"Go to it, Geordie. Do a little detective work. If any of my four visitors took it, make them own up. I won't scold them; I'm anxious only to know which one it was."
"You don't really think it was any of them, I know, Mr. Forbes, or you wouldn't speak like that," said Ted. "I know you think as I do, that some queer mischance or accident is responsible for the disappearance. But WHAT was that accident, and WHERE is the jewel?"
The two boys searched methodically. They did not look into cupboards or drawers; they asked questions and tried to think out some theory.
"Could any one have come in at the window?" asked Ted.
"No chance of that," said Mr. Forbes, "considering the window is in the fourth story, and no balcony, or any way of reaching it from the ground."
Geordie stuck his head out of the window in question.
"Who lives next door?" he said, looking across the narrow yard to the next house.
"People named Mortimer," replied Mr. Forbes. "But they're all away from home. They're somewhere down South."
"There's somebody over there. I see a light in one of the rooms."
"A caretaker, maybe. But don't be absurd. It's all of ten or twelve feet across to that house from our back extension to theirs. Are you thinking somebody could spring across, take the jewel and spring back again?"
"That ISN'T very likely, is it?" Ted laughed, "but there's some explanation, somewhere," and the boy shook his head. "You see, Mr. Forbes, somebody might have made entrance to this room after the girls left it Sunday afternoon, and before you discovered your loss."
"Somebody might," agreed Mr. Forbes, "but I can't quite see how. Surely no intruder came up by way of the stairs; I can't believe any one came in by the window, and what other way is there?"
"Suppose," said Geordie, earnestly, "suppose the caretaker, or whoever is next door, saw you people examining the earring by the light from the window,—you were by the window, weren't you?"
"Yes," said Dolly, to whom he had put the question. "Yes, it was growing dusk, and I stepped to the window to look at the gold work."
"Well, suppose this caretaker person saw you, and realised the jewel was valuable. Then suppose after you all went out and left the earring on this little table, which is only ten or twelve inches from the window, suppose the caretaker leaned out of his window, and, with a long pole, with a hook on the end, fished the thing over to himself."
"Ridiculous!" cried Mr. Forbes. "Nobody could do such a thing as that! Absurd, my boy! Why, even a long fishpole would scarcely be long enough, and he couldn't get purchase enough on the end—"
"I admit it sounds difficult, sir, but they do pretty clever things that way."
"And, too, I can't suspect my neighbour's servants! Why, I've not the slightest cause for such suspicion!"
"Oh, no, I can't think it's that way, either," said Dolly. "Why, that caretaker is a nice old man. I've heard Mrs. Berry tell about him. His room is just opposite hers, two floors beneath this very room we're in now. He has a parrot that chatters and annoys Mrs. Berry, but the old man is honest, I'm sure. And he's too old to be agile enough to do such an acrobatic thing as you suggest."
Ted Hosmer looked at Dolly as she spoke, and a sudden light came into his eyes.
"By Jiminy!" he said, and he drew a sharp little whistle. "I say,Dolly, where is your Mrs. Berry?"
"Oh, no, Ted," Dolly laughed, "you can't connect Mrs. Berry with this matter any more than you can the Mortimers' servants. Mrs. Berry didn't do it."
"I didn't say she did," returned Ted, smiling at her. "But where is she, that's all."
"I don't know. Probably in her room."
"Take me there, will you? I must see her at once. Why, I've got an idea!"
"Goodness, Ted!" exclaimed Geordie. "What a strange piece of news!"
"Don't be funny!" said Ted; "I say, Dolly, take me to speak to Mrs.Berry, won't you?"
"Why, of course, if you like,—come on."
Dolly led the way and Ted followed. The others paid little attention, for Geordie was thinking out a new theory of how somebody could get across from the next house, by means of scuttles to the roofs on the front part of the houses. Of course, in front the houses were attached, but the back extensions were only one room wide, thus giving ground space for tiny back yards.
A tap on Mrs. Berry's door was answered, and the two were admitted.
"What is it?" and the housekeeper looked a little surprised at her visitors.
"May we look out of your window?" asked Ted, politely.
"Surely," was the reply. "But what for?"
Ted, however, already had raised the window and was looking out. It was dark, or nearly, and the house next door showed a dim light in the room opposite the one they were in.
The shade was down at the window, so they saw nothing of the room but a few indistinct shadows.
"Tell us something about the old caretaker next door, won't you?"begged Ted, and Mrs. Berry responded: "Now, don't suspect him! Why, oldJoe is the most honest man in the city! I've known him for years, andI'm sure he wouldn't steal a pin! Mr. Mortimer trusts him absolutely."
"But tell us a little about him."
"There's nothing to tell, only that he stays there alone when the family go away. He lives, practically, in the two rooms; that room opposite and the kitchen. He has no company but his parrot; he makes a great pet of that."
"A nice Polly?"
"A handsome bird, yes. But a nuisance with its continual squawking and chattering."
"Thank you, Mrs. Berry; I believe that's all. Pardon our intrusion.We'll go now. Come along, Dolly."
Dolly followed Ted from the room, and he said, "Don't go back upstairs yet. Come along with me."
"Where?"
"Never mind. Come on," and, making a gesture for her to be silent, Ted piloted her down the main staircase and out of the front door.
"Gracious! I won't go another step till you tell me where we're going!"
"Of course I'll tell you. We're going next door. Come on; you don't need wraps; it's just a step."
Taking her hand, Ted led her down the Forbes' steps and up those of the house next door. He rang the bell and they waited. In a moment, shuffling steps were heard and an old man opened the door.
"That you, Joe?" said Ted, pleasantly. "Let us come in for a moment, please."
"I don't know you, young sir, but if I'm not mistaken, this is one of the little ladies from next door."
"Quite right. We intend no harm, I assure you. Let us come in for a minute or two."
The old man let them enter and closed the door behind them.
"How's your parrot?" asked Ted, conversationally.
Old Joe looked surprised, but he answered courteously, "Polly is well, as usual."
"What kind of a bird is he?"
"A parrot, sir."
"I don't mean that. Is he honest or—or gives to thievery?"
"Oh, sir, he's the thievingest beast in the world, that he is! I don't dare leave a thing around I'm not willing for him to take if he wants it."
"Yes, just so. And does he ever go out of this house?"
"No,—oh, no."
Ted's face fell. Dolly's, too, for she began to see what Ted had in mind. But if Polly never left the Mortimer house, surely he didn't fly over and steal the earring.
