The Motor Girls on Waters Blue | Page 5

Kimball.
"Do you--do you think she'll faint?" asked Bess.
"No--of course not! Mother isn't of the fainting sort," replied Cora, for Mrs. Kimball, a widow since her boy and girl were little children, was used to meeting emergencies bravely and calmly.
"I wonder what could have happened to Jack?" mused Bess, as they reached the upper hall. "Do you suppose he could have been hurt playing football, Cora?"
"I don't see how. The season hasn't really opened yet, and they play only light games at first. Besides, Jack has played before, and knows how to take care of himself. I can't imagine what it is--a nervous breakdown."
"Probably Wally's letter will tell."
"I hope so. Oh, but, Bess, I didn't hear your news. You must tell me all about it, my dear."
"I will--when this excitement is over."
Mrs. Kimball received the news calmly--that is, calmly after a first sharp in-taking of breath and a spasmodic motion toward her heart. For Jack was very dear to her.
"Well, my dears, we must hope for the best," she said, cheerfully, to the girls. "Fortunately, his room is in order, which is more than can be said for it when he went away. Cora, can look up trains, or, better still, ask the station agent when one might get in from Exmouth. Probably Walter will bring Jack home as soon as he can.
"It can't be so very serious, or Walter would have so specified in his telegram. I am anxious to get his letter, however. You might call up the post-office, Cora, and find out when the next mail gets in. Then you could go down in your car and get the special. That will be quicker than waiting for the boy to come up on his bicycle with it. Often he has half a dozen letters to deliver, and he might be delayed coming to us."
"I'll do that, Mother. You seem to think of everything!" and Cora threw her arms about the neck of the gray-haired lady, in whose eyes there was a troubled look, though neither in voice nor manner did she betray it.
"I can't imagine Jack ill," murmured Bess.
"Nor I," said Cora. "He has always been so strong and healthful. If only it isn't some accident--"
"Don't suggest it!" begged Bess. "Shall I come with you to the station, Cora?"
"I'd like to have you, dear, if you can spare the time."
"As if I wouldn't make time for such a thing as this. Come, do your telephoning, and we'll go."
Cora learned that no train which Jack could possibly get would arrive until very late that afternoon, but at the post-office it was said a mail would be in within the hour, and there was a chance that the special delivery letter would be on it.
"We'll go and see," decided Cora, now again a girl of action.
"And on your way, Cora dear," requested her mother, "stop at Dr. Blake's office, and ask him to meet the train Jack comes on. While I anticipate nothing serious, it is best to be on the safe side, and Jack may be in a state of collapse after his trip. You had better explain to Dr. Blake, rather than telephone."
"Yes, mother. Now are you sure you'll be all right?"
"Oh, certainly. I am not alone, with the servants here. Besides, John is just outside, trimming the lawn paths. You won't be long."
"No longer than we can help. Come on, Bess. Oh! and now you'll have a chance to tell me what you started to."'
"Oh! It isn't so much, Cora. In fact, I don't like to mention my pleasure, after hearing of your trouble."
"Then it's pleasure?"
"Yes, Belle seems to think so."
"Did you mention the West Indies?"
"Yes, father has to go to Porto Rico on business, and we are going to make a winter cruise of it. Mamma and we girls are going, and what I came over to ask you--"
The voice of Bess was rather lost in the throb of the motor as Cora thrust over the lever of the self-starter. As the two girls settled themselves in the seat, Bess resumed:
"I came over to ask if you couldn't go with us, Cora? Can't you come on a winter's cruise to where there is no snow or ice, and where the waters are blue--so blue?"
"Come with you?" gasped Cora.
"Yes. Papa and mamma specially asked me to come and invite you. Oh, Cora, do say you'll go! It will be such fun!"
"I'd love to, Bess," said Cora, after a moment's thought. "But there's poor Jack, you know. I shall probably have to stay home and nurse him. I can't leave mother all alone."
"Oh, Cora!" murmured Bess, in disappointed tones.

CHAPTER III
THE LACE SELLER
Cora, Bess and Belle were sitting on the broad, long porch of the Kimball home. It was the next day. To be exact, the day following the