ombat, and put them to flight. It was a wonderful game, and Isabelle
thrilled to think that it was "her ideal" who had suggested it.

"When am I going to entertain Mr. Christiansen?" she asked her mother.

"_You_ entertain him?"

"Certainly. He had me to lunch, didn't he?"

Mrs. Bryce laughed.

"I'm having a house party over the week end and he is coming."

"This week end?"

"Yes. Your beau arrives on the noon train Saturday."

"But I am spending the day with the Hunters Saturday," the child
protested.

"I can't help that," replied her parent.

"May I come down to dinner Saturday night?"

"Certainly not."

"Can't I come in with the cocktails, and stay till you go to the dining
room?"

"Nobody wants you under foot."

"He's my friend just as much as he is yours!" blazed Isabelle.

"You can see him at tea."

"With everybody around? I have something private to tell him."

"What, pray?"

"About Amazons."

"Well, we'll not have Amazons with the cocktails, I can tell you that,"
said her mother with finality.

Isabelle brooded over the matter until the end of the week. She tried to
get out of the day with Margie Hunter, but Mrs. Bryce was glad to be rid
of her and forced her to go. She ordered Miss Watts not to go after her
until half past five, when tea would be safely over.

Isabelle composed a note of explanation and left it on the bureau in the
room which Christiansen was to occupy.

DEAR FRIEND:
Because of others, and Margie Hunter's mother I cannot meet you
at the station. I have to spend the day with old Margie Hunter.
I have organized the Amazons, as you said, and we are strong and
true, in riding breeches. I have a plan, but don't tell Max.
Your loving friend,
ISABELLE BRYCE.

She forgot her troubles somewhat at the Hunters'. All the Amazons were
there, as well as Margie's brother, Herbert, an elderly person of
twelve, with some of his friends. They treated the girls with great
scorn until Isabelle told them the story of the persecutions she endured
at home, in order to be an Amazon. It featured imprisonment in a tower
room, on a diet of bread and water, branding irons and flogging with a
buckled strap. They formed a delighted circle about her, and urged her
on.

"Some little liar, that kid!" exclaimed Herbert. "_Then_ what did you
do?"

The big boys followed her about all