"Could I go up to the room where the bird is?" said Ted, trying to conceal his disappointment at the collapse of his theory.
"Yes, sir, if you like, or I'll bring the bird down here."
"We'll go up, please," and Dolly and Ted followed the old man to the room on the second floor, which was opposite Mrs. Berry's.
They looked in and saw the bird in his cage, hanging from a bracket near the window.
"Pretty Polly," said Ted, walking toward the cage. "Nice Polly. Polly want a cracker?"
The bird cocked his head on one side, but said nothing.
"And you're sure he never leaves his cage?" said Ted, examining the fastening on the cage door.
"Well, sir, he does leave his cage. I said he doesn't leave this house.That is,—not often. So seldom as to call it never."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, a few days ago,—I'm thinking it was Sunday,—the bird let himself out of his cage. The latch broke, do you see, and he could push the door open with his claw. I came into the room, and there he was stalking up and down the floor with a knowing look. I soon found how he got out of the cage and I fixed the latch so he can't do it again. I let him out often, but I'm not going to have him letting himself out."
"Sunday, was it?" and Dolly's eyes brightened as Ted went on with his questions. "And you weren't here when he got out of his cage?"
"No, sir. But I came in soon and he was marching along the floor, winking at me."
"And was the window open?"
Old Joe stopped to think. "No," he said, finally, and Dolly gave a sigh of despair. If the window had been open, there was a possibility that Polly had been the thief.
"Can he fly?" she put in.
"Fly? Yes, that he can. That's why I'm careful to keep him shut up here. I wouldn't like him to fly over and annoy Mrs. Berry. He did that once a year ago, and the lady was right down mad about it."
"Think again, Joe. Couldn't this window have been open Sunday, whenPolly got out of his cage?"
"Well, now, I do believe it was! Wasn't Sunday that warm, pleasant day? Yes? Well, then, come to think of it, this here window WAS open! My! it was a good thing Mr. Polly didn't walk out of it!"
"But that's just what he did do,—I believe!"
"What, sir? What do you mean?"
"Well, I'll tell you. A small article has disappeared from the house next door, from a room on this side, just above Mrs. Berry's room. It's a hard matter to find out what became of the thing, a small trinket of jewellery, and I'm in hopes that your bird flew over and took it, because that will let out certain very much worried human beings!"
"Oh, I can't think Polly did that!"
"Can he fly as far as to go up to that window two stories higher than this? You say he can fly, but would he be likely to fly UP?"
"If so be that window was open he might. He's a born thief, that bird is. But in that case, what did he do with it? A jewel, you say?"
"Yes, an old, very old earring."
"Ah!" and Joe started; "of fine work, but all broken and bent?"
"I don't know. How about that, Dolly?"
"It was old, and it was fine gold work. But it wasn't bent or broken."
"Then it's not the same," said Joe. "Polly has a lot of playthings, and some old imitation jewellery that Mrs. Mortimer lets him have because he loves such things. And it was Monday, yes, yesterday, he had an old piece of stuff that I didn't remember seeing before, but I paid little attention to it. And it was that bent and twisted it can't have been the thing you're searching for. No, that it couldn't."
"I suppose not," said Ted, but Dolly said, "Let us see it, anyway, can't you? Maybe Polly bent it up himself."
Old Joe went and searched through a lot of broken bits of metal tilings in a box on the table.
"Here it is," he said. "You see how it's worn out!"
"That's it!" cried Dolly. "Oh, Ted, THAT'S the earring! Hooray!"
"Is it? Hooray!" shouted Ted. "REALLY, oh, it's too good to be true!Polly MUST have taken it, Joe."
"Yes, he must have done so, if Miss, here, says it's the one. But let me figger it out. I s'pose when Polly opened his cage door, the open window attracted him, and he flew out. Then as the other windows in the Forbes house were closed, he made for that one that was open. Was nobody in the room?"
"No," said Dolly, "not when the jewel was taken. I left it on a table, near the window, and—"
"Yes, Miss, I see! Polly was tempted by the glittering thing; he loves glitter, and he snatched it up and flew right back home with it. He hid it somewhere; that's his thievish nature, and when I came in here he was walking up and down the floor as innocent appearin' as a lamb! Oh, you wicked Polly!"
"Wick-ed Polly!" screeched the bird. "Naughty Polly!"
"Yes, very naughty Polly!" said Ted. "But a good Polly, after all, to get us out of our troubles!"
"Then, you see," continued Old Joe, "that villainous bird, he hid his treasure, and when I let him out yesterday, just to fly around the room, he found it out again, and he hent and broke it all up."
"Well, never mind!" Dolly cried, "as long as we have it! Oh, Ted, how clever of you to think of it! I'm so glad! Come, let's hurry home and tell about it! My, won't they all rejoice!"
"Shall I go over and make my apologies to Mr. Forbes?" asked Joe, anxiously.
"No; at least, not now. Mr. Forbes won't hold you at all to blame. It was merely coincidence that the bird happened to get out of his cage, just when the jewel lay there unprotected," said Ted.
"And, he'd taken something else if he hadn't found that. Anything glittering or sparkling catches his eye, and he steals it. But 'tis seldom he gets a chance outside the house."
"Why do you keep such a bird?" asked Dolly.
"He isn't mine. I wouldn't care to have him. He belongs to Mrs. Mortimer, and she only laughs at his thievin' traits. She thinks they're cunning. So, I must needs take good care of him. 'Twas careless of me to leave the window open, and him here alone. But I didn't think he could break loose from his cage. I'm thinkin' the door was ajar."
"Well, we're much obliged to you and to Polly. Oh, just think if you hadn't reasoned it out, Ted, we never would have known the truth! You see, Joe thought the earring was one of Polly's own belongings, so, of course, he never would have paid any attention to it."
"That I wouldn't, Miss. I supposed it was some of the trinkets the missus gave him. She buys 'em for him at the five-and-ten. He breaks 'em as fast as he gets 'em!"
"I hope this can be straightened out, and I think it can," said Dolly, as she looked at the bent gold work.
"I'm sure it can," agreed Ted, "but anyway, it solves the mystery and clears you girls! Hooray! Hurroo!! Come on, let's go and tell them all."
The two dashed into the Forbes house next door, and found the rest of them down in the drawing room, wondering what had become of Dolly and Ted.
With a beaming face and dancing eyes, Dolly went straight to Mr. Forbes and dangled the bent and twisted earring before his surprised countenance.
