now, good friends.
And, Mary Rose," he went on grandly, "ask me what you will and you
shall have it, even to the half of my kingdom. I can't give you the
whole of it because the other half, the half that includes me, is now
the property of the most beautiful princess in the world."

The most beautiful princess in the world laughed in a funny choked sort
of a way and she hugged Mary Rose. "You see, honey girl," she said,
and Mary Rose loved her voice now that the enchantment was broken and
she could hear how soft and sweet it was, "we own him together, you and
I."

Mary Rose looked at their joint property with awe and admiration. "Do
we?" It scarcely seemed possible. "Aren't we the lucky girls!"

CHAPTER XXVII

Never did a five-passenger automobile hold more happiness than that car
of Mr. Jerry's as it was driven slowly back to the Washington that
wonderful September evening. And never did the Washington look more
pleasant. A little group of tenants, Mrs. Schuneman, Mrs. Willoughby,
Mrs. Matchan and Miss Carter, were standing out in front talking of
what had happened the night before. Mary Rose waved her hand to them
and to Bob Strahan, who was hurrying up the street.

"Say!" he called. "I've found out who owns the Washington. It's old
Wells!"

"Mr. Wells!" They stared from him up to the windows of Mr. Wells'
apartments which were wide open.

"Yep! I had to dig up some stuff over at the building inspector's and
ran plump against the fact that the owner of the Washington has always
been Horace J. Wells. No wonder he acted as if he owned it."

"But he told me he was a friend of the owner," objected Mary Rose, when
she understood.

"I guess he isn't a friend to anyone but himself," murmured Bob Strahan.

Mary Rose sat there in the car and tried to think it out. If Mr. Wells
really did own this strange two-faced building why hadn't he told her
so when she had asked him to plead for her? She supposed that he had
made up his mind that she would have to leave, that the law never would
let children live there, and hated to tell her. Mary Rose felt as if a
black cloud had fallen over this day that had been so happy and she
winked rapidly to keep the tears from her eyes. She even tried to wave
her hand to Aunt Kate when she came to the window.

Contrary to custom Aunt Kate did not wave back but ran out. She had a
letter in her hand and looked very, very much pleased.

"You've heard good news,