CHAPTER XXII_Blue Bonnet in Boston; or, Boarding-School Days at Miss North's

COMMENCEMENT

Commencement week had come at last with all its attendant flurry and

excitement. There was perpetual movement in the halls--girls flew in

every direction; teachers looked tired and careworn.

In Annabel Jackson's room Blue Bonnet sat running ribbons in Annabel's

underwear--every Junior was waiting on her Senior hand and foot these

days; it was a special privilege and one much coveted by adoring

satellites.

"There," she said, tying the last bow with care. "That's ready. I'm just

going to draw the water for Annabel's bath, Sue; she'll be up in a

second. Suppose you pick up the room a bit. Looks like a cyclone had

struck it. Annabel can't dress in such a muss."

Annabel herself came in at that moment, her cheeks pink with excitement,

her face radiant with pleasure.

"My, but I'm late! Do you think I can dress in six minutes? It lacks

just that much of twelve o'clock and some of the boys have arrived

already. I saw Mr. Billings pacing the floor in the living-room, Sue.

Why don't you go down if you're ready? Blue Bonnet will help me."

It was the day of the Senior dance. A gala day at Miss North's. Sue and

Blue Bonnet had both been invited to the dance--an almost unheard of

privilege. Sue had been thus favored because her brother Billy was to be

Annabel's guest, and Blue Bonnet, because Annabel had begged Miss North,

almost on her hands and knees to grant her this one last request.

It was a long established custom for the young men to arrive at noon,

pay their respects to teachers and the girls who had invited them and

remain on for a concert, tea, or whatever had been planned for their

entertainment. At five o'clock they left to dress for the dinner which

preceded the dance.

Annabel lost no time with her toilet. In ten minutes she was dressed,

with Blue Bonnet's help, and as sweet a vision as youth, good health and

beauty could produce.

Blue Bonnet stood before her enraptured.

"Your gown is perfect, Annabel," she said, giving an extra pat here and

there, or trying to, between Annabel's quick movements. "I doubt if

you'll look a speck prettier to-night in your white lace. Pink certainly

is your color. You had it on the first time I saw you. I remember

writing Uncle Cliff about you."

They started for the living-room. Along the halls girls waited in

groups to catch a glimpse of their favorites. Heads craned from doors

and exclamations of approval passed from lip to lip:

"Oh, aren't they lovely! The two prettiest girls in school! What a love

of a gown Annabel's got! Isn't Blue Bonnet a dream?"

At the top of the stairs wedged in, obstructing the passage, sat Carita

and Mary. They fell upon Annabel and Blue Bonnet regardless of their

finery.

"A kiss! A kiss!" they cried. "You've got to pay toll!" A forfeit

willingly given.

"I can hardly wait until five o'clock," Mary said. "I'm dying to get

Annabel's flowers for her." But the hands of the hall clock pointed to

half after five before the guests had left, and Mary and Carita were

free to slip down-stairs from Fifth Avenue and across the hall to where

the long boxes were piled high beside the mail bag. Through the pile the

girls searched, and suddenly Mary, with a cry of satisfaction, snatched

her Senior's box and ran back up-stairs to number fifteen, with mad

delight.

"Here they are, Annabel! Your flowers! Quick, the scissors!" She waved

the long box triumphantly. "I knew he wouldn't forget. Oh, the

beauties--roses! Roses!"

In another second Carita burst into the room and presented Blue Bonnet

with _two_ boxes, and close on her heels came Peggy with Sue's flowers.

The next half hour was a mad scramble. Afternoon frocks were changed

for evening gowns. The younger girls were shooed from the room amid

murmurs of protest, while a happy babble streamed on from the lips of

the participants of the great event.

The Senior dance! Who that has felt its thrills can ever forget it! Who

that has known its long anticipated joy can ever obliterate it from

memory!

"Bring your clothes in here, Blue Bonnet, and I'll fasten you up,"

Annabel said, "and you can help me. We won't have many more of these

occasions, will we?"

"No; but we're not going to talk about that now," Blue Bonnet said,

flying into her room for her gown.

Ruth, dressing early, had gone down-stairs, and Blue Bonnet and Annabel

chatted merrily.

"I like your Mr. Judson, awfully, Blue Bonnet," Annabel said, as she

polished her nails vigorously. "He's terribly good looking! I don't know

why--but I adore dark men. I suppose I should like blonds--"

"Why _my_ Mr. Judson?" Blue Bonnet interrupted. "He's Carita's

cousin--that's why I asked him to-night. I was awfully disappointed that

Alec Trent couldn't come."

