"Well, what would you suggest as a cash-catching stunt?" asked Anne. "You are generally a prize suggester."
"We might have a bazaar," said Nora after a moment's thought, "with ever so many different booths. We could have a gypsy camp, and tell fortunes, and we could have some Spanish dancers, and, oh, lots of things. We could have it in Assembly Hall and have tents with all these shows going on."
"Oh, splendid!" cried Grace. "And we could get the High School mandolin club for an orchestra. If we hurried we could have it week after next, on Thanksgiving night."
"And we could have a Mystery Auction," interposed Marian Barber eagerly.
"What on earth is a 'Mystery Auction'?" inquired Nora and Jessica in a breath.
"Why we write notes to every one in Oakdale, asking for some kind of contribution, anything from a jar of pickles to hand-painted china. Then all these things are tied up in packages and auctioned off to the highest bidder. There is a whole lot of money in it, for people often try to outbid each other, and the fun of the thing is that no one knows what he or she is bidding on."
"Marian Barber," exclaimed Grace, "that's a positive inspiration! You clever, clever girl!"
"Oh, don't think for a minute that I originated the idea," said Marian hastily. "A cousin of mine wrote me about it last winter. They had a 'Mystery Auction' at a bazaar that was held in the town she lives."
"Well it's a brilliant idea at any rate, and I can see us fairly coining money. Now we must all work with a will and put the affair through in fine style," responded Grace warmly.
"Oh, girls, the boys will be at home in time for it!" exclaimed Jessica in rapture.