wished that Floretta had remained at the +Cleverton.</p> + +<p>"Had she rolled from the path, and +fallen, fallen,—"</p> + +<p>Dorothy covered her eyes with her hands, +as if she almost saw the little girl falling, +down, down to the ravine so far below the +path, and was trying to shut out the picture.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +Nancy, still striving to quiet her fear, heard +some one telling what the scribbled note +had said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dorothy!" she whispered, eagerly, +"Floretta is just where they know how to +find her, and they've promised to hurry, +and bring her back."</p> + +<p>"Are you <i>sure?</i>" Dorothy asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, <i>sure!</i>" said Nancy.</p> + +<p>Then Nancy climbed into the big chair +beside her, and the two little girls sat, each +tightly clasping the other's hands, while +they waited and watched for the first +glimpse of the men who should return, +bringing Floretta with them.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte remained +with Mrs. Paxton, who seemed to +have lost all control of herself.</p> + +<p>One moment she would cry as if her +heart would break, and then she would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +spring up, threatening to follow the direction +that the men had taken, and try to +reach the woods, thus to sooner see her little +girl.</p> + +<p>At last, after what seemed endless waiting, +but was actually only an hour, some +one espied the men in the distance, and +cried out:</p> + +<p>"They're coming! They're coming!"</p> + +<p>"Have they got Floretta? Oh, <i>have</i> +they found her?" shrieked Mrs. Paxton.</p> + +<p>"We can't see from here," said the one +who had spoken, and the mother rushed +forward, shading her eyes with her hand, +and straining to catch the first glimpse of +her child.</p> + +<p>She would have rushed down the road to +meet them, but Mrs. Dainty held her back. +She had seen that they were carrying Floretta,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +and she thought, in case the child were +injured, the mother would far better save +her strength.</p> + +<p>Two of the men had clasped their hands +to form an "arm-chair," and thus they +brought to the piazza, a very limp, tired +Floretta, whose vivacity was all gone, and +whose face bore the trace of desperate +weeping, while her arms and hands were +covered with cuts and bruises, and her +little frock was torn and tattered by her +struggle with the tough and tightly knotted +vines.</p> + +<p>She lay back against the shoulder of one +man who supported her, and looked as if +her strength were spent.</p> + +<p>She changed on the instant that they set +her on her feet.</p> + +<p>Rushing to her mother, she permitted her +to clasp her for a moment to her breast, then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +turning to the group that gathered around +her, she cried fiercely:</p> + +<p>"Look! See my hands! See my arms! +See the scratches, where I tried to get +away, and it was Sidney Cumston who +tied me! He <i>did</i> it, but the other boys +<i>let</i> 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 they +wouldn't. Oh, somebody punish all but +Jack! He <i>tried</i>, but he couldn't help me."</p> + +<p>She was hysterical, and sank to the floor +of the piazza, sobbing, and crying, before +her mother could catch her.</p> + +<p>She scrambled to her feet, and was +clasped in her mother's arms.</p> + +<p>Old Mr. Cunningham surprised every one +by speaking most kindly to her. She had +so often tormented him that it seemed generous +that he should offer a bit of comfort.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't think we shall let those young +rascals escape without a sharp reprimand, +and if I was to venture a guess about it, I +should say that little Jack, after all, managed +to help you, Floretta," he said.</p> + +<p>She turned in surprise to look at the old +face, that now looked so kindly at her.</p> + +<p>"Come out here, Jack," said the old gentleman, +"didn't you write the note that +sent us searching for this little girl?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," said Jack, "and I wrote it +'cause I thought the other big fellows were +mean, but if they find out I told, they'll—"</p> + +<p>"No, they won't," said Mr. Cunningham. +"You're no 'tell-tale.' You did just right, +and the men here will stand by you. Those +big boys were the cowards to torment a little +girl. You're the best boy up here in the +mountains."</p> + +<p>"Three cheers for young Tiverton!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +shouted some one, and in the midst of the +excitement, Mrs. Paxton, with her little +daughter, slipped away to their room, after +having thanked little Jack for his valuable +assistance.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile old Mr. Cunningham had been +searching in this pocket and that for something +which he seemed most anxious to +find.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I knew I had it! Come here, +Jack!"</p> + +<p>Blushing and diffident, Jack walked over +to the big rocker.</p> + +<p>"'Tisn't much, boy, but I think you +ought to have a medal. Here's a silver dollar +I've been keeping for a pocket piece. +I'll give it to you for a medal, for being +brave enough to tell what you knew <i>ought</i> +to be told. That's not tale-bearing, and as +you were afraid to tell, for fear of those big<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +bullies, it was a brave act. You're a lad +that knows <i>what</i> to do, <i>when</i> to do, and then +<i>does</i> it!"</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for Jack Tiverton!" some one +cried again, and this time they were given +with a will.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Tiverton, returning from a long +drive, wondered what all the excitement +meant, and why they were cheering her +little son.</p> + +<p>Jack, with his silver dollar tightly +clasped, hung his head, and looked as if +overpowered by his conspicuous position.</p> + +<p>Dorothy, now bright and happy, since +Floretta was safe, saw that Jack hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mrs. Tiverton," she said, "Jack +has been truly the <i>best</i> boy in the world, +but he can't speak just now. When he tells +you what he's done, you won't wonder why +they cheered him!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Barnet and Flossie, with Uncle +Harry and his wife, now arrived in their +big automobile from a three-days' trip that +they had been enjoying.</p> + +<p>Of course Dorothy and Nancy tried to +tell Flossie all about Floretta and Jack, and +they were both so excited that Flossie got +a very twisted idea of the affair.</p> + +<p>Uncle Harry, not dreaming that the matter +was at all serious, turned, after greeting +the children, to enter the house.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Uncle Harry!" cried Flossie, "you +ought to hear about it. There were ever +so many big boys, and only one little girl, +and they tied her so she couldn't get away, +and Jack wrote a note, and when they +found her,—"</p> + +<p>"Now, Flossie, dear, I'm perfectly willing +to be scared half out of my wits, but I +<i>must</i> know what I'm being scared about.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +You're getting me so mixed up that I've +not the least idea what this is all about. +Have you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," said Flossie, "I don't <i>half</i> understand +it, but it does sound so frightful, +that I'm so scared, I need to have you be +scared, too."</p> + +<p>"Well, then," Uncle Harry replied, "if +it will help you to know it, I'll admit that +my teeth are chattering, and shivers are +running up and down my spine!</p> + +<p>"I thought at first that it was the draft +across this piazza, but perhaps, after all, it +was caused by what you were telling me."</p> + +<p>When, at last, he had heard the story, he +was full of disgust that any boy, and his +friends, should have been guilty of such a +contemptible act, and his sympathy for the +little girl was deep and sincere.</p> + +<p>"She will need rest and quiet to-morrow,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +he said, "and you three little friends +will be kind, I think, if you stay rather +closely here, and help, in some quiet way, +to amuse her."</p> + +<p>"We will," said Dorothy, "I'll let her +read my new fairy book if she'd like to. +She could lie in the hammock, and do that."</p> + +<p>"I'll keep the hammock swinging," said +Nancy.</p> + +<p>"And I'll give her my new box of candy +I just brought home," said Flossie.</p> + +<p>"That's right," said Uncle Harry, "and +for your sweet promises of kindness toward +the child who has suffered so much to-day +I'll remind you that on day after to-morrow +I shall give myself the pleasure of taking +you all to the fair. I promise you a <i>fine</i> +time."</p> + +<p>He turned to look over his shoulder, and +laugh at their wild little cries of delight.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + +<p>He was anticipating the pleasure quite as +much as they.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Dorothy, Nancy, and Flossie kept the +promise that they had made, and Floretta +fully enjoyed their kindness. She seemed +unusually gentle, and Mrs. Paxton thanked +them for so sweetly helping to amuse her, +and thus make her willing to spend the day +quietly.</p> + +<p>The day set for the visit to the village +fair dawned bright and sunny, a light breeze +making it just cool enough to be delightful.</p> + +<p>The barge was waiting for its gay little +passengers.</p> + +<p>The children stood with impatient feet on +the piazza, waiting for their host, merry, +handsome Uncle Harry.</p> + +<p>At last a firm tread caused them to turn, +and there he was, looking gayer than ever,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +a picture of health, strength, and kindliness, +and clad in a most becoming outing +suit of light gray serge.</p> + +<p>The blue of his tie was not bluer than his +fine eyes, and no one could have glanced at +him without knowing that he possessed a +generous, loving nature, a kind and merry +heart.</p> + +<p>"Come, little friends!" he cried. "Is +every young lady that I invited here?" he +added, looking anxiously lest some child be +late, and thus by chance, be left behind.</p> + +<p>"Every one is here!" said Flossie. "I +know because I've counted."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll start at once, unless some +one would rather wait 'til to-morrow?" he +said, his eyes twinkling.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! No!" they cried. "We just +<i>couldn't</i> wait!"</p> + +<p>"In that case we'll go now!" he said,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +with a droll expression, as if he started at +once, merely as an accommodation.</p> + +<p>"Why, Uncle Harry! You're only joking," +cried Flossie. "You wouldn't be +willing to wait until to-morrow. I heard +you tell Aunt Vera to hurry and find your +tie, because you were in such a rush to +start!"</p> + +<p>"To think that my own little niece would +tell tales like that, and thus let out the +secret. What chance have I now, of making +them think that I was really very shy +about riding with such a large party of +girls?"</p> + +<p>Shouts of laughter greeted this speech, +and Uncle Harry waited until it had subsided, +then he said:</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, if no one <i>believes</i> that I am +shy or diffident, it's waste of time to try to +appear so, so I shall not try. Instead, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +shall be very bold. Come, dears, let me help +you in!"</p> + +<p>And amid shouts of laughter from the +children, he lifted each high in air, and +placed her in the barge, thus saving her the +trouble of mounting the steps.</p> + +<p>Then taking his seat in the middle of the +laughing, chattering little party, he called +to the driver to start.</p> + +<p>The long whip cracked, Jack Tiverton, +from the piazza, blew loudly on a tin +trumpet, and they were off over the road, +the happiest party that ever filled a barge.</p> + +<p>Uncle Harry told some amusing stories, +then, led by his fine voice, they sang some +gay little songs, and before they dreamed +that they had arrived at the fair, the driver +shouted:</p> + +<p>"Here we are!" and sure enough, they +had reached the fair grounds.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"That's just it," agreed Nancy.</p> + +<p>"The reason <i>I</i> enjoyed the ride," said +Uncle Harry, "is because I was so charmed +with my little guests."</p> + +<p>"And the reason why we had such a fine +ride," said Flossie, "is because we had the +<i>best</i> man in the world taking care of us."</p> + +<p>Uncle Harry bowed low.</p> + +<p>"This must be a wedding party, if I'm +the 'best man,'" he said with a laugh, "so +we'll not fuss because there's no musician +to play a march for us, but we'll play you +are all bridesmaids, and we'll hurry right +along. The entrance is this way, I think, +and under that evergreen arch."</p> + +<p>A large tent had been pitched for the display<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +of the various wares and numerous +attractions; a smaller tent near it serving +as fortune teller's booth.</p> + +<p>"We'll coax Uncle Harry to have his +fortune told," whispered Flossie to Dorothy, +when, to their great surprise, he said:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Flossie, you little witch! Uncle +Harry heard what you said, and not only +is he going to have his fortune told, but he's +going to make every one of you little girls +have yours told, also!