e little farther along than on the memorable morning when they welcomed the wrong hack. P

sition could prove a magnet to attract friends and was always devising explanations for their abundance. "You haven'

splay of pretty frocks. Indeed Peggy very often said, "Don't put on your good clothes; you might hurt them." Many a girl of Peggy's age who regards herself as a young lady would turn up her nose at one of Peggy's parties, where everybody ca

when Peggy tendered her an invitation across the hedge. "A Hallowe'e

such good-natured curiosity that El

we'en party seems rather

y answered tranquilly. And then she added the warning so likely

ha

ar anything good

She looked at Peggy half resentfully, half perplexedly, reflecting as she did so that Peggy was the sort of girl who could wear an old dress to a party and have a

ion in cleverness and ingenuity. Whatever pleasure Peggy's parties gave her friends, she enjoyed them doubly, for she had the pleasure of preparation along with the other. If a bubbling l

the thirty-first. The light was turned low in the hall, and a sheeted figure at the door welcomed each comer with extended hand.

E DOOR WELCOMED EACH CO

rs, though she jumped, without any question. There was an unearthly chill about that hand, which, coupled with the sepulchral w

, wet chamois-skin gloves, but who would imagine that it would feel so ghastly? Don't you love to have your blood run cold?" Fortunately Elaine was spared th

h disapproval, occupied the centre of the room. Hung over the grate was an old iron kettle, in whose depths something silvery bubbled responsive to the heat below. The

d boils away, just as water does." Peggy brought out a long-handled t

orward. Cautiously she ladled a little of the melted lead into the water. Hissing it fell to

It's awful, but it looks to me like three balls. Do

aghast. Milly Weston patte

ee balls are fruit; oranges probably. That means you're going to hav

la insisted that fate had moulded the lead she let fall into the shape of the horn of plenty, which, of course, would signify prosperity, Peggy was positive that the

ith a sense of superiority, as one who has outgrown childish things, but she could not help being glad of the violin, in place of the rolling-pin Peggy had claimed for herself, and which

g else. Into the tub filled with water Peggy dropped three apples, which bobbed

and it would have lasted a week if it wasn't for you. I always get down to the bottom o

bow and arrow from the adjoining room. "Instead of bobbing for apples," she explained, "you try to hit them with the arrow. The yellow apple sta

de her first attempt in archery. The cord twanged as the arrow s

wering and clutching frantically at the

ow of blue ribbon surmounting her knot of yellow curls, and hung dangling. What with the agonized exclamations of Amy, horrified over the thought of what might

aim as carefully as could be, and then, just at the last, you shut your

corrected Priscilla, "

stuck quivering in the sides of the tub, but, occasionally, it pierced one of the three lucky targets, and on such occasions the whole company shouted joyfully. Elaine was one of the fortunate archers. When her arrow pierced the apple which stood

long hall, at intervals of two or three feet, burning away like so many miniature light-houses. "These stand for the months," explained Peggy; "the fi

them out?" inqui

ad luck for that particular month.

ghtly that she left the whole twelve candles burning behind her. The applause this feat called forth was less enthusiastic than it would h

plans, Amy came forward to try her fate. Clutching her skirts frantically, she jumped over the first candle, coming down with a thump which fairly shook the house, while the cheery little flame which stood for Nove

alone,'" Peggy quoted tragically, but Amy was

dreadful?" she moaned. "What a y

orrified tone, and Peggy crossed

ature," she said severely. "As if it wasn't all a joke.

s of the grate fire, and when they bounded apart, as the most of them did, great excitement developed in the little company. From the English walnuts, tiny vessels were constructed and launched

pointing to half past eleven. "The question is," said Peggy

ed Amy, excitement rendering her defiant of grammar. "I wouldn't do it for th

I don't un

, you go down the cellar-stairs, with a ca

ackward," Ruth

bottom of the stairs you set the mirror down somewhere

was failing to make due impression on Elain

that you're eating the apple. And, before you've finished, a face will

it for worlds

dn't mind it at a

Priscilla. No, not that. The largest one. Here's your mirror and your apple, and you

g what I've had already," laughed El

an undertone, and a little assenting murmur went the rounds. Few people are displeased by earning a reputation for heroism cheaply, and Elaine was smiling good-humoredly as she took her stand in front

tating descent into the darkness. At the bottom of the stairs she found two boxes placed in evident preparation for the ceremony, the taller against the wa

silence. The Friendly Terrace girls were a jolly crowd, that was certain, especially Peggy. Elaine's heart warmed as she though

nation of the odd appearance in the mirror. She leaned forward and the apple dropped from her

lk and her shivers which had got on her nerves and was responsible for this wild fancy. And while her common sense struggled to k

ar door was flung open. Elaine could hear Amy's uplifted voice declaring, "She's seen something! I tell you she's see

y, and the dog whined his disappointment at such a greeting. But

t her friend and glared defiantly into the da

up be-behind me so softly, I didn't hear him, and I saw

lashes moist, and her lips still trembling, was the signal for friendly advances on the part of all. The girls gathered about the crestfallen heroine, patted her, petted her, praised her courage in attempting such an adventure, and assured her that none of them would have been brave enough to try it. Occasionally a hint of patronage peeped through