“You are not to wear your black dress—­no uniform to-day, Stacia,” Jacqueline told Tessie.  “Put on the nicest summer dress you own, that one with the pink flowers.  You are to be my companion to-day —­and I hope you have a lovely time.”

“I’m sure I shall,” replied Tessie respectfully, but the whole proceedings were becoming so mysterious she wondered if the plan really did involve Fairyland.

“You look as if you wanted to say something.  What is it, Stacia?” asked Jacqueline.

“Oh, I couldn’t bother you with it now,” replied Tessie, but an envelope in her hand spoke more intelligently.

“No bother at all.  I have lots of time.  What is it, Stacia?”

“I overheard you say, Miss Jacqueline, that you were treasurer of the Violet Shut Ins, and I have some ticket money belonging to their last benefit.  Could I give it to you?” asked Tessie.

“Why, of course you could.  Isn’t that lovely!” taking her envelope from Tessie’s trembling hands.  “I always knew we would hear from those lost tickets, and now my accounts are all perfectly straight.  Won’t Cousin Marcia be pleased!”

“Cousin Marcia!” Tessie could not help repeating, as she all but stumbled from the room in her confusion.

To be rid of that nightmare.  To have made complete amends for that ticket money!

Now she could face the world!  Now she could go back to Flosston and find Dagmar Brodix!

CHAPTER XXIII

RAINBOW’S END

It was a gala day in Flosston.  True Tred Troop and Venture Troop Girl Scouts seemed to comprise a veritable army, as the girls in their brown uniforms congregated and scattered, then scattered and congregated, in that way girls have of imitating the “inimitable” bee.

Long before the hour set for assembly on the green, knots and groups gathered there, and when finally Captain Clark and Captain Cosgrove appeared (we prefer to call each her separate captain), both True Treds and Venture troops were ready and eager to start for River Bend Woods.

Grace, Cleo, Madaline and Margaret had managed to “fall in” in one line, so that the march out was unspoiled by difficulties in conversation, which would have followed any other formation.

“If only—­if only—­” faltered Grace; then she laughed rather sheepishly.

“But we may see him,” surmised Cleo.

“Any man or beast in that woods will come out of his lair when we get there!” predicted Margaret.

“Oh, what a lovely showing!  Just look back!” exclaimed Madaline, “and how finely the boy scouts drum and fife.  Will they eat all our picnic stuff, do you suppose?”

“Surely Hal Crane is entitled to some,” replied Grace, “and there’s Benny.  He helped me before we got Hal.  I shall have to share with him, of course.”

“We’re starting!” cautioned Cleo.  “Look out for your feet.  Don’t let our line get out of step!”