ast the mountain
house, they kept up the uncertain pace, and finally, reaching a smooth,
almost level lawn, that stole out to play on the roadside, they all
flopped down so suddenly and so unceremoniously that they all but
rolled in sheer disregard of possible grown-up dignity.

Recovering their equilibrium, the quartette at once set to their
popular lawn-loved task of searching for four-leaf clovers. So intent
were they in the hunt they did not observe the approach of two maids,
coming towards them from the house they sat directly in front of. But
they heard them presently!

"I know it's that queer old gypsy that comes over the mountain every
day," said one. "I told Officer Brennen if he wanted to get her--he
might stop in here."

At that remark the girls paused in their hunt, and listened intently.

"Hush!" said the other maid. "There's the little girl now with those
visitors at Cragsnook."

Mary dropped all her clovers as if they suddenly burned her fingers.
Her face flushed deeply.

"Come on, girls!" said Cleo, aloud. "We are all rested enough now, I
guess," and it was a much sobered group that again picked up the trail
down the mountain into Bellaire Center.

CHAPTER XVI

PROFESSOR BENSON

Trust to girls to solve problems. There were those wonderful orchids,
to be aired and watered daily, that beautiful studio which had been
rented furnished, and for which Professor Benson was personally
responsible, yet the girls managed it all beautifully.

Tom, the trusted taxi driver, was engaged to take them to the studio
and back every morning, and quite as if the task were a joy, and it
really was; the girls went back and forth, saw that everything was all
right, and daily Mary became more and more accustomed to the change in
her surroundings.

Following orders at the sanitarium, Mary had not yet visited her
"Grandie," but this morning the telephone permission had been called
in, and on their way from the studio she was to stop at Crow's Nest.

"I am so glad you decided to lay off your pure white, Mary dear," said
Mrs. Dunbar as the girls were ready to leave. "It was pretty and
becoming, but having worn it so long must have been depressing. Now
you just look like a rose bud in that soft pink, and I feel certain
Professor Benson will be delighted with the improvement."

"It was so good of you to shop for me, Mrs. Dunbar," answered Mary. "I
suppose I would have had pretty things before, if anyon