public places where they at once attracted attention.

The Oakdale National Guard loaned tents, and public-spirited merchants
willingly loaned draperies, flags, banners, and in fact, almost anything
they were asked for.

As for donations, they fairly poured in, and the girls watched the
growing collection with mingled rapture and despair.

"We'll have to sit up every night this week in order to get all these
things wrapped," sighed Grace, on the Monday afternoon before
Thanksgiving, as she stood resting after a spirited rehearsal of the
dance that she and Miriam Nesbit were to do, and which was to be one of
the features of the gypsy camp.

"And the decorating is only about half done, too," she continued. "Thank
goodness school closed to-day. We'll just have to live here until
Thursday, and work, work, work."

"'Clear the way for progress on the fly,'" sang out a voice behind them,
and the group of startled girls turned to face a stout young man who
charged into their midst with a hop, skip and a jump.

"Hippy!" shrieked Nora in delight. "And David and Reddy, and yes--Tom,
too!"

"'Oh, frabjous day, calloooh, callay,'" cried Hippy shaking hands all
around. "It seems ages since I saw you girls. How well you all look,
only you're not looking at me. These other good-for-nothing fellows are
getting all the attention. Hello, Miriam," he called to Miriam Nesbit,
who ran eagerly across the floor to meet the newcomers. "There's a prize
package for you, too. It's outside the door shaking the snow off its
coat."

Miriam flushed and laughed a little, then hurried over to greet Arnold
Evans, who had just entered the hall.

"Oh, boys, you don't know how good it seems to have you all here again,"
said Grace, after the first greetings had been exchanged, as she beamed
on the young men. "You're just in time to go to work, too. We've oodles
of things to wrap for the 'Mystery Auction,' and Hippy you must be
auctioneer. You can do it to perfection."

"Tell us all about this affair. I received rather indefinite accounts of
it in the exceedingly brief letters that I have been favored with of
late," said Tom Gray, fixing a reproachful eye upon Grace.

"Please forgive me, Tom," begged Grace, "but really I've been so busy of
late that I just had to cut my letters short. Come on around the hall
with me, and I'll tell you about all the stunts we've planned. Come on,
everybody," she called, turning to the young people grouped about,