ogetically, "You won't mind if I read this now, will you,
Connie and Mother?"

"Go ahead," urged Constance. "We couldn't be so hard-hearted as to
object."

Mrs. Dean smiled her assent. Marjorie's thoughtfulness of others was
always a secret source of joy to her.

Marjorie read down the page, then uttered a little squeal of delight.
"Mother!" she exclaimed joyously, "just listen to this:

"DEAREST MARJORIE:

"You will wonder, perhaps, what has happened to me. I know I
have owed you a letter for over two weeks, but I have been so
busy taking care of mother that I haven't had very much time to
write. Of course, we have a nurse, but, still, there are so many
little things to be done for her, which she likes to have me do.
She is much better, but our doctor says she must go to a famous
health resort in the West for the winter. She will start for
Colorado in about two weeks, and now comes the part of my
letter which I hope you will like to read. I am going to make
you a visit. Father and I are coming to see you on a very
mysterious mission. I won't tell you anything more about it
until I see you. Part of it is sad and part of it glad, and it
all depends upon three persons whether it will ever happen.
There! That ought to keep you guessing.

"You wrote me that you would be at home in Sanford by the last
of next week. Please writs me at once and let me know just
exactly when you expect to reach there. We shall not try to come
to the seashore, as father prefers to wait until you are back in
Sanford again. With much love to you and your mother,

"Yours Mysteriously,
"MARY."

Marjorie finished the last word with a jubilant wave of the letter.

"What do you think of that, Captain? What do you suppose this mysterious
mission can be?" Marjorie's face was alight with affectionate curiosity.

"I am not good at guessing," Mrs. Dean smiled tolerantly. The ways of
schoolgirls were usually shrouded with a profound mystery, which
disappeared into nothingness when confronted with reality.

"It must be something extraordinary. She says it's part sad and part
glad. I hope it's mostly glad. I know _I'm_ glad that I'm going to see
her. Why, it's almost a year since we said good-bye to each other! Oh,
Connie," she turned rapturously to Constance, "you two girls, my dearest
friends, who look alike, will actually meet at last! You'll lo