hat the family might like to be by
themselves while perusing the first letter from Will since his latest
escapade.

"Oh, don't go!" exclaimed Grace, guessing her chums' intention. "Stay
and hear what Will has to say. I'm sure papa would want you to," and she
looked at Mr. Ford, who was nervously tearing open the envelope. His
brother was watching him anxiously, but it was not a kindly look on
Uncle Isaac's face.

At first, when it seemed as if something seriously might have happened
to Will, the elderly man was rather alarmed, thinking perhaps he might
be blamed. Now that a communication had come from the youth, seeming to
indicate that all was well with him, his former employer was ready to
deal harshly with him. He was even meditating what form of punishment
could be applied, and he planned harder tasks for him, in case his
father should send Will back to the cotton mill in Atlanta.

"Yes, stay, by all means," spoke the younger Mr. Ford, in rather
absent-minded tones, as he flipped open the letter. "We have no secrets
from you girls, and if you are going to Florida, and Will is in that
neighborhood, he can take a run over and see you. Let's see now; what
does the rascal say?"

There was a caressing note in the father's voice in spite of the
somewhat stern look on his face, and he slowly read the letter, half
aloud. The girls could catch a word here and there. Grace was leaning
forward expectantly, her lips parted. The strain had told on her, and
her eyes were still red from the tears she could not hold back.

"'Dear Father and All,'" read Mr. Ford. "Hum--yes--I wonder if he's
going to ask for money. 'I suppose this will surprise you'--yes, Will
was always good on surprises."

"Oh, father, do please get on with the letter--tell us what has happened
to Will!" begged Grace. "We're so anxious! Mother will want to know.
Read faster, please, if you can; won't you, father?"

"All right, Grace. But nothing much seems to have happened to him so
far. Hello, what's this, though? 'Going to strike out for myself. Can't
stand Uncle'--um--'will write particulars later--I have a good chance
for an opening'--I wonder if it's as a waiter in some Palm Beach hotel?
'There may be a good thing in this. I can learn the business, the agent
says'----"

"Oh, Daddy, please read it right!" importuned Grace. "We can't tell what
Will says and what you make up as you go along. Read it yourself, and
tell us what it means. Then I'll go to m