inary
position, the hollow was completely hidden from sight; moreover its
position facing the wall made it doubly invisible. It hardly seemed
possible that so very obscure a hiding-place would be chosen under the
circumstances, but at this last moment no chance could be neglected.

Darsie rolled back her dainty net sleeve, plunged her hand deep into the
hollow trunk, and flushed with triumph as her fingers came in contact
with something loose and soft. It was not a paper parcel, it felt more
like cloth--cloth with knotted ends all ready to pull. Darsie pulled
with a will, found an unexpected weight, put up a second hand to aid the
first, and with a tug and a cloud of dust brought to light nothing more
exciting than a workman's handkerchief, knotted round a lumpy parcel
which seemed obviously a midday meal.

It was a disappointment, but the next moment an inherent sense of humour
had discovered its possibilities of the position and gallantly accepted
a second best.

Since she might not possess a proper present, she could at least be the
happy proprietor of a joke! Into the middle of the ring of guests she
would march, handkerchief bundle in hand, and to her credit would
remain, if not the greatest applause, at least the biggest laugh of the
afternoon! Darsie drew down her sleeve, brushed the top coating of dust
from the handkerchief, and hurried onwards towards the cedar lawn.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

A TREASURE INDEED.

Darsie was one of the last guests to arrive upon the final scene of the
treasure hunt, and already the merry process of parcel opening had
begun. The young girl who had captured three prizes was on her knees
before a garden seat, laying them out in a row to be seen and admired of
all. Gaily dressed women were running about appealing to their male
friends for the loan of penknives to cut the encircling string, and the
air was full of the sound of laughter and happy, triumphant voices.

"How lovely! How beautiful! Isn't it charming? _Just_ what I wanted!"

Darsie stood in the background, her hands clasping her bundle behind her
back, so as to screen it from view until the right moment arrived for
its production. The prize-winners were one and all in such a desperate
hurry to examine their "finds" that she would not have long to wait, and
meanwhile the scene was delightful to witness.

Every one looked gay, and happy and smiling; the many-coloured frocks of
the women made charming flecks