Part 36 (2/2)

Without doubt it was the intention of the Gypsies to engage the little girls' interest through this bracelet and get their confidence, to bring about the very situation which they finally consummated. One of the women confessed in court that they could sell Tess and Dot for acrobats. Or they thought they could.

The appearance of Miguel Costello in Milton, claiming the rightful owners.h.i.+p of the silver bracelet, made the matter unexpectedly difficult for Big Jim and his clan. Indeed, the Kenways had much to thank Miguel Costello for.

However, these mysteries were explained long after this particular morning on which the children were recovered. No such home-coming had ever been imagined, and the old Corner House and vicinity staged a celebration that will long be remembered.

Luke Shepard had been put to bed soon after his arrival. But he would not be content until he got up again and came downstairs in his bathrobe to greet the returned wanderers.

Agnes just threw herself into Ruth's arms when she first saw her elder sister, crying:

”Oh! don't you _dare_ ever go away again, Ruth Kenway, without taking the rest of us with you. We're not fit to be left alone.”

”I am afraid some day, Agnes, you will have to get along without me,”

said Ruth placidly, but smiling into Luke's eyes as she said it. ”You know, we are growing up.”

”Aggie isn't ever going to grow up,” grumbled Neale. ”She is just a kid.”

”Oh, is _that_ so, Mr. Smartie?” cried Agnes, suddenly drying her eyes. ”I'd have you know I am just as much grown up as you are.”

”Oh, dear, me, I'm so sleepy,” moaned Dot. ”I--I didn't sleep very well at all last night.”

”Goodness! I should think Sammy and I ought to be the ones to be sleepy. We didn't have any chance at all!” Tess exclaimed.

As for Sammy, he was taken home by an apparently very stern father to meet a wildly grateful mother. Mrs. Pinkney drew the sting from all verbal punishment Mr. Pinkney might have given his son.

”And the dear boy! I knew he had not forgotten us when I found he had taken that picture with him. Did you, Sammy?”

”Did I what, Mom?” asked Sammy, his mouth comfortably filled with cake.

”That picture. You know, the one we all had taken down at Pleasant Cove that time. The one of your father and you and me that you kept on your bureau. When I saw that you had taken that with you to remember us by----”

”Oh, crickey, Mom! Buster, the bull pup, ate that old picture up a month ago,” said the nonsentimental Sammy.

THE END

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