tle company scattered in groups about the ranch to
enjoy the few brief hours of their stay.

The return trip was as tame as the first part of the journey had been
exciting, for not a single car stuck once, and just as the city clocks
were striking nine, the tired, sunburned, but blissfully happy girls
again found themselves entering Mrs. Cummings' deserted house, where
they were to spend this last night before Ivy Hall opened its doors to
receive them.

"Oh, Kit, your father gave me a letter for you, hours ago," suddenly
exclaimed Myra in dismay, as they were unrolling their blankets ready
for bed, and she dragged forth a crumpled envelope from her blouse and
presented it to her surprised companion. "I'm so sorry I forgot it.
Really, it's inexcusable in me."

"It's of little consequence," Tabitha assured her, scanning the
unfamiliar handwriting with puzzled eyes. "I don't know anyone in
Boston. Oh, it's from Billiard and Toady, I reckon. They live at
Jamaica Plains, and--why, there's money in it! One hundred dollars.
What in the world-- Will you listen to this, girls? You know I told
you about their getting part of the reward for helping capture the bank
robbers in Silver Bow? Well, they are sending it back and want to know
if it's enough to give Mercedes another year at Ivy Hall."

A deep hush fell upon the group of tired, sleepy girls preparing for
the night. Each maid recalled with a twinge of conscience the picture
of quiet, sober-faced Mercedes McKittrick, as she had said good-bye to
them that last day of school. "I can never forget any of you," she had
said shyly, "and I'm glad of that, for it's nice to remember pleasant
times when you can't have any more." They had not understood then, but
now they knew it was her way of renouncing the happy school days which
she must give up because of her father's illness; and they were ashamed
of their indifference.

"I'll add fifty dollars of the check Uncle Jerry gave me," whispered
Gloriana, breaking the painful silence at last.

"And there's my birthday money in the bank," said Tabitha. "That's
another fifty."

"Oh, if only I hadn't spent my allowance for clothes that I didn't
need!" groaned Myra. "But I still have nine dollars and ninety-nine
cents left. Can anyone make it an even ten? Ivy Hall will be open to
us to-morrow, and school begins Monday. I can get along nicely on my
nerve until my next allowance comes in. Here, let's pass the hat."