Chapter IX: Home Again

"If we're going to get home before dark, as I promised, we'd better be moving along," said Uncle Billy. "I expect to find a man with our car outside the grounds."

The three girls arose reluctantly from their seat on the long bench.

"Well, I suppose the very best of days must come to an end," sighed Jerry.

"Why, it hasn't ended yet," said Beth, cheeringly. "We still have the long ride home, and you must sit in front, for I'm sure Mary and I will have our hands full to keep Elizabeth Geraldine from falling out."

"Yes," agreed Mary, "for don't you remember how we lost poor Annabel driving home from the party that day?"

As Uncle Billy had planned, his car stood at the entrance gate, and he soon had the happy little party aboard.

All the way home Jerry talked gaily to Uncle Billy, telling him all about the merry times she had with the others, and of her dog Patsy that she loved so well.

"I must see him," declared Uncle Billy. "He must be a fine dog, from all that you say about him."

Beth and Mary had many things to talk about.

"Now we'll have to give a big party to introduce Elizabeth Geraldine to society," planned Beth. "Won't it be fun?"

"We'll have to make new dresses for all the other children so they'll look nice too. And, of course, I shall have to make some plainer clothes for her," said Mary, looking at Elizabeth Geraldine, "because it wouldn't do for her to look so stylish all the time. Oh, Beth," she suddenly added, "it was just dear of you and Jerry to want me to have her. I'll never, never forget it."

"Where's the first stop?" asked Uncle Billy, when they had reached the town of Merryvale.

"Two blocks down on this side," directed Beth. "Mary lives in the brown house next to the corner."

"I don't know what to say," declared Mary a few moments later as the car drew up before her door, "except that I've had a lovely time. It's been just like a fairy story," she laughed, "wishing for Elizabeth Geraldine and getting her."

"Good-bye, dear," called out Beth and Jerry.

"Good-bye, Uncle Billy," and Mary blew him a kiss from her fingertips as the car started away and he waved to her.

When they reached Jerry's home, she threw her arms about Beth.

"Oh, I've just had the best time, and I'll never forget you, Uncle Billy. It's been a wonderful day."

Beth, who had now taken the front seat, sat close to Uncle Billy as they sped toward home.

"You're the very best uncle in the world," she told him. "We've all been happy, but I've been the happiest of all."

"You always will be, Beth, because you have found out that the greatest joy is in doing for others."

THE END

* * * * *

THE MERRYVALE GIRLS
By ALICE HALE BURNETT

Four delightful books for the smaller girls, each a complete
story in itself, describing in simple language the interesting
experiences of Beth, Mary and Jerry, three little maids of
Merryvale.

* * * * *

BETH'S GARDEN PARTY

The three girls take part in a very formal little affair on
the lawn of Beth's home. Each of the guests receives a present
in the shape of a downy white kitten. The drive home in Beth's
pony cart furnishes a few exciting moments, but Patsy bravely
comes to the rescue.

A DAY AT THE COUNTY FAIR

The girls are taken to the fair in a motor, but a slight delay
occurs on the way. How they finally arrived at the fair ground
and their amusing experiences are most entertainingly told.

GERALDINE'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

Geraldine, whom of course we know better as Jerry, plays
the part of hostess to her many friends, although it must be
admitted that her guests knew of the affair before she did.
A jolly evening is spent by the girls which is shared in by
some of our young Merryvale boy friends.

MARY ENTERTAINS THE SEWING CLUB

Mary entertains the club at her home, and the efforts of some
of the members cause many outbursts of merriment. The girls
decide to hold a "fair of all nations" for the benefit of the
Merryvale Day Nursery. Their many friends aid them and their
plans succeed beyond their expectations.

12mo. Cloth. Illustrations in Color. 40c per vol., postpaid

THE MERRYVALE BOYS
By ALICE HALE BURNETT

Six real stories for small boys, each complete in itself,
telling about the many interesting doings of "Toad" and "Chuck"
Brown, and their friends, "Fat," "Reddy" and others.

The books are written so the boy may read and understand them
and the action faithfully portrays boy life in a small town.

* * * * *

CIRCUS DAY AT MERRYVALE

"Toad" and "Reddy," by good fortune, each earn two tickets to
the circus, although they find watering elephants a harder task
than it at first seemed. A jolly party of boys visit the circus.

