either doors nor windows unlocked, and the r

from their parents saying that

p from the table in such a hurry that she very nearly upset

?" he asked, with a smile. "What

remarked his sister condescendingly, as she put on the

her, "that this house has to be immaculate before mother

his bacon and eggs with a relieved sigh. "If you need any help," he

d back Billie, making a fac

ting and throwing about of furniture that poor Chet wa

ery pretty, took him by the arm and led him about to adm

and Billie, appetite sharpened

rning, but somehow the time came at last, findi

Billie was swinging back and forth in the porch swing, grasping a cushion in e

said Billie so suddenly

just s

" invited Chet amiably. However, for the sake of pea

Billie, as she had asked many tim

ch, "take this and keep looking at it.

an't go down to the stati

hundred times more com

" wailed Billie, and Chet jum

train several times according to you. In

aid Billie, snuggling her a

what you want," he admitted, adding meaningly: "Besides, I'

ked Billi

ft you something. You wer

ook in her eyes. But her glance fell

broken "Girl Reading a Book" rose reproachfully before her and she thought

he thought and had opened her mouth to speak when t

"it's the train! W

he took hold of her arm. "Come on! No, not

he passengers eagerly, but not at first seeing those they sought, had almost decided that they wer

ame within hailing distance. "We thought you w

noticed that their parents seemed to be in a state

much wondering about anything, and they walked slowly tow

her, at which both Chet and Billie tried to tell the story of

. Bradley chuckled, but M

"But it might have been very serious.

and if it hadn't been for Chet I would have piled furniture against the doors. But we want to know what you'

and pinched his impatien

n wait till we get t

't," prote

really expected to hear

be enjoying himself i

time-and Chet, in his quiet way, was just as bad. There was something about

g by inches,"

was Mrs. Bradle

"Can't you give Dad and me a chance to

penitently. "I might have known you would b

ar to go, however, for Debbie was just lumbering, like a good-natured elephant, through the hall to greet he

stions their mother had to ask them about all that had happene

. Bradley led the way back into the libr

always supposed about the amount of money Aunt Beatrice had was right. She left onl

ppointed. She had not known just how much she had hoped, both for herself and for Chet,

anything either to yo

g to you and Billie," was Mrs.

ne another as if to be sure

s something?" cried

away with you," Mr. Bradley warne

two commanded eag

h, Chet, and worth a good deal of money. And to Billie-" She paused for emphasis and Billie

unable to believe her ears while Chet looked i

-fashioned rambling affair. It must have been considered rather handsome in its palmy years, and it has been in the Powerson family for generations. In fact, I believe it dates back

onder. Then she added, without thinking-as Billie always did: "Oh, don't I wish