of oars rising and falling in perfect accord. The boat was so close to
them that Lillian was afraid Phil and Madge might cross oars with it.
But as the other boat glided smoothly up alongside of their skiff, the
oars were drawn swiftly inboard, almost before the girls knew what had
happened.

"I suppose you don't speak to people on the water whom you might be
persuaded to notice on land," called Tom Curtis reproachfully.

"O Mr. Curtis! how do you do?" laughed Madge. "You see, we are not
possessed with eyes in the backs of our heads, or we should have
recognized you. Goodness gracious! If there isn't my cousin, Jack
Bolling! I never dreamed you knew him. Why didn't you tell me? Jack,
where did you come from?"

Tom looked at Jack, and Jack looked at Tom. "Age before beauty, Mr.
Curtis," bowed Jack. "You answer first."

"To tell you the solemn truth, I did not know your cousin until this
morning," Tom explained. "But when I saw a not specially bad-looking
fellow mooning about our hotel as though lost I went over and spoke to
him. It wasn't long before I found out he knew you young ladies. I
told him about meeting you in the woods the other day, and we shook
hands on it. Now, Bolling, it is your turn. How did you happen to
turn up in this particular place?"

Jack was apparently looking at Lillian and Madge, but he had really
glanced first at Phyllis Alden, to see how she had borne the shock of
his presence. Jack had guessed correctly that Phyllis did not like
him. To tell the truth, she looked anything but pleased. She did not