“Here he comes now!” cried Dorothy, and Tavia whirled around to see a tall figure coming swiftly toward them. Nat waved his hat boyishly and broke into a run. He reached them just as they turned the corner of the street on which Tavia lived.
“Hello there, coz!” he said, pinching Dorothy’s pretty cheek, then turned to Tavia.
“Not here in the street, you silly boy,” Tavia said, as the young man bent over her. “We are almost home. Can’t you wait?”
“Not long!” returned Nat ardently. Then, as they slowly approached Tavia’s house, he turned to Dorothy, his manner serious.
“I am afraid I have bad news for you, Dot,” he said, reluctantly adding, in response to Dorothy’s startled glance: “It’s about Joe.”
CHAPTER II
JOE DISAPPEARS
Dorothy’s face went white and she gripped Nat fiercely by the arm.
“Tell me what it is!” she gasped. “Nat, don’t try to keep anything from me!”
“I couldn’t if I wanted to, Dot, old girl,” said her cousin gravely. “That’s why the Major wanted me to break the news to you.”
“Oh, Nat,” wailed Dorothy, “don’t keep me waiting! Tell me what you mean! What is the matter with Joe?”