"Bless my soul!" he cried, as he saw it. "Did you—where did you find it?"
Dolly realised that he had been about to say, "Did you decide to own up?" or something like that, and she was glad that he changed his sentence.
"Next door!" she exclaimed, for Ted stood back and let her have the pleasure of telling. "That old parrot came and stole it!"
"Oh! the parrot!" cried Mr. Forbes. "Why, of course! I see it all! Why didn'tIthink of that? Once before, I saw that bird light on my window sill and I shooed him off. Strange I didn't think of that solution!"
"Tell us more!" cried Dotty; "who thought of a parrot? Whose parrot is it? How did he get in? When?"
"Wait a minute, Dot," said Dolly, laughing, "and I'll tell you all about it. You tell some, Ted, I'm all out of breath!"
So Ted told the whole story of their visit to the next house.
"And I thought it was n. g. when the old chap said the window in his room wasn't open. Also, when he said the bird never left that house, I thought again we were off the track. But when we went on to discuss the matter, and he said the bird was a born thief, and also he finally remembered that his window was open on Sunday afternoon, why I felt sure we had found the culprit. Then, the old fellow produced the earring, which he had seen, but had scarcely noticed, thinking it was some of the bird's own junk. It seems Polly also collects antiques!"
"Well, well, Hosmer, my boy, you did well to think of such a solution to our mystery! What put you on the track in the first place?"
"I think it was the birds of your collection, sir. I'm very fond of birds and bird study, and I know a lot about parrots, and their ways. Well, seeing all your stuffed birds, put birds in my head, I suppose; any way, when Dolly spoke of a parrot next door that annoyed Mrs. Berry, I thought right away of how that Polly bird would like to grab a gold trinket if he had a good chance. So I looked up his chances, and I began to realise that if your window was open, the one in the other house might have been too. Sunday was such a warm, pleasant day. So, I looked into matters a little, and concluded we'd better go over there. I didn't say what we were going for, because it might easily have turned out a wild goose chase—"
"Instead of a wild parrot chase!" said Alicia. "Oh, isn't it just fine that it's found!"
"I guess old Fenn will be surprised," said Dotty, with an angry shake of her dark head. "He tried his best to fasten it on Dolly—"
"Fasten the earring on?" asked Geordie Knapp, laughing.
"No; I did that myself," rejoined Dolly. "Oh, Uncle Forbes, you didn't think I took it, did you?"
"I didn't know what to think. No thought of that bird came into my mind. And so I had to cudgel my brain to think how it did disappear. For I HAD to know! Yes, I positively HAD to know!"
"Of course," agreed Bernice. "You didn't want to lose that jewel."
"It wasn't only that, there was another reason, a reason that I'll tell you some day."
Next morning at breakfast, each of the four girls found a note at her plate. The notes were all alike, and they read:
Mr. Jefferson Forbes, because of his great delight over the discovery of his lost piece of property, invites you to a celebration occasion, to-morrow, Thursday evening. Mr. Forbes would say, also, that he has obtained the consent of all interested parents, that you may stay till Saturday. Mr. Jefferson Forbes will be glad of suggestions as to what form said celebration shall assume.
They all laughed at the formal style and stilted language of the notes, and were amazed at the information that they were to make a longer visit than they had thought.
Mrs. Berry smiled at the shower of questions that followed the reading of the notes, but she only said, "Don't ask me, my dears. After breakfast, Mr. Forbes will meet you in the reception room and discuss it."
So a merry group of four awaited the coming of their host in the pretty little reception room.
"Good morning," he said, cheerily, as he entered, "What an attractive bunch of humanity! Four smiling faces and eight bright eyes! I greet you all."
With an old-fashioned bow, he took a seat near them, and asked, "Did you receive certain important documents?"
"We did," replied Bernice. "May we have further enlightenment?"
"You may, and first I will remove that anxious look from Dolly's face, by saying that her mother is perfectly willing that she should stay here the rest of the week."
"Oh, goody!" cried Dolly. "How did you ask her? By telephone?"
"Yes. So pleased was I over the developments of last evening, that I telephoned all the powers that be, and arranged for an extension to our house party. Are you glad?"
"Indeed we are," chorused the girls, and Uncle Jeff went on.
"Now, our celebration is to be just whatever you want. And if you don't all want the same thing, you can all have different things. So just state your preferences."
"I know mine," said Alicia, "it is to go to Muriel Brown's party onFriday night. She asked us, and I'd love to go."
"That's one," said her uncle. "Of course you can all go to the party.Now, Bernice, what do you choose?"
"I'd like to go to the opera," said Bernice. "Grand opera, I mean. I've never been but once, and I'd love to go."
"Good! We'll go to-night. If you all agree?"
They certainly did agree to that, and then Mr. Forbes asked the two D's to choose.
"I want to go to the Metropolitan Museum,—with you!" said Dolly, half afraid to ask such a boon. But Mr. Forbes seemed pleased, and declared he would be delighted to go with her, and explain the exhibits and the others could go or not, as they liked. All decided in favour of going, and then Dotty was asked to choose.
"Don't laugh at me," said Dotty, "but I'd like to have a party. Only, not a big one. Just us four girls, and the four boys, that we know the best; Geordie, Ted, Marly Turner and Sam Graves. I like that sort of a party better than the big, dressy ones."
"Why, Dot Rose!" exclaimed Alicia, "I thought you liked the big dances."
"So I do, if I knew the people. But I think it would be lots of fun to have a few, and have a less formal party. I'd like to ask Muriel Brown, and two or three of those girls we met with her, the other day, and then, have a few more boys; but not a hundred, like Muriel had."
"A good plan," said Mr. Forbes, "because you couldn't invite a large party on such short notice. So, make out your list, Dotty, and invite them by telephone at once. Mrs. Berry will help you, and will arrange all details. Let me see, you can have that party to-morrow night; go to the opera to-night; go to Muriel's party on Friday night, and go home on Saturday. The museum we can visit any afternoon. I thank you for your kind attention."
"Oh, Uncle Jeff, we thank YOU for your kindness, all of it," cried Alicia. "You have been so very good to us, and now you are doing a lot more for our pleasure."
"Have you enjoyed it all, so far, Alicia?" and her uncle looked at her inquiringly.
"Oh, yes, sir, indeed I have! I was troubled about the lost earring, but that was not your fault."
"Nor the fault of any of you girls," said Mr. Forbes. "As I have hinted to you, I have a reason for this visit you are making me, beside a desire to give you pleasure. I am considering a serious matter and this stay of yours in my house is helping me to a decision."
