His dirty little face gleamed with delight, and he held the awful-looking package out toward Betty. She drew back, feeling that she could not take that box in charge again, and Fred Bates said sternly: “What does this mean? Why are you annoying Miss McGuire?” “This chap says it’s the lady’s property,” explained the clerk who was looking after the boy. “Say the word, sir, and we’ll put him out.” He laid a hand on the urchin’s shoulder, but the boy spoke up insistently: “It _is_ hers, sir! I seen her lose it outen the cab winder, an’ I picked it up, an’ ran to catch ’er, an’ I seen her jest as she came in the whirligig door, an’ I got here as soon as they’d let me!” “That awful-looking bundle, Betty’s!” cried Dorothy, in disgust. “Of course it isn’t! What nonsense!” At this the clerk made as if to eject the boy who had brought the bundle, and then Betty’s sense of justice was aroused. It was awful to claim ownership of that disreputable piece of property, but it was worse, in her estimation, to have an innocent boy reprimanded for doing what he had believed to be right. “It _is_ mine,” she said bravely, though her cheeks grew scarlet at the surprised glances cast upon her, not only by her friends, but by strangers who happened to be passing. “It _is_ mine,” she repeated, turning to the boy, “and you did right to bring back to me what you thought I had lost. But I want to lose it, as it is of no use to me. So if you will please take it away and dispose of it properly, I will be much obliged to you, and I will give you this.” Betty took a two-dollar bill from her purse, and offered it to the boy, who still held the bundle. “Sure, lady,” he said, flashing a grateful glance at her. “You’re a white one, you are! Thank you, lady!” The clerk smiled and bowed, and ushered the small boy away. The urchin turned to give Betty one more admiring look, and she smiled pleasantly at him, and said: “You’d better look in that box before you throw it away.” “Sure!” he replied, grinning, and then he disappeared. “Now, Dorothy,” said Betty, restored to equanimity, now that the box was finally disposed of, “let us go and sit down quietly somewhere, and I’ll tell you all about it.” “Do!” cried Fred Bates. “You’re the most mysterious person I ever heard of, Miss McGuire! Come right up to our family sitting-room and relate to us the story of the Beautiful Young Lady and her Strange Piece of Luggage!” “Very well,” said Betty, dimpling and smiling. “Come on, and the whole of the dramatic tale I will unfold!” Which she did, to a most enthusiastic and hilarious audience. XII A LUCKY PENNY “There’s no doubt about it,” said Jeanette, “Betty is the most popular girl in school.” “Not only in school,” amended Dorothy; “she’s the most popular girl in our whole set. The boys all adore her, too.” “Yes, they do,” agreed Lena Carey. “My brother Bob thinks she’s just about all right.”