hem better
than you treated me and I was getting jealous."

The girls cast many searching glances at the package and finally Bet
burst out: "Dad dear, I just can't wait a minute longer to see what you
bought for Shirley's Shop."

"Then go and see!" But as all the girls made a rush, he exclaimed,
"No, no, not all together. Something will be smashed, sure. Let the
boss attend to it."

Everybody else stood back, but Bet grabbed the package.

"Well, since when are you boss of Shirley's Shop?" laughed the Colonel.
"You forget, you're only boss of Merriweather Manor."

Shirley laughed and undid the strong cord and covering of the box,
which was filled with excelsior.

"I don't believe there's a thing in it," said Bet. "He's putting
something over on you, Shirley."

But just then the girl's fingers touched something and she drew it
forth.

"Oh Daddy, how did you know that's just what we want for our window
display?" cried Bet as Shirley held up an exquisite vase and Bet dug
her hand into the box and brought forth some vanity cases and other
bright objects that the Colonel had chosen.

"How did you ever think of all these lovely things?" said Bet, looking
at her father with pride and satisfaction.

"Well, when I went around to the gift shop where I left Shirley's
pictures, I just kept my eyes open."

"And did you buy them right there?" asked Bet.

"Of course he didn't! And pay top prices! Colonel Baxter is too good
a business man for that and he has the interest of Shirley and Company
too much at heart," protested Shirley.

"Oh, I didn't think of that," replied Bet. "One does have to make a
profit!"

"Now here you are, Miss Fixit! Here is the bill. I backed you for it
and you have two months to pay it."

"That's a debt of thirty dollars, and I've taken in one-third of that
this first afternoon and got an order for maybe fifty dollars worth of
photographs. When I once get started I can make a lot of money, taking
pictures of children in their homes."

"Mrs. Lester would make a striking portrait, herself, Shirley,"
suggested Bet.

"Don't think I missed seeing a thing like that. I've already posed her
in a dozen ways in my mind," answered Shirley.

"Get it on paper, kid!" laughed Kit.

"You've never seen me let any grass grow under my feet, have you?"
laughed Shirley.

"No, I haven't. You don't talk much, but you do plenty."

"I'll need to do plenty, if I'm to make Shirley's Shop a success,