“I’ll tell you when I see whether my plan succeeds,” she announced, smilingly. “Until then—it’s a secret. Are you all agreed?”
“Certainly!” they all affirmed, with characteristic loyalty.
The ten days that followed were not particularly pleasurable for any of the party. Marjorie, in particular, waited with impatience the day of departure, for a return telegram from Chicago had promised her the assistance she needed. But though the girls were all curious, they, true to their promise, refrained from asking questions.
Miss Vaughn had arranged a picnic for the last day of their visit, and Marjorie, who had other plans for herself and Ethel, although the latter was as much in the dark as any of the others in regard to them, found some difficulty in getting herself and her companion excused. Finally, in view of the fact that the following day would be a strenuous one and that they still had some arrangements to make, they slipped off and took a taxi to the station.
“Are you going to let me into the secret at last?” inquired Ethel, as they left Miss Vaughn’s grounds.
Marjorie nodded, gaily.
“You’ll know when we get to the station,” she replied.
“The station? Somebody is coming?”
“Two somebodies,” corrected Marjorie.
Ethel knew that there was no use in plying her companion with questions, for Marjorie was enjoying her suspense. The distance, however, was short, ten minutes later the girls had dismissed the taxi and were hurrying up the station steps. Hardly had they pushed open the door before two familiar figures rushed towards them. It was John Hadley, and Marjorie’s brother Jack!