"I coaxed the story from her," Mr. Lee told his wife and Barbara later; "that child wanted to see Midway Beach! Do you remember how hard she begged to go with the Clarks when they went over and how unreasonable she thought we were in refusing? Well, she just made up her mind to go alone. She took her bathing suit and her pennies. She walked from here to Middletown, took the trolley there for the city. On the trolley she saw a party of picnickers headed for Midway Beach and she just walked along with them. It was very simple. She watched the merry-go-rounds and spent all her pennies! When it began to grow dark she laid down on the beach and fell asleep. They found her there, later, after young Murdock had given the alarm of a child lost! She didn't seem to be frightened until they handed her over to a policeman to take her back to the city; then the seriousness of her runaway must have come to her. I do not think you will have to worry that she will do it again." Up in her cot Alice lay wide awake. Beside her Peggy and Keineth, exhausted by their anxiety, were breathing heavily. Below Alice could hear voices that she knew were her father's and mother's. She wished awfully that her mother would come to her! With a child's instinct she had read on her mother's face the suffering she had caused. Suddenly she felt terribly alone--perhaps none of them would love her now or want her back. She had been so very, very naughty. She clutched the blanket with frightened fingers. The voices ceased below and in a moment Alice saw her mother's face bending over her. With a little cry she threw her arms about the dear neck. "Oh, Mammy, Mammy," she cried, in a passion of sobs, "say you love me--say you want me back! I don't ever, ever, ever want to go away alone! I thought it would be fun--I didn't think I was so naughty. Hold me close, Mammy----" exhausted, she hid her face. "Oh, my dear--my baby," the mother breathed in comfort and forgiveness, and the loving arms did not relax their hold until the child was fast asleep. "I think, Billy," said Mr. Lee, the next morning, "the family will present to you with their compliments the finest sending set we can find!" "And aren't they useful?" Billy cried in just triumph. CHAPTER VIII A PAGE FROM HISTORY