ary of Mr. Hamlin's home. Ruth, Mollie and Grace were there, for

he ever accomplished

s. I never dreamed that anything had happened to you, or I should have certainly forced Charlie Meyers to turn back. But I think I have learned a lesson. Charlie Meyers was horribly rude to you, Bab, and I told h

. "How did Peter Dillon get us away from that wretched jail in such

th's fine, mentioned Mr. Hamlin's name and did a few more thing

was just an accident. Yet it was truly my fault," Ruth argued. "Father has always insisted tha

arriet asked. "He need never find out anything about it. Your fine wasn

ng! I don't think he will be very angry with me,

ather everything?" Harriet

hy not?" Rut

"Well, I do not tell m

ear m

Alexandria to-day, and appear at cou

lin, and that he had some influential friends over there. You will have to pay your fine, R

big reception at the White House to-morrow evening, and Father says he

bile Girls' are going to meet the President, and yet you speak of

ls are so interested in everything. But a White House reception is an old story to me, and I am a

y love to see the shops. We don't

can get for you, gi

order flowers for us to-morrow night!" Ruth requested. "Fath

"I wish I had such a rich an

orrow, Bab?" Mollie whispered in her sister's ear,

ock you wore to dinner with the Princess Sophia at Palm Bea

ng!" cried Mo

s, Mollie, and I will make you a new sas

rowned. "All ri

not go at once to the s

r, the most fashion

opping afterwards. I want you to see a beautiful coat I am having ma

o attend to Harriet. The new coat was in a wonderful shade of apric

how lovely!" M

has cost almost as much as though I had bought it outright. And I don't need it. I hope y

fancy ones," argued the dressmaker. "This little gown is mad

ng eyes. Harriet's gown was white satin. Her black hair and great dusky ey

le of vanity as she saw herself in

" she demanded. "Father and I are going to take our guests to o

a little imp

ed tired and unhappy. "I am awfully sorry to have kept you waiting like this. It i

lie answered truthfully. "I was only wishing I had suc

ou must wait, for it is most beautiful." The dressmaker turned and whispered to one of her gir

a deep sigh

is that, Madame? It looks like clouds or sea foam

, covered with an even lighter tint of blu

e young woman who had ordered the dress. She is now in mourning, and she left the dress with me to sell for her. She is willing to let it go at a great bargain. The little frock would just about fit your

l not take much time. And I would dearly love to see y

"It is not worth whil

understand that I can

moiselle," the dressmaker continued. "

to pay for it, Madame,"

We must b

. "But Madame will not mind your just slipping into it. Try it

ot refuse Harr

while Madame dresses yo

ut her ey

s really an artist in her line, picked up Mollie's bunch of soft yellow curls and knotted them carelessly on top

lf, Mademoiselle," s

he prettiest thing in the

looked like Cinderella after the latter had been touched with the fairy wand. She stood regar

! I could not have made such a fit if

ress worth, Madame

dollars! But I will give the little froc

ollie. "It is a perfectly wonderful bargain, and you are t

ollie returned firmly. "

e take the gown

d pay me later. It does not matter," said the

sired anything so keenly in her life. But in a moment Mollie came to her senses. Where would her mother get such a large sum of money to send her? It

I really can't buy it." Mollie felt deeply embarrassed, and was sor

et suddenly. "Don't you h

her just what her allowance was. For Mrs. Thurston could give h

dend from some stock I own, and when it comes in, I shall pay Madame for the dress, and you can pay me back as it su

nly had more time to think, and Harriet and the dressmaker had not argue

mind how long I take t

inquire

Harriet

ly excited. For little Mollie Thurston had never owned a gown in her life that had cost more than

own with mine, so she can wear it to the

dressmaker agreed, suavely. "But are you sure you will

s had entered Madame L

ut she replied carelessly: "Oh, yes; I shall be in all

ve done a perfectly awful thing! I must go back and tell Madame that I cannot take that gown. I don't see how I could have said I

ame Louise you have changed your mind before so many people. And what is the use of worrying o

well trained in all the graces of society, foolish little Mollie allowed herself to

as the two girls went up the steps of the Hamlin home, a short time befor

me," promised Harriet, in sympathe

I am afraid she will be worried. I am glad we a

arted off on their shopping expedition,

asked. "I picked up a piece of paper that he dropped in

intimate friend of that man. But I am writing him a note to thank him for his kindnes

d out in astonishment. "Oh, Bab, how queer! This note is written in Chinese chara

Ruth," Bab demurred. "It

ater, when Mollie and Harriet came in from their shopping. "I have been fixing

ns, Bab." Mollie answere

ear that old