“I can’t begin to thank you for it,” she told the Misses Gates gratefully. “It will serve to remind me always of our thrilling adventure here at Locked Gates. And if ever the time should come when you want it back—”
Azalea shook her head.
“That time will never come, my dear. It is yours with no strings attached. Beautiful jewels were meant for young girls.”
“The ring is so beautiful I’ll be afraid of losing it.”
“You can have it reset,” Azalea suggested.
It was some time before Doris thought about asking Jake if he had brought the money which she had requested.
“No, I didn’t,” he confessed. “When I received your message, I thought something was wrong, so I just left the money in the bank and brought Marshmallow and Dave instead.”
“I’m glad you used your own judgment,” Doris assured him, “although I never would have lent that man my money when it came right down to it. Now my bank account is still intact, and I’ll have another thousand to add to it. I guess Uncle Wardell will think I have the makings of a business woman!”
Doris and Kitty planned to return home with Jake and their friends, but the Misses Gates would not hear of them departing until after luncheon. After the excitement had died down and all questions had been satisfactorily answered, the girls escorted Jake and the young men about the grounds. Kitty and Marshmallow made excellent use of the opportunity to strengthen their acquaintance.
At one o’clock the Misses Gates served a delightful meal in the garden. Since Cora and Henry Sully had departed in great haste, the twins had been forced to prepare it with their own hands, but this they insisted was an honor and a pleasure. In spite of all that had transpired, it seemed to Doris and Kitty that Azalea and Iris were far happier than they had been a few days before.