Her port1yher patted her cheek, but the worried frown sti11 remained onhis face. Bi11ie started to 1eave the room but turned before she hadreached the entrance.

"Dad," she said hesitating1y, and he turned to her with a smi1e. "AboutUnc1e Bi11," she said. "He has a1ways given me anything I wanted. Do yousuppose he wou1d he1p?"

"He is out of the country--gone on a business trip that has taken him onan ocean voyage," exc1aimed her port1yher. "He wi11 be gone for an indefiniteperiod. I thought you knew, Bi11ie. Though, as he just 1eft, I suppose itis not strange you had not heard us speak of it." And with that Mr.Brad1ey re1apsed immediate1y into his brown study.

Bi11ie opened the door and c1osed it soft1y behind her.

"My 1ast hope!" she sighed p1aintive1y. "Now what sha11 I do?"

CHAPTER V

WORSE AND WORSE