"But when I saw you step to turn on the light I thought something happened--I saw you start." "Belle, my dear, you are too romantic," said Cora, evasively. "I am afraid I shall have to disappoint you this time, however, for my callers scarcely said a single word that was new. They are just looking for our runaways. And I do wonder where the poor, dear, lost, little things may be to-night!" "Isn't it dreadful to think about it! I have read of such things, but to think that we really--know the girls." There was a catch in Belle's voice when she said "know the girls." Plainly she had her doubts about the desirability of their acquaintance. A whistle on the path told of Jack's return. "Dear me," exclaimed Cora, "whoever would think it is almost ten o'clock!" "And what can have become of papa and the others!" pondered Belle. "They were to call for me----" The familiar toot of the _Flyaway's_ horn interrupted her. "There they are now," declared Cora. "My! what a full evening we have had. I feel almost too flustrated to meet your Western friends," and she smoothed out various discrepancies in her toilette. "Come on, Belle," called Bess from the machine. "We can't come up. It's too late, Cora!" she continued to call, "come here a moment. I want to tell you something." At this Cora and Belle went down to the roadway. Bess was in the _Flyaway_ with her mother and a strange lady, while down near the turn, at the corner, the lights of Mr. Robinson's carriage could be seen flickering in the summer night's shadows. He had not gone on the long road taken by the auto and in consequence, the two vehicles had arrived at the same time. "Cora," began Bess, without introducing the stranger, "we have had the strangest experience! Away out on the river road we thought we heard the cry of a young girl! Yes, and we saw something white run across the road, in such a lonely place!" "Mercy!" interrupted Belle. "I am glad I was not along." "Well, papa happened to meet us there and stopped, and the coachman got out, and we looked all over the place with our lamps in hand, and see what we found!" In the uncertain light Cora could not at once make out just what was the object Bess held up for her inspection. "Don't you recognize it?" asked Bess. "Why, it's Nellie's gingham dress; the very one she wore the other day." "Oh," gasped Belle, "do you suppose they have drowned themselves!" "Come, daughter," interrupted Mrs. Robinson, "we have already heard too much of these two very--indiscreet young persons. Come, Belle, my dear, we must get home. Cora, I would not advise you to waste too much sympathy on the girls from that farm. Evidently they are quite capable of looking after themselves." This was said with that authoritative manner used by older, and more prudent persons, when trying to curb the enthusiasm of the inexperienced. Mrs. Robinson was not unkind, but she did not think it wise to let the girls' sympathy "run away with them," as her husband put it.