throat at
the thought that her best friend, as well as the fairies, had failed
her.

Before Winifred could say a word Ruth ran ahead as fast as she could go.
Betty was on the steps, and a number of the girls who were going on the
picnic were with her. She greeted Ruth warmly, and when Ruth explained
that the basket was from Winifred and herself Betty was greatly pleased.
She was looking at the basket and box admiringly when Winnie appeared.

"Did Ruth tell you that is a fairy present?" she asked eagerly, and at
the little chorus of laughter and questions, Winifred went on and told
the story just as Ruth had told it to her, while Ruth stood by looking
rather sulky and unhappy. The moment Winifred finished Ruth stepped
forward and said:

"That's a good story, but it isn't true. About the fairies, I mean. Not
one word of it. And Winifred knows it isn't."

CHAPTER XVI

BETTY AND ANNETTE

The girls' laughter ceased, and they looked at Ruth a little
questioningly as if expecting that she would explain. But it was Betty
who, slipping her arm around Winifred, said pleasantly: "Well, we are
all obliged to Winnie for telling us such a beautiful story. And I am
sure it is just what the fairies would do if they happened to think of
it."

Winifred looked up at the older girl gratefully, but she felt very
unhappy. She could not understand why Ruth, her very best friend, should
have turned against her, and denied the story.

Ruth stood, sulky and silent, and a little ashamed, as the other guests
arrived; and when Betty declared that it was time to start and led the
way toward the big wagon, Ruth walked alone and was the last one of
Betty's guests to climb up to her seat.

There were ten little girls in the party, and Black Jason, Dinah's
husband, was to drive the team. Mrs. Hastings sat on the back seat
between Betty and Ruth; the small wagon with the good things for the
birthday luncheon followed close behind, driven by a friend of Jason's.

The other girls laughed and talked merrily as the big horses trotted
briskly through the streets leading to the river. But Ruth was silent,
except when Mrs. Hastings spoke to her; then she answered as pleasantly
as possible, but she had no pleasure in the ride. Now and then they
passed groups of English soldiers; and as they turned into the river
road several red-coated officers on horseback rode past them.

"We wish you a happy May, young ladies," called one of the officers