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Down the steps she went, holding out the papers. (Page 173)
MEG OF
MYSTERY MOUNTAIN
By GRACE MAY NORTH
THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY
Akron, Ohio New York
Copyright MCMXXVI
Made in the United States of America
MEG OF MYSTERY MOUNTAIN.
CHAPTER I.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL
Jane Abbott, tall, graceful and languidly beautiful,passed through the bevy of girls on the wharfbelow Highacres Seminary with scarcely a nod forany of them. Closely following her came threeother girls, each carrying a satchel and wearing atailored gown of the latest cut.
Although Esther Ballard and Barbara Morriscalled gaily to many of their friends, it was aroundMarion Starr that all of the girls crowded until herpassage way to the small boat, even then getting upsteam, was completely blocked.
Jane, when she had crossed the gang plank,turned to find only Esther and Barbara at her side.A slight sneer curled her lips as she watched the adulationwhich Merry was receiving. Then, with ashrug of her slender shoulders that was more eloquentthan words, the proud girl seated herself inone of the reclining deck chairs and imperiouslymotioned her friends to do likewise.
“It’s so silly of Merry to make such a fuss overall those girls. She’ll miss the boat if she doesn’thurry.”
Marion had evidently thought of the same thing,for she laughingly ran up the gang plank, her armsfilled with candy boxes, boquets and magazines,gifts of her admiring friends. Depositing these ona chair, she leaned over the rail to call: “Good-bye,girls! Of course I’ll write to you, Sally, reams andreams; a sort of a round-robin letter to be sent tothe whole crowd.
“Sure thing, Betty Ann. I’ll tell my handsomebrother Bob that you don’t want him to ever forgetyou.” Then as there was a protest from the wharf,the girl laughingly added: “But you wished to beremembered to him. Isn’t that the same thing?”
Noticing a small girl who had put her handkerchiefto her eyes, Merry remonstrated. “Tessie,don’t cry, child! This isn’t a funeral or a wedding.Of course you’ll see us again. We four intend tocome back to Highacres to watch you graduate justas you watched us today. Work hard, Little One,and carry off the honors. I’ve been your big-sistercoach all this year, and I want you to make the goal.I know you will! Goodbye!” Marion Starr couldsay no more for the small river steamer gave awarning whistle—the rope was drawn in, and, asthe boat churned the water noisily in starting, thechorus of goodbyes from the throng of girls on thewharf could be heard but faintly.
Marion remained standing at the rail, waving her