Part 5 (1/2)

Although the children were greatly interested in all they saw, nothing of an unusual nature had occurred, when, early one morning they reached Chicago.

The kindly conductor directed them to the other train that would bear them to their destination, a.s.suring them that on it, also, they would be guests of Mr. Bethel.

The four young people were standing on the outer edge of the hurrying throng, gazing about them with interest (as several hours would elapse before the departure of the west-bound train), when Jane was sure that she heard their name being called through a megaphone.

”It's that man in uniform over by the gates. He's calling 'Telegram for Jane Abbott!'” Gerald told her. ”May I go get it, Dan? May I?”

The older boy nodded and the younger pushed through the crowd, the others following more slowly. Very quickly Gerald returned, waving two yellow envelopes. One was a night letter from Marion Starr. Tearing it open, Jane read:

”Dearest friend: As soon as I received your message I telephoned your father, knowing that he could explain much more than you could in ten words. What you are doing makes me love you more than I did before, if that is possible. My one wish is that I, too, might go West. I like mountains far better than I do fas.h.i.+onable summer resorts. Will write.

Your Merry.”

The other telegram contained a short message, but Jane looked up with tears in her eyes as she said: ”It is from father and just for me.”

Dan smiled down at her and asked no questions. The few words were: ”Thank you, daughter, for your self-sacrifice. Now I know that Dan will get well.”

But their father did not know how serious Dan believed his condition to be.

”And he shall not,” the girl decided, ”not until I have good news to send.”

As soon as they were seated in the train that was to take them the rest of the journey, Jane said anxiously: ”Dan, dear, aren't you trying too hard to keep up? You look so very weak and weary. Let's have the porter make up the lower berth, even though it is still daytime. You need a long rest.”

Dan shook his head, though he pressed her arm tenderly, but a coughing spell racked his body when he tried to speak. The conductor on the Rock Island was more practical than their former friend, but not more kindly.

He motioned Jane to one side.

”Miss Abbott,” he said, ”there is a drawing-room vacant. Bride and groom were to have had it, but the order has been canceled. Since you are friends of Mr. Bethel, I'm going to put you all in there. It will be more comfortable, and you can turn in any time you wish.”

Jane's grat.i.tude was sincerely expressed. It would give Dan just the opportunity he needed to rest, and the lad, nothing loath, permitted Jane to have her way. How elated the children were when they found that they were to travel in a room quite by themselves. That evening they went to the diner alone, but Gerald was not as pleased as was his sister.

”I should think you'd be tickled pink,” Julie said, inelegantly, ”to be able to order anything you choose and not have Jane peering at what you write.”

The boy replied dismally: ”I can't be much pleased about anything. Don't you know, Jane's staying with Dan 'cause she thinks he's too weak to come out here? I heard her ask the porter to have their dinners brought in there. Julie, you and I'll have to keep quieter if we want to help Dan get well. He's sicker than he was when we started. I can see that easy.”

The small girl was at once remorseful.

”I'm so glad you told me,” she said with tears in her dark violet eyes.

”I've just been thinking what a lot of fun we're having. I've been worse selfish than Jane was.”

Seeing that her lips were quivering, Gerald said consolingly: ”No, you haven't, either. Anyhow, I think Dan's just tired out. He'll be lots better in the morning. You see if he isn't.”

But when Dan awakened in the morning he was no better.

During the afternoon, that their brother might try to sleep, the conductor suggested that Julie and Gerald go out on the observation platform.

”Is it quite safe for them out there alone?” Dan inquired.

”They will not be alone,” was the reply. ”I'll put them in the care of Mr. Packard, with whom I am acquainted, as he frequently travels over this line.”

Julie had been very eager to ride on the observation platform, but Jane had not wished to go outside because of the dust and cinders which she was sure she would encounter, but now that the small girl was actually going, she could hardly keep from skipping down the aisle as she followed the conductor with Gerald as rear guard.