o the school post-bag, that was always kept in the library. One of the letters she had written to her uncle and aunt, explaining her houseboat scheme in the most

was at college in Baltimore. She explained that she expected to rent a houseboat for the summer, and she asked her cousin to give her the address of places in Baltimore where such a boat could be hired. She wished it to cost the smal

ducation, and Madge knew she was expected to make her own living as soon as she was old enough. Mr. and Mrs. Butler had hoped she would become a teacher, f

t at present her poverty was very inconvenient. Madge was generous to a fault, and she would have liked nothing better than to

o act as their chaperon. So it was of this chaperon that Madg

ry. Moreover, she was so beautiful and aristocratic that Madge always called her the "Lady of Quality." It was true she could not cook nor wash dishes, nor do anything practical, and she was only twenty-two. Still, Madge

r, "do you not know that whistling is against the rules of the school? You are one of the older girls.

Madge angrily. "Miss Tolliver has not said she was disappoi

. She was particularly homely and there was something awkward and repellant in her manner. Worshipping beauty and graciousness, Madge could not forgive her teacher her lack of both. Besides, Madge

p, to her dismay she saw that the eyes o

e me so, Miss Morton?" M

slike, but she did not wish to be disagreeable. "I am

ew. Miss Jones had a number of friends among the other girls in the school; but she and this clever southern girl had been enemies since Miss Jones had first taken charge of the English History

might have cried in sympathy. Somehow, she could not c

matter?" she

have had bad news. My doctor has just written me that if I don't spend the summer out-of-

n of her teacher's flat chest and stooping shoulders and of her bad temper. After al

Just think how strong you will grow with your long summer holiday out-of-doors. You must dig in the garden, and ride horseback, and

e summer in the country. I have only a sister with whom to spend the summer, and she lives in a

Madge's lips unexpectedly. A moment after she was sorry she had asked the

n the stiff, cold manner that seemed so unattractive to gracious, sunshiny Madge. "I am sorry to have worried you with

ea. They liked Miss Jones far better than she did. Even if they had not liked her, sympathy would have inspired them to extend the invitation. It was she alone who would hesitate. Of course, she never expected to be as good as her friends. So Madge argued with herself. It was too dreadful to give u

impatient Madge Morton, the four friends wait

hands trembled so that she could hardly finish her breakfast. "Here, Eleanor," Madge finally faltered, as the four girls left the dining room to go upstairs, "you take

onately on Madge's arm, whil

a most extraordinary one. I never heard of young girls attempting such a holi

I have talked over your letter and Eleanor's. We do not wish you and Eleanor to be separated, and we do wish you both to have the happiest holiday possible, as we are quite sure you have earned it. So, if you can find a suitable chaperon, we a

ished reading the letter. For half a minute the four chums we

e day!" cried the irrepressible Madge, dancing around in a circle a

etter, the day before and had already agreed that their respe

at you drive all thought from our heads. The first thin

yes. Already she was, in the land of her imagination, in a beautiful white boat, floating beside an evergreen shore. The little craft was furnished all in white, with dainty muslin curtains hung at the

pinch. "I am going downstairs now to ask Miss Tolliver if we can go into Baltimore day after to-morrow.

reminded Eleanor. "We haven

you girls are willing to have he

e voices in chorus, "who is

ow before I have time to change my mind. I'll explain later." Springing from her chair, s