By ten o'clock the farm wagons began to drive up，loaded with women and children，for all were invited except the grown men.This was the ？rst occasion within a generation when such an entertainment had been given at Elmhurst，and the only one within the memory of man where the neighbors and country people had been invited guests.So all were eager to attend and enjoy the novel event.
The gardens and grounds were gaily decorated with Chinese and Japanese lanterns，streamers and Forbes banners.There were great tanks of lemonade，and tables covered with candies and fruits for the children，and maids and other servants distributed the things and looked after the comfort of the guests.The band played briskly，and before noon the scene was one of great animation.A speakers'stand，profusely decorated，had been erected on the lawn，and hundreds of folding chairs provided for seats.The attendance was unexpectedly large，and the girls were delighted，foreseeing great success for their fêtea.
"We ought to have more attendants，Beth，"said Louise，approaching her cousin."Won't you run into the house and see if Martha can't spare one or two more maids？"Beth went at once，and found the housekeeper in her little room.Martha was old and somewhat feeble in body，buther mind was still active and her long years of experience in directing the household at Elmhurst made her a very useful and important personage.She was very fond of the young ladies，whom she had known when Aunt Jane was the mistress here，and Beth was her especial favorite.
So she greeted the girl cordially，and said：
"Maids？My dear，I haven't another one to give you，and my legs are too tottering to be of any use.I counted on Eliza Parsons，the new girl I hired for the linen room and to do mending；but Eliza said she had a headache this morning and couldn't stand the sun，so I let her off.But she didn't seem very sick to me.""Perhaps she is better and will help us until after the luncheon is served，"said Beth."Where is she，Martha？I'll go and ask her.""I'd better show you the way，miss.She's in her ownroom."The housekeeper led the way and Beth followed.When she rapped upon the door，a sweet，quiet voice said：
"Come in."
The girl entered，and gave an involuntary cry of surprise.Standing before her was the young girl she had seen riding with Mr.Hopkins—the girl she had declared to be the missing daughter of Mrs.Rogers.
For a moment Beth stood staring，while the new maidregarded her with composure and a slight smile upon herbeautiful face.She was dressed in the regulation costume of the maids at Elmhurst，a plain black gown with white apron and cap.
"I—I beg your pardon，"said Beth，with a slight gasp；for the likeness to Mrs.Rogers was something amazing."Aren't you Lucy Rogers？"The maid raised her eyebrows with a gesture of genuine surprise.Then she gave a little laugh，and replied：
"No，Miss Beth.I'm Elizabeth Parsons."
"But it can't be，"protested the girl."How do you know my name，and why haven't I seen you here before？""I'm not a very important person at Elmhurst，"replied Eliza，in a pleasant，even tone."I obtained the situation only a few days ago.I attend to the household mending，you know，and care for the linen.But one can't be here without knowing the names of the young ladies，so I recognize you as Miss Beth，one of Mr.Forbes's cousins.""You speak like an educated person，"said Beth，wonderingly."Where is your home？"For the ？rst time the maid seemed a little confused，and her gaze wandered from the face of her visitor.
"Will you excuse my answering that question？"she asked.
"It is very simple and natural，"persisted Beth."Why cannot you answer it？""Excuse me，please.I—I am not well today.I have a headache."She sat down in a rocking chair，and clasping her hands in her lap，rocked slowly back and forth.
"I'm sorry，"said Beth."I hoped you would be able to assist me on the lawn.There are so many people that we can't give them proper attention."Eliza Parsons shook her head.
"I am not able，"she declared."I abhora crowds.They—they excite me，in some way，and I—I can't bear them.You must excuse me."Beth looked at the strange girl without taking the hint to retire.Somehow，she could not rid herself of the impression that whether or not she was mistaken in supposing Eliza to be the missing Lucy，she had stumbled uponb a sphinxc whose riddle was well worth solving.
But Eliza bore the scrutiny with quiet unconcern.She even seemed mildly amused at the attention she attracted.Beth was a beautiful girl—the handsomest of the three cousins，byfar；yet Eliza surpassed her in natural charm，and seemedwell aware of the fact.Her manner was neither independent nor assertive，but rather one of well—bred composure and calm reliance.Beth felt that she was intruding and knew that she ought to go；yet some fascination held her to the spot.Her eyes wandered to the maid's hands.However her features and form might repress any evidence of nervousness，these handstold a different story.The thin fingers clasped and unclasped in little spasmodica jerks and beliedb the quiet smile upon the face above them.
"I wish，"said Beth，slowly，"I knew you."
A sudden wave of scarlet swept over Eliza's face.She rose quickly to her feet，with an impetuous gesture that made her visitor catch her breath.
"I wish I knew myself，"she cried，ercely."Why do youannoy me in this manner？What am I to you？Will you leave me alone in my own room，or must I go away to escape you？""I will go，"said Beth，a little frightened at the passionateappeal.
Eliza closed the door behind her with a decided slam，and a key clicked in the lock.The sound made Beth indignant，and she hurried back to where her cousins were busy with the laughing，chattering throng of visitors.