ts we had better
organize a search. First of all we must know if he reached the camp. If
not--" Grace stopped, overmastered for an instant by a silent spasm of
dread that cut lines of pain in her fine face.

"I don't like to send a telegram from Oakdale," demurred Mrs. Gray.
"These small town operators are not always to be trusted. If the story
were to creep about that Tom Gray had disappeared, so shortly before his
wedding day, it would be very painful for both you and me. I could, of
course, consult a private investigator in New York, yet I shrink from
doing so until I know definitely that Tom has disappeared. It is such an
intimate, personal matter. I don't fancy turning it over even to my
lawyer. You can understand that."

"Yes." Grace had grown very pale at the possibility of the tender
romance of her Golden Summer being held up even to the little world of
Oakdale as a subject for gossip and possibly harsh criticism. Seized
with a blessed thought she said: "There is one person at least whom I
think we ought to take into our confidence. That person is David Nesbit.
He and Tom have always been like brothers. He will help us. I'll write
him now, before I go home, and ask _him_ to telegraph Mr. Mackenzie. A
telegram sent from New York will never give cause for gossip here."

Rising to seek her traveling bag which she had deposited in the hall,
she hastily rummaged in it for her fountain pen. The sight of Mrs.
Gray's pitiful face had completely aroused her to the need for prompt
action. Re-entering the library she approached the massive writing table
with the quick assured step, so characteristic of the brave spirit with
which she had always faced adversity. From a drawer of the table she
selected note paper and an envelope to match and seating herself,
prepared to plunge intrepidly into the writing of the most difficult
letter she had ever been called upon to pen.

"Dear David:" she wrote, then groped about in her mind for the words
which would best convey to Tom's chum the sorry message she was fated to
deliver. It was not a long letter, yet she knew that the recipient would
read between the lines and fully comprehend the serious situation which
confronted herself and Mrs. Gray. When she had finished writing it and
signed her name, she next devoted her attention to the wording of a
telegram to Mr. Mackenzie, setting it down on a separate sheet of paper.

"Please read them, Fairy Godmother," she requested, tenderin