e Idea presented itself. Why not put
on the white gown with one of the brown ones over it and take off the
brown one when she got there? Mrs. Marsh would understand.

Rosemary laughed happily as she climbed out of bed. Surely there was
more than one way of cheating Fate! That afternoon, while the others
took their accustomed "forty winks," she brought down the faded pink
ribbon that had been her mother's. That night she discovered that
neither of the brown ginghams would go over the white muslin, as they
had shrunk when they were washed, but that the alpaca would. There was
not even a bit of white showing beneath the skirt, as she had discovered
by tilting her mirror perilously forward.

She was up early Saturday morning, and baked and swept and dusted to
such good purpose that, by three o'clock, there was nothing more that
anyone could think of for her to do until it was time to get supper. She
had put the white gown on under the alpaca when she dressed in the
morning, as it was the only opportunity of which she was at all sure.

[Sidenote: Hung in the Balance]

Grandmother and Aunt Matilda were nodding in their chairs. The kitchen
clock struck the half hour. Finally, Rosemary spoke.

"Is there anything either of you would like me to get at the store?"

"No," said Grandmother.

"No," echoed Aunt Matilda. Then she added: "Why? Were you thinkin' of
goin' out?"

"I thought I would," said Rosemary, with a yawn, "if there was nothing
more for me to do. It's such a nice day, and I'd like a breath of fresh
air."

For a moment, Fate hung in the balance, then Grandmother said,
generously: "Go on, Rosemary, and get all the fresh air you want. You've
worked better'n common to-day."

"I should think you'd be tired enough to stay home and rest," Aunt
Matilda commented, fretfully, but the door had closed on the last word,
and Rosemary was gone.

"But April's sun strikes down the glades to-day;
So shut your eyes upturned, and feel my kiss
Creep, as the Spring now thrills through every spray
Up your warm throat to your warm lips--"

[Sidenote: Rosemary Meets Edith]

The beautiful words sang themselves through her memory as she sped on.
She had forgotten about the guest for the moment, remembering with joy
that almost hurt, the one word "Mother," and the greater, probable joy
that overshadowed it. Of course he would be there! Why not, when he knew
she was coming to tea--and when they had a guest, to