Blue Bonnet in Boston; or, Boarding-School Days at Miss North's
Page 21
CHAPTER XXI
THE LAMBS' FROLIC
School-days cannot last forever. The fact was borne in on AnnabelJackson as she sat in her room one afternoon shortly beforeCommencement. It wasn't going to be such an easy thing to tear up rootand leave Miss North's after four years as she had imagined. How was sheever going to get along without the girls? There was Sue--dear old,impulsive, warm-hearted Sue, companion in so many escapades. And Ruth,and Wee Watts--Blue Bonnet, too! The parting was going to be especiallyhard with Blue Bonnet. _She_ would in all probability disappear on theTexas ranch, and except for an occasional Christmas greeting or birthdaycard, pass out of her life altogether.
There were the teachers also,--Mrs. White and Professor Howe and Madamde Cartier--and, yes--even Miss North, austere and dignified andunapproachable as she was, would be missed out of the little world; aworld she had grown to love very dearly, despite its limitations, itsfrequent vexations.
"Mercy! you look as if you'd lost your last friend, Annabel," RuthBiddle commented from her seat by the window, where she was doing herbest to stop a runner in a silk stocking.
"I have, I'm afraid--or will," Annabel answered dolefully. "Do yourealize that in just fifteen days we shall be saying good-by to theseold walls, forever--you and I? I didn't think it was going to be sohard, Ruth. Doesn't it break you all up when you think of it? Do yourelish the idea of other girls having this room next year--hanging theirthings in our closets; planning feasts and frolics behind barred doorswhile we pass on to the ranks of 'young women?' The idea doesn't appealto me as much as I thought it was going to."
Ruth bit off her thread and regarded the room a moment in silence.
"Wonder where they'll keep their provisions," she said, eyes toward thebox couch which had secluded many a staple article. "Do you supposethey'll find the refrigerator, and know enough to make black curtainsfor the transoms?"
A gleam shot from Annabel's roguish eyes to Ruth's.
"Let's put them on," she said. "Write a letter and will them oursecrets. We can hide it in the refrigerator."
The refrigerator--a loose brick discovered one day just under the windowon the outside wall--had proved a boon to Annabel and Ruth. By theleast bit of digging from the inside a passage had been made, largeenough to accommodate a bottle of milk, a pint of ice cream or any otherdelicacy that required cold storage. It had been necessary to cut thewall paper, and the plastering, of course,--a daring thing to do, butthe girls had felt no great qualm of conscience.
An elaborate calendar covered the aperture. It had been observed manytimes by visitors that the calendar hung low, but Annabel was alwaysquick to remark that there was no other place, the room, being full tooverflowing with pictures, pennants, etc. A truth which could not begainsaid.
"Splendid!" Ruth cried, with more enthusiasm than she was wont to show,and got out paper and pencil immediately.
"Better get ink, Ruth. Who ever heard of a last will and testament beingwritten in pencil? Here! let me do it."
For a minute Annabel scratched away busily, and this is what Ruth readover her shoulder:
"TO THE NEXT OCCUPANTS OF THIS ROOM
"GREETINGS!
"To you, whoever you may be (we hope the best ever), Ruth Biddle of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Annabel Jackson of Nashville, Tennessee, former occupants, do bequeath our good will, our confidence, our social standing (which is thrown in gratis along with the most expensive room in the school), and do entrust to your everlasting protection such of our possessions as you may find useful and necessary. The black cloths, which you will find in this secret hiding-place, fit the transoms over the door and in the bathroom. The candles you will find convenient for midnight feasts and orgies; the refrigerator indispensable for cold storage; the box couch excellent for provisions, such as Nabiscos, crackers and cookies. To you also we do bequeath the residue of our estate: the wicker tea-table; the picture of the Queen Louise; the china cat on the mantel-piece, which has proved an invaluable mascot. This together with our best wishes, congratulations, and the hope that you will continue to dispense hospitality and radiate good cheer and comfort from these portals. "Signed: "Witnessed by:"
"You don't mean to say you're going to give your tea-table to utterstrangers, do you, Annabel?" Ruth asked in surprise.
"I don't mean to pay storage or freight on it. Certainly I'm going toleave it."
"And the Queen Louise? I thought you adored her!"
"I did once, but she makes me so nervous, eternally coming down thosestairs, gazing off into the distance as if she were treading on air. I'mgetting terribly tired of her."
"And the cat? You remember the day you bought that, Annabel? You wereabout the most homesick person in Boston. You said it looked like yourown 'Lady Jane Grey' at home, and you cuddled it half the night. I don'tsee how you can part with it."
"Oh, it goes with the room," Annabel answered indifferently. "You knowyourself it's kept away mice. We've never had _one_, and look at WeeWatts' room, and the sky parlor--"
A knock interrupted further history.
Blue Bonnet put her head inside.
"Girls!" she said excitedly, "we're going to get our three days' cut,and oh, guess what's happened! Patty Paine's mother's here--we just lefther down in the reception-room, and she's invited us all--theLambs--down to her summer home in Maine at a place called Sargentville.They have a cottage there, and she's going down and will take us, andMiss North says we can go."
Annabel pulled Blue Bonnet into the room and looked at her skeptically.
"Really, Blue Bonnet? Do you mean it?"
"Of course I mean it. And Annabel--isn't it too splendid?--every one ofthe Lambs has brought her average up to eighty, so we can all go! We areto leave Friday and get back early Monday morning. Patty's perfectlywild about it, and her mother's a dear."
Blue Bonnet hurried off to bear the good tidings, but the news hadpreceded her. In Patty's room a group of girls chatted excitedly.
"Oh, Blue Bonnet, have you heard the news? We're to go--"
"I should say I have," Blue Bonnet interrupted. "I came to tell you."
"Well, Angela got ahead of you. Come in. Patty will be up in a minute.She and her mother are making arrangements with Miss North. Isn't it tooutterly splendid?"
"And Fairview Cottage is the most ideal spot in the world," Angela putin dreamily. "I'm so glad that it is full moon time. There's a placearound Sargentville called Caterpillar Hill, with the most fascinatingroad winding up to it. I loved it so that I wrote an ode to it last yearwhen I visited Patty."
"Will the family all be there?" Sue inquired.
"I fancy not," Angela said. Being Patty's room-mate, she was well up onthe Paine affairs. "Mrs. Paine is going down to open the cottage for thesummer. The servants all went yesterday. Patty says she's going to tryto get the boys to come up over Sunday, but she isn't at all sure theycan--they're at Yale, you know."
"The boys" were Patty's two brothers, who were studying law at Yale.
"Isn't Sargentville the place where Ben Billings' family have a summerhome?" Sue inquired quite casually; but the remark brought a laugh. BenBillings, despite his very ordinary name, and Sue's particular aversionto it, had sailed into her ken with meteor-like brilliancy. She hadchanged her opinion of him since the visit to Harvard, and was theobject of considerable teasing. Such rhymes as the following had foundtheir way to her desk and room often:
"Her home is in the Middle West; But what's the difference, pray, With Harvard, dear old Harvard, Scarce five miles away?"
"Yes, of course they have," Angela answered. "Ben was there last summer.He was awfully attentive to me. We went rowing together no end of times.Their home is only a stone's throw from Fairview. You must be awfullynice to Mrs. Paine, Sue; maybe she'll ask you to remain on--over intothe summer."
Angela thoroughly enjoyed seeing the c
olor mount Sue's cheeks, as Sueadroitly changed the subject.
The girls found Sargentville all that Angela's highly coloredimagination had pictured it. Miss North permitted the girls to leaveBoston on Thursday night, so, arriving at Sargentville early Fridaymorning, they had three full days at their disposal. And days filled tothe brim they were!
The first great treat was Fairview itself. Just why it was called acottage, baffled Blue Bonnet's Western conception of that title.
"Why, it's almost a mansion!" she whispered to Annabel, with whom sheoccupied a charming room. "One almost gets lost in it. I didn't knowthat Patty was so rich."
It spoke well for Patty--indeed for Miss North's school--that none ofthe girls knew. Patty was simplicity itself, as was also her mother.
The first afternoon was taken up with a riding party. Fairview stablesheld the best saddlers in the country, and the girls had great funchoosing mounts. All the horses were reputed to be safe and gentle, andthe party started off in high spirits. The country roads proveddelightful, winding through woods and abandoned farms. Haunted housesabounded; and Patty had many a tale to tell of the forlorn places wherewells had fallen in, windows were smashed, and a general air ofdesolation prevailed.
The second day, Angela's favorite spot, Caterpillar Hill, was chosen fora moonlight picnic. The girls started early to catch the sunset fromthe summit which was, according to tradition, well worth the climb.Slowly, majestically, the great red ball dropped behind the Camdenhills, leaving a trail of splendor behind; and in the little village ofBelfast lights glimmered and flickered.
"Seems almost as if they were saying, 'Come down! Come down!' as theywink up at us," Blue Bonnet said, watching them, quite fascinated."Look, Angela!"
But Angela heard not. The islands with the many light-houses, like greatprotecting eyes, held no charm. Nature was inspiring her, as always withthe poet's vision. Lost to her companions she dreamed on in utteroblivion.
"Will some one kindly bring Angela back to earth," Sue said. "Ask her ifshe'd exchange that view for the sight of a ham sandwich. I'm starving."
Sunday, too, was a day of peaceful, beautiful experiences. It was justas well that Patty could not prevail upon her brothers to leave Yale forthe week-end, as she had hoped, for the girls' time together was growingso short that they begrudged every moment that separated them. Boys,naturally, were a diversion.
"We're going to sail through the islands to-day," Patty announced atbreakfast. "At noon we'll stop somewhere and cook lunch. There are lotsof lovely places. We might have a little service, too. I think MissNorth would like it. Angela can read the prayers and the lesson for theday and we'll sing our favorite hymns. And then I thought it would benice, if we have time, to have a sort of farewell meeting of theLambs--we won't be together much longer, you know."
Something rose in Patty's throat that prevented further speech, and hereyes filled suspiciously.
There was an awed silence for a moment, and then it was Blue Bonnet whospoke:
"I don't believe any of us could stand a _last_ meeting, Patty. I hopedwe wouldn't have any."
"But there's business," Sue insisted.
"Our vows and pledges for time to come," Wee supplemented.
"I move we write them and have them recorded, by our secretary, on thebooks," Annabel suggested. "I'm with Blue Bonnet. It's going to wrenchmy very soul to give up the Lambs. Oh, girls, I love you all so much,and maybe I'll never see any of you again after this year."
At this there was a general breakdown. Handkerchiefs played a moreimportant part at the morning meal than the delicious bacon and freshrolls that graced the table.
It was Wee Watts as usual who saved the day.
"Mercy on us, Annabel," she said with scorn, though the twitching of herlips belied her bravado, "any one would think we were all going to passaway, or go to live in a foreign country. _I'm_ not. Indeed I have plansfor visiting Nashville in the near future--to show the natives what areal Yankee looks like."
That night seven happy girls reviewed the day with pleasure. The sailthrough the islands had been a joy--the dinner a delight; the service abenediction that would long linger in the minds of all present. It hadbeen such fun to cook the meal--fry the bacon on the end of a forkedtwig over the glowing camp fire; to tramp through the purple fields ofrhodora, gather the low pink mounds of sheep laurel; to quaff greatbreaths of the fragrant sea air.
There had been just a suggestion of a Lambs' meeting, too. The song ofthe Lambs had been sung with much enthusiasm and feeling, and manyinjunctions passed on to the Junior part of the assemblage for useduring the next year. There was a wild enthusiastic cheer forSargentville; an equally ecstatic one for Mrs. Paine and Fairview, andthen the little company pulled for shore to pack their severalbelongings and make ready for the boat which left at sunrise the nextmorning.
The days which preceded Commencement were happy ones for Blue Bonnet.While she shared in a measure Annabel's depression at parting fromfriends, her association with the school had not been of such durationthat it made her absolutely unhappy to leave it. The bright, sunny dayshad brought many pleasures. Among them were visits with her grandmother,who, now that the weather was seasonable, made frequent trips to Boston.There was a possibility of a separation from Blue Bonnet in the future,and Mrs. Clyde wished to be near her as much as possible.
"You have quite decided to go back to the ranch with Uncle Cliff for thesummer, dear?" she asked Blue Bonnet one afternoon. It was Friday, andBlue Bonnet was spending the week-end with her family; Uncle Cliff wasstill in Boston. Aunt Lucinda had taken out her sewing and there was avery homey atmosphere--even in the garish hotel room--conducive to aconfidential chat.
Blue Bonnet did not answer for a minute.
"I _think_ so, Grandmother," she said presently. "It seems almost as ifI should. Uncle Cliff needs me--and there's Gabriel, too! I should liketo get him started in his new quarters. Do you know what Uncle Cliff isdoing? Having a sleeping-porch built for him. We're going to bring himup outdoors. Doctor Clark says we won't know him in a year. The changehas been perfectly wonderful in the little time he has been in Woodford.I had a letter from Miss Warren yesterday. She says he's crazy over thelittle Shetland pony Uncle Cliff bought for him--that he has a shortride every morning. Knight Judson has been spending a week-end with theGeneral and he's been awfully kind to Gabriel. The pony? Oh, we were alittle afraid to trust Gabriel to a Texas mustang yet, so Uncle Clifffound this little fellow. We're going to ship him ahead of ourdeparture, so as to be at the ranch ready for Gabriel."
"Gabriel is a very lucky boy," Mrs. Clyde said. "A _very_ lucky boy."
"Oh, I don't know, Grandmother. He _is_--of course. But we're lucky,too--Uncle Cliff and I. You can't think what company he'll be to us.It's going to keep us from growing selfish and self-centred to have him.You know I've always wanted an orphan asylum all my own. This is just astarter."
Grandmother smiled into the enthusiastic young face.
"Do you ever look ahead into the future, Blue Bonnet, and plan your lifea little?" Aunt Lucinda asked. "It seems to me that you are old enoughnow. Your mother was but a year older when she married."
"And you want me to think about--that--too?" Blue Bonnet askedmischievously.
"No; not yet. You are younger for your years than your mother was, andtimes have changed; but there is a forward movement all over the worldto-day--onward and upward. I should like to feel that with the manyblessings meted out to you, you could find your place in the world'swork--become an avenue for good. I wish that you might have a definitepurpose and work to an end. That is the only way to accomplishanything."
Blue Bonnet's face was shining as she answered:
"That's just exactly the way _I_ feel, Aunt Lucinda. For that reason Ishould like to come back here to school next year and be near MissNorth. She has promised to let me do settlement work--to have a day eachmonth at Dennison House--and Uncle Cliff has already put aside somemoney for my use. Gabriel isn't the only forlorn chil
d in the world.Perhaps in the years to come he and I may be able to relieve others indistress--help make the world a little easier for those less fortunatethan ourselves. That's what I _want_ to do. That's what I _will_ do!"
