"As for Polly and me-we won't be able to give you any such tales, as we are going to spend our vacation at Pebbly Pit, again. But we will bring back plenty of health and renewed zeal," laughed Eleanor.

"Ah! That is what I need of you now, children. See that you fill out the hollows in your cheeks, and gather ample strength and health for another strenuous year in New York. I plan to put both of you on the firing-line next school-year."

"We'll not fail you, Mr. Fabian," promised Polly, taking his hand a second time and patting it fondly.

"Then I'll not fail _you_, dear students!" responded Mr. Fabian, stooping and kissing each girl affectionately on the forehead, then taking his leave.

A few days after this the Studio was swathed in dust-covers, the windows locked and shuttered, the burglar alarm attached, and at last the front door was closed by a representative from the insurance company. The four tenants were on their way to Grand Central where Jim Latimer and Kenneth Evans were to meet them. They then were going to take the Twentieth Century Limited to Chicago.

Jim and Ken had been engaged by Carew, to join his camp of surveyors in the mountains for this second season's work; and, as Polly and her friends were to spend the summer vacation at Pebbly Pit, it was quite natural that all six should journey westward, together.

Mr. Dalken and the Ashbys came to see the friends off, and as the parent Latimers and Evans were with their boys to the last, there was a large merry party to accompany the travelers to the Pullman.

"Don't be surprised to see me bring the Ashbys to Pebbly Pit in my touring car, some fine day, soon," announced Mr. Dalken.

"Oh, that would be lovely!" cried Polly, eagerly.

"And leave Ruth with us for the Summer?" added Eleanor.

"Yes, yes, Daddy-I'd love to spend my vacation with Polly and Eleanor at the ranch!" exclaimed Ruth Ashby.

"Where would you put us all-even if we did come?" asked Mrs. Ashby, who had heard of the limitations of the ranch-house.

"Oh, you forget! John writes that we will be surprised to find the marvelous work that has gone on at the Cliffs. Not only is the great road down through the Devil's Causeway completed for heavy traffic, but rows and rows of buildings back of the Imps are ready for occupancy, the moment the machinery is set up for work on the lava. If the miners have not yet taken possession of the barracks we could invite loads of people to visit the ranch."

Polly spoke eagerly, and her eyes shone as she beheld her friends enjoying the Brewster hospitality.

Everyone laughed at her anxiety to have them visit her, and Mr. Dalken promised: "I'll do my best to bring my friends, Polly."

A quizzical look in his eyes suddenly caused Polly to remember the valentine she had sent him. She smiled back at him, but as suddenly another thought flashed into her mind.

"Oh, Mr. Dalken, I've wanted to ask you for the _longest_ time! Now that it is ancient history, you won't mind confessing, will you?"

Mr. Dalken shook his head as a concession to her eager look. And Polly continued: "_Did_ you send me those American Beauties' valentine?"

A roar greeted this question, as everyone of the grown-ups had asked the same question of Mr. Dalken months before. And Mr. Dalken not only repudiated any knowledge of the valentine but told how he had visited the florist and had not been able to ascertain who the Cupid really was.

"Polly, I will confess, as they say that open confession is good for the soul. I was guilty of sending four boxes of flowers to the Studio on Valentine Day, to four charming friends, but I showed no partiality, I think, in the bouquets. I would like to know, myself, who the Cupid was who sent such gorgeous roses as you received."

"I wonder! I'm sure it wasn't Jim," here Polly looked searchingly at the young student, and he shook his head laughingly.

"I couldn't have, had I wanted to. My pocket money went for that love-sonnet that was so harshly condemned," said he.

"And I'm sure Ken never dreamed of doing it. Then there is Mr. Latimer and the doctor-they are both innocent, I know, as they never think of anything other than the old patented jewel cutter."

As Polly explained thus in earnest tones, everyone laughed at the two men so calmly criticised for their absorption in patents.

"So I am inclined to believe it was my _own_ Daddy. He always did send me the cutest valentines each year, and I received no card from him this year-so that is who it was!" declared Polly.

