As Megsy spoke, she placed her unopened letters between the pages of a magazine on the table for safe keeping and then she joined the other girls who were already opening Betsy’s trunk, preparing to pack.
That maiden had skipped to Malcolm’s room to tell him the news, but she had found him asleep and, knowing that rest was one thing required to restore his strength, she had tiptoed out. Three hours later, she went again to his door, this time her hat and coat on.
The lad had been informed by his sister of Betsy’s sudden and unexpected departure and was prepared to say goodbye.
“Miss Cossen,” he said as he held out his hand, “I hear that you are a wonderful detective, and so, if we ever have need of your services, may we send for you?”
Betsy laughed. “Indeed yes, and don’t forget,” she replied, “for I know that I will be just as wild to come back as I am now to go home to Aunt Laura and the twins.”
Another three hours had passed and Margaret and Virginia were again in the living room having escorted Betsy to Silver Creek Junction, where the train, being on time, had borne her away.
“Well,” Virginia remarked as she sank down in a big easy chair, “what a whirl of a day we have had. I am almost dizzy-tired. First there was that exciting news about Winona’s marriage and then for the last six hours we have rushed madly to get that dear girl started for the place that is home to her. Now the next thing for us to do is to decide where we shall take Malcolm for a complete rest.”
CHAPTER XXVIII
A PLACE TO GO
“I like Peyton’s suggestion that we go to California. I wish he had been able to stay longer and tell us more about what he saw when he was there. He might recall just the very place for us to take Malcolm,” Megsy said.
“I invited them to remain all night,” Virg remarked as she took up her sewing, “but Peyton thinks, now that his trusted overseer, Trujillo, has gone back to Mexico, that he had better not leave his ranch long at a time until he has another equally dependable.” The two of whom they were speaking had ridden back to “Three Cross” when Margaret and Virginia had accompanied Betsy to the station at Silver Creek.