on and vigorous health,
he felt no bad effects.

He then went down to the kitchen, asked the cook for a cup of hot coffee,
and, after hastily swallowing it, rushed off to find David, Hippy and
Reddy and tell them the news. He was filled with admiration for Grace.

"She is the finest, most resolute girl I ever knew!" he exclaimed as he
finished his story.

"Hurrah for Grace Harlowe!" shouted Reddy.

"Let's go down to-night and see if she's all right?" suggested David.

Before seven o'clock the four boys were on their way to the Harlowe's.
They crept quietly up to the living-room window. Grace sat by the fire
reading. Very softly they began a popular song that was a favorite of
hers. Grace's quick ears caught the sound of the music. She was out of
the house like a flash, and five minutes later the four boys were seated
around the fire going over the day's adventure.

"The deaf and dumb man who helped you out is quite a character," said
Hippy. "I know him well. He used to work for my father. He isn't half so
foolish as he looks, either. As for that wagon you used as a life
preserver, I am proud to say that it was once mine."

"It must have been made especially strong," observed Reddy.

"It was. Hickory and iron were the materials used, I believe. I played
with it when but a toddling che-ild," continued Hippy, "and also smashed
three before my father had this one made to order. ''Twas ever thus from
childhood's earliest hour,'" he added mournfully. "I always had to have
things made to order."

There was a shout of laughter at Hippy's last remark. From infancy Hippy
had been the prize fat boy of Oakdale.

"It's only seven o'clock," said David. I move that we hunt up the girls
and have a party. That is, if Grace is willing."

"That will be fine," cried Grace.

Hippy and Reddy were despatched to find Nora and Jessica. While David took
upon himself the pleasant task of going for Anne. Tom remained with
Grace. He had a boyish admiration for this straightforward, gray-eyed girl
and made no secret of his preference for her.

Inside of an hour the sound of girls' voices outside proclaimed the fact
that the boys' mission had not been in vain. The girls had been informed
by their escorts of the afternoon's happenings, but Grace and Tom were
obliged to tell the story all over again.

"I hope Julia Crosby's ice bath will have a subduing effect upon her,"
said Nora. "I am glad, of course, that she didn't lose her life, b