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>AT THE FAIR</h3> + +<div class='cap'>THE fair proved a great delight to the +children. They had all been to fine +fairs patronized by fashionable matrons, +whose names were quite enough to insure +success, but the country fair was an absolute +novelty.</div> + +<p>At the large city fairs, merry débutantes +graced the booths, and sold flowers, or tickets +for the various games of chance.</p> + +<p>Here in the mountain village all was different, +and the novelty gave greater interest.</p> + +<p>Farmers' daughters were in the booths, +and sold huge bouquets of old-fashioned +garden flowers, homemade candy, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +honey, while one rosy-cheeked lass dispensed +sweet cider, or sweet apples, according +to the preference of her customer.</p> + +<p>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 <i>fine</i> in his buttonhole.</p> + +<p>There was music, if it could be called +music, furnished by the local band.</p> + +<p>Uncle Harry said he had never seen +such independent people as those musicians +were. He declared that the music sounded, +to him, as if each man commenced to play +when he chose, and stopped when he got +ready, regardless of what the other players +were doing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I do believe that is the way they +play!" cried Dorothy, laughing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Of course it is," cried Uncle Harry, +"and a great deal of bother it saves, for no +one has to direct them; they do not know +that they are making discord, and thus they +play and play with all their might, and are +absolutely care-free and happy."</p> + +<p>There were heaps of giant pumpkins, +and more red and yellow ears of corn than +they had ever seen before, while everywhere +was laughter, and friendly gossip, +and chatter, that made the fair a jolly place +in which to roam about.</p> + +<p>The children were determined to see +every object in the big tent, and while some +were interested in one thing, others wished +to see something else, so they decided to +divide into two groups.</p> + +<p>One half of the little party turned to the +right intent upon seeing some gaudy patchwork +quilts, while the others turned to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +left declaring their intention of investing +all their pennies in the "fish-pond."</p> + +<p>There were so many things to see on the +way, that it was a long time before they +met, as they had agreed, at the entrance.</p> + +<p>Somewhere on the way they had missed +Uncle Harry, and they could not imagine +where he had gone.</p> + +<p>It happened that Uncle Harry had seen a +very small girl crying, and his first thought +was to help her, and thus dry her tears.</p> + +<p>Upon questioning her, he found that the +wee little maid had, by accident, knocked +a small doll from one of the tables, and had +been roundly scolded.</p> + +<p>"That pretty girl with the black eyes +says I did it a-purpose, but I didn't," +she cried, "I wanted to see it, and +I just touched it, and it tumbled off the +table."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<p>Her tears fell afresh, and in place of a +handkerchief, she drew up her blue-checked +apron, and hid her face in it.</p> + +<p>"Look up, little girl," Uncle Harry said, +and his voice sounded so kindly, that she at +once peeped at him through her tears.</p> + +<p>"Which is the table where all this happened?"</p> + +<p>"That one," said the child, "and the big +girl is looking at me now."</p> + +<p>"Then give me your hand, and, just for +fun, <i>we'll</i> go and look at <i>her</i>."</p> + +<p>A moment she hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Come," he said, and with a sunny smile, +the little girl placed her hand in his, and +the big, handsome man with the wee country +lass approached the table together.</p> + +<p>"I'll lift you up so you can see nicely," +he said. "Now, which was the doll that fell +from the table?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> + +<p>Before the child could reply, the girl +spoke sharply.</p> + +<p>"'Twas that one, sir, and her meddlesome +fingers,—"</p> + +<p>"Never mind about that," said Uncle +Harry, then turning to the child he said:</p> + +<p>"Did you like that one best, or is that +larger one finer?"</p> + +<p>"That large one is the loveliest. I didn't +<i>ever</i> see one so fine as that."</p> + +<p>"We'll have that one, then," he said, +offering a bill to the astonished salesgirl.</p> + +<p>"There, little girl, she's yours," he said, +as he placed the big doll in her arms.</p> + +<p>"I can hold her a little while?" she +asked, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"You can hold her <i>always</i>, if you want +to," he said gently, "I bought her for you."</p> + +<p>Rapturously she clasped the gift in her +arms.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, I love you, because you are good," +she cried.</p> + +<p>"Then tell me your name," he said.</p> + +<p>"I'm Lois Ann Ferguson," chirped the +little girl, "and father is Sandy Ferguson. +Oh, there he is now. He's to play the +pipes."</p> + +<p>She ran toward a sturdy man dressed in +Highland costume, and carrying the bagpipes +under his arm.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ferguson glanced at her flushed +cheeks, saw the gorgeous doll that she flourished +before his astonished eyes, and finally +understood that the tall, handsome stranger +had bestowed it upon his wee daughter, as +a gift.</p> + +<p>He took her little hand, and hurried forward, +saying:</p> + +<p>"I dinna ken why he should dae it for +my wee lassie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I wad gladly thank ye, sir," he said, +"but I'm lost in wonder that ye made wee +Lois sae blithe an' gay wi' the braw +gift."</p> + +<p>"She's a dear little lass," said Uncle +Harry, "and when I found her crying, I +knew that a fine new doll would dry her +tears. Don't bother to thank me. I made +myself happy, when I comforted her."</p> + +<p>"I wish there were mair like ye," said +Sandy Ferguson, "an' some day when ye're +older, an' ha' a wee daughter of yer ain,—"</p> + +<p>"I have a wife and baby girl now," was +the quick reply, "and they are my dearest +possessions."</p> + +<p>"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 dae a kindly act," Sandy Ferguson +replied, "an' later when I play the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +pipes, an' Lois dances, she shall make her +first bow tae her new friend."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Uncle Harry, <i>did</i> you buy the new +doll for the little girl?"</p> + +<p>It was little Flossie, who, after having +searched every corner of the tent, had found +him talking to the Scotchman and his little +girl.</p> + +<p>"Is he your own uncle?" little Lois +asked, looking up into Flossie's lovely face.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," said Flossie, "and he's the +best uncle in the world."</p> + +<p>"I know he must be," said the little girl. +"See how good he was to me."</p> + +<p>They turned to join the rest of their party, +and little Lois looked over her shoulder, +with one hand held fast in her father's, +while with the other she tightly clasped the +precious doll.</p> + +<p>"I saw the notice near the entrance when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +we came in, that a Scotch farmer would +play, and his little daughter would dance," +said Uncle Harry, "but that child is not +much more than a baby. She cannot be +more than four. It will be amusing to see +her dance, and Nancy Ferris will enjoy it +most of all."</p> + +<p>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 was who was to dance.</p> + +<p>They had a lunch served by girls dressed +as dairy maids, and it was just such a lunch +as might have been enjoyed at a farmhouse.</p> + +<p>The long table spread with its white +cloth, and set with blue and white dishes, +was decorated by a garland of small sunflowers +that lay upon the cloth, down +the centre, and the entire length of the +table.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> + +<p>There were plates heaped with biscuit, +there were dishes of both wild and cultivated +strawberries, and delicious cream to +be eaten with them, there were sandwiches +and little cakes, honey enough to tempt the +bees to the feast, and the children thought +it finer than a hotel dinner. How they +laughed, and chattered, as they enjoyed the +spread!</p> + +<p>Uncle Harry was in his sunniest mood, +and told stories and jokes that kept them +amused, and seemed to be the gayest member +of the party.</p> + +<p>"Tell us a story about when you were a +<i>little</i> boy," said Flossie.</p> + +<p>"My small niece thinks I'm nothing but +a <i>big</i> boy now!" he said.</p> + +<p>"Well, the big Scotchman thought you +were only a lad. I heard him say so," said +Flossie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> + +<p>"When you were a boy were you ever +naughty, <i>real</i> naughty?" Floretta asked.</p> + +<p>She had been very quiet, and all were +surprised at her question.</p> + +<p>"Once upon a time, when I was little," +said Uncle Harry, "I was very, <i>very</i> fond +of good things, but the one thing that I +liked better than anything else was strawberry +jam.</p> + +<p>"I was always allowed to have it, but I +felt sure that it would taste even nicer if +I had more of it at a time, and still finer if +I could have a long handled spoon, and eat +it right from the jar.</p> + +<p>"I used often to think how fine it would +be if I, some day, could have the chance to +eat it that way, but I never could get even +<i>very</i> near the jar.</p> + +<p>"One day the opportunity came. My +sister and I were in the nursery, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +maid had been down-stairs for a long +time.</p> + +<p>"The rest of the family were away, and +we were to have our tea in the nursery, as +usual, only, as we had had to remain at +home, we were to have an extra treat.</p> + +<p>"Among other good things, we were to +have strawberry jam.</p> + +<p>"My sister, that is Flossie's mamma, +was a little older than I, and she was always +trying to give me lessons in good +behavior.</p> + +<p>"'Now, Harry,' she said, 'while nurse +is down-stairs, we might commence to set +our table.'</p> + +<p>"'There isn't anything here to set it +with but the tablecloth and the jam,' I said, +'but you're a girl, so you know how to put +the cloth on, and I'll bring the jam.'"</p> + +<p>"I guess Uncle Harry was so fond of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +jam, that he liked even to carry the jar," +said Flossie.</p> + +<p>"We wondered why the nurse stayed so +long down-stairs," continued Uncle Harry, +"and I told my sister that I was tired of +waiting for tea, and I said I'd taste of the +jam, if only I had a long handled spoon.</p> + +<p>"'Why, Harry,' she answered in disgust, +'I wouldn't think you'd be so +naughty, but,—if you really <i>want</i> to taste +it, here's the spoon beside the jar.'"</p> + +<p>"And <i>did</i> you?" questioned Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"Well, yes, I have to admit that I did. +In truth, I tasted and tasted until my sister +cried:</p> + +<p>"'Why, Harry, you naughty boy! When +you get done tasting, there won't be any +left!'</p> + +<p>"'You won't care, because <i>you</i> wouldn't +be so naughty as to taste it!' I said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'Oh, wouldn't I?' she cried. 'Well, +you just let me take that spoon, and you'll +see!'</p> + +<p>"Well, a funny mix-up followed, in which +we each tried to get possession of 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; +the jar of jam tipped over, and her white +frock, my gray jacket and trousers, and +even my long, yellow curls became smeared +with the jam.</p> + +<p>"Nurse opened the door, and screamed +with terror, for the red jam looked as if +we had been terribly hurt, and it was some +time before we could convince her that we +were not cut or bruised, but only <i>very +sticky!</i></p> + +<p>"Then came the scolding, and my sister +tried to screen me.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'Harry couldn't help tasting it, he's +so fond of jam,' she said.</p> + +<p>"'Well, he's got a good share of it, inside +and out,' said nurse, grimly.</p> + +<p>"'She's got as much as I have,' I said, +'just look at her frock!'</p> + +<p>"Of course our clothes were changed, +and the jam cleaned from the polished floor, +but we had our tea without jam.</p> + +<p>"Nurse said we could eat our biscuits +with the <i>memory</i> of the jam we had already +enjoyed."</p> + +<p>"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 you grew up."</p> + +<p>"I still am fond of jam!" he said, and +the children laughed to see him pour honey +over his berries that already were covered +with sugar.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You like <i>anything</i> that's sweet!" said +Dorothy, "whether it's jam, or sugar, or +honey,—"</p> + +<p>"Or little girls," said Uncle Harry. +"You notice, I made this party all little +girls, and I'm having a <i>lovely</i> time."</p> + +<p>"So are we," laughed Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"And he says 'lovely' just as we do," +said Nancy, "he does it to make us laugh."</p> + +<p>"Then why don't you laugh?" said +Uncle Harry, and they <i>did</i> laugh, every +member of the party, and laughed because +they could not help it.</p> + +<p>And when the merry feast was over, they +hastened to the small tent where the old +gypsy was telling fortunes.</p> + +<p>Each had intended to have her fortune +told, and thus learn what the future held +for her.</p> + +<p>To their great surprise, she flatly refused<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +to tell any child's fortune, saying that she +would only foretell events for "grown +ups." The little girls were rather afraid +of her, but Uncle Harry boldly offered his +hand, saying:</p> + +<p>"Am I big enough to hear my fortune?"