FATHER BROWN'S INDIAN TALE

Dad's story is followed by an unexpected visitor who at first
startles then interests all of the little party gathered around
the fireside.

THE PICNIC AT MERRYVALE

Did you ever go to a picnic in a large farm wagon, filled with
boys and girls? Then did you catch a fine lot of trout and broil
them before a camp-fire? "Toad" and "Reddy" did these very things
and had a day long to be remembered.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IN MERRYVALE

Daddy Williams' Toy Shop is the center of interest to "Toad" and
his friends long before Christmas arrives. They plan a surprise
that brings joy to a poor family. The boys erect snow forts and
the two sides have a battle royal.

MERRYVALE BOYS ON THE FARM

"Toad's" grandmother invites him and "Reddy" to spend a month
in the country. Their experiences at Sunnyside farm, with its
horses, cows, pigs and chickens, are most entertainingly told,
and they have the time of their lives boating, swimming and
fishing in the creek.

HALLOWE'EN AT MERRYVALE

For many days the boys had been looking forward to the party to
be held at Toad Brown's house, but the evening finally arrived
and a number of new games were played, although a few things
happened which were not on the program.

_Illustrations in Color 12mo. Cloth 40c per Vol., Postpaid_

THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS
A SERIES OF BOOKS FOR BOYS

By Capt. Alan Douglas, Scout-master

* * * * *

The Campfires of the Wolf Patrol

Their first camping experience affords the scouts splendid
opportunities to us their recently acquired knowledge in a
practical way. Elmer Chenoweth, a lad from the northwest woods,
astonishes everyone by his familiarity with camp life. A clean,
wholesome story every boy should read.

Woodcraft; or, How a Patrol Leader Made Good

This tale presents many stirring situations in which the boys
are called upon to exercise ingenuity and unselfishness. A
story filled with healthful excitement.

Pathfinder; or, The Missing Tenderfoot

Some mysteries are cleared up in a most unexpected way, greatly
to the credit of our young friends. A variety of incidents
follow fast, one after the other.

Fast Nine; or, a Challenge from Fairfield

They show the same team-work here as when in camp. The description
of the final game with the team of a rival town, and the outcome
thereof, form a stirring narrative. One of the best baseball
stories of recent years.

Great Hike; or, The Pride of The Khaki Troop

After weeks of preparation the scouts start out on their
greatest undertaking. Their march takes them far from home, and
the good-natured rivalry of the different patrols furnishes many
interesting and amusing situations.

Endurance Test; or, How Clear Grit Won the Day

Few stories "get" us more than illustrations of pluck in the face
of apparent failure. Our heroes show the stuff they are made of
and surprise their most ardent admirers. One of the best stories
Captain Douglas has written.

Under Canvas; or, The Hunt for the Cartaret Ghost

It was hard to disbelieve the evidence of their eyes but the boys
by the exercise of common-sense solved a mystery which had long
puzzled older heads.

Storm-bound; or, a Vacation Among the Snow Drifts

The boys start out on the wrong track, but their scout training
comes to the rescue and their experience proves beneficial to
all concerned.

* * * * *

Boy Scout Nature Lore to be Found in The Hickory Ridge Boy
Scout Series, all illustrated:--

Wild Animals of the United States--Tracking--Trees and
Wild Flowers of the United States--Reptiles of the United
States--Fishes of the United States--Insects of the United
States and Birds of the United States.

_Cloth Binding Cover Illustrations in Four Colors 40c. Per Volume_

The Campfire and Trail Series

1. IN CAMP ON THE BIG SUNFLOWER.

2. THE RIVALS OF THE TRAIL.

3. THE STRANGE CABIN ON CATAMOUNT ISLAND.

4. LOST IN THE GREAT DISMAL SWAMP.

5. WITH TRAPPER JIM IN THE NORTH WOODS.

6. CAUGHT IN A FOREST FIRE.

7. CHUMS OF THE CAMPFIRE.

8. AFLOAT ON THE FLOOD.

By LAWRENCE J. LESLIE.

A series of wholesome stories for boys told in an interesting
way and appealing to their love of the open.

_Each, 12mo. Cloth. 40 cents per volume_

THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
201 EAST 12th STREET NEW YORK