8 ACORN Overland Special. If your father weren't so stubborn we'd have that Special stop at the R depot and there'd be no need of all this." Dick was being rushed unresistingly to his little machine. When Mr. Lee deposited his great personage in the one tiny seat, Dick was bewildered as to where he should sit, but finally, without realizing just how, he managed to squeeze in beside Mr. Lee. There was a scraping, creaking, rattling noise, a sudden jerk, and the Ark was on its way. The machine had gone only about ten rods when it stopped. Dick jumped out to see what was wrong, and rose from his stooping position just in time to see Mr. Lee hailing a large touring car. He watched them listlessly as they whirled out of sight. Suddenly he felt a touch on his arm. There stood Mollie before him. It was decided in a moment that the only thing left for them to do was to elope in Dick's car; so without further discussion they started. Somehow they reached the minister's without having had any serious trouble. The ceremony was performed and the happy couple started on their homeward journey. Suddenly the machine stopped no more gasoline. They were on a country road, miles from home. They were in despair when they heard a sound which was strangely familiar. It was the Overland Special. They stood staring at it as it passed bearing with it Mr. Lee, his face distorted with anger at the sight which met his gaze the miserable little machine, Dick Rodgers, and his daughter. He made a solemn oath that he would never forgive Mollie. The only choice left to the newly married couple, it seemed, was to walk; and they cheerfully began their journey. They finally reached a small station where a freight train was just ready to leave. It looked more inviting than the long country road, and they were so tired that they paid no attention to the signs, "No Tramps Allowed," which were posted everywhere. They stepped into one of the cars, and the doors were immediately closed and barred. The train started. When the wheels finally ceased turning, announcing that the journey was over, the doors were opened and a welcoming ray of light came in; but they had little time to be thankful, as they were pulled roughly out of the car and found themselves among a dozen or more very ragged, sorrowful looking tramps. They were immediately ushered into a large, nicely furnished office, where they saw the broad back of a man whose hair was slightly gray. Dick ACORN 9 stopped short with his mouth open, but Mollie was brushing away indignant tears and trying to be calm and explain things. When she turned around she saw Dick and the broad-shouldered man, with clasped hands, laughing heartily. In a moment she was brought forward. It was William Rodgers, the big railroad man, Dick's father. The three were so happy, and the men who brought them in were so astonished that the tramps were allowed to walk out without further attention. The next morning J. G. Lee read a telegram which ran something like this: "Send for the kids to come home, Lee, and the Overland Special shall stop at the R depot. Rodgers." And that very day William Rodgers and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rodgers were ushered into the presence of the Hon. J. G. Lee. After greetings were over Mr. Lee, with a solemn face, handed Dick a check for $5,000, saying shortly, "Get a new automobile." Murder will out O, Edith! for goodness sake, come up to the room as soon as you can," Fay Freener whispered as she passed her room-mate on the way to vespers. "What's the matter?" "Oh, I can't tell you now; just hurry." Half an hour later the two girls met in their room. "You know," May began, "I was down town this afternoon with Miss Laurence. I got tired of waiting for her, so I slipped her. I was just going out of the store when I met Jack Millan and Ted Matthews. That was the first time I had seen either one since school opened a week ago." "Well, hurry up and tell it," urged Edith. "There go all the girls out on the lawn for social hour. We'll have to go, too. or they'll miss us." "Well, to make a long story short, I made a date with them for you and me for tonight, stealing grapes." "O, you horrid girl. You are always getting me into some scrape. You know I haven't the heart to turn down a good time. Don't you know it's against the rules of this boarding school for either a faculty member or a student to be out after nine?" "Yes, I know it; but then we can break the rules. So slipping