For a moment Miss Clyde's face softened into something very liketenderness. She would have considered it extremely bad form to haveshown how much Blue Bonnet's words touched her, or to have revealed thepride she felt; but Grandmother, leaning forward, pressed a kiss on thesweet face upturned to her own.
"That's my dear girl," she said, "my own dear Blue Bonnet! It is exactlywhat your mother would have wished--would have done, with youropportunity."
At the school the days flew along at an astonishing pace.Commencement--that event long looked forward to--was now in sight.Excitement was in the air. Rooms began to have a deserted appearance asone after another of the little things that had adorned the walls werepacked or stored.
"Commencement is a good deal like a funeral, isn't it?" Blue Bonnet saidto Joy Cross, who, true to prediction, had taken Fraulein's place in theGerman department, and with satisfaction.
"It isn't as cheerful as it might be," Joy answered, checking off anexamination paper. "It is hard for the girls who aren't coming back. Ihear that Annabel is positively sick over it. I had no idea she was sofond of the school."
"Oh, it isn't altogether the school--it's the girls. Annabel is so loyaland she gives so much of herself in her friendships."
Joy folded up her papers and put away some books. Then she came over toBlue Bonnet and slipped her hand in hers shyly.
"There's something I want very much to say to you, Blue Bonnet," shebegan. "I hardly know where to commence. It's this--principally: I wantto thank _you_ for the position that has been offered me in this schoolnext year."
Blue Bonnet looked incredulous.
"Thank--me," she stammered. "Why, me?"
"Because without you I never should have had it. You helped me findit--and myself, Blue Bonnet. You remember the trouble we had--" A deepcrimson for a moment dyed Joy's face, but her voice never faltered, nordid her eyes leave Blue Bonnet's. "Up to that time no one everunderstood me--I think I didn't understand myself--quite. And you werekind to me--you tried to help me--make the girls like me. I can neverforget it--never! Any more than I can repay you."
For answer Blue Bonnet threw her arms round her room-mate and gave her awarm embrace.
"I couldn't have done anything else, Joy, and have been human, so don'tgive me too much credit--please. I don't deserve any."
They both laughed. Blue Bonnet seemed quite inadequate to the occasion.
"And you're going to teach German? How perfectly splendid!"
"Yes; and that isn't all. Miss North is taking me to Dresden with herfor the summer. I am to go into a German family to perfect my accent,where I shall not hear a word of English until next September."
"Joy!"
"Isn't it wonderful? Oh, Blue Bonnet, I don't know how all these thingshave come to me. They are so much more than I deserve; but I shall tryhard to be worthy and to do Miss North credit. You have no idea how Ilong to make it up to her."
This was a long speech for quiet Joy, and it was a good thing for bothgirls that Carita appeared at that moment, for the flood gates wereopened and a deluge threatened.
In Carita's wake followed Mary and Peggy.
"Mary wants you to come down-stairs and meet her mother, Blue Bonnet,"Carita said. "She came for Commencement. Peggy's mother will be hereto-morrow. Oh, dear, I wish Texas wasn't so far off."
It was but a few days before the closing of school and the halls andcorridors were filled with strange faces.
"Annabel's mother is here too," Mary said, leading the way down-stairs."She's b-e-a-utiful. Annabel looks just like her."
A fact Blue Bonnet found to be true a moment later, when she waspresented by the radiant and altogether happy Annabel.
There was a half hour's chat, and then Blue Bonnet ran up to her roomagain. She closed the door softly and going over to the window stood fora moment looking out over her favorite view. Her eyes were full oftears.
"No, you won't--you just sha'n't cry!" she said to herself after amoment's struggle for self-control. The sight of so many girls hadawakened all the old longings. "You've got the _best Uncle_ that everwas born into the world--_the best Grandmother--the best Aunt_! Youhaven't any right to feel sorry for yourself;" and fleeing as if fromwrath to come, she ran hastily across the hall and burst into Sue'sroom, where a crowd of girls were holding high carnival.
CHAPTER XXII
COMMENCEMENT
Commencement week had come at last with all its attendant flurry andexcitement. There was perpetual movement in the halls--girls flew inevery direction; teachers looked tired and careworn.
In Annabel Jackson's room Blue Bonnet sat running ribbons in Annabel'sunderwear--every Junior was waiting on her Senior hand and foot thesedays; it was a special privilege and one much coveted by adoringsatellites.
"There," she said, tying the last bow with care. "That's ready. I'm justgoing to draw the water for Annabel's bath, Sue; she'll be up in asecond. Suppose you pick up the room a bit. Looks like a cyclone hadstruck it. Annabel can't dress in such a muss."
Annabel herself came in at that moment, her cheeks pink with excitement,her face radiant with pleasure.
"My, but I'm late! Do you think I can dress in six minutes? It lacksjust that much of twelve o'clock and some of the boys have arrivedalready. I saw Mr. Billings pacing the floor in the living-room, Sue.Why don't you go down if you're ready? Blue Bonnet will help me."
It was the day of the Senior dance. A gala day at Miss North's. Sue andBlue Bonnet had both been invited to the dance--an almost unheard ofprivilege. Sue had been thus favored because her brother Billy was to beAnnabel's guest, and Blue Bonnet, because Annabel had begged Miss North,almost on her hands and knees to grant her this one last request.
It was a long established custom for the young men to arrive at noon,pay their respects to teachers and the girls who had invited them andremain on for a concert, tea, or whatever had been planned for theirentertainment. At five o'clock they left to dress for the dinner whichpreceded the dance.
Annabel lost no time with her toilet. In ten minutes she was dressed,with Blue Bonnet's help, and as sweet a vision as youth, good health andbeauty could produce.
Blue Bonnet stood before her enraptured.
"Your gown is perfect, Annabel," she said, giving an extra pat here andthere, or trying to, between Annabel's quick movements. "I doubt ifyou'll look a speck prettier to-night in your white lace. Pink certainlyis your color. You had it on the first time I saw you. I rememberwriting Uncle Cliff about you."
They started for the living-room. Along the halls girls waited ingroups to catch a glimpse of their favorites. Heads craned from doorsand exclamations of approval passed from lip to lip:
"Oh, aren't they lovely! The two prettiest girls in school! What a loveof a gown Annabel's got! Isn't Blue Bonnet a dream?"
At the top of the stairs wedged in, obstructing the passage, sat Caritaand Mary. They fell upon Annabel and Blue Bonnet regardless of theirfinery.
"A kiss! A kiss!" they cried. "You've got to pay toll!" A forfeitwillingly given.
"I can hardly wait until five o'clock," Mary said. "I'm dying to getAnnabel's flowers for her." But the hands of the hall clock pointed tohalf after five before the guests had left, and Mary and Carita werefree to slip down-stairs from Fifth Avenue and across the hall to wherethe long boxes were piled high beside the mail bag. Through the pile thegirls searched, and suddenly Mary, with a cry of satisfaction, snatchedher Senior's box and ran back up-stairs to number fifteen, with maddelight.
"Here they are, Annabel! Your flowers! Quick, the scissors!" She wavedthe long box triumphantly. "I knew he wouldn't forget. Oh, thebeauties--roses! Roses!"
In another second Carita burst into the room and presented Blue Bonnetwith _two_ boxes, and close on her heels came Peggy with Sue's flowers.
The next half hour was a mad scramble. Afternoon frocks were changedfor evening gowns. The younger girls were shooed from the room amidmurmurs of protest, while a happy babble streamed on from the lips ofthe participants of the great event.
The Senior dance! Who that has felt its thrills can ever forget it! Whothat has known its long anticipated joy can ever obliterate it frommemory!
