ng
between them, Ruth became her old self again, and expected to have
Marjorie once more as her best friend. But Marjorie was not to be so
easily won.

"Mother writes that there's a new family moved in next door to us,"
remarked Ruth, "and she says that the son--a boy a little older than we
are, seems very nice. I thought maybe I'd ask him over some night during
Christmas week, if you and Jack can come, too. We could play bridge, and
dance a little."

"That would be lovely," murmured Marjorie, in a preoccupied manner, for
her thoughts had flown in a different direction--to her own _one_
important plan for the coming week.

"How would next Friday suit?" suggested Ruth.

Marjorie shook her head decidedly. "Sorry, but I can't possibly!"

Ruth regarded her curiously. What plans could Marjorie have--so early?
No doubt it had something to do with John Hadley.

"If it's John, why, bring him along, and I'll try to get another girl,"
she ventured.

"No; it has nothing to do with John. I expect to be out of town."

"At Lily's?"

"No; I won't be visiting anybody."

"Oh, well," said Ruth, sulkily, "if you don't want to tell me, you don't
have to. I don't care."

"I can't very well tell you, Ruth," replied Marjorie; "and besides, you
wouldn't be interested."

"Then when can you come?"

"Tuesday or Wednesday, whichever you like."

The girls finally agreed upon Wednesday, and separated with the promise
to visit each other before then. But Ruth resented Marjorie's secrecy
and tried to imagine what her important engagement could possibly be.

Christmas, and the next four days passed happily and quickly, and almost
before she realized it, Friday had come, bringing to Marjorie her chance
for adventure.

Wrapped snugly in her mother's fur coat, and with the big robe tucked in
around her, she sat on the front seat of the machine that cold, clear
morning of the end of December. She was very happy; she felt, indeed,
that she was doing something worth while, and the prospect of a nice
long ride with Miss Phillips added not a little to her pleasure.

After they had driven about fifteen miles they met the Scout Captain,
and then continued on their way. Ten miles before they reached their
destination they stopped at a hotel for dinner.

"Suppose they don't live there any longer," remarked Marjorie. "All our
trip for nothing!"

"No, for we could probably get some information from Mrs. Brubaker,"
replied Miss Phillips. "Bu