"Sly Mother Wit!" cried Jess. "Not such a wonderful thing to do," laughed Laura. "Not half so wonderful," put in the irrepressible Bobby Hargrew, "as it seemed to the countryman who came to town and stood gazing up at the tall steeple of the cathedral. As he gazed the bell began to toll The hick stopped a passer-by and said: "'Tell me, why does the bell ring at this time of day?' "The other man studied the hick for a moment and then said: 'That's easy. There's somebody pulling on the rope.'" "Well," said Nellie, when the laugh had subsided, "I guess Janet and her mother are glad our Laura had such a bright idea." "Of course! They are going back to Osage with Mr. Weld when he has fully recovered. And so we shall lose an awfully nice girl friend," Laura declared. "Gee!" sighed Chet. "And such a pretty girl!" Jess said not a word. * * * * * Of course, all twisted threads must be straightened out at the end of the story; but our tale really ends with the performance of "The Rose Garden." That on Friday night was most enthusiastically received by the friends and parents of the girls of Central High. It was a worthy production, and the girls deserved all the applause they received. It encouraged them to give two further performances, and altogether the three netted a large sum for the Red Cross. The play, in fact, was the means of raising more money for the fund than any other single method used for that object in Centerport. The city "went over the top" in its quota of both memberships and funds, and that before Christmas. The girls of Central High could rest on their laurels over the holidays, knowing that they had done well. "But wait till Gee Gee gets after us after New Year's," prophesied Bobby. "Don't be so pessimistic," said Jess. "Maybe she won't." "Why won't she?" demanded Dora Lockwood. "Nothing will change her," sighed Dora's twin. "Say!" gasped Bobby, stricken with a sudden thought, "maybe she'll get the pip, or something, and not be able to teach. That is our only hope!" "Suppose we turn over a new leaf, as Miss Carrington won't," suggested Laura in her placid way. "What's that?" demanded Bobby suspiciously. "Suppose we agree not to annoy her any more than we can help for the rest of the school year?" "There! Isn't that just like you, Laura Belding?" demanded Jess. "Suggesting the impossible." This was said in the wings of the school stage during the last performance of "The Rose Garden." The curtain went up on the last act and the girls became quiet They watched Janet Steele, as the dark lady of the roses, move again across the stage. She was very graceful and very pretty. The boys out front applauded her enthusiastically. Laura pinched Jess's arm. "Janet certainly has made a hit," she whispered. "Well," admitted Jess, "she deserves their applause. And she just about saved our play, Laura. There is no getting around that." THE END