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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/38608-8.txt b/38608-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c14b756 --- /dev/null +++ b/38608-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6476 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge, by Lilian Garis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge + Nora's Real Vacation + +Author: Lilian Garis + +Release Date: January 18, 2012 [EBook #38608] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + +[Illustration: THE PICTURESQUE FIGURE STOOD IN THE CENTER.] + + + + +THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE + +OR + +_Nora's Real Vacation_ + +By LILIAN GARIS + +Author of + + "The Girl Scout Pioneers," "The Girl Scouts + at Bellaire," "The Girl Scouts at Sea Crest," + "The Girl Scouts at Camp Comalong," etc. + +_ILLUSTRATED_ + +NEW YORK + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + + + + +THE GIRL SCOUT SERIES + +By LILIAN GARIS + +Cloth. 12mo. Frontispiece. + + THE GIRL SCOUT PIONEERS + Or, Winning the First B. C. + + THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE + Or, Maid Mary's Awakening + + THE GIRL SCOUTS AT SEA CREST + Or, The Wig Wag Rescue + + THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP COMALONG + Or, Peg of Tamarack Hills + + THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE + Or, Nora's Real Vacation + +_Other volumes in preparation_ + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, NEW YORK + +Copyright, 1922, by + +Cupples & Leon Company + +The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge + +_Printed in U. S. A._ + + + + +CONTENTS + +I. Jim or Jerry: Ted or Elizabeth +II. The Attic +III. A Broken Dream +IV. Transplanted +V. The Woods at Rocky Ledge +VI. A Prince in Hiding +VII. Cap to the Rescue +VIII. The Story Alma Did Not Tell +IX. A Misadventure +X. A Novel Initiation +XI. Too Much Teasing +XII. A Diversion Nobly Earned +XIII. Crawling in the Shadows +XIV. Circumstantial Evidence +XV. Waif of the Wildwoods +XVI. Lady Bountiful Junior +XVII. A Picnic and Otherwise +XVIII. The Little Lord's Confession +XIX. A Deserted Tryst +XX. The Worst Fright of All +XXI. Strange Disclosures +XXII. The Danger Squad in Action +XXIII. Raiding the Attic +XXIV. Fulfillment + + + + +THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +JIM OR JERRY: TED OR ELIZABETH + + +"Do you mind if I call you Jim?" + +"Why no--that is----" + +"And may I call the lady Aunt Elizabeth?" + +"Elizabeth?" + +"If you don't mind; I'd love to." + +"But the fact is----" + +"You see, I have always wanted a man named Jim to protect me, and now +that I've got you I'd love to have you as Jim. Then, I have perfectly +loved the Aunt Elizabeths. They're always so lacy and cameo like." She +stood off and critically inspected the smiling woman in the most modern +of costumes. + +"You're really too young," continued the girl, "but you'll grow old soon +I hope, don't you think so?" + +"I'm afraid I shall----" + +"Then that's that. And I'm glad we are settling things so quickly. Could +I see my attic room now, Aunt Elizabeth?" + +"Attic room?" + +"Isn't it?" + +"Not exactly. We were giving you the yellow room; it's so cheerful and +pretty." + +"Well, of course, I don't want to be too particular, and it's lovely of +you, dear Aunt Elizabeth, but all girls taken in are put in attic rooms, +aren't they?" + +"Taken in?" + +"Yes, sort of adopted you know. The attic always gives the shadowy ghost +business." There was just a hint of disappointment in the child's manner +now. + +"We've got a first rate attic room," suggested the man who was tilting +up and down in a heel and toe exercise. "And what do you say, Ted, I +mean Elizabeth," he chuckled, "if we give----" + +"Jerry, don't talk nonsense," interrupted the young woman not unkindly +but with some decision. "I am sure she would rather have the pretty----" + +"But, please, could I see the attic room?" came rather timidly the very +thread of a voice from the little girl. + +"It's ghostly." This from Jerry. + +"That would be just perfect. Does the roof slant so it gives you the +nightmare on your chest, you know? And does the moon sort of make faces +in the windows?" Interest was overcoming timidity. + +"That may be the trouble," replied the man, with a chuckle. "But I'll +tell you, little girl. Suppose we take the yellow room until you have a +chance to inspect thoroughly. You see your--er--Aunt Elizabeth has had +it all planned and fixed up----" + +"Oh yes. Do excuse me for being impolite. You see, I've been thinking +about it so long. The school was lovely, and the teachers all very kind, +but it was sort of a regular kindness, you know, and did not have any of +my dreams coming true in it. Do you dream an awful lot here?" + +"Day dreams or night dreams?" asked the man. + +"Oh, wake-dreams, of course. The other kind don't mean anything. Just +stickers in your brain sort of pricking, you know. But the wake-dreams +can come true, if you plague them long enough. I guess they get tired +fighting you off and they have to give in and happen. What do you want +to call me?" This was a sudden digression and marked with a complete +flopping down of the talkative child. + +"Your name is Nora, isn't it?" replied the young woman who seemed rather +glad to sit down herself. They were on the big square porch and rockers +were plentiful. + +"Yes, my name is Nora, and it's pretty good, but hard to rhyme easily. +Then I would rather have you call me the name you have always called +your dream child." + +"Mine was Bob," blurted the man, "but Bob wouldn't exactly suit you." + +"Oh, yes it would," she jumped up again and left the rocker swaying +wildly. "Bob would be splendid for me. Would it suit you, Aunt +Elizabeth? What was your pet name?" + +"I think Nora too pretty to drop. Besides, don't you really think a name +is a part of one's self and ought to be loved and respected?" + +"That's just it. I want to--that is, if you don't mind, I want to be the +self I planned, not this one I didn't have anything to say about. It's +just like religion. When we grow up big as I am, we ought to be allowed +to choose." Her manner was even more babyish than her appearance. + +"Big as I am!" Jerry repeated this to a rosebush. + +As a matter of fact she was not much bigger than a child of eight years +might be, but she claimed a few more birthdays and she looked about as +substantial as a wind flower. Her eyes were blue, her hair light and +fluffy, and she wore such a tiny white slip of a dress, socks and +sandals and a white lace hat! Grown up? She looked just like an +old-fashioned baby. + +"Then, shall I be Bobbs?" asked Nora a moment later, with hope in her +voice. + +"Ye-e-s, and if--the auntie wants to soften it she can call you +Babette," ventured Jerry. "And now, if the christenings are over, +suppose we go inside and freshen up. Come along Bob, you are going to be +my helper now, aren't you?" Jerry's eyes twinkled with his voice. He +was, plainly, enjoying himself. + +"I'd love to help--especially with outdoor work," replied the girl. "And +you measure land, don't you?" she asked. + +"Yes, that's about it. In other words I'm a surveyor," explained Jerry. + +"And Aunt Elizabeth helps. Isn't that lovely? We won't, any of us, have +old pesky house work to think about. I haven't ever dreamed a dream, not +a single one, about housekeeping. Some one always does that for me, or I +just don't think about it at all and it's all done beautifully," boasted +Nora. "I love your place. It's so romantic," she expanded her arms and +fluffy little skirt to fill the big chair. "I feel, somehow, everything +is going to come true now." Relief toned this statement while she looked +wistfully out of blue eyes, and any one might have easily guessed that +something very dear was included in that word "everything." + +The young woman, who was threatened with being made over into an old +Aunt Elizabeth with laces and cameos to boot, gazed intently at the +small personality. She realized it was a personality, a little dreamer, +a big romancer, and a very weird sample of the modern girl, +self-trained. + +He who was to become "Jim" on the spot, seemed tickled to death over it +all, and kept snapping his brown eyes, first at the newly named Bobbs +and then his life's partner, until glints of fun-sparks charged the very +air. + +"It might be a good idea to put on tags for a day or two," he suggested +playfully. "I would hate to spoil the program by calling Elizabeth here +just Ted." + +"Oh, do you think it will be hard? I didn't mean to make trouble, and, +if you say so, I'll just put the dream back again on its peg and let it +stay there. It really doesn't have to come true right now. There are so +many new things to talk about," temporized Nora, considerately. + +"I think it would be lots better to try things out for a little while +under our own names," suggested the young woman, eagerly. "And I have +always loved the name Nora, so you see, _my_ dream will be coming true, +at any rate," she smiled. + +"Goody--goody! It's all right, then. I'll be Nora, and you'll be Ted, +that's pretty: what does it mean?" + +"Theodora," answered the man promptly. + +"Then it is prettier than the old-fashioned Elizabeth," agreed the +child. "Really, things are different when you think about them than what +they are when--you run right into them, aren't they?" + +"Sure thing, especially water wagons and book agents," joked Jerry. + +"And Jerry is lovely, too, just as nice as Jim. I knew a lovely old +tramp dog named Jerry." Again the wistful blue eyes dreamed. + +"That's real nice," added the owner of the popular name. "Was +he--gentle?" + +"As a lamb. I used to ride on his back!" + +"And was he--er--handsome?" + +"He had the loveliest ears, all little pleaty wrinkles, and such big, +floppy feet----" + +"All right, I'll be content to be his namesake, only don't expect me to +howl when the phonograph plays. I can't undertake to do that," demurred +the affable Jerry. + +They all laughed a little at this protest, for Jerry Manton seemed good +natured enough to "howl" if occasion demanded it. Even the moon might +have inspired him "doggerly" so to speak. + +Mrs. Manton picked up the little hand satchel that Nora kept at her side +when the other baggage was being disposed of, and gently urged the +little visitor into the Nest, there to settle that other question of +attic or guest room. + +The short bright curls bobbed up and down incredulously, as their +surprised owner looked in on the yellow room, a moment later. + +"Golden! Perfectly golden!" exclaimed the child. "But, of course, one +could never get the nightmare in this lovely bird cage." She stopped, +apparently reasoning out bird cages, nightmares and ghostly attics. "And +I have simply got to have a strange experience," she scratched her heels +together anxiously. "I just couldn't give that up," she decided. + +"But you do think this is a pretty room?" asked the hostess, her own +soft eyes embracing affectionately the golden space before them. + +"Glorious!" declared Nora rapturously. "And I'm afraid it has been +rather silly to get set on certain things without really knowing about +them. Dreams are uncertain, after all." + +Jerry was just coming up the rustic stairs. + +"But the attic is a real spook parlor," he chimed in, "and I've always +loved it myself. I have a corner for my trash, and the sleeping quarters +aren't bad. You see this place was built with government money, and +that's always--well, real money," he finished, significantly. + +"But Jerry," again came the opposition from Mrs. Manton, "you know we +have scarcely had time to look that attic over since we came here. It +seems perfectly absurd to let Nora go up there," she paused. "I know +it's clean, for Vita takes a pride in fixing attics, but why----" + +"Now Ted," the voice was as soft as a boy's, "why not let our little +girl have her way?" + +"I really am not objecting," said the wife with a smile, "I'm just +qualifying." + +"But who dares qualify day dreams?" asked the man, with a comical twist +in his voice. + +Nora stood on the threshold, uncertainly. "I guess maybe," she pondered, +"we think a lot about dreams when we haven't real things to think about, +like playthings, for real," she finished. + +"That's exactly it, dear," said Mrs. Manton, "and day dreams are not +always healthy, either." + +"All the same," insisted Jerry, "I'm strong for that attic. It smells +just like the woods after my men have made a good, clean cutting. Come +along, girlie, and let me show it to you." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE ATTIC + + +"How's this?" asked the man. + +"Oh, wonderful! Those beams, they slant just like the story books say," +declared Nora, ecstatically. + +"Good enough to give you the right sort of nightmare, eh? Well, that's +nice. Ted is always after the cobwebs, but I don't let her spoil them if +I'm around. You see, cobwebs have a lot to do in my business." + +"Cobwebs?" Nora poked her little head in between two chummy beams. "What +do cobwebs do in surveying?" + +"They make a cross line on my object glass. I'll show you when I get +around to it," replied Jerry. "Now see here, here's the secret chest," +he was opening a big wooden box, "and by a miracle," he continued, "it +does hold clothes, duds, et-cet-tee-ra." + +"The people who had this place gave a big party, I believe," explained +Mrs. Ted, "and they left a lot of their costumes here. We have never had +any chance to make use of them," she finished, slapping her hands on the +work apron that partly covered her own mannish costume. Apparently she +disdained the frivolous things. + +"But just look!" Nora was almost in the big cedar chest; in fact, +nothing more than a bump of white, ending in two small brown spots that +waggled like sandaled feet, was visible. Presently the curly head +emerged in a cloud of brilliant, spangly stuff, very evidently the +costumes. "Aren't these just wonderful!" + +"Oh yes," agreed Jerry, "they're nice and shiny. But just look at this +spook cabinet. Do you know what a spook cabinet is, Nora?" + +"No, what?" She dropped the costumes back into the big chest instantly. + +"They're just a box of tricks. But this is the box empty. See here," +Jerry opened, with some difficulty, the long narrow closet that was +built in a corner of the attic room. "I have always wondered why this +had a ventilator at the top----" he began. + +"Jerry!" called his wife rather sharply. "Please don't do all the +exploring in one day. Nora must change her things and come down stairs. +She may want something to eat after her journey." Mrs. Ted's tone of +voice was plainly against that cabinet. + +"All right, Ted, I'll subside," replied the jolly man. "The fact is----" +he whispered to Nora, "our Ted hates ghosts; and every time I talk about +this here upright coffin, she objects," and he gave one of his boyish +twisted yelps, as if he wanted to yell but didn't dare so gurgled +instead, and it was very plain he said this out of pure mischief; +nevertheless, it did cause the little girl to clench her small fists and +start suddenly. + +"Come right down stairs," insisted the hostess imperatively. "I'm very +sure, Nora dear, you will find something more interesting in Vita's cake +box than you could dig out of that dusty hole." + +"Vita! What a queer name!" exclaimed Nora, following Mrs. Manton out +from the interesting attic. + +"Her whole name is more than that. It's Vittoria, but since she does our +cooking and is both vital and vitaminous, we cut it down to an easy word +implying both," explained Ted. "You see, Nora, we are keen on short +cuts." + +The little girl was thinking something like that. In fact, she was so +fascinated with the realities of her visit she had almost lost the last +shred of faith in her picturesque dreams. "If I had ever named a cook," +she was deciding, "I should surely have given her Susan or Betsy or +maybe Jennie. But Vita means more and makes you think of good victuals." + +The open stairs were built winding from the big field stone hearth in +the first room, clear up to the attic chamber, and, as they descended, +Nora looked about the quaint, rustic place in rapturous admiration. +Indeed, no dream of her great life series had ever included this. Gone +with the Jim-Aunt Elizabeth idea was going the rag-rug four-poster plan, +that had seemed almost indelibly outlined on her whimsical picture +plate. She sighed a little, as she felt she should, on the "grave of her +dreams;" but there was Jerry calling from the open door: + +"Here you are, Nora! Come and meet Cap." + +"Cap! A boy!" she asked excitedly. + +"Not the regular kind, but he's some boy just the same." Jerry was +clapping his hands like a boy himself, just as a big shaggy dog bounded +down the path and up the few steps to the square porch. + +"Oh, what a beauty! I have always loved a big dog!" exclaimed Nora. +"What's his name?" + +"Captain," replied the proud master. "Here Cap, come shake hands with +Nora." + +The dog cocked one ear up inquisitively, looked over the small girl with +majestic indifference, walked around her twice and finally flung his +bushy tail out with a swish that fanned Nora's cheek as she bent over to +make friends. + +"Isn't he lovely! Just like the picture in my first story book; the big +dog that dragged the lost man out of the snow drifts," said Nora, almost +breathless with delight. + +"He is exactly that sort," explained Jerry. "He came from the other side +and was a Captain in the big war." + +"Oh," sighed Nora wistfully. "He must know an awful lot." + +"He surely does, eh, old boy?" and the big shaggy head was patted +affectionately. + +Meanwhile Vita, the Italian woman who held the office of housekeeper, +was depositing a mess of freshly-picked dandelions in a pan on the +kitchen table. She smiled pleasantly at the little stranger, and at a +single glance Nora knew she and Vita were sure to be friends. + +"Now, you know us all," announced the hostess. "Vita and Captain +complete the circle." + +"Not counting the crow, and the rabbits and the cat and the----" + +"The animal kingdom is not included," Ted interrupted her husband. "When +we get to checking up the animals please, after Captain count in +Cyclone." + +"Cyclone! A horse?" asked Nora. + +"Yes, the horse," answered Jerry. "He can climb trees, crawl through +gullies and swim the river like a bear, according to Ted." + +"Well, hardly all of that," qualified the smiling owner of the saddle +horse Cyclone. "But he is a wonderful horse, Nora. I am sure you will +want to ride him." + +"Oh, I'd be dreadfully afraid," demurred the girl. "But perhaps----" + +"You aren't going to be afraid of anything around here, Bobbie," Jerry +assured the small girl, who looked smaller by contrast to the big man +and the robust, athletic young woman; both perfect models of "America's +best." + +Considering the very short time little Nora had been at the Nest, it +appeared much, in the way of acquaintance, had been accomplished. + +"If you will just run off, Jerry-boy, and manage to find something to +keep you busy for a half hour or so," begged his wife finally, "perhaps +Nora and I will be able to settle down to the comforts of home." + +"Am I not included?" he asked teasingly. + +"Sometimes, but just now we need space," replied she, who was +affectionately styled Teddy. + +"That being the case----. Come along Cap," and the next moment a very +happy, boyish man and a wildly happy dog went scampering off through the +"flap-jack" path in the clearance. The path was made of selected flat +stones scattered at stepping intervals, and it was Jerry who insisted +they reminded him of Vita's best flap-jacks. + +The coming of Nora to the lodge in the wilderness was the result of what +seemed a necessity. The child was the daughter of Theodora Crane's best +friend Naomie Blair, an artist so highly temperamental that, after a +series of nerve episodes, she finally seemed forced to go to Western +mountains and leave little Nora at a select school. The school was +select to the point of isolation, and the teachers had advised Theodora, +who was in charge of Nora, that the child was so nervous, high strung +and fanciful, that the doctors had ordered a complete change of +surroundings. + +These characteristics were already showing in Nora's conduct; but with +that understanding of childhood always a part of pure affection for it, +Theodora was pleased, rather than worried, over the prospects ahead. + +Nora herself seemed bewildered and fascinated. Her love of "dream +things" was plainly a part of her nature, at the same time she was +quickly learning that only happy realities can make happy dreams. + +In the small satchel that Nora clung to was found no suitable change of +anything like practical clothing, in fact her dress was so fussy, +be-ribboned and be-frilled, that Teddy hesitated about offering any of +it to the briars and brambles of the timberland. + +"I pick out all my own dresses, you know," the little girl explained. +"Nannie wasn't able to do any shopping so she had the catalogues sent to +me by mail." + +"Nannie?" + +"That's mother, of course. But she is so little and delicate I could +never think of calling her mother," declared Nora. "She likes Nannie +better." + +"You have quite a talent for names or re-names," joked Teddy. "I am +wondering how I should have liked the 'Lizzie' you chose for me." + +"Not Lizzie! Elizabeth," in a shocked voice. + +"Same lady, I believe. But let's hold on to Ted until we get acquainted +or things may go on end," advised good-natured Mrs. Manners. "Besides, +there's our auto, that's 'Lizzie' to Jerry." + +Nora did not ask why. She was in the yellow room, changing, and the blue +roses in the filmy little dress she selected were not bluer than her own +wondering eyes. + +"I tell you what would be just the thing for you, dear," said Teddy +suddenly. "You must join the Girl Scouts!" + +"Girl Scouts!" + +"Yes, you know about them, don't you?" + +"I've read about them, but I really never could, Aunt Teddy. I couldn't +be one of those wild, uncultured girls." + +A delicious laugh escaped Teddy. + +"Wild and uncultured!" she repeated. Then, seeing the pitifully blank +look on Nora's face she dropped the subject. "Here's your closet," she +explained next, opening the door of a built-in wardrobe, "and you better +slip these little pads on the ends of hangers when you put pretty things +on them. You see, we have very few fancy things out here, and these +hangers are cut from our birch trees. I had a visitor last year who was +so afraid of snakes she spent all her time around the lodge, so she made +these pine pads with fancy stocking ends. I have never needed to use +them." + +The pads were little cushions of pine needles sewed in silk stocking +ends, with a long open seam along the side. These slipped onto the +hangers and were tied with tapes at the hook. Nora quickly adjusted one +for her dotted swiss dress and another for her pink rose silk. These, +strange to tell, she had carried in her hand bag. + +"And here is your dresser," Teddy further introduced. "See what lovely +deep drawers." + +"Aren't they? I'd love to put lavender and rosemary in the corners. Do +you--like those perfumes?" + +"Well, yes, as perfumes. But I'm so used to the odor of freshly cut +trees I'm afraid my finer taste is disappearing," said the other +quietly. + +Into the drawer Nora was placing such an outlay of finery as any young +bride might have boasted of. Selecting from catalogues was only too +evident in the lacy garments, with little ribbons, and tiny rose buds; +pretty in themselves but absurd on the undergarments of a growing child. +Then, there was an ivory set, mirror, comb, brush, etc. As the surprised +Teddy glimpsed the display over a khaki covered shoulder she had +difficulty in choking back a laugh. + +"Naomie would be as silly as that," she pondered, silently, reflecting +that the same sort of whims in dress and finery had been a real part of +Naomie Blair's young girlhood. + +Nora was placing her pretty things on the big dresser, with skilled +little fingers, and that the fancy, private, exclusive school had helped +to make silly traits even more pronounced in little Nora, was too +evident. + +Wisely, however, Mrs. Ted said not a word in opposition. Things must +move slowly, she realized, if the quaint little dreamer was not to be +too rudely shocked out of her fancies. + +It was all very exciting even to the placid, well balanced young woman. +To have the daughter of her girlhood friend come into her very arms, +like a little bird battered in the storm of life's uncertainties, with +tired wings falling against the bright window pane of love; then to see +the dreams unfolded with the Jims, Elizabeths, ghosts and attic fancies, +ready to reel off like an actual moving-picture--it was all very +surprising, not to say astonishing, for the sensible, modern Mantons. + +But could this same bright-eyed lady have looked into the summer ahead, +and forseen the new fields of fancies that Nora was about to explore, +she might have been still more amazed. Playing mother to a butterfly is +not often a very satisfactory experience, but there was Nora, and if +ever a child needed a mother this little "whimsy" did. + +"To think of calling her mother Nannie," reflected Mrs. Manton, "and if +only I could have called such a child 'daughter.'" + +Jerry was back from his enforced trip to the lumberland, and his whistle +trickled in the window on a flood of sunshine. + +"Oh, let's go down," exclaimed Nora, brushing things hastily into the +dresser drawer and neglecting to tie her sash in an even bow. "I'm so +anxious to see your outdoors, I could easily believe there are fairies +in these thick, tangly woods." + +"Our birds and little animal friends are just as interesting as +fairies," remarked Mrs. Ted, "but you must know them and they must know +you." + +"How ever could one get acquainted with birds?" asked Nora, stopping a +moment on her way out to answer Jerry's whistle. + +"We don't know how, but we know we do," replied Mrs. Ted, giving the +flying window curtain a jerk to let the sun stream in. "Some day I must +tell you about the poor little blue-jay we took in and nursed. He got so +fond of us I could hardly get him to fly away." + +"I had a canary once, Nannie sent it for Christmas, but I had to let him +go," said Nora. "He was just breaking his heart in that tiny, little +cage. I never wanted a bird again." + +"They are pathetic when caged," agreed Mrs. Manton, "but when out in +their own woods they seem to be the very happiest little creatures of +all creation. Run along," she said, as Nora waited politely. "That +Jerry-boy is getting impatient." + +As the child fluttered off, her yellow ringlets dancing and her dainty +little skirts swishing around the half tied ribbon sash, Mrs. Ted smiled +and pondered: + +"Another little blue-jay to love; but she will surely want to fly away +in her sky of dreams, and I pity the tired wings when night comes," +sighed the potential mother. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A BROKEN DREAM + + +It was evening at the Nest, and the quiet settling down on the woodlands +vibrated with a melody, at once silent and musical. + +Little Nora fairly trembled with expectation. What would the night +bring? She was determined to sleep in that attic under the big, dark +rafters. As a matter of fact Nora was fascinated with fear; just as one +may stop on a river bridge and feel like jumping in. + +"Just pound on the floor, Kitten, if you get scared. We'll run up and +get you, quickly enough," declared Jerry, secretly proud of Nora's +pluck. + +"But really, dear," objected Mrs. Ted, "I would rather you would----" + +"Now Ted, you know well enough you had a heap of fun the night you and +Jettie slept in the haunted house. Never mind the trouble you made in +the neighborhood, you had your fun," and he clapped his brown hands on +his knee and laughed, until Cap, the big dog, rolled over in his sleep +and grunted inquiringly. + +This reminder caused Ted to smile indulgently, and when Nora twined her +warm little arms around the same Teddie's neck, it seemed to the adopted +mother she could not deny her anything--she might sleep on the roof if +the whim occurred to her just then. + +While the family, which included Vita and the big tiger cat, besides Cap +and a cage of newly adopted birds, were either talking or listening to +talk, Vita, from the kitchen door, was acting rather queerly. She would +shuffle back and forth, start to speak and hesitate, cough, spill pans +and make other unusual noises, until Ted called out: + +"What's the matter, Vita? You seem to be having a lot of trouble." + +"Not trouble, just worry," replied the elderly servant in good English, +but strongly accented. + +"Worry?" repeated Jerry. "Why Vita, you never worry. What's wrong? Come +in and tell us about it." + +At this invitation Vita showed herself in the comfortable sitting room, +towel in hand and head wagging. + +"It's like this," she began, "that attic----" + +"Oh, that's it, is it? Now don't you go worrying about the attic," +interrupted Jerry. "If our little girl wants to dream one dream out up +there, why shouldn't she? I like her spirit." + +"But when--there's the pretty room----" + +"Why Vita!" It was Ted who interrupted this time. "I'm surprised that +you should interfere!" + +"Now, you know, dear, Vita means no harm," Jerry broke in, always eager +to smooth things out. "But there really doesn't seem any cause for all +this anxiety." + +"I would say, please," ventured the housekeeper, "a little girl might +get scared up in that black garret," and she made her dark eyes glare, +plainly with the intent of frightening Nora out of her plans. + +"Then it will be over, anyhow," spoke up the child, "and I might as well +get scared tonight as any other night," she concluded loftily. + +"Right-o!" sang out Jerry. "I can tell sure thing, Kitten, that you and +I are going to have a heap of fun in these diggings. When you get +through with one scare we'll invent another, and in that way we'll be +able to keep things interesting." + +Vita threw back her head, rolled her eyes again and made a queer sort of +gurgle. Then she swished her dish towel in the air with such a jerk it +snapped like a whip, and realizing further argument would be useless, +she turned back into her own quarters. + +As she went out, man and wife exchanged questioning glances. They +plainly asked each other why their maid should be so concerned, but with +Nora present it was unwise to put the query into words, so it remained +unanswered. + +Nothing but sheer pity prevented Mrs. Jerry Manton, better known as Ted, +from bursting into delicious laughter at the sight of Nora in her +boudoir finery, as, an hour later, she picked her way up into that +attic. + +Jerry kept discreetly at a distance, but he too saw the figure, so like +the model of an old time master painting, as she climbed the stairs, +unlighted candle in hand, with Cap at the little pink heels that just +peeked out from under a very beautiful, dainty night-robe. + +Her candle was not lighted--Cousin Ted, (the latest name given the +hostess) would not permit the lighting, as she argued it was dangerous +to carry the little flame so near to the flimsy robe: never-the-less, +Nora wanted the candle, and she carried it along to complete the +picture. + +At the door Ted touched a button and the convenient big electric bulb, +ordinarily used by Jerry when he went to the attic workroom, showered a +welcome light over the dark rafters and the queer eerie, lofty quarters. + +"Isn't it wonderful!" said Nora, in a voice so shaky the wonder part +seemed rather awful. + +"If you get the least bit nervous, dear, you come right down to the +yellow room," cautioned Ted. "We will leave the hall lights on, and Cap +wanders about all night. So if you hear him don't be alarmed." + +"It would be nice----" Nora paused, then continued, "if Cap would sleep +up here on this lovely landing. Couldn't we give him a pillow?" + +"I'm sure he wouldn't stay long," objected Ted. "Our Cap is a wonderful +night watchman and has a regular beat to cover. He will be sure to visit +you more than once before morning." She was turning away reluctantly. +The circumstances exacted full strength of her own courage--to leave +that little wisp of a child up in the lonely attic just to satisfy a +whim. + +But Ted knew the only sure way to effect a cure for the fanciful +nonsense was to let it burn out: it could never be successfully +suppressed. Hence the decision and the attic quarters. + +"Good night, cousin Ted," said Nora bravely. "And don't worry about me. +I'm sure to sleep and dream beautifully in that nice, fresh bed." + +"It is fresh; I changed it all as Vita seemed so opposed to letting you +come up here," said Ted, thoughtfully. "But while Vita is very queer in +some respects, she is loyal and faithful, always." + +Nora threw her small arms around Ted's neck impulsively. + +"If only Nannie liked housekeeping," she sighed. "Couldn't we have +perfectly lovely times in a little house of our own?" + +"Your mother is sure to change her ideas when she grows stronger," +replied the young woman, charitably. "Naomie has what is termed the +artistic temperament. As a rule it is greatly and sadly in need of +discipline." + +Nora sighed and pressed a loving pair of trembling lips on Mrs. Manton's +brown cheek. + +"I'm so glad I found you, anyhow. And Cousin Jerry is just the very +loveliest big jolly man! I'm sure I'm going to be very happy here," she +finished with an impressive sigh. + +"I know you are, dear. We have more kinds of things to do in this big +woodland! Just wait until you go out surveying with us!" Ted promised, +"then you will see some of the wonders of the great outdoors. There's +Jerry's whistle now. I must run away and get him his bread and milk. +Would you believe that great, big baby has a bowl of milk and two cuts +of home made bread every night? He says his mother always told her +children a story when they took this extra meal, and he insists he would +break up the family circle if he failed to take his nightly supply." + +"Break up the family? Do they come here?" + +"Oh, bless you, no. Jerry just fancies the other two brothers in Canada +and the sister who is a nurse in the mountains, all eat bread and milk +at nine-thirty P. M." She laughed a little, caressing ripple. Even Nora +knew that this young wife cherished any filial view held up by her +husband. + +Ted was gone, and presently it was time to turn out the big bulb light +that dangled from the rafters. Nora peered into the looking glass at her +own little face to make doubly sure of herself. Then she made a complete +survey of the room. + +"Just to know that any noise isn't here," she apologized to herself, +poking her yellow head into a nest of cobwebs and jerking back with a +little gasp. + +"Oh!" she panted, "Cousin Jerry wants cobwebs for his surveying +instruments. I must be sure to remember where that nest is." + +Over by the chimney a line of paper bags hung and these now seemed +"spooky" in the shadowy light. Other hanging things in the low parts of +the attic that were set away from the center, the latter which was +forming the unfinished bed room, all added to the grotesque outline. + +"But I've got to do it," declared little Nora, crawling at last under +the fresh bed covering Cousin Ted had provided. + +"I'll leave the light on for a little while just to try it," decided +Nora, her yellow head buried so deeply beneath the covers that it was +quite impossible to tell light from darkness. + +A little click from somewhere brought her up straight in the bed, a +moment later. She listened with all her alert senses but nothing else +happened. With a new feeling, somewhat akin to disappointment, Nora once +more settled down, first, however, she actually turned off the light, +and only the slim streak from the far away hall showed a single beam +that framed the chimney line. + +Being brave--as brave as all this--was really a new experience to Nora, +but she had promised herself to "hold out"; and then Cousin Jerry had +seemed so proud of her pluck she would never disappoint him. + +"Makes me feel almost as big as a boy," she encouraged herself, "and +won't I have a wonderful story to write Barbara." + +Now she thought of Barbara, the tom-boy girl at school: she who could +climb and romp, laugh and cry, defy the prim madams who conducted the +school, it was certainly conducted not "run," and the Misses Baily were +types of teachers such as the most carping critic might depict, black +string eye-glasses and all. + +The vision flitted before the blinking eyes of Nora. She was so glad to +get away from school restrictions and perhaps--well perhaps Cousin Jerry +and Cousin Ted might get to love her so fondly they would not send her +back. + +What was that! + +Over by the big chest! + +Quickly Nora struck a match and lighted her candle. + +A figure moved, there was no mistake about it, a person, a real live +person was surely over by the spook cabinet. + +Nora almost stopped breathing. + +She was afraid to call out and still more afraid to remain quiet. + +There it was again! + +"Oh! Oh! Cousin Ted!" + +She did call, but in such a thread of a voice she scarcely heard it +herself. + +The next moment Cap sniffed his big, warm nose up under her arm. + +"Oh, Cap, I'm so glad! Stay with me. I'm frightened!" she whispered, +drawing his tawny head closer. + +Then it occurred to her that the big dog had not barked. She knew he +could scent a stranger in any part of the house, and she was equally +sure a real person had moved over by the cabinet. Who could it be? + +Her first sudden fright was now giving place to reason. The intruder +must be human, and perhaps whoever it was, he was giving Cap something +he liked. But that would not account for his submission, for Cap was not +a dog to take things from strangers. + +Horrible thoughts of chloroform stifled the girl. She even fancied she +did detect a strange, depressing odor. What if she should be drugged! + +An attempt to move found her too frightened to put one foot over the +side of that bed. Why had she waited so long? A sickening fear was +coming on. Oh, suppose it should be unconsciousness? + +There was a stir. Cap was knocking things about. Now he dashed over and +was surely bounding up on someone. + +"Down!" came the command. + +It was given in the voice of Vita! + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +TRANSPLANTED + + +Nora was too surprised now to even think coherently. That Vita should be +up in her attic! + +"Down, down Cap!" the housekeeper was ordering, while the dog, evidently +realizing something very unusual was occurring, added his part to the +confusion. + +"Vita!" called Nora in a subdued voice, "Come over this way!" + +"Hush! Don't wake the folks," cautioned the maid, now beside Nora's bed. +"I--just--come to--shut the window----" + +"Oh, is there a window over there?" + +"A little one," evaded Vita. "But why do you come up to this dirty +place?" + +"It isn't dirty, and I like attics." Nora's was confident now and her +voice betrayed some resentment. + +"You like it?" Vita sniffed so hard the candle almost choked to death. + +"Why yes; why shouldn't I? I'm romantic you know." + +"Roman----" + +"Oh, you don't understand. I'm sort of booky, like a story, you know," +explained Nora loftily. "I love things that are like the parts of a +story." + +It was difficult to make certain that this lusty Italian understood; but +even in the dim light, her dark eyes seemed kind and full of smiling +glints, and her ruddy cheeks dimpled all over like a big tufted pin +cushion, giving Nora a feeling of security mingled with curiosity. + +Why did Vita come up? There was no draft from any window. Was there even +a window? + +"I tell you, baby," the woman began, as if answering Nora's silent +questions, "you be a very good little girl and go down to the pretty +sun-gold room; yes?" + +The big warm arm was cuddling the little form in the bed, and Cap was so +happy he put both paws gingerly on the coverlet, snapping a very short +bark of a question right into Nora's face. + +"Quiet, boy!" whispered Nora. "We are having a lovely party but we must +not wake our neighbors." + +The big shaggy head burrowed down into the covers, and Nora felt like a +little queen on a throne with her servants bowing at her feet. + +"Go on, Vita," she ordered grandly. + +"I tell you a nice little story, then you go downstairs on tippy toes, +yes?" + +"But Vita dear, I did so want to stay up here," pouted Nora. + +"It is no good up here. All crazy like, and make you scared--awful." +This was said in a very positive tone. + +"Why? What should I be afraid of? I slept alone at boarding school and +the winds made dreadful noises sometimes." protested Nora. + +"Never mind. You be Vita's good baby and Vita give you nice--very good +cake tomorrow," coaxed the woman, who now seemed anxious to leave the +attic herself. She stirred uneasily. + +"Well," sighed Nora, "I suppose I can't have any peace if I don't." She +threw down the coverlet. "But see, my little clock says eleven, and I +don't want to disturb anyone on my very first night. You go down +whatever way you came up, Vita; and I'll creep down the front way." + +The woman's relief was so evident Nora scarcely knew whether to be +grateful or suspicious. + +"Now everything be all right," whispered Vita happily, "and you sleep +just like the angel. Here Cap, you go very still," and she patted the +dog with a little shove that urged him toward the door. He understood, +evidently, for very quietly indeed he shuffled down, his four feet +softer than velvet slippers, as he carried his huge body down the +darkened stairway. + +Nora first poked her head out to make sure the coast was clear, then +with a motion to Vita, who stood with candle in hand at the attic door, +she swept down the stairs and entered the yellow room, into which a soft +light from the hall fell in a welcoming path. + +The bed covers were turned down--Vita must have been determined that +Nora should use that bed, and the window was properly opened, for the +soft breeze stirred the scrim curtains, and a wonderful woodland scent +stole into the room. + +"It is much better down here," Nora was forced to admit as she snuggled +into the gold and blue coverlet. "I guess I was a nuisance to be so +obstinate." + +A few minutes later a step in the hall glided to the electric light +button, and the click that followed turned off the light. + +That must have been Ted, of course, and she must have known that Nora +was now safely tucked in the comfortable bed in the guest room. + +"She was waiting for me too," mused Nora with a twinge of compunction. +"I do wonder why they made such a fuss about me staying in the attic?" +It was delicious to have every one anxious about her,--so short a time +ago no one but the Circle Angel at the Baily School seemed to care +whether she slept in her bed or out on the old, tattered hammock, that +Barbara wanted to make a tree climber out of; and now in this lovely +little bungalow, called The Nest, there were so many beds for her she +couldn't choose. + +All the same, with the insistence of her fancies, visions of goblins and +goo-gees up in the attic pranced through her excited brain and made the +queerest pictures. She shivered as she remembered them. + +"But Vita is nothing like a spirit worker," mused the child. "And she is +so kind and seems so fond of me." Then she had an inspiration. + +"I have it," she all but exclaimed aloud. "Vita knows what is wrong and +is afraid I will find out. She is not frightened at it or she would not +go prowling around in the dark," continued the reasoning, "but she has a +secret and it is in that attic." + +As if this conclusion settled all disturbing doubts, Nora humped over +once or twice and then gave in to the sleep her tired little self was so +sorely in need of. + +It was the end of a long and too well filled day. She had left the +select school with all the instructions of the Misses Baily fairly +hissing in her ears. Then there was Barbara's fun making, in the way of +a train letter with all sorts of wild premonitions (they were funny but +somehow the train incidents took on the threats of danger Barbara had +outlined). But after all, no one had kidnapped her and here she +was--yes, asleep in the big fluffy bed in the lovely yellow room. + +A whistle--Jerry's--brought her back. The daylight was streaming in +through that wonderful dew laden vine. And oh, the scent! + +It was not flowers but woodlands. A bird chirped a polite good morning, +and without the usual eye rubbing Nora was sitting up straight and +silently thanking the Maker of good things for such a wonderful day. + +For the first time in her life she felt that her clothes were not +appropriate, and it was some moments before she could decide just which +little gown to appear in. They really seemed out of place in that rugged +country--her laces and ribbons and fine fussings. + +"I suppose the Girl Scouts do wear practical things," she reflected, +"but that horrid khaki!" The thought sent a little shudder through the +small, frail shoulders, and Nora, donning her Belgian blue, with brown +sandals and two colored socks, was ready, presently, to meet her newly +adopted relations. Cap was at her door when she opened it, and this, +more than anything else, sent a thrill of joy to her heart. Even a +wonderful big dog to welcome her when any dog would surely want to be +out doors with Jerry on such a morning! + +"Come along, Bob," called a man's voice from the lower hall. "We can +hardly spare time to eat--there is so much to see this morning." + +Nora was beside him as he continued: + +"The kittens are tumbling out of their box, the puppies are fighting +over a feather, the chicks are testing their strength on a nice, lively, +fat little worm, and oh yes! the calf jumped over the moon--the moon +being Ted's home made gate," he finished, with that boyish laugh that +always made the house ring merrily. + +Vita was just coming into the dining room with the muffins as Nora +passed her. There was no mistaking the sly wink--the big dark eyes +fairly sparkled glints as the maid signalled Nora not to say anything +about the attic episode. Nora smiled and nodded, and then the muffins +were placed before Mrs. Ted. + +"Sleep well, dear?" asked that lady presently. + +"Wonderfully," replied Nora, just a bit cautiously. + +"I heard you come down stairs and was rather glad you changed your +mind," continued the hostess, while she poured Jerry's coffee. "It is +much pleasanter on the second floor." + +For a moment Nora wondered whether this was being said to disguise the +real happening. Did Mrs. Manton know that Vita had gone up to rouse her? + +"Maybe rain today," interrupted the maid, although the sun shone +brightly at the moment. + +"Now Vittoria!" objected Jerry. "You ought to know better than to say +rain when I have to go away out to the back woods, and I want to have +some real work done today." He glanced over his shoulder at the +streaming sunlight. "You're a fraud, or else you are not awake yet," he +went on. "There is no more sign of rain than of snow." + +"I agree with you for once, Jerry," chimed in Ted. "The grass was +knitted with cobwebs, the sun came up grey, and besides all that the +jelly jelled. Now Vita, you see you are completely left. It is not going +to rain." + +Vita laughed good naturedly. "Then I say it is goin' to shine," she +added, and Nora now felt certain her talk had been made to interrupt the +comment on the night before. + +Breakfast passed off in a gale of pleasantries. The home of the Mantons +seemed jollier every moment, to Nora. + +"How about the woods?" asked Jerry, while they lingered over the coffee. + +"I'm ready," replied Ted, "and I'm sure Nora will want to come." + +"Oh yes," with a glance at her inadequate costume. "Will this dress be +all right?" + +"If it's the strongest you have with you," replied Ted. "But we have +some very saucy briars and brush. We must see about a real woodsy outfit +for you." She paused a moment, then continued, "I am sure you will like +the Girl Scouts when you get to know more about them. I know a group of +the girls and to my thinking they are the real thing in girls." + +Nora flushed slightly. One point she had made up her mind on. She was +not going to lose her identity by joining in with a group of girls who, +she imagined, just did as they were told, and apparently had no ideas of +their own. Nora had seen some of the Girl Scout literature and it had +not impressed her favorably. It was plain and practical, while she +longed for novelty. + +"Well, Bob is going to be my scout, at any rate," chimed in Jerry, quick +to sense possible embarrassment. The shade of Nora's cheeks gave him his +cue. "We won't talk about the regular Scouts until--well, until later," +he finished, in the foolish way he had of making a boy of himself. It +was rather foolish, but so jolly. He would wind up everything in just +the way Nora never expected, as if his words said themselves. + +The visitor was conscious now of something unpleasant stealing in upon +her. Would Mrs. Manton oblige her to be different? Couldn't she dream +and play and fancy all the wonderful things she had been storing up for +so long? Wasn't this her dream vacation? + +Nannie, that play mother of hers, _she_ knew would not want her to +change her peculiar characteristics. + +This sort of reasoning flashed before her mind as the party prepared for +a day in the woods. + +So the little girl in Belgian blue went along with the big man in his +knickers and brown blouse, and with the young woman in her service +uniform. + +Nora made an odd little figure, but she was, as she had always been, a +picture of a girl. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE WOODS AT ROCKY LEDGE + + +Out in the woods! + +Forgotten was the dread idea of a Scout uniform or the possible program +of a Scout ritual. Nora romped with Cap, discovering new delights at +every few paces and only pausing to exchange salutations with birds, +bees and butterflies. The sky was as blue as her gown, and her eyes +matched the entire scheme. Her golden hair tossed in the wind like new +corn silk, and when Jerry and Ted slyly inspected their charge at a safe +distance, a most comprehensive nod of a pair of wise heads told volumes +to the woodlands and the surrounding Nature audience. + +Yes, Nora would do. Now life at the Nest seemed complete. Even this +dreamy, romantic little bit of humanity was a real child, and to the +pair of adopted parents she seemed as beautiful as a wild flower. + +"Now Ted, you just hold back on that Scout stuff," Jerry had the +temerity to suggest. "We don't want to scare her off, first shot. And +you can see she's opposed." + +"She doesn't understand," replied Ted. "But, of course, there is no need +to urge her. No hurry, at any rate." + +"I don't know as I like the tom-boy idea," continued Jerry. "She's very +pretty just as she is." + +Ted laughed knowingly. "You're the boy who pulls down the shades rather +than say 'no' to the peddlers," she reminded him. "It is easy to +understand why you are opposing the Scouts." + +He adjusted his tripod and seemed to have found something very absorbing +at that moment. Nevertheless, his big shoulders shook, and his curly +head wagged a little suspiciously. + +They were surveying the end of a big strip of woodland. All over the +young forest could be seen the yellow stripes that marked the trees that +were to be spared, while those unmarked were doomed for the woodman's +ax. Birds liked the yellow-banded trees best, to judge from the perches +they made upon such, but of course, they could not have known that the +other, not so fortunate, needed their musical sympathy to make less +gloomy the approaching execution. + +"See! Just see!" Nora called, running back from the wild grape-vine +cave. "Do come over and see this--little play house. It's perfect as can +be, with vine draperies, and moss carpet, and real wild-rose decoration. +Cap led me to it, I guess it's his secret place." She was panting with +sheer joy. The woods were new to the girl from the boarding school, +where walks were confined to the limits of neuritis and neuralgia as +"enjoyed" by the Baily Sisters. + +"Cap'll show you," replied Jerry. "He has nothing to do but hunt while +Ted and I work for our living." + +"Oh, could I help?" Nora felt like an intruder upon their industry. + +"Not just today, but pretty soon. Perhaps the day after." This was +another of Jerry's characteristic replies. Nora understood them better +now. + +"But it is real fun--fun to look through that spy glass. Do you have +cobwebs in there?" + +Asking this brought back to her mind the cobweb nest in the attic. +Jerry's reply, however, forestalled further reflection in that direction +at the moment. + +"Some day, pretty soon, perhaps the day after tomorrow," he laughed +again, "I'll show you all about this and the cobwebs. Ted has some town +stuff to attend to; and listen, Bobbs" (he stepped over and whispered in +Nora's ear), "Ted is a perfect terror if she is held too late in the +woods. She would starve us to death, like as not, if I didn't get back +before the clock cooled striking. So you and Cap just run along and find +out what the fairies want from the village, while we mark a few more +spots." + +Was there ever such a jolly man? Once again he had quickly avoided +embarrassment to Nora. He would not even let her think she should be +useful. + +"Yes," called Mrs. Manton from her position astride a small white birch, +"you and Cap have a good time, Nora. He will teach you to explore." + +Willingly Nora ran back to the bower she had discovered. Surely it had +been fashioned by elves and fairies, for it was perfect in every detail. +Unconscious of time, she flitted about making a little window in the +wild grape vine, and fashioning a door between the hazel-nut boughs. + +A murmuring song escaped her lips, while Cap now and then yelped +sharply, impatient to be understood and receive attention. + +"Why, Cap!" asked Nora in reply to one of these outbursts, "I don't +quite understand your language. What is it?" + +The big dog was vainly trying to make Nora see a nest of late sparrows. +The tiny feathered babies could just stretch their little heads above +the rim of the straw cup of a nest they cuddled in, and when Cap found +them he knew he should notify somebody. The bush was so low, although it +was safely sheltered by the thick vines, and a wild trumpet vine loaned +two beautiful flowers to cheer the little birds during their mother's +absence. Still, Cap felt certain it was dangerous for such tiny +creatures to be there in the very path of any wild, rough animal +happening by. + +Nora had never seen such baby birds before. First, she wanted to fondle +them, but Cap gave warning and she desisted. Then, she wanted to feed +them, as if birds could eat the black berries she offered them. But +presently the mother bird flew into the bower with such a wild, shrill +call, Nora knew her own presence was not desired so near the baby birds, +so she followed Cap out into the clearance. As she did she saw +approaching a group of girls, and they wore the Girl Scout uniform. + +At the sight something within Nora seemed to tighten up. The girls were +coming straight to the bower and their laughing voices had the strange +effect of all but chilling Nora. + +Without waiting to exchange so much as a smile she called Cap and ran +off to the surveyor's camp. + +"Well," she heard one girl exclaim, as she sped away, "one would think +we were--Indians." + +Nora's ears stung as her cheeks flamed. + +"There! Wasn't that just what one might expect? As if a girl couldn't do +just as she pleased in the woodlands! And they were her own Cousin +Jerry's lands too," Nora scoffed. + +"What's the matter, Nora?" asked Mrs. Manton, as she panting, sank down +on a freshly-cut stump. "You don't mean to tell me you are actually +afraid of those little girls, just because they wear uniforms?" + +"Oh, no, Cousin Ted, I am not afraid of them," her voice would shake +somehow, "but I didn't know them." + +"I see. Well, we must all get acquainted in these pretty parts. The +birds and the furry things never wait for an introduction," replied Ted, +kindly. + +"Come along with me, Bobbs," called Jerry, who was packing up his +instruments. "I need help with this chain; it is bound to snarl." + +"Jerry!" called out Mrs. Ted rather sharply. "You really must not +interfere every time I attempt to tell Nora something useful. I want her +to know the Girl Scouts, and the sooner she makes up her mind to do so +the happier she will be. The Scouts are all over this place you know, +Jerry," and the laughter of the girls up at the bower attested to the +truth of that statement. "Anyone who is not interested in Scouting will +have a poor chance of a real vacation in the woodlands," concluded Mrs. +Manton. + +"But we are going to scout," insisted the man with the tripod on his +shoulder. "The only thing is, we are going to do it in our own way. +Isn't that so, Bobbs?" + +Young and simple minded as was Nora, she was fully conscious of a +difference of opinions regarding her management. Jerry was surely siding +with her, even in her whims, whereas Ted, mother-like, felt the +necessity of giving advice. + +That was it. She had never before known anything the least bit +mother-like. Would she find the relationship too irksome? + +There was the hint of a tear in her blinking eye when she pulled the +kinky tape out for Jerry and felt it snap back into its leather case. +After all, things were not exactly as she had pictured them at the Nest. +First, she was dragged down from her attic--she felt now she had been +dragged down in the very middle of the night by that great, big Vita, +and now, there were those horrid Girl Scouts being held up as examples +for her to follow and imitate. Well, she would never be a Scout. Each +time the question presented itself she felt more decidedly against it. +She would always have big Cousin Jerry to stand by her, and if Cousin +Ted---- + +"Want to come to town with me, dear?" called the owner of the name she +was opposing. + +"Sure she does. She is going to ride Cyclone. Aren't you, Bobbs?" This +was from Jerry. + +"I couldn't ride a big horse," faltered the confused girl. + +"We will go in our handsome ca--our little tame flivver," interrupted +Ted. "When you want to ride a horse you will have plenty of time to +practice." Mrs. Manton had assembled her tools. Nora marvelled at the +strong hands that could so skillfully wield the sharp hatchet and the +dangerous-looking trimming knife. Into the loop at her belt Ted +carelessly slipped the glittering tools, and as she did so Nora recalled +the sight of the dainty hands she had been accustomed to admiring. What +would the ladies who visited the school say to a person like Cousin Ted? + +They were ready to leave for the cottage. Over the hill the Girl Scouts +were calling their mysterious "Wha-hoo," and to Nora it sounded like a +call to battle. What had at first been merely an indifference was now +assuming the proportions of actual dislike. How was Nora to know she was +a very much spoiled little girl? And how was she to guess what the cost +of her change of heart would mean to her? + +She was a total stranger to the word "snob." Her training had been one +straight line of avoiding this, that, and the other thing; but as for +doing this, that and everything, no place was given in the curriculum. + +Mrs. Manton, herself a product of the most modern college, knew the +weakness of little Nora's character at a glance, but to introduce +strength and purpose! To bend the vine without crushing the tendrils! + +This very first day was marked with a danger signal. If Nora slighted +the Scouts, they who came almost daily to Ted for information and +companionship, there was sure to be trouble. It was this surety that +prompted Ted to say with decision: + +"The sooner Nora gets acquainted the happier she will be." + +Meanwhile the girls of Chickadee Patrol had all but forgotten about the +stranger. They were after specimens and had discovered more than one new +bird's nest. Cameras were clicking, notes being taken, and so many +interesting matters were being attended to, it was not strange that the +sight of one little girl in a pretty blue frock, with a disdainful +expression on her otherwise attractive face, might