ht!" cried the
doctor's wife, quickly. "There are plenty of vacant rooms here, and
I'll see to it that my cousin gives you good accommodations."

"And will you look after the young ladies, Mrs. Renwick?" questioned
Dave.

"I certainly will, Dave," she answered graciously. "Don't let that
worry you in the least. I'll be glad to take charge of such a nice
family," and she smiled sweetly at all the girls.

"We are going to telephone to Crumville and let the folks know how
matters stand," announced Ben; and then he and Dave hurried to where
there was a telephone booth.

Here, however, they met with no success so far as getting into
communication with their folks at Crumville was concerned. It took a
long time to get Central, and then it was announced that the storm had
taken down all the wires running to Crumville and beyond. One wire
that was down was still connected, but, try their best, neither of the
boys was able to understand anything of what was said over it. Then
this line snapped; and that ended all efforts to send any messages.

"I wish they knew we were safe," said Dave. "Now that they don't know
it they may worry, thinking we are snowed in somewhere along the
road."

"Well, we've got to make the best of it," answered Ben. "I did hope to
speak to mother, to ask her how father was, and to let her know that
we were all right."

"It looks to me, Ben, as if this blizzard might last for several days
or a week."

"So it does. But sometimes these storms clear away almost as rapidly
as they come."

The two youths returned to the others and announced the failure of
their effort to get into communication with Crumville. This was
disheartening to Laura and Jessie, but as it could not be helped the
girls said they would make the best of it. Then Laura and Dave went
off with the doctor and his wife, to obtain accommodations for the
whole party.

It was learned that Dr. Renwick had a fine apartment on the second
floor, and that there were two rooms adjoining which were vacant.
These were turned over to the four girls. The boys were accommodated
with two rooms on the floor above.

"Not quite as good as they might be," observed Dave, when he and his
chums inspected their rooms, which were directly under the roof of the
country hotel. "But they are much better than nothing, and, as the
sailors say, 'any port in a storm.'"

"Oh, this is plenty good enough," returned Phil. "But I am glad the
girls are on the floor