Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustration. See 42014-h.htm or 42014-h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/42014/42014-h/42014-h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/42014/42014-h.zip) [Illustration: 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 wharf below Highacres Seminary with scarcely a nod for any of them. Closely following her came three other girls, each carrying a satchel and wearing a tailored gown of the latest cut. Although Esther Ballard and Barbara Morris called gaily to many of their friends, it was around Marion Starr that all of the girls crowded until her passage way to the small boat, even then getting up steam, 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 adulation which Merry was receiving. Then, with a shrug of her slender shoulders that was more eloquent than words, the proud girl seated herself in one of the reclining deck chairs and imperiously motioned her friends to do likewise. "It's so silly of Merry to make such a fuss over all those girls. She'll miss the boat if she doesn't hurry." Marion had evidently thought of the same thing, for she laughingly ran up the gang plank, her arms filled with candy boxes, boquets and magazines, gifts of her admiring friends. Depositing these on a chair, she leaned over the rail to call: "Good-bye, girls! Of course I'll write to you, Sally, reams and reams; a sort of a round-robin letter to be sent to the whole crowd. "Sure thing, Betty Ann. I'll tell my handsome brother Bob that you don't want him to ever forget you." Then as there was a protest from the wharf, the girl laughingly added: "But you wished to be remembered to him. Isn't that the same thing?" Noticing a small girl who had put her handkerchief to 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 to come back to Highacres to watch you graduate just as you watched us today. Work hard, Little One, and carry off the honors. I've been your big-sister coach all this year, and I want you to make the goal. I know you will! Goodbye!" Marion Starr could say no more for the small river steamer gave a warning whistle--the rope was drawn in, and, as the boat churned the water noisily in starting, the chorus of goodbyes from the throng of girls on the wharf could be heard but faintly.