pany. However the wealthy Miss Hastings greeted them warmly, and
seemed greatly interested in their organization.

"I can never forget how you discovered our little Mary for us," she
said, placing her hand lovingly on Mary's shoulder, "and if ever I can
do anything to help you, please let me know. It is splendid to have
girls united under such principles. Mary has charmed me with her
interpretations of your little manual."

They thanked Miss Hastings for her interest, and smiled over the
compliments. The girls were quite bewildered with the luxurious
surroundings. Everything seemed so velvety, and so much cushioned, and
all this was enhanced by the soft glitter of the shaded lights, and the
rose-tinted glow of the color scheme. Here, at least, scout uniform
seemed out of place.

Miss Hastings was what we might discreetly call a mellow blonde, not
implying or imputing anything artificial to her blondness. She had the
very softest blue eyes, and wore the daintiest orchid tint gown; but in
spite of her apparent luxury, she instantly inspired the girls with a
feeling of ease and confidence.

Mary fluttered about, displaying such trophies of her southern tour as
might safely be carried to her hotel abode; and when the sight-seeing
was done, Cleo exacted a promise from Miss Hastings, that Mary might
spend a complete week with her.

This was the signal for a perfect flood of similar invitations, and when
the girls left the suite, their evening dance cards were well marked
with dates to visit and dates to entertain Mary Dunbar, Cleo's popular
cousin.

"What worries me is that Dick boy coming over in the yacht," remarked
Isabel jokingly. "Seems to me Grace is in for a wonderful time."

"But he may be on shore leave," added Julia, "then he wouldn't be any
more attractive than our 'you-bet-chu' chap," she said, indicating the
young man who inserted that boyish expression so often in his
conversation.

The children were leaving the ballroom when the scouts took their final
drink of pink lemonade, as Grace insisted on calling the fruit punch,
and as they came out to the porch for their "good-nights," mothers and
nurses were gathering the fluttering little ones to their arms.

They were about to leave when a shrill voice from the hall startled
every one, "Oh, come quick, a doctor! My baby is choking!"

A mother uttered the cry. In an instant every one was in confusion
looking for a doctor, but it so happened in all that b