azement. How could anybody sleep so soundly on this, the day of days, when o

rand of chocolates. It had been so late when she had started to leave that she had been prevailed upon to spend the night with Betty. And so it was th

lease wake up? Why, it's seven o'clock this min

wailed, pitifully. "If I don't I won't be fit for a thing the rest of the day.

shoe and held it poised in the air whi

you see them, Grace," she chuckled, putting on one shoe and picking up the other. "Can't you see the boys when I tell them t

on to The Shadows and let you follow later at your leisure. It will be a nice, dusty, hot ride in

, and you least of all, Betty Nelson," she complained. "Oh, where did I put my slippers? I was so exc

race, dear, please wake up. You will give me the blues if you don't shake

with admiration. "I wish I didn't need any more sleep than you, Betty. Oh, well, the worst pa

"Oh, Grace, we are going to have one of the mos

t does that clock say, half-past seven

evelop palpitation of the heart and stop altogether

ck," said Grace with dignity. Then added plaintively: "And by my best friend,

friend and hugging her ecstatically. "If you weren't so pretty, I wouldn't dare talk about

g the last of her cocoa. "I knew they would be here befo

t and speak to them while I get the luggage. I'll br

nk there were ten automobiles instead of two," and while she ran out to greet the newcomers, Grace hurried-yes, actually hurried-up the stairs

car-she had invited him to act as chauffeur and he had gleefully ac

and the four girls and boys-were to make the journey i

nd fresh as a daisy! Jump in! Where's that runaway sister

l you we just have to get our outside things on and we shall be ready. I

e-and the chocolates?" sai

ng the answer over her sho

ives depended on their reaching the porch at the same second. The girls adjusted thei

re over the left eye?" mimicked Frank, as they watched the gir

for the eyes and nose," said A

nefactor to the world at large, Frank," said B

ace chuckled at his discomfiture. "A few more of those

posited the luggage in the car and opened the door for the gi

y and Mrs. Irving in the tonneau. Grace was to sit with Frank. "I haven't seen him about town lat

zoo it would suit me better," said Betty. "It's

ne darling Percy sleeping in a tent and cooking h

n to the river to wash his hands every two minutes. How do we get over to the island from the mainland, Betty, do

it is an old, rickety thing that looks as if it were going to pieces any minute. She thinks it mus

e middle of the lake," Grace remarked dryly. "I wouldn't mind the di

our bathing suits first," Betty admitted. "Th

rls looked to him for an explanation he added: "It would be no end of fun to be dumped in t

ork," said Frank, ungallantly. "Especially if the girls should lose t

"In the first place we wouldn't have to be resc

nk protested laughingl

tly. "We haven't lived in the

en. "To change the subject-has anybody noticed that the sun has gone under a cloud and tha

uit, Mrs. Irving," she added, turning to the chaperon, who had been singularly silent during the ride. Perhaps she was realizing for t

quite so much as a good swim. From what you girls sa

rank, regarding the sky anxiously. "Unless I am a pretty poor prophet we

phatically. "I think it would be a pretty good stunt t

d waited for Mollie's trim littl

d Will, as they came up alongside. "Loo

ad better do what we are going to,"

p then!" exclaimed Grace. "And

the tops and were ready to let down the waterproof sides

in the other car. "When the roads get muddy it's going t

" Roy answered. "Le

girls rather liked riding in the rain. Then sud

ied Grace in alarm. "Di

e answered gloomily. "Look, t