"What can it be, Uncle?" cried Bernice. "Tell us, so we can help you more, and more intelligently."
"I will tell you Saturday morning," he returned with a smile. "Perhaps in that time other developments may occur that will alter my final decision in the matter."
"It sounds most mysterious," laughed Dolly, "can't we guess what it's all about?"
"You may guess, if you like, but I don't promise to tell you if you guess correctly. And I don't mind adding, that I feel pretty sure you couldn't guess correctly, if you tried!"
"No use trying, then!" said Alicia, gaily. "Oh, I'm so glad we're going to stay longer. I want to do a lot of things beside the celebrations we've just planned. I do think you're the best and kindest uncle in the whole world! I've got a secret, too, and some day I'm going to tell it to you all."
"Secrets seem to be the order of the day," laughed Dolly; "we'll have to scrape up one, Dot."
"Well, it's no secret that we're having one grand, glorious, good time!" said Dotty. "What's on for this morning?"
Mr. Forbes went off to his own room then, and the girls planned out all they should do for the rest of their stay in the city.
There was some shopping, some sight-seeing and some errands yet undone but they at last agreed on a programme that would suit everybody.
Dotty's party, as they called it, took place on Thursday night, and she had her way about having it a small gathering. There were about twenty in all, and according to Dotty's wishes it was not only a dancing party. There were games as well as dances, for Dotty loved games.
Some of the city young people were at first inclined to laugh at the idea of games, but when they began to take part in these that Dotty had planned they became exceedingly interested.
One was an "Observation Test," up in Mr. Forbes' museum.
At Dotty's request, he had allowed the collection rooms to be opened to the guests, and this very special dispensation was so appreciated by all that they were most exceedingly careful not to handle the rare specimens or touch the exhibits.
This state of things lent itself beautifully to the game. Each player was asked to walk about for half an hour and look at the curios and treasures, and at the expiration of the time, to return to the drawing room, and spend ten minutes writing down the names of such objects as could be remembered.
This game, most of them had played before, with a table full of less interesting exhibits. But in the wonderful museum rooms of Mr. Forbes it was quite another story.
So eagerly did the young people observe and examine the things, that the half hour allotted for that purpose slipped away all too soon.
And then they sat down to write their lists, and that too proved an absorbing occupation.
Our four girls wrote lists, just for fun, but did not compete for the prizes, as, knowing the exhibit so well, that would not have been fair.
Muriel Brown took the first prize, and the hostesses were glad of it for it was pleasant to have Muriel so honoured.
The prize was a gold penholder, and the boys' prize, which Marly Turner won, was a similar gift.
After it was over, another game was played. This was ribbon cutting.
Girls and boys, stood at either end of the long drawing-room. To each girl was given the end of a piece of long, narrow ribbon, and a pair of scissors. The other end of each ribbon was held by a boy, who likewise had a pair of scissors.
At a signal, each player started cutting the ribbon straight through the middle. If the scissors slipped and cut through the selvage, the player was out of the game. It was not easy, for the ribbon was narrow, and there was a strong impulse to hurry, which made for crooked cutting. The middle of each piece of ribbon was marked by a knot, and whoever reached the knot first, was the winner of that pair. The one who finished first of all, received a special prize.
The game caused great laughter and sport, and the city young people declared they enjoyed it quite as much as dancing.
Then the feast was served, and very beautiful and elaborate it was. The celebration, Mr. Forbes had said, was to be especially for the two D's, as it was Dotty's choice, and Dolly's choice of a visit to the museum provided little opportunity for gaiety.
The table showed two great floral D's, one at either end. Dotty's was made of red roses, and Dolly's of pink roses. Every guest had as a souvenir, some pretty and valuable little trinket, and at every place was a small D made of flowers.
Cakes, ices, jellies, and all such things as could be so shaped, were cut in the form of D's, and our two girls felt greatly honoured to see their initial so prominently and beautifully displayed.
In the centre of the table was a huge French Doll, of the finest type. It was dressed in silk covered with polka dots, and its hat and parasol were of silk to match.
Everybody laughed when Mr. Forbes pointed out that it was Dotty Dolly!And all agreed it was a most clever and appropriate symbol.
After supper there was dancing, and a fine orchestra furnished the music. Our girls liked dancing pretty well, but often they sat out a dance talking to one or another of their guests.
Once, as Dolly passed along the hall, chatting with Geordie Knapp, they heard rather loud voices behind the closed door of the little reception room.
Rather surprised that the door should be shut at all, that evening, Dolly paused involuntarily, and Geordie stood by her side. They had no intention of eavesdropping; indeed, Geordie thought perhaps some new game was about to be announced.
But to Dolly's amazement, she heard Alicia's voice saying, "Oh, I cannot! I dare not!"
The tones were quivering with emotion, and Dolly couldn't help listening for the next words. She feared Alicia was troubled about something; indeed, she didn't know what she feared.
And, next came a voice that was unmistakably; Marly Turner's, saying,"Do, dear! Oh, TRUST me,—Iwill take care of you!"
"But it is a desperate step!" exclaimed Alicia, "if I should ever regret it!"
"You will not regret it, dearest," Marly said, "I will never LET you regret it! Your own mother eloped; it is fitting you should do so, too."
Dolly looked at Geordie, her face white with horror.
Alicia, planning an elopement! And with Marly Turner! She laid her hand on the knob of the door.
"Don't!" said Geordie, "don't you get mixed up in a thing like that! IsAlicia Steele that sort of a girl?"
"I don't know," faltered Dolly. "I heard Bernice hint once that Alicia's mother did elope with her father,—but, Alicia! Why, she isn't seventeen, yet!"
"Well, that's old enough to know what she's about. I advise you, Dolly, not to go in there. Tell Mr. Forbes, if you like."
"Oh, I couldn't tell on Alicia!"
And, then, as they still stood there, too fascinated to move away, Alicia said, "Yes, to-morrow night. I will steal out after the house is quiet,—oh, my hero! my idol!"
"My angel!" exclaimed Marly, in a deep, thrilled voice, and Dolly turned away, sick at heart.
"I don't know what to do!" she said to Geordie, as they went on to the drawing room, where the dancers were.
