“We all of us love you, Gertrude,
Sweetest and dearest of girls,
And, that you may never forget us,
Accept this string of friendship pearls.”
Sudden tears rushed to the eyes of the beautiful lassie, who was indeed dearly loved, but they were tears of gratitude and joy.
“But—I thought no one knew it was my birthday,” Trudie said when the pearls had been clasped about her neck, then she added happily, “I love you all, too, and I thank you!”
Gertrude thought her cup of happiness was brimming full, but another sweet joy was coming to her that night.
Then little Betty stepped forward holding a long velvet box.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
A BUD OF A ROMANCE
Another hour of dancing passed and then Madame Deriby arose and nodded smilingly at Adele. This being a signal upon which they had agreed, all of the girls with their partners fell into line and marched joyously about the hall, then filed out of the wide doors and into the orchard. There a festive scene lay before them.
From the branches of the gnarled old trees many gaily colored Chinese lanterns hung, and underneath, small tables were scattered about with graceful Hawaiian waiters in attendance.
“I feel as though I had been suddenly transported to some magical far-away garden,” Adele said to Donald Burnley as they sat together at one of the small tables where were also Jack and Doris.