ht as she
looked out on the white world. The trees were heavy with snow and
everything had been changed to a magic garden.

"If I'd had any idea that we were going to have snow, I'd have had a
coasting party tomorrow night."

After the thrill the girls had experienced in their Christmas giving,
they now looked forward to their own pleasures. Even Christmas day
seemed to be insignificant when compared to the prospect of the party.

Although Bet's father had made arrangements for the party, it was not
with his usual enthusiasm, and Bet watched him carefully, thinking he
was ill. But the Colonel laughed her fears away. And from then on he
tried to hide from his little daughter the fact that he was worried.

Business investments had all gone wrong. In fact everything he had
touched for the last year had been a disappointment. Now it seemed as
if the only way to save what he had was to get a large sum of money,
and in these uncertain tunes, that was impossible.--Unless he sold the
Manor.

It was this problem that was worrying him. He could not bear to give
up his home. It was here that he had brought his young wife and for
two years had lived in a Paradise. Her early death had crushed him for
a time, and it was only in the Manor where the dear memories of her
happy spirit filled each room, that he was content.

It was the fear that he might have to give up his home, that made
Colonel Baxter worry, and Bet watched him with troubled eyes.

He had put forth an extra effort to appear happy during the Christmas
season, and he tried to throw himself into the plans for the party with
his usual enthusiasm.

Bet saw the difference, but wisely said nothing.

At the Colonel's suggestion, they decided on a costume party. That
would give the girls a chance to wear some of the lovely old dresses
that he had collected.

Bet was terribly disappointed when her father came hurrying in at noon
before the party with the announcement that he had a business call to
Chicago, and would not be able to attend the party.

"Then we'll put it off, Daddy. A party wouldn't be any fun without
you."

"No, I wouldn't do that, Bet. Think of the many who would be
disappointed if you postpone it. Then too, I may not be back for two
weeks. It is a business matter that I must attend to. It's important."

Reluctantly Bet went on with her plans. There were a few tears when
she told the bad news to her chums in the afternoon.

"That