aid at last. "You just don't want
anybody to know about it. Well, I'm going to announce it to the whole
school," she finished grandly.

"Don't you dare, Ange. I'd die of embarrassment," Connie pleaded.
"Promise you won't."

"I'll promise nothing," Angela insisted. "There's the bell. Come on and
see Poll and Lo."

It was almost a marvel the way Angela followed out her threat. In the
ten minutes before dinner, while Connie was surrounded by her other
friends, she managed to convey to every girl in the school that
Constance Wentworth was the most wonderful pianist in the world, and
that she had, by her superior ability, won a scholarship.

Poor Connie! She was always shy where her music was concerned, and she
blushed in misery under the torrent of congratulations, and never
touched a bite of dinner.

At seven-fifteen the sleigh was waiting at the door. It was filled with
fresh straw, and every available robe and blanket that could be found in
the stables had been brought.

Old McDonald, one of the chief characters of Seddon Hall, sat on the
front seat, muffled up to his eyes. He had grown quite old and feeble in
the last two years, and many of his duties had been given to younger
men, but no one thought of even offering to drive in his place to-night.
He always drove the young ladies on their straw-rides, and he would
never have even considered trusting them to the care of another.

Polly and Lois came out first, to be followed by Betty, and Angela and
Connie.

They all got in and began sorting the robes--all but Polly--she went
around to the horses' heads.

"Good evening, McDonald," she called. "Why, aren't these new?" She
looked surprised at the splendid gray team--she had expected to see the
two old bays.

"Yes, Miss Polly; they were bought last summer. The others were getting
old and we put them out to pasture. How do you like this pair?"

"Why, they're beauties." Polly stroked their velvety noses,
affectionately. "Are they frisky?"

"Well!" McDonald took time to think, "they are a bit, but nothing to be
afraid of. I can manage them."

"Oh, of course you can!" Polly said, with so much conviction that the
old man beamed with pride.

"All in!" Betty called, "and all aboard! Move your foot, Lo. I want one
side of Connie."

"Where are we going?" somebody asked.

"Out towards Eagle's Nest," Polly answered. "The roads are not used out
there and it ought to be good for sleighing."

"We're off."

"Che