Chester Hunt bowed his proud head again and was gone. His dinner was
left untasted, much to the astonishment of the hotel proprietor.

"He must be a nut from Dr. Harper's," grumbled that individual.

CHAPTER XIX
A HAPPY REUNION

Josie's telegram to Mary Louise, announcing the wonderful news that
Captain and Mrs. Stephen Waller were found, united and on the eve of
departing for Dorfield, was delivered at the Dexter's apartment,
received by the little new maid and carefully deposited with the other
mail. The mistress had gone on a short journey to a neighboring town
with her young husband and expected to be away from home about
twenty-four hours. The joyful tidings lay hidden in the yellow envelope
of the telegraph company, and Polly and Peter serenely followed the
routine of the Children's Home Society in ignorance of the happiness
in store for them.

They were happy in this institution, happier than they had been since
their dear mother had begun the ceaseless and uncontrollable weeping
that had made it impossible to tear her children from her and
incarcerate her in Dr. Harper's sanitarium. Was not everyone kind to
them? Was not the food regular and wholesome with frequent delightful
treats from the beautiful Mrs. Dexter, who seemed to feel that the
Waller children were her especial orphans? Did not Polly have all the
babies to nurse and fondle that her motherly soul craved, and did not
Peter have huge piles of sand in which he might dig to his heart's
content? The only thing that marred their happiness was that some
kind-hearted person might insist upon adopting them and they would be
separated.

"There isn't much chance of anybody wantin' me," said Polly, "cause of
my hair bein' so straight. It's your curls that are the maindes'
trouble, Peter."

"Yes, I know," said Peter sadly. "I don't see what the angel that fits
the wigs on babies was a thinkin' 'bout when he did us so dirt. If we'd
a been twinses I wouldn't er blamed him for getting' kinder mixed up
an' bornin' me curly an' you straight, 'cause I reckon twinses are
right confusin', but th'ain't no 'souse when there was plenty of time
with nobody hurryin' 'em a bit. I don't see what anybody wants their
hair all kinked up like water spaniels for. I wisht mine was as
straight, as straight. I wouldn't mind a bit bein' bald headed. I tell
you what, Polly, s'pose I shave my head and nobody won't know about my
old curls!"

"Oh, no, no!" cried Polly. "You m