“Here’s the talcum,” spoke Grace. “I’m sorry about the chocolates. Wait until I see Will,” and she shook an imaginary brother. “Never mind, dear, it’s too hot for candies, anyhow,” consoled Betty. “Pass the talcum,” and she reached for the box that Mollie was then using. “It has the most delightful odor, Grace. Where did you get it?” “It’s a new sample lot Harrison’s pharmacy got in. Mr. Harrison gave me a box to try, and said——” “He wanted you to recommend it to your friends, I’ve no doubt,” remarked Mollie. “He didn’t say so, but I haven’t any hesitation in doing so. I just love it.” “It is nice,” said Amy. “I’m going to get some the next time I go down-town.” The spicy scent of the perfumed talcum powder mingled with the odor of the grass, the trees, and the flowers, over which the bees were humming. “Come, come, Betty!” exclaimed Mollie, vigorously, when shining noses had been rendered immune from the effects of the sun, “when do we hear that wonderful secret of yours?” “Right away! Make yourselves comfortable. I’m going to walk about, and get the proper action to go with the words. Now, what did I do with that letter?” and she looked in her belt, up her sleeve, and in the folds of her waist. “Gracious, I hope I haven’t lost it!” she exclaimed, glancing about, anxiously. “Was it only a letter?” asked Mollie, something of disappointment manifesting itself in her tones. “_Only_ a letter!” repeated Betty, with proper emphasis. “Well, I like the way you say that! It isn’t a common letter, by any means.” “Is it from that queer Mr. Blackford, whose five hundred dollar bill we found when we were on our walking trip?” asked Amy, with strange recollections of that queer occurrence. “No, it was from my uncle, Amos Marlin, a former sea captain,” was the answer “A most quaint and delightful character, as you’ll all say when you meet him.” “Then we are going to meet him?” interjected Grace, questioningly. “Yes, he’s coming to pay me a visit.” “Was that the grand surprise?” Amy wanted to know. “Indeed not. Oh, there’s the letter,” and Betty caught up a piece of paper from underneath the hammock. “I’ll read it to you. It’s quite funny, and in it he says he’s going to give me the grandest surprise that ever a girl had. It——” “But _what_ is the surprise itself?” inquired Mollie. “Oh, he didn’t say exactly,” spoke Betty, smoothing out the letter. “But I know, from the way he writes, that it will be quite wonderful. Everything Uncle Amos does is wonderful. He’s quite rich, and——” “Hark!” exclaimed Amy. A voice was calling: “Miss Ford! Miss Ford!” “Yes, Nellie, what is it?” asked Grace, as she saw a maid coming towards her, beckoning. “Your brother wants you on the telephone, Miss Ford,” answered the maid, “he says it’s quite important, and he wants you to please hurry.” “Excuse me,” flung back Grace, as she hurried off. “I’ll be back in a minute. I hope he’s going to confess where he put those chocolates.”