"Not the Stones of Riverside Drive--_the_ Stones?" from Hortense. "Dud Stone's sister?" exclaimed Flossie. "And Dud Stone is the very nicest boy I ever met," quoth Hortense, clasping her hands. "I know Miss Jessie. Jess, they all call her. I saw her on the Westchester Links only last week and she never said a word about this." "About coming to see Helen--it isn't possible!" cried Hortense. "Gregson, you have made a mistake." "Hi beg your pardon--no, mem. She asked for Miss Helen. I left 'er in the reception parlor, mem----" "She thinks one of us is named Helen!" cried Belle, suddenly. "Show her up, Gregson." Gregson might have told her different; but he saw it would only involve him in more explanation; therefore he turned on his heel and in his usual stately manner went to lead Dud Stone's sister into the presence of the three excited girls. Jessie by no means understood the situation at the Starkweather house between Helen and her cousins. It had never entered Miss Stone's head, in fact, that anybody could be unkind to, or dislike, "such a nice little thing as Helen Morrell." So she greeted the Starkweather girls in her very frankest manner. "I really am delighted to see you again, Miss Starkweather," Jess said, being met by Belle at the door. "And are these your sisters? I'm charmed, I am sure." Hortense and Flossie were introduced. The girls sat down. "You don't mean to say Helen isn't here?" demanded Jess. "I came particularly to invite her to dinner to-morrow night. We're going to have a little celebration and Dud and I are determined to have her with us." "Helen?" gasped Belle. "Not Helen Morrell?" demanded Hortense. "Why, yes--of course--your Cousin Helen. How funny! Of course she's here? She lives with you; doesn't she?" "Why--er--we have a--a distant relative of poor mamma's by that name," said Belle, haughtily. "She--she came here quite unexpectedly--er quite uninvited, I may say. Pa is _so-o_ easy, you know; he won't send her away----" "Send her away! Send Helen Morrell away?" gasped Jess Stone. "Are--are we talking about the same girl, I wonder? Why, Helen is a most charming girl--and pretty as a picture. And brave no end! "Why, it was she who saved my brother's life when he was away out West----" "Mr. Stone never went to Montana?" cried Flossie. "He never met Helen at Sunset Ranch?" "Be still, Floss!" commanded Belle; but Miss Stone turned to answer the younger girl. "Of course. Dud stopped at the ranch some days, too. He had to, for he hurt his foot. That's when Helen saved his life. He was flung from the back of a horse over the edge of a cliff and fortunately landed in the top of a tree.