“I—­I don’t know how to thank you!” he exclaimed fervently.

“We couldn’t help doing it,” said Cora, blushing, and then Mr. Ettner insisted on shaking her hand again, and also with Belle and Bess.

“Well, we certainly had an adventure!” exclaimed Cora as the motor girls were riding home after the shower had stopped.  “Whatever will the boys say?”

“The boys will be very proud of you, Cora,” declared Belle.

It was a few days after this when Cora was out alone in her car, trying to understand, among many other things, why Ida had not called for her ring.

“And why doesn’t Jack let me take it to her?” she asked herself again.  “I declare I can’t understand Jack,” and she shook her head.

Along the turnpike she guided her car, going on slow speed to more fully enjoy the odor of the wild honeysuckle which in tangled masses lined the roadside, mingling with the wild rose perfume that was wafted on the gentle breezes.

She came to a narrow place, where there was room but for one vehicle to pass at a time, and seeing a bunch of wild fern, Cora got out of the car to gather some.  As she did so she heard a girl’s voice pleading in alarmed tones: 

“Let me pass!  You must let me pass!”

“Not until I get some money out of you—­or somebody!” exclaimed the rough voice of a man.

“I tell you I haven’t any money!”

“Well, you know who has.  Come on, I want it.”

There was a sound of breaking sticks, as if the man had taken a step nearer the girl.  She retreated, and this brought her into view of Cora.

It was Ida Giles!

Cora leaned forward to catch a glimpse of the man.  She was startled to see that he was that good-for-nothing Lem Gildy.

“Come on,” growled Lem, “fork over some cash.”

“I haven’t any.  Oh, please, Lem, let me pass!”

He took another step toward her with outstretched hands, and Ids shrank back.  She screamed, but Lem only sneered.

“No one’ll hear you,” he said.  “Come on, I must have money, or I’ll tell some things I know.”

Cora was hidden from the two by a screen of bushes, and on the dirt of the road, with her car running at low speed, they had not heard her.

Lem laid his hand on Ida’s wrist.

“Let me alone!” she screamed.  “Help! help!”

Cora saw a stout stick lying on the ground.  With hardly a thought of what she was doing she caught it up and stepped forward.

“There’s nobody here to help you,” said Lem with a brutal chuckle.

“Yes, there is!” cried Cora in ringing tones.  “Let go of her arm, Lem Gildy, or I’ll strike you with this!” and the girl raised the stick over the rascal’s head.

He hesitated a moment, still gripping Ida, who was on the verge of collapse.  She looked at Cora with wonder and fear.

“Let go!” demanded Cora, taking a step nearer.