' That means coral lady tresses. It was in
search of that daddy and the expedition went out. Daddy found it. It
was almost beyond price. Then Loved One died, dear daddy was stricken,
and all the papers and this wonderful bulb were given Grandie. He lost
them! Do you wonder he almost went crazy?"

For a few minutes the girls did not speak. It seemed rather
disappointing that the whole mystery should center around the bulb of
an orchid.

"Oh, I know," exclaimed Cleo presently. "I have read of the famous
orchid hunts and the fabulous sums of money offered for the most rare
species. Of course that was the sort of expedition your folks were on,
Mary-love. And, of course--why, girls, that's just what our newspaper
clipping was all about. The one we found wrapped around the old stick
in Mary's big clock!"

"Get it! Get it!" cried Madaline, who literally tumbled after Grace,
in haste to reach the old bit of newspaper that had been carefully
stored away in the scouts' desk, for they had been assigned one general
and especial desk in Cragsnook.

"And the precious bulb was never found?" Cleo said to Mary, seeming to
embrace her with a look, so filled was her expression with genuine
affection.

"No, it has gone, and with it the one hope of Loved One's last word to
me, that the famous orchid which was to be given to her mother in this
country would unite me with her family, and prove daddy a real
explorer."

"And don't you know who her family are?" asked Cleo, unable to suppress
her increasing excitement.

"Not exactly, for Grandie begged me not to ask until he had recovered
the bulb. He always felt his memory must come back. Now, of course,
it is months, and we have given up hope. But I don't care any more,
for I have found so many other darling loves in life." She threw her
arms around Cleo, and if the latter had ever given in to tears she
might have been pardoned a few just then--the kind that come with too
much joy.

"Mary!" she said gently, "now I know why Professor Benson once called
you the orphan of the orchids, but suppose, suppose your daddy didn't
die?" she ventured.

"I have often thought of that," said the child. "But even if he lived
he could never find me, for he would think I died with so many others,
and I suppose I could not even look for him, until I grow up like Loved
One, and go off again to search among the orchids. I wouldn't fear
that fever when the goal might mean daddy!"