on Seventieth Street near Fifth Avenue. She will be dreadfully
worried about us if we don't hurry on. But what can we do for you? We
can't take you with us, yet you must not go back to that wicked woman."

"Oh, yes, I must," returned Tania cheerfully. "I am not afraid of her.
When the time comes I shall go away."

"But who will take care of you, baby?" asked Eleanor. "Fairies don't live
in big cities like New York. They live only in beautiful green woods and
fields."

The black head nodded wisely. "Good fairies are everywhere," she
declared. "But I can make handfuls of pennies when I like," she continued
boastfully. "Let me show you how you must go on your way."

"You can't possibly know, little girl," replied Madge gently. "It is so
far from here."

However, it was Tania who finally saw the two lost houseboat girls on
board the elevated train that would take them to within a few blocks of
their destination. Tania explained that she knew almost all of New York,
and particularly she liked to wander up and down Fifth Avenue to gaze at
the beautiful palaces. She was not young, she was really dreadfully
old--almost thirteen!

The last look Madge and Eleanor had of Tania the child had apparently
forgotten all about them. She was gazing up in the air, above all the
traffic and roar of New York, with a happy smile on her elfish face.

* * * * *

"My dear children, I wouldn't have had it happen for worlds!" was Mrs.
Curtis's first greeting as she came out from behind the rose-colored
curtains of her drawing room. "Tom has been telephoning me frantically
for the past hour. How did he and the girls miss you? You poor dears, you
must be nearly tired to death after your unpleasant experience."

While Mrs. Curtis was talking she was leading her visitors up a beautiful
carved oak staircase to the floor above. Her house was so handsomely
furnished that Madge and Eleanor were startled at its luxurious
appointments.

Mrs. Curtis brought her guests into a large sleeping room which opened
into another bedroom which was for the use of Phil and Lillian.

Madeleine was to be married the next afternoon at four o 'clock. The
girls had not brought their bridesmaids' dresses along with them, as Mrs.
Curtis had asked to be allowed to present them with their gowns.

It was all that Madge could do not to beg Mrs. Curtis to show them their
frocks. She hoped that their hostess would offer to do