</p> + +<p>"No nonsense, young lad," she said, +while the children dared not laugh. She +bent over his palm for a moment, then she +solemnly said:</p> + +<p>"You're a brave lad, and you need to +be for you will fall in love with a girl who'll +have red hair, and the temper that usually +goes with it."</p> + +<p>"O dear!" sighed Uncle Harry.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry, young man," said the old +gypsy, "because it will be some months +before you marry."</p> + +<p>"Indeed," said Uncle Harry, "and what +shall I do if the girl proves to have the temper<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +you prophesy? Shall I try to calm her +by holding her under a pump, or would you +advise tying her until she feels less fiery?"</p> + +<p>"Young man, this is no laughing matter," +was the sharp reply.</p> + +<p>"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 got to marry a red-haired +girl, with a temper like chain lightning! +Who was ever in a worse fix?"</p> + +<p>The old gypsy flew into a rage. "You're +poking fun at me!" she cried.</p> + +<p>"There! There! The fun was worth +that!" he cried, laying a handful of small +coins on the table before her.</p> + +<p>In her eagerness to count the money, she +forgot her wrath, and they hastened from +the tent, where, safely outside, they were +free to laugh as much as they chose.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> + +<p>As they re-entered the large tent, they +saw that near the centre, a space had been +cleared, and there was a crowd of people +waiting, as if expecting some attraction to +be exhibited.</p> + +<p>They had not long to wait, for almost +immediately the Scotch piper appeared, +and tightly clasping her precious new doll +in her arms was wee Lois, dressed in Highland +costume.</p> + +<p>Placing her doll on a table, and making +sure that it was safe, she ran forward, courtesied +first to Uncle Harry, as she had +promised, and then, to the music of the +pipes, the wee lassie did the "Highland +Fling."</p> + +<p>She was such a round, dimpled little girl, +one would never have dreamed that she +could dance with such infantile grace.</p> + +<p>And when she had finished, with another<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +courtesy, they crowded around her, and it +was Nancy who most generously praised +her. Dear little Nancy, who danced like a +fairy, never had a jealous thought in her +loving heart!</p> + +<p>It was Uncle Harry who caught little +Lois, and lifted her so that he could look +into her eyes.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"My wee lassie said she wisht she had a +gift tae gi' ye," said Sandy.</p> + +<p>"I have a dear little girl of my own, and +I prize her baby kisses," said Uncle Harry. +"Will <i>you</i> give me one, little Lois?"</p> + +<p>She clasped her arms around his neck, +and kissed him softly.</p> + +<p>"Best man next to father," she said.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>FLOSSIE'S LETTER</h3> + +<div class='cap'>THE children said "good-by" to little +Lois, and as her father carried her +away, she waved her hand to them.</div> + +<p>"Wasn't she cunning?" said Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"She was very sweet," said Nancy, +"and how well she did her little +dance!"</p> + +<p>"She didn't dance half as fine as you do, +Nancy Ferris," said Floretta. "You <i>know</i> +that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I was trained for dancing," +said Nancy, "and, beside, she was very little +to dance so cleverly."</p> + +<p>Floretta made no reply, but she thought +of what Nancy had said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Trained for dancing. She said she was +<i>trained</i> to dance. I wonder where? I +wish I knew, but I didn't quite dare to +ask her."</p> + +<p>Once more they walked around the big +tent, and Uncle Harry purchased a gift for +each to carry home as a souvenir.</p> + +<p>There were little baskets that the gypsies +had woven, and fancy boxes filled with +woodland plants. The boxes were made +from birch bark, and were very dainty.</p> + +<p>These the children prized, and lovingly +they thanked him for the pretty gifts.</p> + +<p>At the candy table he purchased enough +of the homemade bonbons to fill the baskets, +and then they left the tent to start +on the homeward trip.</p> + +<p>The barge was waiting for them, and +they clambered in, tired, but very happy.</p> + +<p>"This is the nicest fair I ever went to,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +said Dorothy, "and I've had so many good +things that I'm going to save my basket of +candy until to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"So am I," cried all the others.</p> + +<p>"And so am <i>I</i>," said Uncle Harry, as he +held up a huge basket filled with all kinds +of candy.</p> + +<p>How they laughed, and accused him of +having a "sweet-tooth."</p> + +<p>"Now, just a moment!" he cried, as he +held up his finger for silence, "I'm taking +this <i>big</i> basket home to treat the <i>big</i> ladies +with. I took the <i>little</i> ladies with me, but +I've not forgotten the <i>big</i> ladies that I left +at the hotel."</p> + +<p>"Because you don't ever forget any +one," said Flossie, and the others cried:</p> + +<p>"That's it! Just it! He does nice things +for every one."</p> + +<p>"Oh, spare my blushes," said Uncle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +Harry, but it was easy to see that their +affection for him pleased him.</p> + +<p>The ride home seemed shorter than the +trip to the fair.</p> + +<p>They joined in singing the merry songs +that his fine voice led, and the horses, knowing +that they were on the homeward trip, +jogged along at a better pace than when +they had started out.</p> + +<p>Uncle Harry had found some bells, and +fastened them to their harnesses, and they +made a jingling accompaniment to the +merry voices.</p> + +<p>And when the barge drew up at the Cleverton, +Uncle Harry, with elaborate courtesy, +handed each young lady down, bowing +low, and thanking her for the honor she +had conferred upon him by permitting him +to take her to the fair.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you do truly know we have to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +thank you for giving us such a lovely day!" +said Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"But think how happy I have been," +he said, and although his blue eyes +were laughing, they knew that he meant +it.</p> + +<p>"Oh, mamma, we had the finest time," +cried Dorothy, "and see the fine basket of +candy and the pretty birch bark box! See +the little ferns growing in it. Isn't he +<i>dear?</i>"</p> + +<p>"He surely is charming," said Mrs. +Dainty. "His generous, sunny nature +makes every one love him, and I believe +he values the love of his friends more than +most things."</p> + +<p>"He has been gay, and full of fun all +day," said Nancy, "and it will take a long +time to tell you all the pleasant things he +did for us. I do wish you and Aunt Charlotte<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +<i>could</i> have been there when he had his +fortune told."</p> + +<p>"And he couldn't have been any nicer to +us if we'd been tall ladies," said Floretta.</p> + +<p>"I hope every one of you little friends +were real <i>little ladies</i>, thus rewarding him +for his kindness," Aunt Charlotte said, +gently.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we were," said Nancy, "not a single +one of us did anything that could +trouble him."</p> + +<p>"There were a number of little girls who +only came here last week, so we weren't +much acquainted with them, but they were +all very nice, and he said he had as fine a +time as we did," said Dorothy.</p> + +<p>She climbed into a large hammock, and +with Nancy beside her, sat swinging, and +thinking of the day that had been so delightfully +spent.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Fenton came out upon the piazza, +and, instead of sitting down, seemed to be +looking for something.</p> + +<p>"Can I help you?" said Nancy, slipping +from the hammock, and hastening toward +her.</p> + +<p>"I've mislaid my glasses," she said, +"and I can't find them."</p> + +<p>She did not thank Nancy for so kindly +offering to help her, but Nancy seemed not +to notice that. She peeped under chairs, +lifted their cushions, and even looked between +folds of newspapers that lay near at +hand, but the glasses were not in sight.</p> + +<p>"How trying!" said Mrs. Fenton, "I +have some letters that I wish to read, and +I can't read them until my glasses are +found."</p> + +<p>"Did you use them anywhere but just +here?" Nancy asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Fenton stood for a moment thinking.</p> + +<p>"Seems to me I <i>did</i> have them in the +dining-room," she said.</p> + +<p>"I'll go and ask the waitresses if they +have seen them," said Nancy, as she ran +toward the hall.</p> + +<p>She paused in the doorway, amazed at +what she saw.</p> + +<p>Floretta, with a pair of eyeglasses upon +her small nose, was walking up and down +the room, as nearly as possible, in Mrs. +Fenton's manner, and exactly imitating her +voice, while a group of waitresses, the cook, +and two kitchen maids laughed, and applauded +her.</p> + +<p>She cared not who composed her audience, +so long as she obtained applause. +Floretta was, evidently, quite herself once +more!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, Floretta!" cried Nancy, "you +mustn't, truly you mustn't. Give me the +glasses. Mrs. Fenton is looking everywhere +for them!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I shan't give them to you!" said +Floretta, rudely. "You aren't Mrs. Fenton."</p> + +<p>"But I've been helping her to hunt for +them. She has some letters she wants to +read, and she can't till she has her glasses," +insisted Nancy.</p> + +<p>"Then let her come for them!" cried +Floretta, when a quiet voice spoke.</p> + +<p>"Very well, I <i>have</i> come for them," it +said, and there in the doorway stood Mrs. +Fenton.</p> + +<p>The silly maids who had laughed so +loudly, now hastily disappeared in the +kitchen.</p> + +<p>Floretta dropped the glasses upon the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +table, and then, wholly ashamed, crawled +under it, where Mrs. Fenton's sharp eyes +might not look at her.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Fenton took the glasses, and without +another word, swept from the room.</p> + +<p>Nancy, waiting in the hall, crept softly +toward her, and gently laid her hand on the +lady's arm.</p> + +<p>"I'm <i>so</i> sorry she did that. I wish I +could have got the glasses from her, and +brought them to you before you came to +find them. Then you needn't have known +how naughty,—" Nancy caught her breath.</p> + +<p>"Never mind that, Nancy. Remember, +as <i>I</i> shall, that <i>you</i> were not the naughty, +disgusting child," said Mrs. Fenton, and +she turned, with her letters and glasses in +her hand, and went up the long stairway to +her room.</p> + +<p>It was nearly time to dress for dinner,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +which was always served promptly at +six.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dainty with Dorothy, and Aunt +Charlotte with Nancy hastened to their +rooms, to freshen their toilettes, and Nancy +realized that there would not be time to tell +Aunt Charlotte all about the unpleasant +happening.</p> + +<p>"I've something to tell you, but I'll have +to wait till we've plenty of time," she +said.</p> + +<p>Aunt Charlotte, tying the soft, blue ribbon +into the brown curls, looked into the +mirror before which they were standing, +and smiled at the thoughtful face.</p> + +<p>"Will it keep until then, dear?" she +asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," said Nancy, "I only tell it +to you because I love to tell you everything."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Dear child," said Aunt Charlotte, "I +bless the day that you, as a little waif, were +taken in by Mrs. Dainty, and that I was +asked to come and care for you. I could +not love you more if you were my own little +girl."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Gentle Aunt Charlotte's eyes were wet +with happy tears, as she hooked the pretty, +white muslin frock, with its slip of light +blue, and tied the soft blue belt.</p> + +<p>"Your shoes must be changed, Nancy," +she said. "You know how particular +Mrs. Dainty is about the matter of shoes +and stockings. They must match the +frock."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," said Nancy, "and with this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +one she said: 'Wear blue stockings and +bronze slippers,' so I will."</p> + +<p>She found the blue hose and the pretty +bronze slippers, then, with elfin grace, she +caught the edge of her skirt, and with rosy, +bare feet, tripped across the floor in a graceful, +gliding step, crying:</p> + +<p>"Look, Aunt Charlotte, look! This +pretty step Bonfanti taught me."</p> + +<p>Aunt Charlotte did look, and as she +watched the pretty child, and saw her joy +in dancing, she marvelled that little Nancy +could smile as she danced, remembering all +that she had been taught, while apparently +forgetting all the unhappy months upon the +stage.</p> + +<p>She thought of poor little Nancy, forced +to dance, night after night, to support her +old Uncle Steve, who was too lazy to support +himself.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> + +<p>She thought of the time that the little +pitiful note from Nancy had reached them, +and, together, she and Mrs. Dainty had +found the child, and brought her safely +home.