Page:Ned Wilding's Disappearance.djvu/127

Rh "Don't worry about that, aunt," said the boy. "It couldn't be helped."

In fact he was thinking less about his broken holiday than he was about his own plight in the stock transaction. He felt the certificate rustle in his pocket when he moved, and he had half a mind to throw it away. But he feared lest doing that, even with the tearing of it into small bits, might lead to his discovery. He was too worried and excited to be able to think clearly.

"I guess we are all ready," his aunt remarked as she stood in the hall. She had a small valise to carry, and Ned had the one he had brought from home.

"Be sure and explain to your father how it happened," Mrs. Kenfield said. "Tell him about your uncle's unexpected trip to Europe and about Jane Alden. He knew her quite well when he was a young man. Now I guess we will start. I like to be in plenty of time for my train. I hate to hurry at the last minute."

Together they left the house, Ned carrying both valises. They boarded the elevated which ran near Mrs. Kenfield's house and were soon on their way to the station where Ned's aunt was to take her train.

The boy saw her safely aboard and bade her