have been forgotten +for the time. + +If there were really fairies in those woods they should have intervened +just then, for it would have been so much easier for Nora to have met +the Scouts as companions, whereas she, holding away from the very idea +of organization, kept building up a dislike which threatened to cause +her much unhappiness. + +The woodlands were broad enough for both to roam, but it was inevitable +that both should meet some day, and, under what circumstances? + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A PRINCE IN HIDING + + +When Nora wrote to Barbara she drew word pictures of the beauties at +Woodland Wilds. She shed a tear of real joy when writing about Cousin +Jerry and Captain, and when she fondly recited the virtues of Cousin Ted +she felt she put more in that one word "Motherly" than could otherwise +have been conveyed. + +It was in the writing of that letter that she took account of her actual +self, for in wording it she had naturally summed up. + +"I am not just sure whether I entirely suit or not," she told Barbara. +"Sometimes I feel so different. Of course they all love me, even Vita +the cook, and I love them fondly, but don't you know, Babs, you always +told me I saw 'foohey' and you would not explain what it was to be that +way? But I guess I am, whatever it is, for a lot of alterations have +already been ordered," she wrote. + +"My new outdoor clothes have arrived," the letter ran, "they are of +brown cloth" (she avoided the use of the word khaki) "and they will +stand a lot of hard wear. Cousin Jerry says we get them that color and +so we won't scare the birds and other woodland creatures. They are +supposed to think we are part of the landscape." + +Nora then told of the attic, and its chest of treasures, and added she +expected to try on a couple of outfits the very first day she was free +from accompanying the surveying party. + +All of which showed the visitor was "taking root," as Jerry would have +said. + +A long tramp out in a marshy territory was to be undertaken by the two +veterans, Ted and Jerry, but because of the bad footing Nora was not +asked to go along. This provided the very opportunity Nora had been +waiting for, and hardly had the reliable old flivver "fluvved" away, +then she hurried up to the attic in search of a costume. + +"Come on, Cap," she whispered, eluding Vita, but unwilling to go up in +the attic alone. She had not forgotten the suspicions of her first +night. + +Too glad to obey, Cap led the way, and presently Nora forgot even the +"spook cabinet" in her interest over the open costume chest. + +Things were mussed and musty, rumpled and wrinkled and crinkled; but +what colors and what a lot of bright tinsel! + +"Oh joy," she exclaimed, dragging from the tangles a real Fauntleroy +costume. "I have always wanted to see how I would look dressed in this +sort of outfit," she thought, for the black velvet "knickers," the +little velvet jacket, and the lace blouse were all there, and yes, there +was a wonderful, bright silk scarf to go around the waist. + +The cap was prettiest of all, and it was resting on Nora's yellow curls +before Cap could possibly make out what the whole proceedings meant. He +stood over in his corner and blinked, but Nora insisted on having his +opinion. + +"Isn't it wonderful, Cap? And don't you like Nora in it?" she demanded. +He gave one of his peculiar exclamations rather louder than she had +expected, and to prevent the sounds from reaching Vita's ears, Nora put +both arms around Cap's neck and hugged him into silence. + +She was very much excited. Ever since her arrival at the Nest she had +been planning a private masquerade, and now the time had come for her to +indulge in it. + +Fanciful dream child that she was, the character of little Lord +Fauntleroy had always strongly appealed to her, and as for most girls +the boy's costume had a peculiar charm for her heroic ventures into the +world of make-believe. + +"We'll take them down stairs," she told Cap. "We can dress much more +comfortably in my room." + +Poking her head out to make sure Vita was not around, she tucked the +velvets and laces into her arms and hurried to the next floor. Seldom +had she locked the hall door, but she did so now, dismissing Cap +peremptorily, for there was no need of his protection on the second +floor. + +"I suppose it's too big," she reasoned, when the little knickers were +pulled up as high as the button and button hole line. Yes, it was big, +this costume had been worn by a gay lady at a big country club dance, +and little Nora was scarcely a sample of the personality for which the +jaunty outfit had been created. + +But mere size did not worry her. It was effect that she craved. The lacy +blouse fell into place quite naturally, and it did look boyish, while +the overblouse of black velvet completed the Fauntleroy picture. + +"If the buckles would only stay buckled," she sighed, trying for the +third time to fasten the knee straps and keep them that way. It was not +pretty at all to have them slink down below her knees, like an untidy +schoolboy; and a pin had no possible effect on the heavy, velvety +finish. + +"I know," breathed Nora, "I'll roll them." And she did that skillfully; +for in the season just past many and many a sock had she rolled and they +had stayed, although Barbara never could acquire the same knack. + +It was all finally finished, and she inspected herself in the mirror, +slanted to the very last angle to show the full length. A pat of the +cap, a brash of the tie and a swish of the flying scarf gave the +finishing touches. + +Really Nora made "a perfectly stunning" little Lord Fauntleroy. Had she +been more accustomed to the sayings of the day she might well have +exclaimed, "All dressed up and no place to go," but her culture admitted +of no such expressive parlance. Instead, she asked herself in the +looking glass: "Wonder if I dare go outside? It is so comfortable to +wear this style"; and she skipped around as every other girl on earth +has ever done the very moment she felt relieved of the trammel of +skirts. + +The morning was unusually quiet. Vita must be away picking greens, the +surveyors were miles out, and there was no one but Cap to criticise. Why +shouldn't she stroll out grandly in her princely costume? + +She did. The birds twittered and the rabbits scurried and the pet +squirrel stood up and begged. But Nora was not feeding the animals this +morning, instead, she flounced her lace sleeve in a most courtly gesture +and passed on to the cedar tree grove. Cedars seemed more appropriate +for velvets than did the other wild trees; besides, no underbrush grew +in the cedar grove, and it was much safer for costly finery. + +On the rustic seat Nora felt exactly as she had felt the day Miss Baily +took her to sit for her picture, except that she crossed her legs +comfortably now, whereas, then, she was not even allowed to cross her +hands. + +Presently the actress removed her (his) cap and poised it on the arm of +the chair. Did Lord Fauntleroy go out in his grounds alone? Perhaps she +should have called Cap to go along. + +Then came thoughts of Nannie. Why must she, little Nora, always be so +far away from that pretty mother? And why did the picture life--the +make-believe--charm her like some secret failing? Did other girls really +like the horrid brown uniforms never pictured in books, that is, never, +until very lately? So raced her unruly thoughts. + +Everything was so still, but Nora was not lonely--her own reflections +kept her such noisy company that isolation had no terror for her. Just +outside the cedar grove a strip of road waited for traffic. Few persons +passed, but even woodlands must have roads, just as skies must have +clouds. + +Feeling more at home in her costume every moment, Nora stepped proudly +outside the grove into the clearance. A fat little hoptoad crossed the +path, but otherwise the prince was lord of all he surveyed. The whole +world was busy, evidently, and even a visiting prince attracted no +attention in the wild woodlands. + +Nora wanted to whistle. She felt a prince, with hands in pockets +inspecting his domain, would surely whistle, but she had never made much +of a success at the wind song--it was Barbara who did all the whistling +for both. Still, she tried now, and the sound wasn't any worse than the +cracked call of the blue-jay, except that it did not carry so far. + +What would Barbara say to this game of characters? A companion would add +to the possibilities of good times, Nora secretly admitted, but what +companion could she find in these wilds? + +Just as a sense of loneliness came creeping over her she heard the +leaves somewhere crackle. The next moment a girl appeared a few paces up +the road, and called to her quickly: "Oh, I say boy! Have you seen the +Girl Scouts----" + +The voice stopped as suddenly as it had started. The girl in uniform +looked so surprised, Nora was conscious of scrutiny, even at the +distance between them. She turned her head instinctively and so evaded a +direct look; but presently the girl called again: + +"I am looking for the girls who are going over to the Ledge. Did you +happen to see them pass this way?" + +"No," faltered Nora, in a voice not her own. "I just came along. I'm +looking for a car----" + +"Oh, I saw one. It drove down the turn----" + +"Thanks," jerked out Nora, taking the cue to escape, and waving her hand +in lieu of further conversation. She dodged behind the heavy elderberry +bush and almost gasped in fright. What would a Girl Scout think of her +in such a costume? Of course, she had no possible opportunity of seeing +her face, and she surely could never recognize her again. Making +positive she could get back to the Nest without again stepping out into +the roadway, Nora sped back as quickly as her feet could carry her. It +was always these Scouts; a sense of humiliation was now added to that of +dislike. Would they all talk about her? Perhaps make fun of her or think +her odd and foolish? + +Too inexperienced to realize that the entire blame was her own, Nora +crept up to the flap-jack path that led directly to the cottage door. + +Here she was stopped again, for Vita sat out by the big stump, either +counting or selecting something from her apron. So engrossed was she in +her task she did not hear Nora's footfall, and this gave the "prince" +another chance to escape detection. She darted back into the arbor and +waited. The only other way to enter the house was at front and she might +meet almost anyone in that way. + +Her game was losing its charm. She would have given much to be free of +the finery and garbed again in her own simple clothes. It was rather +mortifying to be considered queer, and that one saving grace, a sense of +humor, was entirely lacking in the girl's make-up. Otherwise she might +have jumped down from a tree and frightened Vita out of her wits, thus +making a lark out of a difficulty. + +She waited impatiently. What could Vita be doing that so held her +attention? Then the attic memories flashed back to Nora's mind and she +wondered. + +"Cousin Ted leaves too much to that maid," she was deciding. "I might be +able to help by keeping a lookout." + +But for what? Vita was surely trustworthy and even extremely kind to +Nora, the intruder. + +A burr pricked the knee that refused to hold fast to the buckled finery. +It must have been rather a nuisance to dress like that. Nora rolled the +band tighter and lost her fancy hat in the effort. + +Voices! + +Girls' laughter. The Scouts, of course, and coming back toward the +cottage! + +Without waiting to consider Vita's opinion, Nora sprang from her hiding +place and darted up the path into the cottage. + +Voices within as well as without! + +Cousin Ted was back from the woods and had company. How could Nora reach +her room without being seen? + +She crouched behind the kitchen cabinet, hoping the voices would leave +the hall and enter the living room, but, evidently, there was a reason +for delay, and the big seat was right at the foot of the stairway! + +Now Vita's flat slippers patted the stones and she was coming into the +kitchen. + +Disgusted with the entire affair, Nora turned into the back stairway. +She had never mounted those stairs, they were used only by the maid, but +just now there seemed no other avenue of escape. She heard the shuffling +feet of Vita as she climbed the bare treads. + +They were narrow and dark, only a small window cut in an opening +somewhere allowed enough light to penetrate to make sure the steps were +those of stairs. A narrow landing marked the line where the second floor +must be. Then there was another turn, a sort of sharp twist in the queer +ladder-like climb. + +Nora was too far up now to hear Vita's step in the kitchen. + +"But this must lead to the attic," she reasoned. "I may as well go on up +as to go--down." + +Cobwebs a-plenty here. She jerked back from their tangles, fearing +spiders and other crawling things. + +"Oh," she exclaimed. "I do wish I had not come this way. It's +so--spooky!" + +At every step the darkness increased and the light dwindled. Reaching a +good-sized platform, Nora stood, thankful to draw an easy breath. She +could just about see that she had only one short flight of steps to go +to reach a door. + +"I would never have believed this house was so high," she pondered. "I +feel as if I came up from a cellar to a tower." + +Then, resolutely, the pilgrim started on again. Only a few steps and she +found herself face to face with two doors. They were unpainted and each +stood at angles from the landing. + +"Which?" she asked instinctively; for, while she wanted to reach the +attic, she was careful to remember which way she had come in this +crooked, gloomy place. Besides this, the attic was a mysterious part of +that pretty house, Nora realized. + +"It must be all right to go in here--all of the rooms are ours and +Cousin Ted said they were all kept clean." + +With this caution she pushed open one of the unpainted doors and stepped +inside. + +She gasped! The place was in almost total darkness! + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +CAP TO THE RESCUE + + +Where was she? What could be so black? + +Nora gasped--it was so stifling. Fumbling in the strange place her hand +found the door and as she pressed against it she heard it shut! + +"Oh mercy!" she exclaimed aloud. "I'm shut in this awful place!" + +Now her eyes could make out the rafters. It was the attic, but what part +of it? The faintest gleam of light breaking in from above followed the +rough beams. The frightened girl fell back breathing hard and feeling +faint. To faint in the attic! Surely that would be romantic! But she +didn't want to faint all alone up there and maybe die and not be found +for years, as she had read happened once to a bride who went up to look +for her grandmother's quilt. + +She was so dizzy. She really must sit down. Not even a hazy fear of rats +roused her, for it was unbearably hot and stuffy. + +"O-o-o-h!" + +That was the end of Nora for the time being. She succumbed to the first +faint she had ever performed, and there was no one to see her, no one to +rescue her, not one even to know where she was! + +Such a little prince! + +Velvets and ribbons brushed cobwebs and dust, as she slumped down, +down----! + +Of all her life's dreams what she dreamed when she breathed again seemed +the strangest. But it was all broken up like pieces of stars mashed into +flashes of dazzling light, and there was no more head nor tail to it. +All she could think of was how tired she was, and she knew she just had +to sleep. + +If spiders had any talent for observing, those in that cubby hole would +have had a wonderful story to tell to the crawling things in roof and +rafters, but even they did not so much as try, with a web, to arouse the +half-conscious child, and one lacy net was so near Nora's face her gasps +of breath swayed and rocked the baby spider in its cradle. + +So there she was asleep now, and glad not to know! + +Downstairs supper had been prepared and everyone was waiting for Nora. + +Who had seen her? Where had she spent the afternoon? + +"Vita," said Jerry sharply, "you know you were not to let the child go +off these grounds alone." + +"I no see her, never. She no come out from the house," protested the +frightened Vita. + +"Well, we have got to search," decided Ted, her bronzed face plainly +showing alarm, and her brown eyes blinking with unnamed fears. + +"Where has Cap been?" again demanded Jerry. "He should have been with +her." + +"He went with the Scouts; they asked for him, and of course, I let him +go as usual. I did not know Nora was going out, in fact, I thought she +was going to write to her school mates," replied Ted. "But don't let us +waste time. I'll take the north way, Vita you go by the Ledge, and +Jerry, I suppose you will jump on a horse and scout every way." + +"Yes, I'll take Cap and send him on ahead." All the laugh was gone from +Jerry's voice now. How quickly the cloud of Anxiety can darken the +brightest home? + +More than an hour later all three searchers returned to the Nest and +admitted they could not find Nora. + +"She couldn't be in the house, could she?" asked Ted, disconsolately. + +"We looked hastily, but it was best to do all the outdoor looking +first," replied Jerry. "Do you suppose she went to visit anyone? Did she +make friends with Alma and Wyn, our pet Scouts?" + +"I wish she had. There's that about the Scouts, they go in groups," +answered Ted, with feeling. "Let us look over the house more carefully. +But why should she hide?" A loud bark from Cap answered that question. + +"Here! Cap knows where she is. Let him find her," exclaimed Jerry, +joyfully. + +"It's at the kitchen door," added Ted, hurrying in that direction. + +"Quick, open the door, Vita!" commanded Jerry, while the dog barked +wildly. + +Vita put a trembling hand on the door that led to the back stairs and +opened into the kitchen. No sooner had she done so than Cap bounded past +her, and the next moment the big dog and the forlorn little prince +tumbled into the room. + +"Nora!" exclaimed both Jerry and Ted. + +"It isn't! It can't be!" faltered the surprised maid. "This is boy----" + +"Boy nothing!" almost shouted Jerry, so glad to see Nora in any guise +that her strange costume interested him not at all. + +"The poor little darling," cried Ted, gathering the black velvet form up +into her arms. "What ever happened to you, dear?" + +Nora brushed a dusty hand over her blinking eyes. "Oh, I am so glad I am +saved. I thought I would surely die." + +"Up attic. Why baby! No one could die in our attic. Cap knew you were up +there and if you had not tumbled down just when you did he would have +gone through the wall to find you, wouldn't you, old fellow?" Jerry +asked fondly. + +The Saint Bernard was in his native element at the rescue work, and he +licked Nora's hand contentedly. Ted had gathered the child up into her +arms and Vita was already busy getting a refreshing drink. Jerry, +manlike, just looked on, happy beyond words, for in the bad hour +previous he was a prey to keen anxiety, and during the process made up +his mind in the future to keep Nora closer to the family circle at all +times. + +Nora had not yet come to the point of talking. Her swoon and its +consequent haziness left her in a daze, and with the mother-like arms +about her, and the breath of Cap reviving her, and Cousin Jerry's big +soft eyes encouraging her, the relief from her fright was slowly +creeping over her and it was so delicious she had no idea of dispelling +it with mere words. + +"I know," said Teddie softly, "you were playing parts, dressing up in +the duds from the big chest." + +"Did you go to sleep in the trunk?" ventured Jerry, slyly. + +"No, I don't know just where I was--I was----" faltered Nora, now +beginning to feel a little foolish in her boy's outfit. + +"She went up wrong stairs and I guess, maybe, she got lost in the big +open attic," Vita volunteered, apparently anxious to forestall further +questions. + +"No, it was not opened. It was shut tight--very tight," snapped Nora. +She resented Vita's explanation. Somehow she felt Vita was to blame. + +"Then you must have struck the spook closet," said Jerry, his old happy +tones ringing through the small kitchen. "Say Ted, let's get into the +other room. Can you walk, Bobbs, or shall big Cousin Jerry carry you?" + +"Oh, I can walk all right," replied Nora, slipping to the floor from +Teddie's lap. "But I was so stiff and cramped and--I guess I must have +fainted." + +"You must have been up there all the time we were hunting for you, and +the attic is always hot," added Ted. "I never thought of looking there." + +"But Cap did. He knew where you were the moment he came in the house," +said Jerry proudly. "I tell you, Cap is a regular life-saver. He will +have to get another medal for this; even if he didn't drag you out of +the spook cabinet, he did tumble in the kitchen with you." + +Both Jerry and Ted were too considerate to show surprise at Nora's +appearance, but Vita could not or did not attempt to hide her +astonishment. + +"Guess she thinks the fairies had you," said Jerry softly, when Vita +stood in the doorway, her hands on her capable hips and her mouth wide +open in a gasp of surprise. But Nora had an uncertain feeling that Vita, +as sole tenant of the back stairway, should have made better +arrangements than to have a door that would spring shut like that, right +at the very top of the dark place. + +It was at this point a mistake was made. Nora did not express herself +and Vita had no idea of explaining. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry were supposed to +know all about the Nest, but did they! In the excitement of finding +Nora, the actual hiding place was not being considered. + +Quickly as the little girl recovered her self-possession and took part +in the conversation, everyone enjoyed a good hearty laugh, naturally led +by Jerry. + +"What special kind of prince were you, Bobbs?" he asked jovially. "I did +not know they hid in dark attics." + +"Oh, yes they did," contradicted Ted. "Don't you remember the princes in +the tower?" + +"I don't, but it doesn't matter. They must have been in a tower or you +would not have included the fact in your college course," replied Jerry, +always ready to tease on that score. Whenever Ted found a new specimen +in the woods, or questioned about a strange bird, he would invariably +ascribe the matter to "her college course." + +Nora was anxious to get out of the ill-fated costume. She wanted to run +upstairs and change, now that her knees had stopped shaking, but Ted +insisted she take her supper just as she was, and readily made a merry +time out of the near catastrophe. Again Nora missed the point--no sense +of humor was a sad lack in so active a girl. + +Cap regarded her with an eye almost twinkling. Did he know the attic +secret that she had been unable even to realize was a secret? + +"Your clothes fit pretty well," said Jerry, "but I think I like you best +in your Little Girl Blue dress. Guess, after all, girls really shouldn't +wear----" + +"Now, there you go again, Jerry Manton," interrupted Ted. "As if the +costume had anything to do with Nora getting lost." + +And all the while Nora was thinking: "If they only knew." But she had +never had any one to confide in, except Barbara, and now she did not +know exactly how to tell her story. Besides, how silly it would be to +say she had actually been out in the roadway in the Fauntleroy clothes? +And if they ever knew she had been seen and spoken to by a Girl Scout! + +The fear of humiliation crushed back any desire to tell the whole story +and so it remained as it appeared, an incident of no more importance +than a case of being lost in the attic. + +All the horrors of the black hole, all the terrors of her fright and +faintness, besides what actually happened when she finally burst through +that door and all but fell head-long down the dark stairs--this Nora +crushed back from her lips, and only dared to think of it as something +she would write in her secret diary. + +Perhaps she would tell Barbara. It was too thrilling to remain a secret +with no one but herself to ponder upon it. + +A refreshing bath, more beef tea and a bedtime story told by the +affectionate Cousin Teddie one hour later, all but dispelled the trying +memory. + +The story was one read from a favorite woodland series, in which +children, birds and furry things found days of happiness in the carefree +hours, far away from artificial restrictions of "Do" and "Don't." + +The girls mentioned in the story were not spoken of as Scouts, but Nora +suspected they must have been very much like such in ideals. + +"You see," said Teddie gently, when she had finished the interesting +story, "girls who love nature find real joy in studying the woods and +learning to love the woodland creatures. You have had no chance to know +what such pleasure means, dear." + +"No," said Nora faintly. And at that moment she decided to put on her +new uniform the very next morning, and then go forth with Cousin Ted and +Cousin Jerry in quest of the adventures promised. + +"I guess," she began timidly, "it is better, Cousin Teddie, for me to go +along with you every day, if you don't mind." + +"Why, I can't bear to leave you home, either with Vita or to your own +resources," declared Ted. "But I didn't want to urge you. Your +experience today may be a good thing in the end--it may help to cure you +of the artificiality you have been absorbing so deeply. I will have to +write your mother a bit of advice. I do not believe her little daughter +is getting the sort of education best for her. Now, roll over and go to +sleep." She pressed a fond kiss on the warm cheek. "And Nora love, don't +bother about dreaming," finished Mrs. Jerry Manton, in a tone of voice +not learned during her famous "college course." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE STORY ALMA DID NOT TELL + + +Under a canvas tent sheltered by a particularly broad chestnut tree and +surrounded by a group of beautiful white birch, the girls of Chickadee +Patrol, Girl Scouts, were listening, all attention, to the very wildest +tale they had ever given ears to. + +Alma was talking. "Honestly girls," she insisted, "he was a real prince, +dressed in black velvet and a beautiful jaunty cap----" + +"Alma! Alma!" shouted her companions in derision. + +"Where did you see the fairies? Just imagine in broad daylight in the +woodlands----" teased one. + +"Then, I shall not tell you anything more about it," desisted the abused +one. "As if I wasn't surprised. Why, I was so dumfounded I could not ask +him if he saw you, and I was miles behind the crowd." + +"Now girls, let Alma tell," chirped Doro, in her lispy voice. "Go ahead, +Al. _I_ believe you saw Prince Charming." + +"Was he old enough to ride a horse?" asked Laddie, christened Eulalia. +She was defying her dentist on a piece of fudge two days old. + +"Honestly, girls," began Alma again, "I never saw a boy so beautiful. +Light curls----" + +"Oh!!!" came a chorus that stopped the narrator and sent her pouting +over to the bed couch, where she pouted still more. + +"Then, all right, I am absolutely through," she declared quite as if she +meant it. + +"Now just see what you have done," mourned Treble. She was so tall the +girls always considered her in that clef. "Don't you mind them, Allie. I +know perfectly well there are even flying cupids in the big woodlands, +and I fully expect to bring a couple home to lunch----" + +Cushions in one big bang stopped Treble. At this rate Alma's story would +never be published, orally or otherwise. + +In the Scout tent the evening was being spent in recreation: hence the +fun they were having with Alma. At a table fashioned from an upside-down +packing case, with real hand carved legs where the boards were knocked +out and the hatchet braces left standing, sat three of the Chickadees, +discussing the new Girl Scout stories. + +"I just love the first," insisted Thistle whose name was as Scotch as +the emblem. "I liked the mill story and I just loved that wild, exciting +time the girls had trying to win back--was it Dagmar?" + +"Oh, yes, I remember," chimed in Betta. They were referring to the first +volume, "The Girl Scout Pioneers," but others of the group spoke up for +their particular choice of the series, naming, "The Girl Scouts at +Bellaire" and "The Girl Scouts at Sea Crest." + +"You may have those," offered Doro, "but I perfectly love this." She +held up the last book published. It was entitled "The Girl Scouts at +Camp Comalong." + +"Why is that such a prize?" inquired Pell. + +"Oh, haven't you read it? Well, it is a real story of the most +interesting girl, Peg of the Hills." + +This brought about a general discussion of the entire series, and +although the method being used is not usually employed to remind readers +of the other books of a series, perhaps, since the girls were speaking +for themselves, it will be accepted. + +Alma was whispering her Prince Charming story into the ears of Doro. +Doro was accredited the very best listener among the Chicks and she had +not the faintest idea of interrupting the story teller. Of course, it +was Nora whom Alma had encountered, and it was not difficult to +understand why her companions should discredit the tale. A prince in the +woodlands, indeed! + +"Louder, Alma," begged Treble, catching only enough of the story to make +her curious. + +"Well, you won't believe me." + +"We will! We will! Hear! Hear!" shouted Betta, whose full appellation +was none other than Betta-be-good, given because she had a habit of +lecturing. + +"She did see a real prince," chimed in Doro. "And he did wear buckles +and laces and everything." + +"Where, oh where, fair maid? Lead me thither and hither and yon," moaned +Pell Mell. "Next to a movie star I love a prince best," she finished +dramatically, although it was common knowledge that Pell loved nothing +so well as rushing about and falling over adventures. She actually fell +over the Ridge, that is as far down as the big flat rock, before her +chums decided she was hereafter to be known as Pell Mell. + +"That is all there is to tell," announced Alma, in a tone tinctured with +finality. She knew perfectly well the girls would never rest until they +had sought out the darling prince, and she also knew it would be lots of +fun to make them "sit up and beg" for the details they had been scoffing +at. + +"Where, Alma?" + +"Near the bend, Alma?" + +"Wasn't it over by the Nest, Al?" + +"She said she saw him over by the Ledge." + +All this and much more was thrown out as bait, but in the parlance of +the tribe, Alma did not "bite," she merely picked up a discarded book +and proceeded to read. + +"Well, there was a prince, I'm sure of that," persisted Pell, determined +to make Alma repeat her story. + +"Let's go prince hunting tomorrow," suggested Betta. + +"With Treble's moth scoop?" joked Wyn. + +"I suppose none of you happen to know that Mrs. Jerry Manton has a +visitor," spoke Doro. She gave the statement a tone implying: "Why +wouldn't the prince be the visitor?" + +"Oh, that's so," drawled Thistle. "Maybe it's the duke." + +This brought out a new shout of nonsense. + +"Duke!" roared Betta. "Keep on and we'll have him on the throne." + +"There are no more thrones," informed Pell. "Don't you know the war made +every thing democratic?" + +This turned the joke into a serious moment, for even the rollicking +Scouts did not feel inclined to enlarge upon so serious a thought. + +Presently everyone was speculating upon the possibility of the little +stranger being the one entertained by the Mantons. + +"Couldn't we call?" suggested Wyn. "Mrs. Manton is always lovely to us, +and if she has such a little cherub on her hands we ought to help her +care for him." + +"Cherub, Wynnie! Why, we would have to get a cage for anything like that +in this camp. He would be eaten by bugs, moths and beetles." A dash at a +flying thing confirmed this opinion from Treble. + +"Now, if you all have finished your skylarking I would like to study," +announced Alma. "I have to learn all that new class lesson, and I hope +to get out of the Tenderfoot tribe before next week. No fun swimming in +a barrel." She referred to the water restrictions of "Tenderfoots." + +"Hush girls! Alma is thinking," joked Pell. "Please don't interrupt the +spell----" + +Poor Alma could stand the teasing no longer. She picked up her manual +and headed for the tent occupied by those very studious Scouts who chose +the company of the leader to that of the distracting girls. + +"Chickadees never scratch," fired Betta as Alma stepped over protruding +feet and reached the tent flap. "Now Chick-a-dee, Peep! Peep! Pretty for +the ladies----" + +But the girl with the manual was gone. + +"What do you make of it?" asked Pell, when the titters subsided. + +"She saw something different, that's sure," replied Treble. + +"She told me all about it," put in Thistle proudly. "And it was really a +wonderful child all done up in black velvets and ribbons," she declared. + +"I see nothing to do but ask Mrs. Manton about it," suggested Wyn. "It +looks like a first class lot of fun." + +"Ask her if she is entertaining a boy in velvet pants?" said Treble, so +foolishly, the girls all but rolled under the table and the oil lamp +shook dangerously in the merriment. + +"When they're velvet they're never pants," spoke Wyn, as soon as +speaking amounted to anything. + +"Trousers," amended Treble. + +"Nor those," objected Pell. "When they have cute little buckles and go +with a jaunty cap----" + +"They're knickers," finished Betta. + +"Not a--tall," shouted Treble. "I know better than that myself. You're +thinking of golf. Didn't I see Lord Fauntleroy play his Dearest?" + +"Did you really? Well, what did _he_ call call them?" demanded Thistle. +She had been so busy enjoying the fun that this was her first attempt at +making any. + +"I have it," sang out Laddie. "They're bloomers." + +"Oh no, rompers," insisted Thistle. "Rompers are much prettier." + +"What ever would you girls have done this evening if Alma's little story +did not furnish you with debate material," scoffed Doro. + +"The story Alma never told," chanted Lad. + +"All the same," declared Treble, "it is perfectly delicious. Who's going +to make the call on Mrs. Jerry Manton?" + +The shout that followed this question brought a protest from the next +tent where candidates were studying manuals. + +"Let's take a vote on it," suggested Thistle, when quiet seemed +possible. "Since every one wants to go and we haven't heard the Mantons +were going to give a picnic or anything like that--why--the best thing +to do is to draw lots." + +"How tragic! Draw lots! I say we make it numbers from Doro's cap. Here +girls, get busy and numb." + +A page of note paper was quickly numbered and torn into squares. Then +the lot was tossed into Doro's cap--it was the deepest for the little +girl did not wear her hair bobbed. When the cap was filled she was the +one chosen to hold it, and upon the highest chair she presently stood +while the girls jumped for numbers. The four highest were to constitute +the committee and the lot fell to Betta, Pell, Wyn and Thistle. + +It was arranged that these four should go in the morning to call upon +Mrs. Jerry Manton, their good friend and erstwhile preceptor in +woodlore, and it was fully expected that the young visitor would then +naturally be introduced. + +And this was the very day that Nora donned her new service suit. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +A MISADVENTURE + + +The idea of meeting a prince (the girls easily believed the pretty boy +in the velvet suit was at least a near-prince) brought to the Chickadees +a delicious thrill. + +"You know," reasoned Thistle next morning, "the Manton's are government +people, and there are lots of foreign nobles down at Washington." + +"That's so," agreed Doro. "He might have come up to the woods for his +health." + +The tent was quickly made ready for inspection and when the woodcraft +class was dismissed, the girls were free to make the all-important call. + +It was but a short distance from Camp Chickadee to the Nest, and the +four girls, constituting the committee, covered the ground speedily. + +Vita answered the knock and told Pell, who was spokeswoman, that: "Mrs. +Manton no come back yet." + +Nora not only heard the voices but she had seen the girls coming, and +feeling that she, as a member of the family, should "do the honors," she +summoned courage to greet the callers. + +"Cousin Teddie will not be back before lunch time," said Nora sweetly. +"Won't you come in and wait?" + +"Oh, no, thank you," faltered Thistle, observing one truant curl that +had escaped the confines of Nora's field hat. "We may come over later in +the afternoon--after drill," finished the Scout. + +Pell was more composed. "Are you visiting Rocky Ledge?" she asked +cordially. + +"Oh, yes. I expect to stay quite a while," replied Nora. She liked the +roguish smile Pell bestowed upon her--it was, somehow, a little like +Barbara. + +"Then perhaps you would like to visit camp," pressed Thistle. "We love +callers, don't we, girls?" + +This provided an opportunity for general conversation, and presently, no +one knew just how it happened, but the Scouts and Nora the rebel, were +having a perfectly splendid time on the side porch, talking about the +things girls love to discuss, but which always appear to the onlooker or +listener as a series of giggles and gasps. + +Nora was so glad she wore the khaki suit. All her old love of finery +was, for the time, lost in the joy of feeling "in place" instead of "out +of place." And the girls at close range did look very well in their +uniforms. Betta and Thistle especially were just like models--Nora +remembered that wonderful Girl Scout poster, and her former dislike for +the uniform now threatened to turn to keen admiration. Just so long as +anything "made a picture" the artistic little soul was sure to be +satisfied. Changing an opinion was as simple a task for Nora as changing +a hair ribbon, but it had been rather unpleasant to have the Scouts +always held up as paragons. + +Admitting she had not yet visited the Ledge, Nora was straightway +invited to do so, as the four Scouts expected to meet the other troup +members out gathering sweet fern there. + +"Vita," she called back to the maid in the kitchen, "you keep Cap home, +I'll be back in a little while." + +"Oh, no," objected Vita. "Mr. Jerry, he say you don't go never without +Cap----" + +"But I am with the girls now," declared Nora a little sharply. She was +so afraid the others might guess that it was she who wore the velvets! +Looking very closely at each, however, she had not recognized the one +who accosted her on the fatal dress-parade day. Alma was not in the +party this time, so of course, Nora was correct in her opinion. + +"Doesn't Mr. Manton like to have you go out alone?" asked Thistle, +innocently. + +"Well, you see," stumbled Nora, "I am not very well acquainted yet." + +"Was there a little boy visiting the Mantons the other day?" ventured +Betta. She was almost consumed with curiosity, and as they turned their +backs on the cottage the chance for unravelling the prince mystery +seemed lost to them. + +"A boy? No," replied Nora. "I am the only one who has been here." A +flame of color swept her face and although she stooped to pick up an +acorn at the moment, at least two of the Scouts noticed the flush. + +"Light curls," whispered Wyn. "She has very pretty ringlets----" + +"Lots of girls have, of course," scoffed Betta. "You surely don't think +she's twins?" + +"No," faltered the other, never dreaming how much closer than twins Nora +was to the little prince. + +But Wyn was not easily satisfied. What was the sense of being appointed +a committee to investigate and not do it? She picked a wonderful spray +of pink clover before she asked Nora again: + +"Do you ever see a little boy, a very fancy dressed boy, around the +cottage? One of our girls dreamed she saw one and we have been trying to +persuade her she had a vision." + +A sigh of relief escaped Nora's lips. It should be easy to laugh the +story over, since only one girl had seen her and that one had but a +glimpse of her. She felt she would die of embarrassment now, if ever she +were really found out. And only a few days ago it had seemed so trifling +a thing! As she was about to reply to Wyn her hat fell off and down +tumbled the curls. + +"What wonderful curls," exclaimed Wyn innocently. "Why do you hide them +under a hat?" + +"Oh, I don't," replied Nora bravely, shaking out the golden cloud that +tossed about her ears. "But when we go into brambles it is more +comfortable to have one's head tidy," she finished. + +"Say, Wyn," charged Thistle, "do you suppose Nora has no other interest +than in your visionary prince and yellow curls? Please allow her to +listen to some of my woodland lore." + +"Oh, yes," mocked Betta. "Tell her all about your little fish in the +brook that wouldn't go near Treble's hook." + +A scamper brookward responded to this sally. + +"Oh, there's Jimmie," cried Thistle. "Hey Jimsby!" she hailed to a small +boy in a big boat. "Wait for us. We are going up to the Ledge. Give us a +row?" + +Everyone, including Nora, ran towards the edge of the stream that +rippled through willows. Jimmie with his boat was rare good fortune to +come upon, and the Scouts were instantly eager to procure seats in the +big, old skiff. + +Nora's timidity forced her to hold back, but she was too self-conscious +to admit it. + +"Come on, little Nora," called out Thistle good naturedly. "I have a +place for you right alongside of me." + +"Oh yes. Thistles never sink, you know," added Wyn. + +Nora's heart heat fast. Could she say she would so much rather walk to +the Ledge? + +"Hurry up, Sister," sang out Betta. "Thistle wants to get out of rowing +and you are her excuse." + +Taking her fright literally in her hand and casting it into the brook, +Nora stepped into Jimmie's boat, smiling as if she were expecting the +best good time of her life. A thought of her nervous mother barely had +time to shape itself before all were seated, and the freckled faced +Jimmie handed over the oars, without so much as uttering either a +protest or agreeing to the piracy. + +"Don't you love a little lake like this?" asked Betta, noticing how +silent was her companion. + +"I have never been on the water," said Nora truthfully. "At our school +we are not allowed to take part in any dangerous sports." + +"Oh," exclaimed Thistle. "How you must miss good times." + +"But we have many lovely parties and dances and all that sort of thing," +explained Nora. Her voice was entirely friendly and the difference of +opinions by no means clashed. + +It was delightful. The girls sang, whistled, shouted and coo-heed, as +occasion demanded, the occasion being that of answering bird calls from +shore. Imitating birds was counted as the latest outdoor sport, and the +Chickadees vied with one another in the accomplishment. + +"She's leakin'," said Jimmie without warning or apology. + +"I should say she is!" cried Wyn, jerking her feet up from the bottom of +the boat. "Jimmie Jimbsy! Why didn't you say so?" + +"Oh, you didn't give me a chance," replied the lad frankly. + +"Oh, is it dangerous?" gasped Nora. Her cheeks went pale instantly. + +"No, just gives us a chance to show who is the best swimmer. You can +swim, of course?" asked Wyn. + +"No, not a stroke," replied the frightened Nora. + +"Don't you mind Wynnie, Nora," spoke up Betta. "There's no possibility +of any one having to swim. This boat would sail the rapids, wouldn't +she, Jimmie?" + +"Here's another hat," offered Thistle. "Say, Jim! At least you ought to +bring a tin can," she said in her jolliest tone. + +They were actually bailing out. The water managed to make cold little +puddles in the bottom of the boat, and with the "large party aboard" as +Pell charged Wyn because she happened to weigh a few more pounds than +the others, the inflow threatened to bear the little craft down to the +water's edge, uncomfortably close. + +But the girls were making a lark of it. Every time a hat emptied a shout +went up, and every time a hat leaked a groan moaned out. + +"All in a life time," boomed Thistle. "But don't any one dare tell that +story about the philosopher and the boatman." + +"Never heard it," responded Betta, lifting a particularly well filled +hat to the boat's edge. + +Jimmie was now rowing. "Assisting him in that capacity," as Pell +expressed it, was Wyn. + +"We gotta reach the Ledge," joked Thistle, "and I for one hate walking +on the water." + +"We betta----" + +"Betta-be-good," went up the shout as Betta attempted to preach. She +never got farther than that first mispronounced two syllables nowadays. + +Nora was now regarding the situation with more calmness. After the first +fright it did not seem so dangerous, and the skill with which the jolly +Scouts handled the task of bailing, was fascinating. + +But suddenly something happened; no one shouted, no one even spoke, but +in a twinkling the entire boatload of girls were scrambling in the +water. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A NOVEL INITIATION + + +"Quick girls! Get Nora!" + +This was the order given by Pell, who in emergencies assumed leadership. + +"Here Nora," called Betta, "just put your hand on my shoulder. We can +almost walk in. Don't be frightened." + +But Nora was terribly frightened. That water! And not being able to swim +a stroke! + +"Look!" called out Thistle, who was now standing in the more shallow +water, "it is only up to my shoulders. Just bring Nora out here and she +can wade in," announced the Scotch girl. + +The sight of Thistle actually standing on her feet brought to Nora the +first free breath she had breathed since that awful thing happened. Now +she had courage to stop choking and do as she had been told. + +"Why, you swam that time," puffed Betta to whom Nora had struggled. Did +she really swim? She felt herself buoyed up for a moment somehow, in +fact she had never gone down. + +Before that supporting move had lost its endurance her hand was safely +on Betta's shoulder, and both were moving slowly but securely towards +the bank. + +"That's it," Pell encouraged. "No need for any trouble if you just +keep--cool!" + +"Cool enough," grumbled Thistle. "I hate lakes for that," she continued +to call out. + +"How's that!" asked Betta when she reached the shallow water from which +point all were wading in. + +"Wonderful!" exclaimed Nora. Her relief was so great it seemed to her +pure joy. + +"Your first?" asked Wyn. + +"First?" repeated Nora. + +"First ducking," added Wyn. "If so it is your official initiation. You +are now a full fledged member of the Chickadees." + +It was easy for Nora to laugh--she felt she would never do anything but +laugh, it was so good to be safe within reach of shore once again. + +Thistle and Wyn threw their wet heads back and emitted a "coo-hee." The +call was taken up by the others, and instead of the incident being of an +alarming nature it was thus turned into a lark. + +"Coo-hee! Coo-hee!" sounded along the little lake basin, while shouts of +laughter and expressions of opinion about bobbed heads after an +unexpected ducking, were snapped from Scout to Scout as the party waded +in. + +So near the edge they were loath to emerge. No possibility of getting +any wetter or spoiling anything more generally, but there was a +possibility of more fun. + +"Where's that Jimbsy boy?" demanded Pell. "We didn't leave him to the +sharks, did we?" + +"Look," replied Thistle, pointing to a little slash in the lake's +outline. It was a pocket full of water just about big enough to float +the upturned boat that Jimmie was pushing in through it. + +"Poor boy! And we never asked him what he was out after," reflected +Betta. "Maybe he had an order to bring a boat load of passengers from +the Ledge." + +"We'll take up a collection for him," proposed Pell. + +"What'll we collect?" asked Wyn. + +"Opinions," replied the first. "They're most plentiful." + +Nora was out of water and shaking herself like a poodle. Now that it was +all over, the thrill was unmistakable. + +"Look who's coming!" called out one of the girls, and turning around +Nora glimpsed Ted coming down the narrow path. + +"Quick, Nora, hide!" exclaimed Wyn. "Then spring out and surprise her." + +Obeying, Nora jumped behind a big bush. + +Even in the excitement she realized what companionship meant. It was so +much more fun than playing at foolish dressing up and imagination games. +Could she have but understood more clearly she would have recognized in +that situation the theory of having girls "do" to learn, and that active +sport of the young is one of the standards of Scout teaching. + +She listened as the girls greeted Mrs. Manton. No gasps of alarm nor +expressions of fear were exchanged, for Cousin Ted was of the Scout +calibre herself. + +"Better hang on the hickory limbs and dry, before your leader sees you," +she cautioned. "Those uniforms won't be fit for parade." + +"And mine was all beautifully pressed," whimpered Pell. + +"So were all our suits, Mrs. Manton," asserted Thistle, "because we were +calling on you first." + +"Really! Did you see my little girl?" + +"Oh, yes," drawled Betta. + +"I so want her to grow into scouting," continued Mrs. Manton, and at +that Nora felt she could make her presence known. But a quick snap of a +stick from Betta, as she swished it back of Nora's bush, kept her from +stepping out. + +"Does she like the water?" asked Wyn, with a suppressed giggle. + +"I am afraid she has had little chance to get acquainted with it," +replied Ted. "Nora has been developed at one angle. This sort of +experience would probably give her nervous prostration." + +That was the cue. Nora jumped out! + +"Child!" + +"The very same!" pronounced Thistle grandly, waving a dripping arm. + +Mrs. Manton was too surprised to do more than look at Nora. Her brown +eyes were twinkling and her mouth twitching in a broad grin. Presently +she jumped past Betta and threw her arms around Nora. + +"You darling baby!" she exclaimed, all unmindful of the water she was +blotting up from Nora's new suit. "How ever did you--come here and +get--like--this?" + +"Chick-chick-chick-Chickadees!" sang out a chorus. "Cluck! Cluck! +Cluck!" + +If one could look pretty after a ducking in a strange lake, Nora did. +Her curls liked nothing better, and her cheeks pinked up prettily, while +her eyes--they were as blue as the violets that listened in the +underbrush. + +"You don't mind her initiation, do you, Mrs. Manton?" asked Wyn. + +"Why no. In fact, I'm delighted," replied the young woman. "But why the +secret? I have been left out in the cold," she said, genially. + +"Only candidates are informed," said Wyn, keeping up the joke. + +"Was that really it? Was this a private initiation, and am I intruding?" + +"All over," sang out Betta. "The bars are down and the guests welcome." + +"Betta be goin' up the hill a bit," suggested Thistle. "This is no place +for dripping chicks." + +"The sun _would_ be helpful," agreed Pell. "I don't mind the water when +it's fresh, but I hate to get mildewed." + +"Hey!" came a call from somewhere. "Wanta get in again?" + +"We certainly do not," yelled back Wyn. "Jimbsy James, you're a fraud. +What ails your yacht, anyway?" + +"All right, then," called back Jimmie good naturedly. "I'll be goin'. So +long!" + +"So long yourself," called back Wyn, "and send your bill to +headquarters." + +"Were you--in his boat?" asked Ted, a light beginning to break through +the girls' perpetual nonsense. + +"We were, momentarily," replied Betta. "But we needed exercise so we +decided to walk," she finished. Nora saw how friendly the girls all were +with Ted, and felt a pang, not of jealousy, but of regret. Why had she +never known such companionship? + +"I must go back to my trees," said Mrs. Manton, when the girls had found +a clear path of sunshine. "I have some important marking to do. Nora, +you follow directions and you need not fear earth, sky or water. These +little Scouts are impervious to all catastrophes." + +And Nora had almost expected to be sent home for a rub down, a hot drink +and all the other coddling! + +"Oh, I'm all right," she hurried to reply. "I'll be home----" + +"When the ceremonies are over," interrupted Thistle. "We are due at the +Ledge long ago, and if we don't soon make it I am afraid we will all be +kept in tonight." + +"In those wet things?" protested Wyn. "Not for me. I'm going back to +camp and change. Come along Nora. We have an extra outfit in our box and +we'll lend it to you. Thistle is a regular fish, she is never happy when +dry skinned." + +Mrs. Manton had disappeared in the winding path and Nora was secretly +glad of Wyn's invitation. She could not as yet actually enjoy wet +clothes. The girls had managed to save their hats and caps, but even +these still dripped and could not be comfortably worn to keep off the +strong sun's rays that beat down in the clear spots along the lake's +edge. + +"We'll have some trouble explaining to the general," remarked Thistle as +they started back to camp. "And this was the day we were to finish our +collection." + +"But look, what we did collect," answered Wyn under her breath, +referring to Nora. "Did you ever see anyone so pleased as our friend?" + +"She looked happy," assented Thistle. "But say, Scoutie; whatever are we +going to tell the girls about the prince?" + +"Let's say we drowned him," suggested Wyn, foolishly. "That will give +Alma a lovely murder mystery to work upon." + +Nora overheard the word "prince" and surmised correctly it was meant for +her Fauntleroy. She longed to turn back to the Nest rather than meet the +other girl who might recognize her. + +"It's so near lunch time----" she began. + +"Oh, no girlie," protested Betta. "You are the only specimen we have +collected today, and if you don't come back with us we will all get +dreadful marks. Come along. Be a sport and help us out." + +"Yes, we will be considered life savers, perhaps," added Thistle. "Of +course, we won't say we did anything noble----" + +"Nor say we didn't," drawled Wyn. + +Thus urged, Nora had no choice, so she set off with her new companions +towards Chickadee Camp. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +TOO MUCH TEASING + + +Swept off her foolish feet of fancy and landed safely on the more +practical ground of girls' life, Nora presently found herself in the +canvas tent, actually donning a Scout uniform. + +No ivory dressing comb nor shell-back mirror, instead a wooden box for a +dressing table, and a bowl of cool, clear water fresh from the +velvet-rimmed pool, and a glass--the piece that fell from a wagon and +was splintered up so no one would touch its "bad luck," so Pell rescued +it and painted a four-leaf clover on its jagged edge! That was a Scout +mirror. + +It was a revelation to the pampered child. And like so many others who +are blamed for their circumstances, Nora was fascinated with the glimpse +given of a real world. Here girls lived as human beings privileged to +invent their own tools which would be used in modelling the skilled game +of a happy life. + +"Of course," explained Pell, "we go through quite some formality before +we really become Scouts, but necessity knows no law, and this is +necessity." + +"It's just wonderful," admitted the stranger, all the while fighting +down a sense of guilt that she should ever have disliked the Scouts and +their standards. + +"Now we want you to meet Alma," announced Wyn. "She's one of our little +Tenderfoots, and so romantic? She will be sure to want to adopt you, for +just wait until you see if Betta doesn't say we found you in the lake!" +she predicted. + +Alma came from the leader's tent. She had been studying--those tests +were soon to be held. + +"Just see our little pond-lily," began Thistle, while Nora, now somewhat +accustomed to the girls' jokes, managed not to blush too furiously. + +"Oh!" began Alma, then she stopped. + +Nora felt in that moment she was discovered and that the prince would +soon cease to be a mystery. + +"Well, Alma, this is Nora--Nora----" + +"Blair," added Nora, realizing her full name had not been given the +girls before. + +"Oh, how do you do?" faltered Alma. "I thought at first I had met you +before." + +"No. Nora is the visitor at the Mantons," explained Wyn, "and we all had +a ducking--we initiated Nora and had a lovely time. You missed it, Al." + +"Sorry," said Alma, still eyeing Nora. + +"But we spoiled our uniforms," rattled on Wyn. "That wretch, Jimmie +Freckles, dumped us right out into the lake." + +"And I was brought back to your camp to be redressed," Nora managed to +say. She felt if she did not say something the girl with the lovely, +glossy, brown hair, who was staring at her, would penetrate her secret. + +"Alma has visions," went on Wyn. "She saw a real prince in your woods +one day; didn't you, Alma?" + +"I saw a little boy in a velvet suit----" + +"And he had curls." + +"And he had dimples." + +"And he had lovely gold buckles on his slippers." + +"And he had----" + +But Alma turned on her heel and left the girls to finish their +description without her aid. + +Nora was greatly relieved when she left. + +"Honestly," explained Thistle, "Alma insists she did see a little boy in +your woods. Did you ever come across such a child?" + +"Never," replied Nora, then, "I really must hurry home, I am afraid I am +late for lunch now." + +"Won't you stay? We are to have----" + +"Thank you, Pell, but Cousin Ted and Cousin Jerry will be so anxious to +hear all the news----" + +"But you must keep secrets--make secrets if you haven't any to keep," +advised Betta, who had taken a fancy to Nora. In fact all the girls +showed unusual interest in the little visitor. + +"Oh, I know how to do that," Nora replied truthfully. + +Then, with many invitations and a number of suggestions as to spending +some days and even a few evenings, Nora finally managed to race off +toward the Nest, after Betta walked with her out of the camp grounds and +watched while she hurried down the road. It was a very short distance to +Wildwoods, and before Betta turned back to Camp Chickadee she had seen +faithful Cap run out to meet Nora. + +"Now, are you satisfied, Alma?" asked Wyn. "You would insist the visitor +was a boy." + +"It may be her brother," replied the brown-haired one, "but honestly, +girls, and no joking, he had curls just like hers," said Alma. + +"But isn't she sweet?" asked Wyn. + +"Princes aside, I like her most as well as Alma's vision," declared +Thistle. "And did you notice how matter-of-fact she donned Bluebird's +outfit? What are we going to say to her if she happens back tonight?" + +"Gone to the tailor's to be pressed," suggested Pell, glibly. "There +come the others. Now for a lecture." + +But instead, Miss Beckwith, the leader, came up smiling. "We heard all +about it, girls," she began. "Met that precious James Jimmie Jimsby of +yours, and he said it was in no way your fault." + +"Bless the boy!" murmured Pell. "We shall certainly have to adopt the +list of Jays. First we capsize his boat and then he pleads for us. Now +isn't that gallant?" + +"But Becky," began Thistle, sidling up to the popular leader, "we have +had such a wonderful experience. We have converted a real rebel." + +"Rebel!" exclaimed Wyn. "How do you know Nora was anything like that?" + +"Well, Mrs. Ted Manton said as much, didn't she?" + +"She didn't," replied Pell crisply. "She merely said that Nora had very +little experience in girls' sports." + +"I know," interrupted the leader. "Mrs. Manton has mentioned her to me, +and I am very glad you have succeeded in interesting her. I fancy she is +a very capable child, with too much time on her hands." + +"Oh," sighed Betta. "If we had only known it we could have borrowed +some. What ever shall we do to get in a day's work now?" + +"Lunch first and then do double quick duty," suggested the young leader. +"It has been rather a lost day, counting by the usual results, but then, +we have to figure in the new friend." + +"You're a love, Becky," declared Treble. "I am sure you are going to +help me with my basket. It has to be done tomorrow, if I am to get full +credit for it." + +"Where's Alma?" asked Miss Beckwith, suddenly. + +"Pouting," replied Wyn. "You are not to know it, of course, but Alma's +in love!" + +A shout corroborated the statement. "She may be hanging up wet clothes," +suggested Pell. "When they're in love they do foolish things like that, +I've heard tell." + +"Girls! Didn't you hang up your wet things yet?" Miss Beckwith asked in +real surprise. + +A rush to the back of the tent, where the garments had been hastily +heaped, gave response. Presently there was a contest being held to see +who could hang up the most material in the smallest space and with the +fewest clothes pins; at least that appeared to be the attempt the happy +four were making; but when the lunch bell sounded, each and all were +ready for the fresh corn, new potatoes, string beans and macaroni--a +menu especially designed for culprits who fall in lakes and forget to +hang up their uniforms to dry. + +Everyone talked of the little stranger, and also everyone praised her +beauty. She was so cute, so sweet, so adorable, and Pell even went so +far as to whisper to Thistle that she was "peachy," although all slang +was taboo at the table. + +"And Alma," confided Wyn, "we were so sorry not to be able to locate +your prince----" + +"Girls," Alma exclaimed. "If you say prince to me again I'll scream." + +"You did this time," said Betta, "and we don't mind it at all. You +scream really prettily." + +"Hush," spoke Doro. She was down at the far end of the table and had not +been with the girls on their eventful trip. "I think we have teased +enough, really. Let the poor little prince rest." + +"Good idea," chimed another who also had missed the expedition. "We have +a new plan to propose, and with all that prince stuff we can't get your +attention. Becky is going to take us to the Glen tomorrow morning, and +we want volunteers to make up the lunch baskets." + +"Call that a new plan?" mocked Wyn. "Why, that's as old as the Scouts. +First thing I ever did was to volunteer to make up a basket for my big +sister, and she picked it up and walked off with it." + +"Didn't even thank you?" asked Miss Beckwith, who always took part in +the girls' fun. + +"Well, she may have," replied Wyn, "but that didn't impress me. It was +those sandwiches and those cakes----" + +"You didn't make those, Wynnie?" demanded Treble. "If you did we won't +ask for volunteers. We'll wish the job on you." + +Alma was quiet during all the merry chatting, but Thistle, who could not +resist one more thrust, said next: + +"Thinking of him, dearie?" she asked. "And his little velvet coat----" + +But the joke had a most astonishing effect. Alma sniffed, breathed in +quick little gasps, and the next moment asked to be excused from the +table. + +"She's crying!" declared Betta. + +"Horrid girls!" murmured Doro. "I told you she had had enough of +princes." + +"But to cry! Alma isn't like that," said Wyn in real surprise. + +Miss Beckwith, who had reached the end of her lunch and was waiting for +the others to finish, slipped away after Alma. + +This left the girls to wonder, and they did that in all the ways known +to girlhood. + +Then it was definitely decided the first girl who mentioned the word +prince should be made to pay a heavy fine. + +All felt truly sorry for little Alma, but it was the wise and +understanding Janet Beckwith who gathered the sobbing girl into her arms +and soothed the sighs, tears, and protestations. + +"Just teasing, dear," she insisted. "You must not mind their nonsense. +They, every one, love you dearly." + +"But I did see a real prince, Becky. And--and they won't believe me," +sobbed out Alma. + +Miss Beckwith wondered. "A real prince?" she repeated. + +"Yes. I was near enough to see all his pretty--things," Alma paused in +her sobbing to relate. "He had all velvet clothes, and such a pretty +black cap. Oh Becky!" she sobbed afresh, "can you ever imagine what it +is to have the--girls--all making fun of you?" + +"Now, Alma dear," again soothed the leader, "I am really surprised that +you should take this so seriously. You know the girls are not making fun +of you----" + +"They--said I had--a vision," she sobbed as heavily as ever. "And I am +determined to find out who that was--and prove it to them." + +Miss Beckwith was sorely puzzled. Naturally she supposed the girl was +romancing. But why should she take it so seriously? + +"Come, now, dear," she urged. "We have talked it all out and the only +thing that worries you is that the girls do not believe you, isn't it? + +"Yes, that's the worst of it." + +"Then, let's sleep over it and see what the morrow will bring in the +way--of light." Becky scarcely knew just what to propose so she threw +the responsibility on the "morrow." + +Alma was over her "spell" presently. But the prince had, by no means, +lost his real personal identity to the sensitive little Scout. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A DIVERSION NOBLY EARNED + + +Ted's pleasure, shown when Nora's transformation was revealed to her in +a dripping little "pond lily" on the edge of Mirror Lake, was not to be +compared with Jerry's joys when he first beheld his Bobbs in the Girl +Scout uniform. They were waiting for Nora when she returned at lunch +time. + +"Pretty kipper, nifty, all right and no kiddin'." These were some of the +exclamations he gave vent to. + +"But I thought you didn't like little girls in anything but skirts," Ted +reminded him. + +"I didn't but I do," he replied Jerry-like. "Now what do you say Bobbie, +to a try at horse back ridin'?" He always dropped his g's when perfectly +happy. + +"I'd like to try it," admitted Nora proudly. She might not have realized +it but the trim little service costume had already emancipated her. She +was no longer the creature of catalogued toilet accessories, "send no +money" and "we guarantee money's worth or money back," etc. The new Nora +was like a butterfly leaving its cocoon--although the drying process had +been facilitated by the loan of a new blouse and bloomers from the +Chickadees' wardrobe. + +Vita came out to announce lunch and she stood dumbfounded. Vita was not +Americanized to the point of diplomacy. + +"You lose your good clothes? Those t'ings not yours?" she asked blandly. + +"I have one like this," replied Nora. She did know how to respond to +interference, and had not yet quite forgiven Vita for the attic episode. + +"Don't you like it, Vita?" asked Jerry, his brown eyes twinkling. "We +were thinking of getting you one like it--for your tramps through the +woods, you know." + +The Italian woman scowled. She lacked a sense of humor as well as some +other details of Americanization. + +"Don't tease her, Jerry," Ted ordered. "He is only fooling, Vita," she +assured the perplexed maid, while visions of the fat woman in a jaunty +little Scout uniform filtered through the brains of both Ted and Nora. + +During lunch time conversation ran to the important occurrence of the +morning, but Ted did not know all about the ducking in the Lake, and +since Betta had cautioned Nora to keep secrets and if necessary to make +them, it seemed unwise to tell every single detail: thus Nora reasoned. +So it happened neither Ted nor Jerry knew whether the first swim was +intentional or accidental, and both respected the "secrets of the +order," as Jerry put it. + +"The girls are coming over this afternoon with a manual," the candidate +said as tea was finished, "and then I'll have to do some studying." + +"I see where Cap and I will have to paddle our own canoe hereafter," +lamented Jerry. "That's just the way with you girls. I get you all broke +in and you race off and join up with the Indians. Well," he sighed +deeply, "I suppose Ted and I and Cap will have to go on our picnics +alone, in spite of all our plans." + +"Oh, Cousin Jerry! Did you have a picnic planned!" eagerly asked Nora, +leaving her place at the table to join Jerry on the big couch. + +"I did but I haven't," he replied, with pretended disappointment. "What +good are picnics for Girl Scouts? They want big game with real guns and +elephant meat for supper," he finished pompously. + +"Oh, Cousin Jerry!" pouted Nora. "If you really had a picnic planned +couldn't we have it, and couldn't I invite my Scout friends?" + +"'Course you could, Kitten," Jerry gave in. "I'll fix up the finest +little picnic those Scouts ever heard tell of. Just you wait and see." + +"But we are going to celebrate privately this evening, Nora," Ted added. +"How would you like to go to a picture play?" + +"Oh, I'd love it, of course. I do so love motion pictures, and the +Misses Baily are so fussy about letting any of us go." + +"I'll bet," agreed Jerry. "Want you to see Mother Goose and Little Jack +Horner----" + +"Both of which are each," interrupted Ted. "Guess you had better read up +your nursery rhymes, Jerry." + +"Well, I didn't take your college course, Theodora, but I went to Sunday +School a lot--had to," he admitted, shamelessly. + +"Then, it's all settled for this evening," continued Ted, quite as if +there had been no break in the conversation. "We will ride into Lenox +and see the 'movies.' I know it's a good picture this week and it isn't +Mother Goose either." + +"Glad of that. I hate the old lady myself," scoffed Jerry. "This +afternoon I must go out to moorlands, Ted," he said next, seriously. +"Suppose you and Nora take the day off and loaf? You did a lot of hard +work this morning----" + +"But I want to finish pegging off the west end," Ted interrupted. + +"Oh, could I help you, Cousin Ted?" begged Nora. "I would just love to +do some real surveying." + +"And I would love to have you, certainly. We will rest for one full +hour, then I'll let you carry the chains and drops, and off we go to the +West End. How's that?" + +"Lovely. Will Cap come?" + +"Sartin sure," declared Jerry. "I never let the youngsters go out on +location without the big dog, do I Cap?" + +Cap brushed his plumy tail against Jerry's elbow and made eyes at his +master, agreeing with everything he said, as usual. + +Later, when the hour's rest had been taken, Nora and Cousin Ted made +their way to the grounds that were to be surveyed. Nora carried the +"chain" which she wanted to call a tape line until Ted explained that +carpenters had tape lines and surveyors used "chains," and the term +really meant an exact land measurement. The heavy instruments were +already in position, and when the work of measuring the land with her +eye, as Nora declared the process to be, was actually begun, the +apprentice was quite fascinated. + +"Now, show me the cobweb," she insisted as Ted adjusted the delicate eye +piece. + +"There. Do you see that mark outside the little drop of alcohol?" asked +Ted. + +"The very small line like that on Miss Baily's thermometer?" + +"Yes, the line that frames the drop," explained Ted, "that's the finest +substance we can get, and it's cobweb." + +Nora peered through the telescope. She was seeing a drop of alcohol +shift from level to level as Ted moved the transit, but she was thinking +of the night she discovered the cobwebs in the attic. Somehow attic +fancies clung to her, tenaciously, and had she been at all superstitious +she surely would have called the attic unlucky. Just see the trouble +that Fauntleroy acting got her into. + +"It wouldn't take many webs to make such tiny marks," she said finally, +as Ted moved off to "spot a tree." "I guess I won't have to gather many +for Cousin Jerry for that little marking." + +Ted had moved off and with her small hatchet was hacking a piece out of +the bark of a tree--spotting it, as she termed it. Then she returned to +the telescope and sought the level. + +"What's the little weight on the string?" Nora next asked. + +"Oh, that's our plumb-bob," replied the surveyor. "Bob shows us just +when a line is straight. Now watch." + +Over a peg in the ground Ted swung the heavy little pendulum, first to +right then to the left, and so on until it fell directly on the mark. + +"Now see, that is plumb," said Ted. + +Nora gazed intently at the drop. "Everything has to be just exactly, +hasn't it?" she queried, wondering why. "First, you strain your alcohol +with cobwebs, then you drop your bob on the little peg straight as the +string----" + +"That is just where we get the expression from," her companion assured +her. "Nothing can be straighter." + +"And how do you get the mark on the tree?" + +"Look through the glass again." + +So the first lesson in surveying went on. It was fascinating to Nora, +and when Ted decided enough land had been "chained off" Nora wanted to +mark a few trees for her own use. + +"Couldn't I chop a nick in this one? It is so beautiful, and when we +come another day I can add another nick--just like a calendar." + +Mrs. Manton readily agreed, so long as Nora did not use a mark that +might confuse the surveyors; and so interesting was the work, time flew +and the afternoon was soon waning. + +While in the woods more than once Nora had reason to be thankful for her +practical Scout uniform, for she climbed trees, sought wild grapes from +high limbs, gathered wild columbine and enjoyed the wildwoods as only a +novice can. Birds scarcely flew from the path, and she marvelled they +were so tame, but Ted explained they had no cause for fear, as the woods +were their own and danger would be a new experience to them. + +When finally Cap came back from his rambles and it was decided that no +more surveying nor "play-veying" should be indulged in, instruments were +gathered again, and reluctantly Nora followed Mrs. Manton out into the +path, newly beaten down by those who had been following spots, bobs, +cobwebs, chains, telescopes, compasses, transits and all the other +skilled implements used. + +"Are you really a surveyor?" she asked Ted, just wondering what she +would call herself in Barbara's letter. + +"Yes, that or a civil engineer," replied Ted. "That is really what I +studied in the famous college course Jerry is always teasing about." + +"It is sort of artist work, isn't it?" + +"A wonderful sort. Just see what good times I have out among birds, +flowers, wildwoods, and the whole clean, untamed world," said Theodora +Manton. "Some women may like indoors, but give me the woods and the +fields and all of this," she finished, sweeping her free brown hand +before her with a gesture that encompassed glorious creation. + +Nora pondered. How many worlds were there after all? How different this +was from that which she knew at school? Would she ever enjoy the other +now, after all this? She glanced at her scratched hands and smiled. What +manicuring would erase those, and yet how precious they would seem when +Cousin Jerry would hear what she had done to help with his wonderful +surveying? + +"And we must fix up and look pretty for tonight," said her companion, as +if reading Nora's thoughts. "I so seldom want to go out evenings I +really have to think what to wear." + +"Do we dress up?" queried Nora. + +"A little, that is we don't wear these," indicating the khaki. "But all +the Lenox folks are professionals in one line or the other, and you know +dear, they always claim a social code of their own." + +Nora was not positive she entirely understood, but she guessed that +professionals, if they were anything like her Cousin Ted, would wear +just such clothes as they liked best and felt most comfortable in, and +she wondered how such would look in a theatre. + +"Another rest, then an early dinner and we'll be off," announced Mrs. +Manton when they reached the Nest. "Nora darling, you have made me very +happy today," the brown eyes embraced Nora while the hands were still +burdened with instruments. "I will write at once to your mother and ask +her----" + +But a shout of Jerry's interrupted the most interesting clause. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +CRAWLING IN THE SHADOWS + + +"You jump in the car and wait a few minutes," said Ted to Nora. + +It was almost dusk and the moving picture party was about to set out for +Lenox in the trim little car which, Ted insisted, was tamed, educated +and "fed from her hand" when it went out of gas. + +Nora willingly complied with the order to take her seat and wait. Dark +shadows fell from the trees to the narrow roadway, and while alone there +Nora was just wondering if everything was going to happen in one single +day. + +Cousins Jerry and Ted had many things to look after before setting out, +for while Vita was a capable houseworker, she knew nothing of home +management. Some minutes passed and the others had not yet come to the +car where Nora sat so quietly that the squirrels had no idea a single +human being was in the black car. One gay little furred skipper had the +audacity to hop on the running board, but Nora from the depths of her +cushions, never stirred. + +A rustling of the leaves, much heavier than the tread of squirrels could +possibly have been, gave her a start. She just peeked out in time to see +something crawl across the road and continue on toward the path to the +cottage. + +"Oh, what was that!" Nora barely whispered. Then she raised her head and +gazed intently at the crawling thing, that now was not more than an +outline in the coming darkness. + +For the moment she was too surprised to jump out and follow. Could it be +a bear or some big animal? Certainly it was no small woodland creature, +and as it passed the car she could hear queer, jerky breathing. + +Being so near the house there was no need for alarm as to her personal +safety, so she did jump out now and ran to meet Ted and Jerry who were +just turning in from the barn drive. + +"Oh," Nora exclaimed breathlessly. "Did you see--anything?" + +"Anything?" repeated Jerry. + +"I mean did you see--anything queer?" + +"Why no," replied Ted. "But Nora, you look as if you had." + +"I did, really. Something stole out of the bushes and crept across the +path, toward the kitchen." Nora was still short of breath from her +fright. + +"Now Bobbs! You don't mean to say that some wild, roaring lion----" + +But Nora interrupted Jerry. "Honestly Cousin Jerry," she declared, "I +did see something, and we can't go out and leave Vita alone until we +find out what it was." + +"Bravo! Spoken like a Scout!" sang out the irrepressible Jerry. "Now +let's all have a look." + +"Over there," directed Nora, and while neither Mr. nor Mrs. Manton +appeared to take the matter seriously, they did, never-the-less, follow +Nora's directions and quietly prowl along the path. + +"There," exclaimed Nora. "I saw it again!" + +"I thought I saw something scamper off myself," admitted Ted. "What do +you suppose it can be?" She stepped out squarely in the driveway and +stood watching. + +"Give me a look and I'll announce," said Jerry, his cap in one hand and +a great stick, more like a tree limb he had hastily snatched up, in the +other. He was going to have some fun out of it, at any rate. He never +could miss a chance like this. + +Thrashing down the bushes from the drive to the garden path took but a +few moments, then they were within sight of the door. + +"What's the matter?" called out Vita. "You find big snake?" + +"No, we're looking for it," answered Jerry. "Did he come your way?" + +"I no see, not any," said Vita fully. She never depended upon the scant +Englishothers were apt to employ. While speaking she kept moving from +one spot on the path to another, and her actions seemed so absurd Ted +questioned the maid again. + +"Now Vita, you know perfectly well you have seen something," she +insisted. "And we are not going away until we find out what is around +here. Just look at Cap sniffing! He knows," continued Mrs. Manton, +moving up nearer to Vita and closer to the house. + +"Nothing a-tall. Everything all right--good," persisted Vita backing to +the doorway. + +"Say Vi," called Jerry in his cheeriest voice, "who's your friend? Are +you trying to hide him behind your skirts? I told you, Ted, she should +wear a uniform." + +"Oh, Jerry, do stop your nonsense," begged Ted. "We shall be late for +the pictures. Just run in and look around the house. Of course +everything is all right, but we don't want Nora worrying while we're +away and Vita's alone." + +Nora had been looking sharply from one dark spot to another but no +further disturbance appeared. + +"Nothing could get into the house with Vita right at the door," she +reasoned aloud. "I suppose it was just something from the woods. Maybe +one of those 'possums you told me about, Cousin Jerry." + +"Maybe, and again maybe not," he answered. "But just wait until I shake +this stick over the premises. Vita will feel a lot safer when I wave the +wand of warning over the place," and he entered the house with Vita so +close to his heels that both Nora and Mrs. Manton looked surprised. + + +"Queer, how she acts," admitted Mrs. Manton. "I just wonder---- But of +course she is only hurrying to get us off. She knows we will miss the +first show if we do not get away at once." + +Jerry was soon out, stick in hand, and a broad grin on his handsome +face. + +"Nary a thing," he announced. "Nora, I am afraid your scouting has gone +to your head. That, or you are seeing things." + +Before Nora might have replied Ted insisted they hurry off or give up +the trip to Lenox, entirely. + +"I'm ready," Nora said, instead of commenting on the moving shadow. "I +shouldn't like to miss that picture." + +"All aboard!" sang out Jerry, and when the little car shot out of the +woods into the splendid turnpike--the pride of all motorists for many +miles around--Vita might have entertained her mysterious visitor (if she +really had one) to her heart's content, for all of the party bound +cityward. + +Since her arrival at Woodlands Nora had little chance for auto rides, +there were so many more interesting things to do, so that the short trip +to Lenox now seemed something of a luxury. + +But the evening's entertainment was even more delightful. The attractive +little theatre was so prettily made up with colored paper flowers over +the lights, with breezy electric fans and such simple contrivances as, +in the larger city, Nora had not seen, it all appeared new, novel and +attractive. It was quaint and cosy, and such an effect was ever +delightful to the fanciful daughter of a woman who called herself Nannie +instead of mother. + +All about them people greeted the Mantons, and it was plain they were +held in high esteem by many, farmers as well as more cultured folks, +plain or dressed up--all had a pleasant word or a cordial greeting for +the government surveyor and his attractive wife. + +Nora wondered if the Girl Scouts ever came in to see the pictures, but +Ted expressed the opinion that when they did come they came in a crowd +and made a regular party of the occasion. + +"But they have so many pleasures of their own for evenings," she told +Nora, "I shouldn't fancy they would want to come under an ordinary roof +often during the summer months." + +After the big picture with all its wizard scenes had been enjoyed, they +started back towards Wildwoods. It was then that the fear of that +crawling thing again crowded down on Nora and caused her to shiver until +she actually shook. + +"Too cool?" inquired Ted, unfolding a soft knitted scarf from her end of +the seat. + +"No, just shivery," truthfully answered the imaginative Nora. + +It was very dark along the country road, and only the flashing lights of +passing cars penetrated the dense blackness of the tree-tunnels through +which the party rode. It may have been this or it may have been the +accumulated fatigue of her big, full day, but at any rate, Nora felt +very much inclined to huddle up to Cousin Ted and hide. + +The humming of the motor was like a lullaby, and the voices of Ted and +Jerry mingled so evenly that presently Nora forgot, then she forgot to +think, and then she stopped thinking. + +She was sound asleep in the cosy comfort of Theodora Manton's encircling +arm. + +"I'll lift her," she heard a voice whisper. + +It had seemed only a minute since she entered the car and here she was +home, at the very door, with Vita standing there, lantern in hand. + +"Oh, thank you, Cousin Jerry," spoke up Nora bravely. "I am wide awake +now. How perfectly silly to fall asleep?" + +"How perfectly sensible," he contradicted. "I wish you had not awakened. +I should have had a great joke to tell your Girl Scouts," he teased. + +Nora laughed lightly. She was on the ground and anxious to get into the +cottage. Why she felt so timid was not clear even to herself, but +somewhere within her dread lurked, and when Ted proposed lemonade and +crackers Nora excused herself on the grounds of being deliciously +sleepy. For once she accepted Vita's offer to light her lights and make +the window right for the night. + +"You go quick asleep?" Vita remarked, turning down the soft summer +covering from the little bed. + +"Oh, yes. I fell asleep in the car," returned Nora, yawning. + +"That's good. Then you hear no storm----" + +"But there is no sign of a storm, Vita." + +"Oh, but maybe. Or maybe, yes, some big birds fly and make screech----" + +"Vita!" exclaimed Nora sharply. "What ever are you talking about? Are +you trying to--scare me?" + +"Oh, no. No get scared at--any t'ing." mumbled Vita while her own +excited manner seemed real cause for alarm. "I just like to know when my +little girl sleep very good, like baby." + +Truth to tell Nora was too sleepy to argue, otherwise she might have +demanded an explanation. Vita was plainly excited, and this fact coupled +with that of her strange actions earlier in the evening was +unquestionably enough to cause suspicion; but rest to a girl afflicted +with "nerves" is a precious thing, and when it came to Nora she had no +idea of risking its loss by any sort of argument. + +But Vita seemed to want to linger longer. First she looked at one +window, then at another. She even plumped a cushion--as if that were +necessary to a night's comfort! + +"Where do you sleep, Vita?" asked Nora, drowsily. + +"Oh, in a good bed, in the little room by kitchen," replied the maid. + +Nora recalled the maid's room. It was on the first floor just off the +kitchen. So it could not have been Vita who slept in the attic. + +"Would Vita get you a nice cold glass of water?" asked the solicitous +one, still anxious to please. + +"Oh, Vita," a yawn interrupted, "I am so sleepy----" + +"Then I go----" + +"Yes, you go. Good night, Vita," said Nora sweetly, "and I hope I sleep +as soundly as I threaten to and as well as you want me to," finished +Nora. "Isn't that being a very good girl?" + +"Very, very good," said Vita happily. Then she went out quietly and left +Nora to her coveted slumber. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE + + +But being converted to scouting could not at once cure Nora of her dream +habits. Being so long alone in school, and having a brain insatiable for +creative material, she usually went to bed to think and she went to +sleep to dream. + +"I never felt so deliciously tired," she murmured. "But I do wonder what +ailed Vita." + +Presently blue eyes cuddled in their white satin blankets with brown +fringe borders (a way Nora had of describing eye lids and lashes), and +then the panorama began. + +First it was the Scout memory. She, as the bravest Scout that had ever +joined a troup, dramatically saved someone from drowning. Next, Nora as +the actress in the picture shown at Lenox, performed the daring feat of +swinging from the great rock with strikingly better effect than had she +whose name graced the program. The third dream installment had to do +with something very indistinct but horribly terrifying. It revealed a +crawling thing that first crossed the path, then climbed the morning +glory vine right up to Nora's window, and now--yes now--it was choking +her! + +Had she screamed? + +She found herself sitting up straight in bed and she felt as if her very +curls had straightened out in fright. + +There--was a noise! She listened, put her hand out and switched on the +light. It was nothing in her room, but seemed somewhere--Yes, there it +was again and it surely was up in the attic! + +Was that someone moaning? + +Dream dizzy still, Nora could form no definite resolve, either to call +or to remain quiet. She simply lay fascinated with fright. The noise +ceased. Still she lay--listening. Then other sounds penetrated the +night. That was feet--shuffling of feet and they seemed just above her +head! Quickly Nora reached out again and touched the button that +switched off the light. She would rather lay hidden deeply in the bed +clothing than be exposed to whatever was prowling in the attic, should +it come down the stairs. + +Then she thought she heard whispering, but that might have been her +excited imagination. She drew the covers closer and with her head buried +from sound she could no longer listen, and not possibly hear. + +But after, what seemed to the frightened girl, a very long time she +ventured to poke her head out again, just as she heard a stealthful step +on the stairs. + +"Oh!" she gasped aloud. Then "Vita!" she called faintly. + +"Yes, I come. Sh-s-!" + +Nora had not expected to hear that voice. She merely called Vita because +she did not want to call Cousin Ted, and she felt the intruder was +dangerously near. But there was Vita! + +"What is it? You have bad dream?" asked the maid in a whisper, standing +now beside the bed. + +"No, it was no dream." Nora's voice was not very low, in fact she was +angry. "I did hear things and there's no use telling me it was the wind. +It wasn't," she snapped. + +"Sh-s-!" again Vita warned. "It is no good to wake cousins. I was up the +stairs for that old window. It slam--you hear it?" + +"What could slam a window tonight?" + +"I do-no!" in the way foreigners have of not understanding when +ignorance is more convenient. "I must go to bed now. You all right?" + +"Say Vita!" charged Nora. "If you don't tell me the truth +I'll--I'll--just shout!" + +"No, not too much noise," coaxed the big woman, who in her night robe +looked like a masquerade figure. "What do you want I should get you?" + +"Nothing. I don't want anything but for you to tell me who is up in that +attic!" demanded Nora sharply. + +"Me--Vittoria, is up attic." + +"Who was with you?" + +"Cap." + +"Where is he now?" + +"He go down--back way." + +"Now Vita--" Nora stopped. She was baffled. This woman could confuse her +so and then walk off demurely, just as she had done that other night. +Finally Nora began again: + +"All right, Vita, but you just listen." She was shaking a small finger +toward the face with the black flashing eyes. "If you don't tell me all +about your secret I shall tell Uncle Jerry. Now do you understand?" + +"Secret? What is 'secret'?" + +"The thing up in the attic is a secret," persisted Nora, although she +feared her voice might disturb the others now. + +"That thing big Cap. He always at night sniff so much," said Vita. "Now, +I go to bed," she spoke this very emphatically. "I go to bed and you go +to sleep." + +"All right, go," ordered Nora. "And don't you dare go up in that attic +again tonight. I was just having the most----" + +But her audience had vanished and the house was empty, so to speak, so +why orate or harangue? + +All sleep and its delightful attributes had flown. Nora was so wide +awake she felt she would never sleep again, and worse still, she was +angry. What did that old Vita mean by her attic tricks? If it were she +who was up there why did she moan? And if it were something else why did +the woman try to conceal it? + +"Now, I have a Scout duty," Nora promised herself. "I must fathom that +mystery and protect Cousin Theodora and Cousin Gerald from that +unscrupulous woman." Visions of crimes hidden in the attic, memory of +her own incarceration there when the trap door, as she now regarded the +door with the spring lock snapped shut, filtered through her excited +brain, and when she remembered how she had almost died up there, and how +it might have been years before her skeleton would have been discovered, +just as so many others had fared on secret attic trips, it did seem to +Nora that she should arise at once and immediately start her +investigations. Humor and tragedy hopelessly mixed. + +"But it's so late," she figured out, "and would it be fair to wake +Cousin Ted when she is so tired and after her taking me to that +beautiful picture?" + +Convincing herself that this was why she did not immediately begin her +brave Scout work, she once more attempted to quiet her nerves by +thinking of all the sheep Miss Baily had recommended to skip over fences +and lull one to sleep. + +But sleep was far out of the reach of frisky sheep, and Nora lay there +thinking of so many things, her head threatened to ache and a miserable +day promised to dawn upon her if she did not soon succumb. + +"Perhaps I wronged poor Vita. There may not have been anything wicked in +the attic after all," she soothed herself. "Why couldn't she go up there +if she wanted to? And maybe she stubbed her toe." + +It was not very consoling but the best Nora could work up in the way of +consolation. One thing certain, Vita was honorable. She was a trusted +servant, and in the short time Nora had been at the Nest, many small +favors, peculiar to good cooks, had come Nora's way through Vita's +intervention. + +Such happy thoughts finally dispelled the other unfriendly mental +visitors, and when Vita stole past the door again and looked in through +the darkness, all she heard was the even breathing of little Nora Blair, +who might or might not have been dreaming of horrible attic noises. + +The day brings wisdom, and when Nora again dressed in the borrowed khaki +suit (she had suddenly taken a dislike to her own fancy dresses), the +glorious sunshine of the bright summer morning mocked the terrors of the +night. + +A step in the hall. "I bring your fruit," said Vita kindly through the +open door; and there she stood with a small dish of such delicious +berries to be eaten off stems by hand--surely Nora had wronged this +kind, tender-hearted foreigner. + +Nora was somewhat conscience stricken as she accepted the peace +offering. "Oh, thank you, Vita," she exclaimed. "I was just coming +down." + +"But the Jerries are out early and you no need hurry," explained Vita. +"I make nice breakfast when you come." + +"Cousin Ted gone out?" asked Nora. + +"Yes, she say you stay home, not go after them, they must 'bob swamp.'" + +"Bob swamp? Oh, you mean use the plumb-bob in the swamp. I understand, +Vita." It was really remarkable how well both understood today and how +dense both had been last night. "Very well, I'll eat my fruit here by +the window, and later try your lovely biscuits," said Nora, with a smile +rarely used outside the family. + +The housemaid shuffled off. Looking after her, Nora wondered. + +"I do believe she is trying to keep on good terms with me for +something--something queer," she decided. "Certainly she is afraid I +will tell Cousin Ted about the attic business." She paused with a big +red strawberry half way to her lips. "Well, I have a secret, anyhow," +she decided, "and I like Alma, she makes me think of myself--she is sort +of shy and sensitive. Perhaps I shall make her my confidante." + +Of all the Scouts Alma seemed most congenial, and having a real secret +was the first definite step in Nora's summer career. But are secrets +wise and are they safe to carry around in so big and open a place as +Rocky Ledge? + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +WAIF OF THE WILDWOODS + + +It was so much better than dreams. Not only did Nora feel the importance +of having a real secret, but she also realized that the same +circumstance had actually made Vita her abject slave. Not a wish was +expressed by the visitor in Vita's presence but the maid would, if it +were possible at all, see to its fulfillment. + +"I believe I'll tell Alma," Nora decided one morning after a visit and +return to and from Camp Chickadee. Almost daily she made those trips and +the Scouts had become such friends with her she was now regarded quite +as one of their number. + +Expecting to join formally as soon as the other candidates of Rocky +Ledge were ready and the Counsellor should come down from the city, Nora +studied her manual and prepared for the honor. In the meantime she was +privileged to enjoy many of the Scout activities. + +But "the secret" was really more engrossing just now. It provided her +with a personal importance--what girl does not enjoy the possession of a +knowledge others have not and everyone would love to have? + +It was thrilling. Alma, the Tenderfoot Scout, who from the first had +espoused Nora's cause and even confided in her the real story of the +woodland prince, met her daily at a wonderful rendezvous, and there the +two girls, away from teasing companions, enjoyed confidences and built +air castles. + +"I'll tell her today," the resolve was repeated as Nora started out. + +She arrived first, and while waiting had a race with Cap all the way to +the Three Oaks and back again. + +"Dogs have to run faster," explained Nora breathlessly, when Cap won by +more than he needed to establish his claim. "If you could not run faster +than human beings, Cap, you could never have been made a Red Cross +messenger, as you were in the awful war." + +The arrival of Alma cut short the encomium. Salutations were brief for +both were eager to "tell each other a lot of things." + +"Alma, do you think you could keep a secret?" The question was so trite +and time worn Alma smiled before answering in the affirmative. + +"Because," continued Nora, "this is the biggest secret I have ever had, +and Barbara and I have had a great many." + +"I have to have secrets," returned Alma, "because none of the girls seem +to understand me. They tease, you know, they almost made me homesick one +night; they kept teasing and teasing about the prince; and Miss Beckwith +had a hard time to make me stop crying." + +Nora winced. "Well, this isn't that sort of a secret," she said +presently. "It's about our attic." + +"What about it?" + +"Oh, it's a lot to tell. We had better sit on the big log under the +chestnut tree and be comfortable before I start." + +Then began the story of the first night at Wildwoods when Nora was +determined to sleep in the attic. Many an exclamation of surprise was +thrown in by the more practical Alma, but this in no way turned the +narrator from her course. She sent thrill after thrill up and down +Alma's spine, and she even voiced a suspicion that Vita might have a +member of "some den of thieves hidden in the attic, although she is the +soul of honesty," Nora was particular to state. + +But it was the incident that occurred the night they went to Lenox that +really caused Alma to exclaim tragically: + +"Nora, you should tell Mrs. Manton! It is not safe to hide anything so +serious as that. Suppose the Thing comes crawling down some night and +Vita is not there to drive it back?" + +"Oh, she doesn't drive it back," Nora had not actually visualized the +terror in that way. "She just kept me from finding out----" + +"What?" interrupted Alma when Nora paused from sheer excitement. + +"I don't know what!" + +"What do you think?" + +"Well, maybe it's a--really Alma, I don't dare think. I did not know how +frightened I was till I started talking about it. Why, I am just all +creeps," admitted Nora. "Here Cap," she shouted, as the dog attempted to +wander off, "don't go away. Come on, Alma. I guess we had better go out +by the road. Why, I am just as frightened as if the--Thing were around +here!" she gasped. + +"Maybe it is," said Alma cruelly, picking up her knitting upon which she +had not taken a stitch, and following Nora out of the little woodland +into the more open field that flanked the narrow roadway. + +They hurried. Alma tripped and Nora almost screamed. + +"Why, what is the matter?" asked the Scout. "You haven't seen anything?" + +"No, but I feel so queer. You know, Alma" (she loved an audience), "I am +queer and I do believe I sometimes feel things in advance. Miss Baily +always said I did." + +"She must have been queer herself," retorted Alma. "I had those wild +ideas, too, until I joined the Scouts. That's the reason Mother had me +join. She said I was too much alone----" + +It was difficult to talk while hurrying over newly-cut stumps with which +the field was so thickly strewn. The surveyor's men had hewn many a fine +young birch and numbers of ambitious young maples there, for this was +one of the forests lately cleared. + +"Here come the girls," exclaimed Nora, as they looked down the road. +"Alma, promise not to say a single word----" + +"Why, Nora Blair! As if I would divulge a secret----" + +"Excuse me, Alma. I did not mean just that. But when one does not +realize the importance----" + +"I do realize it. But it's all right, Nora. I know just how you feel," +conceded Alma, amiably. "There. I have to go with Pell to get some +grasses from the Ledge. I'm sorry I can't walk home with you. You don't +mind----" + +"Not in the least, Alma. I was just jumpy while we talked--that way. +Besides, I always have Cap. Good bye. I'll see you tomorrow morning." + +"Won't you wait for the girls?" + +"I'm afraid if I do I'll stay talking. Hello," she called out as Pell +and Thistle came up. "Alma and I have had such a lovely time out in the +oak woods I am late for my--chores," she finished, laughing. + +"What do you chore, Nora?" asked Pell. Her face was beaming with the +health of camp life and her voice vibrated youth and happiness. + +"She chores chores of course," Thistle assisted. "I am sure the Nest is +a lot nicer place to live and work in than Camp Chickadee--when Pell +Mell is our inspector," she finished, with a pout. + +"Nora, would you believe it that wretched girl left her shoes outside of +camp last night and this morning they were gone--to a goat preserve +somewhere," explained Pell. "She has my second best 'sneaks' on now, yet +she will malign me----" + +"Why and whither away?" interrupted Thistle, seeing Nora about to +escape. + +"Oh, I really must. I'll see you later," promised the blonde girl, whose +hair, always so fair, seemed to have taken on a shade of pure gold since +exposed to the open sunshine of Rocky Ledge. + +So with paths divided they separated, and that was how it came to pass +that Nora was alone when she encountered the wonderful adventure. + +Taking to the lane path, a walk she seldom thought of following, Nora, +keyed up with her excitement following the telling of her story to Alma, +felt she must get off somewhere and "collect herself" before going back +to the house. + +Perhaps her head was down, and she may have ventured along as do much +older and more serious folk when engaged in some perplexing problem, at +any rate Nora was down the lane and into a strange grove before she +realized it. + +She looked up with a start. "Where ever am I?" she said, if not aloud, +certainly loud enough for her own hearing. + +The place was a veritable camp of low pines, and so dark it was beneath +the thickly woven boughs, Nora felt as if she had stepped from day to +night. + +"But so pretty," she commented. Then she looked about for Cap. It would +not be wise to stray into such a lonely place without his reliable +protection. He marched up with a very military air as she called his +name. Evidently the place, strange to Nora, was familiar to him, for he +did not so much as raise his shaggy head to glance around him. + +"Stay here," she whispered. Then, turning to survey the place, she +almost froze with fright. Over in under a very low tree she saw +something move--it was like a bundle of rags and it--yes, it had a head! + +"Oh, mercy!" she gasped. "What's that?" + +The black bundle rolled over and sat up. Two big, brown eyes glared at +her! The head was covered with a shawl. Was it a woman? + +Frozen now with genuine fright Nora tried to move, but felt more like +sinking down. + +"Oh!" she breathed. Then she saw how small it was. There! It was humping +up. Like a queer sort of animal the bundle took shape on huddled +shoulders, and from the outline eyes glared. + +It was not more than twenty feet from where Nora stood, but the almost +night darkness of the grove helped make illusions terrifying. + +Now it was on knees and now it stood up! + +"Oh," cried Nora. "Who are you?" + +A little girl--a poor little ragged girl, evidently more frightened than +Nora herself. + +"Oh, do come here," cried Nora, as soon as she saw how she had been +deceived. "I won't hurt you." + +The child was now standing. What a sorry little figure! The part that +was not eyes seemed just rags, and two bare feet pressed upon the brown +pine needles like chunks of withered wood. Her head was covered with an +ugly gray scarf and yet the day was warm enough to feel the sun's rays +even through the dense trees. + +"What's your name, little girl?" asked Nora, venturing a step nearer. + +The eyes rolled and then a smile broke over that frightened face. "I'm +Lucia," replied the child, and her voice was as pretty as her name. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +LADY BOUNTIFUL JUNIOR + + +Hearing that small, fluty voice Nora sighed with relief. + +"Come here, little girl," she said gently. "I won't hurt you." + +"Please, I can't. I must run----" + +"Oh, no; don't run," begged Nora, as the child showed every sign of +escaping. "I am all alone. I just want to talk to you." + +"But I must not. I have to run," insisted the other. + +"Why?" + +"Because----" the voice had dropped many tones. + +"Will any one hurt you if you don't?" This was merely a chance question +of Nora's. She could not think quickly of just the right thing to say +and was anxious to detain the child. + +"Yes, no, maybe," a shrug of the small shoulders proclaimed foreign +mannerisms. Her dark eyes also bespoke the alien. + +"Well, I won't let anyone hurt you," declared Nora bravely. "I'm a Girl +Scout, do you know what that means?" + +"Yes, I know. It means crazy," promptly replied Lucia. + +"Crazy?" Nora was somewhat taken back. Then it dawned upon her that +foreigners had a way of saying things--perhaps--"crazy" meant something +else to the child. + +"Why do you say 'crazy'?" Nora asked next. + +"Oh, they dress funny, and they run all over and they climb trees +like--crazy," said Lucia. Nora saw she was correct in her free +translation. Crazy was a comprehensive term to Lucia. + +"Don't you like them, the Scouts?" pressed Nora. + +"The little one--I like. The big ones chase me one day," came the +indifferent answer. "I have to go, I must run sure now," declared Lucia, +putting out her small hands to make a hole in the bushes through which +to escape. + +"Oh, please don't go yet," begged Nora. "I have just found you and I +want to--know you." + +"I don't dast," replied Lucia. "I have to hide now," she was getting +through the break when Nora took hold of the long skirt. At this Lucia +looked around sharply, and her dark eyes flashed dangerously. + +"Are you hungry?" Nora asked. This was a tactful thing to ask and +offered immediate postponement of flight for Lucia. + +"Sure," she replied, beaming. "What you got?" + +"Nothing--just now," faltered Nora. "But I can bring you lots of good +things. You wait here----" + +"Oh, no, I get caught," interrupted the woods wraith. "Then I +ketch--it." + +Nora was sorely puzzled, but being Nora she had no idea of allowing such +an interest to escape. She said next: "If you tell me where to leave +things for you, I'll bring them and you can get them when no one is +around. Would that be all right?" + +"Maybe," replied the exasperating Lucia. "But when you get it?" + +"Oh, any time, I live near here and I can just run over and be back +before you have to go. Where do you go to?" + +"I can't tell," answered Lucia with more foreign tone than she had yet +assumed. + +"You mean you do not dare tell me where you live?" + +"Yes, that's what I mean." + +"Why?" + +"I don't dast," again came that quaint, childish negative. + +"Who would do anything to you?" + +"Nick." + +If Nora was eager to talk, surely Lucia was determined to be very brief. +What could she mean by "Nick." + +Again Lucia held the bush back into an open gate. And again Nora tugged +at the skirt. + +"If I bring you a lovely sweet pie will you come back and talk to me +here?" begged Nora. + +"Where will you put the pie?" + +"Can't you come and get it?" + +"I don't know." + +It was aggravating. The child seemed purposely obtuse. Nora had an +instinctive feeling that somehow she was the object of abuse. Her +cringing manner indicated oppression. + +"Now, Lucia," she began again, "if you come here every day I'll come all +alone, except for Cap, and I'll bring you lovely things to eat. Wouldn't +you like that?" + +"Sure." + +"Then you will come?" + +"What time?" + +"In the morning--about this time. Would that be all right for you?" + +"If Nick is gone." + +"Who is Nick?" + +"Very bad man. I hate Nick." This last sentence was so purely American, +that even Nora guessed the child had come from mixed surroundings. +Holding to her shawl Nora could feel, she imagined, a shudder pass +through the slim frame at the very mention of the name Nick. + +Lucia dragged her scarf off a bush. "I go now," she said with just a +tinge of politeness. "You bring pie?" + +"Yes, a big pie. Don't forget to come." + +"I come--sure." + +The queer figure stood for a moment out in the clear sunlight, and Nora +had a chance to see her features. She was pretty, strikingly so, in +spite of her pinched cheeks and her too lustrous eyes. + +"Please--you don't tell anybody?" came the appeal. "I work all day and +pull weeds, but like to sleep little bit by the big trees, sometimes." + +Then Nora guessed. "You mean you are sick and come here to rest?" + +"Please." + +"Well, you just come here whenever you want to, Lucia," said Nora with +feeling. "The idea of a tiny tot like you working at pulling weeds! And +with all those heavy rags on you! It's a shame!" she declared +indignantly. + +"You don't tell?" the child persisted anxiously. + +"No, Lucia. I'll never tell. I have a lot of secrets, and this one I +won't even tell Alma." + +"Good bye." + +Like a frightened animal the waif sped across the field and dodged into +the next clump of shrubbery. + +"She is afraid of being seen," reasoned Nora. "Who ever saw such a +pitiful little thing?" + +Then it dawned upon her that Cap had not even sniffed suspiciously. + +"Did you like her, Cap?" she asked, patting the patient animal, that all +during the broken conversation had lain at Nora's feet without so much +as a single growl. "Did you feel sorry for her, too, Cap?" + +He may have or there may have been some other reason for his +indifference, but now he was willing and anxious to go home. It was +lunch time and Cap never needed an announcement. + +Nora followed him. She was too astonished to know even what to think. +That a little beggar girl should hide in the bushes to rest from hard +work! + +"I'll bring her the nicest things Vita can bake," she concluded. Then +came the thought: How would she get Vita to give her the supplies +without making known the use she was to put them to? + +Picnics were common. These would surely supply an excuse for carrying +out food, and, after all, wouldn't it be a picnic for Lucia? + +Nora's heart was fluttering. + +"I never knew what a vacation was before," she told Cap. "Here I am +having a love of a time and doing things worth remembering." + +How different from the fashionable summers she had been accustomed to! +Nowadays she hardly had time to look in a glass, and yet she was +enjoying every hour. It was like discovering something new continually, +and did Nora but know the secret of the adventure it was simply that she +was discovering her own resources--she was getting acquainted with Nora +Blair. + +But miracles are not common, and Nora was not yet completely transformed +from a sensitive, secretive girl, to an honest, frank, fearless Girl +Scout. + +Even the new discovery of Lucia and her sad plight was now locked up in +her breast. + +But should it have been? + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A PICNIC AND OTHERWISE + + +A rush of events followed. Chief among them was that of a Girl Scout +picnic, inaugurated by Ted and Jerry, carried out by Nora and enjoyed by +all. + +It was a delightful hike out to the Ledge, that big, rugged rock that +leaned over a pretty, disjoined lake, made up of tributaries from +springs and rain flows. Rocky Ledge was exactly that--narrow, rocky; a +table or shelf that leaned out just far enough to form a little portico +over the frivolous waters beneath. It was a charmed spot, with many +thrilling legends to its credit, and being different from the entire +scenery surrounding, it gave the place its name--just like one girl +different from her companions will stand out as an example, if she +happens to be that kind of different that is interesting. + +Not that other parts of this territory were commonplace. No, indeed. +There was a fertile farm country, Jerry's precious forests, Ted's +wonderful butterfly haunts and even Nora's cedar groves; but these did +not touch the high spot enjoyed by that novel little ledge; hence the +whole territory was known as Rocky Ledge. + +The picnic marked midsummer's festivity. Chickadee Patrol invited +members from other camps out to the Ledge, and when Pell insisted that +Thistle and her aids "do up enough grub" for those invited, a strike was +narrowly averted. + +"You know, Pell Mell, the Mantons will bring barrels of things to eat, +so why should we make samples of our miserable home-cooking failures?" +demanded Thistle. Betta was standing hard by egging her on. + +"They will bring the lunch, that is, The Lunch, but what about a little +four o'clock snack? There are silver springs out there with water cress +on the cob, and I know our girls are never loath to nibble a bite or two +when out on location," Pell reminded her mutinous crew. That was Pell. +She had a way of getting things done and at the same time making a joke +of it. + +"Is Nora going to be inducted?" asked Betta. Next to Alma, Betta was the +most avowed champion of the girl from the Nest. + +"Yes, we had a letter today and Becky told us we would have a business +meeting Wednesday, when your precious Babe Nora will be led to the +stake. She will accept the halter of allegiance to Pell, Betta and the +rest of the mob----" + +"If you feel so frisky, Pell, I wish you would work off some of the +extra on this tin can. I am supposed to open it with a souvenir trick +can opener. I am sure Betta brought it from the state fair, B. C. 150. +It has all the ear marks of antiquity without any of the teeth," +declared Wyn, who was struggling with an implement, curious and +wonderful. + +"That's a perfectly good can opener," defended Betta. "Jimbsy purloined +it from his own mother's table----" + +"Which supports my theory," interrupted Wyn. "His mother's table is none +other than antique. But there! It did cut--my hand into the bargain," +and she defied all her first-aid rules by sticking a finger in her +mouth. "Glad it cut something." + +"Where's Alma?" asked Laddie. "She always gets out of the drudgery." + +"Alma was tagged along to town to buy things," explained Thistle. "Becky +is hearing her lessons on the way. Alma is our little freshman, you +know, girls, and while she doesn't wear mourning, she is often in +sorrow." + +"She has a great time with Nora, I notice," remarked Doro. "I fancy +between the two of them they have fixed it up about the prince. +Shouldn't be a bit surprised if they invited him to the picnic." + +"Now, remember," ordered Wyn, "don't dare say prince. Say duke if you +must, but spare Alma's feelings on the princeling. But honestly, girls, +wasn't it a joke?" + +"Not to Alma," answered Treble. "She certainly had a vision if she did +not see a prince. Here she comes. Look at the bundles! Land sakes alive! +If it's more grub I'm going to duck. My fingers are mooing now from +spreading butter," and Treble plastered a slab of the yellow paste on a +square of bread, quite as if it were intended as mortar for a +sky-scraper. + +An hour later they were on their way. Nora might have ridden out to the +Ledge in the little runabout, but she preferred to walk with the girls. + +"I'm so excited about joining," she confided to Betta and Alma, her hike +partners. "I feel as if I were going to have my final exams." + +"You don't want to," advised Betta. "You know your manual perfectly, and +have nothing to worry about. But we shall all be so glad, Nora, when you +are really a Scout. It is all well enough to be a lone Scout out in the +wilderness, but while we're around there is no sense in such isolation." + +"The Lone Scout! Oh, I was fascinated reading about the provisions for +such an individual arrangement. Just imagine being a troop of one," said +Nora. + +"About as interesting as Laddie's collection of one piece of genuine +mica," replied Betta. "As much as I detest the girls" (she gave Alma's +arms an affectionate squeeze in explanation), "still, I would rather be +pestered with them than to be a Lone Scout on the Big Mountain. There, +Nora! That would make a stunning title for your coming book." + +"What book?" demanded the unsuspecting Nora. + +"The one that is coming next," serenely replied Betta. "But let us +hasten! See yon girls are turning into the other yon road," she went on. +"We betta----" + +A warning chuckle from Alma, cut short her "Betta." Until this +attractive girl learned to respect the all-American R she would never +know peace with her companions. + +Joining the others the merry party hiked along; singing, whistling, +calling, laughing and making noises peculiar to girls out on picnics +bent. + +Mr. and Mrs. Manton rode to the Ledge, deposited their treat and were +ready to be on their way and leave the girls to their own good time, +almost as soon as the party arrived. + +"Oh, stay," besought Pell. "We are counting on having you in for our +games----" + +"I wish I could," replied the big brown Jerry. "But the fact is this +wife of mine has planned a little picnic all of her own. You see, when +she got me in on this she knew I could not back out on hers. Yes," he +sighed affectedly, "she has made me promise to take her out canoeing, +and I am not sure what terror she has set for me at the end of the +stream." + +"Oh, are you really going down the stream?" cried Treble. "I have just +longed for a ride down through the rapids----" + +"Well, you best not take it," spoke up Mrs. Ted. "I am going down the +stream only to explore. And I would not go without the strong arm of a +man at the keel." + +"Oh, Jimbsy, where art thou?" wailed Thistle. "Why didn't we treat you +right! Your gallant craft----" + +"Get the water there, Cicero," shouted Doro. "This lunch is to have +lemonade a la carte, and there isn't a drop of water in the house. Sorry +to disturb the oration----" + +"Gimme the pail," snapped the interrupted Thistle. "I never yet started +anything that Doro didn't finish." + +But even the delightful lunch, served on a grassy table with every girl +holding down her own table cloth, for a light little breeze flirted +outrageously with the service--even all this did not tempt the Scouts to +tarry long from the delights of the great, wild open; and before the +normal eating hour had passed the girls were formed in groups and +circles, to suit their individual and collective tastes, and through +field and glen their laughter supplied the marching tune. + +Nora was clinging to Alma, with a motive. She had seen the great field +of corn just behind the Ledge, where fertility could be depended upon, +and she was wondering, secretly, if little Lucia might pick weeds out +there? + +"Could we go over to those gardens?" she asked the leaders, when the +other girls had all chosen their points for exploration. + +"Why, certainly. I am glad to see that you are interested in real +gardens," replied Miss Beckwith. "Those are called the Italian gardens +because Italians work there, not because they bear any resemblance to +the wonderful gardens of Italy." + +The temptation was strong within Nora to tell Alma just why she wanted +to go up close to the big women with hoes and rakes; but the memory of +Lucia's dark eyes, that looked so like dewy pansies when the child +begged: "You will never tell," that memory sealed Nora's lips, while she +eagerly sought out any small figure that might be that of the little +slave of labor. + +"I don't like those horrid women," said Alma. "Why don't you want to go +over the other way, out into the pretty woodlands, Nora? Come on and +let's run back. I am almost afraid of that ugly creature coming over +that dug-up place," Alma declared. + +"I don't like her, either," admitted Nora. "I only wanted to see--them +work--close by." + +"Going in for scientific gardening when we make you a real Scout?" Alma +continued, as they both hurried back to the uncultivated territory. +"Lots of girls are trying it, but it's wickedly hard on the hands." + +"Oh, I hadn't thought of that, Alma. But I just----" She stopped and +looked frankly into Alma's gray eyes. "Alma," she began again with an +unexpected sigh, "would you think me mean if I asked you to do something +to help me without, well, without explaining fully?" she floundered. + +"Why, no, certainly not, Nora. You must have good reason for not wanting +to confide----" + +"I do want to confide," Nora quickly took up the charge. "But this is +not my own affair. I have promised not to tell." + +"Then don't bother to explain," said Alma, generously. "I'll do all I +can to help you. I am sure it's for a good cause." + +"The noblest charity----" Nora checked herself. "I'll tell you. I want +to take my picnic lunch to--some place----" It was next to impossible to +go on without going all the way. + +"Nora, darling! You are truly a brave Scout!" declared the admiring +Alma. "There you haven't touched your lovely lunch. Saved it for a +secret charity. Just you wait until you are received into the band of +Chickadees! I'll be your sponsor if I am allowed it, and I'll find a +way----" + +"Alma! Alma!" gasped Nora, tragically. "You really must do nothing of +the kind. As happy as I am now at the idea of being a Scout, I shouldn't +even join if I thought that in any way this secret would become known." +She was breathless at the very thought, and had jerked Alma to a +standstill right in the middle of a mud patch, in her excitement. + +"Oh, don't worry," soothed Alma. "I had no idea of telling any part of +the secret, that, of course, I really don't know anything about. I was +just planning what I might say to your especial credit if the promoter +should call upon me," she finished with a tinge of disappointment. + +"Then help me carry my lunch back to--the woods near our house," said +Nora while the glance she exchanged was a unspoken volume. + +"I hope you are not going to give it away to some wild animal," Alma +could not refrain from remarking. + +"Oh, no indeed," Nora assured her companion. + +"Then why do you not eat it?" + +"I have promised----" + +"Maybe it's Jimmie," said Alma, with a sly little chuckle. + +"Jimmie! Why I have never spoken to him!" + +"Oh, you should," the Scout assured her. "He is such a nice, useful +boy." + +"Does he work on the farms?" asked Nora seriously. + +"I guess he doesn't really work any place in particular, but almost +every place in general," replied Alma. "But let's hurry. The others will +think we got hoed in with the corn." + +So they did hurry back to the picnic and back to their strategy. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE LITTLE LORD'S CONFESSION + + +It was all over. Nora had been made a Girl Scout. To celebrate the +enrollment Jerry and Ted gave a "large party" at the Nest, and of all +her memorable social functions, this to Nora seemed most delightful. + +Every one came, even Becky the patrol leader, and in their uniforms all +freshly pressed out, the white summer blouse being allowed for the +festive occasion, the party looked quite novel, and the girls had a +wonderful time, dancing, playing games and inventing new fun provokers +at every turn. Nora as the guest of honor was honored indeed, and +accepted her compliments most gracefully. + +"It was all a matter of opportunity," said Ted aside to Jerry, referring +to Nora's change of heart. "She is just as good a Scout as any of them." +This was a proud boast. + +"The woods are full of them," said Jerry the champion of all girls, +Scouts and near Scouts. "Just give them the chance." + +But up in her own room Nora was pondering. "It's just like getting +married," she reflected. "That is, I guess it is," she amended wisely. +"One must clear up every secret and fix all the old troubles when one +gets married, and one must clear up all the old worries and secrets when +she joins the Scouts," concluded the systematic, little self-appointed +conscience cleaner. + +There was that matter of the prince. Never did Alma mention it nor never +did Nora hear any of the other Scouts refer to it without feeling +guilty. + +"I just ought to tell Alma the whole truth," she was now deciding. It +was the day after the great event. + +But came the thought of Alma's certain surprise that she, Nora, her true +friend and confidante, should have deceived her so long. + +Pride did not melt into humility with the bestowing of the pretty Scout +emblem, so Nora did not see her way clear to tell that silly story of +her Lord Fauntleroy escapade. She was repeating her Scout promise "To do +my duty to God and Country and to help others at all times," and she +mentally made the promise again. + +"To help others." That clause charged her. Was she helping Alma? Did she +not know, really, that the one glimpse of the person in velvets had left +kind and considerate little Alma guessing ever since, and also that it +had put her in a ridiculous position with her companions? + +"I know, I'll write her a letter." The inspiration satisfied, and thus +started the most remarkable correspondence--but let others tell it. + +"She got a letter!" exclaimed Wyn. + +"What's wonderful about that?" asked Betta. + +"It's from the prince, that's what," declared the first speaker. + +"Prince!" + +"The very same," chimed in Treble, stretching her long self from the +bench to the boat swing. + +"What nonsense!" scoffed Betta. "Alma may be romantic, but she is not +crazy." (Lucia to the contrary.) + +"Just ask her," suggested Wyn. "She's hugging that letter as tight as +tu' pence. I always told you Alma was madly in love----" + +"Hush!" Doro's warning suspended operations along that line. Alma was +upon them. + +"Letter?" asked Wyn, innocently. + +"Yes, and if you like you may read it. It's from----" + +"The prince?" blurted Treble, shooting her hand out. + +"I'm corporal," said Thistle, pompously. "Let me have it, dear." + +"Perhaps I should read it myself," said Alma, pettishly, thus prolonging +the agony. "It is so--personal." + +"Yes, do," begged Wyn, coiling and uncoiling in sheer expectancy. + +"Here's a seat," offered Betta. + +"The sun's there," warned Thistle amiably. "Take this seat, Alma," and +she moved over so generously, the bench all but tipped end on end. + +Every one waited. Alma took out her letter--it was in her crocheted bag +and one could see how she treasured it. + +What a thrill! + +But Treble pinched Betta and almost spoiled the start. + +"I received it this morning," said Alma, "and, of course, it didn't come +through the mail." + +"How?" asked Wyn. + +"Jimmie!" replied Alma. + +"Oh-o-o-o-oh!" + +The shout was mortifying, Betta came to the rescue. + +"Jimmie isn't your prince--Alma?" she asked sweetly. + +"Jimmie!" Alma's tone was caustic. "As if that freckled face----" + +"Here! Easy on the Jimbsy!" warned Treble. "He's a perfectly fine little +Scout, and if ever this patrol extends to co-ed----!" + +"Let Alma read her letter," ordered Thistle, the corporal. + +"How'd you say you got it?" persisted Wyn. + +"Jimmie brought it." + +"Where did he get it?" again asked the irrepressible Wyn. + +"He was pledged not to tell, but just see the stationery." The envelope +was passed around; all commented favorably. + +"You see," began Alma, "this was written as a confession." + +The older girl shouted again. Treble nudged Wyn almost off the bench. + +"Don't mind them, Alma, I'm listening," said Betta sharply. + +"Oh, we all are," chimed in Doro. + +Alma folded her letter. "If you are--going to--tease----" she faltered. + +"Here!" yelled Thistle, quite uncorporal like, "The very first one that +speaks will be dumped into the lake. Proceed Alma." + +From that point things went along better. Again Alma looked promising. + +"As I said, the letter is a confession." Then ignoring a number of +subdued interruptions, she went on. "It is signed 'Your loving prince.'" + +Could you blame them for howling? + +"Your loving--prince!!!!" repeated Wynnie. "And is there a Jimbsy to +that?" + +"I told you," said the offended Alma, "the only thing Jimmie had to do +with it was to deliver it." + +"So far as you know," interjected Doro, "But Jimmie is a far-sighted +lad." + +"Let me read it, Alma," said Thistle in desperation. "I can't see why +some girls can't have more manners." + +"And why some can't have some?" retaliated Treble. + +"Once more, shall I read it?" asked Alma, sighing. + +"You shall," declared Betta. "The first one that interrupts---- Oh, I +say girls, it is almost time for drill. Have some sense and let's hear +it." + +Murmurs approved. + +"'I feel constrained to write this, dear,'" Alma actually read, +"'because I feel I have done you a great injustice.'" (Moans.) + +"'After you saw me and I fleed----'" Alma paused. "He means flew, of +course." + +This started another outburst, and what he didn't mean by "fleed" simply +wasn't worth meaning. + +"Go ahead, Alma, we know he--fleed," prompted Betta. + +"'After I ran'" (prudent Alma), "'I never had the courage to make myself +known to you,'" she perused. "'But when I heard your companions taunt +you----'" + +"There! Taunting her! I told you to be good----" Wyn's interruption was +inevitable. + +"It is no use in my trying to be sociable," said the sensitive Alma. +"But I thought you would all be interested." + +"There is not much more to read," announced the popular member. "He just +says that soon--soon he will come." + +"Oh, joy!" shouted Doro, rolling over in the grass. "Let me know in +time!" + +"They're just idiots, Alma. Come on with me and leave them to guess the +rest," proposed the astute Betta, the confidante of girls. "_I_ want to +hear it if nobody else does." + +Without even a giggle they jumped up and seized Alma. One could not be +sure whose arm was most restraining, but she changed her mind about +going with Betta. Instead she opened the famed sheet again and read: + +"'My conscience has troubled me ever since, dear, but I was forced to do +as I did. Drop your answer----'" She paused. "I don't intend to read +that part," she calmly announced, and no amount of coaxing would induce +her to relent. No one should know where the letter to the prince was to +be mailed, Alma was determined on that point at least. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A DESERTED TRYST + + +Nora was disconsolate. For two days the dainties left for Lucia had +remained untouched. The bread box which Vita had given her to play with, +and into which the food was deposited for Lucia, stood upon the tree +stump with the sliced lamb, the piece of cake, and the big orange which +comprised the last installment offered by the sympathetic Nora, just as +she had left it. + +"Can anything have happened to her?" Nora asked herself. She was almost +too disappointed to sit down and rest in the cool, quiet shade. Cap +sniffed the box but did not put a paw up to beg, and even the big noisy +blue-jay scorned a few crumbs that lay on a fallen leaf. + +"Suppose he--murdered her!" + +It was not unusual for a girl like Nora to think the very worst first, +in fact the normal, childish mind is very apt to leap at a sensation, +but only the high spot is sensed, the detail is always conspicuously +lacking. + +"Of course she is deadly sick. Oh, why didn't she let me know where she +lived," Nora wailed secretly. "I could visit her and bring her all sorts +of lovely things----" + +She lifted the paper napkin that covered the food offering. + +"What's this?" she exclaimed. A stiff little green leaf made of very +shiny paper appeared, and with it, Nora found, was an old fashioned +nose-gay, the sort beloved by the Italians and the Polish peasantry. +Nora picked up the spray. It was tied with a green ribbon and somehow +gave Nora a distinct shock. + +"Oh! She's dead, this is what they--have at funerals!" + +Tears welled up into the blue eyes, and hands holding the silent message +trembled. Nora sat down and Cap nosed up to her; he knew something was +the matter. + +Such a pathetic little bouquet! One stiff pink rose, one yellow daisy, +two bright red carnations and three very stiff green leaves, all made of +a sort of oil-cloth paper. + +A tear fell into the heart of the rose. If it were not really a flower +it was at least a good picture of one, just as a photograph can so +vividly remind one of the original. + +Nora went back to the box. "When can she have put it here?" she +wondered. It was under the paper plate. + +Then she recalled that this last donation had been hastily deposited in +the box, for it was late and Nora had to hurry back to get ready for her +own tea at the time she placed it there. + +"I must have it put right on her flowers," she pondered. "Poor, abused, +little Lucia!" + +Picking up the untouched food Nora discovered a slip of soiled paper +beneath it. There was writing on it, a scrawl of some kind. She carried +it to the light out from under the dense trees. + +"Yes, it's a note," murmured Nora, as if Cap, her only companion, +understood. And it just says "'Goodbye, with love.'" + +Nora read and reread the scribble. It was written, she decided, in +Lucia's hand, for it was such a crooked, uneven scrawl. The paper was a +leaf torn from a book, and this assured Nora that at some time Lucia +must have gone to school. + +"After all my joy, the party, the enrollment and everything, this has to +come," thought the discouraged girl. "I hoped today I could induce her +to come over and see Ted and Jerry." + +It was too disappointing. For the first few days Nora had felt it was +safer to allow Lucia to have her way, and when she waited and waited, +until the Italian girl appeared, then coaxed and urged that she come +over to the cottage, Lucia showed signs of real fright. She would have +run from the tree-tent and never returned, if Nora had not promised to +agree to her secrecy. After that the benefactor brought the food but was +never able to get more than a fleeting glimpse of Lucia, as she scurried +off like a little black rabbit with her precious food and her strange +secret. And now she was really gone and had said goodbye. + +"Why didn't I tell Alma?" sighed Nora, regretfully. "She might have +known a better way to have helped her." + +Too late to reason thus, Nora with a heavy heart again covered the tin +box, hoping something would bring Lucia back; then she took the quaint +floral token and started for the Nest. + +Her plans to help Lucia had included everything from a change of home to +a complete change of identity, for Nora felt the stranger must have been +in sore need, and why couldn't she induce Cousin Ted to adopt such a +pretty, forlorn child? + +It was characteristic of Nora to decide on the most dramatic course, for +such a possibility as a mother, father, or family in the background of +Lucia's life was not thought of. + +And was this to be the end of her precious secret? She squeezed the +paper bouquet until the humble ribbon wrinkled into a sad bit of stuff, +and then decided to put the token away with her most precious +belongings. Maybe Lucia would come back, and if she ever did Nora +decided positively she would then tell someone about the child, even +tell Cousin Ted if need be, and, certainly, Alma. + +"And now I must go to my letter box," she told Cap, the faithful. + +Looking up and down, in and out, far and near, to make sure no one saw +her, Nora followed the trail to the bent willow--the hiding place of +Alma's correspondence with the fabled prince. + +She had been there, the moss was a shade lighter where feet had pressed +the velvet nap, and the leaves of the bushes were still "inside out" +from a hasty brushing made to clear a path to the bent willow. + +Under the stone, as directed, Alma had placed her answer to the prince's +letter, and finding it there she quickly hid the envelope in her deepest +blouse pocket. She would read it in more comfort, enjoy it more at home, +with the door locked. + +"What an exciting vacation I am having, really!" she reflected. "When I +came all I could think of was pretty things." + +Had she been that Nora once so filled with foolish fancies that life, +brief as it had been to her, seemed too full of nonsense to admit of +real joys with girl companions, and any number of adventures? + +"A real vacation indeed," concluded the girl in khaki, holding close +Lucia's flowers and Alma's letter. She was sorely tempted to peek into +the latter, but that would spoil the delicious secret reading, which to +be complete would have to be made in solitude. + +It had been days since she went out "on location" with the +cousins--Jerry always called surveying "doing location," as the moving +picture folks termed their work, but so many other things claimed her +attention it seemed difficult to get them all in. Cousin Ted was very +busy herself, but had managed to write Nora's mother. A glowing account +of the Scout interests was surely given in that letter, and Jerry was +disappointed when Ted refused to ask permission for Nora to stay during +the winter. To this, woman-like, Mrs. Jerry Manton had not agreed, +because to go to school in the wilderness is always more picturesque +than practical. + +But Nora had endeared herself to those generous hearts, and even the +thought of that real mother with an unreal name did not thrill her as +did the knowledge that she had "made good" with these devoted friends. + +Home now--that is to the Nest, Nora rushed up to her room to devour +Alma's letter. She ignored Vita's appeal to come see the wonderful +flowers sent from some one for Mrs. Manton. She must read the letter +before going down to dinner. + +In the biggest chair by the open window beyond locked doors she unfolded +the precious page. + +"She writes a pretty hand," was the first comment. Then she read: + + "'Camp Chickadee. + + "'My dear Prince: + + "'How wonderful to get a letter from you! As you have + guessed I did think of you ever since. Please tell me who + you are and where you live? We Scouts would love to know you + and perhaps we can tell you some interesting things about + America, if, as I surmise, you are a visitor here.'" + +"Oh mercy," gasped Nora. "I have only made matters worse. She actually +believes I am a prince. What ever shall I do?" + +The letter lay mute and yet accusing. Nora had written Alma a first +letter to prepare her for the second. True, she did not explain--but she +fancied somehow Alma would come to the tree, and then perhaps they would +meet and settle the whole troublesome business. + +"But it's worse, heaps worse," sighed Nora. The call from down stairs +was unanswered, for she must plan something else and that quickly. + +First she thought of writing another letter with a complete and full +confession, but she dreaded it, shrank from it and finally abandoned the +idea. + +"If it only were not Alma," she sighed. "I would almost enjoy the joke +on some of the others, but Alma!" + +Nothing could be worse than this nagging at her conscience. She must +conquer it. And here was the new trouble about Lucia! + +"I always thought secrets were such fun, and yet these are +positively--tragic," she thought. "If only I could tell Alma about +Lucia, at least that would be a comfort." + +Another call from Vita. Cousin Ted and Cousin Jerry were in now. The +cheery whistle and the joyful "Whoo-hoo!" must be answered. + +"Oh, dear me!" sighed Nora. "I suppose things always happen that way." +She gave Lucia's flowers an affectionate squeeze, dropped them into her +ivory box, slipped Alma's letter under the cushion and went down to +dinner. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE WORST FRIGHT OF ALL + + +It was growing dusk--the sunset seemed in a great hurry to get away, and +day time was evidently going to the same party. The Mantons failed to +induce Nora to accompany them on a "bug hunt," Jerry's term for Ted's +moth expedition. Vita too seemed in haste to get somewhere, and +altogether the evening was especially popular to make escapes in. + +Nora was going over to camp, she announced, and would be there long +before dark. The girls would come home with her, she had assured the +prudent Ted. + +So everything was settled and the Nest would be unoccupied, with Cap as +guard, for that evening. + +Not a smile broke the serious look on Nora's face. It was evident the +program for the evening included something very important. + +"Goodbye," called out Ted. "Be sure to go over to camp, right away, or +the dark will--catch you." + +"Yes'm," echoed Jerry, "and Mr. Dark knows no distinctions at Wildwoods. +He throws a big black blanket over the whole kaboodle." + +Nora replied, but even the joke did not cheer her. A few minutes later +she stood at the foot of the attic stairs, drew a long breath; then +dashed up. + +Over to the chest that contained the costumes long ignored, she +literally dashed, yanked up the lid and dragged out the Lord Fauntleroy +outfit. + +She counted the pieces, waist, jacket, knickers, sash--where was the +cap? + +Nervously she fumbled over the tangle of garments, but did not find it. + +"I had better dress first," she decided, "and come up again for the cap. +I am--so--nervous----" + +No need to make the confession, for even her hands, young and usually +steady, actually dropped the velvet coat right on the dusty attic floor. + +No time for looking in the mirror. The knickers were kept up with round +garters now, a Scout acquisition, and the thin white blouse that went +under the jacket, went under very quickly--fullness and strings jabbed +in wherever space allowed. + +In a remarkably short time she was inside the entire outfit. One glimpse +in the glass assured her she was again garbed as the fickle prince. Then +for the cap. + +"I have time to run and get it," she assured herself. "Of course, I must +have that cap." + +Back to the attic, now a shade darker, and then again into the mysteries +of the costume chest, she rummaged. + +"Oh, dear," she sighed. "I'll be--here it is! Thank goodness!" She just +jabbed it on her head. A sound startled her. She stood still, every +sense alert. + +"What was it?" she instinctively asked. + +Again. It--was--a low--moan! + +Pausing only long enough to make sure her nerves were not fooling her, +Nora heard again, distinctly, a sound, a human or inhuman moan! Then she +rushed down the stairs, kept on rushing until she reached the street +door, and realizing no person was upon the premises, ran down the road, +straight for Chickadee Camp. + +No thought of her appearance concerned her; she must get the girls to +come back and find out what was in the attic! + +Only once she stopped, just to make sure the cap was not going to fall +off her yellow head. + +Voices and laughter came to meet her. That was Thistle and Wyn---- + +Gulping back a choking, nervous gasp, she rushed on. The next minute she +dashed into Chickadee Camp and stood before an amazed group of Scouts. + +"The prince!" went up a shout. + +"My prince!" corrected Alma. + +"Why, it's Nora----" + +"Girls!" gasped the intruder. "Listen, please, I am no prince----" + +"You are indeed. Just look at the dandy outfit. Alma, we most humbly +apologize----" + +"Wyn," shouted Thistle, "please listen! Can't you see there is something +the matter?" + +"Oh, there is really, girls," panted Nora. "Come quick! There is +someone--dying in our--attic!" + +"Dying?" + +"I was up there--getting these things, and I--heard the awfulest +moans----" + +"Maybe it was Cap," suggested Treble. Her eyes had not wandered from the +surprising spectacle. + +"Oh, no, he was outside," said Nora, "and no one is home, not even Vita. +Oh, please do come! I know someone is in agony," and her voice trailed +off into agony of her own. + +"I'll lead," volunteered Thistle. "Come along, every one. Alma, you can +take care of your--prince," she could not resist injecting. + +"Oh Alma," sighed Nora. "I was planning to come to explain to you----" + +"You don't need to," and a most affectionate and all encompassing look +went from Alma to Nora. "I know all--about it now, and you are my +prince, just the same." + +"Come along, you two lovers," ordered Thistle the leader. "You had a +'crush' on Nora from the first, Alma. Now we all know why. Fall in +there, Betta. No need to wait for guns----" + +"I am not going without some weapon of defense," declared Betta. "Nora +knows her own attic, and she knows when someone is moaning. It may be a +lunatic. There is always an asylum in a pretty place like this." + +"Oh, is there?" cried Nora. "I would be afraid to face a--lunatic in +that big, dark, attic----" + +"I should think you would, lunatic or just plain, human being," agreed +Laddie. "You look delectable enough for anyone to just eat you up----" + +"Can't you girls realize this is an emergency, not a debate?" snapped +Thistle. "We don't suppose Nora is dying of fright just for fun. Betta, +run over and tell Becky." + +"Oh, don't let's have her along," interrupted Treble, bent on making the +most of the adventure. "You know she would have to do something we +wouldn't." + +"Right," agreed Wyn. "Come along Scouts! 'Jeuty' calls us." + +They had been "coming along" all the time. These expressions merely gave +vent to pent up energy. + +Nora, although thoroughly frightened, was thankful that the dark helped +hide her dismay. Alma had her arm, and Alma was thinking in terms of +"prince," even the pretender was conscious of that. + +The girls giggled and talked, as they always did, and as Betta took time +to remark, "they would be apt to do it at their own funerals." There was +no suppressing Wyn, and Treble fell but a peg below in volubility. + +"Look out there!" called Thistle. + +Everyone halted. + +"What?" demanded Wyn. + +"A puddle," replied the heartless leader. "And I'm responsible for the +shine on your shoes, lunatic or no lunatic," she declared loudly. + +"When my turn comes to lead for a week I'll have that wretched girl up +every day at dawn," threatened Betta. "She has the cruelest way of +raising one's hopes." + +"Had you hopes for the lunatic in the mud puddle?" demanded Laddie. + +"You had better get your sense valve working," suggested Doro. "We are +almost there." + +"Right," added Treble. "I can see the gate light now." + +"How ever will we go up there in the dark?" Nora asked Alma. "I will be +afraid to go into the house." + +"Don't you worry, dear," Alma was still under the influence. "We will +all go in together, and Thistle isn't afraid of man or beast." + +Arrived at the Nest Nora was confronted with a light at the back of the +house. + +"Someone home?" suggested Thistle. + +"There shouldn't be," declared Nora. "Everyone is out for the evening." + +"Where is Vita?" asked the same leader. They had stopped at the natural +hedge, and now stood under the picturesque, homemade arc light--Jerry's +lantern with the red globe. + +"Vita went out somewhere. She often does, and you see I was going over +to camp, so there was, really, no one at home." + +"Your dying princess has come down stairs to die," suggested the +irrepressible Wyn. + +"Princess?" scoffed Nora. + +"Or was it merely a maid in waiting--excuse me, your _man_ in waiting." + +"Wyn," shouted Laddie, "can't you see you are making yourself ridiculous +at a time like this?" + +She probably couldn't for she went off into a gale of laughter and had +to go behind a bush to enjoy it. + +"There is someone in the kitchen," declared Treble. "Here she comes!" + +She did; she came right out and greeted them. + +It was Vita! + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +STRANGE DISCLOSURES + + +For a moment no one spoke--they were all so surprised. + +"Hello!" called out Vita. "What's this? A party?" Her English was +perfect. + +"No, it isn't Vita," Nora managed to answer. "I was almost scared to +death----" + +"Let me tell her, Nora," interrupted Thistle, the leader. + +"I'm not going in that house with her until Cousin Ted comes home," +declared Nora. "Vita is always putting me off. She knows what that noise +up in the attic is." + +"Have you heard it before?" asked Betta. + +"Yes, a number of times----" + +"Then, if the moaner did not die before, Nora, what makes you think the +present attack would be fatal?" Wyn came out from the bush to inquire. + +"Land sakes, Wyn! Will you hush? Fun is all right in its place but this +is serious," warned Pell. + +"Looks it," whispered the same Wyn, into Betta's unwilling ear. + +"Nonsense, standing here like a----" + +"Serenading party," finished Laddie. "Let's begin." + +"Serenading?" An uncertain and feeble whistle followed, but in the dark +no one owned up to it. + +"You coming in? No?" asked and answered Vita. + +"No. We are not coming in," declared Nora, who had stepped up to the +door at which the spacious Vita stood. "We heard a noise up in the attic +and we were coming in to investigate, but we won't now." + +The girls were audibly disappointed. They said so outright. + +"Perhaps she doesn't know a thing about it," suggested Laddie. "Don't +you think, Nora, we ought to go in and look around?" + +"No, I don't. She is in the plot, or secret or whatever it is," declared +Nora aside. "When I first came here I heard it----" + +"Why didn't you tell us?" demanded Doro. The parade had come to a +useless halt. + +"I don't know," murmured Nora. "You know I had queer ideas at first," +she faltered, unconsciously smoothing down the pretty little velvet +knickers and slipping a nervous hand into an inadequate pocket. + +"We know, but we all have--at first," admitted Laddie. "I used to think +I would love Thistle, and see what she has done to us with her old +bossing." The challenge went unanswered. + +"Can't we go to the bench and talk it over?" suggested Betta, unwilling +to leave the scene thus unsatisfied. + +"Oh, no, please don't," begged Nora. "I don't know just what I fear, but +actually, girls," she did whisper this, "I am as much afraid of Vita now +as I am of the thing up in the attic." + +"Your nice, fat, good natured Vita?" asked Pell in surprise. The person +spoken of had gone indoors discreetly. + +"I don't mean that I am afraid of her all the time," Nora hastened to +correct. "She is as good as gold, generally, and I am sure Vita is +honorable. But it is that attic affair--she is in some way connected +with that, and I am not going to take a chance of getting frightened +again tonight. You have no idea how I felt, up there all alone, in fact +I was all alone in the house when I heard that groan." + +"Groan?" Wyn could not resist. "I thought it was a moan?" + +But no one paid any attention to the remark. Betta suggested they agree +with Nora and all go back to camp. + +"We can bring Nora back home about the time she expects her Cousin +Jerry," Betta's suggestion included. "There is no sense in subjecting +her to more terror with the Italian woman." + +"For once I agree with you, Betta," answered Thistle. "March back to the +Chickadee, every Scout of you, and see that you don't wallow in that mud +puddle." + +"But the prince?" inquired Wyn. "Is he to walk through ordinary mud +puddles?" + +"No. Of course not. You and the other big girl, Treble by name, are to +carry him. Avaunt!" ordered the leader. + +"Oh please----" protested Nora; but in vain. She was upon the shoulders +of Wyn and Treble before she had a chance to finish her useless appeal. + +"Put your royal arms around me," chanted Treble. + +"If you don't you may be dumped," warned the other slave. + +"Listen!" ordered someone. "Here comes the whole camp! Are we out after +hours?" + +"If we are we can plead emergency," explained Thistle. "How could we +wait for permission when someone was moaning to death?" + +They took up the march in real earnest. As faithful Scouts they always +kept to regulations and found pleasure in doing so. Only Nora's call of +distress had lured them away as darkness was setting in. + +"Please let me walk," begged Nora. "I know you must get back as quickly +as you can, and I am sure I have given you enough trouble." + +"We love to carry you," insisted Wyn. "Besides, we know it's our last +chance. Alma will be unconscious in the throes of love from this on," +she finished with a lurch that brought the erstwhile prince to "his" +feet in spite of their intentions. + +A few more accidents, minor and major, according to the way said +accidents were accepted, and the squad arrived at Chickadee. Nora was +now more embarrassed than ever. How could she again go in among all +those sensibly-clad girls in that ridiculous costume? Besides, now she +was bound to tell the whole miserable story. + +"Where have you girls been?" began Becky, who stood waiting. "Did you +not know this was story night?" + +"We have been out scouting, and we did," replied Thistle in her most +docile tone. "Becky, love, we have the bravest thrill of our entire +career to unfold." + +"Begin, please, by explaining the infraction of hours," said Miss +Beckwith, although her manner belied her demand, and the summer twilight +lasted. + +"The thrill is none other than someone, anyone, dying of moans," said +Wyn. "We have with us tonight----" + +At this she craned her neck over the tallest of them to locate little +Nora. But she, the guest of honor, was hiding behind Treble. + +"When you hear the whole wonderful tale," promised Pell, "you will only +be sorry you were not along. We have been out gunning for attic ghosts." +After more talk of this variety Nora was dragged forth. + +How pretty she looked in the camp light! A glow from the fire that had +been lighted for stories, surrounded the little prince, and, as the +picturesque figure stood in the center of the group of admiring eyes, +even the glory of the modern Scout uniform was threatened with eclipse. +In the late twilight the effect was entrancing. + +"Isn't she darling?" + +"Just look at those--panties?" + +"Oh, don't you remember----" + +"Sweet Alice Ben Bolt." + +"No, not Alice, but the night we fought over those bloomers," recalled +Treble. + +"They're not bloomers. They're rompers." + +Then began that whole foolish debate which ended up by Thistle declaring +they might be overalls for all it mattered, if only the girls would let +Nora tell her story. Pell and Treble agreed. The introduction was +briefly outlined for Becky's benefit, then Nora was allowed to tell it +as it appeared to her--that is, she was allowed to begin to tell it that +way, but what with the interruptions, the suggestions, the questions, +and the qualifying clauses, it was small wonder the willing culprit made +poor headway. + +As the story took the shape of a confession Nora seemed to be the +culprit, but judging from the approval voiced by the multitude they all +had little regard for _her_ brand of "crime." In other words, Nora only +imagined she had offended, the entire detail made a most interesting +story as it was told around the campfire blaze of Chickadee Patrol. + +She admitted frankly that her early notions were anything but practical, +she bravely recounted her weakness for fancy things, including ivory +bureau sets and pink ribbons, to which more than one Chickadee added her +own little admission, in fact, Pell said she always did and always would +love pink; brown khaki and smoked pearl buttons to the contrary +notwithstanding. + +The telling of her attempt at attic tenancy brought forth peal after +peal of laughter, in which Nora joined. Then she told all about her +disguise as the fabled and famous prince. + +"I think it is all too jolly for words," insisted Laddie, "and what do +you say, girls, to our adopting Prince Adorable for our mascot?" + +This precipitated more trouble. Nora was put on the table, that long box +used when weather was pleasant and drenched when weather was wet, and +from that grandstand, or throne, she was called upon to make silly +speeches, prompted by Wyn and interrupted by Betta. + +Alma objected. She insisted Nora had hinted to her something she ought +to tell the others. And she further maintained it was a matter serious +enough to put a stop to all nonsense, and "if the girls aren't willing +to listen quietly, I shall take Nora over to the other tent, where she +can tell Becky in peace," threatened Alma. + +This put a soft pedal on all unnecessary sounds: even Wyn desisted. + +"Tell us, Nora, please do tell," begged Wyn. "We have had fun enough to +give our poor jaws a rest. Mine are aching from laughing." + +So Nora began. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE DANGER SQUAD IN ACTION + + +It was a fascinating tale. Every detail told by Nora took on new value +as it was silently applauded by her eager audience. Thus encouraged she +waxed eloquent, and when she finished all about the wearing of the +Fauntleroy costume, then her desire to tell Alma the truth, when she +knew the Scouts were teasing the Tenderfoot, the recital might well have +been called a credit, even to the girl who felt guilty of its secrets. + +"You see," she said naïvely, "I was always so much alone. I had no +companion but Barbara, and she agreed with everything I said." + +"What a change this must be!" murmured Wyn. + +"Hush!" warned Betta. "Funny as you are, Wynnie, you _can_ be rude." + +"And now, girls," said Nora in a brand new tone of voice, "as I have +told you all of that, I feel anxious to tell you something else. I have +another secret and I think it is much more serious than anything else +that has happened on this wonderful vacation." + +"Out with it," begged some one, but Nora did not hear the thoughtless +phrase. + +Miss Beckwith sat with the girls, encouraging their confidences, and the +usual safety in numbers was surely a clue to the satisfaction of the +novel meeting. Secrets were best shared by the multitude, then what one +was not wise enough to know, some one would surely be clever enough to +guess--so far as solution of the problem went. + +"One day when I was wandering around--it was the day we had such a +wonderful time----" Nora started. + +"When you learned to swim?" prompted Wynnie. + +"I think it was. Well, I just walked along a lane I had never found +before," continued the prince--for she was still that noble character, +"and under a cave of pines--they grew so thick I could hardly see there, +it was almost as dark as night; and right there, in a bed of leaves I +saw something move." + +Just who was it that choked back Wyn's interruption does not matter, but +presently Nora continued: + +"At first, of course, I thought it was a dog or something like that, but +all of a sudden it sat up!" + +"Oh!" exclaimed the sympathetic Alma. + +"Yes, it sat up and looked at me with eyes like coals of fire." + +"Nora!" shouted Laddie. "I am all goose flesh, please tell us who had +the eyes." + +"I'm trying to," said Nora, realizing the value of pauses. "I was so +frightened I wanted to run, but before I could do so the creature showed +how frightened she was----" + +"She!" This was Betta. + +"Yes, it was a poor, miserable little girl, all rags and eyes, and so +sad looking! Really girls, my heart went out to her," declared the story +teller in her most Nora-esque manner. + +Titters barely tinctured the atmosphere. Miss Beckwith begged the girls +to listen politely. + +"I managed to get her to tell me her name," said Nora next. "And it was +Lucia." + +"Lucia," repeated a chorus in perfect time, pronouncing it "Luchia." + +"Yes, a poor, neglected, little Italian girl, who has to work on one of +the big farms----" + +"There!" almost shouted Alma. "I knew when you saved your picnic lunch +it was for something noble. It was for Lucia, wasn't it?" + +"Yes, but after bringing her food for days she suddenly disappeared." + +"What happened to her?" asked Pell. + +"How can I tell?" sighed Nora. "I have done everything to find out. I +have even had Cousin Ted drive me around the big farms hoping to get a +glimpse of her, but I never saw any one who even looked like her. Then, +I haven't told you the most pathetic part," she paused again. "The last +day I went to fetch her a lovely piece of pie, you know I used to put +food in a big tin box Vita gave me; well, there was all that I had left +the day before. Of course, I was awfully disappointed and I felt +so--sorry I had not told you girls----" + +"If you had, Nora," said Miss Beckwith, gently, "we might have found a +way to help the child." + +"I know that, Becky, and I am telling this now partly to----" + +"Ease your conscience," prompted Pell. + +"Yes; I don't want any more secrets. They are more worry than they can +possibly be worth," said Nora tritely. + +"You were telling us about the box," prompted Alma. + +"Oh, yes; but I must hurry, I have to go home very soon. It is time the +folks were back." + +"Tell us the rest and we won't interrupt once," promised Wyn in a +contrite tone, and she seemed to mean it. + +"I found a little paper bouquet in the box," Nora continued. "And a +scribbled bit of paper." + +"What was on it?" Betta could not help asking. + +"Just a few words, 'Goodbye, I love you.'" Nora stopped suddenly. + +"The poor, little thing," commiserated Alma. "And could you find no way +to tell who she was or where she lived?" + +"I didn't dare ask anyone outright," answered Nora, "because you see, I +had promised not to tell anyone about meeting her. She was in terror of +a man she called Nick." + +"Nick?" repeated a number. + +"Yes; she would only say he was a bad man, and I know she feared him for +she would tremble so when she mentioned his name." + +Miss Beckwith had remained in the background. If she knew a way to solve +the mystery, evidently she did not think the time had come to disclose +it. + +"But when I found she was gone--I knew what a mistake I had made in not +telling anyone about it. Even if she was afraid, I could surely have +trusted--Alma," sighed Nora. + +In the semi-darkness none could see the look of affection Alma threw +out. Her sensitive soul had found solace in the companionship of the +almost equally sensitive Nora. + +"I must go," insisted Nora. "The folks will be home and I am going to +tell them about that attic noise tonight, Vita or no Vita." + +"You are perfectly right in that," said Miss Beckwith. "Come along, +girls, we will all see Nora home this time." + +They wanted to carry her back, but costumed and all that she was, Nora +felt little like partaking in their frolic. She feared something. That +moaning was human, of this she was certain; and it was equally certain +that Vita was in too good health when she appeared at the door, to have +been in any way implicated, physically. + +"If your folks have not returned will you come back and stay all night?" +suggested Betta. "We could leave a message for them and you know you +have not stayed a single night at camp yet." + +"I am sure they are at home, I see the light in the living room," +responded Nora. "But thank you, just the same, Betta. I shall love to +stay a night soon, I have been counting on having that treat before this +vacation is over." + +They had rounded the curve and the Nest was now in full view. Presently +they were at the door and Nora touched the knocker. + +There was no immediate response and she wondered. "I can see inside, the +curtain is up, and I don't see a soul," she declared. + +"Nor hear a sound," added Pell who was listening at the keyhole. + +Here was another cause for wonderment. Nora rapped the knocker until the +sound seemed doubly loud, reverberating in the dusk. + +But there was no answer. "What can it mean?" asked Nora anxiously. "I am +sure some one lighted the lights, can they have gone out looking for +me?" + +"Can't you get in?" asked Miss Beckwith. + +"Yes. I know where to find the emergency key. But I don't think I'll go +in." Nora seemed doomed to spend the night at camp after all. + +The girls crowded around. Plainly any excitement was a welcome diversion +for them. + +"Maybe the groaner lighted up," suggested Wyn, facetiously. "She seems +to like traveling." + +"You are so brave, Wynnie," said Miss Beckwith, "I wonder would you be +brave enough to go in and investigate?" + +"Certainly," came the quick rejoinder. "I'd like nothing better. +Volunteers?" she called out. + +"Hush!" begged Nora. "It may be that Vita is upstairs and has not heard +us, although she must have heard that knock." + +Again she rapped the knocker. + +"Hark!" said Betta. "I honestly thought I heard a cry." + +Everyone was now breathless. + +"I do hear some one crying," declared Alma. "Whoever can it be?" + +"That up-attic person, I'm sure," said Wyn. "Better get the key, Nora. +We can't let them cry to death while we are all here, listening in." + +"I think I heard crying," said Miss Beckwith. "Perhaps you had better +open the door, Nora." + +From under the fern dish Nora procured the key. + +Miss Beckwith took it, and presently the door was open. The hall was +flooded with light, but everyone instinctively stepped back. + +There was no sound. + +"Where's Cap?" asked Nora. "We left him here." + +"There is really nothing to fear," said Miss Beckwith. "Here we are, a +half dozen of us. I think we had better go inside. Maybe poor old Cap is +locked in somewhere and held captive." + +"Oh, that's so," replied Nora. "He has a habit of getting in closets and +he might have sprung the door shut. Sometimes he moans----" + +That was enough to excite practical sympathy, and everyone promptly +stepped inside. Once within, it did not seem so fearful. Pell prowled +around and Wyn made foolish noises; but Nora hung back. + +After satisfying themselves there was nothing wrong on the first floor +they decided to investigate the second. + +"I can always hear it right over my room," said Nora when the band of +Chickadees inundated that territory. "There! Did you hear that?" + +"Yes, someone is crying upstairs," declared Miss Beckwith, "and we must +see who it is." + +"But suppose----" + +"Here's Cap. He would not let anyone touch us," declared Nora. "But +Becky----" + +"Come along, girls, that is not the voice of a man or woman. Come, we +must do something. It sounds like----" + +Bouncing up on Nora, Cap whined. "There, he knows, he wants me to go up. +What is it, Cap?" Nora asked again, and again the dog whined piteously. + +Now, everyone was willing to lead, yet they formed quite an orderly +drill. + +This was an emergency and emergency always means order for Scouts. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +RAIDING THE ATTIC + + +No one could tell just how they got there, but realizing that some one +was suffering they had all followed Cap to the attic, and there waited +again for the sound that was to lead them to the victim. + +"There's a cabinet over there," Nora whispered. "A person might hide in +that." + +She was holding on to Alma and looked odd, indeed, still dressed in that +gorgeous velvet costume. + +"Here's another light--this will show us the far end there," said Miss +Beckwith, snapping on the extra bulb. + +"There it is!" gasped Pell. "Oh, it is somewhere--yes, come over here," +she cried. "Surely that's a child!" + +The faint cry, that was almost like a sob, sounded again. It must be +over under the low beams. + +Nora forgot her terror now, for she knew the secret place of the long, +rumbling attic, and no sooner had she heard the distinct cry than she +brushed past all the others, dragged up a big dust curtain, then +stopped. + +"Here! Here!" she called frantically. "It's a little girl. Bring the +candle!" + +Thistle was beside her with the extra light. "Oh, mercy!" gasped Nora. +"It's Lucia." + +"Lucia," repeated the others. + +"Yes, my own little darling Lucia. Oh, child," she cried out, "what has +happened to you? How ever did you get here?" + +"Go away. Please, go away. I can't tell you. Oh, where is Vita? Vita +come!" begged a voice, while Nora tried in vain to soothe her. + +"Let me there!" ordered Miss Beckwith. "The poor little thing!" she +continued. "She evidently has had a fit of hysteria. Just see her gasp! +Keep quiet, dear," she said gently. "You are all right now. We will take +care of you. There! Stop sobbing. Don't you know the girls?" + +"She knows me, don't you, Lucia?" asked Nora, anxiously. "Oh, I am so +glad we found her. She might have died." + +"Don't let us waste time in talking. Here girls. Use your first aid, +now. We must carry her down stairs to the air," ordered Miss Beckwith. + +They carried her down carefully and laid her on a couch by the window. + +"Where is this?" the girl murmured. Then she looked into Nora's face and +something of the terror left her own. "Angel," she said simply, blinking +uncertainly. + +"You know this little girl, don't you, Lucia?" pressed Becky now, +anxious to arouse her. + +"Yes," she said. + +Nora cast a look of appeal at the director. She wanted to speak to the +sick girl. Becky motioned she might do so. + +"Lucia," began Nora, very gently, "where did--you--come from?" + +"I run away from--Nick," she gasped, and again that look of terror +flashed across the little pinched face. + +"Don't be frightened; you are here with me, Nora, now," said the girl in +the velvet suit. "No one can touch you here." + +"Where--is--Vita? She not come back, bring doctor?" + +That was it. Vita had gone for a doctor. + +"She'll be here soon," soothed Miss Beckwith. The Scouts stood spell +bound. How wonderful to have found the poor little waif right in Nora's +own attic! + +There was a sound below. Vita came stamping up the stairs. + +"What is it?" she panted. Then seeing the crowd. "You come--save my poor +little Lucia!" + +"Yes, Vita, we are here," replied Nora, sensing now the part that Vita +had been playing. "We brought her down." + +"Poor Lucia. Vita's baby--Vita's bambino," crooned the woman, as she +leaned over the couch and chaffed the trembling hands. + +It was a pathetic picture. The brilliantly-lighted room was like a stage +with this strange drama being enacted upon it. The row of Scouts were +unconsciously standing like a patrol at attention, while Nora in +Fauntleroy dress, stood at Lucia's head; and the woman in the quaint +peasant attire bent over; and then, there on the soft, bright couch, lay +the inert figure with the great eyes staring out from under the bandage, +evidently put on the hot forehead by Vita. + +No questions asked, every one could see the child was kin to Vita, but +not her own child, perhaps her granddaughter. + +"She will be all right now, I think, Vita," said Miss Beckwith. "She +just had a spell of hysteria, didn't she?" + +"Oh, she have a fit very bad," whispered the woman. "I run for doctor, +quick, but he is no place----" her voice droned off into a low sound of +foreign words, lamentation and wailings. + +"Why was she shut up there?" asked Nora. + +"She beg for dark--she never go in light when fit comes," Vita managed +to make them understand. "I always hide her--she runs from Nick like +anything. But he no hurt her, never. Just one time he scare her. She +always cry so much he t'ink she might get better, and he scare her. +Lucia run away and come to Vita, every time." + +"He didn't really hurt her," Miss Beckwith was both asking Vita and +explaining to the girls. "Hysterical children must have a dread of +something, and I suppose she seized on that." + +Lucia now sat up and looked about her. All the fear had left her, and +her black eyes shone with relief. + +"She's all right now, aren't you, Lucia?" Thistle ventured to ask. The +other girls were still spellbound. + +"Lovely," replied the child, actually rubbing her brown hand on the soft +couch cover almost as if she were saying, "Nice! Nice!" + +"There come Cousin Jerry and Cousin Ted!" exclaimed Nora. "I'll bring +them right up." + +"What Mrs. Jerry say?" asked Vita, anxiously. + +"Oh, that will be all right, Vita," said Nora, running along. "She'll +understand everything." + +It is marvelous what sympathy can explain. No need for words to fill out +the gaps. + +"Well, what a reception!" exclaimed the surprised Ted. "I never expected +such a party as this." Her eyes fell upon Lucia. "A refugee?" she asked +kindly. + +"Vita's little girl, Cousin Ted," said Nora, promptly. "We found +her--sick." She did not say where. + +"She is in good hands now, I am sure," said Mrs. Manton, glancing around +at the patrol. "We were detained with our fractious car--should have +been home ages ago. Did you need anything? Have you had a doctor?" + +"She seemed merely hysterical," explained Becky. "I don't think she +needs a doctor tonight. She will probably sleep well after the +excitement--and exhaustion," she added in an undertone. + +"Well, of all things," exclaimed Mrs. Manton, suddenly getting a good +look at Nora. "Have you been having a masquerade?" + +"A little Scout party," Miss Beckwith replied, to save Nora +embarrassment. "This has been an eventful evening." + +"Must have been," agreed the hostess. "Shall we all go down and leave +the child to rest?" she proposed. + +"_We_ must go," assured the leader. "It is not ten o'clock, I hope?" + +"No, and we'll run you over in our car--if the car will run. Mr. Manton +is out tinkering with it. That's how he missed the excitement," Ted +explained. + +Nora hung back with Lucia. She felt she had found her after so much +anxiety, she was almost afraid the child would be spirited away if she +should lose sight of her now. + +"How nice!" said Vita, and the relief in her own voice proved that the +big woman had been suffering no little anxiety, herself. + +"I go home now, Vita," said Lucia, humbly. "I'm sorry, Vita." + +"Oh, you don't have to go home, Lucia," Nora hurried to interrupt. "You +can stay right here. You don't want to go hide in the dark any more, do +you Lucia?" + +"But I don't want to make the trouble." + +"She is so good when the fit is gone," said Vita, affectionately. "Poor +Lucia, she can no help it." + +"Of course, she can't. I'll tell you, Vita, we'll ask Cousin Ted and I'm +sure she'll let us fix Lucia up in that nice attic bed. Would you like +that, Lucia?" enthused Nora. + +"She love the attic," said Vita. "She come every time, and I must hide +her. But I no like to make the bother----" + +"And that was why you kept it secret!" said Nora. "Well, Vita, I did +think you were--mean," she paused to soften the word, "but now I know +why. And I am so glad to find Lucia again. You see, I knew her before." + +"You bring her the cakes----" + +"And you knew that, too?" Nora's secrets were fast evaporating. "Well, +at any rate, Vita, you gave me a nice tin box and all the good things +you could make, so I won't blame you. I'll run along and ask Cousin Ted +about the attic. Dear me! What a blessing the girls came over with me! +We might have been going on this way--for weeks and not have found out," +she added. "But the girls have to hurry off; it is getting time to +answer the night roll call. I'll be back in a minute, Vita," she was +talking fast. "Don't let Lucia move until I tell you," she warned. + +"All right, little Nora," replied Vita fondly. "I have two little girls, +now; yes, Lucia?" + +"The girls have to leave without hearing this whole wonderful story, +Nora," said Ted, as they crowded out to the car, "but I have asked them +to come over tomorrow. They will die of curiosity in the meantime if +Miss Beckwith does not keep them too busy to get into such mischief," +added the young woman jocularly. + +"Oh, Nora!" called out Wyn, "you come right over about daylight, will +you? We'll leave a tent flap loose and you can crawl in. I would have +nervous prostration if I had to wait until after inspection to hear the +sequel. Good night!" + +"Good night! Good night! everybody!" went up the customary shout, and +when the reliable little car, so recently called fractious by its owner, +rumbled out into the roadway, the Scouts were actually singing their +camp song. + +How wonderful to be girls! And how wonderful to be Girl Scouts! + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +FULFILLMENT + + +"Of course, she'll come over. Didn't I say I'd leave a flap up?" asked +Wyn. It was so early that the very Chickadees, after whom the patrol had +been named, were still asleep in their own tree-top scout tents. + +"As if she could get out of bed----" + +"Why couldn't she? After last night I wonder if she will ever feel safe +in bed again. Seems to me," said the incorrigible Wynnie, "she could do +lots more good sitting up--raiding attics and things like that." + +"But Chicks," said Thistle from a rumpled pillow, "isn't that child a +dream?" + +"You mean didn't that child dream----" + +"No, I do not. I think she is the most adorable thing. Why, she looks +exactly like a painting we have----" + +"There--there," soothed Treble. + +"Don't get homesick," Pell called out. "We have a few more days to go +before time to break camp and you want to be in at the big party, don't +you?" + +"I think the prince part simply the most marvelous story I have ever +heard," said Treble, under her breath. It was too early to join in a +general wake-up. + +"Leave it to Alma," whispered Laddie. "I always said these quiet little +girls have the most fun. I heard Wyn groaning in her sleep after every +one else was aslumber. That's the kind of fun _she_ has." + +"Looks as if Nora had not walked in _her_ sleep, at any rate," put in +Betta. "I move we get up and slick things up early. How do we know but +the myth flew away in the night?" + +"We don't, but she didn't," replied Treble crisply. "But hark to a +familiar sound. It calls arise----" + +Then began the duties, and in spite of their anxiety to get over to the +Nest, the Scouts did succeed in performing their tasks with the usual +accuracy and unusual alacrity. + +At nine o'clock they were free. + +No need to ask what anyone was going to do that morning. Every Girl +Scout who had been in "the raid" was ready to run before the day's +orders had been read from the bulletin. + +They headed for the Mantons' cottage. + +"Did you ever?" + +"No, I never!" + +This was a part of the meaningless contribution in words offered as the +girls came up to the Nest. They had seen the tableau on the front porch. + +"Hello!" called out Nora. + +"'Lo, yourself," sang back Thistle. + +"Too early for a fashionable call?" asked Treble. + +"Come along, girls," Mrs. Manton welcomed them. "I am sure Nora has been +anxiously waiting for you. I'll let her tell you the news," she +finished, indicating the chairs for the party. + +Lucia was in a big steamer chair. It almost swallowed up the tiny +figure, but she had a way of reclining, quite gracefully. + +"How are you today, Lucia?" asked Alma. + +"Oh, I'm all right," replied the child, pinking through her dark skin. +She looked very pretty in one of Nora's bright rose dresses, with the +same color hair ribbon, and her feet encased in a pair of white +slippers. No wonder she was "all right." + +"She's going to stay," said Nora proudly. "We've adopted her." + +"Quick work," remarked Laddie. "But I don't blame you. She looks as if +she grew right here in this lovely big wild wood. Don't you like it, +Lucia?" + +"Lots, much," said the child. + +"We found out all about it, of course," continued Nora. "Lucia won't +mind if I tell you?" she questioned. + +"No," said the stranger. The single word indicated her timidity. + +"You see, she is the daughter of Vita's daughter who died last year," +Nora explained. "She has been living with cousins, and the man Nick, of +whom she was so frightened, is the cousin's husband." + +Lucia now seemed to shrink back, and at that sign Nora signaled the +girls to leave the porch and adjourn to more convenient quarters for +their confidences. + +Once away from the restriction, words flew back and forth in questions +and answers, until Wyn wanted to know if it was all a duet between Alma +and Nora, or could they make it a chorus? + +"And he didn't beat her?" demanded Pell. + +"And she is really related to Vita, not kidnapped?" asked Betta. + +"You didn't find her all bruised up----" + +"Now girls," scoffed Nora. "I know perfectly well you don't think +anything of the kind. You all know Vita was always kind and +generous----" + +"Whew!" whistled Wyn. "How we can change! I thought she was a regular +bear this time yesterday morning." + +"I think your cousins are perfectly splendid," said Betta, sensibly. "Is +she really going to adopt the child?" + +"We had a doctor this morning," said Nora with an important air, "and he +advised change of scene----" + +"Let's take her over to Chickadee!" interrupted Thistle. "That would be +a distinct and decided change." + +"Oh, hush," begged Alma. "What else did the doctor say, Nora?" + +"She is hysterical--all came from the fright of her mother's sudden +death," continued Nora. "But girls, I don't know how much to thank you," +she broke off. "Being a Scout has done much for me." + +"We believe you," said Wyn in her usual bantering way. "But say, little +girl, are you going back to that school where they teach you to wear +silk underwear in the cold, blasty winter weather? Couldn't you make out +to get adopted at the Nest yourself?" + +A laugh, then a set of laughs, followed this. + +"You are coming over to camp tonight, remember," said Alma, seriously. +"We have not initiated you yet, you know." + +"How about that first formal ducking, with Jimbsy in the background?" +Pell reminded them. "That seemed all right for an initiation." + +Mrs. Manton was coming down the path with the inevitable letter. Was +there ever a story finished without "a letter"? Mr. Jerry followed up. + +It was, as you have guessed, from Nora's mother, and she did grant +permission for her to stay. + +"So," said Mrs. Teddy Manton, otherwise Theodora, while the real Jerry +looked over her shoulder at the letter, and Cap sniffed approvingly at +Nora's khaki skirt, "we expect to have Nora go to school in town this +winter, and perhaps next summer we will all be back again at Rocky +Ledge." + +"This was a real vacation," sighed Nora, "the best I ever had." + +"Three cheers!" yelled the Scouts; and Lucia from her porch was truly +sorry she had ever called those girls "crazy." + +It was all so comfortable and safe now. Even her "bad fit" was gone with +the winds, and how lovely to be out in the sunlight and have nothing to +fear! + +Again came a riotous shout from the girls on and off the bench. + +"Chick! Chick! Chick-a-dees!" they yelled. And it must have been Wyn who +echoed: + +"Cut! Cut! ka-dah! cut!" + +Girl Scouts are many and their adventures equally numerous, from +mountain to valley, over hill and dale, and their further activities +will be told of in the next volume of this series, which will be +entitled: The Girl Scouts at Spindlewood Knoll. + +THE END. + + +THE GIRL SCOUT SERIES + +By LILIAN GARIS + +12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors + +Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid + +The highest ideals of girlhood as advocated by the foremost +organizations of America form the background for these stories and while +unobtrusive there is a message in every volume. + +1. THE GIRL SCOUT PIONEERS, _or Winning the First B. C._ + +A story of the True Tred Troop in a Pennsylvania town. Two runaway +girls, who want to see the city, are reclaimed through troop influence. +The story is correct in scout detail. + +2. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE, _or Maid Mary's Awakening_ + +The story of a timid little maid who is afraid to take part in other +girls' activities, while working nobly alone for high ideals. How she +was discovered by the Bellaire Troop and came into her own as "Maid +Mary" makes a fascinating story. + +3. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT SEA CREST, _or The Wig Wag Rescue_ + +Luna Land, a little island by the sea, is wrapt in a mysterious +seclusion, and Kitty Scuttle, a grotesque figure, succeeds in keeping +all others at bay until the Girl Scouts come. + +4. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP COMALONG, _or Peg of Tamarack Hills_ + +The girls of Bobolink Troop spend their summer on the shores of Lake +Hocomo. Their discovery of Peg, the mysterious rider, and the clearing +up of her remarkable adventures afford a vigorous plot. + +5. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE, _or Nora's Real Vacation_ + +Nora Blair is the pampered daughter of a frivolous mother. Her dislike +for the rugged life of Girl Scouts is eventually changed to +appreciation, when the rescue of little Lucia, a woodland waif, becomes +a problem for the girls to solve. + +Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York + + +THE RUTH FIELDING SERIES + +By ALICE B. EMERSON + +12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid + +Ruth Fielding was an orphan and came to live with her miserly uncle. Her +adventures and travels will hold the interest of every reader. + + RUTH FIELDING OF THE RED MILL + _or Jasper Parloe's Secret_ + + RUTH FIELDING AT BRIARWOOD HALL + _or Solving the Campus Mystery_ + + RUTH FIELDING AT SNOW CAMP + _or Lost in the Backwoods_ + + RUTH FIELDING AT LIGHTHOUSE + POINT _or Nita, the Girl Castaway_ + + RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH + _or Schoolgirls Among the Cowboys_ + + RUTH FIELDING ON CLIFF ISLAND + _or The Old Hunter's Treasure Box_ + + RUTH FIELDING AT SUNRISE FARM + _or What Became of the Raby Orphans_ + + RUTH FIELDING AND THE GYPSIES + _or The Missing Pearl Necklace_ + + RUTH FIELDING IN MOVING PICTURES + _or Helping the Dormitory Fund_ + + RUTH FIELDING DOWN IN DIXIE + _or Great Days in the Land of Cotton_ + + RUTH FIELDING AT COLLEGE + _or The Missing Examination Papers_ + + RUTH FIELDING IN THE SADDLE + _or College Girls in the Land of Gold_ + + RUTH FIELDING IN THE RED CROSS + _or Doing Her Bit for Uncle Sam_ + + RUTH FIELDING AT THE WAR FRONT + _or The Hunt for a Lost Soldier_ + + RUTH FIELDING HOMEWARD BOUND + _or A Red Cross Worker's Ocean Perils_ + + RUTH FIELDING DOWN EAST + _or The Hermit of Beach Plum Point_ + + RUTH FIELDING IN THE GREAT NORTHWEST + _or The Indian Girl Star of the Movies_ + + RUTH FIELDING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE + _or The Queer Old Man of the Thousand Islands_ + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge, by Lilian Garis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE *** + +***** This file should be named 38608-8.txt or 38608-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/6/0/38608/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/38608-8.zip b/38608-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a8cf90d --- /dev/null +++ b/38608-8.zip diff --git a/38608-h.zip b/38608-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2061726 --- /dev/null +++ b/38608-h.zip diff --git a/38608-h/38608-h.htm b/38608-h/38608-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2885a53 --- /dev/null +++ b/38608-h/38608-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8264 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/> + <meta name="generator" content="pph (1.17)"/> + <meta name="title" content="The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge"/> + <meta name="author" content="Lilian Garis"/> + <meta name="date" content="1922"/> + <title>The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge</title> + <style type="text/css"> + p.center {text-align:center} + p.caption {text-align:center; margin-left:20%; margin-right:20%;} + h2.chapter {font-size:1.2em; text-align:center; margin: 2em auto 1em auto; font-weight:normal} + div.bq {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;} + </style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge, by Lilian Garis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge + Nora's Real Vacation + +Author: Lilian Garis + +Release Date: January 18, 2012 [EBook #38608] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div style='text-align:center'> +<img id='ilink01' src='images/illus-001.jpg' alt=''/> +<p class='caption'>THE PICTURESQUE FIGURE STOOD IN THE CENTER.</p> +</div> +<hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; width:70%; margin:2em auto' /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:1.6em;margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:1em;'>THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE</p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:1em;'>OR</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:3em;'><i>Nora’s Real Vacation</i></p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:2em;'>By LILIAN GARIS</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:0.8em;margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:0em;'>Author of</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:0.8em;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>“The Girl Scout Pioneers,†“The Girl Scouts</p> +<p class='center' style='font-size:0.8em;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>at Bellaire,†“The Girl Scouts at Sea Crest,â€</p> +<p class='center' style='font-size:0.8em;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>“The Girl Scouts at Camp Comalong,†etc.</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:0.8em;margin-top:2em;margin-bottom:0;'><i>ILLUSTRATED</i></p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:0.8em;margin-top:2em;margin-bottom:0;'>NEW YORK</p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY</p> +<hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; width:70%; margin:2em auto' /> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>THE GIRL SCOUT SERIES</p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>By LILIAN GARIS</p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:1em;'>Cloth. 12mo. Frontispiece.</p> + +<table style='margin:auto' summary=''> +<tr><td> +THE GIRL SCOUT PIONEERS<br/> +Or, Winning the First B. C.<br/> +<br/> +THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE<br/> +Or, Maid Mary’s Awakening<br/> +<br/> +THE GIRL SCOUTS AT SEA CREST<br/> +Or, The Wig Wag Rescue<br/> +<br/> +THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP COMALONG<br/> +Or, Peg of Tamarack Hills<br/> +<br/> +THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE<br/> +Or, Nora’s Real Vacation<br/> +</td></tr> +</table> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0em;'><i>Other volumes in preparation</i></p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, NEW YORK</p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:2em;margin-bottom:0;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Copyright, 1922, by</span></p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Cupples & Leon Company</span></p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge</span></p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'><i>Printed in U. S. A.</i></p> +<hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; width:70%; margin:2em auto' /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:1em;'>CONTENTS</p> + +<table id='toc' style='margin:auto' summary='TOC'> +<tr><td> + <a href='#clink01'>I. Jim or Jerry: Ted or Elizabeth</a><br/> + <a href='#clink02'>II. The Attic</a><br/> + <a href='#clink03'>III. A Broken Dream</a><br/> + <a href='#clink04'>IV. Transplanted</a><br/> + <a href='#clink05'>V. The Woods at Rocky Ledge</a><br/> + <a href='#clink06'>VI. A Prince in Hiding</a><br/> + <a href='#clink07'>VII. Cap to the Rescue</a><br/> + <a href='#clink08'>VIII. The Story Alma Did Not Tell</a><br/> + <a href='#clink09'>IX. A Misadventure</a><br/> + <a href='#clink10'>X. A Novel Initiation</a><br/> + <a href='#clink11'>XI. Too Much Teasing</a><br/> + <a href='#clink12'>XII. A Diversion Nobly Earned</a><br/> + <a href='#clink13'>XIII. Crawling in the Shadows</a><br/> + <a href='#clink14'>XIV. Circumstantial Evidence</a><br/> + <a href='#clink15'>XV. Waif of the Wildwoods</a><br/> + <a href='#clink16'>XVI. Lady Bountiful Junior</a><br/> + <a href='#clink17'>XVII. A Picnic and Otherwise</a><br/> + <a href='#clink18'>XVIII. The Little Lord’s Confession</a><br/> + <a href='#clink19'>XIX. A Deserted Tryst</a><br/> + <a href='#clink20'>XX. The Worst Fright of All</a><br/> + <a href='#clink21'>XXI. Strange Disclosures</a><br/> + <a href='#clink22'>XXII. The Danger Squad in Action</a><br/> + <a href='#clink23'>XXIII. Raiding the Attic</a><br/> + <a href='#clink24'>XXIV. Fulfillment</a><br/> +</td></tr> +</table> +<hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; width:70%; margin:2em auto' /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink01'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER I—JIM OR JERRY: TED OR ELIZABETH</a></h2> + +<p>“Do you mind if I call you Jim?â€</p> + +<p>“Why no—that is——â€</p> + +<p>“And may I call the lady Aunt +Elizabeth?â€</p> + +<p>“Elizabeth?â€</p> + +<p>“If you don’t mind; I’d love to.â€</p> + +<p>“But the fact is——â€</p> + +<p>“You see, I have always wanted a man +named Jim to protect me, and now that I’ve +got you I’d love to have you as Jim. Then, I +have perfectly loved the Aunt Elizabeths. +They’re always so lacy and cameo like.†She +stood off and critically inspected the smiling +woman in the most modern of costumes.</p> + +<p>“You’re really too young,†continued the +girl, “but you’ll grow old soon I hope, don’t +you think so?â€</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid I shall——â€</p> + +<p>“Then that’s that. And I’m glad we are settling +things so quickly. Could I see my attic +room now, Aunt Elizabeth?â€</p> + +<p>“Attic room?â€</p> + +<p>“Isn’t it?â€</p> + +<p>“Not exactly. We were giving you the yellow +room; it’s so cheerful and pretty.â€</p> + +<p>“Well, of course, I don’t want to be too particular, +and it’s lovely of you, dear Aunt Elizabeth, +but all girls taken in are put in attic +rooms, aren’t they?â€</p> + +<p>“Taken in?â€</p> + +<p>“Yes, sort of adopted you know. The attic +always gives the shadowy ghost business.†+There was just a hint of disappointment in the +child’s manner now.</p> + +<p>“We’ve got a first rate attic room,†suggested +the man who was tilting up and down +in a heel and toe exercise. “And what do you +say, Ted, I mean Elizabeth,†he chuckled, “if +we give——â€</p> + +<p>“Jerry, don’t talk nonsense,†interrupted +the young woman not unkindly but with some +decision. “I am sure she would rather have +the pretty——â€</p> + +<p>“But, please, could I see the attic room?†+came rather timidly the very thread of a voice +from the little girl.</p> + +<p>“It’s ghostly.†This from Jerry.</p> + +<p>“That would be just perfect. Does the roof +slant so it gives you the nightmare on your +chest, you know? And does the moon sort of +make faces in the windows?†Interest was +overcoming timidity.</p> + +<p>“That may be the trouble,†replied the man, +with a chuckle. “But I’ll tell you, little girl. +Suppose we take the yellow room until you +have a chance to inspect thoroughly. You see +your—er—Aunt Elizabeth has had it all planned +and fixed up——â€</p> + +<p>“Oh yes. Do excuse me for being impolite. +You see, I’ve been thinking about it so long. +The school was lovely, and the teachers all very +kind, but it was sort of a regular kindness, you +know, and did not have any of my dreams coming +true in it. Do you dream an awful lot +here?â€</p> + +<p>“Day dreams or night dreams?†asked the +man.</p> + +<p>“Oh, wake-dreams, of course. The other +kind don’t mean anything. Just stickers in +your brain sort of pricking, you know. But +the wake-dreams can come true, if you plague +them long enough. I guess they get tired fighting +you off and they have to give in and happen. +What do you want to call me?†This +was a sudden digression and marked with +a complete flopping down of the talkative +child.</p> + +<p>“Your name is Nora, isn’t it?†replied the +young woman who seemed rather glad to sit +down herself. They were on the big square +porch and rockers were plentiful.</p> + +<p>“Yes, my name is Nora, and it’s pretty good, +but hard to rhyme easily. Then I would rather +have you call me the name you have always +called your dream child.â€</p> + +<p>“Mine was Bob,†blurted the man, “but +Bob wouldn’t exactly suit you.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes it would,†she jumped up again and +left the rocker swaying wildly. “Bob would be +splendid for me. Would it suit you, Aunt +Elizabeth? What was your pet name?â€</p> + +<p>“I think Nora too pretty to drop. Besides, +don’t you really think a name is a part of one’s +self and ought to be loved and respected?â€</p> + +<p>“That’s just it. I want to—that is, if you +don’t mind, I want to be the self I planned, not +this one I didn’t have anything to say about. +It’s just like religion. When we grow up big +as I am, we ought to be allowed to choose.†+Her manner was even more babyish than her +appearance.</p> + +<p>“Big as I am!†Jerry repeated this to a rosebush.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact she was not much bigger +than a child of eight years might be, but she +claimed a few more birthdays and she looked +about as substantial as a wind flower. Her +eyes were blue, her hair light and fluffy, and +she wore such a tiny white slip of a dress, +socks and sandals and a white lace hat! Grown +up? She looked just like an old-fashioned +baby.</p> + +<p>“Then, shall I be Bobbs?†asked Nora a moment +later, with hope in her voice.</p> + +<p>“Ye-e-s, and if—the auntie wants to soften it +she can call you Babette,†ventured Jerry. +“And now, if the christenings are over, suppose +we go inside and freshen up. Come along +Bob, you are going to be my helper now, aren’t +you?†Jerry’s eyes twinkled with his voice. +He was, plainly, enjoying himself.</p> + +<p>“I’d love to help—especially with outdoor +work,†replied the girl. “And you measure +land, don’t you?†she asked.</p> + +<p>“Yes, that’s about it. In other words I’m +a surveyor,†explained Jerry.</p> + +<p>“And Aunt Elizabeth helps. Isn’t that +lovely? We won’t, any of us, have old pesky +house work to think about. I haven’t ever +dreamed a dream, not a single one, about +housekeeping. Some one always does that for +me, or I just don’t think about it at all and it’s +all done beautifully,†boasted Nora. “I love +your place. It’s so romantic,†she expanded +her arms and fluffy little skirt to fill the big +chair. “I feel, somehow, everything is going +to come true now.†Relief toned this statement +while she looked wistfully out of blue +eyes, and any one might have easily guessed +that something very dear was included in that +word “everything.â€</p> + +<p>The young woman, who was threatened with +being made over into an old Aunt Elizabeth +with laces and cameos to boot, gazed intently +at the small personality. She realized it was +a personality, a little dreamer, a big romancer, +and a very weird sample of the modern girl, +self-trained.</p> + +<p>He who was to become “Jim†on the spot, +seemed tickled to death over it all, and kept +snapping his brown eyes, first at the newly +named Bobbs and then his life’s partner, until +glints of fun-sparks charged the very air.</p> + +<p>“It might be a good idea to put on tags for +a day or two,†he suggested playfully. “I +would hate to spoil the program by calling +Elizabeth here just Ted.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, do you think it will be hard? I didn’t +mean to make trouble, and, if you say so, I’ll +just put the dream back again on its peg and +let it stay there. It really doesn’t have to come +true right now. There are so many new things +to talk about,†temporized Nora, considerately.</p> + +<p>“I think it would be lots better to try things +out for a little while under our own names,†+suggested the young woman, eagerly. “And I +have always loved the name Nora, so you see, +<i>my</i> dream will be coming true, at any rate,†+she smiled.</p> + +<p>“Goody—goody! It’s all right, then. I’ll +be Nora, and you’ll be Ted, that’s pretty: what +does it mean?â€</p> + +<p>“Theodora,†answered the man promptly.</p> + +<p>“Then it is prettier than the old-fashioned +Elizabeth,†agreed the child. “Really, things +are different when you think about them than +what they are when—you run right into them, +aren’t they?â€</p> + +<p>“Sure thing, especially water wagons and +book agents,†joked Jerry.</p> + +<p>“And Jerry is lovely, too, just as nice as Jim. +I knew a lovely old tramp dog named Jerry.†+Again the wistful blue eyes dreamed.</p> + +<p>“That’s real nice,†added the owner of the +popular name. “Was he—gentle?â€</p> + +<p>“As a lamb. I used to ride on his back!â€</p> + +<p>“And was he—er—handsome?â€</p> + +<p>“He had the loveliest ears, all little pleaty +wrinkles, and such big, floppy feet——â€</p> + +<p>“All right, I’ll be content to be his namesake, +only don’t expect me to howl when the +phonograph plays. I can’t undertake to do +that,†demurred the affable Jerry.</p> + +<p>They all laughed a little at this protest, for +Jerry Manton seemed good natured enough to +“howl†if occasion demanded it. Even the +moon might have inspired him “doggerly†so +to speak.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Manton picked up the little hand satchel +that Nora kept at her side when the other baggage +was being disposed of, and gently urged +the little visitor into the Nest, there to settle +that other question of attic or guest room.</p> + +<p>The short bright curls bobbed up and down +incredulously, as their surprised owner looked +in on the yellow room, a moment later.</p> + +<p>“Golden! Perfectly golden!†exclaimed the +child. “But, of course, one could never get +the nightmare in this lovely bird cage.†She +stopped, apparently reasoning out bird cages, +nightmares and ghostly attics. “And I have +simply got to have a strange experience,†she +scratched her heels together anxiously. “I +just couldn’t give that up,†she decided.</p> + +<p>“But you do think this is a pretty room?†+asked the hostess, her own soft eyes embracing +affectionately the golden space before them.</p> + +<p>“Glorious!†declared Nora rapturously. +“And I’m afraid it has been rather silly to get +set on certain things without really knowing +about them. Dreams are uncertain, after all.â€</p> + +<p>Jerry was just coming up the rustic stairs.</p> + +<p>“But the attic is a real spook parlor,†he +chimed in, “and I’ve always loved it myself. +I have a corner for my trash, and the sleeping +quarters aren’t bad. You see this place was +built with government money, and that’s always—well, +real money,†he finished, significantly.</p> + +<p>“But Jerry,†again came the opposition +from Mrs. Manton, “you know we have scarcely +had time to look that attic over since we came +here. It seems perfectly absurd to let Nora go +up there,†she paused. “I know it’s clean, for +Vita takes a pride in fixing attics, but why——â€</p> + +<p>“Now Ted,†the voice was as soft as a boy’s, +“why not let our little girl have her way?â€</p> + +<p>“I really am not objecting,†said the wife +with a smile, “I’m just qualifying.â€</p> + +<p>“But who dares qualify day dreams?†asked +the man, with a comical twist in his voice.</p> + +<p>Nora stood on the threshold, uncertainly. “I +guess maybe,†she pondered, “we think a lot +about dreams when we haven’t real things to +think about, like playthings, for real,†she +finished.</p> + +<p>“That’s exactly it, dear,†said Mrs. Manton, +“and day dreams are not always healthy, +either.â€</p> + +<p>“All the same,†insisted Jerry, “I’m strong +for that attic. It smells just like the woods +after my men have made a good, clean cutting. +Come along, girlie, and let me show it to you.â€</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink02'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER II—THE ATTIC</a></h2> + +<p>“How’s this?†asked the man.</p> + +<p>“Oh, wonderful! Those beams, +they slant just like the story books +say,†declared Nora, ecstatically.</p> + +<p>“Good enough to give you the right sort of +nightmare, eh? Well, that’s nice. Ted is always +after the cobwebs, but I don’t let her +spoil them if I’m around. You see, cobwebs +have a lot to do in my business.â€</p> + +<p>“Cobwebs?†Nora poked her little head in +between two chummy beams. “What do cobwebs +do in surveying?â€</p> + +<p>“They make a cross line on my object glass. +I’ll show you when I get around to it,†replied +Jerry. “Now see here, here’s the secret +chest,†he was opening a big wooden box, “and +by a miracle,†he continued, “it does hold +clothes, duds, et-cet-tee-ra.â€</p> + +<p>“The people who had this place gave a big +party, I believe,†explained Mrs. Ted, “and +they left a lot of their costumes here. We have +never had any chance to make use of them,†+she finished, slapping her hands on the work +apron that partly covered her own mannish +costume. Apparently she disdained the frivolous +things.</p> + +<p>“But just look!†Nora was almost in the big +cedar chest; in fact, nothing more than a bump +of white, ending in two small brown spots that +waggled like sandaled feet, was visible. Presently +the curly head emerged in a cloud of brilliant, +spangly stuff, very evidently the costumes. +“Aren’t these just wonderful!â€</p> + +<p>“Oh yes,†agreed Jerry, “they’re nice and +shiny. But just look at this spook cabinet. Do +you know what a spook cabinet is, Nora?â€</p> + +<p>“No, what?†She dropped the costumes +back into the big chest instantly.</p> + +<p>“They’re just a box of tricks. But this is +the box empty. See here,†Jerry opened, with +some difficulty, the long narrow closet that was +built in a corner of the attic room. “I have +always wondered why this had a ventilator at +the top——†he began.</p> + +<p>“Jerry!†called his wife rather sharply. +“Please don’t do all the exploring in one day. +Nora must change her things and come down +stairs. She may want something to eat after +her journey.†Mrs. Ted’s tone of voice was +plainly against that cabinet.</p> + +<p>“All right, Ted, I’ll subside,†replied the +jolly man. “The fact is——†he whispered to +Nora, “our Ted hates ghosts; and every time +I talk about this here upright coffin, she objects,†+and he gave one of his boyish twisted +yelps, as if he wanted to yell but didn’t dare +so gurgled instead, and it was very plain he +said this out of pure mischief; nevertheless, it +did cause the little girl to clench her small fists +and start suddenly.</p> + +<p>“Come right down stairs,†insisted the hostess +imperatively. “I’m very sure, Nora dear, +you will find something more interesting in +Vita’s cake box than you could dig out of that +dusty hole.â€</p> + +<p>“Vita! What a queer name!†exclaimed +Nora, following Mrs. Manton out from the +interesting attic.</p> + +<p>“Her whole name is more than that. It’s +Vittoria, but since she does our cooking and +is both vital and vitaminous, we cut it down to +an easy word implying both,†explained Ted. +“You see, Nora, we are keen on short cuts.â€</p> + +<p>The little girl was thinking something like +that. In fact, she was so fascinated with the +realities of her visit she had almost lost the last +shred of faith in her picturesque dreams. “If +I had ever named a cook,†she was deciding, +“I should surely have given her Susan or Betsy +or maybe Jennie. But Vita means more and +makes you think of good victuals.â€</p> + +<p>The open stairs were built winding from the +big field stone hearth in the first room, clear +up to the attic chamber, and, as they descended, +Nora looked about the quaint, rustic place in +rapturous admiration. Indeed, no dream of +her great life series had ever included this. +Gone with the Jim-Aunt Elizabeth idea was +going the rag-rug four-poster plan, that had +seemed almost indelibly outlined on her whimsical +picture plate. She sighed a little, as she +felt she should, on the “grave of her dreams;†+but there was Jerry calling from the open door:</p> + +<p>“Here you are, Nora! Come and meet +Cap.â€</p> + +<p>“Cap! A boy!†she asked excitedly.</p> + +<p>“Not the regular kind, but he’s some boy just +the same.†Jerry was clapping his hands like +a boy himself, just as a big shaggy dog bounded +down the path and up the few steps to the +square porch.</p> + +<p>“Oh, what a beauty! I have always loved +a big dog!†exclaimed Nora. “What’s his +name?â€</p> + +<p>“Captain,†replied the proud master. +“Here Cap, come shake hands with Nora.â€</p> + +<p>The dog cocked one ear up inquisitively, +looked over the small girl with majestic indifference, +walked around her twice and finally +flung his bushy tail out with a swish that fanned +Nora’s cheek as she bent over to make friends.</p> + +<p>“Isn’t he lovely! Just like the picture in my +first story book; the big dog that dragged the +lost man out of the snow drifts,†said Nora, +almost breathless with delight.</p> + +<p>“He is exactly that sort,†explained Jerry. +“He came from the other side and was a Captain +in the big war.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh,†sighed Nora wistfully. “He must +know an awful lot.â€</p> + +<p>“He surely does, eh, old boy?†and the big +shaggy head was patted affectionately.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Vita, the Italian woman who held +the office of housekeeper, was depositing a mess +of freshly-picked dandelions in a pan on the +kitchen table. She smiled pleasantly at the little +stranger, and at a single glance Nora knew +she and Vita were sure to be friends.</p> + +<p>“Now, you know us all,†announced the hostess. +“Vita and Captain complete the circle.â€</p> + +<p>“Not counting the crow, and the rabbits and +the cat and the——â€</p> + +<p>“The animal kingdom is not included,†Ted +interrupted her husband. “When we get to +checking up the animals please, after Captain +count in Cyclone.â€</p> + +<p>“Cyclone! A horse?†asked Nora.</p> + +<p>“Yes, the horse,†answered Jerry. “He can +climb trees, crawl through gullies and swim the +river like a bear, according to Ted.â€</p> + +<p>“Well, hardly all of that,†qualified the smiling +owner of the saddle horse Cyclone. “But +he is a wonderful horse, Nora. I am sure you +will want to ride him.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’d be dreadfully afraid,†demurred +the girl. “But perhaps——â€</p> + +<p>“You aren’t going to be afraid of anything +around here, Bobbie,†Jerry assured the small +girl, who looked smaller by contrast to the big +man and the robust, athletic young woman; both +perfect models of “America’s best.â€</p> + +<p>Considering the very short time little Nora +had been at the Nest, it appeared much, in +the way of acquaintance, had been accomplished.</p> + +<p>“If you will just run off, Jerry-boy, and manage +to find something to keep you busy for a +half hour or so,†begged his wife finally, “perhaps +Nora and I will be able to settle down to +the comforts of home.â€</p> + +<p>“Am I not included?†he asked teasingly.</p> + +<p>“Sometimes, but just now we need space,†+replied she, who was affectionately styled +Teddy.</p> + +<p>“That being the case——. Come along +Cap,†and the next moment a very happy, boyish +man and a wildly happy dog went scampering +off through the “flap-jack†path in the +clearance. The path was made of selected flat +stones scattered at stepping intervals, and it +was Jerry who insisted they reminded him of +Vita’s best flap-jacks.</p> + +<p>The coming of Nora to the lodge in the wilderness +was the result of what seemed a necessity. +The child was the daughter of Theodora +Crane’s best friend Naomie Blair, an artist so +highly temperamental that, after a series of +nerve episodes, she finally seemed forced to go +to Western mountains and leave little Nora at +a select school. The school was select to the +point of isolation, and the teachers had advised +Theodora, who was in charge of Nora, that the +child was so nervous, high strung and fanciful, +that the doctors had ordered a complete change +of surroundings.</p> + +<p>These characteristics were already showing +in Nora’s conduct; but with that understanding +of childhood always a part of pure affection for +it, Theodora was pleased, rather than worried, +over the prospects ahead.</p> + +<p>Nora herself seemed bewildered and fascinated. +Her love of “dream things†was +plainly a part of her nature, at the same time +she was quickly learning that only happy realities +can make happy dreams.</p> + +<p>In the small satchel that Nora clung to was +found no suitable change of anything like practical +clothing, in fact her dress was so fussy, +be-ribboned and be-frilled, that Teddy hesitated +about offering any of it to the briars and brambles +of the timberland.</p> + +<p>“I pick out all my own dresses, you know,†+the little girl explained. “Nannie wasn’t able +to do any shopping so she had the catalogues +sent to me by mail.â€</p> + +<p>“Nannie?â€</p> + +<p>“That’s mother, of course. But she is so +little and delicate I could never think of calling +her mother,†declared Nora. “She likes Nannie +better.â€</p> + +<p>“You have quite a talent for names or re-names,†+joked Teddy. “I am wondering how +I should have liked the ‘Lizzie’ you chose for +me.â€</p> + +<p>“Not Lizzie! Elizabeth,†in a shocked voice.</p> + +<p>“Same lady, I believe. But let’s hold on +to Ted until we get acquainted or things may +go on end,†advised good-natured Mrs. Manners. +“Besides, there’s our auto, that’s ‘Lizzie’ +to Jerry.â€</p> + +<p>Nora did not ask why. She was in the yellow +room, changing, and the blue roses in the +filmy little dress she selected were not bluer +than her own wondering eyes.</p> + +<p>“I tell you what would be just the thing for +you, dear,†said Teddy suddenly. “You must +join the Girl Scouts!â€</p> + +<p>“Girl Scouts!â€</p> + +<p>“Yes, you know about them, don’t you?â€</p> + +<p>“I’ve read about them, but I really never +could, Aunt Teddy. I couldn’t be one of those +wild, uncultured girls.â€</p> + +<p>A delicious laugh escaped Teddy.</p> + +<p>“Wild and uncultured!†she repeated. +Then, seeing the pitifully blank look on Nora’s +face she dropped the subject. “Here’s your +closet,†she explained next, opening the door of +a built-in wardrobe, “and you better slip these +little pads on the ends of hangers when you +put pretty things on them. You see, we have +very few fancy things out here, and these +hangers are cut from our birch trees. I had a +visitor last year who was so afraid of snakes +she spent all her time around the lodge, so she +made these pine pads with fancy stocking ends. +I have never needed to use them.â€</p> + +<p>The pads were little cushions of pine needles +sewed in silk stocking ends, with a long open +seam along the side. These slipped onto the +hangers and were tied with tapes at the hook. +Nora quickly adjusted one for her dotted swiss +dress and another for her pink rose silk. +These, strange to tell, she had carried in her +hand bag.</p> + +<p>“And here is your dresser,†Teddy further +introduced. “See what lovely deep drawers.â€</p> + +<p>“Aren’t they? I’d love to put lavender and +rosemary in the corners. Do you—like those +perfumes?â€</p> + +<p>“Well, yes, as perfumes. But I’m so used +to the odor of freshly cut trees I’m afraid my +finer taste is disappearing,†said the other +quietly.</p> + +<p>Into the drawer Nora was placing such an +outlay of finery as any young bride might have +boasted of. Selecting from catalogues was +only too evident in the lacy garments, with +little ribbons, and tiny rose buds; pretty in +themselves but absurd on the undergarments +of a growing child. Then, there was an ivory +set, mirror, comb, brush, etc. As the surprised +Teddy glimpsed the display over a khaki covered +shoulder she had difficulty in choking back +a laugh.</p> + +<p>“Naomie would be as silly as that,†she pondered, +silently, reflecting that the same sort of +whims in dress and finery had been a real part +of Naomie Blair’s young girlhood.</p> + +<p>Nora was placing her pretty things on the +big dresser, with skilled little fingers, and that +the fancy, private, exclusive school had helped +to make silly traits even more pronounced in +little Nora, was too evident.</p> + +<p>Wisely, however, Mrs. Ted said not a word in +opposition. Things must move slowly, she realized, +if the quaint little dreamer was not to be +too rudely shocked out of her fancies.</p> + +<p>It was all very exciting even to the placid, +well balanced young woman. To have the +daughter of her girlhood friend come into her +very arms, like a little bird battered in the +storm of life’s uncertainties, with tired wings +falling against the bright window pane of love; +then to see the dreams unfolded with the Jims, +Elizabeths, ghosts and attic fancies, ready to +reel off like an actual moving-picture—it was +all very surprising, not to say astonishing, for +the sensible, modern Mantons.</p> + +<p>But could this same bright-eyed lady have +looked into the summer ahead, and forseen the +new fields of fancies that Nora was about to +explore, she might have been still more amazed. +Playing mother to a butterfly is not often a +very satisfactory experience, but there was +Nora, and if ever a child needed a mother this +little “whimsy†did.</p> + +<p>“To think of calling her mother Nannie,†+reflected Mrs. Manton, “and if only I could +have called such a child ‘daughter.’â€</p> + +<p>Jerry was back from his enforced trip to +the lumberland, and his whistle trickled in the +window on a flood of sunshine.</p> + +<p>“Oh, let’s go down,†exclaimed Nora, brushing +things hastily into the dresser drawer and +neglecting to tie her sash in an even bow. “I’m +so anxious to see your outdoors, I could easily +believe there are fairies in these thick, tangly +woods.â€</p> + +<p>“Our birds and little animal friends are just +as interesting as fairies,†remarked Mrs. Ted, +“but you must know them and they must know +you.â€</p> + +<p>“How ever could one get acquainted with +birds?†asked Nora, stopping a moment on her +way out to answer Jerry’s whistle.</p> + +<p>“We don’t know how, but we know we do,†+replied Mrs. Ted, giving the flying window curtain +a jerk to let the sun stream in. “Some +day I must tell you about the poor little blue-jay +we took in and nursed. He got so fond of +us I could hardly get him to fly away.â€</p> + +<p>“I had a canary once, Nannie sent it for +Christmas, but I had to let him go,†said Nora. +“He was just breaking his heart in that tiny, +little cage. I never wanted a bird again.â€</p> + +<p>“They are pathetic when caged,†agreed +Mrs. Manton, “but when out in their own woods +they seem to be the very happiest little creatures +of all creation. Run along,†she said, as +Nora waited politely. “That Jerry-boy is getting +impatient.â€</p> + +<p>As the child fluttered off, her yellow ringlets +dancing and her dainty little skirts swishing +around the half tied ribbon sash, Mrs. Ted +smiled and pondered:</p> + +<p>“Another little blue-jay to love; but she will +surely want to fly away in her sky of dreams, +and I pity the tired wings when night comes,†+sighed the potential mother.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink03'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER III—A BROKEN DREAM</a></h2> + +<p>It was evening at the Nest, and the quiet +settling down on the woodlands vibrated +with a melody, at once silent and musical.</p> + +<p>Little Nora fairly trembled with expectation. +What would the night bring? She was determined +to sleep in that attic under the big, dark +rafters. As a matter of fact Nora was fascinated +with fear; just as one may stop on a +river bridge and feel like jumping in.</p> + +<p>“Just pound on the floor, Kitten, if you get +scared. We’ll run up and get you, quickly +enough,†declared Jerry, secretly proud of +Nora’s pluck.</p> + +<p>“But really, dear,†objected Mrs. Ted, “I +would rather you would——â€</p> + +<p>“Now Ted, you know well enough you had +a heap of fun the night you and Jettie slept in +the haunted house. Never mind the trouble +you made in the neighborhood, you had your +fun,†and he clapped his brown hands on his +knee and laughed, until Cap, the big dog, rolled +over in his sleep and grunted inquiringly.</p> + +<p>This reminder caused Ted to smile indulgently, +and when Nora twined her warm little +arms around the same Teddie’s neck, it seemed +to the adopted mother she could not deny her +anything—she might sleep on the roof if the +whim occurred to her just then.</p> + +<p>While the family, which included Vita and +the big tiger cat, besides Cap and a cage of +newly adopted birds, were either talking or +listening to talk, Vita, from the kitchen door, +was acting rather queerly. She would shuffle +back and forth, start to speak and hesitate, +cough, spill pans and make other unusual +noises, until Ted called out:</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, Vita? You seem to be +having a lot of trouble.â€</p> + +<p>“Not trouble, just worry,†replied the elderly +servant in good English, but strongly +accented.</p> + +<p>“Worry?†repeated Jerry. “Why Vita, +you never worry. What’s wrong? Come in +and tell us about it.â€</p> + +<p>At this invitation Vita showed herself in the +comfortable sitting room, towel in hand and +head wagging.</p> + +<p>“It’s like this,†she began, “that attic——â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, that’s it, is it? Now don’t you go +worrying about the attic,†interrupted Jerry. +“If our little girl wants to dream one dream +out up there, why shouldn’t she? I like her +spirit.â€</p> + +<p>“But when—there’s the pretty room——â€</p> + +<p>“Why Vita!†It was Ted who interrupted +this time. “I’m surprised that you should +interfere!â€</p> + +<p>“Now, you know, dear, Vita means no harm,†+Jerry broke in, always eager to smooth things +out. “But there really doesn’t seem any cause +for all this anxiety.â€</p> + +<p>“I would say, please,†ventured the housekeeper, +“a little girl might get scared up in +that black garret,†and she made her dark eyes +glare, plainly with the intent of frightening +Nora out of her plans.</p> + +<p>“Then it will be over, anyhow,†spoke up the +child, “and I might as well get scared tonight +as any other night,†she concluded loftily.</p> + +<p>“Right-o!†sang out Jerry. “I can tell sure +thing, Kitten, that you and I are going to have +a heap of fun in these diggings. When you +get through with one scare we’ll invent another, +and in that way we’ll be able to keep things +interesting.â€</p> + +<p>Vita threw back her head, rolled her eyes +again and made a queer sort of gurgle. Then +she swished her dish towel in the air with such +a jerk it snapped like a whip, and realizing +further argument would be useless, she turned +back into her own quarters.</p> + +<p>As she went out, man and wife exchanged +questioning glances. They plainly asked each +other why their maid should be so concerned, +but with Nora present it was unwise to +put the query into words, so it remained unanswered.</p> + +<p>Nothing but sheer pity prevented Mrs. Jerry +Manton, better known as Ted, from bursting +into delicious laughter at the sight of Nora in +her boudoir finery, as, an hour later, she picked +her way up into that attic.</p> + +<p>Jerry kept discreetly at a distance, but he too +saw the figure, so like the model of an old time +master painting, as she climbed the stairs, unlighted +candle in hand, with Cap at the little +pink heels that just peeked out from under a +very beautiful, dainty night-robe.</p> + +<p>Her candle was not lighted—Cousin Ted, +(the latest name given the hostess) would not +permit the lighting, as she argued it was +dangerous to carry the little flame so near to +the flimsy robe: never-the-less, Nora wanted +the candle, and she carried it along to complete +the picture.</p> + +<p>At the door Ted touched a button and the +convenient big electric bulb, ordinarily used by +Jerry when he went to the attic workroom, +showered a welcome light over the dark rafters +and the queer eerie, lofty quarters.</p> + +<p>“Isn’t it wonderful!†said Nora, in a voice +so shaky the wonder part seemed rather awful.</p> + +<p>“If you get the least bit nervous, dear, you +come right down to the yellow room,†cautioned +Ted. “We will leave the hall lights +on, and Cap wanders about all night. So if +you hear him don’t be alarmed.â€</p> + +<p>“It would be nice——†Nora paused, then +continued, “if Cap would sleep up here on this +lovely landing. Couldn’t we give him a pillow?â€</p> + +<p>“I’m sure he wouldn’t stay long,†objected +Ted. “Our Cap is a wonderful night watchman +and has a regular beat to cover. He will +be sure to visit you more than once before +morning.†She was turning away reluctantly. +The circumstances exacted full strength of her +own courage—to leave that little wisp of a +child up in the lonely attic just to satisfy a +whim.</p> + +<p>But Ted knew the only sure way to effect a +cure for the fanciful nonsense was to let it burn +out: it could never be successfully suppressed. +Hence the decision and the attic quarters.</p> + +<p>“Good night, cousin Ted,†said Nora bravely. +“And don’t worry about me. I’m sure +to sleep and dream beautifully in that nice, +fresh bed.â€</p> + +<p>“It is fresh; I changed it all as Vita seemed +so opposed to letting you come up here,†said +Ted, thoughtfully. “But while Vita is very +queer in some respects, she is loyal and faithful, +always.â€</p> + +<p>Nora threw her small arms around Ted’s +neck impulsively.</p> + +<p>“If only Nannie liked housekeeping,†she +sighed. “Couldn’t we have perfectly lovely +times in a little house of our own?â€</p> + +<p>“Your mother is sure to change her ideas +when she grows stronger,†replied the young +woman, charitably. “Naomie has what is +termed the artistic temperament. As a rule it +is greatly and sadly in need of discipline.â€</p> + +<p>Nora sighed and pressed a loving pair of +trembling lips on Mrs. Manton’s brown cheek.</p> + +<p>“I’m so glad I found you, anyhow. And +Cousin Jerry is just the very loveliest big +jolly man! I’m sure I’m going to be very +happy here,†she finished with an impressive +sigh.</p> + +<p>“I know you are, dear. We have more kinds +of things to do in this big woodland! Just wait +until you go out surveying with us!†Ted +promised, “then you will see some of the wonders +of the great outdoors. There’s Jerry’s +whistle now. I must run away and get him his +bread and milk. Would you believe that great, +big baby has a bowl of milk and two cuts of +home made bread every night? He says his +mother always told her children a story when +they took this extra meal, and he insists he +would break up the family circle if he failed +to take his nightly supply.â€</p> + +<p>“Break up the family? Do they come here?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, bless you, no. Jerry just fancies the +other two brothers in Canada and the sister +who is a nurse in the mountains, all eat bread +and milk at nine-thirty P. M.†She laughed +a little, caressing ripple. Even Nora knew that +this young wife cherished any filial view held +up by her husband.</p> + +<p>Ted was gone, and presently it was time to +turn out the big bulb light that dangled from +the rafters. Nora peered into the looking glass +at her own little face to make doubly sure of +herself. Then she made a complete survey of +the room.</p> + +<p>“Just to know that any noise isn’t here,†+she apologized to herself, poking her yellow +head into a nest of cobwebs and jerking back +with a little gasp.</p> + +<p>“Oh!†she panted, “Cousin Jerry wants +cobwebs for his surveying instruments. I +must be sure to remember where that nest is.â€</p> + +<p>Over by the chimney a line of paper bags +hung and these now seemed “spooky†in the +shadowy light. Other hanging things in the +low parts of the attic that were set away from +the center, the latter which was forming the +unfinished bed room, all added to the grotesque +outline.</p> + +<p>“But I’ve got to do it,†declared little Nora, +crawling at last under the fresh bed covering +Cousin Ted had provided.</p> + +<p>“I’ll leave the light on for a little while just +to try it,†decided Nora, her yellow head buried +so deeply beneath the covers that it was quite +impossible to tell light from darkness.</p> + +<p>A little click from somewhere brought her +up straight in the bed, a moment later. She +listened with all her alert senses but nothing +else happened. With a new feeling, somewhat +akin to disappointment, Nora once more settled +down, first, however, she actually turned off the +light, and only the slim streak from the far +away hall showed a single beam that framed +the chimney line.</p> + +<p>Being brave—as brave as all this—was really +a new experience to Nora, but she had promised +herself to “hold outâ€; and then Cousin +Jerry had seemed so proud of her pluck she +would never disappoint him.</p> + +<p>“Makes me feel almost as big as a boy,†she +encouraged herself, “and won’t I have a wonderful +story to write Barbara.â€</p> + +<p>Now she thought of Barbara, the tom-boy +girl at school: she who could climb and romp, +laugh and cry, defy the prim madams who +conducted the school, it was certainly conducted +not “run,†and the Misses Baily were +types of teachers such as the most carping +critic might depict, black string eye-glasses +and all.</p> + +<p>The vision flitted before the blinking eyes +of Nora. She was so glad to get away from +school restrictions and perhaps—well perhaps +Cousin Jerry and Cousin Ted might get to love +her so fondly they would not send her back.</p> + +<p>What was that!</p> + +<p>Over by the big chest!</p> + +<p>Quickly Nora struck a match and lighted her +candle.</p> + +<p>A figure moved, there was no mistake about +it, a person, a real live person was surely over +by the spook cabinet.</p> + +<p>Nora almost stopped breathing.</p> + +<p>She was afraid to call out and still more +afraid to remain quiet.</p> + +<p>There it was again!</p> + +<p>“Oh! Oh! Cousin Ted!â€</p> + +<p>She did call, but in such a thread of a voice +she scarcely heard it herself.</p> + +<p>The next moment Cap sniffed his big, warm +nose up under her arm.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Cap, I’m so glad! Stay with me. I’m +frightened!†she whispered, drawing his tawny +head closer.</p> + +<p>Then it occurred to her that the big dog had +not barked. She knew he could scent a stranger +in any part of the house, and she was equally +sure a real person had moved over by the +cabinet. Who could it be?</p> + +<p>Her first sudden fright was now giving place +to reason. The intruder must be human, and +perhaps whoever it was, he was giving Cap +something he liked. But that would not account +for his submission, for Cap was not a dog to +take things from strangers.</p> + +<p>Horrible thoughts of chloroform stifled the +girl. She even fancied she did detect a strange, +depressing odor. What if she should be +drugged!</p> + +<p>An attempt to move found her too frightened +to put one foot over the side of that bed. Why +had she waited so long? A sickening fear was +coming on. Oh, suppose it should be unconsciousness?</p> + +<p>There was a stir. Cap was knocking things +about. Now he dashed over and was surely +bounding up on someone.</p> + +<p>“Down!†came the command.</p> + +<p>It was given in the voice of Vita!</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink04'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER IV—TRANSPLANTED</a></h2> + +<p>Nora was too surprised now to even think +coherently. That Vita should be up in +her attic!</p> + +<p>“Down, down Cap!†the housekeeper was +ordering, while the dog, evidently realizing +something very unusual was occurring, added +his part to the confusion.</p> + +<p>“Vita!†called Nora in a subdued voice, +“Come over this way!â€</p> + +<p>“Hush! Don’t wake the folks,†cautioned the +maid, now beside Nora’s bed. “I—just—come +to—shut the window——â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, is there a window over there?â€</p> + +<p>“A little one,†evaded Vita. “But why do +you come up to this dirty place?â€</p> + +<p>“It isn’t dirty, and I like attics.†Nora’s +was confident now and her voice betrayed some +resentment.</p> + +<p>“You like it?†Vita sniffed so hard the +candle almost choked to death.</p> + +<p>“Why yes; why shouldn’t I? I’m romantic +you know.â€</p> + +<p>“Roman——â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, you don’t understand. I’m sort of +booky, like a story, you know,†explained Nora +loftily. “I love things that are like the parts +of a story.â€</p> + +<p>It was difficult to make certain that this lusty +Italian understood; but even in the dim light, +her dark eyes seemed kind and full of smiling +glints, and her ruddy cheeks dimpled all over +like a big tufted pin cushion, giving Nora a +feeling of security mingled with curiosity.</p> + +<p>Why did Vita come up? There was no draft +from any window. Was there even a window?</p> + +<p>“I tell you, baby,†the woman began, as if +answering Nora’s silent questions, “you be a +very good little girl and go down to the pretty +sun-gold room; yes?â€</p> + +<p>The big warm arm was cuddling the little +form in the bed, and Cap was so happy he put +both paws gingerly on the coverlet, snapping +a very short bark of a question right into +Nora’s face.</p> + +<p>“Quiet, boy!†whispered Nora. “We are +having a lovely party but we must not wake +our neighbors.â€</p> + +<p>The big shaggy head burrowed down into +the covers, and Nora felt like a little queen on +a throne with her servants bowing at her feet.</p> + +<p>“Go on, Vita,†she ordered grandly.</p> + +<p>“I tell you a nice little story, then you go +downstairs on tippy toes, yes?â€</p> + +<p>“But Vita dear, I did so want to stay up +here,†pouted Nora.</p> + +<p>“It is no good up here. All crazy like, and +make you scared—awful.†This was said in +a very positive tone.</p> + +<p>“Why? What should I be afraid of? I +slept alone at boarding school and the winds +made dreadful noises sometimes.†protested +Nora.</p> + +<p>“Never mind. You be Vita’s good baby and +Vita give you nice—very good cake tomorrow,†+coaxed the woman, who now seemed anxious +to leave the attic herself. She stirred uneasily.</p> + +<p>“Well,†sighed Nora, “I suppose I can’t +have any peace if I don’t.†She threw down +the coverlet. “But see, my little clock says +eleven, and I don’t want to disturb anyone on +my very first night. You go down whatever +way you came up, Vita; and I’ll creep down +the front way.â€</p> + +<p>The woman’s relief was so evident Nora +scarcely knew whether to be grateful or suspicious.</p> + +<p>“Now everything be all right,†whispered +Vita happily, “and you sleep just like the angel. +Here Cap, you go very still,†and she patted +the dog with a little shove that urged him +toward the door. He understood, evidently, for +very quietly indeed he shuffled down, his four +feet softer than velvet slippers, as he carried +his huge body down the darkened stairway.</p> + +<p>Nora first poked her head out to make sure +the coast was clear, then with a motion to Vita, +who stood with candle in hand at the attic door, +she swept down the stairs and entered the yellow +room, into which a soft light from the hall +fell in a welcoming path.</p> + +<p>The bed covers were turned down—Vita +must have been determined that Nora should +use that bed, and the window was properly +opened, for the soft breeze stirred the scrim +curtains, and a wonderful woodland scent stole +into the room.</p> + +<p>“It is much better down here,†Nora was +forced to admit as she snuggled into the gold +and blue coverlet. “I guess I was a nuisance +to be so obstinate.â€</p> + +<p>A few minutes later a step in the hall glided +to the electric light button, and the click that +followed turned off the light.</p> + +<p>That must have been Ted, of course, and she +must have known that Nora was now safely +tucked in the comfortable bed in the guest +room.</p> + +<p>“She was waiting for me too,†mused Nora +with a twinge of compunction. “I do wonder +why they made such a fuss about me staying +in the attic?†It was delicious to have every +one anxious about her,—so short a time ago +no one but the Circle Angel at the Baily School +seemed to care whether she slept in her bed or +out on the old, tattered hammock, that Barbara +wanted to make a tree climber out of; and now +in this lovely little bungalow, called The Nest, +there were so many beds for her she couldn’t +choose.</p> + +<p>All the same, with the insistence of her fancies, +visions of goblins and goo-gees up in the +attic pranced through her excited brain and +made the queerest pictures. She shivered as +she remembered them.</p> + +<p>“But Vita is nothing like a spirit worker,†+mused the child. “And she is so kind and +seems so fond of me.†Then she had an inspiration.</p> + +<p>“I have it,†she all but exclaimed aloud. +“Vita knows what is wrong and is afraid I will +find out. She is not frightened at it or she +would not go prowling around in the dark,†+continued the reasoning, “but she has a secret +and it is in that attic.â€</p> + +<p>As if this conclusion settled all disturbing +doubts, Nora humped over once or twice and +then gave in to the sleep her tired little self was +so sorely in need of.</p> + +<p>It was the end of a long and too well filled +day. She had left the select school with all the +instructions of the Misses Baily fairly hissing +in her ears. Then there was Barbara’s fun +making, in the way of a train letter with all +sorts of wild premonitions (they were funny +but somehow the train incidents took on the +threats of danger Barbara had outlined). But +after all, no one had kidnapped her and here +she was—yes, asleep in the big fluffy bed in the +lovely yellow room.</p> + +<p>A whistle—Jerry’s—brought her back. The +daylight was streaming in through that wonderful +dew laden vine. And oh, the scent!</p> + +<p>It was not flowers but woodlands. A bird +chirped a polite good morning, and without the +usual eye rubbing Nora was sitting up straight +and silently thanking the Maker of good things +for such a wonderful day.</p> + +<p>For the first time in her life she felt that her +clothes were not appropriate, and it was some +moments before she could decide just which +little gown to appear in. They really seemed +out of place in that rugged country—her laces +and ribbons and fine fussings.</p> + +<p>“I suppose the Girl Scouts do wear practical +things,†she reflected, “but that horrid khaki!†+The thought sent a little shudder through the +small, frail shoulders, and Nora, donning her +Belgian blue, with brown sandals and two +colored socks, was ready, presently, to meet her +newly adopted relations. Cap was at her door +when she opened it, and this, more than anything +else, sent a thrill of joy to her heart. +Even a wonderful big dog to welcome her when +any dog would surely want to be out doors with +Jerry on such a morning!</p> + +<p>“Come along, Bob,†called a man’s voice +from the lower hall. “We can hardly spare +time to eat—there is so much to see this morning.â€</p> + +<p>Nora was beside him as he continued:</p> + +<p>“The kittens are tumbling out of their box, +the puppies are fighting over a feather, the +chicks are testing their strength on a nice, +lively, fat little worm, and oh yes! the calf +jumped over the moon—the moon being Ted’s +home made gate,†he finished, with that +boyish laugh that always made the house ring +merrily.</p> + +<p>Vita was just coming into the dining room +with the muffins as Nora passed her. There +was no mistaking the sly wink—the big dark +eyes fairly sparkled glints as the maid signalled +Nora not to say anything about the attic episode. +Nora smiled and nodded, and then the +muffins were placed before Mrs. Ted.</p> + +<p>“Sleep well, dear?†asked that lady presently.</p> + +<p>“Wonderfully,†replied Nora, just a bit +cautiously.</p> + +<p>“I heard you come down stairs and was +rather glad you changed your mind,†continued +the hostess, while she poured Jerry’s coffee. +“It is much pleasanter on the second floor.â€</p> + +<p>For a moment Nora wondered whether this +was being said to disguise the real happening. +Did Mrs. Manton know that Vita had gone up +to rouse her?</p> + +<p>“Maybe rain today,†interrupted the maid, +although the sun shone brightly at the moment.</p> + +<p>“Now Vittoria!†objected Jerry. “You +ought to know better than to say rain when I +have to go away out to the back woods, and I +want to have some real work done today.†He +glanced over his shoulder at the streaming +sunlight. “You’re a fraud, or else you are not +awake yet,†he went on. “There is no more +sign of rain than of snow.â€</p> + +<p>“I agree with you for once, Jerry,†chimed +in Ted. “The grass was knitted with cobwebs, +the sun came up grey, and besides all that the +jelly jelled. Now Vita, you see you are completely +left. It is not going to rain.â€</p> + +<p>Vita laughed good naturedly. “Then I say +it is goin’ to shine,†she added, and Nora now +felt certain her talk had been made to interrupt +the comment on the night before.</p> + +<p>Breakfast passed off in a gale of pleasantries. +The home of the Mantons seemed jollier +every moment, to Nora.</p> + +<p>“How about the woods?†asked Jerry, while +they lingered over the coffee.</p> + +<p>“I’m ready,†replied Ted, “and I’m sure +Nora will want to come.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh yes,†with a glance at her inadequate +costume. “Will this dress be all right?â€</p> + +<p>“If it’s the strongest you have with you,†+replied Ted. “But we have some very saucy +briars and brush. We must see about a real +woodsy outfit for you.†She paused a moment, +then continued, “I am sure you will like the +Girl Scouts when you get to know more about +them. I know a group of the girls and to my +thinking they are the real thing in girls.