Part 2 (2/2)

Gold of mine that's flitted far, Forget me not, where'er you are.

Mine you are, as Pluto wrought you, Mine you are, whoever's sought you, Come by sea or come by land- Homeward fly into my hand!

Three times Granny Ann repeated this. Then, with a queer dignity, oddly a.s.sorting with her variegated raiment, she turned to the girls. ”It will return,” she said; ”now, I must go to my own people.”

”But I thought you said you came here for us by yourself!” protested Mollie.

The gypsy dame drew herself up. ”I travel not alone!” she said, stiffly.

”Good-bye.”

”Oh, good-bye, and thanks ever so much, Granny Ann!” cried both of the girls.

But Granny Ann did not turn her head. Barbara looked at Mollie, her eyes dancing. ”The blessed old fraud!” she teased; ”her people decided to camp somewhere about, and she thought she'd come over for a call and a lunch, and whatever else she could get! I believe she actually expected us to cross her palm with silver for saying that little rhyme. But I wish I knew really--”

All at once a faint chug-chug sounded in the distance. In a moment a big red touring car appeared, enveloped in dust. ”Why, it looks like Ruth's car!” exclaimed Mollie, excitedly. ”Yes, I do believe that young man seated beside the chauffeur is the Mr. Townsend who was with them.

Barbara--”

But Barbara was walking quickly toward the gate. A moment later the automobile stopped before it, and Harry Townsend stepped out.

”Miss Thurston,” he began, soberly, ”have you lost any money?”

”Oh, yes!” burst out Mollie, who was just behind, before Barbara could speak; ”two twenty-dollar gold-pieces! We've hunted and hunted. We had them this afternoon--”

”Then these must be yours,” said the young man, extending his hand to Barbara. In it were two golden double-eagles. ”When the young ladies were getting out at the hotel these were found on the seat, and Miss Stuart was sure you had dropped them out of your pocket, Miss Thurston, during the few moments you were in the machine. I am very glad to be able to restore them to you.”

”Yes,” said Barbara, ”but I--” Then she stopped. ”Thank you, Mr.

Townsend,” she said, giving him a clear, direct glance. For some unknown reason the young man's eyes wavered under it, and he climbed hurriedly into the automobile. ”I am very glad,” he murmured again.

”Miss Stuart expects you to-morrow,” he added quickly, and the machine backed round and hurried off.

Barbara stood looking at it, the money still in her hand. But Mollie was laughing happily. Then she saw Barbara's face. ”Barbara, what is it, dear?” she demanded. ”You look exactly as you did before Granny Ann appeared, and I asked you if you were thinking of something. What is it?

Can't you tell me?”

Barbara shook her head. ”It really isn't anything, Molliekins. I did have an idea in my head, but I must be mistaken somehow. You are sure you saw the money on the table after I left the room? It must have been there, then, when the crowd from the automobile came in. I thought I saw some one standing near the table with one hand resting on it, when I came back and called out: 'Now, I've caught you!' But I must not think anything more about it. Please don't ask me any questions. Let us just be glad we have the money back. It is queer, though. Mr. Townsend says the money was found on the seat. I wonder who found it, and whether it was found on the front or back seat? Let's ask Grace. I don't understand it. But he brought the money back, and he's Miss Stuart's friend. Of course we will keep quiet, you and I, Mollie, whether the money was lost, strayed or stolen!”

”Well, I am sure, Barbara Thurston,” Mollie answered a little indignantly, ”I am not likely to talk of what I know nothing about. If there is any mystery about the disappearance of that money, I am sure you have left me utterly in the dark.”

”Don't be cross,” said Barbara, putting her arm in Mollie's. ”But do you know if Mr. Townsend is a special friend of Gladys's?”

Mollie shook her head. ”How should I know?” she said. ”Let's go in, it's nearly dark.”

CHAPTER III-RUTH'S PERFECT PLAN

Wonderment over the mystery of the money, and excited antic.i.p.ation of Ruth Stuart's luncheon and ”plan,” kept the Thurston girls from getting to sleep very early that night. They awoke bright and fresh next morning, nevertheless. Just before eleven they started on their two-mile tramp to the hotel. They were hardly out of sight of the house, however, when what should they see but the now familiar red car speeding toward them. ”Look-yes, it is!” cried Mollie. ”Ruth herself is making it go!”

The young driver waved a free hand for a second, as she neared them, then wheeled in a broad turn and stopped. ”I was so afraid you might have started,” she protested tactfully, ”for it is such a fine morning for a nice leisurely walk. I was so anxious to see you that I simply couldn't wait, and I told Dad I'd take the 'bubble' and spin out to meet you. Now, won't you please hop in, and ride back with me?”

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