</p> + +<p>She did not speak of all this. Nancy's +happy little heart should never be reminded +of sad days that were past.</p> + +<p>Now her life was filled with bright sunshine, +the sunshine of love, and it was reflected +in her happy face.</p> + +<p>A gong rang out a silvery note.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my shoes!" cried Nancy, with a +peal of merry laughter. "I wanted to +show you those pretty steps, and I forgot +all about dinner."</p> + +<p>It was the work of but a few seconds for +Nancy to draw on the light blue hose, and +even less time to put on the pretty slippers. +She ran to the mirror, and courtesied, took<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +a few tripping steps, smiling at her reflection, +and then hastened to the hall to join +Dorothy.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 392px;"> +<img src="images/i006.jpg" width="392" height="500" alt="She took a few tripping steps, smiling at her reflection.—Page 176." title="" /> +<span class="caption">She took a few tripping steps, smiling at her reflection.—<a href="#Page_176"><i>Page 176.</i></a></span> +</div> + +<p>"All ready," cried Nancy, springing to +her feet, to follow Dorothy.</p> + +<p>A pretty pair they made as with arms +about each other's waist, they tripped along +the hall.</p> + +<p>Fair, blue-eyed Dorothy Dainty was very +lovely in a pale pink frock with soft frillings +of fine lace. Her stockings were of the +same shade, and her shoes were white. +Mrs. Dainty in dark blue satin, and Aunt +Charlotte in pearl color made, with the two +children, a pleasing group.</p> + +<p>In the lower hall they met Mrs. Paxton +with Floretta, the former wearing a gown +of purple satin, while Floretta wore a frock +of scarlet silk. Mrs. Fenton, passing, on +her way to the dining-room, looked sharply<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +at the two groups, and <i>did</i> she look amused +when her eyes rested upon Mrs. Paxton, +and her small daughter? Dorothy noticed +the look, and turned to her mamma.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dainty read the question in Dorothy's +eyes, and ever so slightly, shook +her head, and they passed into the dining-room.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The next morning, when the mail was +distributed, there was great excitement, because +every one had so many letters.</p> + +<p>"See mine!" cried Flossie Barnet. +"Everybody see mine! It looks like boy's +writing. See it!"</p> + +<p>"If some very young man wrote it, he +might not be delighted to have it so freely +exhibited, Flossie," said Uncle Harry, with +a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Oh, why should he care?" she asked in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +surprise. "Who do you s'pose wrote it? +Guess, Uncle Harry!"</p> + +<p>"Well, now let me think," said Uncle +Harry, covering his eyes with his hand, then +peeping through his fingers.</p> + +<p>"There's a small boy at home, who glories +in the name of Reginald Merton Deane. +Open the letter, dear, and if I guessed right, +you can give me a prize, and if I'm wrong, +I'll give you one."</p> + +<p>Flossie studied the address for a moment, +then she opened the letter, and laughed +with delight.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to give you the prize, but why +did he think to write to me?"</p> + +<p>Dear little Flossie had never seemed +aware that small Reginald preferred her to +any of his friends. Even when she was so +little that she could not pronounce his +name, and called him "Weginald," he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +thought her the dearest of all his playmates. +And this was his letter:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Flossie:</span></p> + +<p>"I miss you so much that I'm going to +write, and tell you all the news.</p> + +<p>"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!</p> + +<p>"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 <i>first</i>. Well, her aunt +has had to go way up to New Hampshur (I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +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.</p> + +<p>"She stays out doors most all the time, +and goes just where she pleases.</p> + +<p>"Some days she's way down by the stashun +until its almost dark.</p> + +<p>"You know she's always taking medesin, +and carries the bottles in her pockets.</p> + +<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +Nancy are. I don't believe it, but if she +does, and you see her, you needn't give my +love to her.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;">"Your tru friend,</span><br /> +"<span class="smcap">Reginald.</span>"<br /> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>A GIFT OF WILDFLOWERS</h3> + +<div class='cap'>OF course, Dorothy and Nancy were +greatly interested in the letter, and +Uncle Harry said that he was glad that +Reginald had thought to say that the fish-bone +had been removed from Carlo's throat.</div> + +<p>He said it would have seemed quite a trip +to take to leave the Cleverton, and go to +Merrivale to feel Carlo's pulse, and inquire +for his health.</p> + +<p>"Now that that bone is removed, I +breathe easier," said Uncle Harry, "and +so does Carlo!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you wouldn't have gone home just +to call on Carlo," said Flossie.</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know," he said, trying to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +look solemn, "I wouldn't like Carlo to feel +neglected, and now I think of it, does Reginald +speak of the cat?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Flossie, "but when I answer +the letter, I'll tell Reginald you're anxious +about her."</p> + +<p>"I am," said Uncle Harry, "because the +last time I saw her, Carlo was barking at +her very rudely, and her back was up in +a hump like a camel's. Reginald ought to +have told us if her back is <i>still</i> up, or +whether she has taken the kink out of her +spine. We might telephone and ask, instead +of worrying."</p> + +<p>He rose, and walked toward the hall, +whistling as he went, an old nursery song +that he used to sing to Flossie.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"The cat came fiddling out of the barn,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">With a pair of bagpipes under her arm."</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>How the children laughed!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Look!" said Flossie, "he's going +right toward the telephone, just to +make us think that he's <i>truly</i> going to +ring up Reginald, and inquire for the +cat."</p> + +<p>"Who is Arabella?" Floretta asked.</p> + +<p>"She lives near us," said Dorothy, "and +she used to go to Aunt Charlotte's private +school with us."</p> + +<p>"Doesn't she now?" asked Floretta.</p> + +<p>"No, she left our class, and went to a +large school in the city."</p> + +<p>"By what the letter says, I'd think she +was rather queer," said Floretta.</p> + +<p>"Well—" said Dorothy, hesitating, +"Arabella <i>is</i> queer."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you like to say so?" was +the sharp reply.</p> + +<p>"Because Dorothy never likes to say +anything that isn't kind about any one, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +Arabella <i>is</i> queer, so Dorothy won't say she +isn't," said Nancy.</p> + +<p>It was a few days later that Dorothy was +reminded of what Reginald had said in his +letter to Flossie.</p> + +<p>She was waiting for Nancy to go for a +walk, and stooping to pick some of the +pretty wildflowers that blossomed everywhere.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>She looked back toward the hotel, but +Nancy was not yet in sight, so she seated +herself upon the grass, and began to arrange +the flowers in a fine bouquet.</p> + +<p>She was trying to mix the white blossoms +and pink buds so as to show the beauty +of each, when a carriage passed, and before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +she looked up a shrill little voice +shouted:</p> + +<p>"Dorothy! Dorothy! We're over at the +farmhouse just beyond the Merlington. +Aunt Matilda wouldn't <i>let</i> pa take us to +a hotel. She doesn't approve of hotels. +Aunt Matilda says,—"</p> + +<p>She was looking back to shout at Dorothy, +and doubtless would have given even +more particulars, but a firm hand had hastily +forced her to turn around, and sit +down.</p> + +<p>Nancy ran along the path a few moments +later, and her eyes were dancing.</p> + +<p>"Did you see Arabella?" she asked. +"<i>Did</i> you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, just a few moments ago, and she +turned around in the carriage and screamed +to me," said Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"I can guess what she said," laughed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +Nancy, "because she screamed at me. She +told me she was staying at a farmhouse, +and said that her Aunt Matilda didn't approve +of hotels."</p> + +<p>"That is <i>just</i> what she said," said +Dorothy, "and she would have said +more but some one, I think it was her +Aunt Matilda, pulled her back into the +carriage."</p> + +<p>"Why, that's just the way it was when +I saw her. I ran out on to the piazza, and +down the steps, and the carriage rolled by, +and she twisted round to shout. There was +this difference, though," said Nancy. "You +were out here alone, and no one would know +if you laughed, but when I ran out, our +piazza was full of people, and when Arabella +shouted, you'd ought to have seen +them look.</p> + +<p>"Flossie and her Uncle Harry were on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +the lawn, and as she rode past, he said with +a sigh:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"'Arabella, Arabella,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">If I had my new umbrella,'</span><br /> +</div> + +<div class='unindent'>and I was wild to know the rest of it, but +his wife, who was standing near him, +said:</div> + +<p>"'Hush, Harry, really you mustn't,' and +he only laughed, and said:</p> + +<p>"'Oh, <i>mustn't</i> I? Why, when I saw +Arabella and her Aunt Matilda, I really felt +as if I <i>must!</i>'"</p> + +<p>"Let's ask him what the rest of the verse +is," said Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"I'm wild to hear it," Nancy said, "because +the very way he looked made me +think that the other lines, whatever they +were, would be funny."</p> + +<p>She stooped to gather more of the little +blossoms to add to Dorothy's bouquet, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +then commenced to make a bouquet of her +own.</p> + +<p>"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 you think it is?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Dorothy, "but I +<i>do</i> wish it. I wouldn't, only she is so +hard to please. Mamma wishes us to be +nice to every one, but, Nancy, you <i>do</i> +know that when we try the hardest to +please Arabella, we don't please her at +all."</p> + +<p>"I know it," agreed Nancy, "but perhaps +she'll come some time when we are +out, and then we won't have to amuse +her."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I ought not to say it, but I +<i>do</i> wish it would happen that way," said +Dorothy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> + +<p>They had reached the birches, and they +paused to wake the echo. What fun it was +to hear their shouts repeated.</p> + +<p>Again and again they called, and then a +droll thing happened. They had called this +name and that, and each time the echo, +like a voice from the mountain, had repeated +it with wonderful distinctness. +Then Dorothy, leaning forward, called, +loudly:</p> + +<p>"Dorothy!"</p> + +<p>"<i>What?</i>" came the reply.</p> + +<p>She turned, and looked at Nancy. "Dorothy!" +she cried, again.</p> + +<p>"<i>Dainty!</i>" was the answer, and upon +looking toward a little path that was nearly +opposite where they were standing, they +saw the low bushes move, and faintly they +heard a smothered laugh.</p> + +<p>Dorothy was laughing now.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Boys!" she cried, and back came the +laughing echo:</p> + +<p>"<i>Girls!</i>" and then the boys peeped out +a bit too far, and Dorothy saw who had +been playing echo.</p> + +<p>It was Jack Tiverton and a boy whom he +had chosen for a "chum." Jack had not +intended so soon to be discovered, and he +and his friend disappeared in a little grove, +while Dorothy and Nancy continued their +walk.</p> + +<p>There were sunny paths and bits of woodland +that were so near the hotel as to be +absolutely safe, where all the summer +guests, especially the children, loved to +roam at will. Along one of these little +paths were sweet little yellow blossoms, +and these they gathered to brighten their +bouquets.</p> + +<p>"Let's have some of these little vines to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +hang from our bouquets," said Dorothy, +and the graceful vines proved to be an +added beauty.</p> + +<p>When they returned to the Cleverton +there were but few people upon the piazza.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte sat talking +with Mrs. Vinton, and farther along, +Mrs. Fenton sat with an open book upon her +lap, although she was not reading.</p> + +<p>She often had a book or magazine, but +rarely did she read them.</p> + +<p>She would sit looking off at the distant +mountain-range, the white clouds, or the +sunny valley over which those clouds cast +floating shadows.</p> + +<p>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 watch some one; and was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +Floretta right? Mrs. Fenton's actions certainly +seemed strange day after day. She +talked little, took slight interest in what +was going on about her, and was a mystery +to all the other guests.