he boys continually "betting
against bets," while the girls would complain that too much conversation
interfered with the progress of the race.

When the full hour had passed Edith called "Time!" Then the measuring
began.

"No stretching!" warned Ned as he held his rope of green against that
which Tom and Dorothy had woven.

"Ours!" called Tom, as the one string pulled out two yards longer than the
other.

Then every other strand was measured against that. Not one came up to the
garland made by Dorothy and Tom.

"Oh, of course," pouted Eva, "Dorothy and Tom could not possibly have been
beaten. They're such a strong team!"

The others laughed, although Dorothy did not like the remark.

Ned lifted his eyebrows thoughtfully, but never once smiled at Dorothy's
triumph.

"Tavia has the 'Booby,'" announced Tom, who had done all the measuring,
"Now distribute the prizes, please."

Tavia protested, of course, and soon the room was in an uproar. Finally
the ladies insisted the wreaths should be put up, and when the chairs and
stepladders had been brought the boys began festooning the long strings of
green about the room, over windows and doors, and about the finely-fluted
posts that marked the arches.

Dorothy purposely took Ned's rope to hold for him.

"Won't it look pretty?" she asked, trying to show her interest in his
work.

"Guess so," he answered indifferently, without looking at his cousin.

"Here, Dorothy," called Tom. "You are not to work. This sofa is especially
provided for our comfort. Here, sit down," and taking her arm, he
attempted to lead her away from the ladder upon which Ned stood.

"Let me have it," said Ned, jerking the rope from Dorothy's grasp.
Instinctively she held to it, and looked up in some astonishment at her
cousin.

A moment later Ned swayed toward her. She had released her hold of the
rope, and the sudden easing of the strain which the youth put upon it
caused him to lose his balance. He swayed still farther away from the
ladder, and thrust out his hands to grasp the rungs. He dropped the rope,
and as Dorothy gave a frightened scream he crashed to the floor, right at
her feet, narrowly missing striking her.

She had barely time to jump aside when the ladder crashed down beside the
prostrate form of Ned.

Instantly the room was in an uproar. Ned was hurt--he did not attempt to
move, but lay there almost unconscious.

"Oh, my boy!" cried Mrs. White, bending over him.

"Ned!