Annabel gave a little low laugh.

"He's the one you're sort of a sister to, isn't he? Well--he's very

nice, but I should choose Mr. Judson for a life study--I _think_.

There's something sort of splendid and inspiring about him. He's so

frank and unusual."

"He's just Western--that's all," Blue Bonnet said with a degree of

satisfaction. "Would you wear these gold beads or the corals, Annabel?"

"The corals, by all means, with that white gown. And put one of those

pink roses in your hair--there, low, like that. My, but you're sweet. I

love you in that gown!"

"This gown is a little gift from Uncle Cliff. We went shopping the other

day all by ourselves. I wanted to pick up a few little things for the

girls and to get you a graduation present. By the way, I believe I'll

give it to you now--I'll run get it. Maybe you might like to wear it

to-night."

She brought back a small velvet jewel case which she put in Annabel's

hands. Annabel gave a cry of delight when she opened it.

"Blue Bonnet! How perfectly darling of you! Oh, isn't it exquisite!"

In the case reposed a little brooch--a circlet of pearls.

"I'm so glad you like it, Annabel. I love the sentiment of it. It's a

friendship circle--never ending--never beginning, see?"

She held the pin in her hand and traced the circle with her finger. "I

feel that way about our friendship--it never seemed to begin--it just

_was_, from the start--and I hope it will never end!"

"Blue Bonnet! Stop! You're going to make me cry--and I can't now. I

haven't time. You know I haven't a particle of sense when I get

started."

She made a little dab at her eyes and took the pin from Blue Bonnet.

"I shall wear it always, _always_," she managed to say as she pinned it

in the lace of her gown, "and I'll thank you for it properly at another

time."

At ten o'clock that night, three very tired but wide-awake little

Freshmen, who had watched the dance from the gymnasium balcony, climbed

the flight of stairs leading to Fifth Avenue, bearing in their arms

three bouquets. After the first few dances the girls had thrown the

flowers to their outstretched hands and they had been cherished as

valuable possessions.

"I'm going to sprinkle these roses and leave them in Annabel's bathtub,"

Mary said, stifling a tell-tale yawn.

"And I'll do the same with Blue Bonnet's," Carita said, following the

suggestion.

She entered Blue Bonnet's room and after attending to the flowers, set

the place to rights; turned down Blue Bonnet's bed neatly, and finding

paper and pencil busied herself for a moment with a note which she

pinned to Blue Bonnet's pillow. It read:

"DEAREST BLUE BONNET:--Thank you so much for letting me help you

all day, and for taking care of the flowers. I have had a

beautiful time. You were the prettiest girl in the room

to-night. Wasn't it sweet of Alec to send those flowers all the

way from Washington? I think he has forgiven you for what

happened in Woodford. Good night. Sweet dreams. CARITA."

The rest of the week passed in a dream to Blue Bonnet. Two things,

however, stood out vividly in her memory: Annabel's program, which had

been brilliantly sung to an enthusiastic audience, and Miss North's last

talk to the girls in the living-room. Perhaps it was the glow of pride

on Uncle Cliff's face as she took her place at the piano to play

Annabel's accompaniments--the look of satisfaction on Aunt

Lucinda's--that stamped the afternoon so indelibly on her mind; perhaps

it was a little self satisfaction--for Blue Bonnet was altogether human.

At any rate, she felt sure that she would always recall the day with

happiness.

Miss North's talk had been helpful--her text inspiring. Blue Bonnet

copied the text in her memory book with many notations--all the

amplifications she could remember:

"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.

Guard them accordingly."

Then there was the eventful afternoon when the Seniors took the straw

ride into the country and built a bonfire upon which to burn the books

they hated most. Blue Bonnet had helped Annabel select a much thumbed

Cicero (there had been some difficulty in choosing), longing with all

her heart for the day when her own Geometry could be added to the

funeral pyre.

The last day--in after years Blue Bonnet disliked to recall that last

day, it was so fraught with sadness--she had packed for Carita; helped

Mary Boyd; given Peggy a lift with her things, which were piled in an

indiscriminate heap for one big leap into a waiting trunk, and had put

her own clothes and belongings in readiness for the long journey to

Texas on the morrow. She had spent a half hour with Grandmother and Aunt

Lucinda, who were remaining in Boston to see her off. There had been a

visit to Mrs. White--she could not be forgotten, whatever else was left

undone. How often in lonely and discouraged moments Mrs. White had

filled the place almost of a mother. Blue Bonnet felt an unbounded

regard for her, as well as gratitude.

