and tell fortunes, and we could have some Spanish dancers, and,
oh, lots of things. We could have it in Assembly Hall and have
tents with all these shows going on."

"Oh, splendid!" cried Grace. "And we could get the High School
mandolin club for an orchestra. If we hurried we could have it
week after next, on Thanksgiving night."

"And we could have a Mystery Auction," interposed Marian Barber
eagerly.

"What on earth is a 'Mystery Auction'?" inquired Nora and Jessica
in a breath.

"Why we write notes to every one in Oakdale, asking for some kind
of contribution, anything from a jar of pickles to hand-painted
china. Then all these things are tied up in packages and auctioned
off to the highest bidder. There is a whole lot of money in it,
for people often try to outbid each other, and the fun of the
thing is that no one knows what he or she is bidding on."

"Marian Barber," exclaimed Grace, "that's a positive inspiration!
You clever, clever girl!"

"Oh, don't think for a minute that I originated the idea," said
Marian hastily. "A cousin of mine wrote me about it last winter.
They had a 'Mystery Auction' at a bazaar that was held in the town
she lives."

"Well it's a brilliant idea at any rate, and I can see us fairly