ckened breath, "We mustn't tire you too much this morning when you
have such a long day before you. Suppose we rest a while."

"And here is the very place," she agreed, indicating a great, flat rock,
shaded by a huge, spreading tree. "Oh, isn't the view wonderful from
here? I hadn't noticed it before."

"You said it," Jack agreed, stretching his lazy length on the grass at
her feet. "The hill has formed a sort of shallow precipice and the lake
sure does look great down there."

For a few moments they were silent, drinking in the beauty prodigal
Nature lavished all about them. Furtively Lucile examined this cavalier
of hers. Straight of feature, bronzed from living in the open, eyes so
full of fun you had to laugh in sympathy--oh, he was handsome; there was
no doubt of that. And his hair, black and wavy and soft--Lucile was sure
it was soft----

"I wish you would tell me what you are thinking about," he said, looking
up with a quizzical little smile. "You were quiet so long----"

"That is unusual," she laughed, trying not to look confused. "Perhaps we
had better be starting back," she added; "the others will be looking for
us."

"Just as you say," he answered for the second time that morning; then, as
he helped her to her feet, "I wish we could have this day together; it's
been great to be alone with you even for this short time. But I forgot
that that subject was unwelcome----"

"Oh, please," she begged, laying an impulsive little hand on his arm.
"I--I didn't mean to be cross."

He caught the little peace-making hand in both his own, laughing down
into the prettiest eyes he had ever seen.

"That's the best thing I have heard to-day," he exulted.

CHAPTER XXV

THE THUNDERBOLT

Breakfast was over, and the girls had hidden their pretty evening coats
under long linen dusters. For, as Mrs. Payton had explained, they would
have no time to change for the evening, and they must look their best--to
which, needless to say, the girls agreed with enthusiasm.

"And we can wear those new motor bonnets we bought in England the day
before we sailed," Lucile rejoiced. So the insistent honk of the motor
horn found them all cloaked and bonneted, and ready for the day's fun.

"Come on," cried Lucile, pulling Jessie away from the mirror by main
force; "you look wonderful, Jessie," and down the stairs they ran and out
onto the veranda, where a good many of the guests had assembled to see
them off.

The boys took i