er one of which he should favor, and
outlined their journey to take in a stop at each. He promised to
communicate with them later, and gave his own address in case they
decided to remain at either the first or the second place visited.

"Now," said Julia Cloud after the telegram was disposed of, "I want to
get a new dress and a few things before we go any farther. I know you
children don't like these old black things, and we might as well start
out right. It won't take me long, and I shall be ready to go on my way
right after lunch."

Leslie was delighted, and the two spent two hours of happiness in
shopping, while Allison drove to a garage to have his car looked over
thoroughly, and laid in a supply of good things for the journey. He
also spent a profitable half-hour studying a road-map and asking
questions concerning the journey.

They tried to make Julia Cloud take a nap before they started, but she
declared she would rather rest in the car; and so they started off,
feeling like three children going to find the end of the rainbow.

It was a wonderful afternoon. The air was like wine, and the autumn
foliage was in all its glory. As they flew along, it seemed as if they
were leaving all care behind. A soft pink color grew in Julia Cloud's
cheeks, and she sat with her hands folded and her eyes bright with the
beauty of the day.

"Oh, but you're a beauty, Cloudy, dear!" exclaimed Leslie suddenly.
"See her, Allison! Just look at her. Isn't she great? She was all
right in those black things, of course, but she's wonderful in the
gray things!"

For Julia Cloud had laid aside in the very bottom of her new trunk the
prim black serge that Ellen had bought, and the black funeral gloves
and coat and hat; and she was wearing a lovely soft gray wool jersey
dress with white collar and cuffs. The big gray coat was nestled by
her side ready for use when the wind grew colder, and she was wearing
the new gray hat and gloves, and looked a lady every inch. Allison
turned slowly, and gave her a look that made her blush like a girl.

"I should say she _is_ great! She's a peach!" he agreed. "That hat is
a cracker jack! It looks like a pigeon's wing. I like it; don't you,
Cloudy? But say, Leslie, she's something more than a beauty. She's a
good scout. That's what she is. Do you realize she hasn't opened her
lips about the car once? 'Member the time I took Mrs. Luddington down
to the office for Guardy, how she squeaked every time anot