ree chums gathered about Betty. She held the bill, and the pa

t real?" ga

t's real," d

I confess I never saw a five hundr

eces?" asked Grace. "

colates would it buy?"

y chocolate to me!

ad not spoken since picking up the

'd be well off," said Mollie.

ropped it?" and she looked up at the railroad bridge over their heads, as

d Grace, as she took hold of it while B

said the finder. She turned it over.

e. This is to remind me that if I don't make good use of this I don't de

r reading this strange message that had come t

at do you

ke!" decla

" spoke Betty, seriously. "Girls,

d Mollie. "What shall

refer the question to yours, Amy. Being a broker, he's quite likely to know about such things, an

erti

be a notice in t

haps we'll meet whoever it belongs to,

n how the bill, and the attached paper, came to lie so openly on the highway, I hope I may be permitted to insert here

one informal conquest, reached the position of

s good to look upon. Her face showed her character. There was a calm thoughtfulness about it that suggested strength of mind, and yet it was not the type of face called "strong." It was purely girlish, and it reflec

iends as well. Intensely practical was Betty, yet there was a shade of romance in her character that few suspected. Perhaps the other girls had so often taken their little troubles to Betty

called "The Little Captain," and certainly she deserved the name. Her father, Charles Nelson, was a wealthy carpet manufacturer, his factory

cided brunette. And, as I have said, Grace dressed to advantage. There had been a time when she bemoaned the fact that she was tall-"regular bean-pole" her brother had taunted her with being-and Grace-well, she had slapped him. But this was some years ago. But

mes, but it was done naturally and without

at this date, but Grace had sufficient composure to

you know, Billie-boy. Ru

to say, would hasten to join his bosom friend F

an understand

what

sort of fancy dingus on it doesn't mix in right. She says it

ister is a mighty st

l her you

they thought, philosophising further on the queerness

eputation. He was often called on to handle big cases of state-wide int

w, Mrs. Pauline Billette, Mollie seemed older than either Betty or Grace, though she was a year younger. Yet she di

not to be admired, and which Mollie tried so hard to conquer. But her friends knew her failing, and readily forgave her. Besides Mollie there were the comical twins-Dora-never called anything but Dodo-and P

cal characteristics at all like her parents-at least she regarded Mr. and Mrs. John Stonington as her parents. And yet she could not understand why she was not more like them in type,

no with a technique and fire that few girls of her age could equal. More than once, after a simple concert in the High School,

Amy to herself, after one of those queer confidences she h

or our fo

the only residence place any of them had ever really known, for though some of them had lived as children i

de for local enjoyment in parks, memorials and statues. Though there were only about fifteen thousand resi

setting that could not be improved upon. The stream ran around two sides of the place, the

committeemen, wisely ignoring objections, had, at some cost, acquired the land, and made what was one o

elow the town, and Rainbow Lake fully justified its name. It was a favorite scene of canoeing and motor-boat parties,

ung people who landed there after a trip on the lake, to rest in the shade of the leafy trees. Triangle Island, so called

oat, belonging to a local line going as far as Clammerport at the foot of the lake. Of

to cultivation. The town, and the outlying farms filled a sort of valley, girt around with hills of suff

the most beautiful, was only of medium size. It was a favorite spot for excursionists who wanted a chang

ho built a large mansion there. But, on his death, the property was contested for in the court

e to have a railroad, a

rovided with transp

he people of Deepdale. The town also boasted of a paper, the Weekly Banner, and there was a good high and grammar school in

rtunes that we shall be chiefly concerned-our girls

n it was the embodiment of culture and comfort. It set well back from the street, and a lane of elms led from the front porch to the thoroughfare. Back

k house of tasteful design. It had ample grounds about it, though being rather new co

mily, but artistic nevertheless. It was just around the corner from the residence of Betty, a

e other three girls. It was a wooden house of a dull red that mingled wel

racters, and places, though others will be introduc

hat had given her such uneasiness of late. Nor were the other girls concerned with anything sav

e lost it?" wo

Deepdale who can afford to throw

lost," declared Betty, "and we

etic message," said Grace. "P

think it was a

irl's writing,"

ou keep on-or should I say detect

hat note means?"

s standing or wealth with this, and probably wrote this to remind himself not to fail. I used to have a habit of leaving my room untidy, and Daddy suggested once that

nk he is young?" Gr

man would do anything like this-write such a stra

king?" asked

o return the money to him i

at in some secure place, Betty," advised

es

Banner. 'Found-a sum of money. Owner can have same by provin

k for a reward?"

a-of cou

one," suggested Amy,

Mrs. Nelson was duly astonished at the news, and agreed with the chums that the best plan was that suggested by Grace. Accordingly, wh

ramping Club," proposed Betty, for her thre

he thought I could go. But we must stay with friends, or

of relatives living in distant towns, but all in this vicinity. Probably you girls have some al

es!" came in a h

, and that's only a little over ten miles a day-not count

not so bad,"

do that," as

our meals?"

fudge to do between morning and

nd supper at our friends' or relatives' and at noon we can go to restaurants, or to houses along the way. W

ried Amy

e-not coffee,"

ate then," as

nts somewhere out Bess

sin or two near Mill

r turn, Mollie

the country!" exclaimed the French girl, her eyes spa

etween-spaces with uncle

ty. "Now let's make

e to do this, but it wa

Betty after a pause. "Shall we form t

that we do!" exclaimed Gra

on!" came laughi

in fa

horus, and the little clu