"Bring your clothes in here, Blue Bonnet, and I'll fasten you up,"Annabel said, "and you can help me. We won't have many more of theseoccasions, will we?"
"No; but we're not going to talk about that now," Blue Bonnet said,flying into her room for her gown.
Ruth, dressing early, had gone down-stairs, and Blue Bonnet and Annabelchatted merrily.
"I like your Mr. Judson, awfully, Blue Bonnet," Annabel said, as shepolished her nails vigorously. "He's terribly good looking! I don't knowwhy--but I adore dark men. I suppose I should like blonds--"
"Why _my_ Mr. Judson?" Blue Bonnet interrupted. "He's Carita'scousin--that's why I asked him to-night. I was awfully disappointed thatAlec Trent couldn't come."
Annabel gave a little low laugh.
"He's the one you're sort of a sister to, isn't he? Well--he's verynice, but I should choose Mr. Judson for a life study--I _think_.There's something sort of splendid and inspiring about him. He's sofrank and unusual."
"He's just Western--that's all," Blue Bonnet said with a degree ofsatisfaction. "Would you wear these gold beads or the corals, Annabel?"
"The corals, by all means, with that white gown. And put one of thosepink roses in your hair--there, low, like that. My, but you're sweet. Ilove you in that gown!"
"This gown is a little gift from Uncle Cliff. We went shopping the otherday all by ourselves. I wanted to pick up a few little things for thegirls and to get you a graduation present. By the way, I believe I'llgive it to you now--I'll run get it. Maybe you might like to wear itto-night."
She brought back a small velvet jewel case which she put in Annabel'shands. Annabel gave a cry of delight when she opened it.
"Blue Bonnet! How perfectly darling of you! Oh, isn't it exquisite!"
In the case reposed a little brooch--a circlet of pearls.
"I'm so glad you like it, Annabel. I love the sentiment of it. It's afriendship circle--never ending--never beginning, see?"
She held the pin in her hand and traced the circle with her finger. "Ifeel that way about our friendship--it never seemed to begin--it just_was_, from the start--and I hope it will never end!"
"Blue Bonnet! Stop! You're going to make me cry--and I can't now. Ihaven't time. You know I haven't a particle of sense when I getstarted."
She made a little dab at her eyes and took the pin from Blue Bonnet.
"I shall wear it always, _always_," she managed to say as she pinned itin the lace of her gown, "and I'll thank you for it properly at anothertime."
At ten o'clock that night, three very tired but wide-awake littleFreshmen, who had watched the dance from the gymnasium balcony, climbedthe flight of stairs leading to Fifth Avenue, bearing in their armsthree bouquets. After the first few dances the girls had thrown theflowers to their outstretched hands and they had been cherished asvaluable possessions.
"I'm going to sprinkle these roses and leave them in Annabel's bathtub,"Mary said, stifling a tell-tale yawn.
"And I'll do the same with Blue Bonnet's," Carita said, following thesuggestion.
She entered Blue Bonnet's room and after attending to the flowers, setthe place to rights; turned down Blue Bonnet's bed neatly, and findingpaper and pencil busied herself for a moment with a note which shepinned to Blue Bonnet's pillow. It read:
"DEAREST BLUE BONNET:--Thank you so much for letting me help you all day, and for taking care of the flowers. I have had a beautiful time. You were the prettiest girl in the room to-night. Wasn't it sweet of Alec to send those flowers all the way from Washington? I think he has forgiven you for what happened in Woodford. Good night. Sweet dreams. CARITA."
The rest of the week passed in a dream to Blue Bonnet. Two things,however, stood out vividly in her memory: Annabel's program, which hadbeen brilliantly sung to an enthusiastic audience, and Miss North's lasttalk to the girls in the living-room. Perhaps it was the glow of prideon Uncle Cliff's face as she took her place at the piano to playAnnabel's accompaniments--the look of satisfaction on AuntLucinda's--that stamped the afternoon so indelibly on her mind; perhapsit was a little self satisfaction--for Blue Bonnet was altogether human.At any rate, she felt sure that she would always recall the day withhappiness.
Miss North's talk had been helpful--her text inspiring. Blue Bonnetcopied the text in her memory book with many notations--all theamplifications she could remember:
"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.Guard them accordingly."
Then there was the eventful afternoon when the Seniors took the strawride into the country and built a bonfire upon which to burn the booksthey hated most. Blue Bonnet had helped Annabel select a much thumbedCicero (there had been some difficulty in choosing), longing with allher heart for the day when her own Geometry could be added to thefuneral pyre.
The last day--in after years Blue Bonnet disliked to recall that lastday, it was so fraught with sadness--she had packed for Carita; helpedMary Boyd; given Peggy a lift with her things, which were piled in anindiscriminate heap for one big leap into a waiting trunk, and had puther own clothes and belongings in readiness for the long journey toTexas on the morrow. She had spent a half hour with Grandmother and AuntLucinda, who were remaining in Boston to see her off. There had been avisit to Mrs. White--she could not be forgotten, whatever else was leftundone. How often in lonely and discouraged moments Mrs. White hadfilled the place almost of a mother. Blue Bonnet felt an unboundedregard for her, as well as gratitude.
After all was done she wandered into Annabel's room for a last chat.Others had been of the same mind evidently, for Sue was perched onAnnabel's trunk; Wee occupied a comfortable chair; Patty and Angelasquatted on the floor. It was a crowd whose drooping spirits even WeeWatts failed to arouse.
Blue Bonnet sank down beside Patty and heaved a sigh. The room was bareand gloomy. The Queen Louise, the china cat, the calendar under thewindow, alone spoke of a past fading into oblivion.
"Aren't you going to take 'Louise' and the cat, Annabel?" Blue Bonnetasked.
Annabel shook her head.
"Why not?"
"They're willed. We're going to pass them on to the next crowd--thegirls who have this room."
Ruth and Annabel exchanged a look. Their minds reverted to the calendarthat hung low beneath the window, on which was written--in so fine ahand as to be almost illegible:
"Look behind this calendar. 'A word to the wise is sufficient.'"
Blue Bonnet tried to say something, but the words stuck in her throat.She gave one despairing glance about the room, her eyes sweeping thealmost deserted quarters, and rising she made straight for the door.
Wee and Patty, Sue and Angela followed silently. At her own door BlueBonnet paused and held out her hand.
"I reckon I'll say good-by, girls," she said. "Carita and I are goingover to the hotel to spend the night with Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda.Hope to see _you_ next year, Sue, and you too, Wee." To Angela and Pattythere were promises and instructions about writing. When the girls hadpassed on to their rooms Blue Bonnet turned and went back to Annabel.She opened the door softly. Annabel was sitting by the window where thegirls had left her. Her head was buried in her hands and when she liftedit Blue Bonnet saw that her eyes were full of tears. She got up and cametoward Blue Bonnet with outstretched arms.
"Is it good-by, Blue Bonnet?" she said.
"Not good-by, Annabel," Blue Bonnet answered bravely. "Not_good-by_--it's just--_auf wiedersehen_."
THE END.
* * * * *
The Blue Bonnet Series
_By Lela Horn Richards an
d Caroline E. Jacobs_
Each, one vol., large 12mo, illustrated $1.50
A TEXAS BLUE BONNET BLUE BONNET'S RANCH PARTY BLUE BONNET IN BOSTON BLUE BONNET KEEPS HOUSE BLUE BONNET--DEBUTANTE BLUE BONNET OF THE SEVEN STARS
THE COSY CORNER SERIES _By Caroline E. Jacobs_
Each, one vol., small 12mo, illustrated $0.75
BAB'S CHRISTMAS AT STANHOPE THE CHRISTMAS SURPRISE PARTY A CHRISTMAS PROMISE
THE PAGE COMPANY 53 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass.
