The Mystery in Arizona

a wonderful Christmas present for him.”
    “I know,” Di agreed. “It was really very mean of them to disappoint him. If we knew their names and where they were staying, I’d call them up and tell them what I think of them!”
    “Rosita is someone else who bothers me,” Trixie continued. “She’s just got to go back to school at the end of the holidays. But I haven’t thought of any way of solving her problems, have you?”
    “No,” Honey replied, “especially since she won’t discuss them with us. If she weren’t so proud, I’d talk her into borrowing the four hundred dollars she needs from Daddy. I know he’d love to lend it to her, and she could easily pay him back after she starts working as a flight stewardess.”
    “My father would be glad to lend her the money, too,” Di added. “And so would Uncle Monty, I’m sure. But since we aren’t supposed to know that she needs money, what can we do?”
    Just then Uncle Monty burst in from the east patio, and right behind him were a pretty young girl and two tall boys.
    “Guess what?” he shouted, rubbing his hands together gleefully. “Mr. Wellingtons children have arrived unexpectedly.”
    “Wha-at?” Trixie almost fell off the top of the ladder. The girl moved forward, smiling. Tm Sally Wellington, and I can guess who you all are from the descriptions Dad gave us in his letters.” She shook her finger at each one in turn. “Trixie, Di, and Honey. Right?”
    “Right,” they chorused in amazement.
    Sally introduced her brothers then. “Bob is Mart’s age,” she said, “and Billy is a little bit older than Jim. And as you can see, they’re both as dark as Brian.”
    “My goodness!” Honey cried. “Your father must have sent you colored pictures of us!”
    “Almost,” Billy replied, laughing. “He wrote us reams about you kids and made everything here sound so wonderful that we decided to fly out, after all. But,” he added, lowering his voice, “we want it to be a surprise. Do you think you can hide us somewhere until this evening?” he asked Uncle Monty.
    “Certainly,” he replied. “Come on. You can hide in your own cabin. It’s been kept all ready for you right along.”
    “Is that right?” Bob looked very shamefaced. “Gosh, Dad must have been hoping against hope that we’d change our minds.”
    Trixie climbed down from the ladder. “He was terribly disappointed when you told him you weren’t going to spend Christmas with him,” she said soberly. “And I don’t think you should wait until this evening to let him know that you’re here. You’ve been cruel enough to him as it is without—without,” she finished, flushing, “prolonging the agony.”
    “I agree with Trix,” Di said staunchly, and Honey nodded vehemently.
    “The girls are right,” Uncle Monty added. “Your father is down by the pool. Don’t you want to go to him now?” He started off toward the door to the west patio.
    Sally’s cheeks were even redder than Trixie’s. “Yes, we do,” she almost shouted, and, grabbing her brothers’ hands, she raced off after Uncle Monty.
    When the glass doors were closed behind them, Trixie said with satisfaction, “Well, that’s that. If only we could solve Rosita’s problems as easily!”

A Dream Come True • 21

    THE CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY turned out to be, as everyone agreed, the best party imaginable. The supper, which Mrs. Sherman produced with the help of the boys, was a delicious mixture of American and Mexican cooking.
    Afterward they all trooped into the living room where the piñata, in the shape of a reindeer, hung from the ceiling. One by one, the guests were blindfolded and given a chance to break the piñata. Most came nowhere near it, wandering, helpless with laughter, in exactly the opposite direction.
    And then, to the amazement of everyone, little Miss Jane Brown walked straight across to a spot directly under the reindeer, raised the stick, and, with one whack, broke it. Down came a shower of little presents, each one labeled with the name of a guest. Even Sally Wellington and her brothers were included, because Uncle Monty had made a special last-minute trip to town in order to buy gifts for the three of them.
    Sally’s present was a tiny silver bobsled to put on her charm bracelet.
    “It’s lovely,” she cried delightedly. “And just what I needed. I’ve got something to represent all of the other outdoor sports already. See?” She held out her graceful arm so that