hey had been silently drinking in the beauty of the sun-lit bay and the green earth. They were not in the main

the left," called Phyllis Alde

close to the edge of the water, spreading its branches out over the miniature sea. It was so strong, so big and enduring that it gave the home-seeking girls a sense of protection. The elm's branches could shelter

isfaction. Next, Madge glanced about the semi-circle of eager faces. "Shall we cast our

veral passengers on board his motor boat, but the men had been inside the s

to ask at the farmhouse for the privilege of making a landi

, singing and talking until the stars came out and twinkled down on their little houseboat with a milli

endly owl. Yet the night seemed curiously lonely. It was strange to be asleep on the water instead of on the land! There was another weird sou

hat could have happened? Without pausing to put on her shoes Madge slipped into the next room. Eleanor lay breathing quietly in the upper berth an

response. She groped deeper under the covers. Still no movement or sound. Miss Jones was not in her berth. She was out on deck, talking to some one. Madge returned to her room. S

e was sure that she recognized the chaperon. Hurrying back to her berth she slipped on her steamer coat and slippers. She was trying every moment to fight down the distrust and dislike she had felt toward Miss Jones ever since the

rd the two shrouded figures in the bow. Neither of them heard her coming, but she heard Miss Jones's dist

, clear and cold, sounded a

hite that Madge could see h

lf for a leap toward the shore, Madge caught at the cloak and dragged it away from the face, and for a brief instant she saw the face of a boy a little older perhaps than she was. It was a wild and elfish face, while a pair of ears, ending

atter to offer some explanation. Miss Jones said

, ourselves, that we were to land here until we spied the place. Was that boy a stranger to yo

her cheeks. She was trembling so that Madge, much against he

ay, if you like, and I will, as soon as you can get some one else to chaperon you. Only I must ask you not to tell the other girls what has happened to-night, or wh

ificant silence

Miss Jones questioned anxiously. "Would

dge's stiff reply, "bu

deck and came to the door of their little cabin. "I am not asking you to do anything wrong, only asking

ly. "I do not wish you to leave us, Miss Jones. I wish yo

to go for my holiday, and you are afraid my health will suffer. You mu

y, and without further words she went i

me, wondering why clouds and distrust should so often spring up among h

h questions about her mysterious visitor, but she determined to discover for