Chapter 20

COMMENCEMENT

Commencement was over. The service in the little church had been very simple, but very beautiful. The Seniors dressed in the daintiest of white lawn dresses had received their diplomas, and marched slowly down the center aisle.

There had been a hurried scramble back to school. A change of clothes and then the long line of carriages had started for the station.

Polly stood on the last step of the Senior porch. Lois and her mother and father had just left for the train. They were returning to Albany for a little while before leaving for the summer vacation.

Polly was going back to New York with Uncle Roddy in his car. She watched the last carriage out of sight. There was an unnatural silence about the school buildings and she looked dejectedly at the deserted grounds. Uncle Roddy was saying good-by to Mrs. Baird at the door.

"Are you ready to start, Tiddledewinks?" he asked, handing her suitcase to the chauffeur, and waiting to help her in the car.

Polly turned to Mrs. Baird.

"I suppose so; it's all over and I can't think of any excuse to stay," she said, making a pitiful attempt at a smile.

"Dear child," Mrs. Baird said, affectionately, "don't talk like that. Seddon Hall always has a place for all her girls; a diploma doesn't make any difference and I can promise that there will always be an extra warm welcome for a certain little girl."

Polly kissed her impulsively. "I'll be back so often next year that you'll get tired of me," she laughed, as she got into the car. Mrs. Baird waved until they turned the bend in the road. Polly looked back in a last farewell, until the buildings on the hill were a tiny speck. Then she turned to her uncle. "Uncle Roddy," she said, seriously, "do you remember what you said to me the first night I was home, after my Freshman year?"

"No, dear; not particularly," Uncle Roddy replied. "What was it?"

"You told me that you hoped every year of my life would be happier than the last," she told him. "Well it has, up until now, but I feel suddenly lost. What am I going to do?"

Uncle Roddy laughed and he took her hand.

"You're going to begin a new chapter in life, dear," he said, seriously, "and I think you'll find it more interesting and fuller than the last."

"Will I?" Polly asked, wonderingly.

"Yes," Uncle Roddy said, confidently. "It will be fuller and more worth while. I know I can trust my Tiddledewinks to make it that."

Polly pondered in silence for a few minutes. Then her frown disappeared and she gave herself a little shake thereby dismissing all regrets. She turned to look back in the direction of the school.

"Good-by, dear old Seddon Hall," she said, smiling, "I'm ready for the next chapter."

THE END

THE POLLY PENDLETON SERIES

BY DOROTHY WHITEHILL

Polly Pendleton is a resourceful, wide-awake American girl who goes to a boarding school on the Hudson River some miles above New York. By her pluck and resourcefulness, she soon makes a place for herself and this she holds right through the course. The account of boarding school life is faithful and pleasing and will attract every girl in her teens.

1 POLLY'S FIRST YEAR AT BOARDING SCHOOL 2 POLLY'S SUMMER VACATION 3 POLLY'S SENIOR YEAR AT BOARDING SCHOOL 4 POLLY SEES THE WORLD AT WAR 5 POLLY AND LOIS

_Cloth, Large 12mo., Illustrated._

Dorothy Whitehill Series

_For Girls_

Here is a sparkling new series of stories for girls--just what they will like, and ask for more of the same kind. It is all about twin sisters, who for the first few years in their lives grow up in ignorance of each other's existence. Then they are at last brought together and things begin to happen. Janet is an independent go-ahead sort of girl; while her sister Phyllis is--but meet the twins for yourself and be entertained.

5 Titles, Cloth, large 12mo.

Covers in color.

1. JANET, A TWIN 2. PHYLLIS, A TWIN 3. THE TWINS IN THE WEST 4. THE TWINS IN THE SOUTH 5. THE TWINS' SUMMER VACATION

THE MARY JANE SERIES

BY CLARA INGRAM JUDSON

Cloth, 12mo. Illustrated.

With picture inlay and wrapper.

Mary Jane is the typical American little girl who bubbles over with fun and the good things in life. We meet her here on a visit to her grandfather's farm where she becomes acquainted with farm life and farm animals and thoroughly enjoys the experience. We next see her going to kindergarten and then on a visit to Florida, and then--but read the stories for yourselves.

Exquisitely and charmingly written are these books which every little girl from five to nine years old will want from the first book to the last.

1 MARY JANE--HER BOOK 2 MARY JANE--HER VISIT 3 MARY JANE'S KINDERGARTEN 4 MARY JANE DOWN SOUTH 5 MARY JANE'S CITY HOME 6 MARY JANE IN NEW ENGLAND

THE TOMLINSON SERIES

BY EVERETT T. TOMLINSON.

Interest in school life is perpetual. The young student, facing new surroundings, finds an element of romance and strong appeal; and to the older graduate college days recall some of the most pleasant memories of the past.

Here are stories of school life and athletics, full of action and human interest. They deal with problems of life common to students and inspire the manly attributes of self-reliance and strength of character.

THE PENNANT. CAPTAIN DAN RICHARDS. CARL HALL OF TAIT. JACK STONE OF TAIT SCHOOL.

(Other volumes in preparation)

_Cloth, Large 12mo., Illustrated._

For sale at all bookstores or sent (postage paid) on receipt of price by the publishers.

THE GO AHEAD BOYS

BY ROSS KAY.

_I leave this rule for others when I'm dead:_ _Be always sure you're right--THEN GO AHEAD._

--_Davy Crockett's Motto._

The love of adventure is inborn in all normal boys. Action is almost a supreme demand in all the stories they read with most pleasure. Here is presented a series of rattling good adventure stories which every live "go ahead" boy will read with unflagging interest. There is action, dash and snap in every tale yet the tone is healthful and there is an underlying vein of resourcefulness and strength that is worth while.

1 THE GO AHEAD BOYS ON SMUGGLERS' ISLAND. 2 THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND THE TREASURE CAVE. 3 THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND THE MYSTERIOUS OLD HOUSE. 4 THE GO AHEAD BOYS IN THE ISLAND CAMP. 5 THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND THE RACING MOTOR BOAT. 6 THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND SIMON'S MINE.

(Other volumes in preparation)

_Cloth, Large 12mo., Illustrated._

_Thrilling Tales That Teach True Patriotism_

FLAG & COUNTRY SERIES

By PAUL G. TOMLINSON

When the World War broke out, Bob Cook and his friend Hugh were in High School. They chafed at being too young to enlist, but soon found that there was plenty to do for their country right at home. And later they found that they could do still bigger things.

These are real boys' books for real boys. Each story contains mystery, excitement, or adventure from the very first chapter to the last.

_Cloth, Large 12 mo., Illustrated._

Bob Cook and the German Spy Bob Cook and the German Air Fleet Bob Cook's Brother in the Trenches Bob Cook and the Winged Messengers Bob Cook and the Bomb Plot

BARSE & HOPKINS NEWARK N. J. NEW YORK N. Y.