Had she done anything worthy of award?  Was there not always that unhappy memory of the merit badge found in Flosston, and so unfortunately lost again?  She was relieved now that an attempt, at least, had been made to acquaint Molly Cosgrove with some few of the facts regarding the disappearance of Tessie Wartliz, but Molly hadn’t seemed the least bit surprised, rather she laughed the subject off, as if Rose were making a mountain out of a mole hill.  So no mention was made of the Merit Badge.

But now with Nora’s news the matter assumed a different aspect.  Rose had done her best to develop her patrol, and what if the leaders should offer recognition for this?  How awful it would be to have to refuse and confess!

“Break ranks!” rang out the clear voice of the captain, and the call aroused Rose to the situation demanding attention.

Everyone buzzed and chattered, the recreation hour to-night fairly threatened a stampede in jollity, and suppressing the insistent apprehension, Rose joined the merrymakers.

Another circle of “our may-pole” now swings out to the home of Jacqueline Douglass.  Here preparations are being made for the most mysterious event, and even Tessie cannot guess the sequel.  The nurse has warned Tessie to “keep Miss Jack as quiet as she can,” but to follow her instructions rather than oppose her.  Mr. Gerald has imparted the same orders, and both chauffeurs have been busy all day, carrying mysterious bundles to the big cars, then dashing off towards town with them.

The epochal Saturday morning had now blazed its trail on the June calendar in a perfect day.  Jacqueline received her indispensable attention from Mrs. Bennet and the nurse with a show of impatience.

“Be sure, Stacia (Tessie), my small chair is all ready for the car—­the collapsible one, I mean.  We must leave for our wonder trip directly after lunch,” she cautioned Tessie.

Mr. Gerald Douglass was rambling about, keeping step to his own extemporaneous whistle.  He tapped at the door of his sister’s dressing room and poked his handsome head in.

“All ready, Sis!  Remember your catalogue of promises!  You wouldn’t have poor Jerry courtmartialed by old Doc Blair, would you?  And you know, Jack, I am taking an awful lot of responsibility in this!”

“Don’t you worry one little bit, brother mine,” replied the girl whose soft light hair was receiving its last touch from skilled hands.  “I’ll be so good you won’t know me, and I feel so splendidly well.  When did that old doctor say I could stand up?”

“Very soon, but not just to-day.  All right, Jack.  I’ll be on hand.  Any orders?” and he imitated the honorable butler in pose and manner, his thumbs just touching the seams of his trousers and his head thrust back as if complying with the savage demands of a high-priced dentist.

“The car at two,” ordered Jacqueline, and with a “well butlered bow” Gerald took himself off.