t help feeling that
though Madge had been somewhat hasty, still she had done nothing
reprehensible, and that it looked as though Mrs. Curtis were almost
taking sides with Flora Harris.

It was with unmistakable relief that the houseboat party said good
night to Mrs. Curtis and boarded Tom Curtis's launch for the ride back
to the "Merry Maid."

Madge drew a little apart from the others, staring moodily out over the
moonlit water. Finally Tom seated himself beside her and they talked
impersonally. She was too proud to bring up the subject of what had
occurred on shore, and Tom's sense of delicacy prevented him from
trying to discuss the disagreeable scene she had precipitated with her.

Once on board their boat the girls were unusually quiet, and
preparations for bed that night were accompanied by little
conversation. Knowing Madge's disposition, and that she was already
suffering deeply from her too frank expression of opinion that
afternoon, her friends had decided among themselves to allow the
subject to rest.

It was long after midnight, and the "Merry Maid" and her crew were
supposedly deep in slumber when Miss Jenny Ann was awakened by the
sound of low sobbing from Madge's berth. A moment later the chaperon
was bending over the little captain.

"Madge, dear, what is the matter?" she asked in alarm.

"O Miss Jenny Ann!" wailed Madge, "when shall I learn to keep my
temper? Phil told me to say nothing, and I did intend to hold my
tongue. But when that Harris girl stepped up so coolly to receive the
prize, knowing what a cheat she was, the words rushed out before I knew
they were coming. No one will ever forgive me for spoiling the day.
I'll never forgive myself."

"Don't cry so, Madge, dear," soothed Miss Jenny Ann. "You mustn't blame
yourself too severely. You had great provocation."

"I am not a bit sorry for what I said." Madge sat up in bed, a defiant
gleam in her eyes. Then her lips quivered and she said brokenly:
"It--it's--Mrs. Curtis. I--am--sorry--she--is angry with--me."

"You had better go over to the hotel and see Mrs. Curtis in the
morning," advised Miss Jones, "then, if she decides it to be necessary,
you must apologize to Flora Harris."

"Why should I apologize to her?" Madge's eyes grew dark with anger.
"She behaved very dishonorably."

"But you precipitated a very disagreeable scene, which, as you yourself
have said, spoiled the pleasure of the party for all Mrs. Curtis's
guests," remind