omewhat ashamed, was obliged to
place herself at the mercy of her enemies.

"All of you girls get into Mrs. Gray's sleigh," commanded David, "and
Tom and I will drive the other sleigh back." No one ever cared to
disobey David when he spoke in this tone. Even his wilful sister took
her seat between Grace and Anne without a word and never spoke during
the entire drive back, except to say good night at her own front gate.

But Grace could not refrain from one sharp little thrust.

"You seem to be unlucky with sleighs and sleds both, Miriam," she said.

CHAPTER XVI

THE MARIONETTE SHOW

Do you remember your first party dress? How it gave a glimpse of the
throat and neck, and seemed to sweep the ground all around, although it
merely reached your shoe tops?

Did you feel a thrill of pleasure when the last hook and eye was
fastened and you surveyed yourself in the longest mirror in the house?

So it was with Anne in her pink crepe de Chine. Or was it really Anne,
this little vision in rose color with glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes?
She stood spellbound before the glass on that memorable Christmas night,
and no one disturbed her for awhile. Mrs. Gray and the girls had stolen
out so as not to embarrass the young girl who, for the first time, saw
herself in a beautiful new silk dress exactly the color of pink rose
petals, which hung in soft folds to the tips of her small pink satin
slippers.

"Give her a chance, girls," whispered Mrs. Gray. "We mustn't be too
enthusiastic about the difference. It might hurt her tender little
feelings. But she _does_ look sweet, doesn't she?"

"As pretty as a picture, Mrs. Gray," answered Grace, kissing the old
lady's peach blossom cheek. "But they are coming. I hear them on the
walk. We must get behind the scenes and see that everything is all
ready."

The big drawing room of the Gray house was soon full of young people
watching the folding doors leading into the library with expectant
faces. In the hall a string orchestra was discoursing soft music and the
place was filled with the hum of conversation and low laughter. Mrs.
Gray, seated on the front row, in the place of honor, occasionally
looked about her and smiled happily.

"Why didn't I do this long ago?" she said to herself. "But then, were
there ever before such nice girls as my four adopted daughters?"

Miriam sat near, with the other members of her house party. It had been
a source of much discussion whether or