out that, Dora. I can't help but remember
that I was smitten with you the first time I saw you," and at this Dora
Rover gave her husband a warm look that meant a great deal.

May had not forgotten her promise to her Cousin Spouter, and during the
visit she did all she could to impress on the older folks the charms of
life at Clearwater Hall. She told of what fine teachers there were at
the school, how rapidly most of the pupils advanced in their studies,
and of the good times to be had there.

"And I do hope that you will let Mary and Martha join us," she
concluded. "I am sure they will feel perfectly at home there, and that
they will be as well taught, if not better, than they would be if they
remained here in the city."

"I'll think it over, May," answered Mrs. Sam Rover; and Martha's mother
said the same.

Jack and his cousins had already sent a letter to Barney Stevenson,
completing the arrangements for going up to Snowshoe Island. Now came a
brief communication from the old lumberman, stating that he would be on
the look-out for them, and would do all he could to make their outing
enjoyable.

"What a nice letter for him to write!" exclaimed Ruth, when Jack showed
her the communication. "Oh, I do hope you'll be able to fix up this
difference between old Uncle Barney and my folks! It's dreadful to have
him on the outs with our family."

"As I said before, Ruth, I'll do what I can," Jack replied.

With so much going on, the holidays sped by swiftly, and all too soon it
was time for the visitors to take their departure. Spouter and Gif both
wished they could accompany the Rovers to Snowshoe Island, but this was
not to be, as they had already made other arrangements.

"But have a good time," said Spouter.

"Don't forget to lay low a few deer and a bear or two," added Gif.

"Good gracious! you don't expect them to shoot bears, do you?" exclaimed
May, in some alarm.

"I don't believe there are any bears on that island, are there?" came
from Ruth.

"There are very few bears anywhere," answered Jack. "Gif was only
fooling. The biggest game that we may possibly see will be a deer,
although even they are growing scarce. We may see nothing bigger than
squirrels, rabbits and partridges, and maybe a mink or a fox."

The Rover boys accompanied the others to the Grand Central Terminal.
Here Jack managed to have a few words in private with Ruth, and at the
conclusion he gave her hand so tight a squeeze that she blus