Returning to the Misses Gates they humbly apologized for having broken the rhododendron bush, but the ladies had thoroughly enjoyed the wild chase and assured them that it was of no consequence. “We had been planning to have that bush dug out,” Azalea laughed, “but you girls saved us the bother.” “I think it very romantic to have a love letter delivered by airplane,” Iris declared. Doris blushed. “Oh, it isn’t a love letter,” she returned as she ripped open the envelope. “Dave isn’t a bit silly.” Perhaps because she wished to prove her statement, she read the note aloud: “If you and Kitty are free tomorrow and the Misses Gates have no objection, I shall drop in and take you for an airplane ride. Say about one o’clock, then we can have the entire afternoon. Dave.” “Oh!” Kitty cried in delight. “I’ve always wanted to ride in a plane.” “So have I,” Doris agreed enthusiastically. She glanced hopefully at Azalea and Iris. “May we go?” “Why, certainly,” Azalea declared. “But aren’t you a little afraid?” “Not with Dave,” Doris returned proudly. “Every one says he is a reliable pilot and I know he wouldn’t offer to take us if he didn’t know it would be safe.” The girls had been so excited over the note that they had failed to keep track of Wags. Turning, they were amused to see him pawing energetically near the uprooted rhododendron bush. Dirt was flying in every direction. “What’s that little rascal after now?” Doris laughed. “Probably a bone.” “I’ll go see.” She crossed the garden just as Wags picked up something in his mouth. “Here, Wags, bring it here!” Doris commanded. Wags hesitated, debating whether or not to obey, and then came forward, dropping his offering at his mistress’s feet. “What in the world!” Doris exclaimed. She picked up the curious object. It was a tiny box, water soaked and badly stained, and bore evidence that it had been buried for some time. Yet, for all its disfigurement, Doris saw that it was a jewel box. “Kitty!” she cried. “Come here!” Her chum already was flying toward her. “Look what the dog dug up!” Doris exclaimed in excitement. “It’s a jewel box!” “Well, don’t stand there staring at it,” Kitty chided. “Open it quick!” Doris lifted the lid and gave a little cry of wonder. She scarcely could believe her own eyes. There, nestled in a cushion of faded blue silk, lay a beautiful ruby ring! Doris saw at a glance that it was a genuine stone, and valuable. “A ring!” Kitty gasped. “Where did it come from?” “Under that rhododendron bush. It must have been there for ages. See how old the case is.” “What a perfectly gorgeous stone!” Kitty said, her eyes shining with admiration. “Some one must have lost it, don’t you think?” “But it was _buried_,” Doris reminded her. “If we hadn’t uprooted that rhododendron bush, we’d never have discovered it.” The excited comments of the girls had brought the Misses Gates hurrying across the yard. They too exclaimed in admiration as they saw the ring.