There seemed to be no end to the pretty things Stella knew how to
make. She was a clever little artist, and she painted cards,
pictures, and trinkets of all sorts, which Molly and Midge helped
to make up into various salable fancy articles.

Midge was ingenious, too, and every afternoon the three worked
busily, making all sorts of things.

Dolls were a specialty; and they made funny Chinese-looking
affairs by stringing peanuts together, and making queer little
costumes out of Japanese paper-napkins. They made paper dolls,
too, which Stella painted prettily, and they dressed some little
china dolls and wooden Dutch dolls.

Uncle Steve brought them materials to make up; and a letter which
Marjorie wrote to her mother resulted in the arrival of a big box
filled with all sorts of pretty and curious things, which would
doubtless find a ready sale.

Marjorie crocheted mats and strung bead chains, while Molly, whose
tastes were practical, made sweeping-caps and ironing-holders by
the dozen.

So enthusiastic did the girls grow over their plan that their
elders became interested, and soon donations for the fair began to
arrive from many of the neighbors.

As the day drew near, preparations went on more rapidly, and the
affair took on larger proportions.