Soon a merry party was gathered about the supper table, where the events of the day were told, from the receipt by Joe of the two letters, to the rescue from the stalled train, and the accident in the snow.
"But I sure would like to know what it is Shalleg wants," mused Joe, who had come back from leaving the horses at the livery stable. "I sure would."
"Didn't he give you any hint?" asked Clara.
"No. But perhaps he wants some advice about baseball matters. I'm getting to be some pumpkins, you know, since St. Louis is after me!" cried Joe, with simulated pride.
"Oh, do tell us about it!" cried Mabel, and Joe related the news of the draft that would probably take him to the big league.
Reggie and Mabel spent the night at Joe's house. The storm kept up through the hours of darkness, and part of the next day, when it stopped, and the sun came out. Old Sol shone on a scene of whiteness, where big drifts of snow were piled here and there.
"I wonder how the stalled train is faring?" remarked Mabel, after breakfast. "We'll have to get our trunks away from it, somehow, Reggie."
"Yes, I suppose so," he said. "And I've got to look after those business matters. I think we had better go to the hotel," he added.
"Very well," assented Joe. "I'll go down to the station with you, and we'll see about your baggage."
"I'll stay here until you boys come back," decided Mabel, who had taken as great a liking to Clara, as the latter had to her.