Tom and Nellie took a stroll through a little park opposite the hotel.
What they talked about none of the others knew at the time, but Nellie
came back looking very sober and thoughtful, so that her sister
wondered if Tom had really and truly proposed to her. Tom was
whistling softly to himself, as if to keep up his courage.

"Well, I guess it is time to start on the return, if you young ladies
have got to be in by ten," said Dick, at last. "Even as it is I
haven't allowed any time for punctures or breakdowns."

"Perish the thoughts of such happenings!" cried Grace.

"We've had our blow-out where I like it best--at the hotel," added Sam,
and this joke caused a smile.

As before, Dick drove the car, with Dora beside him, and the others in
the tonneau. He had all his lights lit, making the roadway almost as
bright as day. Once out of town, the oldest Rover put on speed until
they were flying along grandly.

"Oh, Dick, be careful!" pleaded Dora. "You might hit something in the
dark."

"Not much to hit on this road," he answered. "But I'll look out, don't
fear."

"Oh, let her go!" shouted Tom, recklessly. "Why, you can get ten miles
more of speed, Dick, if you try. Let her out for all you are worth!"

"Oh, Tom!" pleaded Nellie, and as he arose and waved his hand she
pulled him down on the seat. "If you don't look out you'll fall out."

"'Look out, fall out!'" repeated Tom. "A good joke! Ha! ha! Let her
out, Dick!" And he tried to stand up again. "Want me to help?" And
he leaned over his brother's shoulder and took hold of the steering
wheel.

"Drop it, Tom!" exclaimed Dick, warningly. "Do you want to steer us
into a ditch? Drop it, I say!" And he pushed Tom with his elbow.

"Sit down, Tom," called Sam, and caught hold of his brother. "Don't
monkey like that in the dark,--it's dangerous."

"Oh, I was only fooling," returned the fun-loving one. "Can't you
stand for a little sport?" and then he sank in a corner and had nothing
more to say for some time. Nellie heaved a deep sigh and for a moment
buried her face in her hands.

All too soon Hope Seminary was reached and Sam and Tom escorted the
Laning girls to the doorway of that institution. There was a fond good
night, cut somewhat short on Nellie's part, and then the Rover boys
returned to the touring car.

"What a grand time," murmured Grace, as she and her sister went
upstairs to the room they occupied.

"Was it?" asked Nellie, abse