o second invitation. The coffee, made by Chloe,
after Aunt Betty's special recipe, was delicious, and served to
revive the sleepy girls, while the biscuits, as Molly expressed it,
"fairly melted in your mouth."

The meal over, preparations for departure went forward rapidly, and
when, at half past five, just as the sun was getting ready to peep
above the distant horizon, the big touring car drew up in front of
the place, Aunt Betty, the girls, Jim and Ephraim were all waiting on
the gallery.

"Ship ahoy! What ship is that?" cried Jim, cupping his hands at
Gerald.

"The good ship Ajax, out of Baltimore for the South Mountains. Four
first and one second class cabins reserved for your party, Mr.
Barlow."

[Illustration: "THE PARTY CLIMBED INTO THE BIG MACHINE."
"_Dorothy's Triumph._"]

There was much good-natured badinage as the party climbed into the
big machine. Molly and Aurora seemed to take to each other from the
first, and Aunt Betty saw with no little satisfaction that the trip
bade fair to be a happy one.

When the baskets were all under the seats, or placed in the great
trunk-like compartment on the rear of the machine, along with several
large tent flaps and a coil of rope, the party waved a cheery good-by
to Chloe, Dinah and Metty, Gerald started the Ajax, and they went
bowling off down the smooth road on the first stage of their journey.

Gerald occupied the driver's seat with Dorothy beside him. In the big
rear seat were Aunt Betty, Molly and Aurora, while the smaller seats
at either side were occupied by Jim and Ephraim.

The city was just beginning to stir itself as the big car rolled
through the main streets and out into the suburbs beyond.

Soon the city limits were passed, and the great country highway, so
enticing to Baltimore automobilists, lay before them.

Straight toward the west Gerald drove the car, the miles being reeled
off at a good rate of speed--all, in fact, that Aunt Betty would
allow.

"I'm no speed maniac," she told Gerald, in response to his query as
to whether she cared to ride as fast as a railroad train. "I'm well
satisfied at the present pace. I feel that it is as fast as we can go
in perfect safety, and I have no desire to endanger the lives of the
young ladies under my charge. This is not a limited, anyway, but just
a slow train through Maryland."

"I'll bear that in mind," the boy returned, smiling.

Some miles further on the country grew rolling and hilly. Patc