Alice B Emerson

Betty Gordon in Washington illustrated Alice B Emerson

Betty Gordon continues her stay at Bramble Farm, awaiting word from her uncle. Betty's friend, Bob Henderson, one day learns that a bookstore owner from Washington has looked over his records from the poorhouse. The man has information about Bob's mother, and Bob decides to leave for Washington after Mr. Peabody cruelly beats him. Shortly after Bob departs, Mr. Peabody accuses Bob of stealing an unrecorded deed. Betty leaves for Washington after she receives a letter from her uncle. Upon her arrival, three girls are waiting for her at the station and take her to their home, where Betty expects to find Uncle Dick. Betty is shocked to discover that there has been a bad mix-up, and the girls have mistaken her for someone else. The Littell family graciously accepts Betty as their houseguest and makes her feel welcome. However, Betty continues to worry about her uncle. She discovers that he is no longer in Washington and has journeyed to Oklahoma."You're not Uncle Dick!" she gasped accusingly. Betty worries when her telegram to Uncle Dick goes unanswered. The Littells show her around Washington, and Betty runs into Bob, who has learned that his mother had a share in an oil well in Oklahoma. After Betty and Bob endure one last unpleasant encounter with Mr. Peabody, Betty receives word from Uncle Dick, urging her to come to Oklahoma.