re is one of your cousins--"

"Nat!" called Dorothy, as that boy ran across the lawn. "Come over
here a minute, if you can spare time from that un-understandable game."

"Don't you know that game?" asked Nat, coming up to the rustic bench
upon which the two girls were seated. "Why, I'm surprised. That is a
genuine American game 'Follow the Leader.'"

"Let me introduce you to a friend," began Dorothy, indicating Viola.
"This is Miss Green--Mr. Nat White."

Nat bowed and spoke pleasantly--he was no country boy. Viola had
noticed that long ago.

"Viola has just been telling me her one hobby is music," said Dorothy,
to start the small talk, "and she studies the violin. I think it so
much more interesting than the piano," she commented.

"Oh, I've tried it," admitted Nat. "It is more interesting for others,
but when it comes home to a fellow it is awfully scratchy and
monotonous. But I suppose Miss Viola has gone past that period. I
stuck there."

"That is because you did not start early enough," said Viola. "To do
anything with the violin one ought to start before the squeaks and
scratches can be realized."

"Good idea," agreed Nat. "That work should certainly be done in
the--sub--conscious state."

"I'll leave you to settle the violin," said Dorothy, "while I pay my
respects to Mrs. MacAllister. She has just come out, and wasn't it
splendid of her to let us all come here?"

Dorothy made her way across the lawn to the knot of girls where Mrs.
MacAllister was gracefully presiding.

But instantly Tavia saw that Nat was alone with Viola--the very thing
she wanted to avoid. Nat might tell her the truth about the "chariot
race," as the police patrol ride had become known. Besides, Viola
could find out so many things from an unsuspecting boy.

"Come with me," said Tavia to Nettie, dragging the innocent girl along.
"I want to present you to a friend of mine. Do you see that boy over
there? The best looking fellow here? Well, he's a friend of mine."

"Delighted--I'm sure," agreed Nettie. "But what about the other girl?
Miss Nile Green?"

"Cut her out," said Tavia, in her most business-like way, using the
slang with the old as well as the newer significance.

"Certainly," responded Nettie, with a coquettish toss of her head.
"I'm on the boys committee--as a matter of fact they are all here in my
care," and straightforth the pair made for Viola's bench.

"Wasn't it too funny!" Viola was exclaiming