“Heigho! It is but a few days to the first of September, when we shall all have to go home.” “We must get all the fun we can out of these last few days,” cried Percy Seabright, as gaily as a boy, and then Ralph Allen said: “Yesterday, before Italy’s accident, the folks on the yacht were proposing a moonlight party, and wanted us to join them.” “A moonlight party!” they all echoed. “You see,” went on Ralph, “the idea is this: You pick out a picturesque place, and sit up to see the moon and sun rise. You have refreshments with plenty of hot tea and coffee; you walk on the beach, you tell stories, you sing, you recite, and perhaps go sailing. I am told that the chaperons frown on courting; but if we can get Mrs. Dunn to chaperon us I am sure she will be more lenient out of sympathy for us.” “Splendid!” they all cried, for the plan was full of the romance and poetry so dear to youthful hearts. Mrs. Murray alone tried to throw a damper over them. “You will catch cold and be sick the next day.” “We can dress warmly,” said Alys. “I am sure it will not hurt any of us who are used to the climate. But perhaps Miss Vale had better stay at home. She is not used to the raw, eastern winds of Massachusetts.” “I am going, though. I wouldn’t miss it for anything!” declared Italy, with a spice of girlish diablerie, and thus it was settled. But Alys was at the point of tears. She wanted to have Francis Murray all to herself on this moonlight party; but she foresaw that he would have to divide his attentions between herself and Italy. She wished now that Emmett Harlow had not gone away. That night she talked alone with her aunt, complaining bitterly of Francis Murray’s indifference. “He will never care for me. I have given up all hope of it. He has eyes only for that hateful foreign girl!” “Indeed, you are mistaken, dear. Mrs. Murray thinks he was quite angry because Italy refused Emmett. That looks as if he was anxious to get rid of her, don’t it?” replied Mrs. Dunn soothingly. “Oh, if I could only be sure of it,” Alys cried hopefully. “But if she goes on this moonlight party I shall give up all hope. Can’t you hint to Mrs. Murray to keep her at home?” “I’ll try, dear, and you must keep up hope; she shall not take him from you. I am watching over your interests all the time,” said the scheming aunt, who was very fond of this niece who resembled her in her disposition. Alys retired much consoled, for she knew that her aunt would stop at nothing to gain her ends. She was gone, and Mrs. Dunn lay back at ease in her armchair, the loose folds of her gorgeous silk dressing-gown falling richly about her, her strange eyes gleaming with excitement. She mused softly: