Dorothy Dales Camping Days | Page 7

dear old Dalton," replied Dorothy. "Father and
the boys are going with me to settle things up there. Then we will go to
Aunt Winnie's. I hope you and I will be able to spend our vacations
together. You know I am going to camp with Cologne, and she has
included you in the invitation."
"As Dorothy's paper-weight--no, it can't be that--I could never keep
anything down--it must have been Dorothy's watch-charm," interrupted
Tavia, with a slight show of sarcasm.
"Rose-Mary was particularly anxious that you should come, Tavia,"
declared Dorothy, with emphasis, "and she has the reputation of never
giving an insincere invitation. She likes you, and wants to enjoy you, as
well as to have you enjoy yourself."
"Three cheers for the enjoys," retorted Tavia, "and may their shadow
never grow less. But say, Dorothy, how did you get out of the scrape? I
was a traitor to run, but somehow I couldn't stand for Higley's look.
When she puts her alleged features at half mast, and sounds taps, I have
to quit."
"But we had to stand. I can't see any good reason for telling you about
it--making a report to the deserter."
"Now, Doro," and Tavia fairly melted into sweetness, "I simply cannot
slumber until I have heard. Did Nita peach?"
"There was nothing to hide in our part of the--comedy," declared
Dorothy. "Of course, we skipped the man part, and left out the hay cart
dump, besides omitting the sheep act, and forgetting the farmer's

whip----"
"Hip! Hip!" threatened Tavia. "Couldn't have done better myself. And
no one ordered to the guard house?"
"You have not yet been accounted for," said Dorothy, with well-aimed
meaning. "Miss Higley said she would see to your account herself."
"Will, eh? Not if I see her first. Did any one say I was there? I should
think, with such remarkable skill at omitting, that you might have had
the good taste to omit me."
"Tavia, does it strike you that this is packing-up night? That to-morrow
we make all our bouquets of remembrance, more or less artificial, and
that the day following----"
"We flit the flutter! And good riddance! I just abhor school--notice how
I have improved? Last year I 'hated' it."
"And I must admit you have improved otherwise than in your
vocabulary," said Dorothy. "Seems to me you have grown almost tall."
"Thanks, pretty maiden. Any more in stock like that?" and Tavia
jumped up to get a look in the glass. "Tell me, before I shrink--in your
opinion," she begged, making queer passes before the mirror. "But say,
Doro, do you ever take a look at yourself? I have to say you are simply
splendid, and that's putting it mild. The Dalton youths will be suiciding
on account of the returned Calla--that lily is the one that stands beings
boxed up without food or--atmosphere--for half the year, I believe,
hence my comparison: you have withstood Glenwood, and come out of
the ring more beautiful than when you entered. Oh, you need not
protest! Everybody admits that you are a perfect Dresden, animated, of
course," and Tavia gazed with unstinted admiration at the girl under the
study lamp.
"Well, I hope I have not actually grown homely," conceded Dorothy,
"for Aunt Winnie is so fond of a good appearance."

"Your hair is darker--that is, on the ripe corn shade. I like that better
than the fourteen karat variety. I only wish mine would turn mahogany.
I have a mind to turn it."
"I wonder the thoughts do not poison the roots--the idea of you saying a
word against your hair! Why, it's simply wonderful! Edna says it sings
in the sunshine."
"Oh, Ned pities me I suppose--she has such a fine crop herself. But I
would--love--to--be handsome!"
"Suppose you start in to drag down some of that stuff you insist on
taking home, Tavia," said Dorothy, indicating the decorations that hung
on Tavia's side of the room. "Then it will be handsome is as----"
"Handsome didn't," misquoted Tavia. "I don't mind dragging it down,
but I have a mind to get some one to help me. I might give out that we
were having a 'doings' and so entice Ned Ebony, and a couple of the
others."
"You compendium of laziness! You proverbial prolonger! There, I have
used up more energy in giving expression to those expressions----"
"Than I should have used up in expressing the whole art gallery via the
Amalgamated Express Company. Now, Doro, I am going to give a
dragging-down evening. If you have anything you value, that might get
in the drag, take notice," and she left the room, to gather in the innocent
victims of her plot.
Dorothy laughed. She did love Tavia, and once more they were
separating from the days and nights