Those who direct the pageant should see to it that the players speak the dialogue in the episodes with the utmost briskness. There should be no waits and pauses. Simon Scarlett especially should enunciate clearly and swiftly, with dash and fire in both voice and gesture. Even if some of the words are lost, it is better to keep up the tempo of the piece. Philippe Beaucoeur should also speak with a rush of energy and determination. The players who are on the scene but not speaking, should develop their pantomimic powers, and form animated groups; their interest should be first with one character who is speaking, and then with another. They should never stand idle, looking blankly at the audience, as so many amateurs are in the habit of doing. In the Salem episode they should surge forward and back, and discuss in pantomimic groups all that is happening. BY CARROLL WATSON RANKIN STORIES FOR GIRLS THE CINDER POND Illustrated by ADA C. WILLIAMSON. $1.35 net. Years ago, a manufacturer built a great dock, jutting out from and then turning parallel to the shore of a northern Michigan town. The factory was abandoned, and following the habits of small towns, the space between the dock and the shore became "The Cinder Pond." Jean started life in the colony of squatters that came to live in the shanties on the dock, but fortune, heroism, and a mystery combine to change her fortunes and those of her friends near the Cinder Pond. THE CASTAWAYS OF PETE'S PATCH Illustrated by ADA C. WILLIAMSON. $1.35 net. A tale of five girls and two youthful grown-ups who enjoyed unpremeditated camping. DANDELION COTTAGE Illustrated by Mmes. SHINN and FINLEY. $1.35 net. Four young girls secure the use of a tumbledown cottage. They set up housekeeping under numerous disadvantages, and have many amusements and queer experiences. "A capital story. It is refreshing to come upon an author who can tell us about real little girls, with sensible ordinary parents, girls who are neither phenomenal nor silly."--_Outlook_. THE ADOPTING OF ROSA MARIE A sequel to "Dandelion Cottage." Illustrated by Mrs. SHINN. $1.35 net. The little girls who played at keeping house in the earlier book, enlarge their activities to the extent of playing mother to a little Indian girl. "Those who have read 'Dandelion Cottage' will need no urging to follow further...A lovable group of four real children, happily not perfect, but full of girlish plans and pranks...A delightful sense of humor."-- _Boston Transcript_. THE GIRLS OF GARDENVILLE Illustrated by MARY WELLMAN. 12mo. $1.35 net. Interesting, amusing, and natural stories of a girls' club. "Will captivate as many adults as if it were written for them...The secret of Mrs. Rankin's charm is her naturalness...real girls...not young ladies with 'pigtails,' but girls of sixteen who are not twenty- five...as original as amusing."--_Boston Transcript_. HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY PUBLISHERS NEW YORK BY ALFRED BISHOP MASON