The Girl Next Door

eep. So bewildering had been Cecily's revelations about herself and Miss Benedict and the condi

ourse, was the absorbing mystery of

sent her there?" demanded Ma

s a relative,"

ction, Miss Benedict would surely have told her. No, I should say she might be the child of a friend that Miss Benedict never cared particularly ab

not knowing there was another ol

'd be a little less strict with her, I'm sure. I suppose she doesn't want her to gossip about what goes on in that queer house. An

nned the campaign for lightening th

Cecily's lig

ng letter,-telling all about the

g

of the string, and dropped it into the dark garden after nightfall. Later they heard Cecily's light footst

oesn't answer. I can see why she mightn't think it right to do that. And now we must plan to send her something besides, ev

n, and the next night a book that had captivated them both. And when they pulled up th

, I fear, but I just cannot sleep until I have thanked you for the sweets, and this

ci

out once or twice, limping slightly, and had w

veled. And truly, it was an effort of imagination to co

iolin concert at her window, and, at Janet's suggestion, had chosen the livelies

there was no further communication from her till one night after they had sent down an embroidery ring and silks, the latest pattern of a dainty

th me. And now I want to ask you a question. Do you mind what I do with it after it i

se of the boudoir-cap that pleased her. And then they spen

little box in which lay, wrapped in jeweler's cotton, a tiny coral pendant in an old-fashioned gold setting, and a silver bracelet o

thetic little gifts and sudde

oughtn't to keep them! They're pr

n longing to do something for us. I suppose these are the only things she had that would be suitable. Much as I hate to have her depri

and hotter, and the city fairly steamed under the July sun. Their own time was taken up by many diversions: trips to the parks, beaches, and zoo; excursions out of town with Aunt Minerva; shopping, and quiet sewing or reading in their pleasant living-room

of Indian-woven sweet-grass, the souvenir of a recent trip to the seaside. To their astonishment, when they dr

rcia. "Can it be possible that Cecil

steps down there to-nig

e stayed indoors for the first time since we beg

be possible that Miss Benedict has discovered what w

with consternation. "Wouldn't it be dreadful,

going to do about i

just possible Cecily had a headache or felt sick from this abomina

to the string and dropped it down hopefully. But th

found out about our little plan and forbidden Cecily to go on with it. What are we to do?

e night, and there'll be nothing for her. She'd be dreadfully disappointed. I don't care if there is the p

ater drew up, unclaimed. And as the days passed they became more and more alarmed. Something had certain

" conjectured Marcia, suddenly, one day.

more depressed they grew. If that were the case, then, they might never see C

n, they sent down the usual letter, begging Cecily, if possible, to let them know what was the matter. It seemed to both, during the interval they left it there, that they heard light, almost stealthy footsteps in the garden below. But neither felt cer

"Cecily has answered at

rs trembling with excitement,

Both girls read it at a glance, and then stared into each other's

the gate to-morrow mor

ened