</p> + +<p>But what, or whom could she be watching?</p> + +<p>Dorothy and Nancy, returning from their +walk, saw the group, and also noticed Mrs. +Fenton, who always chose to sit apart from +the others.</p> + +<p>"I'll give my flowers to mamma and Mrs. +Vinton," said Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"And I'll give mine to Aunt Charlotte +and to Mrs. Fenton,—if she wants them," +said Nancy, hesitating because it was so +hard to guess what might, or might not, +please Mrs. Fenton.</p> + +<p>Dorothy ran to show her blossoms to her +mamma and to Mrs. Vinton, while Nancy,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +pausing beside Mrs. Fenton's chair, held +forth her pretty bouquet, as she said:</p> + +<p>"We've just gathered them. Aren't they +pretty?"</p> + +<p>"Lovely, very lovely," said Mrs. Fenton, +with more interest than usual. "I remember +picking just such flowers; even the long +vines I know are like those I used to see +when I was a little girl."</p> + +<p>"Would you enjoy some of these? I'd +so like to give them to you," Nancy said, +and she was surprised at the quick reply.</p> + +<p>"I would really prize them, Nancy, and +you're a sweet child to give them to me," +she said.</p> + +<p>Quickly Nancy divided the bouquet, and +smiled as she laid the pretty things in Mrs. +Fenton's lap.</p> + +<p>"I cannot let them wilt, so I will take +them at once to my room," said Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +Fenton, and Nancy saw her bend to catch +their perfume, as she turned toward the +hall.</p> + +<p>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 was given color by the pretty wildflowers +that Nancy had given her. They +were the first flowers that she had worn +since her arrival.</p> + +<p>Nancy smiled with pleasure, and Mrs. +Fenton, looking across the table, returned +the smile.</p> + +<p>Had the gift of simple wildflowers cheered +her?</p> + +<p>Thus far she had worn only black, but to-night +a dull gold slip shimmered through +the black lace; and were her eyes brighter?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> + +<p>Nancy thought so, and without knowing +why, was glad.</p> + +<p>There was a musicale in the evening, and +Mrs. Fenton joined Mrs. Dainty and Aunt +Charlotte, and seemed to enjoy the conversation, +between the numbers of the program.</p> + +<p>Once, while she was talking, she laid her +hand lightly upon Nancy's shoulder, and +Nancy looked up to smile. Aunt Charlotte +saw that the lady was more cheerful, and +also noticed that she wore Nancy's flowers. +The evening passed pleasantly, and Nancy's +drowsy words, just before she went to sleep, +were:</p> + +<p>"I do really think I cheered her."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>A few days later Mrs. Dainty invited Mrs. +Fenton to be her guest during a drive over +a lovely road that neither of them had yet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +seen. It was said to be one of the most picturesque +roads in that section of the country.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Fenton accepted, and with Aunt +Charlotte and Mrs. Vinton they formed a +pleasant party.</p> + +<p>Dorothy and Nancy were to drive in their +little phaeton, and they felt quite as important +as the four ladies in the barouche.</p> + +<p>True, Mrs. Dainty owned a handsome +span of bays, but was not the pony, Romeo, +a beauty?</p> + +<p>The road was some distance from the +Cleverton, and there were some charming +places to be seen on the way, so it happened +that the trip, which proved to be most enjoyable, +occupied the afternoon.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Paxton had a number of letters to +write, and Floretta, feeling very lonely, and +wishing that she had some one to play with,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +climbed into a hammock, and wondered +what she might do to amuse herself.</p> + +<p>"Every one but me has gone somewhere, +and I wish <i>I</i> had," she said, as she +gave a smart kick that sent the hammock +higher.</p> + +<p>"What's the fun of swinging alone?" she +grumbled, but there was no one on the piazza +to answer her, and she let the hammock +sway lazily while she looked down the sunny +road, and thought how strange it was that +the place seemed so still.</p> + +<p>Not a leaf stirred, and Floretta's disgust +increased.</p> + +<p>"Nothing in sight, not even an old hen," +she said, when, way down where the road +looked so narrow and distant, a little figure +appeared, coming directly toward the Cleverton. +She watched the approaching figure, +and wondered who it might be.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'Tisn't any one I know," she thought, +"and <i>doesn't</i> she look queer?"</p> + +<p>Any one who had ever known Arabella +Corryville would also have known that she +always looked decidedly odd and strange, +and it was Arabella who was marching +steadily along the road.</p> + +<p>So determined was her tread that one +might have thought that there was a band +behind her playing martial music to which +she was obliged to keep step.</p> + +<p>"Well, whoever she is, she's carrying an +umbrella, this pleasant day," murmured +Floretta; then as she came near, she +added:</p> + +<p>"And wearing rubbers and a raincoat, +as true as I live!"</p> + +<p>Arabella was more bundled and wrapped +than at first appeared, for, as she came up +the gravel walk, Floretta saw that a long<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +veil was closely tied over her hat, and wound +about her throat.</p> + +<p>From her appearance one might have +thought that she expected freezing weather +before night.</p> + +<p>She walked up on to the piazza, and then +stood, for a moment, looking about, as if in +search of some one.</p> + +<p>It was not politeness that prompted Floretta +to speak. It was simply curiosity. She +was wild to know who the strange-looking +child was, and whom she wished to see.</p> + +<p>"Are you looking for some one?" she +asked, at the same time slipping from the +hammock, and going so close to Arabella +that she could peep into the queer little face.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>ARABELLA MAKES A CALL</h3> + +<div class='cap'>ARABELLA peered at Floretta through +her spectacles, and was tempted not +to reply, but after a moment's pause she +changed her mind.</div> + +<p>"I came to see Dorothy Dainty, and +Nancy Ferris," she said.</p> + +<p>"They're out driving," said Floretta.</p> + +<p>"How do you know?" Arabella asked, +rudely.</p> + +<p>"Because I heard them say they were +going, and because I saw them go," was the +quick reply.</p> + +<p>"It's a long way over here, and now I've +got to take the same walk back," said Arabella.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They're going to be out all the afternoon," +said Floretta, "but why don't you +sit down, and rest a while before you go +back?"</p> + +<p>It sounded kind, and Arabella at once +seated herself, while Floretta sat near +her.</p> + +<p>She thought it would be great fun to question +this odd child, and there was no one +near to check her.</p> + +<p>"Aren't you nearly roasted in that raincoat?" +she asked.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm not chilly," said Arabella, +fixing her sharp eyes upon the other little +girl.</p> + +<p>"Did you think it was going to rain?" +was the next question. "You've rubbers, +and umbrella."</p> + +<p>Floretta barely managed to hide the fact +that she wanted to laugh. Her question<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +seemed so absurd with the blue sky overhead, +and the sunshine everywhere.</p> + +<p>"I didn't want to wear them," said Arabella, +"and I told Aunt Matilda it was too +pleasant to rain, but she said you never could +tell, and she said, too, that I could wear +them, or stay at home, so what could I +do?"</p> + +<p>"<i>I'd</i> have stayed at home," said Floretta, +bluntly. "I wouldn't wear raincoat and +rubbers, and lug an umbrella for any Aunt +Matilda or Aunt Jemima!"</p> + +<p>"Who is Aunt Jemima?" Arabella asked, +stupidly.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Floretta, sharply, +"but then, I don't know your Aunt Matilda."</p> + +<p>She longed to say that she did not want +to, but for once she did not quite dare to say +what she thought.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then there was an awkward pause. Floretta +could not think what to say next, while +Arabella did not try.</p> + +<p>Silence never made her uneasy. She +could stare at any one who sat opposite her, +for a half-hour, without so much as winking, +and it rather amused her if the other person +became nervous, and wriggled uneasily beneath +her persistent stare. At last Floretta +spoke.</p> + +<p>"You might take some of those things +off," she said; "you won't need them while +you stay."</p> + +<p>"Aunt Matilda told me not to," said Arabella, +"and if I <i>did</i>, it would be just my +luck to have her come right by here, and +see me with them off. My! <i>Wouldn't</i> she +be angry?"</p> + +<p>Arabella's eyes dilated as she asked the +question.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Does your Aunt Matilda poke 'round +after you like that?" asked Floretta.</p> + +<p>"She doesn't ever <i>seem</i> to follow me, but +all the same, she's always catching me doing +something."</p> + +<p>"Then you <i>do</i> risk doing what she tells +you not to," said Floretta, with a saucy +laugh.</p> + +<p>"Look here!" cried Arabella, "I don't +know you, but I'm going to tell you something. +I can't do one single thing I want +to, neither can my papa or mamma. Aunt +Matilda is little, and my papa is big. He +says he was centre-rush on the college football +team, but when Aunt Matilda tells him +what to do, he says, 'Yes'm,' and does it. +One of our neighbors at home says Aunt +Matilda holds the purse-strings, but I don't +know what that means. Her purse hasn't +any strings on it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, if it <i>had</i>, I'd cut 'em off," +said Floretta, "so she <i>couldn't</i> hold +'em."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't if she lived at <i>your</i> +house," said Arabella.</p> + +<p>Floretta, in spite of her boldness, was +more than half convinced.</p> + +<p>"Well,—perhaps I wouldn't," she said. +"Why, what are you taking?"</p> + +<p>"Pills," said Arabella, counting out +six very pink pills from a little bottle, +and taking them, then making a horrid +face.</p> + +<p>"You don't look sick," said Floretta, +"but you're taking medicine."</p> + +<p>"Aunt Matilda says these are for my +color," was the answer.</p> + +<p>"You haven't any; you're pale as a +sheet," said Floretta.</p> + +<p>"That's why I take them," said Arabella,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +"and look! I've got some green ones +I take," and six green pills followed the +pink ones.</p> + +<p>"Why, what are those for?" gasped +Floretta. "Ought you to take two kinds +at the same time?"</p> + +<p>Arabella, determined to startle her new +acquaintance, took a third bottle from her +pocket, and swallowed three very large +white pills.</p> + +<p>She was delighted with the effect that she +had produced.</p> + +<p>Floretta sprang to her feet, and tried to +snatch the bottle, but Arabella had put it +in her pocket, and was holding the pocket +together.</p> + +<p>She narrowed her shrewd little eyes, and +smiled broadly.</p> + +<p>"Guess you couldn't take all that, and +not feel queer!" she said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I wouldn't wonder if you felt funny. +<i>Do</i> you?" asked Floretta.</p> + +<p>"Not <i>yet</i>," said Arabella.</p> + +<p>Floretta was getting tired of her +caller. She hoped that she hadn't any +more kinds of medicine that she could +take.</p> + +<p>She wished that Dorothy would return +and amuse Arabella.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>She had a nervous feeling that if she +turned to leave her, Arabella might snatch +at her, and draw her back. She certainly +did look odd.</p> + +<p>There was something catlike in the way +in which she kept her eyes riveted upon +Floretta.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> + +<p>She looked as if, at any moment, she +might spring at her!</p> + +<p>She was not thinking of doing anything +of the sort, however.</p> + +<p>The truth was that she <i>did</i> feel just a bit +queer.</p> + +<p>Was it the three kinds of pills? +She could not tell, but she began to feel +as if she would be glad if she were at +home.</p> + +<p>"I guess I'll go now," she said. "I +think it must be time."</p> + +<p>"What time did your Aunt Matilda +tell you to come home?" Floretta +asked.</p> + +<p>"She said I could stay to dinner if Dorothy +asked me, but she doesn't come home, +so I guess I won't wait."</p> + +<p>"Go to dinner at the Cleverton in that +plaid gingham!" thought Floretta, for she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +had seen the plain little frock beneath the +raincoat.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 395px;"> +<img src="images/i007.jpg" width="395" height="500" alt="She offered two cards to Floretta.—Page 210." title="" /> +<span class="caption">She offered two cards to Floretta.—<i><a href="#Page_210">Page 210.</a></i></span> +</div> + +<p>Arabella grasped her big umbrella firmly, +and turned, as she went down the steps, to +say:</p> + +<p>"You may tell Dorothy Dainty that +<i>Miss</i> Corryville called."</p> + +<p>Floretta giggled.</p> + +<p>"And you might tell your Aunt Matilda +that you talked with <i>Miss</i> Paxton," she +said.</p> + +<p>"I will," said Arabella, without a sign +of a smile.</p> + +<p>"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, without looking at them, offered +two cards to Floretta, saying:</p> + +<p>"There they are."