Mary Louise that Alora Jones improved on acquaintance. There were many admirable traits in her character that had lain until developed by association with two girls of her own age who were themselves gentle and considerate. It is true that Alora at times was still headstrong and willful and unable to her tongue when irritated, but neither Mary Louise nor Irene ever reproved her by word or look, so that she grew ashamed of her outbursts and when at home her father aroused her to anger she fled to her girl friends and sought in their companionship the to her vexation. The two friends had decided it was unwise to comment on Alora's unhappy family relations and soon she discovered this and refrained from burdening them with her home quarrels.  
No one could witness Irene's patient resignation to misfortune without admiring her character and being touched by her bravery and gentleness, and association with this crippled girl was Alora's hard and nature wonderfully. Had the association continued it might have the heiress from many of the faults she had acquired through years of neglect and rebellion against fate, but the close triumvirate of girl friends was suddenly dissolved, early in July, by no less a person than Will Morrison—a wealthy and natured gentleman who was a friend of both the Conants and Colonel Hathaway.
 
Will Morrison had purchased a yacht; it was anchored in the breakwater near the Chicago Yacht Club, and its owner intended making a summer trip through the Great Lakes and cordially invited the Conants and Irene, and Mary Louise and Colonel Hathaway to accompany his party.
 
Unfortunately, Mrs. Conant at that time was ill. She had contracted a lingering but mild form of spring fever that would keep her in bed for weeks, and Irene, who was to her aunt, would not leave her to the mercies of a nurse. Mary Louise wanted to go, though, for the Morrisons were people and any yacht they purchased would be sure to be safe and comfortable.
 
Since the Conants could not go, Mary Louise suggested to her grandfather that they ask Will Morrison to invite Alora Jones, and the Colonel approved the idea because he thought it would do Alora much good to with refined people such as were sure to form the yacht party. So, when he answered Mr. Morrison's letter, he told him something of Alora and asked permission to fetch her along.
 
"I'm not at all sure," he said to Mary Louise, "that Mr. Jones will permit Alora to go with us."
 
"Nor am I," the girl replied; "but perhaps Alora can him to consent. It might be a good idea for you to ask him, too, Gran'pa Jim."
 
"My dear!" he , "do you think I ought to hazard that man's and insults, even to favor your friend Alora?"
 
"No; I do not, Gran'pa Jim," she laughingly rejoined. "That was a foolish suggestion, and I withdraw it. If Alora fails, I'll speak to him myself. I'm not afraid of Jason Jones, and he doesn't at me as he does at poor Lory."
 
They did not mention the proposal to Alora until the Colonel had received a telegram from Will Morrison saying: "By all means invite Miss Jones to join us. Knew her mother, once, and will be glad to have her with us."
 
Alora was delighted at the of a yachting trip and decided at once that she would go, especially as Colonel Hathaway said she would be Mary Louise's guest on the trip to Chicago and no money would be needed for expenses. So she attacked her father in a somewhat original manner.
 
Mr. Jones had conceived a passion for flying and had just purchased an aeroplane. He was to begin his lessons at once and was so immersed in his strange fancy that he paid little to anything else. His books were neglected. His former quiet life—amounting almost to physical inertion—had given place to a nervous and all- consuming desire to master the rather art of aviation. Alora was quite of this , for as usual Jason Jones kept his own counse............