They were soon running along country roads, where men were busy in the
fields, and where early fall wild flowers bordered the roads.

Then in a brief space, they began to miss the wild flowers, and to
notice bold bits of ledge, the roads became more sandy, and as they
swung around a bend, they caught a glimpse of the sea.

"Cliffmore! Oh, it's Cliffmore!" cried Sprite her hands tightly clasped,
and her eyes bright as stars.

"_Isn't_ it Cliffmore, Mr. Atherton?" she asked, her little hand patting
his shoulder nervously, as she waited his reply.

He stopped the car, and turned to gaze up into the lovely, eager face.

Sprite, standing, her long golden hair blowing back from her face,
looked for all the world like a sea fairy. Shading her eyes with her
hand, she looked out across the sea that she loved so well.

Then she turned to find his kind brown eyes looking up at her, as if
he were about to speak.

"Dear little girl, I have indeed brought you to Cliffmore. I was obliged
to come here on a little business trip to look after some of my
property, and I took you for sweet company, and because I thought we'd
give two very dear people who live at the 'Syren's Cave,' a great
surprise."

"Oh, I hope father isn't out on the water," cried Sprite. "Mother will
be there, but I want to see them both!"