But the next day something happened which made Jack forget all his troubles for the time being. A telegram came in from his sister Martha, reading as follows:
"Ruth's eyes operated on yesterday. Very successful. Expert says she will see perfectly."
"Isn't this grand!" cried Jack, his whole face beaming with pleasure. "I declare, this is the best news yet!"
"I don't blame you for being pleased, Jack," answered Randy. "I'll wager the Stevensons feel relieved."
The telegram was followed by a letter which gave many details. But the main feature was that the operation had been entirely successful and that the surgeon in charge had said positively that Ruth's eyes would soon be as well and as strong as they had ever been.
"I am going to send her a telegram of congratulation," declared Jack. "Even if she can't read it herself, they can read it to her," and he hurried off to the telegraph station for that purpose.
After that the boys waited anxiously for some sort of development at the Franklin farm. Tom Rover and his brother Sam had returned to New York, and they had wanted the boys to go with them, but all had pleaded that they be allowed to remain in Texas.
"We want to see the wells shot off and want to see the oil flow—that is, provided it does flow," said Randy.
"We might as well put in our vacation here as anywhere," put in Fred. And so the four lads were allowed to remain.
Of course, the Franklins were as anxious as any one to see how matters would turn out. Father and son were working for the company and doing their best to hurry matters along. Dick Rover was also on hand daily, consulting with Ogilvie and his assistants to make sure that everything was going right.