</p> + +<p>Then, without looking back, she marched<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +resolutely down the road. She did not +thank Floretta for talking with her while +she rested, nor did she say "good-by."</p> + +<p>For some moments Floretta stood watching +the odd little figure as it tramped down +the road, the umbrella, like a huge walking +stick, thumping the gravel at every step. +She thought Arabella would turn around, +but she did not.</p> + +<p>One might have thought that she had +already forgotten the child with whom she +had been talking. When, at last, she +disappeared behind a clump of trees +that hid the curve of the road, Floretta +looked at the two cards in her hand, +stared at them in amazement, and then +laughed, laughed until her eyes were full +of tears.</p> + +<p>Who could have helped laughing? One +card bore these lines:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> + +<div class='center'> +<span class="smcap">James Horton Worth,<br /> +Painless Dentistry,<br /> +10 Trevor Street, Merrivale.</span><br /> +</div> + +<div class='unindent'>While the other, equally interesting, bore +this statement:</div> + +<div class='center'> +<span class="smcap">Alton Justus Meer,<br /> +Jeweller,<br /> +90 Rupert Road, Merrivale.</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>"How perfectly funny," cried Floretta. +"I'll run up and show them to mamma, and +then I'll wait here to give them to Dorothy +and Nancy when they come. I wonder if +they'll have any choice?"</p> + +<p>Dorothy and Nancy felt, as did the older +members of the party, that the ride had +been the most delightful of any that they +had enjoyed since their arrival.</p> + +<p>The horses were tossing their manes, and +Romeo, as if in imitation, tossed his so that +it showed all its silken beauty.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> + +<p>"See him!" cried Dorothy. "He thinks +he's as fine as any horse."</p> + +<p>"Well, he is as dear as they," said +Nancy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," said Dorothy, "and dearer."</p> + +<p>And when the horses and the pony had +been led around to the stable, and the +older members of the party had reached +the piazza, Dorothy and Nancy, who had +paused for a moment to talk, ran up the +steps, intending to sit together in a large +rocker.</p> + +<p>Before they reached the chair, Floretta +flew toward them.</p> + +<p>"You had a funny caller while you were +out driving," she said, with a giggle, "and +she was so very fashionable that she left +these cards. She told me to tell you that +<i>Miss</i> Corryville had called."</p> + +<p>"It was Arabella," said Nancy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Did she truly say '<i>Miss?</i>'" Dorothy +asked.</p> + +<p>"Well, didn't I <i>say</i> so?" Floretta asked +rudely; "and I told her to tell her Aunt +Matilda that she talked with <i>Miss</i> Paxton, +and she said she would. She waited a long +time for you to come home, because she said +she meant to stay to dinner with you. Say! +She had on a calico dress! Wouldn't she +have looked gay?"</p> + +<p>"It isn't very kind to laugh at any one's +clothes," said Dorothy, "and it's not very +nice to laugh at other people's friends."</p> + +<p>"Pooh!" cried Floretta, "I shall laugh +at whoever I please," and she turned and +ran up to her room.</p> + +<p>But she had laughed once too often! +During the ride, Mrs. Fenton had spoken +of Floretta's rude ways, and of the day +when, upon following Nancy to the dining-room,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +she had caught the provoking child +in the act of mimicking her.</p> + +<p>"Your little Nancy was grieved and distressed +because she knew that I saw it. +What a difference there is in children! The +Paxton child is disgusting, while Nancy, +who, I have heard, was a little waif, is as +gentle as Dorothy, who was born the little +daughter of a fine, old family."</p> + +<p>Aunt Charlotte and Mrs. Dainty had told +Mrs. Fenton something of Nancy's life, and +noticed how deeply interested she seemed +to be.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Paxton had realized that ever since +the day that Floretta had told of being +caught mimicking Mrs. Fenton for the +amusement of the waitresses and maids, +Mrs. Fenton had shunned them. She had +made desperate efforts to win Mrs. Fenton's +friendship, but never very successfully, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +she found that her little daughter's silly +act had rendered any intimacy quite impossible.</p> + +<p>A few days after the ride, Mrs. Fenton +did not appear at lunch, or at dinner, and +when Mrs. Paxton, with elaborate interest, +inquired for her, she learned that the lady +had left very early that morning, before any +guests were on the piazza to see her depart.</p> + +<p>It certainly did seem odd that she should +have left, without a word to those whom +she had known, but Mrs. Dainty, with her +customary good taste, made no comment, +and Aunt Charlotte Grayson was equally +silent.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Paxton did just as one might have +expected. She expressed, in a very loud +voice, her disgust at being thus pointedly +slighted, for so she chose to feel.</p> + +<p>"After all my friendliness, I can't see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +how she could leave the Cleverton without +so much as a word to me. Why, I felt almost +like a relative, as my name was Fenton +before I married!"</p> + +<p>"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 politely turned her back.</p> + +<p>Two letters arrived at the Cleverton that +afternoon, and it would be difficult to say +which caused the greater surprise.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Paxton told the contents of hers to +all who would listen, and there were enough +who were curious, to make a good audience.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">To Mrs. Clara Fenton Paxton</span>:" it +began, refraining from any endearing +terms.</p> + +<p>"I knew, before I met you, that you and +your small daughter were related to my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +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 deal +fairly with all my kin (I have but three +such), I came to the Cleverton to see you +and your little daughter, intending, if she +proved sweet-tempered and attractive, to +will my property to her. She is the only +one of the three relatives who bears my +husband's name.</p> + +<p>"I do not wish to be harsh, but I am +forced to admit that I find her to be bold, +naturally unkind, and wholly lacking in the +grace and courtesy which most children +possess, either by training or inheritance.</p> + +<p>"I, therefore, have made my will in favor +of Nancy Ferris, once a little waif, now a +sweet, gentle, and attractive child, whose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +little acts of courtesy and kindness are fully +appreciated by</p> + +<div class='sig'> +<span style="margin-right: 8em;">"Her friend,</span><br /> +"<span class="smcap">Cecilia Cullen Fenton.</span>"<br /> +</div> + +<p>"A most singular woman, to leave her +property to a waif, a child of the theatre, +and not bequeath so much as a penny to +my Floretta, whom <i>any</i> one could see is an +aristocrat," said Mrs. Paxton.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Fenton, or anybody else, would +need some rather strong glasses to see +<i>that!</i>" muttered Mr. Cunningham.</p> + +<p>He was a testy old fellow, and he, like +other guests of the hotel, had become exceedingly +tired of Mrs. Paxton and her unlovely +child.</p> + +<p>The other letter gave surprise and delight +to the two who had shared in the care and +training of little Nancy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">To Mrs. Rudolph Dainty, and to +Mrs. Charlotte Grayson</span>,</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear friends</span>:—" was its greeting, +and then followed the story of the writer's +visit to the Cleverton, and the statement +that her few relatives were too distant to +have any valid claim to her estate.</p> + +<p>"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 say that Dorothy Dainty +and Nancy Ferris, are the two dearest children +that it has been my pleasure to know.</p> + +<p>"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 child who, under your loving care, +had blossomed like a lovely flower.</p> + +<p>"Dorothy has her parents, and will inherit +a fortune. Nancy has no parents, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +I know, will be kindly cared for by you, but +that fact will not deter me from making a +bequest that gives me greatest pleasure.</p> + +<p>"I shall leave all of my estate to Nancy +Ferris, and I remind her, in some little +verses that I enclose, how deeply I have +appreciated her many little kindnesses.</p> + + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">To Nancy</span></div> + +<div class='poem'> +"Dear little girl, I know that you will daily<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Do loving acts of kindness, and of cheer,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Thus urging life to sing its song more gaily</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And making friendship lasting and more dear.</span><br /> +<br /> +"I felt your charm, dear child, I saw how sweetly<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">You gave your kindness, with no thought of gain.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I give you a reward, and how completely</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I joy in giving, words cannot explain."</span><br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>A SERENADE</h3> + +<div class='cap'>JACK TIVERTON stood in the lower hall +one morning, and appeared as if waiting +for some one. In his hand was a short +switch that he had cut from a shrub that +grew beside the driveway. Often he looked +up the staircase, and then, as no one appeared, +he would continue to strike at the +flies that flew past the doorway.</div> + +<p>At last he heard merry voices upon the +landing, and then Dorothy and Nancy came +hurrying down the stairs.</p> + +<p>"Good morning!" they called, but Jack, +in his eagerness to ask questions, forgot to +return their greeting.</p> + +<p>"Say!" he cried, "do you know that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +Mrs. Paxton and Floretta left this morning +before breakfast?"</p> + +<p>No, the little girls did not know that.</p> + +<p>"Well, they have. I saw them go, and +I'm glad. Floretta was fun to play with, +but she wasn't fair. She'd get me to do +things, and then if we got caught, she'd always +say I planned it," said Jack.</p> + +<p>Dorothy tried to think of something kind +to say of Floretta, but she knew that what +Jack said was true. Floretta truly was not +in the habit of playing "fair."</p> + +<p>"Her mamma said something queer just +as she was going off. She was talking to a +lady, I don't know what her name is, and +Mrs. Paxton said:</p> + +<p>"'Well, Dorothy Dainty has always +seemed to be fond of Nancy, but now that +Nancy is to have a <i>fortune</i>, shell love her +a deal more than she ever did before.'"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> + +<p>And now Dorothy spoke, her blue eyes +flashing, and her cheeks flushed.</p> + +<p>"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! Nothing could make +any difference. I love her all I can. +Nancy knows that. Every one knows +that."</p> + +<p>How keenly she felt Mrs. Paxton's silly +speech!</p> + +<p>She was indignant that any one should +think her love for Nancy so little worth +while that fortune could make it stronger.</p> + +<p>How could she love Nancy more than she +had always loved her?</p> + +<p>Nancy threw her arms about her, and +drew her closer.</p> + +<p>"Don't you mind, Dorothy," she said, +"<i>I</i> know how truly you love me. Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +Paxton didn't know, because I guess she +couldn't understand it. <i>She</i> couldn't love +the way you do."</p> + +<p>Dorothy smiled through the tears that +had filled her eyes.</p> + +<p>"There's no one dearer than you, +Nancy," she said.</p> + +<p>Jack swung his switch at a dragon-fly +that flew past the doorway.</p> + +<p>"Did you see that darning-needle?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"Well," he continued, without waiting +for an answer, "I was down the road a few +days ago, trying to catch some of those big +steel-colored ones in my fly-net. I hadn't +seen any one after I left this piazza, but +just 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 in sight. I was just going to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +swing my net again, when some one giggled, +and then I saw a little skinny girl looking +at me from between some bushes."</p> + +<p>"What was she doing?" Dorothy asked.</p> + +<p>"You couldn't guess if you tried for a +month!" said Jack.</p> + +<p>"She was sitting on a big stone, beside +a big puddle that was left there after the +shower. She said she was playing she was +a frog, and when she stared at me through +her glasses, and smiled, no, <i>grinned</i> at me, +I couldn't help thinking she looked like one. +Say, she had on a green cloak, a regular +frog-color."</p> + +<p>"It must have been <i>Arabella!</i>" said +Nancy.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what her name was. I +didn't ask her, but while I watched her +she hopped off the stone into the puddle +with both feet, and cried, 'po-dunk!' just<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +like an old bullfrog. My! Weren't her +shoes wet!"</p> + +<p>"I wonder what her Aunt Matilda said +when she went home with wet feet," said +Dorothy.</p> + +<p>Without noticing what she said, Jack continued.