h and breadth of the county."

From that moment until the boys did return the young ladies were all
excitement getting ready for the trip.

"I just feel now that something will happen," declared the optimistic
Betty. "If four girls and four boys, besides the best man in New
England, to wit, my daddy, cannot find them, then, indeed, they are
lost."

"Oh, I, too, feel so anxious," sighed Bess. "I think the run will do
our nerves good, if nothing else."

"And I feel exactly as if I were starting out to meet Cora," declared
Belle. "Oh, what would I give----"

"We all would," interrupted Hazel.

"But to think that Leland should put us to trouble just now when our
hands and hearts are so full," wailed Dr. Robbins.

"Well, as misery likes company, perhaps our trouble will get along
better in pairs," said Hazel, without knowing exactly what she meant.

Jack entered the corridor. His handsome, dark face was tanned to a
deep brown, and he looked different. Had he news?

"Where is Mr. Rand?" he asked.

"Just calling to the garage," said Belle, a note of question in her
answer.

"Well, girls, we have found something. We have found Cora's gloves!"

"Oh, where?" It was a chorus.

"On the road to Sharon. I found one--Ed the other."

He took from his pocket the gloves. They were not very much soiled,
and had evidently only lain in the road a short time.

"They are the ones she wore the night of the ball, when she
disappeared," said Belle, looking at them carefully.

"Then we will take that road and search every inch of it," declared
Bess, also inspecting the gloves. "The dear old things!" and she
actually pressed them to her lips. "I feel as if you had brought us a
message from Cora."

"Those gloves have never been out of doors a week," said Jack
seriously. "They have been carried there--placed there--just to throw
us off the track. We will start out in the opposite direction."

"To-night?"

"As soon as you girls can get equipped. We must find Cora now or----"

"We will find her," cried Bess. "I know we will. Oh, just let us get
on the road! I think the cars will scent the trail! I feel as if I
were simply going out to meet her by appointment."

It was a brave effort, for the girls felt anything but certain. So
many hopes had arisen and been dashed down! so many clews had been
followed, only to be abandoned! so many messages had been sent in vain!

But with such hope as they could muster u