It was a beautiful book of fairy tales, and although it had been given her over a week ago, she had read but a few of the stories. Mrs. Dainty had sent to the city for the book, and ever since the day of its arrival Dorothy had been wild to read it. Something had been planned for each sunny day, and as the weather had continued fair, the book had been opened but a few times, and then for only a brief glance at the tales or the illustrations. Mrs. Dainty had gone to the village, a ride of about an hour from the hotel, and Aunt Charlotte was still occupied with her letters. Nancy was sealing and stamping the envelopes, as Dorothy passed the door. "I'm going over to the little 'birch arbor,'" she said. "I'm taking my new fairy book for company." "I'll come, too, just as soon as I've finished these envelopes," said Nancy, and she began to work faster. [Illustration: "OH, WHAT A LOVELY, _LOVELY_ STORY!" SAID DOROTHY.--_Page 67._] The "birch arbor" was not an actual arbor, but it was a lovely spot, and the birches were exceptionally fine. Nancy and Dorothy had often been there together, and they had given it the name. A tiny mountain brook ran through it, and it was a lovely spot in which to enjoy legends or fairy tales. In a few moments Dorothy had reached the place, and when she had seated herself, she opened the book where a fine picture showed the prince, whose father had given him three wishes as his only inheritance, and then had sent him out to seek his fortune. Twice she had commenced to read the story, and had been obliged to lay it aside. Now, with only the bees and the butterflies hovering about her, she read the fascinating tale. It proved to be even more charming than she had expected. The prince was tall, and dark, and handsome, and his heart was so good and true, that Dorothy felt that he richly deserved the beautiful princess whom he finally won. Her eyes sparkled as she read of the great court wedding. "And the lovely princess looked more beautiful than ever in her wedding gown of cloth of gold, thickly set with diamonds, and her crown of diamonds and sapphires." "Oh what a lovely, _lovely_ story!" said Dorothy, as she turned the page. "Tiny princes carried her train, and as the happy pair reached the palace gates, and were about to enter the royal coach, the blare of trumpets sounded, as the guards in blue and gold played a gay fanfare." "Toot! Toot! Toot!" Dorothy sprang to her feet. It was as if those silver-toned trumpets had sounded close beside her. A moment more, and a huge automobile appeared from behind the trees and shrubbery, and slackening its speed, came, at last, to a standstill, and an old lady leaned out to question her. "Are we going in the right direction, my dear, to reach the Hotel Cleverton?" Dorothy walked toward the car, and looked up into the hard, old face.