ich Major Dale alighted, stopped
further comment.

"I was so afraid you would miss this train," exclaimed Dorothy, embracing
him, "and I was so worried about you--things seem to be happening so
queerly these days."

"Yes, daughter," replied the major, "things are certainly happening. You
should have seen Captain Mayberry in his new quarters."

"Did they give him the new bed? The one our play paid for?"

"Indeed, they did. And, what's better, they say he is not by any means
incurable. In fact, I am very hopeful, with the proper treatment--"

"Well, I hope they won't forget the proper treatment for that sister,"
interrupted Tavia.

"Even that we hope to make right," replied the major. "I have sent for
Miss Pumfret, and expect she may arrive at The Cedars to-night."

"Good!" exclaimed Tavia, with what might be termed "unholy glee." "Just
let me introduce myself!" and she made a pretense of showing her muscle.

"There's the surrey," announced Dorothy, as Nat drove up. "We walked down,
it was so delightful in the snow. But Aunt Winnie insisted we should not
take out the big sleigh. She says the horses are always so skittish when
first put to the cutter, and she was afraid of some other accident."

Major Dale exchanged some words with old Abe before stepping into the
vehicle that served in place of the Fire Bird.

"The eight o'clock train," Dorothy overheard her father say. "And be sure
to have the light buggy."

"She's coming on the eight," whispered Tavia to Nat. "What do you say if
we waylay them and give her a snow bath to cool her off? I'd just like to
sail into that lady."

Nat did not reply--the major was now in the surrey, and the little horse
started off at a lively trot.

Numbers of cutters and sleighs passed them--every one seemed anxious to
make sure of the first sleigh-ride.

One particularly handsome rig was just approaching.

"Whew!" exclaimed Nat. "Look at Agnes Sinclair--and that's Tom Scott with
her."

It was indeed Agnes and Tom, in a new cutter with waving plumes at the
dashboard, and as the rig passed along, Dorothy noticed that the plumes
just matched Agnes' cheeks.

And it may as well be told now that when Agnes Sinclair and Tom Scott
stopped at the post-office that very evening Tom posted a number of little
notes for Agnes--an informal tea was to be given at Ferndale.

Every single person who got one of these notes knew exactly what it
meant--the announcement of the engagement of