g ridge and came out upon the more
open summit, they espied a bridle path making down the slope, through
an open grove and across uncultivated fields beyond--a vast blueberry
pasture. Up this path a girl was coming. She swung her hat by its
strings in her hand and commenced to run up the hill when she spied the
coach.

She was a thin, wiry, long-limbed girl. She swung her hat excitedly
and although the girls in the coach could not hear her, they knew that
she shouted to Old Dolliver. He pulled up, braking the lumbering
wheels grumblingly. The newcomer's sharp, freckled face grew plainer
to the interested gaze of Ruth and Helen as she came out of the shadow
of the trees into the sunlight of the dusty highway.

"Got any Infants, Dolliver?" the girl asked, breathlessly.

"Two on 'em, Miss Cox," replied the stage driver.

"Then I'm in time. Of course, nobody's met 'em?"

"Hist! Ma'mzell's in there," whispered Dolliver, hoarsely.

"Oh! She!" exclaimed Miss Cox, with plain scorn of the French teacher.
"That's all right, Dolliver. I'll get in. Ten cents, mind you, from
here to Briarwood. That's enough."

"All right, Miss Cox. Ye allus was a sharp one," chuckled Dolliver, as
the sharp-faced girl jerked open the nearest door of the coach and
stared in, blinking, out of the sunlight.

CHAPTER IV

THE RIVALRY OF THE UPEDES AND THE FUSSY CURLS

The passengers in the Seven Oaks and Lumberton stage sat facing one
another on the two broad seats. Mademoiselle Picolet had established
herself in one corner of the forward seat, riding with her back to the
driver. Ruth and Helen were side by side upon the other seat, and this
newcomer slid quickly in beside them and smiled a very broad and
friendly smile at the two chums.

"When you've been a little while at Briarwood Hall," she said, in her
quick, pert way, "you'll learn that that's the only way to do with Old
Dolliver. Make your bargain before you get into the Ark--that's what
we call this stage--or he surely will overcharge you. Oh! how-do, Miss
Picolet!"

She spoke to the French teacher so carelessly--indeed, in so scornful a
tone--that Ruth was startled. Miss Picolet bowed gravely and said
something in return in her own language which made Miss Cox flush, and
her eyes sparkle. It was doubtless of an admonishing nature, but Ruth
and Helen did not understand it.

"Of course, you are the two girls whom we ex--that is, who were
expected to-day?" th