as the South Mountains
and return."

"But in this instance we are not going on a train, my dear."

"Not going on a train?" queried Dorothy, a blank expression on her
face. Aunt Betty shook her head and smiled.

"Now, I've mystified you, haven't I?"

"You surely have. The trolleys do not run that far, so how--?"

Dorothy paused, perplexed.

"There are other means of locomotion," said Aunt Betty in her most
tantalizing tone.

"Yes; we might walk," laughed the girl, "but I dare say we shall
not."

"No; we are going in an automobile."

"In an automobile? Oh, I'm so glad, auntie. I--I--" Dorothy paused
and assumed a serious expression. "Why, auntie, dear, wherever are we
to get an automobile? You surely cannot afford so expensive a
luxury?"

"You are quite right; I cannot."

"Then--?"

"But Gerald and Aurora Blank have a nice new car, and they have
offered to pilot our little party across the state."

"Then I forgive them all their sins!" cried Dorothy. "Somehow, I
disliked them when we first met; and you know, dear auntie, they
_were_ rude and overbearing during the early days on the houseboat."

"But before the end of the trip, through a series of incidents which
go a long way toward making good men and women out of our boys and
girls, they learned to be gentle to everybody," Aunt Betty responded,
a reminiscent note in her voice. "I remember, we discussed it at the
time."

"I must say they got over their priggishness quickly when they once
saw the error of their ways," said Dorothy.

"Yes. Gerald is growing into a fine young man, now. You know his
father failed in business, so that he was forced to sell the
houseboat, and that Uncle Seth bought it for you? Well, Gerald has
entered into his father's affairs with an indomitable spirit, and
has, I am told, become quite an assistance to him, as well as an
inspiration to him to retrieve his lost fortunes. The Blanks have
grown quite prosperous again, and Mr. Blank gave the auto to Gerald
and Aurora a few weeks since to do with as they please."

"I'm glad to hear of Gerald's success. No doubt he and Jim will get
along better this time--for, of course, Jim is to be included in our
party?"

"Indeed we should never go a mile out of Baltimore without him!"
sniffed Aunt Betty. "It was expressly stipulated that he was to go.
Besides Jim, Gerald, Aurora, and ourselves, there will be no one but
Ephraim, unless you care to invite your old chum, Molly
Breckenrid