</p> + +<p>"I never saw such a queer girl!" he said, +in disgust, "for when I told her dragonflies +would never bite, she said: 'They will. +They'll sew your eyes, and nose, and mouth +up. Po-dunk!' and she hopped back on to +the stone, and grinned at me just as she did +at first. Say! She made me feel queer to +look at her, and I turned and ran away. I +wasn't afraid of her, of course, but she <i>did</i> +make me feel queer!"</p> + +<p>"She'd make any one feel queer," said +Nancy as they turned toward the dining-room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> + +<p>Jack wished that they might have stayed +longer in the hall. He had intended to ask +them if they knew Arabella, and if she was +always doing queer things, but Mrs. Dainty +and Aunt Charlotte joined them, and they +went in for breakfast.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Tiverton, coming in from an early +walk, took Jack with her to the other side +of the dining-room. He looked across at +them, and wondered what they could have +told of Arabella if they had had a chance. +He decided to question them, whispering +softly to himself:</p> + +<p>"I'll <i>make</i> them tell me all they know +about that funny girl."</p> + +<p>For several days he tried to catch Dorothy +or Nancy at a time when he could question +them.</p> + +<p>He chased Dorothy up the long stairway +one morning, only to see her disappear into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +her room. He had not told her that he had +wished to talk with her, and she, believing +that he was only chasing her for fun, ran +from him, laughing as she went.</p> + +<p>He found Nancy, a few minutes later, +and coaxed her to wait on the landing.</p> + +<p>"Now, Nancy," he said, "you've got to +tell me something about that queer girl +that you and Dorothy know."</p> + +<p>"If you mean Arabella," said Nancy, +"I don't see what I could tell you, only +that she <i>is</i> queer, and you know that +now."</p> + +<p>"You'll better believe I know it!" cried +Jack, "for I met her again yesterday, and +guess what she was doing!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I couldn't," said Nancy. "No one +ever could guess what Arabella Corryville +would do."</p> + +<p>"Well, she looked like a witch, and acted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +like one, too," Jack replied. "It was yesterday +that I saw her. I was going across +the field, and had nearly reached the wall, +when I looked up, and saw her sitting on +the top bar of the—the—oh, the place +where they take down the bars to let the +cattle through."</p> + +<p>"I know where you mean," said Nancy, +"but why was it strange that she was sitting +there?"</p> + +<p>"It was what she was doing that was +funny," Jack replied, "and because you +couldn't guess, I'll tell you.</p> + +<p>"She didn't look toward me, though I'm +sure she must have heard me coming, for +I was just tramping along, and whistling +all the way. She was looking up at the +clouds, and counting, 'one—two—three—' +very slowly, and when I was close behind +her, she said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'Hush—sh—sh! I'm charming the +crows!'</p> + +<p>"'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.</p> + +<p>"'Hush—sh!' she said again. 'There +comes one of them now!' and sure enough +a big, black crow did come flying right +down, and perched on the limb of an old +tree near her."</p> + +<p>"Why, Jack Tiverton," cried Nancy, +"you don't believe Arabella really <i>made</i> +him come down, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Of course not," cried Jack, "but she +wanted me to think so. Say! She said she +was saying a charm, and when I asked her +what it was, she wouldn't tell me. She said +it would spoil the charm to tell it. She +looked funny sitting up there on the top +rail, and staring at the crows till her eyes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +watered. She didn't look like a 'charmer.' +She looked ever so much more like a scarecrow!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jack, it's horrid to say that!" +cried Nancy, at the same time trying not to +let him see how near she was to laughing.</p> + +<p>"Well, she <i>did!</i>" Jack insisted, "and +you're almost laughing now, Nancy Ferris, +and you'd have screamed if you'd seen +her roosting there, and calling herself a +charmer! Why, that old crow just flopped +down there for fun, and when he saw the +queer-looking girl, he cawed as if it made +him mad, and I didn't blame him. Say! +She had a shoe on one foot, and a slipper +on the other. Her apron was put on back-side-to, +and she had a hen's feather in each +hand, and she waved them up and down +while she mumbled some kind of a verse.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +She said her clothes were put on that way +to help the charm. Isn't she a <i>ninny?</i>"</p> + +<p>Just at that moment, before Nancy could +reply, Mrs. Tiverton called Jack, and Nancy +ran to tell the story of Arabella's latest +freak to Dorothy.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>One afternoon, a number of little girls +were sitting on the piazza at the Cleverton, +and their merry voices attracted Jack Tiverton, +who glanced up from the book that +he was reading, and then, because he +was curious to know what so interested +them, crossed the piazza, and joined the +group.</p> + +<p>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 the hotel, sat upon the railing, or +in the large rockers that stood near.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> + +<p>Jack joined the row perched upon the +railing.</p> + +<p>"Tell a fellow what you are all talking +about, will you? Will you, <i>please</i>, I +mean?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Dorothy Dainty has been reading us a +lovely story," said a little girl, whose merry +eyes showed that she had enjoyed it.</p> + +<p>"What's it about?" Jack asked, and +then, "Oh, <i>fairy</i> tales!" he said.</p> + +<p>"Don't you like fairy tales?" Flossie +questioned, looking up at him.</p> + +<p>No one liked to differ with dear little +Flossie, least of all, Jack Tiverton.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I like them <i>some</i>," he said, awkwardly, +"but,—are there any stories about +bandits or pirates in that book?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," they cried, in a laughing +chorus, "and there aren't any wild Indians +in it, either."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't care much about Indian stories," +Jack replied, "but I do like to read +about pirates."</p> + +<p>"But just hear what this one was +about," said Nancy.</p> + +<p>"The wandering prince had, for years, +been searching for a lovely princess, who +should look like a beautiful picture that +hung in his father's palace. One day he +came to a castle where the people told him +a handsome princess was imprisoned, and +he asked why she was kept there. They +told him that she was enchanted, and that +some day, a wandering prince would sing +beneath her window, and then the +spell would be broken, and she would be +free."</p> + +<p>Jack was interested.</p> + +<p>"But s'posing he couldn't sing?" he +asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, a prince could surely sing!" said +Flossie.</p> + +<p>"And p'raps he could sing under her +window, if he couldn't anywhere else," +ventured a dreamy-eyed little girl who sat +near Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"And how would he know <i>what</i> to +sing?" a cheery voice questioned, and a +pair of merry eyes peered over the piazza +railing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Uncle Harry!" cried Flossie, +"what difference would it make?"</p> + +<p>"All the difference in the world," declared +Uncle Harry, "for while the proper +melody would set the princess free, how are +we to know that the wrong melody might +not chain her closer than before!"</p> + +<p>"Why, the story doesn't say that," said +Nancy.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not, but the prince took an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +<i>awful</i> risk when he chose what to sing," +declared Uncle Harry.</p> + +<p>"You're laughing when you say it," +said Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"He is," agreed Flossie, "and what he +says is funny, but I know this: I'd love to +hear some one singing under <i>my</i> window!"</p> + +<p>Some ladies, who sat near enough to hear +the conversation, were amused at the children's +enthusiasm, and at Uncle Harry's +evident interest.</p> + +<p>"The prince had his guitar slung over +his shoulder by a ribbon," said Dorothy. +"See the picture," and she slipped from +the hammock, and offered the book that he +might see the illustration.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad he carried his guitar instead +of a banjo," he said.</p> + +<p>"Why are you glad of that?" Flossie +asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, because I really <i>am</i>, in fact, I might +even say I am delighted," he replied.</p> + +<p>"I do believe he intends to serenade +those children," said a handsome woman, +to her friend who sat beside her; "he is a +brilliant man, and one who is blessed with +many talents, and one of his greatest +charms is his love of children. He will go +far out of his way to afford them a bit of +fun."</p> + +<p>That evening, when nearly every one had +left the piazza, and all of the children were +in their rooms, the soft twanging of guitar +strings floated up toward Flossie's window.</p> + +<p>She was not yet asleep, and she sat up in +bed, and listened.</p> + +<p>Yes, it was a guitar! Was it Uncle +Harry's?</p> + +<p>A little prelude softly played, drew her +toward the window.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p> + +<p>She crept closer, and peeped out. Yes, +there he was, looking right up toward her +window.</p> + +<p>Now his fine voice was softly singing, +and Flossie held her breath.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"Under thy window, my little lady,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Under thy window, Flossie dear,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Here where the moonbeams softly flicker,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sing I this song that you may hear.</span><br /> +<br /> +"Moonlight, and starlight weave enchantment,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Yet shall my song your freedom bring,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">You shall be happy little lady,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Give me your love for the song I sing."</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>"Oh, Uncle Harry, you have it <i>now!</i>" +cried Flossie. "I love you, when you're +singing, and <i>all</i> the time."</p> + +<p>"I know that, dear little girl, but I <i>must</i> +have my fun, so I came here to sing the song +I made for you," he said gently.</p> + +<p>"Well, you're <i>dear</i>," she cried, "and I'll +throw you a kiss," and she did, reaching<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +far out of the window that he might surely +see her.</p> + +<p>"I caught it!" he cried, and as he +turned toward the porch, she heard +him softly strumming the prelude +again.</p> + +<p>Others had heard the pretty song, for +Dorothy and Nancy had a room next to +Flossie's.</p> + +<p>The next morning he was coaxed and +teased to sing the song again, but he declared +that he could only sing it in the +moonlight, that the daylight would spoil its +effect.</p> + +<p>The sunny days sped on wings, and soon +the guests began to think of turning homeward.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dainty's party and the Barnets +were to leave the hotel at the same time, +and Dorothy, Nancy, and Flossie were delighted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +that they were to take the return +trip together.</p> + +<p>They were talking of the pleasures that +they were looking forward to, and telling of +some delightful events that were already +planned, when Jack Tiverton gave them a +genuine surprise.</p> + +<p>"Mamma has just told me something +fine," he said, "and I ran right down to tell +it to you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, tell it quick!" said Flossie.</p> + +<p>"We're going to live in Merrivale, +and we'll be there soon after we leave +here. I'm glad. Are you, <i>all</i> of you?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"Of course we're glad," said Dorothy +and Nancy; and Flossie hastened to +add:</p> + +<p>"Every one of us is glad."</p> + +<p>There were bright days, and many pleasures<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +in store for the little friends, and those +who would like also to enjoy them, and to +know what happened during the winter, +may read of all this in</p> + +<div class='center'> +"Dorothy Dainty's Holidays."<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE DOROTHY DAINTY SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By AMY BROOKS</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='center'>Large 12mo Cloth Illustrated by the Author<br /> + +Price, $1.00 each<br /></div> + + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" summary="Dorothy books"> +<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/i008.png" width="153" height="200" alt="Dorothy Dainty's Winter" title="" /> +</td><td align='left'><i>Dorothy Dainty</i><br /> +<i>Dorothy's Playmates</i><br /> +<i>Dorothy Dainty at School</i><br /> +<i>Dorothy Dainty at the Shore</i><br /> +<i>Dorothy Dainty in the City</i><br /> +<i>Dorothy Dainty at Home</i><br /> +<i>Dorothy Dainty's Gay Times</i><br /> +<i>Dorothy Dainty in the Country</i><br /> +<i>Dorothy Dainty's Winter</i><br /> +<i>Dorothy Dainty in the Mountains</i><br /> +<i>Dorothy Dainty's Holidays</i><br /> +<i>Dorothy Dainty's Vacation</i><br /></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Little Dorothy Dainty</span> 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."