* * * * *
Selections from The Page Company's Books for Young People
THE BLUE BONNET SERIES
_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.75
A TEXAS BLUE BONNET
By CAROLINE E. JACOBS.
"The book's heroine, Blue Bonnet, has the very finest kind of wholesome,honest, lively girlishness."--_Chicago Inter-Ocean._
BLUE BONNET'S RANCH PARTY
By CAROLINE E. JACOBS AND EDYTH ELLERBECK READ.
"A healthy, natural atmosphere breathes from every chapter."--_BostonTranscript._
BLUE BONNET IN BOSTON
By CAROLINE E. JACOBS AND LELA HORN RICHARDS.
"It is bound to become popular because of its wholesomeness and its manyhuman touches."--_Boston Globe._
BLUE BONNET KEEPS HOUSE
By CAROLINE E. JACOBS AND LELA HORN RICHARDS.
"It cannot fail to prove fascinating to girls in their teens."--_NewYork Sun._
BLUE BONNET--DEBUTANTE
By LELA HORN RICHARDS.
An interesting picture of the unfolding of life for Blue Bonnet.
BLUE BONNET OF THE SEVEN STARS
By LELA HORN RICHARDS.
"The author's intimate detail and charm of narration gives the reader aninteresting story of the heroine's war activities."--_PittsburghLeader._
* * * * *
ONLY HENRIETTA
By LELA HORN RICHARDS.
Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.90
"It is an inspiring story of the unfolding of life for a young girl--astory in which there is plenty of action to hold interest and wealth ofdelicate sympathy and understanding that appeals to the hearts of youngand old."--_Pittsburgh Leader._
HENRIETTA'S INHERITANCE: A Sequel to "Only Henrietta"
By LELA HORN RICHARDS.
Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.90
"One of the most noteworthy stories for girls issued this season. Thelife of Henrietta is made very real, and there is enough incident in thenarrative to balance the delightful characterization."--_ProvidenceJournal._
"The heroine deserves to have this story develop into a series of books;a wholesome, sparkling, satisfying story of American girlhood."--_NewEra Magazine._
THE YOUNG KNIGHT
By I. M. B. of K.
Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.65
The clash of broad-sword on buckler, the twanging of bow-strings and thecracking of spears splintered by whirling maces resound through thisstirring tale of knightly daring-do.
Michael Faversham, orphaned nephew of Sir Gilbert Faversham, is awholesomely mischievous lad who nevertheless has the beautiful faith andlove for the Saviour so characteristic of the early sixteenth centuryChristians. How he saves the fortress of Rhodes from the besiegingTurks, is later betrayed, captured and tortured by them in the hope thathe may be made to turn traitor and apostate, and his triumphant escapefrom the hands of the Infidels--all these will delight the sturdy heartsof the present-day American boy.
* * * * *
THE MARJORY-JOE SERIES
By ALICE E. ALLEN.
_Each one volume, cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated, per volume_ $1.50
JOE, THE CIRCUS BOY AND ROSEMARY
These are two of Miss Allen's earliest and most successful stories,combined in a single volume to meet the insistent demands from youngpeople for these two particular tales.
THE MARTIE TWINS: Continuing the Adventures of Joe, the Circus Boy
"The chief charm of the story is that it contains so much of humannature. It is so real that it touches the heart strings."--_New YorkStandard._
MARJORY, THE CIRCUS GIRL
A sequel to "Joe, the Circus Boy," and "The Martie Twins."
MARJORY AT THE WILLOWS
Continuing the story of Marjory, the Circus Girl.
"Miss Allen does not write impossible stories, but delightfully pins herlittle folk right down to this life of ours, in which she rangesvigorously and delightfully."--_Boston Ideas._
MARJORY'S HOUSE PARTY: Or, What Happened at Clover Patch
"Miss Allen certainly knows how to please the children and tells themstories that never fail to charm."--_Madison Courier._
MARJORY'S DISCOVERY
This new addition to the popular MARJORY-JOE SERIES is as lovable andoriginal as any of the other creations of this writer of charmingstories. We get little peeps at the precious twins, at the healthyminded Joe and sweet Marjory. There is a bungalow party, which lasts theentire summer, in which all of the characters of the previousMARJORY-JOE stories participate, and their happy times are delightfullydepicted.
* * * * *
THE YOUNG PIONEER SERIES
By HARRISON ADAMS.
_Each 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.65
THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE OHIO; OR, CLEARING THE WILDERNESS.
"Such books as this are an admirable means of stimulating among theyoung Americans of to-day interest in the story of their pioneerancestors and the early days of the Republic."--_Boston Globe._
THE PIONEER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES; OR, ON THE TRAIL OF THE IROQUOIS.
"The recital of the daring deeds of the frontier is not only interestingbut instructive as well and shows the sterling type of character whichthese days of self-reliance and trial produced."--_American Tourist,Chicago._
THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR, THE HOMESTEAD IN THEWILDERNESS.
"The story is told with spirit, and is full of adventure."--_New YorkSun._
THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE MISSOURI; OR, IN THE COUNTRY OF THE SIOUX.
"Vivid in style, vigorous in movement, full of dramatic situations, trueto historic perspective, this story is a capital one forboys."--_Watchman Examiner, New York City._
THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE YELLOWSTONE; OR, LOST IN THE LAND OF WONDERS.
"There is plenty of lively adventure and action and the story is welltold."--_Duluth Herald, Duluth, Minn._
THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE COLUMBIA; OR, IN THE WILDERNESS OF THE GREATNORTHWEST.
"The story is full of spirited action and contains much valuablehistorical information."--_Boston Herald._
* * * * *
THE FRIENDLY TERRACE SERIES By HARRIET LUMMIS SMITH
_Each one volume, cloth, decorative, 12mo, illustrated, per volume (except as otherwise noted)_ $1.65
THE GIRLS OF FRIENDLY TERRACE
"It is a book that cheers, that inspires to higher thinking; it knitshearts; it unfolds neighborhood plans in a way that makes one tingle totry carrying them out, and most of all it proves that in daily life,threads of wonderful issues are being woven in with what appears themost ordinary of material, but which in the end brings results strangerthan the most thrilling fiction."--_Belle Kellogg Towns in The YoungPeople's Weekly, Chicago._
PEGGY RAYMOND'S VACATION
"It is a clean, wholesome, hearty story, well told and full of incident.It carries one through experiences that hearten and brighten theday."--_Utica, N. Y., Observer._
PEGGY RAYMOND'S SCH
OOL DAYS
"It is a bright, entertaining story, with happy girls, good times,natural development, and a gentle earnestness of general tone."--_TheChristian Register, Boston._
THE FRIENDLY TERRACE QUARTETTE
"The story is told in easy and entertaining style and is a mostdelightful narrative, especially for young people. It will also make theolder readers feel younger, for while reading it they will surely liveagain in the days of their youth."--_Troy Budget._
PEGGY RAYMOND'S WAY $1.75
"The author has again produced a story that is replete with wholesomeincidents and makes Peggy more lovable than ever as a companion andleader."--_World of Books._
"It possesses a plot of much merit and through its 324 pages it weaves atale of love and of adventure which ranks it among the best books forgirls."--Cohoes American.
* * * * *
FAMOUS LEADERS SERIES
By CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON.
_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $3.00
FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADERS
"More of such books should be written, books that acquaint young readerswith historical personages in a pleasant, informal way."--_New YorkSun._
FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS
"Mr. Johnston has done faithful work in this volume, and his relation ofbattles, sieges and struggles of these famous Indians with the whitesfor the possession of America is a worthy addition to United StatesHistory."--_New York Marine Journal._
FAMOUS SCOUTS
"It is the kind of a book that will have a great fascination for boysand young men."--_New London Day._
FAMOUS PRIVATEERSMEN AND ADVENTURERS OF THE SEA
"The tales are more than merely interesting; they are entrancing,stirring the blood with thrilling force."--_Pittsburgh Post._
FAMOUS FRONTIERSMEN AND HEROES OF THE BORDER
"The accounts are not only authentic, but distinctly readable, making abook of wide appeal to all who love the history of actualadventure."--_Cleveland Leader._
FAMOUS DISCOVERERS AND EXPLORERS OF AMERICA
"The book is an epitome of some of the wildest and bravest adventures ofwhich the world has known."--_Brooklyn Daily Eagle._
FAMOUS GENERALS OF THE GREAT WAR
Who Led the United States and Her Allies to a Glorious Victory.
"The pages of this book have the charm of romance without its unreality.The book illuminates, with lifelike portraits, the history of the WorldWar."--_Rochester Post Express._
By EDWIN WELDMAN.
FAMOUS LEADERS OF INDUSTRY.--First Series
"Are these stories interesting? Let a boy read them; and tell you. Hewill pick out 'the best machine gun in the world;' the man who workedeighteen to twenty hours a day; the man who kodaked the earth; theinventor who died in debt; the case in which Lincoln earned his firstfee; the secret of Woolworth's success and the man who says 'I can't bebothered eating.'"--_Boston Transcript._
FAMOUS LEADERS OF INDUSTRY.--Second Series
"As fascinating as fiction are these biographies, which emphasize theirhumble beginning and drive home the truth that just as every soldier ofNapoleon carried a marshal's baton in his knapsack, so every Americanyoungster carries potential success under his hat."--_New York World._
FAMOUS LEADERS OF CHARACTER: In America from the Latter Half of theNineteenth Century
"An informing, interesting and inspiring book for boys."--_PresbyterianBanner._
"... Is a book that should be read by every boy in the wholecountry...."--_Atlanta Constitution._
"Opportunity beckons every boy, and this book may suggest the route tobe followed. It is well worth reading."--_Cortland Standard._
* * * * *
WORKS OF EVALEEN STEIN
THE CHRISTMAS PORRINGER
12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated by Adelaide Everhart $1.50
This story happened many hundreds of years ago in the quaint Flemishcity of Bruges and concerns a little girl named Karen, who worked atlace-making with her aged grandmother.
GABRIEL AND THE HOUR BOOK
Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated in colors by Adelaide Everhart $1.50
"No works in juvenile fiction contain so many of the elements that stirthe hearts of children and grown-ups as well as do the stories soadmirably told by this author."--_Louisville Daily Courier._
A LITTLE SHEPHERD OF PROVENCE
12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated by Diantha H. Marlowe $1.50
"The story should be one of the influences in the life of every child towhom good stories can be made to appeal."--_Public Ledger._
THE LITTLE COUNT OF NORMANDY
12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated by John Goss $1.50
"This touching and pleasing story is told with a wealth of interestcoupled with enlivening descriptions of the country where its scenes arelaid and of the people thereof."--_Wilmington Every Evening._
WHEN FAIRIES WERE FRIENDLY
Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.65
"These stories are written for children in the 'believing years,' buttheir literary value is so distinct that any book lover is enriched bytheir possession."--_The Herald, Lexington, Ky._
"The stories are music in prose--they are like pearls on a chain ofgold--each word seems exactly the right word in the right place; thestories sing themselves out, they are so beautifully expressed."--_TheLafayette Leader._
* * * * *
MR. DO SOMETHING; Of the Island of Make Believe
By BLANCHE E. WADE.
With 8 plates in full color, and many other illustrations, cloth decorative, 12mo $1.75
The pervading genius of the story is "Do Something," a roly-poly fairy,who is the embodiment of all that is bright and sunshiny. He wears acontinuous smile and is forever on the move, making up new games andstories for boys and girls. No child can fail to be entranced by thestory; and, once imbued with the spirit of "Do Something," the tedioushours of inaction, caused by lack of pleasing methods of play, will beforever banished.
DENISE OF THE THREE PINES
By EDITH A. SAWYER.
Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.65
Denise is a modern heroine, brave and laughter-loving, with all theappeal and charm which go to make a fascinating character.
LOVE ME, LOVE MY DOG
By CAROLYN VERHOEFF.
Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.65
Imagine yourself in this position,--a little girl, moving with yourfamily to a new community, where the boys and girls are strange andunfriendly; then to your house come a little orphan and her dog, Billy.This is the story of the blossoming of little Constance's characterunder the loving influence of the little orphan. And Billy, the dog, isquite an important character, as you will see.
LITTLE GLAD HEART
By LINDA STEVENS ALMOND.
Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.65
This story is marked by a timely point of view. The story tells of theWarwick family, father, mother, Virginia and Joan. Mr. Warwick has sentVirginia to school at a great sacrifice, and the association with girlsof wealthy parents has made her dissatisfied with the simplicity of herhome. In contrast to Virginia's hauteur and selfishness are the kindlydeeds of Joan, "Little Glad Heart."
* * * * *
IDEAL BOOKS FOR GIRLS
_Each, one volume, cloth decorative, 12mo_ $1.10
A LITTLE CANDY BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL
By AMY L. WATERMAN.
"This is a peculiarly interesting little book, written in the simple,vivacious style that makes these little manual
s as delightful to read asthey are instructive."--_Nashville Tennessean and American._
A LITTLE COOK-BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL
By CAROLINE FRENCH BENTON.
This book explains how to cook so simply that no one can fail tounderstand every word, even a complete novice.
A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL
By CAROLINE FRENCH BENTON.
A little girl, home from school on Saturday mornings, finds out how tomake helpful use of her spare time, and also how to take proper prideand pleasure in good housework.
A LITTLE SEWING BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL
By LOUISE FRANCES CORNELL.
"It is comprehensive and practical, and yet revealingly instructive. Ittakes a little girl who lives alone with her mother, and shows how hermother taught her the art of sewing in its various branches. Theillustrations aid materially."--_Wilmington Every Evening._
A LITTLE PRESERVING BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL
By AMY L. WATERMAN.
In simple, clear wording, Mrs. Waterman explains every step of theprocess of preserving or "canning" fruits and vegetables.
A LITTLE GARDENING BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL
By PETER MARTIN.
This little volume is an excellent guide for the young gardener. Inaddition to truck gardening, the book gives valuable information onflowers, the planning of the garden, selection of varieties, etc.
* * * * *
THE HADLEY HALL SERIES
By LOUISE M. BREITENBACH.
_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.65
ALMA AT HADLEY HALL
"The author is to be congratulated on having written such an appealingbook for girls."--_Detroit Free Press._
ALMA'S SOPHOMORE YEAR
"It cannot fail to appeal to the lovers of good things in girls'books."--_Boston Herald._
ALMA'S JUNIOR YEAR
"The diverse characters in the boarding-school are strongly drawn, theincidents are well developed and the action is never dull."--_The BostonHerald._
ALMA'S SENIOR YEAR
"A healthy, natural atmosphere breathes from every chapter."--_BostonTranscript._
* * * * *
DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL SERIES
By MARION AMES TAGGART
_Each large 12mo, cloth, illustrated, per volume_ $1.75
THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL
"A charming story of the ups and downs of the life of a dear littlemaid."--_The Churchman._
SWEET NANCY: THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL.
