ng her eager, thin arms about her beloved Fairy
Godmother's neck that Madge actually woke up.
"The fairies who live under the water have given you these wonderful
things," whispered Tania. "I prayed that they would come to see you,
bringing you all the good gifts that they had."
Captain Jules reached over and set the priceless box before Madge. She
was encircled by Miss Jenny Ann and her beloved houseboat chums.
"It is all yours, Madge," asserted Captain Jules solemnly. "You found it,
child. I should never have discovered it but for you."
Madge shook her red-brown head. "Captain Jules, that chest is far more
yours than it is mine. I should never have gone down under the water but
for you. If Phil had only dived first, instead of me, she would have
found it, I won't have any of the money or the jewelry unless I can share
it with the rest of you."
Then, to Madge's own surprise, she began to cry.
"There, there, little mate, it will be all right," Captain Jules assured
her quietly. "You've had a bit too much for one day. We don't know the
value of what we have found just yet, but the old jewelry will make
pretty trinkets for you girls. We'll see about the rest later on."
Miss Jenny Ann put her arm about Madge on one side. Phil was on the other
side of her chum.
"We will go home now, dear," said Miss Jenny Ann to Madge. "You are worn
out from all this excitement."
"I'll look after the girls, Captain," promised Tom Curtis quietly, "then
I will come back to you." A flash of understanding passed between Captain
Jules and Tom Curtis. They had both guessed that Madge's iron box of old
jewelry and coins represented more money than the girls could comprehend,
and that it was better for the news of the discovery to be kept as quiet
as possible for the time being.
"You will walk home with me, won't you, Philip?" Mrs. Curtis asked her
guest. "I am rather tired from the excitement of this most unusual
morning."
But Philip Holt had forgotten that he wished to keep on the good side of
his wealthy hostess. His eyes were staring eagerly and greedily at the
closed iron box which old Captain Jules was guarding. He took a step
forward, stopped and looked at the little crowd standing near.
"No; I can't go back with you now, Mrs. Curtis," he answered abruptly, "I
have some important business to transact."
Mrs. Curtis walked away deeply offended. Philip Holt, however, was too
fully occupied with his own disappointment
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