"Don't do anything," he advised. "It's none of your business. That Steele girl isn't like you, she's a different type. If she wants to cut up such didoes, don't you mix in it. Let her alone. I knew Marly liked her,—he said so,—but I didn't suppose he'd do such a thing as that! But I shan't say a word to him. We're good friends, but not chums. Marly's a good chap, but he's awfully anxious to act grown up, and my stars! he's doing so! Elope with the Steele girl! Jiminy!" "I can't bear to tell on Alicia," said Dolly, "and yet, I can't think I ought to let her go ahead and do this thing. She's so fond of romance, and excitement, she doesn't realise what she's doing."
Later on, Dolly saw Alicia and young Turner emerge from the reception room, and saunter toward the drawing room. They were talking earnestly, in whispers. Alicia's cheeks were pink, and her manner a little excited. Marly looked important, and bore himself with a more grown up air than usual. Dolly and Geordie looked at each other, and shook their heads. It was only too evident that the two were planning some secret doings. They went off by themselves and sat on a davenport in a corner of the room, and continued to converse in whispers, oblivious to all about them.
Dolly and Geordie purposely walked past the other pair, and distinctly heard Marly say something about a rope ladder.
"It's part of the performance," he urged, as Alicia seemed to demur.
Then she smiled sweetly at him, and said, "All right, then, just as you say."
"It's perfectly awful!" said Dolly, as they walked on. "I've simply got to tell Dotty, anyway."
"Oh, I wouldn't," expostulated Geordie; "I don't believe they'll pull it off. Somebody will catch on and put a stop to it."
"Maybe and maybe not," said Dolly, dubiously. "Alicia is awfully clever, and if she sets out to do a thing, she generally carries it through. And her head is full of crazy, romantic thoughts. She'd rather elope than to go back to school, I know she would. She told me she'd do anything to get out of going back to school."
"That makes it look serious," agreed Geordie. "Still I don't think you ought to mix yourself up in it, unless you just tell the whole story to Mr. Forbes."
"I hate to be a tattle-tale," and Dolly looked scornful. "But if it's for Alicia's good, maybe I ought to."
"Look at them now! Their heads close together, and whispering like everything!"
"Yes, they're planning for their getaway!"
During the rest of the evening, Dolly watched Alicia, feeling mean to do it, and yet unable to keep herself from it.
At last the guests went home, one and all exclaiming at the good time they had had. Marly Turner bade Dolly good night, with a smiling face. "I've had the time of my life!" he declared.
"I've not seen much of you," said Dolly, pointedly.
"I know it. Too bad! I wanted to dance with you oftener, but the time was so short."
"And you found another charmer?"
"Well, Alicia sure is a wonder, isn't she? You know she is!"
"Yes, she is," said Dolly, and for the life of her, she couldn't frown on the happy-hearted youth.
Marly went off, and the others followed.
"I'm not going to talk things over to-night," said Dolly, when the four were alone. "I'm tired, and I'm going straight to bed."
The time seemed fairly to fly. Each of the four girls had some last few errands to do, each wanted some little souvenirs for herself, or for her people at home, and so busy were they that there was not so much mutual conversation among them as usual.
They were to go home on Saturday. And already it was Friday afternoon. They had finished luncheon, Alicia and Bernice had gone to their room, and Dolly was about to go upstairs, when she remembered that she had planned to run in and say good-bye to old Joe and his parrot.
Dolly felt she owed a debt of gratitude to Polly, and she had bought a little toy for him.
"I'm going to run in next door a minute," she said to Mrs. Berry.
"Very well, my dear. Here's a cracker for Polly."
Dolly took it laughingly, and went out to the hall.
"Put your coat round you," called out Mrs. Berry. "It's only a step, I know, but it's a very cold day."
"Oh, Dot just took my coat upstairs, with her own. Well, here'sAlicia's hanging on the hall rack. I'll throw this round me."
She did so, and ran out of the front door and up the steps of the next house.
Old Joe answered her ring at the bell.
"Just ran over to say good-bye," laughed Dolly, "and to bring a cracker and a toy for Polly."
"Thank you, Miss," and Joe smiled at her. "I'll bring the bird down to you, Ma'am, to save your going upstairs."
"All right," said Dolly, a little absent-mindedly, for she was thinking of a lot of things at once.
Still absentmindedly, she put her hand in her coat pocket for a handkerchief. There was none there, and she drew out a letter instead. Then she suddenly remembered she had on Alicia's coat, and with a glance at the envelope, she thrust the letter back in the pocket. But that one glance sufficed to show her it was in Marly Turner's handwriting.
She had had a note from him a day or two ago, inviting her to some party or other, and his striking, sprawling penmanship was unmistakable. The letter had been opened, and Dolly remembered that Alicia had had several letters in the mail that morning.
It all recalled to her the talk she had overheard the night before. All that morning Alicia had seemed preoccupied, and twice she had gone off by herself to telephone in a booth, which the girls rarely used, for they had no secrets from one another.
Dolly thought over the situation between Alicia and young Turner. She had not told Dotty yet. She had two minds about doing so. It seemed to her one minute that she had no right to interfere in Alicia's affairs and then again, it seemed as if she ought to tell Mr. Forbes what was going on.
She had heard Alicia say to Marly that they would elope that very night, and she felt sure they meant to do so.
They were all going to Muriel Brown's party, that being Alicia's own choice of the "celebrations." Would she elope from the party, or return home first? The latter, probably, for they had mentioned a rope ladder, and that seemed as if Alicia meant to go late at night when all the others were asleep. If she ran away from the party there would be no need of a rope ladder.
Dolly had asked Bernice if Alicia's mother had eloped, and Bernice had said she thought she had, though she had never heard any of the particulars.
And then Joe came down with the parrot, and Dolly forgot Alicia and her elopement for the moment.
Polly showed great delight over his gifts, and after a few words of good-bye to the bird and to old Joe, Dolly ran back again.
In the hall she took off Alicia's coat and hung it on the rack just asAlicia herself appeared on the stairs.
"Where you been?" she called out gaily.
"Next door," said Dolly, "to say a fond farewell to Polly Mortimer. And as my coat was upstairs, I took the liberty of wearing yours."
"That's all right," laughed Alicia, "you're welcome to it, I'm sure. Oh, I say, Dolly, there's a letter in the pocket of it! I hope you didn't read it!"
"Alicia Steele! You ought to be ashamed of yourself to hint at such a thing!"
"There, there, don't flare up over nothing! I only said I hoped you didn't. Did you?"
"I consider that question insulting!"
"Yes, people often get out of answering, that way! Now, you haven't answered me yet. Did you or did you NOT read that letter that's in the pocket of my coat?"