â€</p> + +<p>Nora flushed slightly. One point she had +made up her mind on. She was not going to +lose her identity by joining in with a group of +girls who, she imagined, just did as they were +told, and apparently had no ideas of their own. +Nora had seen some of the Girl Scout literature +and it had not impressed her favorably. It was +plain and practical, while she longed for +novelty.</p> + +<p>“Well, Bob is going to be my scout, at any +rate,†chimed in Jerry, quick to sense possible +embarrassment. The shade of Nora’s cheeks +gave him his cue. “We won’t talk about the +regular Scouts until—well, until later,†he finished, +in the foolish way he had of making a +boy of himself. It was rather foolish, but so +jolly. He would wind up everything in just +the way Nora never expected, as if his words +said themselves.</p> + +<p>The visitor was conscious now of something +unpleasant stealing in upon her. Would Mrs. +Manton oblige her to be different? Couldn’t +she dream and play and fancy all the wonderful +things she had been storing up for so long? +Wasn’t this her dream vacation?</p> + +<p>Nannie, that play mother of hers, <i>she</i> knew +would not want her to change her peculiar +characteristics.</p> + +<p>This sort of reasoning flashed before her +mind as the party prepared for a day in the +woods.</p> + +<p>So the little girl in Belgian blue went along +with the big man in his knickers and brown +blouse, and with the young woman in her service +uniform.</p> + +<p>Nora made an odd little figure, but she was, +as she had always been, a picture of a girl.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink05'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER V—THE WOODS AT ROCKY LEDGE</a></h2> + +<p>Out in the woods!</p> + +<p>Forgotten was the dread idea of a +Scout uniform or the possible program +of a Scout ritual. Nora romped with Cap, discovering +new delights at every few paces and +only pausing to exchange salutations with birds, +bees and butterflies. The sky was as blue as +her gown, and her eyes matched the entire +scheme. Her golden hair tossed in the wind +like new corn silk, and when Jerry and Ted +slyly inspected their charge at a safe distance, +a most comprehensive nod of a pair of wise +heads told volumes to the woodlands and the +surrounding Nature audience.</p> + +<p>Yes, Nora would do. Now life at the Nest +seemed complete. Even this dreamy, romantic +little bit of humanity was a real child, and to +the pair of adopted parents she seemed as beautiful +as a wild flower.</p> + +<p>“Now Ted, you just hold back on that Scout +stuff,†Jerry had the temerity to suggest. “We +don’t want to scare her off, first shot. And you +can see she’s opposed.â€</p> + +<p>“She doesn’t understand,†replied Ted. +“But, of course, there is no need to urge her. +No hurry, at any rate.â€</p> + +<p>“I don’t know as I like the tom-boy idea,†+continued Jerry. “She’s very pretty just as +she is.â€</p> + +<p>Ted laughed knowingly. “You’re the boy +who pulls down the shades rather than say +‘no’ to the peddlers,†she reminded him. “It +is easy to understand why you are opposing +the Scouts.â€</p> + +<p>He adjusted his tripod and seemed to have +found something very absorbing at that moment. +Nevertheless, his big shoulders shook, +and his curly head wagged a little suspiciously.</p> + +<p>They were surveying the end of a big strip of +woodland. All over the young forest could be +seen the yellow stripes that marked the trees +that were to be spared, while those unmarked +were doomed for the woodman’s ax. Birds +liked the yellow-banded trees best, to judge +from the perches they made upon such, but of +course, they could not have known that the +other, not so fortunate, needed their musical +sympathy to make less gloomy the approaching +execution.</p> + +<p>“See! Just see!†Nora called, running back +from the wild grape-vine cave. “Do come over +and see this—little play house. It’s perfect as +can be, with vine draperies, and moss carpet, +and real wild-rose decoration. Cap led me to +it, I guess it’s his secret place.†She was panting +with sheer joy. The woods were new to +the girl from the boarding school, where walks +were confined to the limits of neuritis and neuralgia +as “enjoyed†by the Baily Sisters.</p> + +<p>“Cap’ll show you,†replied Jerry. “He has +nothing to do but hunt while Ted and I work +for our living.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, could I help?†Nora felt like an intruder +upon their industry.</p> + +<p>“Not just today, but pretty soon. Perhaps +the day after.†This was another of Jerry’s +characteristic replies. Nora understood them +better now.</p> + +<p>“But it is real fun—fun to look through that +spy glass. Do you have cobwebs in there?â€</p> + +<p>Asking this brought back to her mind the cobweb +nest in the attic. Jerry’s reply, however, +forestalled further reflection in that direction +at the moment.</p> + +<p>“Some day, pretty soon, perhaps the day +after tomorrow,†he laughed again, “I’ll show +you all about this and the cobwebs. Ted has +some town stuff to attend to; and listen, Bobbs†+(he stepped over and whispered in Nora’s ear), +“Ted is a perfect terror if she is held too late +in the woods. She would starve us to death, +like as not, if I didn’t get back before the +clock cooled striking. So you and Cap just run +along and find out what the fairies want from +the village, while we mark a few more spots.â€</p> + +<p>Was there ever such a jolly man? Once +again he had quickly avoided embarrassment to +Nora. He would not even let her think she +should be useful.</p> + +<p>“Yes,†called Mrs. Manton from her position +astride a small white birch, “you and Cap have +a good time, Nora. He will teach you to +explore.â€</p> + +<p>Willingly Nora ran back to the bower she had +discovered. Surely it had been fashioned by +elves and fairies, for it was perfect in every +detail. Unconscious of time, she flitted about +making a little window in the wild grape vine, +and fashioning a door between the hazel-nut +boughs.</p> + +<p>A murmuring song escaped her lips, while +Cap now and then yelped sharply, impatient +to be understood and receive attention.</p> + +<p>“Why, Cap!†asked Nora in reply to one +of these outbursts, “I don’t quite understand +your language. What is it?â€</p> + +<p>The big dog was vainly trying to make Nora +see a nest of late sparrows. The tiny feathered +babies could just stretch their little heads +above the rim of the straw cup of a nest they +cuddled in, and when Cap found them he knew +he should notify somebody. The bush was so +low, although it was safely sheltered by the +thick vines, and a wild trumpet vine loaned two +beautiful flowers to cheer the little birds during +their mother’s absence. Still, Cap felt certain +it was dangerous for such tiny creatures +to be there in the very path of any wild, rough +animal happening by.</p> + +<p>Nora had never seen such baby birds before. +First, she wanted to fondle them, but Cap gave +warning and she desisted. Then, she wanted +to feed them, as if birds could eat the black +berries she offered them. But presently the +mother bird flew into the bower with such a +wild, shrill call, Nora knew her own presence +was not desired so near the baby birds, so she +followed Cap out into the clearance. As she +did she saw approaching a group of girls, and +they wore the Girl Scout uniform.</p> + +<p>At the sight something within Nora seemed +to tighten up. The girls were coming straight +to the bower and their laughing voices had the +strange effect of all but chilling Nora.</p> + +<p>Without waiting to exchange so much as a +smile she called Cap and ran off to the surveyor’s +camp.</p> + +<p>“Well,†she heard one girl exclaim, as she +sped away, “one would think we were—Indians.â€</p> + +<p>Nora’s ears stung as her cheeks flamed.</p> + +<p>“There! Wasn’t that just what one might +expect? As if a girl couldn’t do just as she +pleased in the woodlands! And they were her +own Cousin Jerry’s lands too,†Nora scoffed.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, Nora?†asked Mrs. +Manton, as she panting, sank down on a freshly-cut +stump. “You don’t mean to tell me you +are actually afraid of those little girls, just +because they wear uniforms?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, Cousin Ted, I am not afraid of +them,†her voice would shake somehow, “but +I didn’t know them.â€</p> + +<p>“I see. Well, we must all get acquainted in +these pretty parts. The birds and the furry +things never wait for an introduction,†replied +Ted, kindly.</p> + +<p>“Come along with me, Bobbs,†called Jerry, +who was packing up his instruments. “I need +help with this chain; it is bound to snarl.â€</p> + +<p>“Jerry!†called out Mrs. Ted rather sharply. +“You really must not interfere every time I +attempt to tell Nora something useful. I want +her to know the Girl Scouts, and the sooner +she makes up her mind to do so the happier +she will be. The Scouts are all over this place +you know, Jerry,†and the laughter of the girls +up at the bower attested to the truth of that +statement. “Anyone who is not interested in +Scouting will have a poor chance of a real vacation +in the woodlands,†concluded Mrs. Manton.</p> + +<p>“But we are going to scout,†insisted the +man with the tripod on his shoulder. “The +only thing is, we are going to do it in our own +way. Isn’t that so, Bobbs?â€</p> + +<p>Young and simple minded as was Nora, she +was fully conscious of a difference of opinions +regarding her management. Jerry was surely +siding with her, even in her whims, whereas +Ted, mother-like, felt the necessity of giving +advice.</p> + +<p>That was it. She had never before known +anything the least bit mother-like. Would she +find the relationship too irksome?</p> + +<p>There was the hint of a tear in her blinking +eye when she pulled the kinky tape out for +Jerry and felt it snap back into its leather case. +After all, things were not exactly as she had +pictured them at the Nest. First, she was +dragged down from her attic—she felt now she +had been dragged down in the very middle of +the night by that great, big Vita, and now, +there were those horrid Girl Scouts being held +up as examples for her to follow and imitate. +Well, she would never be a Scout. Each time +the question presented itself she felt more decidedly +against it. She would always have big +Cousin Jerry to stand by her, and if Cousin +Ted——</p> + +<p>“Want to come to town with me, dear?†+called the owner of the name she was opposing.</p> + +<p>“Sure she does. She is going to ride +Cyclone. Aren’t you, Bobbs?†This was +from Jerry.</p> + +<p>“I couldn’t ride a big horse,†faltered the +confused girl.</p> + +<p>“We will go in our handsome ca—our little +tame flivver,†interrupted Ted. “When +you want to ride a horse you will have plenty +of time to practice.†Mrs. Manton had assembled +her tools. Nora marvelled at the +strong hands that could so skillfully wield the +sharp hatchet and the dangerous-looking trimming +knife. Into the loop at her belt Ted +carelessly slipped the glittering tools, and as +she did so Nora recalled the sight of the dainty +hands she had been accustomed to admiring. +What would the ladies who visited the school +say to a person like Cousin Ted?</p> + +<p>They were ready to leave for the cottage. +Over the hill the Girl Scouts were calling their +mysterious “Wha-hoo,†and to Nora it sounded +like a call to battle. What had at first been +merely an indifference was now assuming the +proportions of actual dislike. How was Nora +to know she was a very much spoiled little girl? +And how was she to guess what the cost of her +change of heart would mean to her?</p> + +<p>She was a total stranger to the word “snob.†+Her training had been one straight line of +avoiding this, that, and the other thing; but as +for doing this, that and everything, no place +was given in the curriculum.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Manton, herself a product of the most +modern college, knew the weakness of little +Nora’s character at a glance, but to introduce +strength and purpose! To bend the vine without +crushing the tendrils!</p> + +<p>This very first day was marked with a danger +signal. If Nora slighted the Scouts, they who +came almost daily to Ted for information and +companionship, there was sure to be trouble. +It was this surety that prompted Ted to say +with decision:</p> + +<p>“The sooner Nora gets acquainted the happier +she will be.â€</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the girls of Chickadee Patrol had +all but forgotten about the stranger. They +were after specimens and had discovered more +than one new bird’s nest. Cameras were clicking, +notes being taken, and so many interesting +matters were being attended to, it was not +strange that the sight of one little girl in a +pretty blue frock, with a disdainful expression +on her otherwise attractive face, might have +been forgotten for the time.</p> + +<p>If there were really fairies in those woods +they should have intervened just then, for it +would have been so much easier for Nora to +have met the Scouts as companions, whereas +she, holding away from the very idea of organization, +kept building up a dislike which threatened +to cause her much unhappiness.</p> + +<p>The woodlands were broad enough for both +to roam, but it was inevitable that both should +meet some day, and, under what circumstances?</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink06'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER VI—A PRINCE IN HIDING</a></h2> + +<p>When Nora wrote to Barbara she drew +word pictures of the beauties at +Woodland Wilds. She shed a tear of +real joy when writing about Cousin Jerry and +Captain, and when she fondly recited the virtues +of Cousin Ted she felt she put more in that +one word “Motherly†than could otherwise +have been conveyed.</p> + +<p>It was in the writing of that letter that she +took account of her actual self, for in wording +it she had naturally summed up.</p> + +<p>“I am not just sure whether I entirely suit +or not,†she told Barbara. “Sometimes I feel +so different. Of course they all love me, even +Vita the cook, and I love them fondly, but don’t +you know, Babs, you always told me I saw +‘foohey’ and you would not explain what it was +to be that way? But I guess I am, whatever it +is, for a lot of alterations have already been +ordered,†she wrote.</p> + +<p>“My new outdoor clothes have arrived,†the +letter ran, “they are of brown cloth†(she +avoided the use of the word khaki) “and they +will stand a lot of hard wear. Cousin Jerry +says we get them that color and so we won’t +scare the birds and other woodland creatures. +They are supposed to think we are part of the +landscape.â€</p> + +<p>Nora then told of the attic, and its chest of +treasures, and added she expected to try on a +couple of outfits the very first day she was free +from accompanying the surveying party.</p> + +<p>All of which showed the visitor was “taking +root,†as Jerry would have said.</p> + +<p>A long tramp out in a marshy territory was +to be undertaken by the two veterans, Ted and +Jerry, but because of the bad footing Nora +was not asked to go along. This provided the +very opportunity Nora had been waiting for, +and hardly had the reliable old flivver +“fluvved†away, then she hurried up to the +attic in search of a costume.</p> + +<p>“Come on, Cap,†she whispered, eluding +Vita, but unwilling to go up in the attic alone. +She had not forgotten the suspicions of her +first night.</p> + +<p>Too glad to obey, Cap led the way, and presently +Nora forgot even the “spook cabinet†+in her interest over the open costume chest.</p> + +<p>Things were mussed and musty, rumpled and +wrinkled and crinkled; but what colors and what +a lot of bright tinsel!</p> + +<p>“Oh joy,†she exclaimed, dragging from the +tangles a real Fauntleroy costume. “I have +always wanted to see how I would look dressed +in this sort of outfit,†she thought, for the black +velvet “knickers,†the little velvet jacket, and +the lace blouse were all there, and yes, there +was a wonderful, bright silk scarf to go around +the waist.</p> + +<p>The cap was prettiest of all, and it was resting +on Nora’s yellow curls before Cap could +possibly make out what the whole proceedings +meant. He stood over in his corner and +blinked, but Nora insisted on having his +opinion.</p> + +<p>“Isn’t it wonderful, Cap? And don’t you +like Nora in it?†she demanded. He gave one +of his peculiar exclamations rather louder than +she had expected, and to prevent the sounds +from reaching Vita’s ears, Nora put both arms +around Cap’s neck and hugged him into silence.</p> + +<p>She was very much excited. Ever since her +arrival at the Nest she had been planning a +private masquerade, and now the time had come +for her to indulge in it.</p> + +<p>Fanciful dream child that she was, the character +of little Lord Fauntleroy had always +strongly appealed to her, and as for most girls +the boy’s costume had a peculiar charm for her +heroic ventures into the world of make-believe.</p> + +<p>“We’ll take them down stairs,†she told +Cap. “We can dress much more comfortably +in my room.â€</p> + +<p>Poking her head out to make sure Vita was +not around, she tucked the velvets and laces +into her arms and hurried to the next floor. +Seldom had she locked the hall door, but she +did so now, dismissing Cap peremptorily, for +there was no need of his protection on the second +floor.</p> + +<p>“I suppose it’s too big,†she reasoned, when +the little knickers were pulled up as high as the +button and button hole line. Yes, it was big, +this costume had been worn by a gay lady at +a big country club dance, and little Nora was +scarcely a sample of the personality for which +the jaunty outfit had been created.</p> + +<p>But mere size did not worry her. It was effect +that she craved. The lacy blouse fell into +place quite naturally, and it did look boyish, +while the overblouse of black velvet completed +the Fauntleroy picture.</p> + +<p>“If the buckles would only stay buckled,†+she sighed, trying for the third time to fasten +the knee straps and keep them that way. It +was not pretty at all to have them slink down +below her knees, like an untidy schoolboy; and +a pin had no possible effect on the heavy, velvety +finish.</p> + +<p>“I know,†breathed Nora, “I’ll roll them.†+And she did that skillfully; for in the season +just past many and many a sock had she rolled +and they had stayed, although Barbara never +could acquire the same knack.</p> + +<p>It was all finally finished, and she inspected +herself in the mirror, slanted to the very last +angle to show the full length. A pat of the +cap, a brash of the tie and a swish of the flying +scarf gave the finishing touches.</p> + +<p>Really Nora made “a perfectly stunning†+little Lord Fauntleroy. Had she been more accustomed +to the sayings of the day she might +well have exclaimed, “All dressed up and no +place to go,†but her culture admitted of no +such expressive parlance. Instead, she asked +herself in the looking glass: “Wonder if I dare +go outside? It is so comfortable to wear this +styleâ€; and she skipped around as every other +girl on earth has ever done the very moment +she felt relieved of the trammel of skirts.</p> + +<p>The morning was unusually quiet. Vita must +be away picking greens, the surveyors were +miles out, and there was no one but Cap to +criticise. Why shouldn’t she stroll out grandly +in her princely costume?</p> + +<p>She did. The birds twittered and the rabbits +scurried and the pet squirrel stood up and +begged. But Nora was not feeding the animals +this morning, instead, she flounced her lace +sleeve in a most courtly gesture and passed on +to the cedar tree grove. Cedars seemed more +appropriate for velvets than did the other wild +trees; besides, no underbrush grew in the cedar +grove, and it was much safer for costly finery.</p> + +<p>On the rustic seat Nora felt exactly as she +had felt the day Miss Baily took her to sit for +her picture, except that she crossed her legs +comfortably now, whereas, then, she was not +even allowed to cross her hands.</p> + +<p>Presently the actress removed her (his) cap +and poised it on the arm of the chair. Did +Lord Fauntleroy go out in his grounds alone? +Perhaps she should have called Cap to go along.</p> + +<p>Then came thoughts of Nannie. Why must +she, little Nora, always be so far away from +that pretty mother? And why did the picture +life—the make-believe—charm her like some +secret failing? Did other girls really like the +horrid brown uniforms never pictured in books, +that is, never, until very lately? So raced her +unruly thoughts.</p> + +<p>Everything was so still, but Nora was not +lonely—her own reflections kept her such noisy +company that isolation had no terror for her. +Just outside the cedar grove a strip of road +waited for traffic. Few persons passed, but +even woodlands must have roads, just as skies +must have clouds.</p> + +<p>Feeling more at home in her costume every +moment, Nora stepped proudly outside the +grove into the clearance. A fat little hoptoad +crossed the path, but otherwise the prince was +lord of all he surveyed. The whole world was +busy, evidently, and even a visiting prince attracted +no attention in the wild woodlands.</p> + +<p>Nora wanted to whistle. She felt a prince, +with hands in pockets inspecting his domain, +would surely whistle, but she had never made +much of a success at the wind song—it was +Barbara who did all the whistling for both. +Still, she tried now, and the sound wasn’t any +worse than the cracked call of the blue-jay, except +that it did not carry so far.</p> + +<p>What would Barbara say to this game of +characters? A companion would add to the +possibilities of good times, Nora secretly admitted, +but what companion could she find in +these wilds?</p> + +<p>Just as a sense of loneliness came creeping +over her she heard the leaves somewhere +crackle. The next moment a girl appeared a +few paces up the road, and called to her quickly: +“Oh, I say boy! Have you seen the Girl +Scouts——â€</p> + +<p>The voice stopped as suddenly as it had +started. The girl in uniform looked so surprised, +Nora was conscious of scrutiny, even +at the distance between them. She turned her +head instinctively and so evaded a direct look; +but presently the girl called again:</p> + +<p>“I am looking for the girls who are going +over to the Ledge. Did you happen to see +them pass this way?â€</p> + +<p>“No,†faltered Nora, in a voice not her own. +“I just came along. I’m looking for a car——â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, I saw one. It drove down the turn——â€</p> + +<p>“Thanks,†jerked out Nora, taking the cue +to escape, and waving her hand in lieu of +further conversation. She dodged behind the +heavy elderberry bush and almost gasped in +fright. What would a Girl Scout think of her +in such a costume? Of course, she had no possible +opportunity of seeing her face, and she +surely could never recognize her again. Making +positive she could get back to the Nest without +again stepping out into the roadway, Nora +sped back as quickly as her feet could carry her. +It was always these Scouts; a sense of humiliation +was now added to that of dislike. Would +they all talk about her? Perhaps make fun of +her or think her odd and foolish?</p> + +<p>Too inexperienced to realize that the entire +blame was her own, Nora crept up to the flap-jack +path that led directly to the cottage door.</p> + +<p>Here she was stopped again, for Vita sat +out by the big stump, either counting or selecting +something from her apron. So engrossed +was she in her task she did not hear Nora’s footfall, +and this gave the “prince†another chance +to escape detection. She darted back into the +arbor and waited. The only other way to enter +the house was at front and she might meet +almost anyone in that way.</p> + +<p>Her game was losing its charm. She would +have given much to be free of the finery and +garbed again in her own simple clothes. It +was rather mortifying to be considered queer, +and that one saving grace, a sense of humor, +was entirely lacking in the girl’s make-up. +Otherwise she might have jumped down from +a tree and frightened Vita out of her wits, thus +making a lark out of a difficulty.</p> + +<p>She waited impatiently. What could Vita be +doing that so held her attention? Then the +attic memories flashed back to Nora’s mind and +she wondered.</p> + +<p>“Cousin Ted leaves too much to that maid,†+she was deciding. “I might be able to help by +keeping a lookout.â€</p> + +<p>But for what? Vita was surely trustworthy +and even extremely kind to Nora, the intruder.</p> + +<p>A burr pricked the knee that refused to hold +fast to the buckled finery. It must have been +rather a nuisance to dress like that. Nora +rolled the band tighter and lost her fancy hat +in the effort.</p> + +<p>Voices!</p> + +<p>Girls’ laughter. The Scouts, of course, and +coming back toward the cottage!</p> + +<p>Without waiting to consider Vita’s opinion, +Nora sprang from her hiding place and darted +up the path into the cottage.</p> + +<p>Voices within as well as without!</p> + +<p>Cousin Ted was back from the woods and had +company. How could Nora reach her room +without being seen?</p> + +<p>She crouched behind the kitchen cabinet, hoping +the voices would leave the hall and enter +the living room, but, evidently, there was a reason +for delay, and the big seat was right at the +foot of the stairway!</p> + +<p>Now Vita’s flat slippers patted the stones and +she was coming into the kitchen.</p> + +<p>Disgusted with the entire affair, Nora turned +into the back stairway. She had never mounted +those stairs, they were used only by the maid, +but just now there seemed no other avenue of +escape. She heard the shuffling feet of Vita +as she climbed the bare treads.</p> + +<p>They were narrow and dark, only a small +window cut in an opening somewhere allowed +enough light to penetrate to make sure the steps +were those of stairs. A narrow landing marked +the line where the second floor must be. Then +there was another turn, a sort of sharp twist +in the queer ladder-like climb.</p> + +<p>Nora was too far up now to hear Vita’s step +in the kitchen.</p> + +<p>“But this must lead to the attic,†she reasoned. +“I may as well go on up as to go—down.â€</p> + +<p>Cobwebs a-plenty here. She jerked back +from their tangles, fearing spiders and other +crawling things.</p> + +<p>“Oh,†she exclaimed. “I do wish I had not +come this way. It’s so—spooky!â€</p> + +<p>At every step the darkness increased and the +light dwindled. Reaching a good-sized platform, +Nora stood, thankful to draw an easy +breath. She could just about see that she had +only one short flight of steps to go to reach a +door.</p> + +<p>“I would never have believed this house was +so high,†she pondered. “I feel as if I came +up from a cellar to a tower.â€</p> + +<p>Then, resolutely, the pilgrim started on +again. Only a few steps and she found herself +face to face with two doors. They were unpainted +and each stood at angles from the +landing.</p> + +<p>“Which?†she asked instinctively; for, while +she wanted to reach the attic, she was careful +to remember which way she had come in this +crooked, gloomy place. Besides this, the attic +was a mysterious part of that pretty house, +Nora realized.</p> + +<p>“It must be all right to go in here—all of the +rooms are ours and Cousin Ted said they were +all kept clean.â€</p> + +<p>With this caution she pushed open one of the +unpainted doors and stepped inside.</p> + +<p>She gasped! The place was in almost total +darkness!</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink07'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER VII—CAP TO THE RESCUE</a></h2> + +<p>Where was she? What could be so +black?</p> + +<p>Nora gasped—it was so stifling. +Fumbling in the strange place her hand found +the door and as she pressed against it she heard +it shut!</p> + +<p>“Oh mercy!†she exclaimed aloud. “I’m +shut in this awful place!â€</p> + +<p>Now her eyes could make out the rafters. It +was the attic, but what part of it? The faintest +gleam of light breaking in from above followed +the rough beams. The frightened girl +fell back breathing hard and feeling faint. To +faint in the attic! Surely that would be romantic! +But she didn’t want to faint all alone up +there and maybe die and not be found for +years, as she had read happened once to a bride +who went up to look for her grandmother’s +quilt.</p> + +<p>She was so dizzy. She really must sit down. +Not even a hazy fear of rats roused her, for it +was unbearably hot and stuffy.</p> + +<p>“O-o-o-h!â€</p> + +<p>That was the end of Nora for the time being. +She succumbed to the first faint she had ever +performed, and there was no one to see her, +no one to rescue her, not one even to know +where she was!</p> + +<p>Such a little prince!</p> + +<p>Velvets and ribbons brushed cobwebs and +dust, as she slumped down, down——!</p> + +<p>Of all her life’s dreams what she dreamed +when she breathed again seemed the strangest. +But it was all broken up like pieces of stars +mashed into flashes of dazzling light, and there +was no more head nor tail to it. All she could +think of was how tired she was, and she knew +she just had to sleep.</p> + +<p>If spiders had any talent for observing, those +in that cubby hole would have had a wonderful +story to tell to the crawling things in roof and +rafters, but even they did not so much as try, +with a web, to arouse the half-conscious child, +and one lacy net was so near Nora’s face her +gasps of breath swayed and rocked the baby +spider in its cradle.</p> + +<p>So there she was asleep now, and glad not to +know!</p> + +<p>Downstairs supper had been prepared and +everyone was waiting for Nora.</p> + +<p>Who had seen her? Where had she spent the +afternoon?</p> + +<p>“Vita,†said Jerry sharply, “you know you +were not to let the child go off these grounds +alone.â€</p> + +<p>“I no see her, never. She no come out from +the house,†protested the frightened Vita.</p> + +<p>“Well, we have got to search,†decided Ted, +her bronzed face plainly showing alarm, and +her brown eyes blinking with unnamed fears.</p> + +<p>“Where has Cap been?†again demanded +Jerry. “He should have been with her.â€</p> + +<p>“He went with the Scouts; they asked for +him, and of course, I let him go as usual. I +did not know Nora was going out, in fact, I +thought she was going to write to her school +mates,†replied Ted. “But don’t let us waste +time. I’ll take the north way, Vita you go by +the Ledge, and Jerry, I suppose you will jump +on a horse and scout every way.â€</p> + +<p>“Yes, I’ll take Cap and send him on ahead.†+All the laugh was gone from Jerry’s voice now. +How quickly the cloud of Anxiety can darken +the brightest home?</p> + +<p>More than an hour later all three searchers +returned to the Nest and admitted they could +not find Nora.</p> + +<p>“She couldn’t be in the house, could she?†+asked Ted, disconsolately.</p> + +<p>“We looked hastily, but it was best to do all +the outdoor looking first,†replied Jerry. “Do +you suppose she went to visit anyone? Did +she make friends with Alma and Wyn, our pet +Scouts?â€</p> + +<p>“I wish she had. There’s that about the +Scouts, they go in groups,†answered Ted, with +feeling. “Let us look over the house more +carefully. But why should she hide?†A loud +bark from Cap answered that question.</p> + +<p>“Here! Cap knows where she is. Let him +find her,†exclaimed Jerry, joyfully.</p> + +<p>“It’s at the kitchen door,†added Ted, hurrying +in that direction.</p> + +<p>“Quick, open the door, Vita!†commanded +Jerry, while the dog barked wildly.</p> + +<p>Vita put a trembling hand on the door that +led to the back stairs and opened into the +kitchen. No sooner had she done so than Cap +bounded past her, and the next moment the big +dog and the forlorn little prince tumbled into +the room.</p> + +<p>“Nora!†exclaimed both Jerry and Ted.</p> + +<p>“It isn’t! It can’t be!†faltered the surprised +maid. “This is boy——â€</p> + +<p>“Boy nothing!†almost shouted Jerry, so +glad to see Nora in any guise that her strange +costume interested him not at all.</p> + +<p>“The poor little darling,†cried Ted, gathering +the black velvet form up into her arms. +“What ever happened to you, dear?â€</p> + +<p>Nora brushed a dusty hand over her blinking +eyes. “Oh, I am so glad I am saved. I thought +I would surely die.â€</p> + +<p>“Up attic. Why baby! No one could die in +our attic. Cap knew you were up there and if +you had not tumbled down just when you did +he would have gone through the wall to find you, +wouldn’t you, old fellow?†Jerry asked fondly.</p> + +<p>The Saint Bernard was in his native element +at the rescue work, and he licked Nora’s hand +contentedly. Ted had gathered the child up +into her arms and Vita was already busy getting +a refreshing drink. Jerry, manlike, just +looked on, happy beyond words, for in the bad +hour previous he was a prey to keen anxiety, +and during the process made up his mind in +the future to keep Nora closer to the family +circle at all times.</p> + +<p>Nora had not yet come to the point of talking. +Her swoon and its consequent haziness left her +in a daze, and with the mother-like arms about +her, and the breath of Cap reviving her, and +Cousin Jerry’s big soft eyes encouraging her, +the relief from her fright was slowly creeping +over her and it was so delicious she had no idea +of dispelling it with mere words.</p> + +<p>“I know,†said Teddie softly, “you were +playing parts, dressing up in the duds from the +big chest.â€</p> + +<p>“Did you go to sleep in the trunk?†ventured +Jerry, slyly.</p> + +<p>“No, I don’t know just where I was—I +was——†faltered Nora, now beginning to feel +a little foolish in her boy’s outfit.</p> + +<p>“She went up wrong stairs and I guess, maybe, +she got lost in the big open attic,†Vita +volunteered, apparently anxious to forestall +further questions.</p> + +<p>“No, it was not opened. It was shut tight—very +tight,†snapped Nora. She resented +Vita’s explanation. Somehow she felt Vita +was to blame.</p> + +<p>“Then you must have struck the spook +closet,†said Jerry, his old happy tones ringing +through the small kitchen. “Say Ted, let’s +get into the other room. Can you walk, Bobbs, +or shall big Cousin Jerry carry you?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, I can walk all right,†replied Nora, +slipping to the floor from Teddie’s lap. “But +I was so stiff and cramped and—I guess I must +have fainted.â€</p> + +<p>“You must have been up there all the time +we were hunting for you, and the attic is always +hot,†added Ted. “I never thought of looking +there.â€</p> + +<p>“But Cap did. He knew where you were +the moment he came in the house,†said Jerry +proudly. “I tell you, Cap is a regular life-saver. +He will have to get another medal for +this; even if he didn’t drag you out of the spook +cabinet, he did tumble in the kitchen with you.â€</p> + +<p>Both Jerry and Ted were too considerate to +show surprise at Nora’s appearance, but Vita +could not or did not attempt to hide her astonishment.</p> + +<p>“Guess she thinks the fairies had you,†said +Jerry softly, when Vita stood in the doorway, +her hands on her capable hips and her mouth +wide open in a gasp of surprise. But Nora +had an uncertain feeling that Vita, as sole tenant +of the back stairway, should have made +better arrangements than to have a door that +would spring shut like that, right at the very +top of the dark place.</p> + +<p>It was at this point a mistake was made. +Nora did not express herself and Vita had no +idea of explaining. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry were +supposed to know all about the Nest, but did +they! In the excitement of finding Nora, the +actual hiding place was not being considered.</p> + +<p>Quickly as the little girl recovered her self-possession +and took part in the conversation, +everyone enjoyed a good hearty laugh, naturally +led by Jerry.</p> + +<p>“What special kind of prince were you, +Bobbs?†he asked jovially. “I did not know +they hid in dark attics.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes they did,†contradicted Ted. +“Don’t you remember the princes in the +tower?â€</p> + +<p>“I don’t, but it doesn’t matter. They must +have been in a tower or you would not have +included the fact in your college course,†replied +Jerry, always ready to tease on that score. +Whenever Ted found a new specimen in the +woods, or questioned about a strange bird, he +would invariably ascribe the matter to “her +college course.â€</p> + +<p>Nora was anxious to get out of the ill-fated +costume. She wanted to run upstairs and +change, now that her knees had stopped shaking, +but Ted insisted she take her supper just +as she was, and readily made a merry time out +of the near catastrophe. Again Nora missed +the point—no sense of humor was a sad lack +in so active a girl.</p> + +<p>Cap regarded her with an eye almost twinkling. +Did he know the attic secret that she +had been unable even to realize was a secret?</p> + +<p>“Your clothes fit pretty well,†said Jerry, +“but I think I like you best in your Little Girl +Blue dress. Guess, after all, girls really +shouldn’t wear——â€</p> + +<p>“Now, there you go again, Jerry Manton,†+interrupted Ted. “As if the costume had anything +to do with Nora getting lost.â€</p> + +<p>And all the while Nora was thinking: “If +they only knew.†But she had never had any +one to confide in, except Barbara, and now she +did not know exactly how to tell her story. +Besides, how silly it would be to say she had +actually been out in the roadway in the Fauntleroy +clothes? And if they ever knew she had +been seen and spoken to by a Girl Scout!</p> + +<p>The fear of humiliation crushed back any +desire to tell the whole story and so it remained +as it appeared, an incident of no more importance +than a case of being lost in the attic.</p> + +<p>All the horrors of the black hole, all the +terrors of her fright and faintness, besides what +actually happened when she finally burst +through that door and all but fell head-long +down the dark stairs—this Nora crushed back +from her lips, and only dared to think of it +as something she would write in her secret +diary.</p> + +<p>Perhaps she would tell Barbara. It was too +thrilling to remain a secret with no one but +herself to ponder upon it.</p> + +<p>A refreshing bath, more beef tea and a bedtime +story told by the affectionate Cousin +Teddie one hour later, all but dispelled the +trying memory.</p> + +<p>The story was one read from a favorite +woodland series, in which children, birds and +furry things found days of happiness in the +carefree hours, far away from artificial restrictions +of “Do†and “Don’t.â€</p> + +<p>The girls mentioned in the story were not +spoken of as Scouts, but Nora suspected they +must have been very much like such in ideals.</p> + +<p>“You see,†said Teddie gently, when she had +finished the interesting story, “girls who love +nature find real joy in studying the woods and +learning to love the woodland creatures. You +have had no chance to know what such pleasure +means, dear.â€</p> + +<p>“No,†said Nora faintly. And at that moment +she decided to put on her new uniform the +very next morning, and then go forth with +Cousin Ted and Cousin Jerry in quest of the +adventures promised.</p> + +<p>“I guess,†she began timidly, “it is better, +Cousin Teddie, for me to go along with you +every day, if you don’t mind.â€</p> + +<p>“Why, I can’t bear to leave you home, either +with Vita or to your own resources,†declared +Ted. “But I didn’t want to urge you. Your +experience today may be a good thing in the +end—it may help to cure you of the artificiality +you have been absorbing so deeply. I will have +to write your mother a bit of advice. I do not +believe her little daughter is getting the sort +of education best for her. Now, roll over and +go to sleep.†She pressed a fond kiss on the +warm cheek. “And Nora love, don’t bother +about dreaming,†finished Mrs. Jerry Manton, +in a tone of voice not learned during her +famous “college course.â€</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink08'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER VIII—THE STORY ALMA DID NOT TELL</a></h2> + +<p>Under a canvas tent sheltered by a particularly +broad chestnut tree and surrounded +by a group of beautiful white +birch, the girls of Chickadee Patrol, Girl Scouts, +were listening, all attention, to the very wildest +tale they had ever given ears to.</p> + +<p>Alma was talking. “Honestly girls,†she +insisted, “he was a real prince, dressed in +black velvet and a beautiful jaunty cap——â€</p> + +<p>“Alma! Alma!†shouted her companions +in derision.</p> + +<p>“Where did you see the fairies? Just imagine +in broad daylight in the woodlands——†+teased one.</p> + +<p>“Then, I shall not tell you anything more +about it,†desisted the abused one. “As if I +wasn’t surprised. Why, I was so dumfounded +I could not ask him if he saw you, and I was +miles behind the crowd.â€</p> + +<p>“Now girls, let Alma tell,†chirped Doro, in +her lispy voice. “Go ahead, Al. <i>I</i> believe you +saw Prince Charming.â€</p> + +<p>“Was he old enough to ride a horse?†asked +Laddie, christened Eulalia. She was defying +her dentist on a piece of fudge two days old.</p> + +<p>“Honestly, girls,†began Alma again, “I +never saw a boy so beautiful. Light curls——â€</p> + +<p>“Oh!!!†came a chorus that stopped the +narrator and sent her pouting over to the bed +couch, where she pouted still more.</p> + +<p>“Then, all right, I am absolutely through,†+she declared quite as if she meant it.</p> + +<p>“Now just see what you have done,†+mourned Treble. She was so tall the girls +always considered her in that clef. “Don’t +you mind them, Allie. I know perfectly well +there are even flying cupids in the big woodlands, +and I fully expect to bring a couple home +to lunch——â€</p> + +<p>Cushions in one big bang stopped Treble. +At this rate Alma’s story would never be published, +orally or otherwise.</p> + +<p>In the Scout tent the evening was being spent +in recreation: hence the fun they were having +with Alma. At a table fashioned from an upside-down +packing case, with real hand carved +legs where the boards were knocked out and +the hatchet braces left standing, sat three of +the Chickadees, discussing the new Girl Scout +stories.</p> + +<p>“I just love the first,†insisted Thistle whose +name was as Scotch as the emblem. “I liked +the mill story and I just loved that wild, +exciting time the girls had trying to win back—was +it Dagmar?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, I remember,†chimed in Betta. +They were referring to the first volume, “The +Girl Scout Pioneers,†but others of the group +spoke up for their particular choice of the +series, naming, “The Girl Scouts at Bellaire†+and “The Girl Scouts at Sea Crest.â€</p> + +<p>“You may have those,†offered Doro, “but +I perfectly love this.†She held up the last +book published. It was entitled “The Girl +Scouts at Camp Comalong.â€</p> + +<p>“Why is that such a prize?†inquired Pell.</p> + +<p>“Oh, haven’t you read it? Well, it is a real +story of the most interesting girl, Peg of the +Hills.â€</p> + +<p>This brought about a general discussion of +the entire series, and although the method +being used is not usually employed to remind +readers of the other books of a series, perhaps, +since the girls were speaking for themselves, it +will be accepted.</p> + +<p>Alma was whispering her Prince Charming +story into the ears of Doro. Doro was accredited +the very best listener among the Chicks +and she had not the faintest idea of interrupting +the story teller. Of course, it was Nora +whom Alma had encountered, and it was not +difficult to understand why her companions +should discredit the tale. A prince in the +woodlands, indeed!</p> + +<p>“Louder, Alma,†begged Treble, catching +only enough of the story to make her curious.</p> + +<p>“Well, you won’t believe me.â€</p> + +<p>“We will! We will! Hear! Hear!†shouted +Betta, whose full appellation was none other +than Betta-be-good, given because she had a +habit of lecturing.</p> + +<p>“She did see a real prince,†chimed in Doro. +“And he did wear buckles and laces and everything.â€</p> + +<p>“Where, oh where, fair maid? Lead me +thither and hither and yon,†moaned Pell Mell. +“Next to a movie star I love a prince best,†+she finished dramatically, although it was common +knowledge that Pell loved nothing so well +as rushing about and falling over adventures. +She actually fell over the Ridge, that is as far +down as the big flat rock, before her chums +decided she was hereafter to be known as Pell +Mell.</p> + +<p>“That is all there is to tell,†announced +Alma, in a tone tinctured with finality. She +knew perfectly well the girls would never rest +until they had sought out the darling prince, +and she also knew it would be lots of fun to +make them “sit up and beg†for the details +they had been scoffing at.</p> + +<p>“Where, Alma?â€</p> + +<p>“Near the bend, Alma?â€</p> + +<p>“Wasn’t it over by the Nest, Al?â€</p> + +<p>“She said she saw him over by the Ledge.â€</p> + +<p>All this and much more was thrown out as +bait, but in the parlance of the tribe, Alma did +not “bite,†she merely picked up a discarded +book and proceeded to read.</p> + +<p>“Well, there was a prince, I’m sure of that,†+persisted Pell, determined to make Alma repeat +her story.</p> + +<p>“Let’s go prince hunting tomorrow,†suggested +Betta.</p> + +<p>“With Treble’s moth scoop?†joked Wyn.</p> + +<p>“I suppose none of you happen to know +that Mrs. Jerry Manton has a visitor,†spoke +Doro. She gave the statement a tone implying: +“Why wouldn’t the prince be the visitor?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, that’s so,†drawled Thistle. “Maybe +it’s the duke.â€</p> + +<p>This brought out a new shout of nonsense.</p> + +<p>“Duke!†roared Betta. “Keep on and we’ll +have him on the throne.â€</p> + +<p>“There are no more thrones,†informed Pell. +“Don’t you know the war made every thing +democratic?â€</p> + +<p>This turned the joke into a serious moment, +for even the rollicking Scouts did not feel inclined +to enlarge upon so serious a thought.</p> + +<p>Presently everyone was speculating upon the +possibility of the little stranger being the one +entertained by the Mantons.</p> + +<p>“Couldn’t we call?†suggested Wyn. “Mrs. +Manton is always lovely to us, and if she has +such a little cherub on her hands we ought to +help her care for him.â€</p> + +<p>“Cherub, Wynnie! Why, we would have to +get a cage for anything like that in this camp. +He would be eaten by bugs, moths and beetles.†+A dash at a flying thing confirmed this opinion +from Treble.</p> + +<p>“Now, if you all have finished your skylarking +I would like to study,†announced Alma. +“I have to learn all that new class lesson, and +I hope to get out of the Tenderfoot tribe before +next week. No fun swimming in a barrel.†+She referred to the water restrictions of “Tenderfoots.â€</p> + +<p>“Hush girls! Alma is thinking,†joked Pell. +“Please don’t interrupt the spell——â€</p> + +<p>Poor Alma could stand the teasing no longer. +She picked up her manual and headed for the +tent occupied by those very studious Scouts who +chose the company of the leader to that of the +distracting girls.</p> + +<p>“Chickadees never scratch,†fired Betta as +Alma stepped over protruding feet and reached +the tent flap. “Now Chick-a-dee, Peep! Peep! +Pretty for the ladies——â€</p> + +<p>But the girl with the manual was gone.</p> + +<p>“What do you make of it?†asked Pell, when +the titters subsided.</p> + +<p>“She saw something different, that’s sure,†+replied Treble.</p> + +<p>“She told me all about it,†put in Thistle +proudly. “And it was really a wonderful +child all done up in black velvets and ribbons,†+she declared.</p> + +<p>“I see nothing to do but ask Mrs. Manton +about it,†suggested Wyn. “It looks like a first +class lot of fun.â€</p> + +<p>“Ask her if she is entertaining a boy in velvet +pants?†said Treble, so foolishly, the girls +all but rolled under the table and the oil lamp +shook dangerously in the merriment.</p> + +<p>“When they’re velvet they’re never pants,†+spoke Wyn, as soon as speaking amounted to +anything.</p> + +<p>“Trousers,†amended Treble.</p> + +<p>“Nor those,†objected Pell. “When they +have cute little buckles and go with a jaunty +cap——â€</p> + +<p>“They’re knickers,†finished Betta.</p> + +<p>“Not a—tall,†shouted Treble. “I know +better than that myself. You’re thinking of +golf. Didn’t I see Lord Fauntleroy play his +Dearest?â€</p> + +<p>“Did you really? Well, what did <i>he</i> call +call them?†demanded Thistle. She had been +so busy enjoying the fun that this was her first +attempt at making any.</p> + +<p>“I have it,†sang out Laddie. “They’re +bloomers.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh no, rompers,†insisted Thistle. “Rompers +are much prettier.â€</p> + +<p>“What ever would you girls have done this +evening if Alma’s little story did not furnish +you with debate material,†scoffed Doro.</p> + +<p>“The story Alma never told,†chanted Lad.</p> + +<p>“All the same,†declared Treble, “it is perfectly +delicious. Who’s going to make the call +on Mrs. Jerry Manton?â€</p> + +<p>The shout that followed this question brought +a protest from the next tent where candidates +were studying manuals.</p> + +<p>“Let’s take a vote on it,†suggested Thistle, +when quiet seemed possible. “Since every one +wants to go and we haven’t heard the Mantons +were going to give a picnic or anything like +that—why—the best thing to do is to draw +lots.â€</p> + +<p>“How tragic! Draw lots! I say we make +it numbers from Doro’s cap. Here girls, get +busy and numb.â€</p> + +<p>A page of note paper was quickly numbered +and torn into squares. Then the lot was tossed +into Doro’s cap—it was the deepest for the little +girl did not wear her hair bobbed. When the +cap was filled she was the one chosen to hold +it, and upon the highest chair she presently +stood while the girls jumped for numbers. The +four highest were to constitute the committee +and the lot fell to Betta, Pell, Wyn and Thistle.</p> + +<p>It was arranged that these four should go +in the morning to call upon Mrs. Jerry Manton, +their good friend and erstwhile preceptor in +woodlore, and it was fully expected that the +young visitor would then naturally be introduced.</p> + +<p>And this was the very day that Nora donned +her new service suit.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink09'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER IX—A MISADVENTURE</a></h2> + +<p>The idea of meeting a prince (the girls +easily believed the pretty boy in +the velvet suit was at least a near-prince) +brought to the Chickadees a delicious +thrill.</p> + +<p>“You know,†reasoned Thistle next morning, +“the Manton’s are government people, and +there are lots of foreign nobles down at Washington.â€</p> + +<p>“That’s so,†agreed Doro. “He might have +come up to the woods for his health.â€</p> + +<p>The tent was quickly made ready for inspection +and when the woodcraft class was dismissed, +the girls were free to make the all-important +call.</p> + +<p>It was but a short distance from Camp Chickadee +to the Nest, and the four girls, constituting +the committee, covered the ground speedily.</p> + +<p>Vita answered the knock and told Pell, who +was spokeswoman, that: “Mrs. Manton no +come back yet.â€</p> + +<p>Nora not only heard the voices but she had +seen the girls coming, and feeling that she, as a +member of the family, should “do the honors,†+she summoned courage to greet the callers.</p> + +<p>“Cousin Teddie will not be back before lunch +time,†said Nora sweetly. “Won’t you come +in and wait?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, thank you,†faltered Thistle, observing +one truant curl that had escaped the +confines of Nora’s field hat. “We may come +over later in the afternoon—after drill,†finished +the Scout.</p> + +<p>Pell was more composed. “Are you visiting +Rocky Ledge?†she asked cordially.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes. I expect to stay quite a while,†+replied Nora. She liked the roguish smile Pell +bestowed upon her—it was, somehow, a little +like Barbara.</p> + +<p>“Then perhaps you would like to visit camp,†+pressed Thistle. “We love callers, don’t we, +girls?â€</p> + +<p>This provided an opportunity for general +conversation, and presently, no one knew just +how it happened, but the Scouts and Nora the +rebel, were having a perfectly splendid time on +the side porch, talking about the things girls +love to discuss, but which always appear to the +onlooker or listener as a series of giggles and +gasps.</p> + +<p>Nora was so glad she wore the khaki suit. +All her old love of finery was, for the time, lost +in the joy of feeling “in place†instead of “out +of place.†And the girls at close range did +look very well in their uniforms. Betta and +Thistle especially were just like models—Nora +remembered that wonderful Girl Scout poster, +and her former dislike for the uniform now +threatened to turn to keen admiration. Just so +long as anything “made a picture†the artistic +little soul was sure to be satisfied. Changing an +opinion was as simple a task for Nora as changing +a hair ribbon, but it had been rather unpleasant +to have the Scouts always held up as +paragons.</p> + +<p>Admitting she had not yet visited the Ledge, +Nora was straightway invited to do so, as the +four Scouts expected to meet the other troup +members out gathering sweet fern there.</p> + +<p>“Vita,†she called back to the maid in the +kitchen, “you keep Cap home, I’ll be back in a +little while.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, no,†objected Vita. “Mr. Jerry, he +say you don’t go never without Cap——â€</p> + +<p>“But I am with the girls now,†declared Nora +a little sharply. She was so afraid the others +might guess that it was she who wore the velvets! +Looking very closely at each, however, +she had not recognized the one who accosted +her on the fatal dress-parade day. Alma was +not in the party this time, so of course, Nora +was correct in her opinion.</p> + +<p>“Doesn’t Mr. Manton like to have you go +out alone?†asked Thistle, innocently.</p> + +<p>“Well, you see,†stumbled Nora, “I am not +very well acquainted yet.â€</p> + +<p>“Was there a little boy visiting the Mantons +the other day?†ventured Betta. She was +almost consumed with curiosity, and as they +turned their backs on the cottage the chance +for unravelling the prince mystery seemed lost +to them.</p> + +<p>“A boy? No,†replied Nora. “I am the +only one who has been here.†A flame of color +swept her face and although she stooped to +pick up an acorn at the moment, at least two +of the Scouts noticed the flush.</p> + +<p>“Light curls,†whispered Wyn. “She has +very pretty ringlets——â€</p> + +<p>“Lots of girls have, of course,†scoffed Betta. +“You surely don’t think she’s twins?â€</p> + +<p>“No,†faltered the other, never dreaming +how much closer than twins Nora was to the +little prince.</p> + +<p>But Wyn was not easily satisfied. What was +the sense of being appointed a committee to +investigate and not do it? She picked a wonderful +spray of pink clover before she asked +Nora again:</p> + +<p>“Do you ever see a little boy, a very fancy +dressed boy, around the cottage? One of our +girls dreamed she saw one and we have been +trying to persuade her she had a vision.â€</p> + +<p>A sigh of relief escaped Nora’s lips. It +should be easy to laugh the story over, since +only one girl had seen her and that one had +but a glimpse of her. She felt she would die +of embarrassment now, if ever she were really +found out. And only a few days ago it had +seemed so trifling a thing! As she was about +to reply to Wyn her hat fell off and down tumbled +the curls.</p> + +<p>“What wonderful curls,†exclaimed Wyn +innocently. “Why do you hide them under a +hat?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, I don’t,†replied Nora bravely, shaking +out the golden cloud that tossed about her ears. +“But when we go into brambles it is more comfortable +to have one’s head tidy,†she finished.</p> + +<p>“Say, Wyn,†charged Thistle, “do you suppose +Nora has no other interest than in your +visionary prince and yellow curls? Please +allow her to listen to some of my woodland +lore.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes,†mocked Betta. “Tell her all +about your little fish in the brook that wouldn’t +go near Treble’s hook.â€</p> + +<p>A scamper brookward responded to this +sally.</p> + +<p>“Oh, there’s Jimmie,†cried Thistle. “Hey +Jimsby!†she hailed to a small boy in a big +boat. “Wait for us. We are going up to the +Ledge. Give us a row?â€</p> + +<p>Everyone, including Nora, ran towards the +edge of the stream that rippled through willows. +Jimmie with his boat was rare good +fortune to come upon, and the Scouts were instantly +eager to procure seats in the big, old +skiff.</p> + +<p>Nora’s timidity forced her to hold back, but +she was too self-conscious to admit it.</p> + +<p>“Come on, little Nora,†called out Thistle +good naturedly. “I have a place for you right +alongside of me.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh yes. Thistles never sink, you know,†+added Wyn.</p> + +<p>Nora’s heart heat fast. Could she say she +would so much rather walk to the Ledge?</p> + +<p>“Hurry up, Sister,†sang out Betta. “Thistle +wants to get out of rowing and you are her +excuse.â€</p> + +<p>Taking her fright literally in her hand and +casting it into the brook, Nora stepped into +Jimmie’s boat, smiling as if she were expecting +the best good time of her life. A thought +of her nervous mother barely had time to shape +itself before all were seated, and the freckled +faced Jimmie handed over the oars, without so +much as uttering either a protest or agreeing +to the piracy.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you love a little lake like this?†asked +Betta, noticing how silent was her companion.</p> + +<p>“I have never been on the water,†said Nora +truthfully. “At our school we are not allowed +to take part in any dangerous sports.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh,†exclaimed Thistle. “How you must +miss good times.â€</p> + +<p>“But we have many lovely parties and dances +and all that sort of thing,†explained Nora. +Her voice was entirely friendly and the difference +of opinions by no means clashed.</p> + +<p>It was delightful. The girls sang, whistled, +shouted and coo-heed, as occasion demanded, +the occasion being that of answering bird calls +from shore. Imitating birds was counted as +the latest outdoor sport, and the Chickadees +vied with one another in the accomplishment.</p> + +<p>“She’s leakin’,†said Jimmie without warning +or apology.</p> + +<p>“I should say she is!†cried Wyn, jerking +her feet up from the bottom of the boat. “Jimmie +Jimbsy! Why didn’t you say so?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, you didn’t give me a chance,†replied +the lad frankly.</p> + +<p>“Oh, is it dangerous?†gasped Nora. Her +cheeks went pale instantly.</p> + +<p>“No, just gives us a chance to show who is +the best swimmer. You can swim, of course?†+asked Wyn.</p> + +<p>“No, not a stroke,†replied the frightened +Nora.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you mind Wynnie, Nora,†spoke up +Betta. “There’s no possibility of any one having +to swim. This boat would sail the rapids, +wouldn’t she, Jimmie?â€</p> + +<p>“Here’s another hat,†offered Thistle. “Say, +Jim! At least you ought to bring a tin can,†+she said in her jolliest tone.</p> + +<p>They were actually bailing out. The water +managed to make cold little puddles in the bottom +of the boat, and with the “large party +aboard†as Pell charged Wyn because she happened +to weigh a few more pounds than the +others, the inflow threatened to bear the little +craft down to the water’s edge, uncomfortably +close.</p> + +<p>But the girls were making a lark of it. +Every time a hat emptied a shout went up, and +every time a hat leaked a groan moaned out.</p> + +<p>“All in a life time,†boomed Thistle. “But +don’t any one dare tell that story about the +philosopher and the boatman.â€</p> + +<p>“Never heard it,†responded Betta, lifting +a particularly well filled hat to the boat’s edge.</p> + +<p>Jimmie was now rowing. “Assisting him in +that capacity,†as Pell expressed it, was Wyn.</p> + +<p>“We gotta reach the Ledge,†joked Thistle, +“and I for one hate walking on the water.â€</p> + +<p>“We betta——â€</p> + +<p>“Betta-be-good,†went up the shout as Betta +attempted to preach. She never got farther +than that first mispronounced two syllables +nowadays.