can we find?" And Mr. Rose looked around. "Why, my goodness, my
basket is full already!"

"What's in it?" cried Genie, scampering around to see. "Oh, goody!
cookies and lemonade!"

Though Dolly had really had two breakfasts, the mountain climb had made
her ready to welcome a little light refreshment and the bottles of
lemonade and the box of cookies were rapidly disposed of by the party.

"I see Indian Pipes," remarked Mr. Rose, and Dotty cried, "Where?
Where?"

"Those who seek will find," said Mr. Rose, smiling, and the girls set to
work hunting.

Dotty was the first to spy some of the graceful white blossoms under
some concealing green leaves, but a moment later Dolly found some too.
With their trowels they carefully dug up the plants and put them in
their baskets to take home.

Genie collected some odd stones, and Mrs. Rose found a particular bit
of Eglantine that she wanted and soon the baskets were filled and the
party took up their homeward way.

Mostly of a down-hill trend, the way home was easy, and as the baskets
were not heavy the girls danced gaily along singing songs as they went.

"Why, goodness, gracious sakes; it's nearly two o'clock!" cried Dolly as
they entered the big living room of the bungalow and set down their
burdens.

"It sho'ly is!" and Maria's black face appeared in the doorway. "I
suttinly thought you-all was never comin' home to dinner! I'se been
waitin' and waitin' till everything is jes' 'bout spoilt!"

"Oh, I guess not as bad as that, Maria," and Mr. Rose smiled pleasantly
at her. "We're not much behind time, and we won't grumble if things are
cold."

"Laws' sakes! they ain't cold! I'se dun looked out for dat. Yo' better
wash that mud off your hands and come along. Doan' waste no time now."

The Roses were accustomed to Maria's good-natured scoldings and they ran
away to follow her advice.

CHAPTER X

HIDDEN TREASURE

"Take time to tidy up and put on clean blouses," called out Mrs. Rose as
the girls went to their rooms.

But they made quick work of it, and helped each other in the matter of
hair ribbons and soon three very trim and tidy young persons in clean
white linen presented themselves, hungry for their dinner.

Maria had a steaming chicken stew for them, with fluffy white dumplings
that showed no sign of being "spoilt"; in fact, she had not cooked them
until after the family's return.

"Was there ever anything so good!" exclaimed Dolly as she receive