zing at her
friends admiringly. "And to think I wasn't there to share the honor of
being mixed up with a railroad wreck. Too bad," she pouted.

"It wasn't a wreck, it was a shake-up," answered Grace.

"I am glad you were not with us. Who knows what might have occurred,"
answered Bab soberly. "Oh, there is Mr. Bubble," she cried, her serious
expression changing to a happy smile as she ran forward to the puffing
red automobile and patted it affectionately. A thin curl of blue smoke
was rising from the exhaust of the motor car.

"Hear him purr his delight," cried Mollie. "He's just like a contented
kitten for all the world," she laughed. "He isn't grumbling at all."

"He was grumbling loudly enough when we left him," answered Mr. Stuart.

"That's because he was cold. But we will warm Mr. A. Bubble up on our
way home," declared Ruth. This she did, keeping a wary eye out for
traffic policemen who might claim that she was exceeding the speed
limit. But Ruth knew fairly well where to look out for a traffic man and
where not to look for him. Up Dearborn Street to Madison Street the car
whirled, the sharp air putting color in the faces of the girls and
making their eyes sparkle.

Bab kept stealing perplexed glances at Mr. Stuart. Something was on the
young woman's mind, but she did not give expression to the thought. In
the meantime the girls were chattering at a rapid rate. Through Madison
Street they traveled and into Michigan Avenue, where a gust of biting
wind fresh from Lake Michigan smote them in the face.

"Oh, look at the river!" cried Mollie.

"That's Lake Michigan, you goose," answered Ruth, laughing merrily. "How
insulting to call our lake a river. But here we are."

The car swung into a driveway, coming to a halt before an imposing
residence, four stories high, overlooking the lake.

"What is this great building?" questioned Mollie.

"This is where we live, dear," answered Ruth. "This is my home."

"Oh, dear me, I thought it was the Chicago public library," retorted
Mollie.

"Molliekins, what _are_ we going to do with you?" chided Ruth, laughing.

The other girls were already running up the broad stone steps. The doors
swung open and the next second Barbara, Mollie and Grace threw
themselves into the arms of Miss Sallie Stuart. There was a volley of
little screams of delight and any number of resounding smacks. Mr.
Stuart had followed them in. He stood with his back to the door, smiling
contentedly on