'I hope I do not trouble you, but I have decided to go myself to the
station to meet Gretchen. She is very timid, and does not speak much
English. Good-night once more, and pleasant dreams.'

To sleep now was impossible, and both husband and wife turned restlessly
on their pillows, Frank wondering what ailed his brother, and Dolly
wondering who Gretchen was and how her coming would affect them.




CHAPTER IX.

WHO IS GRETCHEN?


This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked of themselves and
each other many times during the hours which intervened between their
retiring and rising. But speculate as they might they could reach no
satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning
and the train might bring. The party had been a success, and Frank felt
that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail
would all this be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure
to do if a woman appeared upon the scene. Both he and his wife had
outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it
without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the
troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so
suddenly and disturbing all their plans. They heard him moving in his
room before the clock struck six, and knew he was getting himself in
readiness to meet the dreaded Gretchen. Then, long before the carriage