onsented to father's making this big
sacrifice for me so that we may all be abroad together, and you and
Mrs. Ashton have the rest and change you so much need. And then, of
course, I may be able to learn to sing well enough some day to earn the
money to buy you a Paris frock and hat," she ended with an attempt at
lightness.

However, Betty was not deceived, and getting up from her rocking chair,
she deliberately pushed Esther aside.

"For goodness sake! let me finish packing my own trunk, Esther
Crippen," she commanded. "Here I have been carefully trying to
cultivate an angelic character ever since I became a Camp Fire girl,
and in a few weeks of your spoiling you do away with the labor of
years."

Betty therefore was not looking up when some one tiptoed quietly into
the room, and, before she became conscious of her presence, dropped a
bunch of May blossoms under her eyes.

"There are two automobiles waiting before your door at the present
moment, children," Polly announced. "And John Everett suggested that I
tell you to get into your coats and hats at once. He came home for the
day; I've an idea he may have desired to say farewell to 'My Lady
Betty,' but I was given no such information. What I was told to say
was that he and Meg were giving an automobile ride in your honor and
that we were to end up by having our lunch at the cabin. They have
asked all the Camp Fire Club and some of John's friends, Billy
Webster," and Polly's face expressed her chagrin. "John has even
invited Anthony Graham, and the poor fellow has fixed himself up until
he is positively shining with cleanliness, though I am afraid he will
be cold in that shabby overcoat of his."

While Polly was chattering, she was assisting Betty to slip into her
new violet dress which had been made for the steamer crossing and
happily was lying ready and spread out upon the bed. And the next
instant she had pinned Esther's new blue _crepe de chine_ blouse down
in the back, hurried them both into their heavy coats and hats, and was
ushering them out to their friends, who were impatiently awaiting their
coming.

No one of the little party forgot their May day together in the woods
and at the Sunrise Hill cabin for a long time to come. And among the
many kind things that were said to her in farewell, it was curious that
the speech made by Anthony Graham should make the deepest impression
upon Betty Ashton's mind.

He had asked her come away from her