t was almost a gentle smile, and seemed strangely out of
place on that cold, calculating face.

"Here is my card. I am rated as a cold, heartless man. But, my dear Miss
Thurston, I have at least one virtue--gratitude. If ever you are in need
of assistance in any way do not hesitate to call upon me," he said,
extending a hand to Barbara as he rose rather unsteadily to his feet.
Bab mechanically dropped the card into her bag without looking at it,
closing and dropping the bag on the floor beside her before accepting
the hand. The touch of the cold fingers of the man's hand sent a feeling
of dislike through her. It recalled to her mind more vividly than ever
the conversation she had overheard in the sleeper.

"I hope I never shall see him again," muttered Barbara, just as Miss
Thompson came smiling up to them. But Barbara Thurston was destined to
see the man whom she had rescued, though under circumstances that she
little dreamed of at the present moment.

CHAPTER III

A DIZZY ROUND OF PLEASURE

THE train stopped at Englewood for a moment and then pulled out again
for the Union Station. The girls already knew that they were in Chicago,
and were feverishly gathering up their wraps. Bab was drawing on her
overshoes when two warm hands were suddenly pressed over her eyes.

"Guess who it is?" cried Grace, after she and Mollie had uttered little
smothered exclamations of delight.

"It's my Ruth! Oh, Ruth, Ruth!" cried Barbara, springing up and flinging
both arms about the neck of Ruth, fairly smothering her friend with
kisses. Ruth and her father had gotten on at Englewood to welcome their
young friends.

"You dear, dear 'Automobile Girls,'" cried Ruth, now clasping the three
girls one after another in a tight embrace.

"Am I to be left out of this entirely?" questioned Ruth's father in an
aggrieved tone.

The girls disengaged themselves from Ruth's arms and fairly pounced upon
Mr. Robert Stuart.

"Oh, how is dear Aunt Sallie and Mr. A. Bubble?" laughed Barbara, her
eyes shining with joy.

"Aunt Sallie is waiting to greet you at our home. Mr. A. Bubble is
outside growling over your delay in getting to Chicago," smiled Mr.
Stuart.

"We received your telegram," said Mr. Stuart, as they left the Union
Station. "For a time we were considerably upset. Later we saw an account
of the wreck in the morning paper. We did not learn that anyone was
injured."

"What caused it? Wasn't it awful?" questioned Ruth, ga