"Just the sort of book to amuse, while its influence cannot but beelevating."--_New York Sun._
NANCY, THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE PARTNER
"The story is sweet and fascinating, such as many girls of wholesometastes will enjoy."--_Springfield Union._
NANCY PORTER'S OPPORTUNITY
"Nancy shows throughout that she is a splendid young woman, with plentyof pluck."--_Boston Globe._
NANCY AND THE COGGS TWINS
"The story is refreshing."--_New York Sun._
* * * * *
THE BOYS' STORY OF THE RAILROAD SERIES
By BURTON E. STEVENSON
_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.75
THE YOUNG SECTION-HAND; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF ALLAN WEST.
"The whole range of section railroading is covered in thestory."--_Chicago Post._
THE YOUNG TRAIN DISPATCHER
"A vivacious account of the varied and often hazardous nature ofrailroad life."--_Congregationalist._
THE YOUNG TRAIN MASTER
"It is a book that can be unreservedly commended to anyone who loves agood, wholesome, thrilling, informing yarn."--_Passaic News._
THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, ALLAN WEST'S CHUM.
"The story is intensely interesting."--_Baltimore Sun._
* * * * *
BOY SCOUT STORIES
By BREWER CORCORAN
_Published with the approval of "The Boy Scouts of America."_
_Each, one volume, 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.75
THE BOY SCOUTS OF KENDALLVILLE
The story of a bright young factory worker who cannot enlist, but hisknowledge of woodcraft and wigwagging, gained through Scout practice,enables him to foil a German plot to blow up the munitions factory.
THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE WOLF PATROL
The boys of Gillfield who were not old enough to go to war found just asmany thrills at home, chasing a German spy.
THE BOY SCOUTS AT CAMP LOWELL
"The best book for boys I have ever read!" says our editor. Mr. Corcoranhas again found enough exciting material to keep the plot humming fromcover to cover.
* * * * *
HILDEGARDE-MARGARET SERIES
By LAURA E. RICHARDS
Eleven Volumes
The Hildegarde-Margaret Series, beginning with "Queen Hildegarde" andending with "The Merryweathers," make one of the best and most popularseries of books for girls ever written.
_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.75 _The eleven volumes boxed as a set_ $19.25
LIST OF TITLES
QUEEN HILDEGARDE HILDEGARDE'S HOLIDAY HILDEGARDE'S HOME HILDEGARDE'S NEIGHBORS HILDEGARDE'S HARVEST THREE MARGARETS MARGARET MONTFORT PEGGY RITA FERNLEY HOUSE THE MERRYWEATHERS
* * * * *
DELIGHTFUL BOOKS FOR LITTLE FOLKS
By LAURA E. RICHARDS
THREE MINUTE STORIES
Cloth decorative, 12mo, with eight plates in full color and many text illustrations $1.75
"Little ones will understand and delight in the stories andpoems."--_Indianapolis News._
FIVE MINUTE STORIES
Cloth decorative, square 12mo, illustrated $1.75
A charming collection of short stories and clever poems for children.
MORE FIVE MINUTE STORIES
Cloth decorative, square 12mo, illustrated $1.75
A noteworthy collection of short stories and poems for children, whichwill prove as popular with mothers as with boys and girls.
FIVE MICE IN A MOUSE TRAP
Cloth decorative, square 12mo, illustrated $1.75
The story of their lives and other wonderful things related by the Manin the Moon, done in the vernacular from the lunacular form by Laura E.Richards.
* * * * *
A NEW BOOK FOR GIRLS
By LAURA E. RICHARDS
HONOR BRIGHT
Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.75
No girl ever deserved more to have a series of stories written about herthan does HONOR BRIGHT, the newest heroine of a talented author who hascreated many charming girls. Born of American parents who die in the farEast, Honor spends her school days at the Pension Madeline in Vevey,Switzerland, surrounded by playmates of half a dozen nationalities. Asare all of Mrs. Richards' heroines, HONOR BRIGHT is the highest type ofthe young girl of America, with all the independence of character whichis American to the core in young as in old.
* * * * *
THE LITTLE COLONEL BOOKS (Trade Mark)
By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON
_Each large 12mo, cloth, illustrated, per volume_ $1.90
THE LITTLE COLONEL STORIES (Trade Mark)
Being three "Little Colonel" stories in the Cosy Corner Series, "TheLittle Colonel," "Two Little Knights of Kentucky," and "The GiantScissors," in a single volume.
THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOUSE PARTY (
Trade Mark) THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOLIDAYS (Trade Mark) THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HERO (Trade Mark) THE LITTLE COLONEL AT BOARDING-SCHOOL (Trade Mark) THE LITTLE COLONEL IN ARIZONA (Trade mark) THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHRISTMAS VACATION (Trade Mark) THE LITTLE COLONEL, MAID OF HONOR (Trade Mark) THE LITTLE COLONEL'S KNIGHT COMES RIDING (Trade Mark) THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHUM, MARY WARE (Trade Mark) MARY WARE IN TEXAS MARY WARE'S PROMISED LAND
_These twelve volumes, boxed as a set_, $22.80.
* * * * *
THE ROAD OF THE LOVING HEART
_Cloth decorative, with special designs and illustrations_ $1.25
In choosing her title, Mrs. Johnston had in mind "The Road of the LovingHeart," that famous highway, built by the natives of Hawaii, from theirsettlement to the home of Robert Louis Stevenson, as a memorial of theirlove and respect for the man who lived and labored among them, and whoseexample of a loving heart has never been forgotten. This story of alittle princess and her faithful pet bear, who finally do discover "TheRoad of the Loving Heart," is a masterpiece of sympathy andunderstanding and beautiful thought.
* * * * *
THE JOHNSTON JEWEL SERIES
_Each small 16mo, cloth decorative, with frontispiece and decorative text borders, per volume_ $0.75
IN THE DESERT OF WAITING: THE LEGEND OF CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN.
THE THREE WEAVERS: A Fairy Tale For Fathers and Mothers as Well as for Their Daughters.
KEEPING TRYST: A Tale of King Arthur's Time.
THE LEGEND OF THE BLEEDING HEART
THE RESCUE OF PRINCESS WINSOME: A Fairy Play for Old and Young.
THE JESTER'S SWORD
* * * * *
THE LITTLE COLONEL'S GOOD TIMES BOOK
Uniform in size with the Little Colonel Series $2.50 Bound in white kid (morocco) and gold 5.00
Cover design and decorations by Peter Verberg.
"A mighty attractive volume in which the owner may record the good timesshe has on decorated pages, and under the directions as it were of AnnieFellows Johnston."--_Buffalo Express._
THE LITTLE COLONEL DOLL BOOK--First Series
Quarto, boards, printed in colors $1.90
A series of "Little Colonel" dolls. Each has several changes of costume,so they can be appropriately clad for the rehearsal of any scene orincident in the series.
THE LITTLE COLONEL DOLL BOOK--Second Series
Quarto, boards, printed in colors $1.90
An artistic series of paper dolls, including not only lovable Mary Ware,the Little Colonel's chum, but many another of the much loved characterswhich appear in the last three volumes of the famous "Little ColonelSeries."
THE STORY OF THE RED CROSS: as Told to the Little Colonel
Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.25
This story originally appeared in "The Little Colonel's Hero," but thepublishers decided to issue it as a separate volume.
