when Tavia made her
appearance. She did look well in the new challie--one of the school
dresses so lately acquired through Mrs. White's good management.

"We had better go at once," said Ned, after speaking a word to Tavia.
"I am really anxious to become better acquainted with Miss Alice. She
seems such a jolly girl."

"And as good as gold!" declared Dorothy warmly. "We all just love
Alice!"

"I am sure you do. I would to--if I had a chance," joked Ned.

Along the road Tavia was with Nat as usual, trying to find some
heretofore unfound item of interest in reviewing the ride in the police
wagon. But concerning the interference of the stranger, Viola Green,
Tavia was silent. Nat might say something that would spoil Tavia's
idea of the joke on Viola.

Reaching the MacAllister gate both boys wondered that no sign of the
festivities were apparent. Even upon the very threshold of the stately
old mansion not a sound betrayed the expected lawn party. Alice
answered the ring and, with a pleasant greeting, showed the company
into the reception room, then, as she drew back the portiers opening up
the long parlor there was a wild shout:

"Surprise! Surprise on Dorothy! Surprise on Tavia!" And the next
moment there was such an "outpouring," as Tavia termed the hilarity,
that neither Dorothy nor Tavia could find herself, so tangled had each
one become with all the others in their joyous enthusiasm.

It was a complete surprise. This fact made the affair especially
enjoyable--girls do love to keep secrets in spite of all proverbial
statements to the contrary.

"Didn't you even guess?" quizzed May Egner, addressing Dorothy.

"Never suspected a thing," declared Dorothy, as she finally managed to
make her way to a cozy little seat in the arch, and there ensconced,
began a pleasant chat with May Egner.

"Nettie is responsible for the boys," May began. "She was a committee
of one on them. But she declares she never invited that Tom Burbank,
see him over there with Viola? And Alice is a little put out about it.
He is a stranger, you know, and none of the boys seem to take him up."

"I am glad there are boys here," remarked Dorothy, looking pleasantly
about the room and noting how well the Dalton boys had turned out, and
what a really good-looking set they were. "But surely someone must
have invited Tom Burbank."

"I suspect Viola," whispered May. "She seems to have something private
to say to him and insists n