.

"I always come up by night from New York," said Mr. Rand. "The roads
are clear, and it saves time. Besides, to-morrow is Betty's birthday,
and I have to be home."

"Yes," said Cora politely. "We had no idea of traveling alone like
this, but our chaperon----"

"Well, you've got one now," interrupted the man nicely, noticing Cora's
embarrassment. "I often do it for Betty--she's only got me."

There was a catch in his voice this time, and while the three girls
instantly felt that "the bars were down again," and that they really
did have a chaperon in the person of this delightful gentleman, still
it would have seemed rude to break the effect of his last remark.

"We are getting her up, all right," he said, referring to towing the
_Whirlwind_. "Never saw the like of Benson."

"Isn't it splendid?" exclaimed Cora, looking back into the darkness and
thus discerning the lamps of her car following. "It is a dreadful
thing to be stalled."

"Can't be beat," agreed Mr. Rand. "We get it once in a while, though
Benson is a wonder--knows when to stop without getting a blow-out."

"That's what we had," said Cora, "a blow-out."

"Girls speeding!" and he slapped his knees in good nature. "Now, Betty
thinks she can't go unless the engine stutters, as she calls it. I
declare, girls are worse than men these days! Speeding!"

Cora tried to tell something of the circumstances responsible for her
speed, but he would take no excuse--it was ordinary speed, just like
Betty's, he declared.

"And you lost your chaperon?" He said this with a delightful chuckle,
evidently relishing the circumstances that threw the interesting young
party into his company.

"Yes," spoke Belle, "there was a fire at the hotel, and she was a
doctor. Of course, we didn't count when there were men to be bandaged
up."

"A fire!" repeated Mr. Rand. "At a hotel! The Restover, I'm sure.
Why, that is my hotel. I mean I am one of the owners, and on my way up
I met the woman doctor. So she was your chaperon! Well, I declare!
Now, that's what I call a coincidence. That young woman--let me see.
She was nursing the head waiter. Ha, ha! a good fellow to nurse.
Always keep in with the head waiter."

"Oh, he was that good-looking fellow, Cora," said Hazel. "Don't you
remember how he soared around?"

"A bird, eh?" and Mr. Rand laughed again. "Well, say," and his voice
went down into the intimate key, "I wouldn't be surprised if your
chaperon g