The Automobile Girls at Washington; Or, Checkmating the Plots of Foreign Spies

o Connecticut Avenue. It was almost dark. An occasional light twinkled outside in th

n at the farther end of the

between the curtains, peering into the s

all study that adjoined it. He seemed totally unaware of any ot

egan impulsively, "but are

le at Barbara. He did not seem in t

r told me Mr. Hamlin and Harriet were both out. But, I say, don't you think I am fo

s manner was surprisingly familiar, and

gation, and a friend of Miss Hamlin's. I came with a message for Mr. Hamlin. I was won

ds soon. We arrived in Washington last night, and the other girls have gone out to a reception. I had

down, gravely w

who you are?" he asked, af

d not recognize you at first. But I believe Harriet told us about you last night. She

now give me my opportunity. I do not know your name, but I have guessed this m

probably explained to you. My sister, Mollie Thurston, Grace Carter, Ruth Stuart and I form the quartet. Mr. William Hamlin is

rld before you, Miss Th

. "Washington is like no

e for four years. Before

aris, in St.

n!" exclaimed Bab, regarding

am a man of several countries. My father was an Irishman and a soldier of fortune. My mother was a Russian. Theref

ry a good deal. But we are only school girls still. We have never really made our début in society, although we mean to forget this while we are in Washing

expression of indifference. His blue eyes flashed. Then he said quickly: "Perhaps you will let me teach

shyly. "But I am much too

e of the cleverest men in Washington. I am sure you will be instructing me in diplomacy by the end of a week. But good-bye; I must not keep you any longer. Will you tell M

to read her very thoughts while she returned his scrutiny w

erself alone she ret

ception in Washington. Of course, Ruth has visited Harriet before, so the experience is not new to her. I am sorry I did not go w

oman of about twenty-five years of age walk into the drawing

e forward to speak to her, wondering how on earth this newcomer k

ed in a puzzled tone,

rner. He told me Harriet Hamlin was not at home and that I had better not come here this afternoon. I did not believe him; still I am not sorry

sh of her? Did her visitor believe Bab would confide her opinion of Harri

tant," she went on. "Please promise me you will

that. Why you may be an a

w. She was pretty and fragile, with fair hair and blue eyes. S

and their doings. I came to ask you if you would give me the pictures of the 'Automobile Girls' for my paper? Oh, you need not look so surprised. We have all heard of the 'Automobile Girls.' Everybody in Wa

ed mainly with wealthy people in the last two years of the "Automobile Girls'" adventures, she cou

before she finished speaking the drawing-room door opened a

dear?" Ruth cried, befor

he big arm chair. The young woman had flushed, looked u

, but my paper sent me to ask you for the

consent to it either. Just because he is Assistant Secretary of State I do not see why my visitors should be annoyed in this way. I hope you don't mind, Ruth

uld not help feeling sorry for the other girl, who flushed pai

the girl out

ve them if Mr. Hamlin would object. And, to tell you the honest truth, the 'Automobile Girls' would not

full of tears, which she

e published in the paper

no discourtesy to yo

nately. "I am as well bred as she is. Because I am poor, and have to support my mother, is no reason why she should treat me as though I w

t people and beauties and belles have their pictures in the society papers. It is just because the 'Automobile Girls' are too insignificant to be shown such an

he went out into the gathering darkness. "I like you," s

ace?" was Bab's first qu

and H

trange to relate, Father offered to stay until Mollie and Grace were ready to come home. That is a great concession on his part, as he usually runs away from a reception at the first opportunity that offers itself. Mrs. Wilson, a friend of

laimed. "You are like 'Miss Flora McFlimsey, of Madiso

Does she, Barbara? Ruth has so much money she simply cannot realize what it means to try to make

irs. Bab, however, secretly wondered how she and Mollie were to manage in Washington, with their simple

ther's guests and entertained his friends; and at eighteen she had made her début into Washington society, and had taken her position as one of the women of the Cabinet. Harriet's mother, Ruth's aunt, had died a few months before Mr. Hamlin had received h

mplishments, he was also very strict with her. He was a poor man, and it was hard work for Harriet to keep up the appearance necessary to her father's position on

llow crêpe frock, a pale green satin evening gown and a gray broadcloth tailor-made suit. Harriet was tall and dark, with very black hair and large dark eyes. She was considered one of

y eighteen. At the close of the school year she was to be graduated from the Kingsbridge High School. And she hoped to be able

urel Cottage at about three o'clock one November

their little cottage s

. A telegram had just c

invited to visit Ruth'

hem to start at th

with her beloved Ruth since the Easter before. Then the color d

imply can't stop school just now, or I shall lose the scholarship. Mollie, you can accept Ruth's

ut you," blue-eyed Mollie returned fi

s' holiday. Bab could study to make up for lost time during the Christmas holidays. For no one,

more slender in the past few months. Her brown braids are now always coiled about her graceful head. He

r, and was the same ingenuous, unspoiled girl, whose sunny

summer in Kingsbridge, New Jersey. The day that Barbara Thurston stopped a pair of runaway horses and saved Ruth Stuart from death she did not dream that she had turned the first page in the history of the "Automobile Girls." A warm friendship sprang up betwee

zled the fashionable world! There were many thrilling adventures connected with the discovery of this "society thi

tle log cabin on top of one of the highest peaks in the Berkshire hills, where the four girls and Miss Sallie spent a happy

red through the beautiful Sleepy Hollow country, spending several weeks at the home of Major Ted Eyck, an old friend of the Stuarts. There many divert

at "Treasureholme," the country estate of the Presbys, who were cousins of the Stuart family. While there, principally through the cleverness of Barbara Thurston, the hiding place of a rich treasure

" There it was that they had, through a series of happenings, formed the acquaintance of a mysterious countess and become involved in the net of circumstances that was woven about her. How they continu

r rooms to dress for dinner, "I have not had a chance to talk to

am so sorry she did not come to Washington with you to chaperon

nt Sallie. We are to be particularly careful to mind our 'P's' and 'Q's' on t

eclared, "but you know what remarkable

!" Ruth said teasingly. "For Aunt Sallie's last words to

e impetuous Bab of other automobile days. But, just t

Sallie is not fond of Harriet. She thinks Harriet is clever and pretty, but va

burst into Ruth's

a book, we have been presented to so many noted people. I tell you, Barbara Thurston, we are country girls no longer! Now we have been

oined, clapping her han

y, you had not forgo

ished college and has a

d a note from hi

arter. "But, Bab, what about our Lenox frie

ee them. But do hurry, children. Please don't keep the Assistant Secretary of State waiting for his dinner. That would surely be a bad beginning f

hes all the time, Bab," Mollie plea

Hamlin is not Mollie Thursto