"I did NOT! But I've my opinion of a girl who could even think I'd do such a thing!"
"Well, you had plenty of time, and when you were in next door, would have been a good opportunity. I'm not sure I believe you even yet. You're blushing like fury!"
"Who wouldn't, at being insulted like that! I don't think you can have much sense of honour yourself, to think anybody decent would read another person's letter!"
"Now, don't get huffy, little goldilocks!" and Alicia laughed at her. "I had to be sure, you see, because it's a most important matter, and I wouldn't have anybody know for the world,—until I get ready to tell, myself."
"And when will you be ready to tell?" Dolly tried to speak lightly, but the words nearly choked her.
"I dunno. Maybe you'll know about it to-morrow."
"Oh, Alicia—" Dolly meant to speak a word of warning or of pleading, indeed she didn't quite know what she WAS going to say, but just then, Dotty and Bernice came down stairs, and proposed they all go for a motor ride, and a last visit to the pretty tearoom.
Dolly agreed, but Alicia didn't seem quite willing.
"I'm expecting a telephone message," she said, at last. "You girls go on, and leave me at home. I shan't mind."
"Oh, no," said Dotty, "we four can't be together after to-day. We mustn't be separated this last day of all. Come on, 'Licia."
"But it's an important message," and Alicia looked anxious.
"Can I be of help?" said Mrs. Berry, coming toward them.
"Yes," cried Dotty, "let Mrs. Berry take the message, and tell her what answer to make."
"No answer," said Alicia, slowly, and a pink flush rose to her cheeks. "But just take the message, if you please, dear Mrs. Berry. It will be short, I know. Jot it down, lest you forget the exact wording."
Mrs. Berry promised and the four ran away to get ready for their last afternoon together.
"Dress up pretty, girls," Alicia called from her room. "No telling whom we might meet at the tearoom."
"That's so," said Dotty; "put on your Dresden silk, Doll."
Dolly laughingly agreed, and the four dressed-up young ladies started off.
A few calls at various shops, a few stops to look once more at certain points of interest they admired, and then for a long drive through the parks, and finally to the tearoom.
"How short the time has been," said Bernice, as they flew along.
"Yes," assented Alicia, "it doesn't seem possible we've been here as long as we have. Oh, I don't want to go home. I wish I could live in New York, I just love it!"
"I like it," said Dolly, "but I don't want to live here. I'd LIKE to come here oftener than I do, though."
At the tearoom they found Janet Knapp and Corinne Bell, two girls whom they had come to know very pleasantly.
"Sit here with us," called out Janet, as they entered. "We haven't ordered yet,—what do you girls want?"
"Cafe frappe for me," said Dotty, "and waffles."
"Thick chocolate and whipped cream for mine," said Alicia. "Oh, when shall I ever get these lovely things again? Think of going back to boarding-school diet!"
"Don't you have good things to eat at that nice school?" asked Dolly.
"Oh, good enough, but not lovely, fancy things like these."
"I'd like to go to boarding-school," said Janet, "but mother doesn't want me away from home. She thinks girls get no home training at those fashionable schools."
"We don't, and that's a fact," admitted Alicia. "We're taught manners and, oh, well, I s'pose it's up to the girl herself, as to what she learns. Maybe I won't go back to school, after all."
"Oh, Alicia," cried Bernice, "what do you mean?"
"Oh, nothing," and Alicia smiled as she tossed her head. "I've got a secret. I can't tell you now. Maybe you'll know soon."
Dolly looked at Alicia, in bewilderment. Could she be referring to her intended elopement with Marly Turner?
"Good gracious! What do you mean?" and Janet laughed.
"Never mind," returned Alicia, airily, "don't ask me any questions. You know they call me 'that awful Alicia!' So be prepared for anything."
Dolly grew thoughtful. Only she and Geordie Knapp held the secret of Alicia's strange remarks, and she couldn't decide whether it was her duty to tell anyone of her knowledge or not. She made up her mind to tell Mrs. Berry, as soon as she went home, and then she had compunctions about that, for Dolly was very conscientious and she really didn't know what was right to do.
"I go to an awfully nice school," Corinne Bell said. "It's quite near my house and I can go alone every day. We have such interesting teachers, and such a jolly lot of girls. You'd love it, Alicia."
"Yes, I'd love it, but how could I go there? It isn't a boarding school, is it?"
"No; but couldn't you board somewhere in New York?"
"Alone! No, I should say not! You know I live out in the western wilds, at least the middle western wilds, and I think they're wilder than the far west. This little New York visit is all poor Alicia will see of the glittering metropolis for,—oh, well, it may be for years and it may be forever!"
"What do you do in vacation time?" asked Janet.
"Oh, Dad and I go to summery places. Couldn't come to New York then, you know. But when I get married, I'm going to live in New York, you can bet on that!"
"You're not thinking of marrying soon, I hope," and Janet laughed.
"Never can tell!" said Alicia, smiling saucily. "I have all sorts of wonderful schemes in my noodle. Some of 'em materialise,—some don't. But trust little Alicia to do something big! Oh, girls, my secret is just TOO splendid!"
"Is it—is it all right?" and Dolly stammered, as she looked at Alicia with a doubtful glance.
"Is it all right! You little sanctimonious-eyed prude! You bet it's all right! Maybe we'll meet again, Janet. You can't 'most always sometimes tell."
"I hope you'll come to Berwick to visit me, Alicia," said Bernice; "I think as we're cousins we ought to see more of each other."
"I'd love to, Bernie. Maybe I'll come this summer."
"We could have a sort of reunion at our house," went on Bernice; "Muriel and you girls could come for a few days, and the two D's and I would be there, and we'd scare up a lot of fun."
"'Deed we would! I'll surely come if it can be arranged. But I never know Dad's plans from one day to the next," Alicia said.
"Hello, girls," sang out a boyish voice, and in came Geordie Knapp with half a dozen comrades. "We just sorter, kinder thought we'd see a bunch of peaches here about this time o' day! Hello, everybody!"
Marly Turner was not among the group, and Dolly looked anxiously atGeordie, as if to ask him what he knew concerning him.
"What is it, Dolly?" asked Geordie, with a blank look.
"Secret!" laughed Dolly, "come over here and whisper to me."
"Oh, how rude!" cried Alicia; "even out West we don't whisper in polite society!"
"But this is a special case," and Dolly smiled and dimpled, as if about to discuss the most trivial subject with Geordie.