</p> + +<p>Nora was now regarding the situation with +more calmness. After the first fright it did not +seem so dangerous, and the skill with which the +jolly Scouts handled the task of bailing, was +fascinating.</p> + +<p>But suddenly something happened; no one +shouted, no one even spoke, but in a twinkling +the entire boatload of girls were scrambling in +the water.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink10'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER X—A NOVEL INITIATION</a></h2> + +<p>“Quick girls! Get Nora!â€</p> + +<p>This was the order given by +Pell, who in emergencies assumed +leadership.</p> + +<p>“Here Nora,†called Betta, “just put your +hand on my shoulder. We can almost walk in. +Don’t be frightened.â€</p> + +<p>But Nora was terribly frightened. That +water! And not being able to swim a stroke!</p> + +<p>“Look!†called out Thistle, who was now +standing in the more shallow water, “it is only +up to my shoulders. Just bring Nora out here +and she can wade in,†announced the Scotch +girl.</p> + +<p>The sight of Thistle actually standing on her +feet brought to Nora the first free breath she +had breathed since that awful thing happened. +Now she had courage to stop choking and do +as she had been told.</p> + +<p>“Why, you swam that time,†puffed Betta to +whom Nora had struggled. Did she really +swim? She felt herself buoyed up for a moment +somehow, in fact she had never gone down.</p> + +<p>Before that supporting move had lost its +endurance her hand was safely on Betta’s +shoulder, and both were moving slowly but +securely towards the bank.</p> + +<p>“That’s it,†Pell encouraged. “No need for +any trouble if you just keep—cool!â€</p> + +<p>“Cool enough,†grumbled Thistle. “I hate +lakes for that,†she continued to call out.</p> + +<p>“How’s that!†asked Betta when she reached +the shallow water from which point all were +wading in.</p> + +<p>“Wonderful!†exclaimed Nora. Her relief +was so great it seemed to her pure joy.</p> + +<p>“Your first?†asked Wyn.</p> + +<p>“First?†repeated Nora.</p> + +<p>“First ducking,†added Wyn. “If so it is +your official initiation. You are now a full +fledged member of the Chickadees.â€</p> + +<p>It was easy for Nora to laugh—she felt she +would never do anything but laugh, it was so +good to be safe within reach of shore once +again.</p> + +<p>Thistle and Wyn threw their wet heads back +and emitted a “coo-hee.†The call was taken +up by the others, and instead of the incident +being of an alarming nature it was thus turned +into a lark.</p> + +<p>“Coo-hee! Coo-hee!†sounded along the +little lake basin, while shouts of laughter and +expressions of opinion about bobbed heads +after an unexpected ducking, were snapped +from Scout to Scout as the party waded in.</p> + +<p>So near the edge they were loath to emerge. +No possibility of getting any wetter or spoiling +anything more generally, but there was a +possibility of more fun.</p> + +<p>“Where’s that Jimbsy boy?†demanded Pell. +“We didn’t leave him to the sharks, did we?â€</p> + +<p>“Look,†replied Thistle, pointing to a little +slash in the lake’s outline. It was a pocket +full of water just about big enough to float the +upturned boat that Jimmie was pushing in +through it.</p> + +<p>“Poor boy! And we never asked him what +he was out after,†reflected Betta. “Maybe +he had an order to bring a boat load of passengers +from the Ledge.â€</p> + +<p>“We’ll take up a collection for him,†proposed +Pell.</p> + +<p>“What’ll we collect?†asked Wyn.</p> + +<p>“Opinions,†replied the first. “They’re +most plentiful.â€</p> + +<p>Nora was out of water and shaking herself +like a poodle. Now that it was all over, the +thrill was unmistakable.</p> + +<p>“Look who’s coming!†called out one of the +girls, and turning around Nora glimpsed Ted +coming down the narrow path.</p> + +<p>“Quick, Nora, hide!†exclaimed Wyn. +“Then spring out and surprise her.â€</p> + +<p>Obeying, Nora jumped behind a big bush.</p> + +<p>Even in the excitement she realized what +companionship meant. It was so much more +fun than playing at foolish dressing up and +imagination games. Could she have but understood +more clearly she would have recognized +in that situation the theory of having girls “do†+to learn, and that active sport of the young is +one of the standards of Scout teaching.</p> + +<p>She listened as the girls greeted Mrs. Manton. +No gasps of alarm nor expressions of fear were +exchanged, for Cousin Ted was of the Scout +calibre herself.</p> + +<p>“Better hang on the hickory limbs and dry, +before your leader sees you,†she cautioned. +“Those uniforms won’t be fit for parade.â€</p> + +<p>“And mine was all beautifully pressed,†+whimpered Pell.</p> + +<p>“So were all our suits, Mrs. Manton,†asserted +Thistle, “because we were calling on +you first.â€</p> + +<p>“Really! Did you see my little girl?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes,†drawled Betta.</p> + +<p>“I so want her to grow into scouting,†continued +Mrs. Manton, and at that Nora felt she +could make her presence known. But a quick +snap of a stick from Betta, as she swished it +back of Nora’s bush, kept her from stepping +out.</p> + +<p>“Does she like the water?†asked Wyn, with +a suppressed giggle.</p> + +<p>“I am afraid she has had little chance to get +acquainted with it,†replied Ted. “Nora has +been developed at one angle. This sort of experience +would probably give her nervous +prostration.â€</p> + +<p>That was the cue. Nora jumped out!</p> + +<p>“Child!â€</p> + +<p>“The very same!†pronounced Thistle +grandly, waving a dripping arm.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Manton was too surprised to do more +than look at Nora. Her brown eyes were +twinkling and her mouth twitching in a broad +grin. Presently she jumped past Betta and +threw her arms around Nora.</p> + +<p>“You darling baby!†she exclaimed, all unmindful +of the water she was blotting up from +Nora’s new suit. “How ever did you—come +here and get—like—this?â€</p> + +<p>“Chick-chick-chick-Chickadees!†sang out a +chorus. “Cluck! Cluck! Cluck!â€</p> + +<p>If one could look pretty after a ducking in a +strange lake, Nora did. Her curls liked nothing +better, and her cheeks pinked up prettily, +while her eyes—they were as blue as the violets +that listened in the underbrush.</p> + +<p>“You don’t mind her initiation, do you, Mrs. +Manton?†asked Wyn.</p> + +<p>“Why no. In fact, I’m delighted,†replied +the young woman. “But why the secret? I +have been left out in the cold,†she said, +genially.</p> + +<p>“Only candidates are informed,†said Wyn, +keeping up the joke.</p> + +<p>“Was that really it? Was this a private +initiation, and am I intruding?â€</p> + +<p>“All over,†sang out Betta. “The bars are +down and the guests welcome.â€</p> + +<p>“Betta be goin’ up the hill a bit,†suggested +Thistle. “This is no place for dripping +chicks.â€</p> + +<p>“The sun <i>would</i> be helpful,†agreed Pell. +“I don’t mind the water when it’s fresh, but I +hate to get mildewed.â€</p> + +<p>“Hey!†came a call from somewhere. +“Wanta get in again?â€</p> + +<p>“We certainly do not,†yelled back Wyn. +“Jimbsy James, you’re a fraud. What ails +your yacht, anyway?â€</p> + +<p>“All right, then,†called back Jimmie good +naturedly. “I’ll be goin’. So long!â€</p> + +<p>“So long yourself,†called back Wyn, “and +send your bill to headquarters.â€</p> + +<p>“Were you—in his boat?†asked Ted, a light +beginning to break through the girls’ perpetual +nonsense.</p> + +<p>“We were, momentarily,†replied Betta. +“But we needed exercise so we decided to +walk,†she finished. Nora saw how friendly +the girls all were with Ted, and felt a pang, +not of jealousy, but of regret. Why had she +never known such companionship?</p> + +<p>“I must go back to my trees,†said Mrs. +Manton, when the girls had found a clear +path of sunshine. “I have some important +marking to do. Nora, you follow directions +and you need not fear earth, sky or water. +These little Scouts are impervious to all +catastrophes.â€</p> + +<p>And Nora had almost expected to be sent +home for a rub down, a hot drink and all the +other coddling!</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’m all right,†she hurried to reply. +“I’ll be home——â€</p> + +<p>“When the ceremonies are over,†interrupted +Thistle. “We are due at the Ledge long ago, +and if we don’t soon make it I am afraid we will +all be kept in tonight.â€</p> + +<p>“In those wet things?†protested Wyn. +“Not for me. I’m going back to camp and +change. Come along Nora. We have an extra +outfit in our box and we’ll lend it to you. +Thistle is a regular fish, she is never happy +when dry skinned.â€</p> + +<p>Mrs. Manton had disappeared in the winding +path and Nora was secretly glad of Wyn’s invitation. +She could not as yet actually enjoy +wet clothes. The girls had managed to save +their hats and caps, but even these still dripped +and could not be comfortably worn to keep off +the strong sun’s rays that beat down in the +clear spots along the lake’s edge.</p> + +<p>“We’ll have some trouble explaining to the +general,†remarked Thistle as they started +back to camp. “And this was the day we were +to finish our collection.â€</p> + +<p>“But look, what we did collect,†answered +Wyn under her breath, referring to Nora. +“Did you ever see anyone so pleased as our +friend?â€</p> + +<p>“She looked happy,†assented Thistle. “But +say, Scoutie; whatever are we going to tell the +girls about the prince?â€</p> + +<p>“Let’s say we drowned him,†suggested +Wyn, foolishly. “That will give Alma a lovely +murder mystery to work upon.â€</p> + +<p>Nora overheard the word “prince†and surmised +correctly it was meant for her Fauntleroy. +She longed to turn back to the Nest rather +than meet the other girl who might recognize +her.</p> + +<p>“It’s so near lunch time——†she began.</p> + +<p>“Oh, no girlie,†protested Betta. “You are +the only specimen we have collected today, and +if you don’t come back with us we will all get +dreadful marks. Come along. Be a sport and +help us out.â€</p> + +<p>“Yes, we will be considered life savers, perhaps,†+added Thistle. “Of course, we won’t +say we did anything noble——â€</p> + +<p>“Nor say we didn’t,†drawled Wyn.</p> + +<p>Thus urged, Nora had no choice, so she set +off with her new companions towards Chickadee +Camp.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink11'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER XI—TOO MUCH TEASING</a></h2> + +<p>Swept off her foolish feet of fancy and +landed safely on the more practical +ground of girls’ life, Nora presently +found herself in the canvas tent, actually donning +a Scout uniform.</p> + +<p>No ivory dressing comb nor shell-back mirror, +instead a wooden box for a dressing table, +and a bowl of cool, clear water fresh from the +velvet-rimmed pool, and a glass—the piece that +fell from a wagon and was splintered up so +no one would touch its “bad luck,†so Pell rescued +it and painted a four-leaf clover on its +jagged edge! That was a Scout mirror.</p> + +<p>It was a revelation to the pampered child. +And like so many others who are blamed for +their circumstances, Nora was fascinated with +the glimpse given of a real world. Here girls +lived as human beings privileged to invent +their own tools which would be used in modelling +the skilled game of a happy life.</p> + +<p>“Of course,†explained Pell, “we go through +quite some formality before we really become +Scouts, but necessity knows no law, and this is +necessity.â€</p> + +<p>“It’s just wonderful,†admitted the stranger, +all the while fighting down a sense of guilt that +she should ever have disliked the Scouts and +their standards.</p> + +<p>“Now we want you to meet Alma,†announced +Wyn. “She’s one of our little Tenderfoots, +and so romantic? She will be sure to want +to adopt you, for just wait until you see if Betta +doesn’t say we found you in the lake!†she +predicted.</p> + +<p>Alma came from the leader’s tent. She had +been studying—those tests were soon to be held.</p> + +<p>“Just see our little pond-lily,†began Thistle, +while Nora, now somewhat accustomed to the +girls’ jokes, managed not to blush too furiously.</p> + +<p>“Oh!†began Alma, then she stopped.</p> + +<p>Nora felt in that moment she was discovered +and that the prince would soon cease to be a +mystery.</p> + +<p>“Well, Alma, this is Nora—Nora——â€</p> + +<p>“Blair,†added Nora, realizing her full name +had not been given the girls before.</p> + +<p>“Oh, how do you do?†faltered Alma. “I +thought at first I had met you before.â€</p> + +<p>“No. Nora is the visitor at the Mantons,†+explained Wyn, “and we all had a ducking—we +initiated Nora and had a lovely time. You +missed it, Al.â€</p> + +<p>“Sorry,†said Alma, still eyeing Nora.</p> + +<p>“But we spoiled our uniforms,†rattled on +Wyn. “That wretch, Jimmie Freckles, dumped +us right out into the lake.â€</p> + +<p>“And I was brought back to your camp to be +redressed,†Nora managed to say. She felt if +she did not say something the girl with the +lovely, glossy, brown hair, who was staring at +her, would penetrate her secret.</p> + +<p>“Alma has visions,†went on Wyn. “She +saw a real prince in your woods one day; didn’t +you, Alma?â€</p> + +<p>“I saw a little boy in a velvet suit——â€</p> + +<p>“And he had curls.â€</p> + +<p>“And he had dimples.â€</p> + +<p>“And he had lovely gold buckles on his slippers.â€</p> + +<p>“And he had——â€</p> + +<p>But Alma turned on her heel and left the girls +to finish their description without her aid.</p> + +<p>Nora was greatly relieved when she left.</p> + +<p>“Honestly,†explained Thistle, “Alma insists +she did see a little boy in your woods. Did +you ever come across such a child?â€</p> + +<p>“Never,†replied Nora, then, “I really must +hurry home, I am afraid I am late for lunch +now.â€</p> + +<p>“Won’t you stay? We are to have——â€</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Pell, but Cousin Ted and Cousin +Jerry will be so anxious to hear all the +news——â€</p> + +<p>“But you must keep secrets—make secrets if +you haven’t any to keep,†advised Betta, who +had taken a fancy to Nora. In fact all the girls +showed unusual interest in the little visitor.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I know how to do that,†Nora replied +truthfully.</p> + +<p>Then, with many invitations and a number of +suggestions as to spending some days and even +a few evenings, Nora finally managed to race +off toward the Nest, after Betta walked with +her out of the camp grounds and watched while +she hurried down the road. It was a very short +distance to Wildwoods, and before Betta turned +back to Camp Chickadee she had seen faithful +Cap run out to meet Nora.</p> + +<p>“Now, are you satisfied, Alma?†asked Wyn. +“You would insist the visitor was a boy.â€</p> + +<p>“It may be her brother,†replied the brown-haired +one, “but honestly, girls, and no joking, +he had curls just like hers,†said Alma.</p> + +<p>“But isn’t she sweet?†asked Wyn.</p> + +<p>“Princes aside, I like her most as well as +Alma’s vision,†declared Thistle. “And did +you notice how matter-of-fact she donned Bluebird’s +outfit? What are we going to say to +her if she happens back tonight?â€</p> + +<p>“Gone to the tailor’s to be pressed,†suggested +Pell, glibly. “There come the others. +Now for a lecture.â€</p> + +<p>But instead, Miss Beckwith, the leader, came +up smiling. “We heard all about it, girls,†she +began. “Met that precious James Jimmie +Jimsby of yours, and he said it was in no way +your fault.â€</p> + +<p>“Bless the boy!†murmured Pell. “We shall +certainly have to adopt the list of Jays. First +we capsize his boat and then he pleads for us. +Now isn’t that gallant?â€</p> + +<p>“But Becky,†began Thistle, sidling up to +the popular leader, “we have had such a wonderful +experience. We have converted a real +rebel.â€</p> + +<p>“Rebel!†exclaimed Wyn. “How do you +know Nora was anything like that?â€</p> + +<p>“Well, Mrs. Ted Manton said as much, didn’t +she?â€</p> + +<p>“She didn’t,†replied Pell crisply. “She +merely said that Nora had very little experience +in girls’ sports.â€</p> + +<p>“I know,†interrupted the leader. “Mrs. +Manton has mentioned her to me, and I am +very glad you have succeeded in interesting her. +I fancy she is a very capable child, with too +much time on her hands.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh,†sighed Betta. “If we had only known +it we could have borrowed some. What ever +shall we do to get in a day’s work now?â€</p> + +<p>“Lunch first and then do double quick duty,†+suggested the young leader. “It has been +rather a lost day, counting by the usual results, +but then, we have to figure in the new friend.â€</p> + +<p>“You’re a love, Becky,†declared Treble. “I +am sure you are going to help me with my +basket. It has to be done tomorrow, if I am +to get full credit for it.â€</p> + +<p>“Where’s Alma?†asked Miss Beckwith, suddenly.</p> + +<p>“Pouting,†replied Wyn. “You are not to +know it, of course, but Alma’s in love!â€</p> + +<p>A shout corroborated the statement. “She +may be hanging up wet clothes,†suggested Pell. +“When they’re in love they do foolish things +like that, I’ve heard tell.â€</p> + +<p>“Girls! Didn’t you hang up your wet things +yet?†Miss Beckwith asked in real surprise.</p> + +<p>A rush to the back of the tent, where the garments +had been hastily heaped, gave response. +Presently there was a contest being held to see +who could hang up the most material in the +smallest space and with the fewest clothes pins; +at least that appeared to be the attempt the +happy four were making; but when the lunch +bell sounded, each and all were ready for the +fresh corn, new potatoes, string beans and macaroni—a +menu especially designed for culprits +who fall in lakes and forget to hang up their +uniforms to dry.</p> + +<p>Everyone talked of the little stranger, and +also everyone praised her beauty. She was so +cute, so sweet, so adorable, and Pell even went +so far as to whisper to Thistle that she was +“peachy,†although all slang was taboo at the +table.</p> + +<p>“And Alma,†confided Wyn, “we were so +sorry not to be able to locate your prince——â€</p> + +<p>“Girls,†Alma exclaimed. “If you say prince +to me again I’ll scream.â€</p> + +<p>“You did this time,†said Betta, “and we +don’t mind it at all. You scream really prettily.â€</p> + +<p>“Hush,†spoke Doro. She was down at the +far end of the table and had not been with the +girls on their eventful trip. “I think we have +teased enough, really. Let the poor little prince +rest.â€</p> + +<p>“Good idea,†chimed another who also had +missed the expedition. “We have a new plan +to propose, and with all that prince stuff we +can’t get your attention. Becky is going to take +us to the Glen tomorrow morning, and we want +volunteers to make up the lunch baskets.â€</p> + +<p>“Call that a new plan?†mocked Wyn. +“Why, that’s as old as the Scouts. First thing +I ever did was to volunteer to make up a basket +for my big sister, and she picked it up and +walked off with it.â€</p> + +<p>“Didn’t even thank you?†asked Miss Beckwith, +who always took part in the girls’ fun.</p> + +<p>“Well, she may have,†replied Wyn, “but +that didn’t impress me. It was those sandwiches +and those cakes——â€</p> + +<p>“You didn’t make those, Wynnie?†demanded +Treble. “If you did we won’t ask for +volunteers. We’ll wish the job on you.â€</p> + +<p>Alma was quiet during all the merry +chatting, but Thistle, who could not resist one more +thrust, said next:</p> + +<p>“Thinking of him, dearie?†she asked. “And +his little velvet coat——â€</p> + +<p>But the joke had a most astonishing effect. +Alma sniffed, breathed in quick little gasps, and +the next moment asked to be excused from the +table.</p> + +<p>“She’s crying!†declared Betta.</p> + +<p>“Horrid girls!†murmured Doro. “I told +you she had had enough of princes.â€</p> + +<p>“But to cry! Alma isn’t like that,†said Wyn +in real surprise.</p> + +<p>Miss Beckwith, who had reached the end of +her lunch and was waiting for the others to +finish, slipped away after Alma.</p> + +<p>This left the girls to wonder, and they did +that in all the ways known to girlhood.</p> + +<p>Then it was definitely decided the first girl +who mentioned the word prince should be made +to pay a heavy fine.</p> + +<p>All felt truly sorry for little Alma, but it was +the wise and understanding Janet Beckwith +who gathered the sobbing girl into her arms +and soothed the sighs, tears, and protestations.</p> + +<p>“Just teasing, dear,†she insisted. “You +must not mind their nonsense. They, every one, +love you dearly.â€</p> + +<p>“But I did see a real prince, Becky. And—and +they won’t believe me,†sobbed out Alma.</p> + +<p>Miss Beckwith wondered. “A real prince?†+she repeated.</p> + +<p>“Yes. I was near enough to see all his +pretty—things,†Alma paused in her sobbing +to relate. “He had all velvet clothes, and such +a pretty black cap. Oh Becky!†she sobbed +afresh, “can you ever imagine what it is to +have the—girls—all making fun of you?â€</p> + +<p>“Now, Alma dear,†again soothed the leader, +“I am really surprised that you should take this +so seriously. You know the girls are not +making fun of you——â€</p> + +<p>“They—said I had—a vision,†she sobbed as +heavily as ever. “And I am determined to +find out who that was—and prove it to them.â€</p> + +<p>Miss Beckwith was sorely puzzled. Naturally +she supposed the girl was romancing. But +why should she take it so seriously?</p> + +<p>“Come, now, dear,†she urged. “We have +talked it all out and the only thing that worries +you is that the girls do not believe you, +isn’t it?</p> + +<p>“Yes, that’s the worst of it.â€</p> + +<p>“Then, let’s sleep over it and see what the +morrow will bring in the way—of light.†+Becky scarcely knew just what to propose so +she threw the responsibility on the “morrow.â€</p> + +<p>Alma was over her “spell†presently. But +the prince had, by no means, lost his real personal +identity to the sensitive little Scout.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink12'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER XII—A DIVERSION NOBLY EARNED</a></h2> + +<p>Ted’s pleasure, shown when Nora’s transformation +was revealed to her in a +dripping little “pond lily†on the edge +of Mirror Lake, was not to be compared with +Jerry’s joys when he first beheld his Bobbs in +the Girl Scout uniform. They were waiting for +Nora when she returned at lunch time.</p> + +<p>“Pretty kipper, nifty, all right and no kiddin’.†+These were some of the exclamations +he gave vent to.</p> + +<p>“But I thought you didn’t like little girls in +anything but skirts,†Ted reminded him.</p> + +<p>“I didn’t but I do,†he replied Jerry-like. +“Now what do you say Bobbie, to a try at horse +back ridin’?†He always dropped his g’s when +perfectly happy.</p> + +<p>“I’d like to try it,†admitted Nora proudly. +She might not have realized it but the trim little +service costume had already emancipated her. +She was no longer the creature of catalogued +toilet accessories, “send no money†and “we +guarantee money’s worth or money back,†etc. +The new Nora was like a butterfly leaving its +cocoon—although the drying process had been +facilitated by the loan of a new blouse and +bloomers from the Chickadees’ wardrobe.</p> + +<p>Vita came out to announce lunch and she +stood dumbfounded. Vita was not Americanized +to the point of diplomacy.</p> + +<p>“You lose your good clothes? Those t’ings +not yours?†she asked blandly.</p> + +<p>“I have one like this,†replied Nora. She +did know how to respond to interference, and +had not yet quite forgiven Vita for the attic +episode.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you like it, Vita?†asked Jerry, his +brown eyes twinkling. “We were thinking of +getting you one like it—for your tramps +through the woods, you know.â€</p> + +<p>The Italian woman scowled. She lacked a +sense of humor as well as some other details of +Americanization.</p> + +<p>“Don’t tease her, Jerry,†Ted ordered. “He +is only fooling, Vita,†she assured the perplexed +maid, while visions of the fat woman in a jaunty +little Scout uniform filtered through the brains +of both Ted and Nora.</p> + +<p>During lunch time conversation ran to the +important occurrence of the morning, but Ted +did not know all about the ducking in the Lake, +and since Betta had cautioned Nora to keep +secrets and if necessary to make them, it seemed +unwise to tell every single detail: thus Nora +reasoned. So it happened neither Ted nor +Jerry knew whether the first swim was intentional +or accidental, and both respected the +“secrets of the order,†as Jerry put it.</p> + +<p>“The girls are coming over this afternoon +with a manual,†the candidate said as tea was +finished, “and then I’ll have to do some studying.â€</p> + +<p>“I see where Cap and I will have to paddle +our own canoe hereafter,†lamented Jerry. +“That’s just the way with you girls. I get you +all broke in and you race off and join up with +the Indians. Well,†he sighed deeply, “I suppose +Ted and I and Cap will have to go on our +picnics alone, in spite of all our plans.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, Cousin Jerry! Did you have a picnic +planned!†eagerly asked Nora, leaving her +place at the table to join Jerry on the big +couch.</p> + +<p>“I did but I haven’t,†he replied, with pretended +disappointment. “What good are picnics +for Girl Scouts? They want big game with +real guns and elephant meat for supper,†he +finished pompously.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Cousin Jerry!†pouted Nora. “If you +really had a picnic planned couldn’t we have it, +and couldn’t I invite my Scout friends?â€</p> + +<p>“’Course you could, Kitten,†Jerry gave in. +“I’ll fix up the finest little picnic those Scouts +ever heard tell of. Just you wait and see.â€</p> + +<p>“But we are going to celebrate privately this +evening, Nora,†Ted added. “How would you +like to go to a picture play?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’d love it, of course. I do so love +motion pictures, and the Misses Baily are so +fussy about letting any of us go.â€</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet,†agreed Jerry. “Want you to see +Mother Goose and Little Jack Horner——â€</p> + +<p>“Both of which are each,†interrupted Ted. +“Guess you had better read up your nursery +rhymes, Jerry.â€</p> + +<p>“Well, I didn’t take your college course, Theodora, +but I went to Sunday School a lot—had +to,†he admitted, shamelessly.</p> + +<p>“Then, it’s all settled for this evening,†continued +Ted, quite as if there had been no break +in the conversation. “We will ride into Lenox +and see the ‘movies.’ I know it’s a good picture +this week and it isn’t Mother Goose +either.â€</p> + +<p>“Glad of that. I hate the old lady myself,†+scoffed Jerry. “This afternoon I must go out +to moorlands, Ted,†he said next, seriously. +“Suppose you and Nora take the day off and +loaf? You did a lot of hard work this morning——â€</p> + +<p>“But I want to finish pegging off the west +end,†Ted interrupted.</p> + +<p>“Oh, could I help you, Cousin Ted?†begged +Nora. “I would just love to do some real surveying.â€</p> + +<p>“And I would love to have you, certainly. +We will rest for one full hour, then I’ll let you +carry the chains and drops, and off we go to +the West End. How’s that?â€</p> + +<p>“Lovely. Will Cap come?â€</p> + +<p>“Sartin sure,†declared Jerry. “I never let +the youngsters go out on location without the +big dog, do I Cap?â€</p> + +<p>Cap brushed his plumy tail against Jerry’s +elbow and made eyes at his master, agreeing +with everything he said, as usual.</p> + +<p>Later, when the hour’s rest had been taken, +Nora and Cousin Ted made their way to the +grounds that were to be surveyed. Nora carried +the “chain†which she wanted to call a +tape line until Ted explained that carpenters +had tape lines and surveyors used “chains,†+and the term really meant an exact land measurement. +The heavy instruments were already +in position, and when the work of measuring +the land with her eye, as Nora declared the +process to be, was actually begun, the apprentice +was quite fascinated.</p> + +<p>“Now, show me the cobweb,†she insisted as +Ted adjusted the delicate eye piece.</p> + +<p>“There. Do you see that mark outside the +little drop of alcohol?†asked Ted.</p> + +<p>“The very small line like that on Miss Baily’s +thermometer?â€</p> + +<p>“Yes, the line that frames the drop,†explained +Ted, “that’s the finest substance we +can get, and it’s cobweb.â€</p> + +<p>Nora peered through the telescope. She was +seeing a drop of alcohol shift from level to level +as Ted moved the transit, but she was thinking +of the night she discovered the cobwebs in the +attic. Somehow attic fancies clung to her, tenaciously, +and had she been at all superstitious +she surely would have called the attic unlucky. +Just see the trouble that Fauntleroy acting got +her into.</p> + +<p>“It wouldn’t take many webs to make such +tiny marks,†she said finally, as Ted moved off +to “spot a tree.†“I guess I won’t have to +gather many for Cousin Jerry for that little +marking.â€</p> + +<p>Ted had moved off and with her small hatchet +was hacking a piece out of the bark of a tree—spotting +it, as she termed it. Then she returned +to the telescope and sought the level.</p> + +<p>“What’s the little weight on the string?†+Nora next asked.</p> + +<p>“Oh, that’s our plumb-bob,†replied the surveyor. +“Bob shows us just when a line is +straight. Now watch.â€</p> + +<p>Over a peg in the ground Ted swung the +heavy little pendulum, first to right then to the +left, and so on until it fell directly on the mark.</p> + +<p>“Now see, that is plumb,†said Ted.</p> + +<p>Nora gazed intently at the drop. “Everything +has to be just exactly, hasn’t it?†she +queried, wondering why. “First, you strain +your alcohol with cobwebs, then you drop your +bob on the little peg straight as the string——â€</p> + +<p>“That is just where we get the expression +from,†her companion assured her. “Nothing +can be straighter.â€</p> + +<p>“And how do you get the mark on the tree?â€</p> + +<p>“Look through the glass again.â€</p> + +<p>So the first lesson in surveying went on. It +was fascinating to Nora, and when Ted decided +enough land had been “chained off†Nora +wanted to mark a few trees for her own use.</p> + +<p>“Couldn’t I chop a nick in this one? It is so +beautiful, and when we come another day I can +add another nick—just like a calendar.â€</p> + +<p>Mrs. Manton readily agreed, so long as Nora +did not use a mark that might confuse the surveyors; +and so interesting was the work, time +flew and the afternoon was soon waning.</p> + +<p>While in the woods more than once Nora had +reason to be thankful for her practical Scout +uniform, for she climbed trees, sought wild +grapes from high limbs, gathered wild columbine +and enjoyed the wildwoods as only a novice +can. Birds scarcely flew from the path, and she +marvelled they were so tame, but Ted explained +they had no cause for fear, as the woods were +their own and danger would be a new experience +to them.</p> + +<p>When finally Cap came back from his rambles +and it was decided that no more surveying nor +“play-veying†should be indulged in, instruments +were gathered again, and reluctantly +Nora followed Mrs. Manton out into the path, +newly beaten down by those who had been following +spots, bobs, cobwebs, chains, telescopes, +compasses, transits and all the other skilled +implements used.</p> + +<p>“Are you really a surveyor?†she asked Ted, +just wondering what she would call herself in +Barbara’s letter.</p> + +<p>“Yes, that or a civil engineer,†replied Ted. +“That is really what I studied in the famous +college course Jerry is always teasing about.â€</p> + +<p>“It is sort of artist work, isn’t it?â€</p> + +<p>“A wonderful sort. Just see what good times +I have out among birds, flowers, wildwoods, and +the whole clean, untamed world,†said Theodora +Manton. “Some women may like indoors, but +give me the woods and the fields and all of this,†+she finished, sweeping her free brown hand +before her with a gesture that encompassed +glorious creation.</p> + +<p>Nora pondered. How many worlds were +there after all? How different this was from +that which she knew at school? Would she ever +enjoy the other now, after all this? She glanced +at her scratched hands and smiled. What manicuring +would erase those, and yet how precious +they would seem when Cousin Jerry would hear +what she had done to help with his wonderful +surveying?</p> + +<p>“And we must fix up and look pretty for tonight,†+said her companion, as if reading +Nora’s thoughts. “I so seldom want to go out +evenings I really have to think what to wear.â€</p> + +<p>“Do we dress up?†queried Nora.</p> + +<p>“A little, that is we don’t wear these,†indicating +the khaki. “But all the Lenox folks are +professionals in one line or the other, and you +know dear, they always claim a social code of +their own.â€</p> + +<p>Nora was not positive she entirely understood, +but she guessed that professionals, if +they were anything like her Cousin Ted, would +wear just such clothes as they liked best and +felt most comfortable in, and she wondered how +such would look in a theatre.</p> + +<p>“Another rest, then an early dinner and we’ll +be off,†announced Mrs. Manton when they +reached the Nest. “Nora darling, you have +made me very happy today,†the brown eyes +embraced Nora while the hands were still burdened +with instruments. “I will write at once +to your mother and ask her——â€</p> + +<p>But a shout of Jerry’s interrupted the most +interesting clause.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink13'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER XIII—CRAWLING IN THE SHADOWS</a></h2> + +<p>“You jump in the car and wait a few +minutes,†said Ted to Nora.</p> + +<p>It was almost dusk and the moving +picture party was about to set out for Lenox +in the trim little car which, Ted insisted, was +tamed, educated and “fed from her hand†when +it went out of gas.</p> + +<p>Nora willingly complied with the order to +take her seat and wait. Dark shadows fell from +the trees to the narrow roadway, and while +alone there Nora was just wondering if everything +was going to happen in one single day.</p> + +<p>Cousins Jerry and Ted had many things to +look after before setting out, for while Vita was +a capable houseworker, she knew nothing of +home management. Some minutes passed and +the others had not yet come to the car where +Nora sat so quietly that the squirrels had no +idea a single human being was in the black car. +One gay little furred skipper had the audacity +to hop on the running board, but Nora from the +depths of her cushions, never stirred.</p> + +<p>A rustling of the leaves, much heavier than +the tread of squirrels could possibly have been, +gave her a start. She just peeked out in time to +see something crawl across the road and continue +on toward the path to the cottage.</p> + +<p>“Oh, what was that!†Nora barely whispered. +Then she raised her head and gazed +intently at the crawling thing, that now was +not more than an outline in the coming darkness.</p> + +<p>For the moment she was too surprised to +jump out and follow. Could it be a bear or some +big animal? Certainly it was no small woodland +creature, and as it passed the car she could +hear queer, jerky breathing.</p> + +<p>Being so near the house there was no need +for alarm as to her personal safety, so she did +jump out now and ran to meet Ted and Jerry +who were just turning in from the barn drive.</p> + +<p>“Oh,†Nora exclaimed breathlessly. “Did +you see—anything?â€</p> + +<p>“Anything?†repeated Jerry.</p> + +<p>“I mean did you see—anything queer?â€</p> + +<p>“Why no,†replied Ted. “But Nora, you look +as if you had.â€</p> + +<p>“I did, really. Something stole out of the +bushes and crept across the path, toward the +kitchen.†Nora was still short of breath from +her fright.</p> + +<p>“Now Bobbs! You don’t mean to say that +some wild, roaring lion——â€</p> + +<p>But Nora interrupted Jerry. “Honestly +Cousin Jerry,†she declared, “I did see something, +and we can’t go out and leave Vita alone +until we find out what it was.â€</p> + +<p>“Bravo! Spoken like a Scout!†sang out the +irrepressible Jerry. “Now let’s all have a +look.â€</p> + +<p>“Over there,†directed Nora, and while +neither Mr. nor Mrs. Manton appeared to take +the matter seriously, they did, never-the-less, +follow Nora’s directions and quietly prowl +along the path.</p> + +<p>“There,†exclaimed Nora. “I saw it again!â€</p> + +<p>“I thought I saw something scamper off myself,†+admitted Ted. “What do you suppose it +can be?†She stepped out squarely in the +driveway and stood watching.</p> + +<p>“Give me a look and I’ll announce,†said +Jerry, his cap in one hand and a great stick, +more like a tree limb he had hastily snatched +up, in the other. He was going to have some +fun out of it, at any rate. He never could miss +a chance like this.</p> + +<p>Thrashing down the bushes from the drive +to the garden path took but a few moments, then +they were within sight of the door.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?†called out Vita. “You +find big snake?â€</p> + +<p>“No, we’re looking for it,†answered Jerry. +“Did he come your way?â€</p> + +<p>“I no see, not any,†said Vita fully. She +never depended upon the scant Englishothers +were apt to employ. While speaking she kept +moving from one spot on the path to another, +and her actions seemed so absurd Ted questioned +the maid again.</p> + +<p>“Now Vita, you know perfectly well you have +seen something,†she insisted. “And we are +not going away until we find out what is around +here. Just look at Cap sniffing! He knows,†+continued Mrs. Manton, moving up nearer to +Vita and closer to the house.</p> + +<p>“Nothing a-tall. Everything all right—good,†+persisted Vita backing to the doorway.</p> + +<p>“Say Vi,†called Jerry in his cheeriest voice, +“who’s your friend? Are you trying to hide +him behind your skirts? I told you, Ted, she +should wear a uniform.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, Jerry, do stop your nonsense,†begged +Ted. “We shall be late for the pictures. Just +run in and look around the house. Of course +everything is all right, but we don’t want Nora +worrying while we’re away and Vita’s alone.â€</p> + +<p>Nora had been looking sharply from one dark +spot to another but no further disturbance +appeared.</p> + +<p>“Nothing could get into the house with Vita +right at the door,†she reasoned aloud. “I suppose +it was just something from the woods. +Maybe one of those ’possums you told me about, +Cousin Jerry.â€</p> + +<p>“Maybe, and again maybe not,†he answered. +“But just wait until I shake this stick over the +premises. Vita will feel a lot safer when I wave +the wand of warning over the place,†and he +entered the house with Vita so close to his heels +that both Nora and Mrs. Manton looked surprised.</p> + +<p>“Queer, how she acts,†admitted Mrs. Manton. +“I just wonder—— But of course she is +only hurrying to get us off. She knows we will +miss the first show if we do not get away at +once.â€</p> + +<p>Jerry was soon out, stick in hand, and a broad +grin on his handsome face.</p> + +<p>“Nary a thing,†he announced. “Nora, I am +afraid your scouting has gone to your head. +That, or you are seeing things.â€</p> + +<p>Before Nora might have replied Ted insisted +they hurry off or give up the trip to Lenox, +entirely.</p> + +<p>“I’m ready,†Nora said, instead of commenting +on the moving shadow. “I shouldn’t like +to miss that picture.â€</p> + +<p>“All aboard!†sang out Jerry, and when the +little car shot out of the woods into the splendid +turnpike—the pride of all motorists for many +miles around—Vita might have entertained her +mysterious visitor (if she really had one) to +her heart’s content, for all of the party bound +cityward.</p> + +<p>Since her arrival at Woodlands Nora had +little chance for auto rides, there were so many +more interesting things to do, so that the short +trip to Lenox now seemed something of a +luxury.</p> + +<p>But the evening’s entertainment was even +more delightful. The attractive little theatre +was so prettily made up with colored paper flowers +over the lights, with breezy electric fans and +such simple contrivances as, in the larger city, +Nora had not seen, it all appeared new, novel +and attractive. It was quaint and cosy, and +such an effect was ever delightful to the fanciful +daughter of a woman who called herself +Nannie instead of mother.</p> + +<p>All about them people greeted the Mantons, +and it was plain they were held in high esteem +by many, farmers as well as more cultured folks, +plain or dressed up—all had a pleasant word or +a cordial greeting for the government surveyor +and his attractive wife.</p> + +<p>Nora wondered if the Girl Scouts ever came +in to see the pictures, but Ted expressed the +opinion that when they did come they came in a +crowd and made a regular party of the occasion.</p> + +<p>“But they have so many pleasures of their +own for evenings,†she told Nora, “I shouldn’t +fancy they would want to come under an +ordinary roof often during the summer +months.â€</p> + +<p>After the big picture with all its wizard +scenes had been enjoyed, they started back +towards Wildwoods. It was then that the fear +of that crawling thing again crowded down on +Nora and caused her to shiver until she actually +shook.</p> + +<p>“Too cool?†inquired Ted, unfolding a soft +knitted scarf from her end of the seat.</p> + +<p>“No, just shivery,†truthfully answered the +imaginative Nora.</p> + +<p>It was very dark along the country road, and +only the flashing lights of passing cars penetrated +the dense blackness of the tree-tunnels +through which the party rode. It may have +been this or it may have been the accumulated +fatigue of her big, full day, but at any rate, +Nora felt very much inclined to huddle up to +Cousin Ted and hide.</p> + +<p>The humming of the motor was like a lullaby, +and the voices of Ted and Jerry mingled so +evenly that presently Nora forgot, then she +forgot to think, and then she stopped thinking.</p> + +<p>She was sound asleep in the cosy comfort of +Theodora Manton’s encircling arm.</p> + +<p>“I’ll lift her,†she heard a voice whisper.</p> + +<p>It had seemed only a minute since she entered +the car and here she was home, at the very door, +with Vita standing there, lantern in hand.</p> + +<p>“Oh, thank you, Cousin Jerry,†spoke up +Nora bravely. “I am wide awake now. How +perfectly silly to fall asleep?â€</p> + +<p>“How perfectly sensible,†he contradicted. +“I wish you had not awakened. I should have +had a great joke to tell your Girl Scouts,†he +teased.</p> + +<p>Nora laughed lightly. She was on the ground +and anxious to get into the cottage. Why she +felt so timid was not clear even to herself, but +somewhere within her dread lurked, and when +Ted proposed lemonade and crackers Nora +excused herself on the grounds of being deliciously +sleepy. For once she accepted Vita’s +offer to light her lights and make the window +right for the night.</p> + +<p>“You go quick asleep?†Vita remarked, turning +down the soft summer covering from the +little bed.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes. I fell asleep in the car,†returned +Nora, yawning.</p> + +<p>“That’s good. Then you hear no storm——â€</p> + +<p>“But there is no sign of a storm, Vita.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, but maybe. Or maybe, yes, some big +birds fly and make screech——â€</p> + +<p>“Vita!†exclaimed Nora sharply. “What +ever are you talking about? Are you trying +to—scare me?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, no. No get scared at—any t’ing.†+mumbled Vita while her own excited manner +seemed real cause for alarm. “I just like to +know when my little girl sleep very good, like +baby.â€</p> + +<p>Truth to tell Nora was too sleepy to argue, +otherwise she might have demanded an explanation. +Vita was plainly excited, and this fact +coupled with that of her strange actions earlier +in the evening was unquestionably enough to +cause suspicion; but rest to a girl afflicted with +“nerves†is a precious thing, and when it came +to Nora she had no idea of risking its loss by +any sort of argument.</p> + +<p>But Vita seemed to want to linger longer. +First she looked at one window, then at another. +She even plumped a cushion—as if that +were necessary to a night’s comfort!</p> + +<p>“Where do you sleep, Vita?†asked Nora, +drowsily.</p> + +<p>“Oh, in a good bed, in the little room by +kitchen,†replied the maid.</p> + +<p>Nora recalled the maid’s room. It was on +the first floor just off the kitchen. So it could +not have been Vita who slept in the attic.</p> + +<p>“Would Vita get you a nice cold glass of +water?†asked the solicitous one, still anxious +to please.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Vita,†a yawn interrupted, “I am so +sleepy——â€</p> + +<p>“Then I go——â€</p> + +<p>“Yes, you go. Good night, Vita,†said Nora +sweetly, “and I hope I sleep as soundly as I +threaten to and as well as you want me to,†+finished Nora. “Isn’t that being a very good +girl?â€</p> + +<p>“Very, very good,†said Vita happily. Then +she went out quietly and left Nora to her +coveted slumber.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink14'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER XIV—CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE</a></h2> + +<p>But being converted to scouting could not +at once cure Nora of her dream habits. +Being so long alone in school, and having +a brain insatiable for creative material, she +usually went to bed to think and she went to +sleep to dream.</p> + +<p>“I never felt so deliciously tired,†she murmured. +“But I do wonder what ailed Vita.â€</p> + +<p>Presently blue eyes cuddled in their white +satin blankets with brown fringe borders (a +way Nora had of describing eye lids and +lashes), and then the panorama began.</p> + +<p>First it was the Scout memory. She, as the +bravest Scout that had ever joined a troup, +dramatically saved someone from drowning. +Next, Nora as the actress in the picture shown +at Lenox, performed the daring feat of swinging +from the great rock with strikingly better +effect than had she whose name graced the program. +The third dream installment had to do +with something very indistinct but horribly terrifying. +It revealed a crawling thing that first +crossed the path, then climbed the morning +glory vine right up to Nora’s window, and now—yes +now—it was choking her!</p> + +<p>Had she screamed?</p> + +<p>She found herself sitting up straight in bed +and she felt as if her very curls had straightened +out in fright.</p> + +<p>There—was a noise! She listened, put her +hand out and switched on the light. It was +nothing in her room, but seemed somewhere—Yes, +there it was again and it surely was up in +the attic!</p> + +<p>Was that someone moaning?</p> + +<p>Dream dizzy still, Nora could form no definite +resolve, either to call or to remain quiet. She +simply lay fascinated with fright. The noise +ceased. Still she lay—listening. Then other +sounds penetrated the night. That was feet—shuffling +of feet and they seemed just above her +head! Quickly Nora reached out again and +touched the button that switched off the light. +She would rather lay hidden deeply in the bed +clothing than be exposed to whatever was +prowling in the attic, should it come down the +stairs.</p> + +<p>Then she thought she heard whispering, but +that might have been her excited imagination. +She drew the covers closer and with her head +buried from sound she could no longer listen, +and not possibly hear.</p> + +<p>But after, what seemed to the frightened +girl, a very long time she ventured to poke her +head out again, just as she heard a stealthful +step on the stairs.</p> + +<p>“Oh!†she gasped aloud. Then “Vita!†she +called faintly.</p> + +<p>“Yes, I come. Sh-s-!â€</p> + +<p>Nora had not expected to hear that voice. +She merely called Vita because she did not +want to call Cousin Ted, and she felt the intruder +was dangerously near. But there was +Vita!</p> + +<p>“What is it? You have bad dream?†asked +the maid in a whisper, standing now beside the +bed.</p> + +<p>“No, it was no dream.†Nora’s voice was +not very low, in fact she was angry. “I did +hear things and there’s no use telling me it was +the wind. It wasn’t,†she snapped.</p> + +<p>“Sh-s-!†again Vita warned. “It is no good +to wake cousins. I was up the stairs for that +old window. It slam—you hear it?â€</p> + +<p>“What could slam a window tonight?â€</p> + +<p>“I do-no!†in the way foreigners have of not +understanding when ignorance is more convenient. +“I must go to bed now. You all right?â€</p> + +<p>“Say Vita!†charged Nora. “If you don’t +tell me the truth I’ll—I’ll—just shout!â€</p> + +<p>“No, not too much noise,†coaxed the big +woman, who in her night robe looked like a masquerade +figure. “What do you want I should +get you?â€</p> + +<p>“Nothing. I don’t want anything but for you +to tell me who is up in that attic!†demanded +Nora sharply.</p> + +<p>“Me—Vittoria, is up attic.â€</p> + +<p>“Who was with you?â€</p> + +<p>“Cap.â€</p> + +<p>“Where is he now?â€</p> + +<p>“He go down—back way.â€</p> + +<p>“Now Vita—†Nora stopped. She was baffled. +This woman could confuse her so and then +walk off demurely, just as she had done that +other night. Finally Nora began again:</p> + +<p>“All right, Vita, but you just listen.†She +was shaking a small finger toward the face with +the black flashing eyes. “If you don’t tell me +all about your secret I shall tell Uncle Jerry. +Now do you understand?â€</p> + +<p>“Secret? What is ‘secret’?â€</p> + +<p>“The thing up in the attic is a secret,†persisted +Nora, although she feared her voice +might disturb the others now.</p> + +<p>“That thing big Cap. He always at night +sniff so much,†said Vita. “Now, I go to bed,†+she spoke this very emphatically. “I go to bed +and you go to sleep.â€</p> + +<p>“All right, go,†ordered Nora. “And don’t +you dare go up in that attic again tonight. I +was just having the most——â€</p> + +<p>But her audience had vanished and the house +was empty, so to speak, so why orate or harangue?</p> + +<p>All sleep and its delightful attributes had +flown. Nora was so wide awake she felt she +would never sleep again, and worse still, she +was angry. What did that old Vita mean by +her attic tricks? If it were she who was up +there why did she moan? And if it were something +else why did the woman try to conceal it?</p> + +<p>“Now, I have a Scout duty,†Nora promised +herself. “I must fathom that mystery and +protect Cousin Theodora and Cousin Gerald +from that unscrupulous woman.†Visions of +crimes hidden in the attic, memory of her own +incarceration there when the trap door, as she +now regarded the door with the spring lock +snapped shut, filtered through her excited brain, +and when she remembered how she had almost +died up there, and how it might have been years +before her skeleton would have been discovered, +just as so many others had fared on secret +attic trips, it did seem to Nora that she should +arise at once and immediately start her investigations. +Humor and tragedy hopelessly mixed.</p> + +<p>“But it’s so late,†she figured out, “and +would it be fair to wake Cousin Ted when she +is so tired and after her taking me to that beautiful +picture?â€</p> + +<p>Convincing herself that this was why she did +not immediately begin her brave Scout work, +she once more attempted to quiet her nerves by +thinking of all the sheep Miss Baily had recommended +to skip over fences and lull one to sleep.</p> + +<p>But sleep was far out of the reach of frisky +sheep, and Nora lay there thinking of so many +things, her head threatened to ache and a miserable +day promised to dawn upon her if she +did not soon succumb.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps I wronged poor Vita. There may +not have been anything wicked in the attic after +all,†she soothed herself. “Why couldn’t she +go up there if she wanted to? And maybe she +stubbed her toe.â€</p> + +<p>It was not very consoling but the best Nora +could work up in the way of consolation. One +thing certain, Vita was honorable. She was a +trusted servant, and in the short time Nora had +been at the Nest, many small favors, peculiar +to good cooks, had come Nora’s way through +Vita’s intervention.</p> + +<p>Such happy thoughts finally dispelled the +other unfriendly mental visitors, and when Vita +stole past the door again and looked in through +the darkness, all she heard was the even breathing +of little Nora Blair, who might or might +not have been dreaming of horrible attic noises.</p> + +<p>The day brings wisdom, and when Nora again +dressed in the borrowed khaki suit (she had +suddenly taken a dislike to her own fancy +dresses), the glorious sunshine of the bright +summer morning mocked the terrors of the +night.</p> + +<p>A step in the hall. “I bring your fruit,†+said Vita kindly through the open door; and +there she stood with a small dish of such delicious +berries to be eaten off stems by hand—surely +Nora had wronged this kind, tender-hearted +foreigner.</p> + +<p>Nora was somewhat conscience stricken as she +accepted the peace offering. “Oh, thank you, +Vita,†she exclaimed. “I was just coming +down.â€</p> + +<p>“But the Jerries are out early and you no +need hurry,†explained Vita. “I make nice +breakfast when you come.â€</p> + +<p>“Cousin Ted gone out?†asked Nora.</p> + +<p>“Yes, she say you stay home, not go after +them, they must ‘bob swamp.’â€</p> + +<p>“Bob swamp? Oh, you mean use the plumb-bob +in the swamp. I understand, Vita.†It +was really remarkable how well both understood +today and how dense both had been last +night. “Very well, I’ll eat my fruit here by +the window, and later try your lovely biscuits,†+said Nora, with a smile rarely used outside the +family.</p> + +<p>The housemaid shuffled off. Looking after +her, Nora wondered.</p> + +<p>“I do believe she is trying to keep on good +terms with me for something—something +queer,†she decided. “Certainly she is afraid +I will tell Cousin Ted about the attic business.†+She paused with a big red strawberry half way +to her lips. “Well, I have a secret, anyhow,†+she decided, “and I like Alma, she makes me +think of myself—she is sort of shy and sensitive. +Perhaps I shall make her my confidante.â€</p> + +<p>Of all the Scouts Alma seemed most congenial, +and having a real secret was the first +definite step in Nora’s summer career. But +are secrets wise and are they safe to carry +around in so big and open a place as Rocky +Ledge?</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink15'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER XV—WAIF OF THE WILDWOODS</a></h2> + +<p>It was so much better than dreams. Not +only did Nora feel the importance of having +a real secret, but she also realized that +the same circumstance had actually made Vita +her abject slave. Not a wish was expressed by +the visitor in Vita’s presence but the maid +would, if it were possible at all, see to its fulfillment.</p> + +<p>“I believe I’ll tell Alma,†Nora decided one +morning after a visit and return to and from +Camp Chickadee. Almost daily she made those +trips and the Scouts had become such friends +with her she was now regarded quite as one of +their number.</p> + +<p>Expecting to join formally as soon as the +other candidates of Rocky Ledge were ready +and the Counsellor should come down from the +city, Nora studied her manual and prepared +for the honor. In the meantime she was privileged +to enjoy many of the Scout activities.</p> + +<p>But “the secret†was really more engrossing +just now. It provided her with a personal +importance—what girl does not enjoy the possession +of a knowledge others have not and everyone +would love to have?</p> + +<p>It was thrilling. Alma, the Tenderfoot Scout, +who from the first had espoused Nora’s cause +and even confided in her the real story of the +woodland prince, met her daily at a wonderful +rendezvous, and there the two girls, away from +teasing companions, enjoyed confidences and +built air castles.</p> + +<p>“I’ll tell her today,†the resolve was repeated +as Nora started out.</p> + +<p>She arrived first, and while waiting had a +race with Cap all the way to the Three Oaks +and back again.</p> + +<p>“Dogs have to run faster,†explained Nora +breathlessly, when Cap won by more than he +needed to establish his claim. “If you could +not run faster than human beings, Cap, you +could never have been made a Red Cross messenger, +as you were in the awful war.â€</p> + +<p>The arrival of Alma cut short the encomium. +Salutations were brief for both were eager to +“tell each other a lot of things.â€</p> + +<p>“Alma, do you think you could keep a secret?†+The question was so trite and time +worn Alma smiled before answering in the +affirmative.</p> + +<p>“Because,†continued Nora, “this is the biggest +secret I have ever had, and Barbara and +I have had a great many.â€</p> + +<p>“I have to have secrets,†returned Alma, +“because none of the girls seem to understand +me. They tease, you know, they almost made +me homesick one night; they kept teasing and +teasing about the prince; and Miss Beckwith +had a hard time to make me stop crying.â€</p> + +<p>Nora winced. “Well, this isn’t that sort of a +secret,†she said presently. “It’s about our +attic.â€</p> + +<p>“What about it?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, it’s a lot to tell. We had better sit on +the big log under the chestnut tree and be comfortable +before I start.â€</p> + +<p>Then began the story of the first night at +Wildwoods when Nora was determined to sleep +in the attic. Many an exclamation of surprise +was thrown in by the more practical Alma, but +this in no way turned the narrator from her +course. She sent thrill after thrill up and down +Alma’s spine, and she even voiced a suspicion +that Vita might have a member of “some den +of thieves hidden in the attic, although she is +the soul of honesty,†Nora was particular to +state.</p> + +<p>But it was the incident that occurred the +night they went to Lenox that really caused +Alma to exclaim tragically:</p> + +<p>“Nora, you should tell Mrs. Manton! It is +not safe to hide anything so serious as that. +Suppose the Thing comes crawling down some +night and Vita is not there to drive it back?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, she doesn’t drive it back,†Nora had +not actually visualized the terror in that way. +“She just kept me from finding out——â€</p> + +<p>“What?†interrupted Alma when Nora +paused from sheer excitement.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know what!â€</p> + +<p>“What do you think?â€</p> + +<p>“Well, maybe it’s a—really Alma, I don’t +dare think. I did not know how frightened I +was till I started talking about it. Why, I am +just all creeps,†admitted Nora. “Here Cap,†+she shouted, as the dog attempted to wander +off, “don’t go away. Come on, Alma. I guess +we had better go out by the road. Why, I am +just as frightened as if the—Thing were around +here!†she gasped.</p> + +<p>“Maybe it is,†said Alma cruelly, picking up +her knitting upon which she had not taken a +stitch, and following Nora out of the little +woodland into the more open field that flanked +the narrow roadway.</p> + +<p>They hurried. Alma tripped and Nora almost +screamed.</p> + +<p>“Why, what is the matter?†asked the Scout. +“You haven’t seen anything?â€</p> + +<p>“No, but I feel so queer. You know, Alma†+(she loved an audience), “I am queer and I do +believe I sometimes feel things in advance. +Miss Baily always said I did.â€</p> + +<p>“She must have been queer herself,†retorted +Alma. “I had those wild ideas, too, +until I joined the Scouts. That’s the reason +Mother had me join. She said I was too much +alone——â€</p> + +<p>It was difficult to talk while hurrying over +newly-cut stumps with which the field was so +thickly strewn. The surveyor’s men had hewn +many a fine young birch and numbers of ambitious +young maples there, for this was one +of the forests lately cleared.</p> + +<p>“Here come the girls,†exclaimed Nora, as +they looked down the road. “Alma, promise +not to say a single word——â€</p> + +<p>“Why, Nora Blair! As if I would divulge +a secret——â€</p> + +<p>“Excuse me, Alma. I did not mean just +that. But when one does not realize the importance——â€</p> + +<p>“I do realize it. But it’s all right, Nora. +I know just how you feel,†conceded Alma, +amiably. “There. I have to go with Pell to get +some grasses from the Ledge. I’m sorry I +can’t walk home with you. You don’t +mind——â€</p> + +<p>“Not in the least, Alma. I was just jumpy +while we talked—that way. Besides, I always +have Cap. Good bye. I’ll see you tomorrow +morning.â€</p> + +<p>“Won’t you wait for the girls?