six men at the camping grounds, which had

friends on the houseboat at Old Point Comfort. So the day of the b

their swan song. The camp was composed of fourteen young men and two professors from Columbia University. Professor Gordon looked after the athletics and Professor Gamage the general manag

llowed to act as masters of ceremony for the day's amuse

rder that they might be free to enjoy the day's pleasures. But, for once in their acquaintance, Tom was obdurate and would not agree e

ature of the day the famous race was to take place between the boys and girls. The race was supposed to be rowed "just for fun," but Mrs. Curtis had secre

ones. Two days before the boat race Miss Jenny Ann came to the rescue. She made two beautiful new blouses of white flannel with wide collars and cuffs of pale blue. Upon the right sleeve of each blouse Eleanor embroidered in

ay. The boys had worked manfully and the grounds looked as

tes of the starting time of the race. Both young women were attired in expensive boating costumes of heavy cream-colored pongee. They wore white silk stockings and white buckskin shoe

ly for a moment, however. She turned to Tom Curtis, who had hardly left her side since her arrival, and sa

were to pull together, Harry Sears and a Maryland boy, named George Robinson, and two brothers, Peter and John Simrall. The six youths had o

d barely spoken to each other all day. Before she had an opportunity to explain what she wished of the young men, Flora whispered to her cousin, s

She meant that they were to remain silent. She had determined not to lose her temper again with Flora Harris, no matter what the othe

begin our boat race, you will have to make us a solemn promise." She gazed searchingly at the

med Tom, "what do you mean?

nd that you will not try to win the boat race, which you are to row against Miss Harris, Miss Paine, Phil and me. So

g sheepishly at one another. Ho

less you make us this pro

omise be given, and after a good-natured protest on the

sixth boat for the umpire, Professor Gordon, to follow th

ing their station a hundred yards ahead o

a at Miss Tolliver's school. But then they had rowed only against other girls. Now, they were to enter into a different kind of co

y could get away in good style, and make a spurt toward the goal, the fact of their hundred yards

med to rowing in the surf. The few days' practice on the bay under Lieutenant Jimmy's direction had helped the two girls. They had learned the advantage of th

n false starts. None of the girls dared to look back at the men when the signal to get away rang out.

e made the best forward spurt. A moment later Fl

them. The girls sat squarely in their skiff, their bodies bending sharply forward, th

ered half of the course. None of them cared very much whether the boys were th

heir lives. The boys were amazed. They were trying to keep their word to Madge. Now it struck them that, after all, they would

on the other girls. The experience of the for

ahead of them now. The boats were keeping to their straight courses in the open sound. It is a firs

dge was taken completely off her guard. She had not time to call out to Phil. Phyllis, as stroke oar, was not expected to know what was happening. Her duty was to row steadily ahead. Her companion's sudden exclamation, the unexpected vision of the other boat in their course, confused Phil. She lost her stroke. In the same second, Flora Harris and Alice Pain

that girls did not understand the rules of boat racing. This race was being rowed for pleasure. The girls were the guests of his boys at the camp. Flora Harris's father was an officer at

finish, was about to announce the victors. Phil's face was white. She looked tired and dispirited. Madge's

declare the race to be a foul, we must not mention it. We were rowing only for fun. We don't wish to m

ly. "Why should I allow Flora Harris the use of what we ha

er argument with her friend. Th

called out. "If you will row back to the starting place, I believe Mrs. Curtis

d Phil, then toward their umpire. Madge glanced at Tom from under her long lashes. Tom's face was flaming, ye

illed with flowers. Before leaving for Washington, Lieutenant Lawton had placed an order with a flor

ouquets the girls took their f

l silver loving cups in her hands. Professor Gordon announced Harry Sears and George Robinson a

rs," protested Mrs. Curtis, glanci

nner that proud Madge particularly disliked. "I

ised the Li

congratulate the winners when a high,

that Miss Harris and Miss Paine committed a f

hed with embarrassment. Lillian and Eleanor felt the color rise to their own faces. Miss Je

ive the prize. Her cousin, Alice Paine, looked a

hardly thought Miss Morton could endure to see any one but herself as the winner. An Army officer's daughter i

Curtis, her head held high,

a and Alice. Phyllis said nothing, but she moved nearer to Mad

the boats," answered Professor Gordon sternly. "Don't you think it is

ly. "It is only that I think it is dreadful to win anything

y, determined to stand b

ounced to the assembled guests. "I am sure that, if an error in the race were committed, it was not intentional. I insist on Miss Harris and Mi

with more disfavor than she ha

, she was ashamed to have made such a scene and to have spoiled the boys' party, but she was not ready to apologize for having told t

eeth. "I can not apologize to Miss Harris or Miss Paine for having told the truth. Of course, I ac

her heart was full of woe. Why did she always seem to be in the wrong where

chance to whisper: "Course you were right, dear girl. Flora Harris and Alice cheated abominably. It was my fault too. I should have spoken up at first. I let things go only because Mother was set on it, an

self to be under the ban of her friend's displeasure, Madge was singularly uncomfortable and ill at ease. Miss Jenny Ann and the three "Merry Maid" girls could not help fee

arty said good night to Mrs. Curtis and boarded Tom

eside her and they talked impersonally. She was too proud to bring up the subject of what had occurred on shore, an

by little conversation. Knowing Madge's disposition, and that she was already suffering deeply from her too fr

eep in slumber when Miss Jenny Ann was awakened by the sound of low sobbing fro

is the matter?" s

hold my tongue. But when that Harris girl stepped up so coolly to receive the prize, knowing what a cheat she was, the wor

s Jenny Ann. "You mustn't blame yourself

defiant gleam in her eyes. Then her lips quivered and she said

in the morning," advised Miss Jones, "then, if she decide

Madge's eyes grew dark with anger

's guests," reminded her teacher. "I know that you were severely tried. My private opinion of Flora Harris is not a flattering one, but

will apologize to Miss Harris on one condition only," her red lip