"No one could tell the story of the Red Cross with more vividness andenthusiasm than this author, and here she is at her best. No bookpublished during the Great War is more valuable and timely than thisappealing story of the beginning of the Red Cross."--_New York Tribune._
"It deserves a place in every school as well as in every home where thework of the Red Cross is appreciated."--_Evening Express, Portland, Me._
"Not only VERY interesting, but has large educational value."--_Lookout,Cincinnati, Ohio._
JOEL: A BOY OF GALILEE
12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.90
"The book is a very clever handling of the greatest event in the historyof the world."--_Rochester, N. Y., Herald._
* * * * *
THE LITTLE COUSIN SERIES (TRADE MARK)
Each volume illustrated with six or more full page plates in tint. Cloth, 12mo, with decorative cover, per volume, $1.00
LIST OF TITLES
BY COL. F.A. POSTNIKOV, ISAAC TAYLOR HEADLAND, LL. D., EDWARD C. BUTLER, ETC.
Our Little African Cousin Our Little Alaskan Cousin Our Little Arabian Cousin Our Little Argentine Cousin Our Little Armenian Cousin Our Little Australian Cousin Our Little Austrian Cousin Our Little Belgian Cousin Our Little Bohemian Cousin Our Little Brazilian Cousin Our Little Bulgarian Cousin Our Little Canadian Cousin of the Great Northwest Our Little Canadian Cousin of the Maritime Provinces Our Little Chinese Cousin Our Little Cossack Cousin Our Little Cuban Cousin Our Little Czecho-Slovak Cousin Our Little Danish Cousin Our Little Dutch Cousin Our Little Egyptian Cousin Our Little English Cousin Our Little Eskimo Cousin Our Little Finnish Cousin Our Little French Cousin Our Little German Cousin Our Little Grecian Cousin Our Little Hawaiian Cousin Our Little Hindu Cousin Our Little Hungarian Cousin Our Little Indian Cousin Our Little Irish Cousin Our Little Italian Cousin Our Little Japanese Cousin Our Little Jewish Cousin Our Little Jugoslav Cousin Our Little Korean Cousin Our Little Malayan (Brown) Cousin Our Little Mexican Cousin Our Little Norwegian Cousin Our Little Panama Cousin Our Little Persian Cousin Our Little Philippine Cousin Our Little Polish Cousin Our Little Porto Rican Cousin Our Little Quebec Cousin Our Little Roumanian Cousin Our Little Russian Cousin Our Little Scotch Cousin Our Little Servian Cousin Our Little Siamese Cousin Our Little South African (Boer) Cousin Our Little Spanish Cousin Our Little Swedish Cousin Our Little Swiss Cousin Our Little Turkish Cousin Our Little West Indian Cousin
* * * * *
THE LITTLE COLONEL STORY HOUR BOOKS
By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON
Each thin 12mo, cloth decorative, per volume $1.00
THE LITTLE COLONEL (Trade Mark)
The scene of this story is laid in Kentucky. Its heroine is a smallgirl, who is known as the Little Colonel, on account of her fanciedresemblance to an old-school Southern gentleman, whose fine estate andold family are famous in the region.
"Mrs. Johnston is a faithful interpreter of child life."--_ChicagoDaily News._
THE GIANT SCISSORS
This is the story of Joyce and of her adventures in France. Joyce is agreat friend of the Little Colonel, and in later volumes shares with herthe delightful experiences of the "House Party" and the "Holidays."
"Its simple language and fine sentiment will charm everyreader."--_Pittsburgh Gazette._
TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS OF KENTUCKY Who Were the Little Colonel's Neighbors.
In this volume the Little Colonel returns to us like an old friend, butwith added grace and charm. She is not, however, the central figure ofthe story, that place being taken by the "two little knights."
"The truest portrayals of child life ever written."--_ChicagoRecord-Herald._
MILDRED'S INHERITANCE
A delightful little story of a lonely English girl who comes to Americaand is befriended by a sympathetic American family who are attracted byher beautiful speaking voice.
CICELY AND OTHER STORIES FOR GIRLS
The readers of Mrs. Johnston's charming juveniles will be glad to learnof the issue of this volume for young people.
AUNT 'LIZA'S HERO AND OTHER STORIES
A collection of six bright little stories, which will appeal to all boysand most girls.
BIG BROTHER
A story of two boys. The devotion and care of Stephen, himself a smallboy, for his baby brother, is the theme of the simple tale.
OLE MAMMY'S TORMENT
"Ole Mammy's Torment" has been fitly called "a classic of Southernlife." It relates the haps and mishaps of
a small negro lad, and tellshow he was led by love and kindness to a knowledge of the right.
THE STORY OF DAGO
In this story Mrs. Johnston relates the story of Dago, a pet monkey,owned jointly by two brothers. Dago tells his own story, and the accountof his haps and mishaps is both interesting and amusing.
THE QUILT THAT JACK BUILT
A pleasant little story of a boy's labor of love, and how it changed thecourse of his life many years after it was accomplished.
FLIP'S ISLANDS OF PROVIDENCE
A story of a boy's life battle, his early defeat, and his final triumph,well worth the reading.
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OUR YOUNG FOLKS' ANIMAL LIBRARY
By CHARLES G. D. ROBERTS.
Each one volume, 16mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume $0.75 The six volumes in holiday box, complete set 4.50
This set embraces the following books:
HAUNTERS OF THE PINE GLOOM. A Lynx Story. THE KING OF THE MAMOZEKEL. A Moose Story. LITTLE PEOPLE OF THE SYCAMORE. A Raccoon Story. THE RETURN TO THE TRAILS. A Bear Story. THE WATCHERS OF THE CAMP FIRE. A Panther Story. THE LORD OF THE AIR. An Eagle Story.
A splendid set of the famous Roberts' animal stories, the recognizedclassics in this field. Each illustrated by Charles Livingston Bull, theanimal painter, who found deep inspiration in Mr. Roberts' text. Mr.Bull wrote: "Nearly every one of his paragraphs is a splendid wordpicture. One can feel the very October chill in the air as one reads ofthe little lakes in the forest where the white stallion watched the wildducks migrating and the caribou filing past.... Nowhere in allliterature can be found more wonderfully beautiful descriptions."
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THE SANDMAN SERIES
Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume $1.75
BY WILLIAM J. HOPKINS
THE SANDMAN: HIS FARM STORIES.
"Mothers and fathers and kind elder sisters who take the little ones tobed and rack their brains for stories will find this book atreasure."--_Cleveland Leader._
THE SANDMAN: MORE FARM STORIES.
"Children will call for these stories over and over again."--_ChicagoEvening Post._
THE SANDMAN: HIS SHIP STORIES.
"Little ones will understand and delight in the stories and theirparents will read between the lines and recognize the poetic andartistic work of the author."--_Indianapolis News._
THE SANDMAN: HIS SEA STORIES.
"Once upon a time there was a man who knew little children and the kindof stories they liked, so he wrote four books of Sandman's stories, allabout the farm or the sea, and the brig _Industry_, and this book is oneof them."--_Canadian Congregationalist._
BY JENNY WALLIS
THE SANDMAN: HIS SONGS AND RHYMES.
"Here is a fine collection of poems for mothers and friends to use atthe twilight hour. They are not of the soporific kind especially. Theyare wholesome reading when most wide-awake and of such a soothing anddelicious flavor that they are welcome when the lights arelow."--_Christian Intelligencer._
BY HELEN I. CASTELLA
THE SANDMAN: HIS FAIRY STORIES.
This time the Sandman comes in person, and takes little Joyce, whobelieves in him, to the wonderful land of Nod. There they procure potsand pans from the pansy bed, a goose from the gooseberry bush, a chickfrom the chickweed, corn from the cornflower, and eat on a box from theboxwood hedge. They have almost as many adventures as Alice inWonderland.