“About whom?” interrupted Marjorie, although she was sure this was the girl whom Jack had mentioned in his letter. “Dorothy Snyder--my friend at Cape May. Did you ever meet her?” “No. Why?” “Nothing, except that she thought she had met some girls from Miss Allen’s school.” Marjorie sighed wearily; after all, she was not so much interested in this rival of hers since John had shown by his willingness to remain at the ranch, where his greatest interest lay. However, she did not intend to refuse his request; she meant to give him one afternoon before they left for the East. “Well, if you really want to set a time,” she said; “let’s make it for the day after tomorrow.” “Fine!” cried John. “And what do you prefer to do?” “I like canoeing best after riding,” she said. “Canoeing it shall be, then!” he agreed. The next day John saw practically nothing of Marjorie. As she had told him, all the Girl Scouts left the ranch about nine o’clock in the morning with their lunches packed in their knapsacks, and started for their ride. Mrs. Hilton had given her consent rather grudgingly to such a venture, without the protection of anyone who was really familiar with the country. But the girls had begged so hard that she had seen what it meant to them to have this last excursion alone, and had finally given in. Marjorie assured her that after her own and Daisy’s experience on the pack trip, she would be very careful not to encounter a similar disaster. So they rode off happily, unaware of the fact that both Kirk and John were fully prepared to go after them, in case they did not return at the appointed time. “It certainly is sad to think this is the last time the dear old patrol will be alone together,” observed Doris, regretfully. “Why!” exclaimed Marjorie, “you forget the trip home. We’ll have all that time, and I’m even planning a last scout meeting for then.” “Just like you, Marj!” laughed Mae. “But we won’t be entirely alone, because the Melville boys are going back on the same train, and their parents are going to join them at St. Paul.” “And how about John Hadley?” put in Lily. “Surely you didn’t forget him?” “No, I didn’t forget him,” replied Marjorie; “but I simply thought we wouldn’t have to bother much with him!” “Listen to the indifferent woman!” exclaimed Alice. “But you needn’t put that on with us, Marj. It won’t go.” All this time Marjorie was paying strict attention to the trail. She was leading the girls to a familiar spot, the destination of many a previous ride; for it was one which possessed the unusual attraction of trees. There they would eat their luncheon rest, and talk until it was time to come back.