“Strange,” she told herself. “I am sure it was here that I stopped him.”
Just then there came another flash of lightning, and far down the road, they saw Cato and the broken buggy making rapidly for home.
In spite of the serious situation, Shirley laughed.
“What do you think of that?” she exclaimed. “Cato has run away and left us. I’ll speak to him about it when we get home.”
“Well, we must not stand here,” said Mabel impatiently. “We can walk home in half an hour. Let’s start.”
“I suppose that is the best way,” said Shirley.
They started down the road, walking rapidly.
And now it began to rain. Lightning flashed and terrific peals of thunder reverberated through the air. By no means of timid dispositions, both girls, nevertheless, became nervous.
“Hadn’t we better stop under one of these trees?” asked Mabel.
“No,” Shirley decided instantly. “I have heard it is dangerous in an electric storm. Lightning may strike the tree. We are safer in the middle of the pike, even if we do get soaking wet.”