"And the only kind of a Cupid to have, these days, Polly," approved Mr.

Dalken.

But the happy circle standing on the platform of the train-shed were now notified that the pa.s.sengers must get on as the train would leave in a few moments.

Good-bys were said, hands shaken, kisses wafted from the girls to the group remaining in New York, and then the travelers were gone.

Scarcely had the train slowed up in the Chicago Terminal before John and Tom Latimer were on board, pushing a way through the Pullmans, in search of familiar faces.

"There they are-there comes John!" cried Polly, excitedly, jumping up and pointing to the other end of the coach.

"Oh-!" sighed Anne, flushing joyously as her glance rested upon her fiance.

But John had no eyes for anyone but Anne. Polly was left standing with hands out-stretched, her whole soul quivering with antic.i.p.ation of her beloved brother's greeting, and now he forgot she was alive! Then Paul Stewart and Pete Maynard ran in.

Mrs. Stewart was embraced by Paul, and Pete hugged his sister Eleanor.

Tom Latimer stood a pace apart, his features working desperately to control his feelings as he saw John joyously scanning Anne's face, and Polly limply sitting down in the parlor chair. Then he quickly went over and greeted her.

"Polly, and you boys"-turning to Jim and Kenneth-"we sure are happy to see you-all again. My, what a change New York has made in you. I see quite a wonderful young lady, where once I remember my little ranch pal with pigtails." Tom tried to laugh merrily.

Kenneth suddenly launched into a silly conversation to cheer Polly. But Polly never could dissimulate, and she was too deeply hurt at her brother's neglect to pretend to be merry. John, however, now turned to embrace and kiss his sister, and evidently had had no thought of neglecting her.

"Come, children, we must get out or we'll be carried to the round-house," suggested Jim Latimer, taking up certain bags.

Once on the platform where Mr. Maynard welcomed them, Tom said: "When do Ken and you go on to Denver?"

"On the next train, leaving here at two. That gives us an hour and a half with you."

"Anyone want dinner, or did you eat on the train?" now asked Paul Stewart.

"All dined, but now waiting for someone to suggest a party for Ken and I, as we go on in a little while," said Jim.

"Here!" offered Mr. Maynard. "Pile into taxis and we'll be at the house in a jiffy. No place like home when there's no other place to go to."

So, laughing, the entire party bundled itself into cabs, John managing to get Anne and her luggage to himself. Immediately, he signalled the driver to start off.

Mr. Maynard, Paul and Mrs. Stewart got in another cab and Jim, Ken, and Eleanor in another. That left Polly and Tom Latimer, with the remaining bags, to get in the last taxi. It was all done in such noisy confusion, that no one dreamed how one clever manager had so manipulated matters as to have Polly alone in the last cab.

"Well, Polly, I hear you are soaring in your ambition. Mr. Fabian wrote me how interested he was in Nolla and you."

"Oh, did the dear man write you? I didn't know he and you corresponded."

"I took a great fancy to the idealist, and having always loved art for itself, I told him I would consider it a great pleasure if he would exchange letters with me when he had the opportunity. He has done better for me than I had any right to expect. He writes the most interesting letters-just as clever as his talks on art."

Having found a willing listener in Tom, Polly expanded on her private opinion of such a wonderful teacher as Mr. Fabian was, and before the taxi drew up in front of the Maynard's brown-stone mansion, Tom had the comforting a.s.surance that Polly had quite forgotten her brother John's unintentional neglect.

Jim and Ken enjoyed their hasty visit and then took their departure to catch their train going west. When Mrs. Maynard and Barbara dispensed tea, the three young men, John, Tom and Paul, had to enter into service for the hostess; but they would greatly have preferred to enjoy their time as each inclined-John alone with Anne in the conservatory, Tom and Polly talking art, and Paul making merry with Eleanor.

Barbara, who a year ago would have resented oblivion for herself, now smiled contentedly and gazed upon a huge solitaire.