"There it is!" cried Cora, as she jumped from her car to go to the
platform.

It was only a freight engine, and the girls were disappointed. But,
a few minutes later, the express sounded its blast, and, amid a whirl
of dust, and a nerve-racking screech of brakes, drew into the depot.

"There's Jack!" cried Bess, grasping Cora's shoulder, and directing
her gaze to a certain Pullman platform.

"And Walter's right behind him!" added Belle. "Why, he isn't
carrying Jack!"

"You goose! Jack isn't as ill as all that!" laughed Cora, a bit
hysterically. "Oh, Jack!" she called, waving her handkerchief.

"And there's Harry Ward!" murmured Belle.

"I didn't know he was coming, and, instinctively, her hands went to
her hair. For Harry, whom Belle had met during the summer, had paid
rather marked attention to her--marked even for a summer
acquaintance.

"Hello, Sis!" greeted Jack, as he came slowly forward--and in his
very slowness Cora read the story of his illness, slight though it
was. "It was awfully good of you to come down," he added, as he
brushed her cheek in a strictly brotherly kiss.

"My! Look at the welcoming delegation!" scoffed Walter. "I say,