—<i>Boston Courier.</i></p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Dorothy Dainty</span>, 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."—<i>Pittsburg Christian Advocate.</i></p></div> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Dorothy Dainty books continued"> +<tr><td align='left'><p>"No finer little lady than <span class="smcap">Dorothy Dainty</span> +was ever placed in a book for children."—<i>Teachers' +Journal, Pittsburg.</i></p> +<p>"<span class="smcap">Miss Brooks</span> 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."—<i>Rochester +(N.Y.) Herald.</i></p> +</td><td align='left'><img src="images/i008b.png" width="153" height="200" alt="Dorothy Dainty's Holidays" title="" /> +</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='center'> +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><i>THE PRUE BOOKS</i></h2> + +<h3>By AMY BROOKS</h3> + +<div class='center'>Illustrated by the Author 12mo Cloth Price, $1.00 each</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Prue cover and description"> +<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/i009a.png" width="156" height="200" alt="Little Sister Prue" title="" /> +</td><td align='left'><div class='cap'>CUNNING little Prue, one of the most +winsome little girls ever "put in a +book," has already been met in another +series where she gave no small part of +the interest. She well deserved books +of her own for little girls of her age, +and they are now ready with everything +in the way of large, clear type, and +Miss Brooks's best pictures and her +pleasing cover designs to make them +attractive.</div></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Prue Books"> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Little Sister Prue</i></td><td align='left'><i>Prue's Merry Times</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Prue at School</i></span></td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Prue's Little Friends</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>Prue's Playmates</i></span></td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>Prue's Jolly Winter</i></span></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + +<div class="figright" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/i009b.png" width="150" height="200" alt="Prue's Little Friends" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Miss Brooks always brings out the best +ways of acting and living and provides a good +deal of humor in her original country characters.—<i>Watchman, +Boston.</i></p> + +<p>"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."—<i>Kennebec Journal</i>, <i>Augusta, Me.</i></p> + +<p>"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."—<i>Kindergarten Magazine.</i></p></div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='center'> +<i>For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt<br /> +of price by the publishers</i><br /> +<br /> +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><i>THE RANDY BOOKS</i></h2> + +<h3><i>By AMY BROOKS</i></h3> + +<div class='center'> +12mo <span class="smcap">Cloth Artistic Cover Design in Gold and Colors<br /> +Illustrated by the Author Price $1.00 Each</span><br /> +</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 142px;"> +<img src="images/i010a.png" width="142" height="200" alt="Randy's Good Times" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>The progress of the "Randy Books" +has been one continual triumph over the +hearts of girls of all ages, for dear little +fun-loving sister Prue is almost as much +a central figure as Randy, growing toward +womanhood with each book. The +sterling good sense and simple naturalness +of Randy, and the total absence of +slang and viciousness, make these books +in the highest degree commendable, +while abundant life is supplied by the +doings of merry friends, and there is rich +humor in the droll rural characters.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Randy books"> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Randy's Summer</i></td><td align='left'><i>Randy's Good Times</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Randy's Winter</i></span></td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Randy's Luck</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>Randy and Her Friends</i></span></td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>Randy's Loyalty</i></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 6em;"><i>Randy and Prue</i></span></td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 6em;"><i>Randy's Prince</i></span></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + + +<div class="figright" style="width: 141px;"> +<img src="images/i010b.png" width="141" height="200" alt="Randy's Luck" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Randy Books are among the very +choicest books for young people to make +a beginning with."</p> +<div class='sig'> +—<i>Boston Courier.</i><br /> +</div> + +<p>"The Randy Books of Amy Brooks +have had a deserved popularity among +young girls. They are wholesome and +moral without being goody-goody."</p> + +<div class='sig'> +—<i>Chicago Post.</i><br /> +</div></div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='center'> +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='unindent'><span class="u"><big><b>Only Dollie</b></big></span></div> + +<div class='center'>By <span class="smcap">Nina Rhoades</span> Illustrated by Bertha Davidson +Square 12mo Cloth $1.00</div> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Only Dollie"> +<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/i011a.png" width="149" height="200" alt="Only Dollie" title="" /> +</td><td align='left'><div class='cap'>THIS is a brightly written story of a girl of +twelve, who, when the mystery of her birth +is solved, like Cinderella, passes from drudgery to +better circumstances. There is nothing strained +or unnatural at any point. All descriptions or +portrayals of character are life-like, and the +book has an indescribable appealing quality +which wins sympathy and secures success.</div> +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is delightful reading at all times."—<i>Cedar +Rapids (Ia.) Republican.</i></p> + +<p>"It is well written, the story runs smoothly, the idea +is good, and it is handled with ability.—<i>Chicago +Journal.</i></p></div></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + + + + + +<div class='unindent'><span class="u"><big><b>The Little Girl Next Door</b></big></span></div> + +<div class='center'>By <span class="smcap">Nina Rhoades</span> Large 12mo Cloth Illustrated +by Bertha Davidson $1.00</div> + + +<div class='cap'>A DELIGHTFUL story of true and genuine friendship between an +impulsive little girl in a fine New York home and a little blind girl +in an apartment next door. The little girl's determination to cultivate +the acquaintance, begun out of the window during a rainy day, triumphs +over the barriers of caste, and the little blind girl proves to be in every +way a worthy companion. Later a mystery of birth is cleared up, and the +little blind girl proves to be of gentle birth as well as of gentle manners.</div> + + + + +<div class='unindent'><br /><span class="u"><big><b>Winifred's Neighbors</b></big></span></div> + +<div class='center'>By <span class="smcap">Nina Rhoades</span> Illustrated +by Bertha G. Davidson Large + 12mo Cloth $1.00</div> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Winifred's Neighbors"> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='cap'>LITTLE Winifred's efforts to find some +children of whom she reads in a book +lead to the acquaintance of a neighbor +of the same name, and this acquaintance +proves of the greatest importance to Winifred's +own family. Through it all she is just such a +little girl as other girls ought to know, and +the story will hold the interest of all ages.</div> +</td><td align='left'><img src="images/i011b.png" width="143" height="200" alt="Winifred's Neighbors" title="" /> +</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='center'> +<i>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt<br /> +of price by the publishers</i><br /> +<br /> +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD Co., BOSTON<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='unindent'><br /><span class="u"><big><b>The Children on the Top Floor</b></big></span></div> + +<div class='center'>By <span class="smcap">Nina Rhoades</span> Large 12mo +Cloth Illustrated by Bertha +Davidson $1.00</div> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="The Children on the Top Floor"> +<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/i012a.png" width="150" height="200" alt="The Children on the Top Floor" title="" /> +</td><td align='left'><div class='cap'>IN this book little Winifred Hamilton, the +child heroine of "Winifred's Neighbors," +reappears, living in the second of the four +stories of a New York apartment house. On +the top floor are two very interesting children, +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 glad reunion, +and also other good fortune for crippled +Jack, and Winifred's kind little heart has once +more indirectly caused great happiness to others.</div> +</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + + + +<div class='unindent'><br /><span class="u"><big><b>How Barbara Kept Her Promise</b></big></span></div> + +<div class='center'>By <span class="smcap">Nina Rhoades</span> Large 12mo Cloth Illustrated +by Bertha Davidson $1.00</div> + + +<div class='cap'>TWO orphan sisters, Barbara, aged twelve, and little Hazel, who is +"only eight," are sent from their early home in London to their +mother's family in New York. Faithful Barbara has promised her father +that she will take care of pretty, petted, mischievous Hazel, and how she +tries to do this, even in the face of great difficulties, forms the story which +has the happy ending which Miss Rhoades wisely gives to all her stories.</div> + + + + +<div class='unindent'><br /><span class="u"><big><b>Little Miss Rosamond</b></big></span></div> + +<div class='center'>By <span class="smcap">Nina Rhoades</span> Illustrated +by Bertha G. Davidson +Large 12mo Cloth $1.00</div> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Little Miss Rosamond"> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='cap'>ROSAMOND lives in Richmond, Va., +with her big brother, who cannot +give her all the comfort that she needs in +the trying hot weather, and she goes to the +seaside cottage of an uncle whose home +is in New York. Here she meets Gladys +and Joy, so well known in a previous +book, "The Little Girl Next Door," and +after some complications are straightened +out, bringing Rosamond's honesty and +kindness of heart into prominence, all are made very happy.</div> +</td><td align='left'><img src="images/i012b.png" width="139" height="200" alt="Little Miss Rosamund" title="" /> +</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='center'> +<i>For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt<br /> +of price by the publishers</i><br /> +<br /> +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>"<i>Brick House Books</i>"</h2> + +<h3><i>By NINA RHOADES</i></h3> + +<div class='center'><i>Cloth 12mo Illustrated $1.00 each</i></div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Priscilla of the Doll Shop"> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='unindent'><br /><span class="u"><big><b>Priscilla of the Doll Shop</b></big></span></div> +<div class='cap'>THE "Brick House Books," as they are +called from their well-known cover designs, +are eagerly sought by children all over +the country. There are three good stories in +this book, instead of one, and it is hard to +say which little girls, and boys, too, for that +matter, will like the best.</div></td><td align='left'><img src="images/i013a.png" width="150" height="200" alt="Priscilla of the Doll Shop" title="" /> +</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + + +<div class='unindent'><br /><span class="u"><big><b>Brave Little Peggy</b></big></span></div> + + +<div class='cap'>PEGGY comes from California to New Jersey to live with a brother and +sister whom she has not known since very early childhood. She is so +democratic in her social ideas that many amusing scenes occur, and it is +hard for her to understand many things that she must learn. But her good +heart carries her through, and her conscientiousness and moral courage +win affection and happiness.</div> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="The Other Sylvia"> +<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/i013b.png" width="146" height="200" alt="The Other Sylvia" title="" /> +</td><td align='left'><div class='unindent'><br /><span class="u"><big><b>The Other Sylvia</b></big></span></div> + + + +<div class='cap'>EIGHT-year-old Sylvia learns that girls who +are "Kings' Daughters" pledge themselves +to some kind act or service, and that one little +girl named Mary has taken it upon herself to be +helpful to all the Marys of her acquaintance. +This is such an interesting way of doing good that +she adopts it in spite of her unusual name, and +really finds not only "the other Sylvia," but great +happiness.</div></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='center'> +<i>For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of<br /> +price by the publishers</i><br /> +<br /> +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON<br /> +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class='tnote'>Transcriber's Note: Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</div> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30088 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |