"Automobile Girls" to Palm Beach. But Mr. Stuart engaged another larger motor car with a chauffeur to run it, as soon a

emselves in its cavernous depths. Then the car spun out along the famous Shell Road, lined on each side with the tall, delicate yucca plants. A fragrant southern br

"How could one help being happy, surrounded by all this beauty? I am indeed very happy to-day. Are you not happy, Cousine?" she mur

eclared. "This is not a plac

say something in German, but checked herself. She was far too w

greed Bab. "A kind of oasis in a deser

Everglades?" inq

d panthers, and deer. They have poisonous snakes in them, too. Very few white men ever venture in the Evergla

suggested Mollie. She was thinking of her own experienc

glades either, little sister," rejoined Bab. "So

hed Mollie. "Being lost

iety will never rest until it finds you. We must be very faith

agree to that,

d ahead of them, Barb

eve those two people just in front o

ering along the road ac

Robert," orde

me distance up the road. She and the count had decid

ng alone with the Count de Sonde

Maud, looking insole

no chaperons," said Madame de Villiers innocen

Two angry spots gl

mind to intercede. She did no

le Girls', Miss Warren," she said graciously. "Perha

e countess with

d what she had heard? Ruth felt her heart thump with the embarrassment of the situation. What was Maud going to say? Strangely enoug

ds suddenly failed her. For the first time Maud felt that money, after all, counted for little. There was something about this plainly dressed woman that suddenly made her

Mollie was taking a slig

not?" she asked him innocently, h

tle count in surprise. "Not very

ell," Mollie answered

wim; therefore I ran for help. But there was no danger. Your sister was never in deep wate

arian had not helped to pull her and the child out of t

," laughed the count. "How droll was her

ed with the little coun

r, both of you," order

automobile reached the ent

op here and have

reed Mr. Stuart, giving

d the countess. "But I fear I

and her friends. Even Maud's voice w

also yearned for the pleasure of drinking tea under the cocoanut trees. Madame de Villiers shrugged her shoulders. Sh

tion, Mr. Stuart," the young woman agre

ple, clad in white and light clothes, were seated at other tables. In the distance a band played. During the intermissions

ng regal in the set of her small head on her graceful shoulders. Her gown and hat were extremely plain and she wore no jewels; but an atmosphere surrounded the lovely countess like an aura of sunligh

e countess was obliged

ngly. Then the old woman cast hurried glanc

air laden with the scent of the orange blossoms. She let her eyes wan

xclaimed. "Mr. Stuart, I thank you

ty in the young countess's manner

d Mr. Stuart. "You and Madame de Vill

ntess. "We have not seen the beauties of this place, except from o

lips, and sat as if turned to stone. Her eyes were fastened on a group of three men at a nearby

ething had happened, and they were wise enough to be absolutely silent. Only the girls' eyes followed the direction of the countess's. They, too,

s Mollie held the countess's hand in her own, she felt a tap, tap in the centre of her palm. Like a flash Mollie remembered. The countess had given her the danger signal they had agreed upon the d

ollie did not think so. Through the meshes of her white ve

ing she now felt sure. The beautiful Countess Sophia von Stolberg was threatened

whispered back to her in a

ut I do not wish to be observed. Madame de Villiers must go with me, bu

on't be worried; we will go qui

ntess wishes to go home without disturbing any one

Ruth politely, although s

they were interrupted. A waiter handed a note to Mr.

t Stuart loathed it was an anonymous letter. The mes

countess. She i

ushed the pap

st go at once. Mollie and Ruth are coming with me." As the countess rose from her chair she glanced hastily

he gate. Madame de Villiers quickly follow

we come back for you,"

een the two tables. He had seated himself next to Miss Sa

seats in the motor car. At this moment one of the strangers approached Mr. Stuart. The other took off his hat and bowed low t

manner was insolent. Madame de Vi

er chauffeur. Mr. Stuart

ing the two strangers st

urse of their ride. "The man who spoke to me made a mist

in her small shining black eyes. Her beaked nose l

la. The two women were now composed. Indeed, the countess made Ruth and Molli

r the countess as they rode back to the coc

ountess," Ruth avowed. "But, whatever the myste