“Why,” she exclaimed, “everything is getting better!  People are doing such sensible things lately, just as they should do.  Isn’t it wonderful?  But, Tom, I always thought that you cared for Cousin Kate.”

“So I have all along, but just as I was considering, in walked the Judge and took her off under my very nose.  While I was a poor lawyer I felt that she might refuse me and I took no chances, but I never imagined she’d look at a man of his age.  She’s certainly met the one for her.  What a splendid couple they’ll make.”

“You always were slow, Tom; that’s your fault,” laughed Ethel, “and you’ll always get left.  It serves you right.”

“Yes, that’s going to be my fate, I fear.  Before I can muster up courage to propose, these girls will be snatched up—­every one of them.”

Judge Sands and Kate were to be married in November.  They were to go to New York, Washington, etc., on a wedding trip, after which they were to meet Patty and sail for Egypt to be gone indefinitely.

“Oh, dear! who can take your place at Camp?” said the girls.  “We’ll never find another Guardian like you.”

“I’ll ask Louise Morehouse,” said Miss Kate.  “She’s lovely, and very much interested in this Camp Fire movement.  She’ll be one of you just as I have been.”

“Yes, and then she’ll meet someone and go off and marry,” said Mollie Long.  “There should be a law against it.  A Guardian should be obliged to serve for five years unmarried—­it isn’t fair,” and the girls voted that Mollie was correct.

CHAPTER XII

MATTIE MAKES GOOD

After Camp had broken up, Mattie Hastings, who was now associated with a Woman’s Exchange in Columbus, started one afternoon to call for Patty Sands.  It was Saturday and the Exchange closed early.  Mattie was doing well.  She received a good salary and her heart was light.  Her sister was beginning to walk.  The doctors considered that next year she could discard her brace.  The child was not only attending school but she was learning many useful things and Mattie was happy.  Her mother had entirely given up the drug habit; her father was with Judge Sands and everything seemed as though it had come straight like a fairy story.

This lovely autumn afternoon they were going to Sallie Davis’s to look at a wonderful centerpiece done by her mother.  Mattie, whose fingers were extremely clever, had offered to do the work of copying it, while Patty was to pay for the silks, linen, etc.  Then, jointly, they were to give it to Miss Kate for an engagement present.  In case the servant should be out Sallie had given Patty her latch key.

“This is Sophronia’s day out, and mother is going to a bridge party.  I have an engagement, so here’s the key.  When you leave the flat, put it on the hall stand.  Sophronia and mother will be back before I am, and they will let me in.  I’ll leave the centerpiece on the piano.”