girls of Crumville. The young people played games, sang, and danced to
their hearts' content, and Mrs. Wadsworth saw to it that ample
refreshments were served to all.

[Illustration: THE YOUNG PEOPLE PLAYED GAMES, SANG, AND DANCED TO THEIR
HEARTS' CONTENT.--_Page 169._]

"Oh, I've had a perfectly lovely time!" declared Belle, when she and
the others were on their way to the depot.

"And so have I had a lovely time," added Cora Dartmore. "But I'm so
sorry your friend lost that fortune," she added. Ben had said good-bye
over the telephone, the wire of which was once more in working order.

"If you ever do hear of those miniatures you must let us know," went
on Belle.

"We'll be sure to do that," answered Laura. And then the train came
in, and, with a final handshake all around, and with several kisses
exchanged between the girls, Belle and Cora climbed on board, Dave and
Phil assisting them with their suitcases.

"I'm sorry I'm not going with you," cried the shipowner's son, "But
I've promised Dave and Roger to stay a few days longer."

"Be sure to send us a letter as soon as you get back home," cried
Jessie.

And then the train rolled out of the station and the visitors from the
West were gone.

On the night before Phil took his departure the three chums had what
they called a "talk-fest" in Dave's room. They spoke about many
things--of how they had first gone to Oak Hall, and of various
adventures that had occurred since that time.

"The Oak Hall boys are becoming scattered," said Phil. "I don't
suppose they'll ever all get together again."

"Oh, we'll have to meet at some future graduation exercises at the
Hall!" cried Dave. "I can't think of letting such fellows as Shadow
Hamilton, Buster Beggs, and Sam Day drop."

"Right you are!" came from Roger. "If I can get there at all you can
count on my going back to Oak Hall whenever there are any commencement
exercises."

"I half wish I was going into this civil engineering business with you
two fellows," continued Phil. "But I'm afraid I'm not cut out for that
sort of thing. I love the sea and everything connected with ships."

"That shows you're a chip of the old block," announced Dave, clapping
his chum on the shoulder. "You take after your father, Phil, and I
don't think you could do better than to follow him in his shipping
business."

"If I do follow him in that business, I tell you what you've got to
do," announced the shipowner's son. "Some time y