“Well,” said Miss Gladden, “for one thing, we must have plenty of music; have neither of you gentlemen any musical instruments with you?”
“Not I,” replied Houston, while Rutherford answered, laughing, “I have a banjo that I brought along to amuse myself with in case I got lonesome, but I’ve had no use for it so far, I’ve had such good company here.”
“A very graceful compliment, thank you,” said Miss Gladden, smiling, “but bring the banjo by all means, we will have use for it to-morrow, and I have just thought of something else for the occasion,––but I’m not going to divulge all my plans, we must keep something for a surprise, mustn’t we, Lyle?”
Lyle laughed merrily; “I’m not going to tell a single plan of mine; you will all find when we reach the place, what a mountain picnic means.”
“But can we not even know where we are going?” asked Rutherford, with a tragic air.
“You would not know if I should tell you,” responded Lyle, “we are going to Sunset Park.”
“Sunset Park!” they exclaimed, “where is that?”
“Is it in any way connected with the Sunrise mine of recent fame?” inquired Houston.
“No,” replied Lyle, “it is across the lake; you remember the landing I showed you among the rocks? You follow the broad trail leading up the mountains, and you will come to a beautiful plateau on the west side, as level as a floor,––but I’m not going to tell you about it, you must first see it for yourselves.”
The next morning, immediately after breakfast, while Houston still stood talking with Miss Gladden and Rutherford, the graceful form of Lyle suddenly darted past them, her face nearly concealed by an enormous sunbonnet.