The houseboat party would never have finished its packing except for their uninvited visitor. He sat on trunks, fastened locks and doors.

At one o'clock "The Merry Maid" was in order to be deserted.

"Let's go up to the farmhouse to get some food," suggested Tom. "I am hungry as a bear, and I know they will give us some milk and bread."

Madge demurred, but the other three girls and Miss Jenny Ann were much too hungry to stand on ceremony.

Tom led the way to the farmhouse as though he felt sure of his welcome.

At the old gate, however, they found Mrs. Curtis and Madeleine apparently waiting for them. "We couldn't bear that yesterday should be good-bye," explained Mrs. Curtis, putting her arm about Madge and drawing her away from the others.

Madeleine held out her hands to Phyllis. She still looked white and fragile from her illness, but she was so exquisitely lovely that people turned about to gaze at her as she pa.s.sed by them. Her face wore the expression of a serious child. She could not immediately make up for the lost years of her life, and she never left her mother or her brother but for a short time. Still she was at ease with the girls and talked a little with them. Her memory had come back to her, whether from the second blow on her head, or from the quiet life--which, the medical men could not say. After a while Madeleine would be able to take the place in the gay world which her beauty and wealth made for her. For the present she needed rest, quiet, and absolute peace of mind.

"You haven't changed your mind, have you, Madge?" asked Mrs. Curtis, as she and the little captain walked side by side to the farmhouse together.

Madge shook her bead. "It isn't a case of changing my mind. I had not decided. Now that you have found your real daughter you surely do not wish to be burdened with an imitation one."

"But I still want you, my dear. A woman is richer with two daughters than with one," replied Mrs. Curtis.

"No; you and Madeleine ought to be together," concluded Madge wisely.

"You are awfully good, and I shall always feel that you are the best friend I have. But I had not been able to make up my mind to leave my own people and the girls, so, of course, everything has turned out for the best, and I am so happy for you and Tom and Madeleine. It is as good as playing a part in a fairy story to see one come true before your very eyes. Have you seen Captain Mike?" Madge lowered her voice, so that Madeleine could not overhear her.

Mrs. Curtis flushed. "Once, and for always. I hope never to look upon the dreadful man again. Tom felt that he and I must go to this Mike to ask him something of my little girl's history. He claims to have picked her up and, thinking her dead, left her for a few hours unnoticed in his sailboat. The man had done something reprehensible while in Florida, and was sailing for the Atlantic Ocean to flee from justice, so he did not stop to inquire about my child, or to give her more than a pa.s.sing thought. His first wife was evidently a better woman than this second one. She worked with my Madeleine, brought her back to life and must have been good to her. But my baby could never remember her name, nor tell anything about herself. Captain Mike was on the ocean for two weeks, and too ignorant to study the papers afterward. The first wife wished to keep the child. After a short time she died, and then----" Mrs. Curtis stopped abruptly.

"We won't ever mention it again," said Madge tactfully. "I can only say I am so glad you found her."

Mrs. Watson, the farmer's wife, met the houseboat party with a smiling face. She conducted them into the dining room. Miss Jenny Ann and the four girls sighed with satisfaction for they were very hungry. The great mahogany table was weighted down with food--roast chicken, ham, salad, doughnuts.

"This is Tom's party," smiled Mrs. Curtis, in answer to a look of delighted astonishment from Madge. "It was his idea to say a last good-bye to our houseboat friends, and to see them safely started on their journey toward home. But, Miss Jenny Ann, I have something to say. I wish to tell you a story and I wish you to tell me what you think without any reference to anybody or anything at this table."

"Of course I will," answered Miss Jenny Ann lightly, not dreaming what Mrs. Curtis intended to say.

"Suppose, once upon a time you had lost something very precious,"

continued Mrs. Curtis. "Say it was a mine of precious stones. Suppose you had hunted for years but could never find it. After a while some friends discover the treasure for you, and give it back to you? Don't you believe you would like to do something to show your grat.i.tude?"

"Certainly I should," replied Miss Jenny Ann promptly, falling into the trap.

"Then why not let me have a houseboat party this fall?" proposed Mrs.

Curtis. "Madeleine and I will be staying near Old Point Comfort. Tom will be camping with some boy friends near Cape Charles. I am going to count on your bringing the houseboat down the sh.o.r.e to pay us a visit and you are to be my guests from the moment you set foot on the boat."

The four chums looked at Mrs. Curtis, their eyes shining with delight.

Another holiday on their beloved houseboat! But ought they accept so great a gift from Mrs. Curtis. They understood that it was her intention to finance the trip.

Tom looked at his watch. "It's a pity to break up the party. But as we are to drive to the village we must soon be off. The expressman has already taken the trunks. You'd better accept mother's invitation."

"We thank you," said Madge slowly, "but will you give us a few days in which to decide? Then we will write you at Old Point Comfort."

"Very well," replied Mrs. Curtis, "but let us hope that your answer will be 'yes.' I wish you would look upon the trip as a love offering from Madeleine."

Mrs. Curtis looked wistfully at the circle of girlish faces. Her eyes, mute with pleading, met Madge's. They seemed to say, "Why not decide now, and make us happy?"

Their appeal was too strong for Madge. "Girls, I think we ought to accept Mrs. Curtis's gift to us. It is right and she wishes us to do so. Of what use is it to wait three days. Let us say 'yes' now and then we shall all he happy. All together! Is it 'yes'?"

"'Yes,'" chorused four voices.

Madge turned to Mrs. Curtis. "We must say good-bye this minute, but we'll write you, and one of these days you'll find our 'Ship of Dreams'

anch.o.r.ed on your beach."

How Madge kept her promise and what happened during their visit to Old Point Comfort is fully set forth in "MADGE MORTON'S SECRET," a story no wide-awake girl can afford to miss.

THE END.