HAPTER XIX

THE OLD GRAY GOOSE

The day for the Lenox sports dawned clear and beautiful. By breakfast
time the mists had rolled away from the hilltops. The trees, which were
now beginning to show bare places among their leafy branches, beheld
their own reflections in the lakes that nestled at the feet of the Lenox
hills.

From their veranda Miss Stuart and her girls could see every style of
handsome vehicle gliding along the perfect roads that led toward the Fair
Grounds from the beautiful homes surrounding the old township.

The Society Circus could be enjoyed only by invitation. The tickets had
been sent out only to the chosen. An invitation meant the payment of five
dollars to the Hospital Fund.

Barbara was the first of the girls to be ready to start to the Fair
Grounds. She wore the tan riding-habit that Ruth had loaned her. She was
not to ride until later in the day, but it would not be feasible to
return to the hotel to change her costume.

Miss Stuart and her party had been asked to be the guests at luncheon of
Ambassador and Mrs. Morton.

Ruth and Grace were dressed in short skirts, loose blouses, and coats.
They, also, looked ready for business. So only Miss Stuart and Mollie
were able to wear the handsome toilets suited to the occasion. Mollie
appeared in her blue silk costume. Miss Sallie was resplendent in a pearl
gray broadcloth and a hat of violet orchids.

At half-past nine, Hugh Post and Ralph Ewing knocked at Miss Stuart's
sitting-room door. Barbara had already seen Ruth's and Hugh's automobiles
waiting for them on the hotel driveway. The boys were impatient to be
off.

"Kindly explain to me, Ruth," asked Hugh, as the party finally started,
"why you are carrying those two large bolts of ribbon? Are you going into
the millinery business to-day?"

Ruth laughed. "Remember, if you please, that Grace and I are going in for
a much more serious undertaking. These ribbons are the reins that we
intend to use for our extraordinary race to-day. I shall endeavor to
drive my turkey with blue strings. Grace considers red ribbon more
adapted to the disposition and appearance of a rooster."

"Well, you girls certainly have nerve to take part in such a wild goose
chase!" laughed the boy.

At the Fair Grounds Miss Stuart had reserved seats for her party near the
green inclosure. Just in front of them was a little platform, decorated
in red, white and blue bunting. On this were seated the Ambassador, Fra