gged Amy, as Betty slid into high gear. "Remember
we're not used to this kind of traveling, and we're apt to find
ourselves sitting in the road if you're not careful."

"Have you chosen your spot?" asked Betty, her eyes twinkling.

"Just the same, it might have been a good idea to have brought some
cushions along," said Mollie ruefully. "We might have strapped them on
and used them the way you do life savers--in case of emergency."

"My, you must be having a wonderful time," drawled Grace. "Have some
candy Mollie--it may help your courage."

"My courage doesn't need any help, thank you," snapped Mollie, adding
wickedly: "Just for that we ought to make you ride out here."

"Goodness, don't!" cried Betty, as she swung the car around a corner and
started once more toward home. "The punishment wouldn't fit the crime,
Mollie. Besides, we'll be back in a few minutes. Girls, she runs like a
dream!"

"She's a wonder," agreed Mollie. "I guess there's just about no limit to
the speed she's capable of."

"Do you want me to let her out?" queried Betty wickedly, but both Amy
and Mollie protested vehemently.

"Some other time," said Mollie, "when we're not hanging on by our
eyelids!"

A few minutes more, and they were again turning into the Nelson drive,
which, by the way, Betty took much more expertly this time. As the car
slowed, Amy and Mollie dropped off and Amy opened the door for Lady
Grace, who descended slowly.

"Well, how do you like it?" cried Betty, jumping out in her turn and
regarding her new possession with shining eyes. "Do you think she'll
do?"

"Do!" they cried, and Mollie added, patting the smooth side of the car
with admiring fingers:

"She's a wonder, Betty--as Roy would say, 'a perfect pippin.' Good-bye,"
she added suddenly, starting down the drive.

"Where are you going?" cried Betty, as they looked after her surprised.

"Home," she answered, adding with a chuckle: "I've got to finish
cleaning my old car. It's poor old nose must be terribly out of joint."

CHAPTER VI

LIFE AND DEATH

The next morning Betty awoke to the sound of the telephone ringing
imperatively in the hall. She got up, dragged the instrument from its
stand and spoke drowsily into the receiver.

"Hello--who--why, Grace, how did you happen to wake up?--Why, Grace,
what is the matter, dear?--You have heard what?--Will is wounded?--Oh,
Honey, how awful! Is it serious?--Never mind, don't try to tell me about
it now. I