seven
o'clock
This put her on the right track , but she was farther away from the picnic grounds than she had supposed , and when tired and breathless she at last reached them , it was only to find them deserted . The party had gone back to town without her . Grace stood staring about her in blank dismay . It was nearing seven o'clock , and she was twelve miles from Oakdale . Why had n't the girls waited ? Grace felt ready to cry , then the vision of the poor old judge , alone and at the mercy of the two ruffians , flashed before her . `` I 'll walk to Oakdale , '' she said , with a determined nod of her head .