out upon the piazza. It was sheltered from the wind, and wicker chairs
were scattered about. Jewel looked off curiously amid the trees to where
she knew, by her father's description, she should find, after a few
minutes' ramble, the ravine and brook. Pretty soon she would wander out
there. Just now the sun was warm here, and the roomy chairs held out
inviting arms. The child climbed into one of them. Father would come
back here some happy day and find her. The thought brought a smile,
and with the smile on her lips, her head fell back against a yielding
cushion, and in a minute she had fallen asleep. Anna Belle toppled
over backward. Her plumed hat was pushed rakishly askew, but little she
cared. Her eyelids had fallen, too.

Mrs. Evringham and Eloise, returning late from their luncheon, came upon
the little sleeping figure as they walked around the long piazza.

"There she is!" exclaimed Mrs. Evringham softly, putting up her
lorgnette. "Behold your rival!"

Eloise regarded the sleeper without curiosity.

"At least she has not come uninvited," was her only comment.

"But she has come unwelcome, my dear," returned Mrs. Evringham with
relish. "Just wait until our gracious host realizes what he has let
himself in for. Oh, there's a good time coming, you may be sure. Hush,
don't waken her! It would be a blessed dispensation if she were always
to sleep while her grandfather is absent," and Mrs. Evringham led the
way into the house, her laces fluttering.

On the first landing the ladies met Mrs. Forbes, troubled of