ud
barks, making sure that everyone had seen his deed of helpfulness, then
started toward the Manor.

"You see," laughed Shirley. "Even Smiley Jim wants to join our club
and help others."

"And he wants the whole world to know that he's doing something noble.
--But I don't blame him for that," bubbled Joy.

"That dog is strong for flattery," laughed Bet. "He just eats it up.
Scold him and he'll pout like a wee child; praise him and he thrills."

"He's exactly like a human being, isn't he Bet?" remarked Shirley with
a smile.

"Half the time I pretend he is human. I tell him all my secrets and
all my happy surprises and even my troubles. And when I'm blue, he
does my howling for me. Truly he does. He can't bear to see me sad."

"He's a wise dog. No one should be sad. I'm glad I'm alive! Right
now I want to dance and shout, I'm so happy!"

"Go to it, Joy!" laughed Bet. "No one will stop you!"

The girl worked off her enthusiasm with a few well executed handsprings
and cartwheels. "I'd better get rid of some of this energy or I may
wreck the Manor!"

As they came in sight of the Manor, Auntie Gibbs, the housekeeper, was
looking anxiously from the kitchen door, for the cloud that had been
threatening, now opened with a deluge of rain and peal after peal of
thunder sent the girls scurrying toward the side entrance.

Smiley Jim was already on the veranda, having deposited his burden, he
was now barking excitedly, demanding the attention that he felt he
merited.

CHAPTER III

THE MERRIWEATHER MANOR

Merriweather Manor dominated the hill, it occupied the very highest
point of the estate and from its walls the ground sloped away, at one
side, straight down to the high bank above the river. Century-old elms
overshadowed the house and half hid the fine lines of the famous
Colonial structure.

The Manor had been built by Lord Cecil Merriweather before the
Revolution and had been kept up without being remodelled. It almost
seemed as if its old timbers had retained the gay atmosphere that Lord
Cecil and his lady had bequeathed it.

The front of the house stood out boldly with its great pillars. Along
the side, double verandas ran the length of the house. These were the
delight of Bet, for they had been her playground since babyhood.

The interior was no less attractive. Colonel Baxter was a collector of
Colonial antiques and knick-knacks and the house was furnished with
genuine old furniture