[Gutenberg 44401] • The Phantom Yacht

The face of Dories Moore was as dismal as the day was bright. It was Indian summer and the maple trees under which she was hurrying were joyfully arrayed in red and gold, while crimson, yellow and purple flowers nodded at her from the gardens that she passed with unseeing eyes. She was almost blinded with tears; her scarlet tam was awry, as though she had put it on hurriedly, and her sweater coat, of the same cheerful hue, was unbuttoned and flapping as she fairly ran down the village street. In her hand was a note which had been the cause of the tears and the haste. On it were a few penciled words: "Dori dear, we are leaving sooner than we expected. I'm sending this to you by little Johnnie-next-door. Do come right over and say good-bye to someone who loves you best of all. "Your sister-friend, "Nann."