bout, placing
her own arms around the other. "I know I am too tall, and I seem to
keep on growing. Hello, Mollie dear. I'm so glad you came," and she
kissed the two newcomers.

Her eyes filled with tears again, seeing which Betty called out:

"Now, Grace, remember you promised not to do that any more. Just be
brave, and tell us all about it; that is, if we can help you in any
manner."

"I--I don't know whether you can or not," spoke Grace slowly, "but I'll
tell you just the same. It's--it's about my brother Will!"

She paused a moment, catching her breath as she gave this piece of
information.

"Has he--has he----" began Betty, hoping to make it easier for Grace to
tell.

"No, he hasn't done anything to attract public attention this time,"
went on Grace. "But he has run away."

"Run away!"

It was a surprised chorus from the three visitors.

"Yes he has left Uncle Isaac's home--stopped work in the cotton mill,
and gone--no one knows where."

"Why, Grace!" exclaimed Mollie. "Do you really mean it?"

Grace nodded. She could not speak for a moment.

"How did it happen?" asked Betty.

"Who told you?" Amy wanted to know.

"Uncle Isaac himself told us," resumed Grace, after a pause. "As for how
it happened we don't know yet. Uncle Isaac is on his way now to give us
some particulars. He just telephoned to mamma, and that is what upset us
all. I have sent for papa to come home from the office. He will be here
to meet Uncle Isaac I hope. Oh, isn't it dreadful!"

"But perhaps it is only some boyish prank," suggested Betty hopefully.
"What are the particulars? Perhaps he has only gone off with some
friends, and will come back again, just as he did the--other time."

"The other time," as Betty called it was rather a delicate subject with
the Ford family, for Will with some chums had gotten into a little
difficulty not long before this story opens, and the present
complication was an outcome of that. I shall describe them in order
presently.

"No, I don't believe it is a prank this time," went on Grace. "He has
been gone some time, and we never knew it until Uncle Isaac mentioned it
casually over the telephone. Oh, I wish he would come! We can't do a
thing until we hear the particulars. Then papa will start an inquiry, I
think. Poor Will! I hope he is not--not hurt!" and again Grace showed
symptoms of tears.

"Now stop that!" commanded the Little Captain sharply. "You know it does
no good to worry. Wait unti