ot out
that they might take a train that would carry them where they wanted to
go.

"We must wait till I see about our trunks," said Aunt Emma; and leaving
Ruby in a safe corner, she went to look after the baggage and give the
checks to the expressman who was waiting to take the trunks up to the
school.

Ruby stood very still looking about her. It was a very busy place, and
there was a good deal to see. After the train upon which she had come
had drawn out of the station and gone puffing and panting upon its way,
so that she could not see her friend the kind old gentleman any more,
another train came into the station that was going the other way, and a
few people got off, while a great many of those who were waiting in the
station got upon it.

A lady with a little girl and a great many bags and bundles got off
this last train, and perhaps you can guess how surprised Ruby was when
she found it was some one whom she knew.

I wonder if you could guess who it was. I do not believe you could, so
I will tell you. It was Maude Birkenbaum and her mother who had come
upon this other train.

[Illustration: RUBY MEETING MAUDE AT THE STATION (missing from book)]

"Oh, I so wonder if she is going to boarding-school too," thought Ruby.
"I never, never spected to see that girl again, but I don't know but
what I am maybe a very little glad to see her, for I don't know one
single other of the girls here, and it would be so lonesome for a
while. She sha'n't make me do bad things now anyhow, for I am ever so
much older than I was when she got me into so many troubles that
summer."

Ruby had been told not to go away from the place where Aunt Emma had
left her, so even to speak to Maude she would not leave it; but she did
not need to, for in a few minutes Mrs. Birkenbaum went to the
baggage-room, and Maude walked about looking around her.

In a little while her eyes fell upon Ruby, and she rushed forward with
an exclamation of pleasure.

"Why, Ruby Harper!" she exclaimed, quite as much surprised at seeing
Ruby as Ruby had been to see her. "I never thought of your being here.
What are you doing here anyway?"

"I am going to boarding-school," answered Ruby, "and that is my trunk;"
and she pointed to her pretty little black trunk, which the expressman
was putting upon the wagon, that was getting quite a load of baggage by
this time.

"I wonder if you are going to the same school that I am," said Maude.
"I do hope you are