“Come now, Bunny—­Sue!  It’s almost train time.  I can’t go with you, but I’ll let Bunker take you.  I telephoned down to the dock, and daddy is sending him up with the pony cart.  You may drive down to meet Aunt Lu.  But come in and wash first!”

“Oh, goodie!” cried Bunny, and he was so pleased at the idea of going to the depot in the pony cart that he did not make a fuss when his mother washed his hands and face.

“Hello, Bunker!” cried Sue, as the big, red-haired lad drove up.

“Hello, Sue!  Hello, Bunny!” he greeted them.  “Hop in and away we’ll go!”

Off they started to the station.  It was not far from the Brown home, and soon, with the pony safely tied, so he would not run away, Bunny, Sue and Bunker waited on the platform for the cars to arrive.

With a toot, a whistle and a clanging of the bell, in puffed the train.  Several passengers got off.

“Oh, there she is!  I see Aunt Lu!” cried Sue, darting off toward a lady in a brown dress.

“Here, come back!” cried Bunker, reaching out a hand to catch Sue.  He was afraid she might go too near the train.  But he was too late.  Sue raced forward, and then, suddenly, she slipped and fell right into a puddle of water, left from a rain-storm the night before.  Down into the muddy pool went Sue, all in her clean white dress.

“Oh—­Oh!” gasped Bunny.

“I might a’knowed suthin’ like that would happen,” complained Bunker.  “Now her ma’ll blame me!”

Aunt Lu saw what had happened, and, before any one else could reach Sue, she had picked up the little girl, in whose eyes were tears all ready to fall.  And with her handkerchief Aunt Lu wiped the tears away.  As she did this Bunny saw a ring on his aunt’s hand—­a ring with a stone that sparkled like snow in the sun—­red, green, golden and purple colors.

“There, Sue!  Don’t cry!” murmured Aunt Lu.  “You’re not hurt, and the mud will wash off.”

“Oh, I—­I’m not crying for that,” said Sue. bravely keeping back her sobs.  “I—­I’m crying just—­just because I’m—­I’m so glad to see you!”

CHAPTER II

THE LOST RING

Aunt Lu laughed when she heard Sue say that.  And it was such a nice, kind, jolly laugh that Sue could not help joining in.  So she was really laughing and crying at the same time, which is funny, I suppose you think.

“Well, I’m glad you are so happy to see me, dear,” said Aunt Lu.  “Oh, don’t mind about your dress,” she went on, as she saw Sue trying to rub away some of the muddy spots with her tiny handkerchief.  “Your mother will know you couldn’t help it.”

“I’ll tell her it wasn’t Sue’s fault,” cried Bunny.  “The railroad oughtn’t to have puddles where people will fall into ’em!”

“That’s right,” chimed in Bunker Blue.  “It ought to be filled up with dirt, and then it wouldn’t hold water.  You’re to ride back with us in the pony cart, Miss Baker.”