r the teasing of Ruth and Grace. The glorious
evening came to a close all too soon for them.

Reaching home, the girls lost little time in getting to their rooms,
for the three travelers had had little sleep in the past two nights.

They fell asleep almost the instant their heads touched their pillows,
but in spite of their late hours the four girls descended to the dining
room the following morning bright-eyed and ready for whatever the day
might bring forth.

Miss Sallie rustled in, dressed in her silk morning gown a few moments
after the others had reached the dining room. The girls greeted her
enthusiastically, each girl giving her a hearty hug and kiss, after
which they seated themselves at the breakfast table, and a lively
chattering ensued.

"What do you think of Cousin Olive?" asked Ruth.

"Oh, I just love her," cried Bab enthusiastically.

A cloud passed swiftly over the face of Ruth Stewart.

"I could love her almost to death. Is she engaged to Mr. Howard?"

"No indeed," said Miss Sallie with emphasis. "Olive is devoted to her
parents, especially now that they are in such deep trouble. She is their
comfort in their distress and she knows it."

"Young ladies," interrupted Mr. Stuart, "do you feel equal to beginning
your sight-seeing to-day?"

"We do," chorused the girls.

"I have so planned my affairs as to have this day free for you. Mr. A.
Bubble also is at your disposal. He has had a thorough going over at the
hands of his man this morning, and I think you will find him in fine
condition."

"Olive Presby is coming to see you this morning, you know," reminded
Miss Sallie.

Ruth's face clouded again. Bab's eyes glowed, for she wished to see
Olive even more than to explore Chicago.

"We might call her up on the telephone and have her come over so she may
go with us," suggested Mr. Stuart.

The girls seconded this proposal enthusiastically, and this was done
without delay, Olive promising to come over as soon after breakfast as
possible.

"I propose," announced Mr. Stuart, "to take you over to the Board of
Trade on La Salle Street to show you the famous Pit."

"Is it a very big hole?" questioned Mollie innocently, whereat a merry
laugh rippled all the way around the table.

"The Pit," explained Mr. Stuart, smilingly, "is the place where men buy
and sell grain-stuffs. It's the same as stock speculation."

Mollie thought stock speculation was trading in cattle.

"You ridiculous child," ex