After all was done she wandered into Annabel's room for a last chat.

Others had been of the same mind evidently, for Sue was perched on

Annabel's trunk; Wee occupied a comfortable chair; Patty and Angela

squatted on the floor. It was a crowd whose drooping spirits even Wee

Watts failed to arouse.

Blue Bonnet sank down beside Patty and heaved a sigh. The room was bare

and gloomy. The Queen Louise, the china cat, the calendar under the

window, alone spoke of a past fading into oblivion.

"Aren't you going to take 'Louise' and the cat, Annabel?" Blue Bonnet

asked.

Annabel shook her head.

"Why not?"

"They're willed. We're going to pass them on to the next crowd--the

girls who have this room."

Ruth and Annabel exchanged a look. Their minds reverted to the calendar

that hung low beneath the window, on which was written--in so fine a

hand as to be almost illegible:

"Look behind this calendar. 'A word to the wise is sufficient.'"

Blue Bonnet tried to say something, but the words stuck in her throat.

She gave one despairing glance about the room, her eyes sweeping the

almost deserted quarters, and rising she made straight for the door.

Wee and Patty, Sue and Angela followed silently. At her own door Blue

Bonnet paused and held out her hand.

"I reckon I'll say good-by, girls," she said. "Carita and I are going

over to the hotel to spend the night with Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda.

Hope to see _you_ next year, Sue, and you too, Wee." To Angela and Patty

there were promises and instructions about writing. When the girls had

passed on to their rooms Blue Bonnet turned and went back to Annabel.

She opened the door softly. Annabel was sitting by the window where the

girls had left her. Her head was buried in her hands and when she lifted

it Blue Bonnet saw that her eyes were full of tears. She got up and came

toward Blue Bonnet with outstretched arms.

"Is it good-by, Blue Bonnet?" she said.

"Not good-by, Annabel," Blue Bonnet answered bravely. "Not

_good-by_--it's just--_auf wiedersehen_."

THE END.

* * * * *

The

Blue Bonnet Series

_By

Lela Horn Richards

and

Caroline E. Jacobs_

Each, one vol., large 12mo, illustrated $1.50

A TEXAS BLUE BONNET

BLUE BONNET'S RANCH PARTY

BLUE BONNET IN BOSTON

BLUE BONNET KEEPS HOUSE

BLUE BONNET--DÉBUTANTE

BLUE BONNET OF THE SEVEN STARS

THE COSY CORNER SERIES

_By Caroline E. Jacobs_

Each, one vol., small 12mo, illustrated $0.75

BAB'S CHRISTMAS AT STANHOPE

THE CHRISTMAS SURPRISE PARTY

A CHRISTMAS PROMISE

THE PAGE COMPANY

53 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass.

* * * * *

Selections from

The Page Company's

Books for Young People

THE BLUE BONNET SERIES

_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.75

A TEXAS BLUE BONNET

By CAROLINE E. JACOBS.

"The book's heroine, Blue Bonnet, has the very finest kind of wholesome,

honest, lively girlishness."--_Chicago Inter-Ocean._

BLUE BONNET'S RANCH PARTY

By CAROLINE E. JACOBS AND EDYTH ELLERBECK READ.

"A healthy, natural atmosphere breathes from every chapter."--_Boston

Transcript._

BLUE BONNET IN BOSTON

By CAROLINE E. JACOBS AND LELA HORN RICHARDS.

"It is bound to become popular because of its wholesomeness and its many

human touches."--_Boston Globe._

BLUE BONNET KEEPS HOUSE

By CAROLINE E. JACOBS AND LELA HORN RICHARDS.

"It cannot fail to prove fascinating to girls in their teens."--_New

York Sun._

BLUE BONNET--DÉBUTANTE

By LELA HORN RICHARDS.

An interesting picture of the unfolding of life for Blue Bonnet.

BLUE BONNET OF THE SEVEN STARS

By LELA HORN RICHARDS.

"The author's intimate detail and charm of narration gives the reader an

interesting story of the heroine's war activities."--_Pittsburgh

Leader._

* * * * *

ONLY HENRIETTA

By LELA HORN RICHARDS.

Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.90

"It is an inspiring story of the unfolding of life for a young girl--a

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HENRIETTA'S INHERITANCE: A Sequel to "Only Henrietta"

By LELA HORN RICHARDS.

Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.90

"One of the most noteworthy stories for girls issued this season. The

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"The heroine deserves to have this story develop into a series of books;

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Era Magazine._

THE YOUNG KNIGHT

By I. M. B. of K.

Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.65

The clash of broad-sword on buckler, the twanging of bow-strings and the

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Michael Faversham, orphaned nephew of Sir Gilbert Faversham, is a

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* * * * *

THE MARJORY-JOE SERIES

By ALICE E. ALLEN.

_Each one volume, cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated, per

volume_ $1.50

JOE, THE CIRCUS BOY AND ROSEMARY

These are two of Miss Allen's earliest and most successful stories,

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THE MARTIE TWINS: Continuing the Adventures of Joe, the Circus Boy

"The chief charm of the story is that it contains so much of human

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MARJORY, THE CIRCUS GIRL

A sequel to "Joe, the Circus Boy," and "The Martie Twins."

MARJORY AT THE WILLOWS

Continuing the story of Marjory, the Circus Girl.

"Miss Allen does not write impossible stories, but delightfully pins her

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MARJORY'S HOUSE PARTY: Or, What Happened at Clover Patch

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MARJORY'S DISCOVERY

This new addition to the popular MARJORY-JOE SERIES is as lovable and

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* * * * *

THE YOUNG PIONEER SERIES

By HARRISON ADAMS.

_Each 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.65

THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE OHIO; OR, CLEARING THE WILDERNESS.

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THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE COLUMBIA; OR, IN THE WILDERNESS OF THE GREAT

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"The story is full of spirited action and contains much valuable

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* * * * *

THE FRIENDLY TERRACE SERIES By HARRIET LUMMIS SMITH

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THE GIRLS OF FRIENDLY TERRACE

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PEGGY RAYMOND'S VACATION

"It is a clean, wholesome, hearty story, well told and full of incident.

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PEGGY RAYMOND'S SCHOOL DAYS

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THE FRIENDLY TERRACE QUARTETTE

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* * * * *

FAMOUS LEADERS SERIES

By CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON.

_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $3.00

FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADERS

"More of such books should be written, books that acquaint young readers

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FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS

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FAMOUS SCOUTS

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FAMOUS PRIVATEERSMEN AND ADVENTURERS OF THE SEA

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FAMOUS FRONTIERSMEN AND HEROES OF THE BORDER

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Who Led the United States and Her Allies to a Glorious Victory.

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By EDWIN WELDMAN.

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FAMOUS LEADERS OF INDUSTRY.--Second Series

"As fascinating as fiction are these biographies, which emphasize their

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FAMOUS LEADERS OF CHARACTER: In America from the Latter Half of the

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"An informing, interesting and inspiring book for boys."--_Presbyterian

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"... Is a book that should be read by every boy in the whole

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"Opportunity beckons every boy, and this book may suggest the route to

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* * * * *

WORKS OF EVALEEN STEIN

THE CHRISTMAS PORRINGER

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated by Adelaide Everhart $1.50

This story happened many hundreds of years ago in the quaint Flemish

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GABRIEL AND THE HOUR BOOK

Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated in colors

by Adelaide Everhart $1.50

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A LITTLE SHEPHERD OF PROVENCE

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated by Diantha H. Marlowe $1.50

"The story should be one of the influences in the life of every child to

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THE LITTLE COUNT OF NORMANDY

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated by John Goss $1.50

"This touching and pleasing story is told with a wealth of interest

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WHEN FAIRIES WERE FRIENDLY

Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.65

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* * * * *

MR. DO SOMETHING; Of the Island of Make Believe

By BLANCHE E. WADE.

With 8 plates in full color, and many other illustrations, cloth

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The pervading genius of the story is "Do Something," a roly-poly fairy,

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DENISE OF THE THREE PINES

By EDITH A. SAWYER.

Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.65

Denise is a modern heroine, brave and laughter-loving, with all the

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LOVE ME, LOVE MY DOG

By CAROLYN VERHOEFF.

Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.65

Imagine yourself in this position,--a little girl, moving with your

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LITTLE GLAD HEART

By LINDA STEVENS ALMOND.

Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated $1.65

This story is marked by a timely point of view. The story tells of the

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* * * * *

IDEAL BOOKS FOR GIRLS

_Each, one volume, cloth decorative, 12mo_ $1.10

A LITTLE CANDY BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL

By AMY L. WATERMAN.

"This is a peculiarly interesting little book, written in the simple,

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A LITTLE COOK-BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL

By CAROLINE FRENCH BENTON.

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A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL

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A LITTLE SEWING BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL

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A LITTLE GARDENING BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL

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This little volume is an excellent guide for the young gardener. In

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* * * * *

THE HADLEY HALL SERIES

By LOUISE M. BREITENBACH.

_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.65

ALMA AT HADLEY HALL

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ALMA'S SOPHOMORE YEAR

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ALMA'S JUNIOR YEAR

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incidents are well developed and the action is never dull."--_The Boston

Herald._

ALMA'S SENIOR YEAR

"A healthy, natural atmosphere breathes from every chapter."--_Boston

Transcript._

* * * * *

DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL SERIES

By MARION AMES TAGGART

_Each large 12mo, cloth, illustrated, per volume_ $1.75

THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL

"A charming story of the ups and downs of the life of a dear little

maid."--_The Churchman._

SWEET NANCY: THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL.

"Just the sort of book to amuse, while its influence cannot but be

elevating."--_New York Sun._

NANCY, THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE PARTNER

"The story is sweet and fascinating, such as many girls of wholesome

tastes will enjoy."--_Springfield Union._

NANCY PORTER'S OPPORTUNITY

"Nancy shows throughout that she is a splendid young woman, with plenty

of pluck."--_Boston Globe._

NANCY AND THE COGGS TWINS

"The story is refreshing."--_New York Sun._

* * * * *

THE BOYS' STORY OF THE RAILROAD SERIES

By BURTON E. STEVENSON

_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.75

THE YOUNG SECTION-HAND; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF ALLAN WEST.

"The whole range of section railroading is covered in the

story."--_Chicago Post._

THE YOUNG TRAIN DISPATCHER

"A vivacious account of the varied and often hazardous nature of

railroad life."--_Congregationalist._

THE YOUNG TRAIN MASTER

"It is a book that can be unreservedly commended to anyone who loves a

good, wholesome, thrilling, informing yarn."--_Passaic News._

THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, ALLAN WEST'S CHUM.

"The story is intensely interesting."--_Baltimore Sun._

* * * * *

BOY SCOUT STORIES

By BREWER CORCORAN

_Published with the approval of "The Boy Scouts of America."_

_Each, one volume, 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per

volume_ $1.75

THE BOY SCOUTS OF KENDALLVILLE

The story of a bright young factory worker who cannot enlist, but his

knowledge of woodcraft and wigwagging, gained through Scout practice,

enables him to foil a German plot to blow up the munitions factory.

THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE WOLF PATROL

The boys of Gillfield who were not old enough to go to war found just as

many thrills at home, chasing a German spy.

THE BOY SCOUTS AT CAMP LOWELL

"The best book for boys I have ever read!" says our editor. Mr. Corcoran

has again found enough exciting material to keep the plot humming from

cover to cover.

* * * * *

HILDEGARDE-MARGARET SERIES

By LAURA E. RICHARDS

Eleven Volumes

The Hildegarde-Margaret Series, beginning with "Queen Hildegarde" and

ending with "The Merryweathers," make one of the best and most popular

series of books for girls ever written.

_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.75

_The eleven volumes boxed as a set_ $19.25

LIST OF TITLES

QUEEN HILDEGARDE

HILDEGARDE'S HOLIDAY

HILDEGARDE'S HOME

HILDEGARDE'S NEIGHBORS

HILDEGARDE'S HARVEST

THREE MARGARETS

MARGARET MONTFORT

PEGGY

RITA

FERNLEY HOUSE

THE MERRYWEATHERS

* * * * *

DELIGHTFUL BOOKS FOR LITTLE FOLKS

By LAURA E. RICHARDS

THREE MINUTE STORIES

Cloth decorative, 12mo, with eight plates in full color and many

text illustrations $1.75

"Little ones will understand and delight in the stories and

poems."--_Indianapolis News._

FIVE MINUTE STORIES

Cloth decorative, square 12mo, illustrated $1.75

A charming collection of short stories and clever poems for children.