e to look into the construction
of an auto as thoroughly as he would have desired.

"When do we start?" he asked Aurora.

"The first of next week, if it's all right with Mrs. Calvert and
Dorothy."

"Who dares talk of Dorothy when she is not present?" demanded that
young lady, coming out on the gallery at this moment. "I believe this
is a conspiracy."

"Dorothy Calvert!"

"Aurora Blank!"

These sharp exclamations were followed by a joyous hug and a half
dozen kisses, while Jim stood looking on in amusement.

"Say, don't I get in that game?" he wanted to know.

"If you wish," said Aurora, throwing him a coquettish glance.

"No indeed!" laughed Dorothy. "Gentlemen are entirely excluded." She
turned to her girl friend. "How well you are looking! And what a
pretty dress!"

"Do you like it, Dorothy? Mamma had it made for me last week. At
first it didn't please me--the the front of the waist is so crazy
with its pleats and frills."

"Oh, that's what I liked about it--what first caught my eye. It's
odd, but very, very pretty."

"Excuse me!" murmured Jim. "The conversation grows uninteresting,"
and turning his back, he walked off down the lawn. He cast a laughing
glance over his shoulder an instant later, however, shaking his head
as if to say, "Girls will be girls."

"Come into the house, Aurora, and tell me about yourself. What has
happened in old Baltimore since I've been gone? Really, Aunt Betty
and I have been too busy arranging for my music lessons, and with
various and sundry other things to have a good old-time chat."

"Things have been rather dull here. Gerald and I went with papa and
mamma to the theaters twice a week last winter, with an occasional
matinee by ourselves, but aside from that, life has been very dull in
Baltimore--that is, until the auto came a few weeks since. Now we
take a 'joy' ride every afternoon, with an occasional evening thrown
in for good measure."

"I am anxious to see your car, Aurora."

"And I am anxious to have you see it."

"It must be a beauty."

"Oh, it is." Aurora leaned toward her friend. "Confidentially,
Dorothy, it cost papa over four thousand dollars."

"Just think of all that money to spend for pleasure!" cried Dorothy.
"But then, it makes you happy, and I suppose that's what money is
for."

"Did you ask your aunt about starting on our trip the first of the
week?"

"Yes, and it's all right. We'll be ready. The only thing worrying me
now is that I'm exp