.

CHAPTER IV.

Something unusual was going on at Rosehaven. Awnings were spread over
the lawn, gay colored lanterns were strung all about the grounds, and a
stage for outdoor tableaux had been built near the house, where a dark
clump of cedars served as a background.

John Jay had orders to take the eggs directly to the cook, but his
curiosity kept him standing open-mouthed on the lawn, watching the
hanging of the lanterns.

[Illustration: A group of pretty Girls sat on the porch]

A group of pretty girls sat on the porch steps, between the white
rose-twined pillars. One of them was tying up the cue of an
old-fashioned wig with a black ribbon; another was mending the gold lace
on a velvet coat, and the others were busy with the various costumes
which they were to wear in the tableaux. Now and then a gay trill or a
snatch from some popular song floated out above their laughing chatter.
Suddenly one of them looked up and saw John Jay standing in the
gravelled drive.

"Look, girls!" she exclaimed. "Here's the very thing we want for our old
Virginia days! Hallie looks like a picture in that lovely brocaded satin
of her grandmother's, and Raleigh Stanford does the cavalier to
perfection in that farewell scene. All it lacks is some little Jim Crow
to hold his horse, and there is one now. Oh, Hallie! come out here a
minute!"

In response to her call, a beautiful dark-haired girl came out on the
porch from the hall, carrying a pasteboard shield which she had just
finished covering with tinfoil. John Jay's mouth opened still wider as
it flashed a dazzling light into his eyes. He thought it was silver.

"Isn't it fine?" she asked, waltzing around with it on her arm for them
to admire the effect. Then she dropped down on the step above them. "Was
it you who called me, Sally Lou?" she asked.

"Yes," answered the girl, who had finished tying up the cue, and now had
the wig pulled coquettishly over her blonde curls. "Look at the little
darkey over there. I was just telling the girls that he is all that is
needed to complete your cavalier tableau. Call him over here and tell
him that he must come to-night." Just then the boy turned and started on
a trot to the kitchen. "Why, it's John Jay!" exclaimed Hallie. "Old Lucy
has been scolding about those eggs for the last two hours. His
grandmother promised to send them over immediately after breakfast. I'll
go down and see what kept him so long. He is always getting into