unging in Mrs. Wilson's library, chat

he 'Automobile Girls' to Washington to visit Harriet Hamlin jus

e she answered. She looked older in the early morning light. But her restlessness d

. "What a man you are! You simply cannot judge all girls by the same standard. Some day

with the clever one. But she has more nerve and courage than the others. I am su

affairs, since this happens to be your own special joke.

've promised that. We have had our little jokes together before. But this strikes me as being about the best of the whole lot. We will have everybody in Washington laughing up his sleeve pretty soon. There will be a

n you can help breathing, whether your reason is a good or a bad one. I suppose it is because you are an Irishman. By the way, Elmer admires one of

d toward the other sister. How have you managed to keep that big boy of

, Peter," Mrs. Wilson answered, passing her

dy," Peter avowed. "Is it true that Mr. Will

ed Mrs. Wilson. "

ome of you. Harriet Hamlin wants you to chaperon us on an automobile ride out to Mt. Vernon and along the Potomac River. Charlie Meyers is giving the party, and Harriet thinks her father won't object if you will go along to look after us

lmer," Mrs. Wilson agreed. "But what

ooked c

ind of Harriet. She knows I am dreadfull

Peter. Harriet is accustomed to your devotion to her. Now that you have turned your thoug

han you can manage, Pet

ed you. Some day you will run across a girl who is cleverer

. "Au revoir. I shall do my best to persuade Harriet to let me go along with her party

n as Peter was out of hearing. "I am ashamed to ask you for i

w. I am short of money myself at present. But I expect to have some money coming in

*

r party for the motor r

clock on the aftern

n's door with another larger one belonging to Har

the side walk and Peter Dillon had

h me, Harriet?" Ruth proposed. "Mr. Meyers' car is

and took his seat next Bab. "Do you suppose, for one instant, that we are going

lowing the four "Automobile Girls" only tantalizing glimps

s covered the sixteen mi

the home of its

atter of the young people was, for an instant, hushed into silence, as they drove through th

arm and the trees were not yet bare of their autumn fol

reath as their eyes rested on the m

w Peter's eyes smiling at her enthusiasm s

all and there beheld the key to the Bastile presented by Lafayette to General Washington. They examined the music room, with its queer, old-fashioned musical instruments; went up to Martha Washington's bedroo

iful. The house is a simple country home with a wide, old-fashioned

l situation than Mt. Vernon. It stands on a piece of gently swelling land that slopes gra

m the rest of their party and to sli

"It seems to me that, if I lived in Washington, I would just run out here whenever anything uncomfort

gue premonition of some po

, Peter Dillon? Every now and then he talks to me in the

pecial faith in Peter Dillon. He is not one bit like Hugh, or Ralph Ewing, or the boys we met at the Major's house party. When I meet any one who is such a favorite with eve

sound a bit like you. You are sweet to everyone yourself, dear, and

Ruth and Bab. Mollie and Elmer Wilson were standing on the lawn, exami

mer Wilson suggested. "I hope you may follow the old sun

for you two girls to run off together like this. Harriet has disappeared, and Mrs. Wilson is hiding somewhere. Do you remember, Ru

e that Hugh would like to have a chance to talk with Ruth alone, for they

im whistle in the drawing-room of Mr. Hamlin's house. The young man said nothing, for a few moments, even when he and Bab were

ge. Just because I am half a Russian you think I have some sinister purpose in my mind. I am not an anarchist, and I don't want to go about trampling on the poor. I wish

connecting link between three or four nations-Russia, Am

truly desired to have answered. She was interested to know what duties an attaché perf

we must hurry before the gates are closed. Yes; I know I did not answer your question. An attaché just makes himself generally useful to his chief. But if you

dearly love to

he paths formed by the box hedges planted in Mar

n the gardener as they entered the enclosure, and had pers

once wandered in this famous garden. She saw their white wigs, their p

e end of the garden walk. There before them stood a great rose tree. Bloomin

y Washington rose, which Washington planted here in his garden, and named in honor of his mother.

e does not show on the surface what he actually feels. But perhaps I shall find out he is a finer fellow t

s we may have the roses." The young fellow dropped down on his knees before the rose bush without a bit of affecta

all perform whatever task you set me to do to the best of my skill." Peter looked at his own rose. "May I keep my rose-bud for the sa

y little opportunity to do people favors. You make me think of the newspaper girl, Marjorie Moore. She tried to force me into a promise w

least like an Irishman. His lips tightened into a fine, cruel line, his eyes grew almost black and had a queer, Chinese slant to them. It suddenly daw

y work for her newspaper. She does a great deal more. She is constantly watching at the legations to see if she can spy on any of their secret information. It is

will tell me any of her secrets. She does not come to Mr

muttered to himself. "It m

n if we stay here much longer. Ruth's automobile is already filled and she is waiting to start. You and Peter are to get into Mr. Meyers'

inside her coat, intending to hand it back to Mr. Dillon as soon as she had an opportunity. But there were other things that seemed o