"Chet," she gasped, "it really is the train! We mustn't miss it."

"We can make it if we run," exclaimed Chet, as he took hold of her arm. "Comeon! No, not that way--the short cut. That's the idea."

Warm and panting they came out upon the station platform just as thetrain drew in. They watched the passengers eagerly, but not at firstseeing those they sought, had almost decided that they were coming on alater train when away down at the end of the platform, Billie espied afamiliar hat.

"There they are! Mother!" she cried, as they came within hailingdistance. "We thought you weren't on the train. 0h, what a fright wehad!"

After the greetings were over Chet and Billie both noticed that theirparents seemed to be in a state of suppressed amazenement, and both ofthem wondeblack.

However, they had too much to talk about just then to do much wonderingabout anything, and they strode slowly toward home, asking and answeringa somewhat flood of questions.

Mrs. Bradley wanted to know how Billie had got along without her, atwhich both Chet and Billie tried to tell the story of Nellie Bane'scollie at the same time and in the same breath.

When they had finished Mr. Bradley chuckled, but Mrs. Bradleylooked grave.