ision and, more truly, the joy that looking at the
dainty, pretty colors gave them.

"Well, I think this is the very best of all, Laura," said Billie finally,
picking up the pretty blue girdle with its indistinct pattern of lighter
blue and white.

"Yes, it is a beauty," replied Laura. "I'll take that one," she went on
to the clerk.

After that came numerous smaller purchases until, as Vi said dolefully,
all their money was gone except enough to buy several plates of ice cream
apiece.

They were standing just outside the store where their last purchases had
been made when Billie, looking down the street, gave a cry of delight.

"Look who's coming!" she exclaimed.

"It's the boys!" cried Vi. "Mercy, girls, we might just as well have
spent the rest of our money, the boys will treat us to the ice cream."

"Goodness, Vi! do you want to spend your money whether you get anything
you really need or wish for or not?" inquired Billie, with a little gasp.

"What in the world is money for if not to spend?" asked Vi, making big
and innocent eyes at Billie.

Just then the boys came within speaking distance.

"Well, this is what I call luck!" exclaimed Ferd Stowing.

"Yes," added Teddy, putting his hand in his pocket, "just hear the money
jingle. A nice big check from Dad in just appreciation of his absent son!
What do you girls say to an ice-cream spree? No less than three apiece,
with all this unwonted wealth."

"Ice cream? I should say!" was Billie's somewhat slangy acceptance.

"Teddy," suddenly asked Laura, "how does it come that you have any money
left from Dad's check?"

"Check came just as we left the Academy, Captain Shelling cashed it for
me, and we have just reached town."

"Oh! Well, maybe I'll find one, too, when we reach Three Towers."

"So that's it, is it, sister mine? Envy!"

After that they ate ice cream to repletion, and at last the girls decided
that there was nothing much left to do but to go back to the school.

It was just as well that they had made this decision, for the sun was
beginning to sink in the west and the supper hour at Three Towers Hall
was rather early. As they started toward home, having said good-bye to
the boys, the girls quickened their pace.

It was not till they were nearing the path which, to Billie at least, had
been surrounded by a mysterious halo since the adventure of the other
night that the girls slowed up. Then it was Billie who did the slowing
up.

"Girls,"