s extravagant
expression so favored by city misses.

"Love _you_, of course!" retorted Eleanor, laughing.

Polly frowned at this admission, and Kenneth blushed, for he had never
before been told so publicly that a pretty girl loved him! Eleanor
doubled over laughing, and gasped: "Oh, you two adorable babes!"

Further conversation was made impossible now, by Barbara and Anne coming
in. They immediately joined the three young people, and Anne asked: "Did
you get the mail, Nolla?"

"No, we never thought of it. Ken has such an exciting telegram that we
forgot everything else."

Anne waited to hear no more, but went to the window and inquired for her
mail and for that of the family at Pebbly Pit. A bulky package was
handed out, and caused Polly to exclaim at its size.

"Why, I never knew so many letters to come at one time."

"That's because no one's been here to get it for more than a week,"
returned Anne.

Barbara had not forgotten the yellow sheet in Kenneth's hand, however,
and now asked what the news was that had so thrilled the girls.

She was given the telegram to read, and having mastered the contents she
looked daggers at poor Kenneth; "I suppose you will expect my sister to
share her mine with you, now."

Eleanor instantly interpolated: "Your sister wouldn't think of keeping a
mine that belongs to some one else. I'm thankful we had the use of it
that night when the panther and bear wanted to get at us. And again the
day of the avalanche! I'm much obliged to Ken for his cave hotel!"

Barbara sneered unpleasantly and walked away. Kenneth said nothing, but
when she had gone he turned to the girls and said: "We were thinking
more of knowing for a certainty whether Uncle Peter was still alive, or
whether your Montresor is my mother's brother. I almost forgot there was
gold in that mine."

The girls assured him that that was exactly what they believed he was
anxious to know, and that the gold was the least of all things to be
considered.

Having spent two hours in the Moving Picture Hall, and completing all
the shopping, the girls started back to Pebbly Pit. Kenneth Evans had
said good-by and gone on his way, so there was now no side interest for
Polly and Eleanor as they drove the obedient horses homeward.

Barbara and Anne were reading their letters, and the two younger girls
on the front seat whispered confidences to each other. Anne suddenly
exclaimed, as she finished reading a type-written letter: