what do you think?"

"I think," she replied, "that you were foolish to go yachting at all. If
I had been you I should have come up here in the first place, stayed at
the hotel, and courted her every chance I could. I am in love with her
myself, and we haven't been here six hours."

To her surprise Frank stepped up to her quickly and, taking her face in
his hands, kissed her.

CHAPTER XXVIII

WHERE THE LILIES GROW

Two days of Alice's visitation passed like a summer breeze. The first
day they drove to the old mill and spent the entire forenoon gathering
lilies and watching the great wheel that dripped and clattered between
its moss-grown walls. It was a curiosity to Blanch, for never in her
life had she seen one of those old-time landmarks, now so rare. That
afternoon they drove to the mountain's top and saw the sunset, only to
be late home to Aunt Susan's tea biscuit and cold chicken, and having a
surprising appetite. The next day they made a picnic trip to another
mountain, leaving the horse half way up and walking the rest of the way.
At noon they returned, and beside a cold spring that bubbled beneath a
rock they opened their lunch baskets. Then they picked flowers, hunted
for wintergreen, and decked the horse and wagon with ferns and wreaths
of laurel,--only simple country pleasures, it is true, but they at least
had the charm of newness for two of the party. That evening they sang
all sorts of songs, from gospel hymns to comic operas, and Blanch showed
in so many ways that she admired her new-found friend that there was no
further restraint.

"I wish you would stay with me until my school begins, Blanch," said
Alice at the close of the evening. "If you knew how lonely I am, I am
sure you would."

"I might be persuaded to make a longer visit next summer," was the
answer, "if you will return this visit next winter; will you?"

"I won't promise now," answered Alice, "I am afraid I should be out of
place in your society. I'm only a country girl, you know."

"I shall feel hurt if you don't," responded Blanch.

When two girls who have known one another but four days begin using each
other's first names, it may be considered that they are growing fond of
each other. It was so in this case, and the remark that Blanch had made
the first evening to her brother was sincere.

In the goodness of her heart she had also refrained from wearing her
best frocks, fearing that Alice might feel herself overshadowe