Part 2 (2/2)
Blake's office, and ask him to meet the train Jack comes on. While I antic.i.p.ate nothing serious, it is best to be on the safe side, and Jack may be in a state of collapse after his trip. You had better explain to Dr. Blake, rather than telephone.”
”Yes, mother. Now are you sure you'll be all right?”
”Oh, certainly. I am not alone, with the servants here. Besides, John is just outside, tr.i.m.m.i.n.g the lawn paths. You won't be long.”
”No longer than we can help. Come on, Bess. Oh! and now you'll have a chance to tell me what you started to.”'
”Oh! It isn't so much, Cora. In fact, I don't like to mention my pleasure, after hearing of your trouble.”
”Then it's pleasure?”
”Yes, Belle seems to think so.”
”Did you mention the West Indies?”
”Yes, father has to go to Porto Rico on business, and we are going to make a winter cruise of it. Mamma and we girls are going, and what I came over to ask you--”
The voice of Bess was rather lost in the throb of the motor as Cora thrust over the lever of the self-starter. As the two girls settled themselves in the seat, Bess resumed:
”I came over to ask if you couldn't go with us, Cora? Can't you come on a winter's cruise to where there is no snow or ice, and where the waters are blue--so blue?”
”Come with you?” gasped Cora.
”Yes. Papa and mamma specially asked me to come and invite you. Oh, Cora, do say you'll go! It will be such fun!”
”I'd love to, Bess,” said Cora, after a moment's thought. ”But there's poor Jack, you know. I shall probably have to stay home and nurse him. I can't leave mother all alone.”
”Oh, Cora!” murmured Bess, in disappointed tones.
CHAPTER III
THE LACE SELLER
Cora, Bess and Belle were sitting on the broad, long porch of the Kimball home. It was the next day. To be exact, the day following the imparting of Cora's news to Bess, of her automobile mishaps, the day of the news which Bess retailed to her friend and chum, concerning the trip to the West Indies, and the still more news, if I may be permitted the expression, of Jack's sudden illness.
Cora and Bess had gone to the post-office to get the expected special delivery letter, stopping on their way to speak to Dr. Blake, who had agreed to meet any train on which the stricken Jack might be expected. But, as it happened, his services were not required that night, for Jack did not arrive.
To go back a little bit, from the point where we have left the three girls sitting on the porch, Cora and Bess did find the special delivery letter awaiting them in the post-office.
”And I'm glad you called for it,” said Harry Moss, whose duty it was to deliver the blue stamped epistles, ”for I've got a lot of 'em this afternoon, and your place is out of my route, Miss Cora.”
”All right, Harry,” spoke Cora, half-hearing. She was already tearing open the envelope, as the messenger rode off on his wheel, certainly at a pace to justify the old proverb that he was a rolling stone, even if he had already gathered moss.
”Is it from Walter?” asked Bess.
”Yes, and it isn't as bad as we feared. Jack over-trained, trying for a new position on the football eleven, and that, with some extra studies he undertook, reduced his already tingling nerves to a condition where he was not at all himself.”
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