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Lyon's sudden and unexpected death caused great excitement and consternation the next morning at Glengrove. "Oh, dear!" cried Gertie, "how provokingly unfortunate for her to die just now! Why couldn't she have waited until after our birthday party?
"Of course we must call upon her if she is to be Rex's wife," said Gertie, spitefully. "I foresee she will be exceedingly popular." "We must also invite her to Glengrove," said Bess, thoughtfully. "It is the least we can do, and it is expected of us.
"Child!" cried Birdie. "I am ten years old. I shall soon be a young lady like Bess and Gertie, over at Glengrove." "And Eve," suggested Rex, the shadow of a smile flickering around his mouth.
"I guess he's found her!" cried the sympathizing men. "Let us go and see." They found John Brooks insensible, lying prone on his face, grasping a tiny little glove in one hand, and in the other a snowy little handkerchief, which bore, in one corner, worked in fanciful design, the name of "Daisy." Glengrove was one of the most beautiful spots in the south of Florida.
"I am determined she shall not remain here," Bessie Glenn was saying. "I heartily indorse your opinion," said Gertie, slowly. And for once in her life the tongue of reckless Eve was silent. She looked thoughtfully out of the window. The first week of Daisy's stay at Glengrove passed quickly. She was beginning to feel quite at home with Mrs. Glenn and Eve, but Bessie and Gertie held aloof from her.
Slowly the long hours of the night dragged themselves by, yet Daisy did not return to Glengrove. The hours lengthened into days, and days into weeks, still there was no trace of her to be found. Gertie's explanation readily accounted for her absence. "She preferred to leave us rather than deliver my note," she said, angrily; "and I for one am not sorry she has gone."
Suddenly a horseman, riding a coal-black charger, came cantering swiftly up the long avenue of trees. He saw the quiet figure standing leaning against the drooping branches. "I will inquire the way," he said to himself, drawing rein beside her. "Can you tell me, madame, if this is the most direct road leading to Glengrove and that vicinity? I am looking for a hostelry near it.
To the left of the house was a large shrubbery which opened on to a wide carriage-drive leading to the main road, but the principal attraction of Glengrove was its magnificent orange grove, where the brilliant sunshine loved to linger longest among the dark-green boughs, painting the luscious fruit with its own golden coloring from green to gold.
The fair beauty of the young girl's face did not please her. "I have always dreaded fair women," she thought to herself, "they are the most dangerous of rivals. If she stays at Glengrove I shall see she is kept well in the background." While in the morning-room below the three girls were discussing the new turn of affairs vigorously.
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