The boy looked surprised when Dolly spoke to him about what they had overheard the night before.
"Why," he said, "I never gave it another thought! I don't believe they really meant what we thought they did."
"Yes, they did," asserted Dolly. "All day, Alicia has been keyed up to some great excitement. She had a letter from Marly this morning, and she expects a telephone from him. Also, she said things that could only mean that they really are going to elope to-night."
"Such as what?"
"She said maybe she'd live in New York soon, and said she had a big, wonderful secret and we'd know it to-morrow,—why, she even said she expects to live in New York after she's married!"
"Whew! that's going some! Still, Dolly, I don't just see what we can do."
"I think I ought to tell Mr. Forbes, don't you?"
"I don't know. I do hate tell other people's secrets."
"Yes; so do I. Perhaps I'll just tell Mrs. Berry."
"I say, I've an idea! Suppose I get hold of Turner, and get him to go home and spend the evening with me. I'll insist upon it, you know, and if he objects, I'll ask him what's up."
"Oh, yes, Geordie, that will be fine! You do that, will you?"
"Yes; suppose I telephone him now, and ask him."
"Go ahead, and then tell me what he says."
Geordie excused himself and went off to the telephone booth.
"You seem to have a lot of secrets, too, Dolly," said Alicia.
"Yes, I have," and Dolly looked demure. "Can't let you have all the fun, 'Licia."
"Nothing doing," Geordie reported to Dolly, as he came back, and his face looked more serious. He made an opportunity to speak to her alone again, and he said, "I got him all right, and he said he couldn't see me this evening, for he's awful busy. Said he was busy with his father."
"His father! Why, Mr. Turner is an actor, isn't he?"
"Sure he is, one of the best."
"Then how can Marly be with him? Isn't Mr. Turner acting?"
"Not just now. He's rehearsing, I think."
"Well, I believe Marly made that up. He's planning the elopement."
"I'm afraid he is. He was sort of queer and didn't answer as straightforwardly as he usually does. Oh, what a silly performance to cut up! Why, they're just a couple of kids!"
"I know it. I never was mixed up in a thing like this before."
"You're not mixed up in this."
"No; not unless I mix in purposely. And I believe I shall have to. You see, I'm only a country girl, and I don't know what's right to do in this case. But I'm going to follow my instinct, and tell either Mr. Forbes or Mrs. Berry. I don't think I'll tell Dot or Bernice, for they'd have no more knowledge of what's right to do, than I have myself."
"You're a good deal of a trump, Dolly Fayre. But I think you're in a hard place. I wish I could help you, and I'll do anything you say."
"Couldn't you go to Mr. Turner?"
"I'd hate to. Yer see, us fellows don't tell on each other,—it isn't done—" "I know. Well, let's hope we're mistaken."
"But I don't see how we can be,—-after what we heard."
"Neither do I. I've a mind to speak straight out to Alicia about it."
"Do, if you think best."
"Well, I'll see."
Still uncertain what she'd do, Dolly went home with the rest of the quartette.
Alicia was in high spirits, constantly exclaiming, "Oh, if you only knew what I know!" or "I'm terribly excited over my secret! Just you wait till to-morrow!" or some such speech.
And as they entered the Forbes house she flew to Mrs. Berry demanding to know if a telephone message had arrived for her.
"Yes," replied the good-natured housekeeper. "Marly Turner called up, and he asked me to tell you that everything was all right, and he'd pull it off to-night, sure."
"Oh, goody!" cried Alicia, "are you sure that's just what he said?"
"Yes," asseverated Mrs. Berry, "see, I wrote it down, so I shouldn't forget."
Dolly had to eavesdrop a little to overhear this conversation, as Alicia had drawn Mrs. Berry aside, to make her inquiries. And it was with a heavy heart that Dolly went upstairs to lay off her wraps.
"Oh, girls, I'm so happy!" cried Alicia, as she flung herself into a chair. "But don't ask me why, for I refuse to tell you. Now, do we dress for to-night's party before dinner or after?"
"Before, please," said Mrs. Berry, who had followed the girls to their rooms. "Mr. Forbes asked me to tell you that he wants an interview in the drawing-room before you go to Muriel's, and so you'd better be dressed."
"Ah, those drawing-room interviews!" exclaimed Bernice. "How they frightened me at first; then they rather bored me; but in the last few days I've come to like them!"
"So have I," said Dotty. "I like Mr. Forbes himself a whole lot better than I did at first. He's so much more get-at-able."
"He ought to be," laughed Alicia, "with four girls to train him up in the way he should go! What frocks, ladies? Our very bestest?"
"Yes, indeed," said Bernice. "This is our last night, and we must 'go out in a blaze of glory'! And scoot, you two D's. We've none too much time to dress."
Dolly and Dotty went to their room, and it was rather a silent Dolly who sat down to the dressing-table to brush her golden locks.
"Whatamatter, Dollums?" said her chum. "Sad at thoughts of going home?"
"Oh, no; really, Dot, I'm glad to go home. We've had a magnificent time here, but I'm—well, I s'pect I'm homesick."
"So'm I, a little, now that you mention it. But we've enough to remember and think over for a long time, haven't we?"
"Of course. My but I'm glad that earring was found! Oh, Dot, wouldn't it have been awful if we had gone home with that doubt hanging over us?"
"It would, indeed, old girl. And, now if you'll proceed to do up that taffy-coloured mass on top of your head, I'll accept the dressing mirror for a while."
Dolly twisted up her golden mop, and decorated it with a ribbon band, and then gave over her place to Dotty.
And, shortly, four very much dressed-up girls went down to the extra elaborate dinner that was served in honour of the last night of their visit.
The chat at table was far more gay and spontaneous than it had been on the night of their arrival, for all had become used to each other's ways, and had grown to like each other very much. Mr. Forbes, too, had changed from a stiff, somewhat embarrassed host to a genial, even gay comrade. He asked all about their doings of the day, and they told him, with gay stories of funny episodes.
Dolly watched Alicia, but except that her eyes were unusually bright and her laughter very frequent, the Western girl showed no especial excitement.
After dinner they all went to the drawing-room, and it was with a feeling of real sadness that Dolly realised it was for the last time.
Mr. Forbes walked up and down the room as he often did, and then paused in front of the group of girls who were standing by the piano.
"Sit down, girlies," he said; "Alicia and Bernice, sit on that sofa, please,—you two D's on that one."
Uncle Jeff was smiling, but still, there seemed to be an undercurrent of seriousness in his tone, that implied a special talk.
"Did it ever occur to any of you," he began, "that I invited you here for something beside a mere desire to give you young people some pleasure?"
"Why, you've practically said so to us, Uncle Jeff," laughed Alicia; "are you going to tell us your reason?"
"Yes, I am. And I'm going to tell you now."
Mr. Forbes sat down in an easy chair, in such a position that he could look straight at all the girls, but his gaze rested on his two nieces.
"My reason," he said, slowly, "is, I admit, a selfish one. If you girls have enjoyed your visit, I'm very glad, but what I wanted, was to study you."
"I knew it!" exclaimed Bernice. "I thought you were studying us—our characters."
"Yes, just that. And I wanted to study the characters of my two nieces. Now you know you can't judge much of girls, unless you see them with their comrades, their chums; or at least with other girls of their own age. So I asked you each to bring a girl friend with you. As it happened, Bernie brought two, and Alicia none, but that didn't matter. And I'm exceedingly glad to have met and known the two D's."
The courteous old gentleman bowed to Dotty and Dolly who smiled and bowed in return.
"Well," Uncle Jeff went on, "here's the reason I wanted to study my two nieces. Because I want to take one of them to live with me, and to inherit, eventually, my house and the greater part of my fortune."
There was a silence, as each of his hearers thought over what this would mean.
Either Bernice or Alicia was to be chosen to live in that big city house, practically to be mistress of it, to have a life of wealth and luxury and at last to inherit Mr. Forbes' great fortune, and all his valuable collections and belongings.
Dotty broke the silence. "It's great!" she exclaimed, "just great! And which one are you going to choose?"
"I have chosen," said Mr. Forbes, slowly, "it remains to be seen whether the one I have selected will accept. But now, you all can see why I was so alarmed and anxious over the episode of the lost earring. I HAD to find out if any of you girls had yielded to temptation. And if so, if it was one of my nieces, or one of their friends."
"And if it had been one of your nieces, you would have chosen the other!" cried Bernice.
"No, my child," returned her uncle. "Quite the contrary. If either you or Alicia had taken that gem, with a wrong intent, I should have asked the wrong-doer to come and live with me, hoping I could teach her the error of her ways. But that's neither here nor there. For none of you DID take the jewel, nor indeed, ever thought of such a thing. But my decision, which I have made, is not entirely based on worthiness, or even on desirability. And I'll tell you frankly, had I tried to choose my favourite between Bernie and 'Licia, I should have had a hard time! For I have come to love both girls very dearly, and would have not the slightest objection to adopting them both."
"And us two also?" asked Dotty, mischievously.
"Yes, and you two also! Bless my soul! From a lonely, somewhat misanthropic old man, you young people have turned me into a real human being! I like young voices round me, and young folks's pleasures going on in my house. Well, my dears, are you interested to know my choice?"
"ARE we?" cried Dotty, while Dolly fairly held her breath.
"I have chosen Alicia," Mr. Forbes announced, and there was a deep silence.
Bernice looked a little bewildered, but not at all disappointed. Alicia looked simply stunned, and the two D's just listened for further developments.
"But don't you for one minute think," said Mr. Forbes, "that I consider Alicia in any way superior to Bernice; nor, on the other hand, do I think Bernie better than Alicia. I love my nieces equally, and the thing that settled the question in my mind was a letter I received to-day from Alicia's father."
"I know!" cried Alicia, "I had one, too. I didn't say anything about it, because Dad asked me not to. You tell, Uncle Jeff."
"It's this," said Mr. Forbes. "Alicia's father is to be married soon. As you know, Alicia's mother, my dear sister died many years ago, and I know Mr. Steele but slightly. However, now that he is about to remarry, I hope that it will please both him and his new wife if Alicia comes to live with me. Also, I hope it will please Alicia."
"Oh, Uncle Jeff!" and Alicia flew over to him, and flung her arms round his neck, "indeed it does please me! Why, only to-day I was saying how I'd LOVE to live in New York, and how I HATED to go back to that old school! But I never dreamed of such a thing as this!"
"Oh, it's just fine!" exclaimed Bernice. "I couldn't think of leaving father, and I'd rather live in the country anyhow—"
"I discovered that, Bernie, girl," said her uncle, seriously. "That's why I had you girls here, so I could see for myself what your tastes and traits really are. I've learned that Bernice prefers her own home and too that she doesn't want to leave her father alone though my plan would have been if I asked Bernice to come here to have her father live here, too. However, I also discovered that Alicia is unhappy in her school life, that she does not care much about returning to her Western home to live with a stepmother, and that she adores New York City! So, I wrote to her father asking his opinion, and he leaves the settlement of the question to Alicia, herself."
"And I settle it! Yes! oh, I certainly DO!" and the girl gave her kind uncle another big embrace.
"Isn't it funny you should have been saying to-day that perhaps you might live in New York?" said Bernice.
"Yes," replied Alicia, and her face changed, "but I didn't mean THIS!"
Dolly spoke impulsively. In fact, it seemed as if she couldn't keep still.
"Suppose you tell your uncle just what you DID mean," she said, looking straight at Alicia with an unmistakably meaning gaze.
Alicia turned on her with a sudden expression of anger.
"You DID read that note in my coat pocket!" she cried, "you DID read it, Dolly Fayre! and you pretended you were too honourable to do such a thing!"
"Why, Alicia, I did not! You take that back!"
"Bless my soul! Are you two quarrelling? What IS the matter?"
"Dolly read my note!" cried Alicia, "she—"
"I did not!" interrupted Dolly, her blue eyes blazing. "Alicia has a secret, and I think she ought to tell it!"
"I've got a right to have a secret if I like,—Dolly Fayre!"
"But it isn't a nice secret! You wouldn't want Uncle Forbes to know it!It's—it's shocking!"
"How do YOU know?"
"I know all about it,—at least I know something about it. I heard you and Marly Turner—"
"Oh, pshaw! you little blue-eyed goose! You only think it's shocking, because you're so prim and straight-laced! I'll tell Uncle Jeff, myself, and I'll tell him right now!"
"All right, Alicia," and Dolly drew a big sigh of relief. If Alicia would tell her own secret, it would take all responsibility from her shoulders.
But Alicia hesitated. She began to speak once or twice, and stammered and paused.
At last she said, "I hate to tell, it sounds so—so grown-up and ambitious."
"I should think it DID!" cried Dolly, who began to wonder if Alicia were crazy.