â€</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid if I do I’ll stay talking. Hello,†+she called out as Pell and Thistle came up. +“Alma and I have had such a lovely time out +in the oak woods I am late for my—chores,†+she finished, laughing.</p> + +<p>“What do you chore, Nora?†asked Pell. +Her face was beaming with the health of camp +life and her voice vibrated youth and happiness.</p> + +<p>“She chores chores of course,†Thistle assisted. +“I am sure the Nest is a lot nicer place +to live and work in than Camp Chickadee—when +Pell Mell is our inspector,†she finished, +with a pout.</p> + +<p>“Nora, would you believe it that wretched +girl left her shoes outside of camp last night +and this morning they were gone—to a goat +preserve somewhere,†explained Pell. “She +has my second best ‘sneaks’ on now, yet she +will malign me——â€</p> + +<p>“Why and whither away?†interrupted +Thistle, seeing Nora about to escape.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I really must. I’ll see you later,†+promised the blonde girl, whose hair, always so +fair, seemed to have taken on a shade of pure +gold since exposed to the open sunshine of +Rocky Ledge.</p> + +<p>So with paths divided they separated, and +that was how it came to pass that Nora was +alone when she encountered the wonderful adventure.</p> + +<p>Taking to the lane path, a walk she seldom +thought of following, Nora, keyed up with her +excitement following the telling of her story to +Alma, felt she must get off somewhere and +“collect herself†before going back to the +house.</p> + +<p>Perhaps her head was down, and she may +have ventured along as do much older and more +serious folk when engaged in some perplexing +problem, at any rate Nora was down the +lane and into a strange grove before she realized +it.</p> + +<p>She looked up with a start. “Where ever +am I?†she said, if not aloud, certainly loud +enough for her own hearing.</p> + +<p>The place was a veritable camp of low pines, +and so dark it was beneath the thickly woven +boughs, Nora felt as if she had stepped from +day to night.</p> + +<p>“But so pretty,†she commented. Then she +looked about for Cap. It would not be wise to +stray into such a lonely place without his reliable +protection. He marched up with a very +military air as she called his name. Evidently +the place, strange to Nora, was familiar to him, +for he did not so much as raise his shaggy head +to glance around him.</p> + +<p>“Stay here,†she whispered. Then, turning +to survey the place, she almost froze with +fright. Over in under a very low tree she saw +something move—it was like a bundle of rags +and it—yes, it had a head!</p> + +<p>“Oh, mercy!†she gasped. “What’s that?â€</p> + +<p>The black bundle rolled over and sat up. +Two big, brown eyes glared at her! The head +was covered with a shawl. Was it a woman?</p> + +<p>Frozen now with genuine fright Nora tried +to move, but felt more like sinking down.</p> + +<p>“Oh!†she breathed. Then she saw how +small it was. There! It was humping up. Like +a queer sort of animal the bundle took shape +on huddled shoulders, and from the outline eyes +glared.</p> + +<p>It was not more than twenty feet from where +Nora stood, but the almost night darkness of +the grove helped make illusions terrifying.</p> + +<p>Now it was on knees and now it stood up!</p> + +<p>“Oh,†cried Nora. “Who are you?â€</p> + +<p>A little girl—a poor little ragged girl, evidently +more frightened than Nora herself.</p> + +<p>“Oh, do come here,†cried Nora, as soon as +she saw how she had been deceived. “I won’t +hurt you.â€</p> + +<p>The child was now standing. What a sorry +little figure! The part that was not eyes +seemed just rags, and two bare feet pressed +upon the brown pine needles like chunks of +withered wood. Her head was covered with an +ugly gray scarf and yet the day was warm +enough to feel the sun’s rays even through the +dense trees.</p> + +<p>“What’s your name, little girl?†asked Nora, +venturing a step nearer.</p> + +<p>The eyes rolled and then a smile broke over +that frightened face. “I’m Lucia,†replied the +child, and her voice was as pretty as her name.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink16'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER XVI—LADY BOUNTIFUL JUNIOR</a></h2> + +<p>Hearing that small, fluty voice Nora +sighed with relief.</p> + +<p>“Come here, little girl,†she said +gently. “I won’t hurt you.â€</p> + +<p>“Please, I can’t. I must run——â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, no; don’t run,†begged Nora, as the +child showed every sign of escaping. “I am +all alone. I just want to talk to you.â€</p> + +<p>“But I must not. I have to run,†insisted +the other.</p> + +<p>“Why?â€</p> + +<p>“Because——†the voice had dropped many +tones.</p> + +<p>“Will any one hurt you if you don’t?†This +was merely a chance question of Nora’s. She +could not think quickly of just the right thing +to say and was anxious to detain the child.</p> + +<p>“Yes, no, maybe,†a shrug of the small +shoulders proclaimed foreign mannerisms. +Her dark eyes also bespoke the alien.</p> + +<p>“Well, I won’t let anyone hurt you,†+declared Nora bravely. “I’m a Girl Scout, do +you know what that means?â€</p> + +<p>“Yes, I know. It means crazy,†promptly +replied Lucia.</p> + +<p>“Crazy?†Nora was somewhat taken back. +Then it dawned upon her that foreigners had a +way of saying things—perhaps—“crazy†+meant something else to the child.</p> + +<p>“Why do you say ‘crazy’?†Nora asked next.</p> + +<p>“Oh, they dress funny, and they run all over +and they climb trees like—crazy,†said Lucia. +Nora saw she was correct in her free translation. +Crazy was a comprehensive term to +Lucia.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you like them, the Scouts?†pressed +Nora.</p> + +<p>“The little one—I like. The big ones chase +me one day,†came the indifferent answer. “I +have to go, I must run sure now,†declared +Lucia, putting out her small hands to make a +hole in the bushes through which to escape.</p> + +<p>“Oh, please don’t go yet,†begged Nora. “I +have just found you and I want to—know you.â€</p> + +<p>“I don’t dast,†replied Lucia. “I have to +hide now,†she was getting through the break +when Nora took hold of the long skirt. At this +Lucia looked around sharply, and her dark eyes +flashed dangerously.</p> + +<p>“Are you hungry?†Nora asked. This was +a tactful thing to ask and offered immediate +postponement of flight for Lucia.</p> + +<p>“Sure,†she replied, beaming. “What you +got?â€</p> + +<p>“Nothing—just now,†faltered Nora. “But +I can bring you lots of good things. You wait +here——â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, I get caught,†interrupted the +woods wraith. “Then I ketch—it.â€</p> + +<p>Nora was sorely puzzled, but being Nora she +had no idea of allowing such an interest to +escape. She said next: “If you tell me where +to leave things for you, I’ll bring them and you +can get them when no one is around. Would +that be all right?â€</p> + +<p>“Maybe,†replied the exasperating Lucia. +“But when you get it?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, any time, I live near here and I can +just run over and be back before you have to +go. Where do you go to?â€</p> + +<p>“I can’t tell,†answered Lucia with more +foreign tone than she had yet assumed.</p> + +<p>“You mean you do not dare tell me where +you live?â€</p> + +<p>“Yes, that’s what I mean.â€</p> + +<p>“Why?â€</p> + +<p>“I don’t dast,†again came that quaint, childish +negative.</p> + +<p>“Who would do anything to you?â€</p> + +<p>“Nick.â€</p> + +<p>If Nora was eager to talk, surely Lucia was +determined to be very brief. What could she +mean by “Nick.â€</p> + +<p>Again Lucia held the bush back into an open +gate. And again Nora tugged at the skirt.</p> + +<p>“If I bring you a lovely sweet pie will +you come back and talk to me here?†begged +Nora.</p> + +<p>“Where will you put the pie?â€</p> + +<p>“Can’t you come and get it?â€</p> + +<p>“I don’t know.â€</p> + +<p>It was aggravating. The child seemed purposely +obtuse. Nora had an instinctive feeling +that somehow she was the object of abuse. Her +cringing manner indicated oppression.</p> + +<p>“Now, Lucia,†she began again, “if you +come here every day I’ll come all alone, except +for Cap, and I’ll bring you lovely things to eat. +Wouldn’t you like that?â€</p> + +<p>“Sure.â€</p> + +<p>“Then you will come?â€</p> + +<p>“What time?â€</p> + +<p>“In the morning—about this time. Would +that be all right for you?â€</p> + +<p>“If Nick is gone.â€</p> + +<p>“Who is Nick?â€</p> + +<p>“Very bad man. I hate Nick.†This last +sentence was so purely American, that even +Nora guessed the child had come from mixed +surroundings. Holding to her shawl Nora could +feel, she imagined, a shudder pass through the +slim frame at the very mention of the name +Nick.</p> + +<p>Lucia dragged her scarf off a bush. “I go +now,†she said with just a tinge of politeness. +“You bring pie?â€</p> + +<p>“Yes, a big pie. Don’t forget to come.â€</p> + +<p>“I come—sure.â€</p> + +<p>The queer figure stood for a moment out in +the clear sunlight, and Nora had a chance to +see her features. She was pretty, strikingly so, +in spite of her pinched cheeks and her too lustrous +eyes.</p> + +<p>“Please—you don’t tell anybody?†came the +appeal. “I work all day and pull weeds, but +like to sleep little bit by the big trees, sometimes.â€</p> + +<p>Then Nora guessed. “You mean you are +sick and come here to rest?â€</p> + +<p>“Please.â€</p> + +<p>“Well, you just come here whenever you +want to, Lucia,†said Nora with feeling. “The +idea of a tiny tot like you working at pulling +weeds! And with all those heavy rags on you! +It’s a shame!†she declared indignantly.</p> + +<p>“You don’t tell?†the child persisted +anxiously.</p> + +<p>“No, Lucia. I’ll never tell. I have a lot of +secrets, and this one I won’t even tell Alma.â€</p> + +<p>“Good bye.â€</p> + +<p>Like a frightened animal the waif sped across +the field and dodged into the next clump of +shrubbery.</p> + +<p>“She is afraid of being seen,†reasoned Nora. +“Who ever saw such a pitiful little thing?â€</p> + +<p>Then it dawned upon her that Cap had not +even sniffed suspiciously.</p> + +<p>“Did you like her, Cap?†she asked, patting +the patient animal, that all during the broken +conversation had lain at Nora’s feet without +so much as a single growl. “Did you feel sorry +for her, too, Cap?â€</p> + +<p>He may have or there may have been some +other reason for his indifference, but now he +was willing and anxious to go home. It was +lunch time and Cap never needed an announcement.</p> + +<p>Nora followed him. She was too astonished +to know even what to think. That a little beggar +girl should hide in the bushes to rest from +hard work!</p> + +<p>“I’ll bring her the nicest things Vita can +bake,†she concluded. Then came the thought: +How would she get Vita to give her the supplies +without making known the use she was to +put them to?</p> + +<p>Picnics were common. These would surely +supply an excuse for carrying out food, and, +after all, wouldn’t it be a picnic for Lucia?</p> + +<p>Nora’s heart was fluttering.</p> + +<p>“I never knew what a vacation was before,†+she told Cap. “Here I am having a love of a +time and doing things worth remembering.â€</p> + +<p>How different from the fashionable summers +she had been accustomed to! Nowadays she +hardly had time to look in a glass, and yet she +was enjoying every hour. It was like discovering +something new continually, and did Nora +but know the secret of the adventure it was +simply that she was discovering her own resources—she +was getting acquainted with Nora +Blair.</p> + +<p>But miracles are not common, and Nora was +not yet completely transformed from a sensitive, +secretive girl, to an honest, frank, fearless +Girl Scout.</p> + +<p>Even the new discovery of Lucia and her sad +plight was now locked up in her breast.</p> + +<p>But should it have been?</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink17'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER XVII—A PICNIC AND OTHERWISE</a></h2> + +<p>A rush of events followed. Chief among +them was that of a Girl Scout picnic, +inaugurated by Ted and Jerry, carried +out by Nora and enjoyed by all.</p> + +<p>It was a delightful hike out to the Ledge, that +big, rugged rock that leaned over a pretty, +disjoined lake, made up of tributaries from +springs and rain flows. Rocky Ledge was exactly +that—narrow, rocky; a table or shelf that +leaned out just far enough to form a little portico +over the frivolous waters beneath. It was +a charmed spot, with many thrilling legends to +its credit, and being different from the entire +scenery surrounding, it gave the place its name—just +like one girl different from her companions +will stand out as an example, if she +happens to be that kind of different that is +interesting.</p> + +<p>Not that other parts of this territory were +commonplace. No, indeed. There was a fertile +farm country, Jerry’s precious forests, Ted’s +wonderful butterfly haunts and even Nora’s +cedar groves; but these did not touch the high +spot enjoyed by that novel little ledge; hence +the whole territory was known as Rocky Ledge.</p> + +<p>The picnic marked midsummer’s festivity. +Chickadee Patrol invited members from other +camps out to the Ledge, and when Pell insisted +that Thistle and her aids “do up enough grub†+for those invited, a strike was narrowly +averted.</p> + +<p>“You know, Pell Mell, the Mantons will bring +barrels of things to eat, so why should we make +samples of our miserable home-cooking failures?†+demanded Thistle. Betta was standing +hard by egging her on.</p> + +<p>“They will bring the lunch, that is, The +Lunch, but what about a little four o’clock +snack? There are silver springs out there with +water cress on the cob, and I know our girls are +never loath to nibble a bite or two when out on +location,†Pell reminded her mutinous crew. +That was Pell. She had a way of getting things +done and at the same time making a joke of it.</p> + +<p>“Is Nora going to be inducted?†asked +Betta. Next to Alma, Betta was the most +avowed champion of the girl from the Nest.</p> + +<p>“Yes, we had a letter today and Becky told +us we would have a business meeting Wednesday, +when your precious Babe Nora will be led +to the stake. She will accept the halter of allegiance +to Pell, Betta and the rest of the +mob——â€</p> + +<p>“If you feel so frisky, Pell, I wish you would +work off some of the extra on this tin can. I +am supposed to open it with a souvenir trick +can opener. I am sure Betta brought it from +the state fair, B. C. 150. It has all the ear +marks of antiquity without any of the teeth,†+declared Wyn, who was struggling with an implement, +curious and wonderful.</p> + +<p>“That’s a perfectly good can opener,†defended +Betta. “Jimbsy purloined it from his +own mother’s table——â€</p> + +<p>“Which supports my theory,†interrupted +Wyn. “His mother’s table is none other than +antique. But there! It did cut—my hand into +the bargain,†and she defied all her first-aid +rules by sticking a finger in her mouth. “Glad +it cut something.â€</p> + +<p>“Where’s Alma?†asked Laddie. “She always +gets out of the drudgery.â€</p> + +<p>“Alma was tagged along to town to buy +things,†explained Thistle. “Becky is hearing +her lessons on the way. Alma is our little +freshman, you know, girls, and while she doesn’t +wear mourning, she is often in sorrow.â€</p> + +<p>“She has a great time with Nora, I notice,†+remarked Doro. “I fancy between the two +of them they have fixed it up about the prince. +Shouldn’t be a bit surprised if they invited him +to the picnic.â€</p> + +<p>“Now, remember,†ordered Wyn, “don’t +dare say prince. Say duke if you must, but +spare Alma’s feelings on the princeling. But +honestly, girls, wasn’t it a joke?â€</p> + +<p>“Not to Alma,†answered Treble. “She certainly +had a vision if she did not see a prince. +Here she comes. Look at the bundles! Land +sakes alive! If it’s more grub I’m going to +duck. My fingers are mooing now from spreading +butter,†and Treble plastered a slab of the +yellow paste on a square of bread, quite as if it +were intended as mortar for a sky-scraper.</p> + +<p>An hour later they were on their way. Nora +might have ridden out to the Ledge in the little +runabout, but she preferred to walk with the +girls.</p> + +<p>“I’m so excited about joining,†she confided +to Betta and Alma, her hike partners. “I feel +as if I were going to have my final exams.â€</p> + +<p>“You don’t want to,†advised Betta. “You +know your manual perfectly, and have nothing +to worry about. But we shall all be so glad, +Nora, when you are really a Scout. It is all +well enough to be a lone Scout out in the wilderness, +but while we’re around there is no sense +in such isolation.â€</p> + +<p>“The Lone Scout! Oh, I was fascinated +reading about the provisions for such an individual +arrangement. Just imagine being a +troop of one,†said Nora.</p> + +<p>“About as interesting as Laddie’s collection +of one piece of genuine mica,†replied Betta. +“As much as I detest the girls†(she gave +Alma’s arms an affectionate squeeze in explanation), +“still, I would rather be pestered with +them than to be a Lone Scout on the Big Mountain. +There, Nora! That would make a stunning +title for your coming book.â€</p> + +<p>“What book?†demanded the unsuspecting +Nora.</p> + +<p>“The one that is coming next,†serenely replied +Betta. “But let us hasten! See yon girls +are turning into the other yon road,†she went +on. “We betta——â€</p> + +<p>A warning chuckle from Alma, cut short her +“Betta.†Until this attractive girl learned to +respect the all-American R she would never +know peace with her companions.</p> + +<p>Joining the others the merry party hiked +along; singing, whistling, calling, laughing and +making noises peculiar to girls out on picnics +bent.</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Manton rode to the Ledge, +deposited their treat and were ready to be on +their way and leave the girls to their own good +time, almost as soon as the party arrived.</p> + +<p>“Oh, stay,†besought Pell. “We are counting +on having you in for our games——â€</p> + +<p>“I wish I could,†replied the big brown +Jerry. “But the fact is this wife of mine has +planned a little picnic all of her own. You see, +when she got me in on this she knew I could +not back out on hers. Yes,†he sighed affectedly, +“she has made me promise to take her out +canoeing, and I am not sure what terror she +has set for me at the end of the stream.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, are you really going down the stream?†+cried Treble. “I have just longed for a ride +down through the rapids——â€</p> + +<p>“Well, you best not take it,†spoke up Mrs. +Ted. “I am going down the stream only to +explore. And I would not go without the strong +arm of a man at the keel.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, Jimbsy, where art thou?†wailed +Thistle. “Why didn’t we treat you right! +Your gallant craft——â€</p> + +<p>“Get the water there, Cicero,†shouted Doro. +“This lunch is to have lemonade a la carte, +and there isn’t a drop of water in the house. +Sorry to disturb the oration——â€</p> + +<p>“Gimme the pail,†snapped the interrupted +Thistle. “I never yet started anything that +Doro didn’t finish.â€</p> + +<p>But even the delightful lunch, served on a +grassy table with every girl holding down her +own table cloth, for a light little breeze flirted +outrageously with the service—even all this did +not tempt the Scouts to tarry long from the delights +of the great, wild open; and before the +normal eating hour had passed the girls were +formed in groups and circles, to suit their individual +and collective tastes, and through field +and glen their laughter supplied the marching +tune.</p> + +<p>Nora was clinging to Alma, with a motive. +She had seen the great field of corn just behind +the Ledge, where fertility could be depended +upon, and she was wondering, secretly, if little +Lucia might pick weeds out there?</p> + +<p>“Could we go over to those gardens?†she +asked the leaders, when the other girls had all +chosen their points for exploration.</p> + +<p>“Why, certainly. I am glad to see that you +are interested in real gardens,†replied Miss +Beckwith. “Those are called the Italian gardens +because Italians work there, not because +they bear any resemblance to the wonderful +gardens of Italy.â€</p> + +<p>The temptation was strong within Nora to +tell Alma just why she wanted to go up close to +the big women with hoes and rakes; but the +memory of Lucia’s dark eyes, that looked so +like dewy pansies when the child begged: “You +will never tell,†that memory sealed Nora’s lips, +while she eagerly sought out any small figure +that might be that of the little slave of labor.</p> + +<p>“I don’t like those horrid women,†said +Alma. “Why don’t you want to go over the +other way, out into the pretty woodlands, Nora? +Come on and let’s run back. I am almost afraid +of that ugly creature coming over that dug-up +place,†Alma declared.</p> + +<p>“I don’t like her, either,†admitted Nora. +“I only wanted to see—them work—close by.â€</p> + +<p>“Going in for scientific gardening when we +make you a real Scout?†Alma continued, as +they both hurried back to the uncultivated territory. +“Lots of girls are trying it, but it’s +wickedly hard on the hands.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, I hadn’t thought of that, Alma. But +I just——†She stopped and looked frankly +into Alma’s gray eyes. “Alma,†she began +again with an unexpected sigh, “would you +think me mean if I asked you to do something +to help me without, well, without explaining +fully?†she floundered.</p> + +<p>“Why, no, certainly not, Nora. You must +have good reason for not wanting to confide——â€</p> + +<p>“I do want to confide,†Nora quickly took +up the charge. “But this is not my own affair. +I have promised not to tell.â€</p> + +<p>“Then don’t bother to explain,†said Alma, +generously. “I’ll do all I can to help you. I +am sure it’s for a good cause.â€</p> + +<p>“The noblest charity——†Nora checked +herself. “I’ll tell you. I want to take my +picnic lunch to—some place——†It was next +to impossible to go on without going all the +way.</p> + +<p>“Nora, darling! You are truly a brave +Scout!†declared the admiring Alma. “There +you haven’t touched your lovely lunch. Saved +it for a secret charity. Just you wait until you +are received into the band of Chickadees! I’ll +be your sponsor if I am allowed it, and I’ll find +a way——â€</p> + +<p>“Alma! Alma!†gasped Nora, tragically. +“You really must do nothing of the kind. As +happy as I am now at the idea of being a Scout, +I shouldn’t even join if I thought that in any +way this secret would become known.†She +was breathless at the very thought, and had +jerked Alma to a standstill right in the middle +of a mud patch, in her excitement.</p> + +<p>“Oh, don’t worry,†soothed Alma. “I had +no idea of telling any part of the secret, that, of +course, I really don’t know anything about. I +was just planning what I might say to your +especial credit if the promoter should call upon +me,†she finished with a tinge of disappointment.</p> + +<p>“Then help me carry my lunch back to—the +woods near our house,†said Nora while +the glance she exchanged was a unspoken +volume.</p> + +<p>“I hope you are not going to give it away to +some wild animal,†Alma could not refrain +from remarking.</p> + +<p>“Oh, no indeed,†Nora assured her companion.</p> + +<p>“Then why do you not eat it?â€</p> + +<p>“I have promised——â€</p> + +<p>“Maybe it’s Jimmie,†said Alma, with a sly +little chuckle.</p> + +<p>“Jimmie! Why I have never spoken to +him!â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, you should,†the Scout assured her. +“He is such a nice, useful boy.â€</p> + +<p>“Does he work on the farms?†asked Nora +seriously.</p> + +<p>“I guess he doesn’t really work any place in +particular, but almost every place in general,†+replied Alma. “But let’s hurry. The others +will think we got hoed in with the corn.â€</p> + +<p>So they did hurry back to the picnic and back +to their strategy.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink18'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER XVIII—THE LITTLE LORD’S CONFESSION</a></h2> + +<p>It was all over. Nora had been made a +Girl Scout. To celebrate the enrollment +Jerry and Ted gave a “large party†at the +Nest, and of all her memorable social functions, +this to Nora seemed most delightful.</p> + +<p>Every one came, even Becky the patrol +leader, and in their uniforms all freshly pressed +out, the white summer blouse being allowed for +the festive occasion, the party looked quite +novel, and the girls had a wonderful time, dancing, +playing games and inventing new fun provokers +at every turn. Nora as the guest of +honor was honored indeed, and accepted her +compliments most gracefully.</p> + +<p>“It was all a matter of opportunity,†said +Ted aside to Jerry, referring to Nora’s change +of heart. “She is just as good a Scout as any of +them.†This was a proud boast.</p> + +<p>“The woods are full of them,†said Jerry the +champion of all girls, Scouts and near Scouts. +“Just give them the chance.â€</p> + +<p>But up in her own room Nora was pondering. +“It’s just like getting married,†she reflected. +“That is, I guess it is,†she amended wisely. +“One must clear up every secret and fix all the +old troubles when one gets married, and one +must clear up all the old worries and secrets +when she joins the Scouts,†concluded the +systematic, little self-appointed conscience +cleaner.</p> + +<p>There was that matter of the prince. Never +did Alma mention it nor never did Nora hear +any of the other Scouts refer to it without feeling +guilty.</p> + +<p>“I just ought to tell Alma the whole truth,†+she was now deciding. It was the day after +the great event.</p> + +<p>But came the thought of Alma’s certain surprise +that she, Nora, her true friend and confidante, +should have deceived her so long.</p> + +<p>Pride did not melt into humility with the +bestowing of the pretty Scout emblem, so Nora +did not see her way clear to tell that silly story +of her Lord Fauntleroy escapade. She was +repeating her Scout promise “To do my duty +to God and Country and to help others at all +times,†and she mentally made the promise +again.</p> + +<p>“To help others.†That clause charged her. +Was she helping Alma? Did she not know, +really, that the one glimpse of the person in +velvets had left kind and considerate little Alma +guessing ever since, and also that it had put +her in a ridiculous position with her companions?</p> + +<p>“I know, I’ll write her a letter.†The inspiration +satisfied, and thus started the most +remarkable correspondence—but let others tell +it.</p> + +<p>“She got a letter!†exclaimed Wyn.</p> + +<p>“What’s wonderful about that?†asked +Betta.</p> + +<p>“It’s from the prince, that’s what,†declared +the first speaker.</p> + +<p>“Prince!â€</p> + +<p>“The very same,†chimed in Treble, stretching +her long self from the bench to the boat +swing.</p> + +<p>“What nonsense!†scoffed Betta. “Alma +may be romantic, but she is not crazy.†(Lucia +to the contrary.)</p> + +<p>“Just ask her,†suggested Wyn. “She’s +hugging that letter as tight as tu’ pence. I always +told you Alma was madly in love——â€</p> + +<p>“Hush!†Doro’s warning suspended operations +along that line. Alma was upon them.</p> + +<p>“Letter?†asked Wyn, innocently.</p> + +<p>“Yes, and if you like you may read it. It’s +from——â€</p> + +<p>“The prince?†blurted Treble, shooting her +hand out.</p> + +<p>“I’m corporal,†said Thistle, pompously. +“Let me have it, dear.â€</p> + +<p>“Perhaps I should read it myself,†said +Alma, pettishly, thus prolonging the agony. +“It is so—personal.â€</p> + +<p>“Yes, do,†begged Wyn, coiling and uncoiling +in sheer expectancy.</p> + +<p>“Here’s a seat,†offered Betta.</p> + +<p>“The sun’s there,†warned Thistle amiably. +“Take this seat, Alma,†and she moved over +so generously, the bench all but tipped end on +end.</p> + +<p>Every one waited. Alma took out her letter—it +was in her crocheted bag and one could +see how she treasured it.</p> + +<p>What a thrill!</p> + +<p>But Treble pinched Betta and almost spoiled +the start.</p> + +<p>“I received it this morning,†said Alma, +“and, of course, it didn’t come through the +mail.â€</p> + +<p>“How?†asked Wyn.</p> + +<p>“Jimmie!†replied Alma.</p> + +<p>“Oh-o-o-o-oh!â€</p> + +<p>The shout was mortifying, Betta came to the +rescue.</p> + +<p>“Jimmie isn’t your prince—Alma?†she +asked sweetly.</p> + +<p>“Jimmie!†Alma’s tone was caustic. “As +if that freckled face——â€</p> + +<p>“Here! Easy on the Jimbsy!†warned +Treble. “He’s a perfectly fine little Scout, and +if ever this patrol extends to co-ed——!â€</p> + +<p>“Let Alma read her letter,†ordered Thistle, +the corporal.</p> + +<p>“How’d you say you got it?†persisted +Wyn.</p> + +<p>“Jimmie brought it.â€</p> + +<p>“Where did he get it?†again asked the irrepressible +Wyn.</p> + +<p>“He was pledged not to tell, but just see the +stationery.†The envelope was passed around; +all commented favorably.</p> + +<p>“You see,†began Alma, “this was written +as a confession.â€</p> + +<p>The older girl shouted again. Treble nudged +Wyn almost off the bench.</p> + +<p>“Don’t mind them, Alma, I’m listening,†+said Betta sharply.</p> + +<p>“Oh, we all are,†chimed in Doro.</p> + +<p>Alma folded her letter. “If you are—going +to—tease——†she faltered.</p> + +<p>“Here!†yelled Thistle, quite uncorporal +like, “The very first one that speaks will be +dumped into the lake. Proceed Alma.â€</p> + +<p>From that point things went along better. +Again Alma looked promising.</p> + +<p>“As I said, the letter is a confession.†Then +ignoring a number of subdued interruptions, +she went on. “It is signed ‘Your loving +prince.’â€</p> + +<p>Could you blame them for howling?</p> + +<p>“Your loving—prince!!!!†repeated Wynnie. +“And is there a Jimbsy to that?â€</p> + +<p>“I told you,†said the offended Alma, “the +only thing Jimmie had to do with it was to +deliver it.â€</p> + +<p>“So far as you know,†interjected Doro, +“But Jimmie is a far-sighted lad.â€</p> + +<p>“Let me read it, Alma,†said Thistle in desperation. +“I can’t see why some girls can’t +have more manners.â€</p> + +<p>“And why some can’t have some?†retaliated +Treble.</p> + +<p>“Once more, shall I read it?†asked Alma, +sighing.</p> + +<p>“You shall,†declared Betta. “The first one +that interrupts—— Oh, I say girls, it is almost +time for drill. Have some sense and let’s hear +it.â€</p> + +<p>Murmurs approved.</p> + +<p>“‘I feel constrained to write this, dear,’†+Alma actually read, “‘because I feel I have +done you a great injustice.’†(Moans.)</p> + +<p>“‘After you saw me and I fleed——’†Alma +paused. “He means flew, of course.â€</p> + +<p>This started another outburst, and what he +didn’t mean by “fleed†simply wasn’t worth +meaning.</p> + +<p>“Go ahead, Alma, we know he—fleed,†+prompted Betta.</p> + +<p>“‘After I ran’†(prudent Alma), “‘I never +had the courage to make myself known to +you,’†she perused. “‘But when I heard your +companions taunt you——’â€</p> + +<p>“There! Taunting her! I told you to be +good——†Wyn’s interruption was inevitable.</p> + +<p>“It is no use in my trying to be sociable,†+said the sensitive Alma. “But I thought you +would all be interested.â€</p> + +<p>“There is not much more to read,†announced +the popular member. “He just says +that soon—soon he will come.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, joy!†shouted Doro, rolling over in the +grass. “Let me know in time!â€</p> + +<p>“They’re just idiots, Alma. Come on with +me and leave them to guess the rest,†proposed +the astute Betta, the confidante of girls. “<i>I</i> +want to hear it if nobody else does.â€</p> + +<p>Without even a giggle they jumped up and +seized Alma. One could not be sure whose +arm was most restraining, but she changed her +mind about going with Betta. Instead she +opened the famed sheet again and read:</p> + +<p>“‘My conscience has troubled me ever since, +dear, but I was forced to do as I did. Drop +your answer——’†She paused. “I don’t +intend to read that part,†she calmly announced, +and no amount of coaxing would induce +her to relent. No one should know where +the letter to the prince was to be mailed, Alma +was determined on that point at least.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink19'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER XIX—A DESERTED TRYST</a></h2> + +<p>Nora was disconsolate. For two days the +dainties left for Lucia had remained +untouched. The bread box which Vita +had given her to play with, and into which the +food was deposited for Lucia, stood upon the +tree stump with the sliced lamb, the piece of +cake, and the big orange which comprised the +last installment offered by the sympathetic +Nora, just as she had left it.</p> + +<p>“Can anything have happened to her?†Nora +asked herself. She was almost too disappointed +to sit down and rest in the cool, quiet shade. +Cap sniffed the box but did not put a paw up +to beg, and even the big noisy blue-jay scorned +a few crumbs that lay on a fallen leaf.</p> + +<p>“Suppose he—murdered her!â€</p> + +<p>It was not unusual for a girl like Nora to +think the very worst first, in fact the normal, +childish mind is very apt to leap at a sensation, +but only the high spot is sensed, the detail is +always conspicuously lacking.</p> + +<p>“Of course she is deadly sick. Oh, why didn’t +she let me know where she lived,†Nora wailed +secretly. “I could visit her and bring her all +sorts of lovely things——â€</p> + +<p>She lifted the paper napkin that covered the +food offering.</p> + +<p>“What’s this?†she exclaimed. A stiff little +green leaf made of very shiny paper appeared, +and with it, Nora found, was an old fashioned +nose-gay, the sort beloved by the Italians and +the Polish peasantry. Nora picked up the +spray. It was tied with a green ribbon and +somehow gave Nora a distinct shock.</p> + +<p>“Oh! She’s dead, this is what they—have at +funerals!â€</p> + +<p>Tears welled up into the blue eyes, and hands +holding the silent message trembled. Nora sat +down and Cap nosed up to her; he knew something +was the matter.</p> + +<p>Such a pathetic little bouquet! One stiff pink +rose, one yellow daisy, two bright red carnations +and three very stiff green leaves, all made +of a sort of oil-cloth paper.</p> + +<p>A tear fell into the heart of the rose. If it +were not really a flower it was at least a good +picture of one, just as a photograph can so vividly +remind one of the original.</p> + +<p>Nora went back to the box. “When can she +have put it here?†she wondered. It was under +the paper plate.</p> + +<p>Then she recalled that this last donation had +been hastily deposited in the box, for it was +late and Nora had to hurry back to get ready +for her own tea at the time she placed it there.</p> + +<p>“I must have it put right on her flowers,†she +pondered. “Poor, abused, little Lucia!â€</p> + +<p>Picking up the untouched food Nora discovered +a slip of soiled paper beneath it. There +was writing on it, a scrawl of some kind. She +carried it to the light out from under the dense +trees.</p> + +<p>“Yes, it’s a note,†murmured Nora, as if +Cap, her only companion, understood. And it +just says “‘Goodbye, with love.’â€</p> + +<p>Nora read and reread the scribble. It was +written, she decided, in Lucia’s hand, for it +was such a crooked, uneven scrawl. The paper +was a leaf torn from a book, and this assured +Nora that at some time Lucia must have gone +to school.</p> + +<p>“After all my joy, the party, the enrollment +and everything, this has to come,†thought the +discouraged girl. “I hoped today I could induce +her to come over and see Ted and Jerry.â€</p> + +<p>It was too disappointing. For the first few +days Nora had felt it was safer to allow Lucia +to have her way, and when she waited and +waited, until the Italian girl appeared, then +coaxed and urged that she come over to the +cottage, Lucia showed signs of real fright. She +would have run from the tree-tent and never +returned, if Nora had not promised to agree +to her secrecy. After that the benefactor +brought the food but was never able to get more +than a fleeting glimpse of Lucia, as she scurried +off like a little black rabbit with her precious +food and her strange secret. And now she was +really gone and had said goodbye.</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t I tell Alma?†sighed Nora, regretfully. +“She might have known a better way +to have helped her.â€</p> + +<p>Too late to reason thus, Nora with a heavy +heart again covered the tin box, hoping something +would bring Lucia back; then she took +the quaint floral token and started for the Nest.</p> + +<p>Her plans to help Lucia had included everything +from a change of home to a complete +change of identity, for Nora felt the stranger +must have been in sore need, and why couldn’t +she induce Cousin Ted to adopt such a pretty, +forlorn child?</p> + +<p>It was characteristic of Nora to decide on the +most dramatic course, for such a possibility as +a mother, father, or family in the background +of Lucia’s life was not thought of.</p> + +<p>And was this to be the end of her precious +secret? She squeezed the paper bouquet until +the humble ribbon wrinkled into a sad bit of +stuff, and then decided to put the token away +with her most precious belongings. Maybe +Lucia would come back, and if she ever did +Nora decided positively she would then tell +someone about the child, even tell Cousin Ted +if need be, and, certainly, Alma.</p> + +<p>“And now I must go to my letter box,†she +told Cap, the faithful.</p> + +<p>Looking up and down, in and out, far and +near, to make sure no one saw her, Nora followed +the trail to the bent willow—the hiding +place of Alma’s correspondence with the fabled +prince.</p> + +<p>She had been there, the moss was a shade +lighter where feet had pressed the velvet nap, +and the leaves of the bushes were still “inside +out†from a hasty brushing made to clear a +path to the bent willow.</p> + +<p>Under the stone, as directed, Alma had placed +her answer to the prince’s letter, and finding it +there she quickly hid the envelope in her deepest +blouse pocket. She would read it in more comfort, +enjoy it more at home, with the door +locked.</p> + +<p>“What an exciting vacation I am having, +really!†she reflected. “When I came all I +could think of was pretty things.â€</p> + +<p>Had she been that Nora once so filled with +foolish fancies that life, brief as it had been to +her, seemed too full of nonsense to admit of real +joys with girl companions, and any number of +adventures?</p> + +<p>“A real vacation indeed,†concluded the girl +in khaki, holding close Lucia’s flowers and +Alma’s letter. She was sorely tempted to peek +into the latter, but that would spoil the delicious +secret reading, which to be complete would have +to be made in solitude.</p> + +<p>It had been days since she went out “on location†+with the cousins—Jerry always called +surveying “doing location,†as the moving +picture folks termed their work, but so many +other things claimed her attention it seemed +difficult to get them all in. Cousin Ted was +very busy herself, but had managed to write +Nora’s mother. A glowing account of the Scout +interests was surely given in that letter, and +Jerry was disappointed when Ted refused to +ask permission for Nora to stay during the +winter. To this, woman-like, Mrs. Jerry Manton +had not agreed, because to go to school in +the wilderness is always more picturesque than +practical.</p> + +<p>But Nora had endeared herself to those generous +hearts, and even the thought of that real +mother with an unreal name did not thrill her +as did the knowledge that she had “made good†+with these devoted friends.</p> + +<p>Home now—that is to the Nest, Nora rushed +up to her room to devour Alma’s letter. She +ignored Vita’s appeal to come see the wonderful +flowers sent from some one for Mrs. Manton. +She must read the letter before going down to +dinner.</p> + +<p>In the biggest chair by the open window beyond +locked doors she unfolded the precious +page.</p> + +<p>“She writes a pretty hand,†was the first +comment. Then she read:</p> + +<div class='bq'> +<p style='text-align:right; margin:0 0ex 0 auto'>“‘Camp Chickadee.</p> + +<p>“‘My dear Prince:</p> + +<p>“‘How wonderful to get a letter from you! As you have +guessed I did think of you ever since. Please tell me who +you are and where you live? We Scouts would love to know you +and perhaps we can tell you some interesting things about +America, if, as I surmise, you are a visitor here.’â€</p> +</div> + +<p>“Oh mercy,†gasped Nora. “I have only +made matters worse. She actually believes I +am a prince. What ever shall I do?â€</p> + +<p>The letter lay mute and yet accusing. Nora +had written Alma a first letter to prepare her +for the second. True, she did not explain—but +she fancied somehow Alma would come to the +tree, and then perhaps they would meet and +settle the whole troublesome business.</p> + +<p>“But it’s worse, heaps worse,†sighed Nora. +The call from down stairs was unanswered, for +she must plan something else and that quickly.</p> + +<p>First she thought of writing another letter +with a complete and full confession, but she +dreaded it, shrank from it and finally abandoned +the idea.</p> + +<p>“If it only were not Alma,†she sighed. “I +would almost enjoy the joke on some of the +others, but Alma!â€</p> + +<p>Nothing could be worse than this nagging at +her conscience. She must conquer it. And here +was the new trouble about Lucia!</p> + +<p>“I always thought secrets were such fun, and +yet these are positively—tragic,†she thought. +“If only I could tell Alma about Lucia, at least +that would be a comfort.â€</p> + +<p>Another call from Vita. Cousin Ted and +Cousin Jerry were in now. The cheery whistle +and the joyful “Whoo-hoo!†must be answered.</p> + +<p>“Oh, dear me!†sighed Nora. “I suppose +things always happen that way.†She gave +Lucia’s flowers an affectionate squeeze, dropped +them into her ivory box, slipped Alma’s letter +under the cushion and went down to dinner.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink20'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER XX—THE WORST FRIGHT OF ALL</a></h2> + +<p>It was growing dusk—the sunset seemed in +a great hurry to get away, and day time +was evidently going to the same party. +The Mantons failed to induce Nora to accompany +them on a “bug hunt,†Jerry’s term for +Ted’s moth expedition. Vita too seemed in haste +to get somewhere, and altogether the evening +was especially popular to make escapes in.</p> + +<p>Nora was going over to camp, she announced, +and would be there long before dark. The girls +would come home with her, she had assured the +prudent Ted.</p> + +<p>So everything was settled and the Nest would +be unoccupied, with Cap as guard, for that +evening.</p> + +<p>Not a smile broke the serious look on Nora’s +face. It was evident the program for the evening +included something very important.</p> + +<p>“Goodbye,†called out Ted. “Be sure to go +over to camp, right away, or the dark will—catch +you.â€</p> + +<p>“Yes’m,†echoed Jerry, “and Mr. Dark +knows no distinctions at Wildwoods. He throws +a big black blanket over the whole kaboodle.â€</p> + +<p>Nora replied, but even the joke did not cheer +her. A few minutes later she stood at the foot +of the attic stairs, drew a long breath; then +dashed up.</p> + +<p>Over to the chest that contained the costumes +long ignored, she literally dashed, yanked up +the lid and dragged out the Lord Fauntleroy +outfit.</p> + +<p>She counted the pieces, waist, jacket, knickers, +sash—where was the cap?</p> + +<p>Nervously she fumbled over the tangle of +garments, but did not find it.</p> + +<p>“I had better dress first,†she decided, “and +come up again for the cap. I am—so—nervous——â€</p> + +<p>No need to make the confession, for even her +hands, young and usually steady, actually +dropped the velvet coat right on the dusty attic +floor.</p> + +<p>No time for looking in the mirror. The knickers +were kept up with round garters now, a +Scout acquisition, and the thin white blouse that +went under the jacket, went under very quickly—fullness +and strings jabbed in wherever space +allowed.</p> + +<p>In a remarkably short time she was inside the +entire outfit. One glimpse in the glass assured +her she was again garbed as the fickle prince. +Then for the cap.</p> + +<p>“I have time to run and get it,†she assured +herself. “Of course, I must have that cap.â€</p> + +<p>Back to the attic, now a shade darker, and +then again into the mysteries of the costume +chest, she rummaged.</p> + +<p>“Oh, dear,†she sighed. “I’ll be—here it is! +Thank goodness!†She just jabbed it on her +head. A sound startled her. She stood still, +every sense alert.</p> + +<p>“What was it?†she instinctively asked.</p> + +<p>Again. It—was—a low—moan!</p> + +<p>Pausing only long enough to make sure her +nerves were not fooling her, Nora heard again, +distinctly, a sound, a human or inhuman moan! +Then she rushed down the stairs, kept on rushing +until she reached the street door, and realizing +no person was upon the premises, ran down +the road, straight for Chickadee Camp.</p> + +<p>No thought of her appearance concerned her; +she must get the girls to come back and find out +what was in the attic!</p> + +<p>Only once she stopped, just to make sure the +cap was not going to fall off her yellow head.</p> + +<p>Voices and laughter came to meet her. That +was Thistle and Wyn——</p> + +<p>Gulping back a choking, nervous gasp, she +rushed on. The next minute she dashed into +Chickadee Camp and stood before an amazed +group of Scouts.</p> + +<p>“The prince!†went up a shout.</p> + +<p>“My prince!†corrected Alma.</p> + +<p>“Why, it’s Nora——â€</p> + +<p>“Girls!†gasped the intruder. “Listen, +please, I am no prince——â€</p> + +<p>“You are indeed. Just look at the dandy +outfit. Alma, we most humbly apologize——â€</p> + +<p>“Wyn,†shouted Thistle, “please listen! +Can’t you see there is something the matter?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, there is really, girls,†panted Nora. +“Come quick! There is someone—dying in our—attic!â€</p> + +<p>“Dying?â€</p> + +<p>“I was up there—getting these things, and I—heard +the awfulest moans——â€</p> + +<p>“Maybe it was Cap,†suggested Treble. Her +eyes had not wandered from the surprising +spectacle.</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, he was outside,†said Nora, “and +no one is home, not even Vita. Oh, please do +come! I know someone is in agony,†and her +voice trailed off into agony of her own.</p> + +<p>“I’ll lead,†volunteered Thistle. “Come +along, every one. Alma, you can take care of +your—prince,†she could not resist injecting.</p> + +<p>“Oh Alma,†sighed Nora. “I was planning +to come to explain to you——â€</p> + +<p>“You don’t need to,†and a most affectionate +and all encompassing look went from Alma to +Nora. “I know all—about it now, and you are +my prince, just the same.â€</p> + +<p>“Come along, you two lovers,†ordered Thistle +the leader. “You had a ‘crush’ on Nora +from the first, Alma. Now we all know why. +Fall in there, Betta. No need to wait for +guns——â€</p> + +<p>“I am not going without some weapon of +defense,†declared Betta. “Nora knows her +own attic, and she knows when someone is +moaning. It may be a lunatic. There is always +an asylum in a pretty place like this.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, is there?†cried Nora. “I would be +afraid to face a—lunatic in that big, dark, +attic——â€</p> + +<p>“I should think you would, lunatic or just +plain, human being,†agreed Laddie. “You +look delectable enough for anyone to just eat +you up——â€</p> + +<p>“Can’t you girls realize this is an emergency, +not a debate?†snapped Thistle. “We don’t +suppose Nora is dying of fright just for fun. +Betta, run over and tell Becky.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, don’t let’s have her along,†interrupted +Treble, bent on making the most of the adventure. +“You know she would have to do something +we wouldn’t.â€</p> + +<p>“Right,†agreed Wyn. “Come along Scouts! +‘Jeuty’ calls us.â€</p> + +<p>They had been “coming along†all the time. +These expressions merely gave vent to pent up +energy.</p> + +<p>Nora, although thoroughly frightened, was +thankful that the dark helped hide her dismay. +Alma had her arm, and Alma was thinking in +terms of “prince,†even the pretender was conscious +of that.</p> + +<p>The girls giggled and talked, as they always +did, and as Betta took time to remark, “they +would be apt to do it at their own funerals.†+There was no suppressing Wyn, and Treble fell +but a peg below in volubility.</p> + +<p>“Look out there!†called Thistle.</p> + +<p>Everyone halted.</p> + +<p>“What?†demanded Wyn.</p> + +<p>“A puddle,†replied the heartless leader. +“And I’m responsible for the shine on your +shoes, lunatic or no lunatic,†she declared +loudly.</p> + +<p>“When my turn comes to lead for a week I’ll +have that wretched girl up every day at dawn,†+threatened Betta. “She has the cruelest way +of raising one’s hopes.â€</p> + +<p>“Had you hopes for the lunatic in the mud +puddle?†demanded Laddie.</p> + +<p>“You had better get your sense valve working,†+suggested Doro. “We are almost there.â€</p> + +<p>“Right,†added Treble. “I can see the gate +light now.â€</p> + +<p>“How ever will we go up there in the dark?†+Nora asked Alma. “I will be afraid to go into +the house.â€</p> + +<p>“Don’t you worry, dear,†Alma was still +under the influence. “We will all go in together, +and Thistle isn’t afraid of man or +beast.â€</p> + +<p>Arrived at the Nest Nora was confronted with +a light at the back of the house.</p> + +<p>“Someone home?†suggested Thistle.</p> + +<p>“There shouldn’t be,†declared Nora. +“Everyone is out for the evening.â€</p> + +<p>“Where is Vita?†asked the same leader. +They had stopped at the natural hedge, and +now stood under the picturesque, homemade +arc light—Jerry’s lantern with the red globe.</p> + +<p>“Vita went out somewhere. She often does, +and you see I was going over to camp, so there +was, really, no one at home.â€</p> + +<p>“Your dying princess has come down stairs +to die,†suggested the irrepressible Wyn.</p> + +<p>“Princess?†scoffed Nora.</p> + +<p>“Or was it merely a maid in waiting—excuse +me, your <i>man</i> in waiting.â€</p> + +<p>“Wyn,†shouted Laddie, “can’t you see you +are making yourself ridiculous at a time like +this?â€</p> + +<p>She probably couldn’t for she went off into a +gale of laughter and had to go behind a bush to +enjoy it.</p> + +<p>“There is someone in the kitchen,†declared +Treble. “Here she comes!â€</p> + +<p>She did; she came right out and greeted them.</p> + +<p>It was Vita!</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink21'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER XXI—STRANGE DISCLOSURES</a></h2> + +<p>For a moment no one spoke—they were all +so surprised.</p> + +<p>“Hello!†called out Vita. “What’s +this? A party?†Her English was perfect.</p> + +<p>“No, it isn’t Vita,†Nora managed to answer. +“I was almost scared to death——â€</p> + +<p>“Let me tell her, Nora,†interrupted Thistle, +the leader.</p> + +<p>“I’m not going in that house with her until +Cousin Ted comes home,†declared Nora. +“Vita is always putting me off. She knows +what that noise up in the attic is.â€</p> + +<p>“Have you heard it before?†asked Betta.</p> + +<p>“Yes, a number of times——â€</p> + +<p>“Then, if the moaner did not die before, Nora, +what makes you think the present attack would +be fatal?†Wyn came out from the bush to +inquire.</p> + +<p>“Land sakes, Wyn! Will you hush? Fun is +all right in its place but this is serious,†warned +Pell.</p> + +<p>“Looks it,†whispered the same Wyn, into +Betta’s unwilling ear.</p> + +<p>“Nonsense, standing here like a——â€</p> + +<p>“Serenading party,†finished Laddie. “Let’s +begin.â€</p> + +<p>“Serenading?†An uncertain and feeble +whistle followed, but in the dark no one owned +up to it.</p> + +<p>“You coming in? No?†asked and answered +Vita.</p> + +<p>“No. We are not coming in,†declared Nora, +who had stepped up to the door at which the +spacious Vita stood. “We heard a noise up in +the attic and we were coming in to investigate, +but we won’t now.â€</p> + +<p>The girls were audibly disappointed. They +said so outright.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps she doesn’t know a thing about it,†+suggested Laddie. “Don’t you think, Nora, we +ought to go in and look around?â€</p> + +<p>“No, I don’t. She is in the plot, or secret or +whatever it is,†declared Nora aside. “When +I first came here I heard it——â€</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t you tell us?†demanded Doro. +The parade had come to a useless halt.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know,†murmured Nora. “You +know I had queer ideas at first,†she faltered, +unconsciously smoothing down the pretty little +velvet knickers and slipping a nervous hand +into an inadequate pocket.</p> + +<p>“We know, but we all have—at first,†+admitted Laddie. “I used to think I would love +Thistle, and see what she has done to us with +her old bossing.†The challenge went unanswered.</p> + +<p>“Can’t we go to the bench and talk it over?†+suggested Betta, unwilling to leave the scene +thus unsatisfied.</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, please don’t,†begged Nora. “I +don’t know just what I fear, but actually, girls,†+she did whisper this, “I am as much afraid of +Vita now as I am of the thing up in the attic.â€</p> + +<p>“Your nice, fat, good natured Vita?†asked +Pell in surprise. The person spoken of had +gone indoors discreetly.</p> + +<p>“I don’t mean that I am afraid of her all the +time,†Nora hastened to correct. “She is as +good as gold, generally, and I am sure Vita is +honorable. But it is that attic affair—she is in +some way connected with that, and I am not +going to take a chance of getting frightened +again tonight. You have no idea how I felt, up +there all alone, in fact I was all alone in the +house when I heard that groan.â€</p> + +<p>“Groan?†Wyn could not resist. “I thought +it was a moan?â€</p> + +<p>But no one paid any attention to the remark. +Betta suggested they agree with Nora and all +go back to camp.</p> + +<p>“We can bring Nora back home about the +time she expects her Cousin Jerry,†Betta’s +suggestion included. “There is no sense in +subjecting her to more terror with the Italian +woman.â€</p> + +<p>“For once I agree with you, Betta,†answered +Thistle. “March back to the Chickadee, every +Scout of you, and see that you don’t wallow in +that mud puddle.â€</p> + +<p>“But the prince?†inquired Wyn. “Is he +to walk through ordinary mud puddles?â€</p> + +<p>“No. Of course not. You and the other big +girl, Treble by name, are to carry him. +Avaunt!†ordered the leader.</p> + +<p>“Oh please——†protested Nora; but in vain. +She was upon the shoulders of Wyn and Treble +before she had a chance to finish her useless +appeal.</p> + +<p>“Put your royal arms around me,†chanted +Treble.</p> + +<p>“If you don’t you may be dumped,†warned +the other slave.</p> + +<p>“Listen!†ordered someone. “Here comes +the whole camp! Are we out after hours?â€</p> + +<p>“If we are we can plead emergency,†explained +Thistle. “How could we wait for permission +when someone was moaning to death?â€</p> + +<p>They took up the march in real earnest. As +faithful Scouts they always kept to regulations +and found pleasure in doing so. Only Nora’s +call of distress had lured them away as darkness +was setting in.</p> + +<p>“Please let me walk,†begged Nora. “I +know you must get back as quickly as you can, +and I am sure I have given you enough +trouble.â€</p> + +<p>“We love to carry you,†insisted Wyn. +“Besides, we know it’s our last chance. Alma +will be unconscious in the throes of love from +this on,†she finished with a lurch that brought +the erstwhile prince to “his†feet in spite of +their intentions.</p> + +<p>A few more accidents, minor and major, according +to the way said accidents were accepted, +and the squad arrived at Chickadee. Nora was +now more embarrassed than ever. How could +she again go in among all those sensibly-clad +girls in that ridiculous costume? Besides, +now she was bound to tell the whole miserable +story.</p> + +<p>“Where have you girls been?†began Becky, +who stood waiting. “Did you not know this +was story night?â€</p> + +<p>“We have been out scouting, and we did,†+replied Thistle in her most docile tone. “Becky, +love, we have the bravest thrill of our entire +career to unfold.â€</p> + +<p>“Begin, please, by explaining the infraction +of hours,†said Miss Beckwith, although her +manner belied her demand, and the summer +twilight lasted.</p> + +<p>“The thrill is none other than someone, anyone, +dying of moans,†said Wyn. “We have +with us tonight——â€</p> + +<p>At this she craned her neck over the tallest of +them to locate little Nora. But she, the guest +of honor, was hiding behind Treble.</p> + +<p>“When you hear the whole wonderful +tale,†promised Pell, “you will only be sorry +you were not along. We have been out gunning +for attic ghosts.†After more talk of this variety +Nora was dragged forth.</p> + +<p>How pretty she looked in the camp light! A +glow from the fire that had been lighted for +stories, surrounded the little prince, and, as the +picturesque figure stood in the center of the +group of admiring eyes, even the glory of +the modern Scout uniform was threatened with +eclipse. In the late twilight the effect was +entrancing.</p> + +<p>“Isn’t she darling?â€</p> + +<p>“Just look at those—panties?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, don’t you remember——â€</p> + +<p>“Sweet Alice Ben Bolt.â€</p> + +<p>“No, not Alice, but the night we fought over +those bloomers,†recalled Treble.</p> + +<p>“They’re not bloomers. They’re rompers.â€</p> + +<p>Then began that whole foolish debate which +ended up by Thistle declaring they might be +overalls for all it mattered, if only the girls +would let Nora tell her story. Pell and Treble +agreed. The introduction was briefly outlined +for Becky’s benefit, then Nora was allowed to +tell it as it appeared to her—that is, she was +allowed to begin to tell it that way, but what +with the interruptions, the suggestions, the +questions, and the qualifying clauses, it was +small wonder the willing culprit made poor +headway.</p> + +<p>As the story took the shape of a confession +Nora seemed to be the culprit, but judging +from the approval voiced by the multitude they +all had little regard for <i>her</i> brand of “crime.†+In other words, Nora only imagined she had +offended, the entire detail made a most interesting +story as it was told around the campfire +blaze of Chickadee Patrol.</p> + +<p>She admitted frankly that her early notions +were anything but practical, she bravely recounted +her weakness for fancy things, including +ivory bureau sets and pink ribbons, to +which more than one Chickadee added her own +little admission, in fact, Pell said she always +did and always would love pink; brown khaki +and smoked pearl buttons to the contrary +notwithstanding.</p> + +<p>The telling of her attempt at attic tenancy +brought forth peal after peal of laughter, in +which Nora joined. Then she told all about her +disguise as the fabled and famous prince.</p> + +<p>“I think it is all too jolly for words,†insisted +Laddie, “and what do you say, girls, to +our adopting Prince Adorable for our mascot?â€</p> + +<p>This precipitated more trouble. Nora was +put on the table, that long box used when +weather was pleasant and drenched when +weather was wet, and from that grandstand, +or throne, she was called upon to make silly +speeches, prompted by Wyn and interrupted by +Betta.</p> + +<p>Alma objected. She insisted Nora had hinted +to her something she ought to tell the others. +And she further maintained it was a matter +serious enough to put a stop to all nonsense, +and “if the girls aren’t willing to listen quietly, +I shall take Nora over to the other tent, where +she can tell Becky in peace,†threatened Alma.</p> + +<p>This put a soft pedal on all unnecessary +sounds: even Wyn desisted.</p> + +<p>“Tell us, Nora, please do tell,†begged Wyn. +“We have had fun enough to give our poor jaws +a rest. Mine are aching from laughing.â€</p> + +<p>So Nora began.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink22'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER XXII—THE DANGER SQUAD IN ACTION</a></h2> + +<p>It was a fascinating tale. Every detail told +by Nora took on new value as it was silently +applauded by her eager audience. Thus +encouraged she waxed eloquent, and when she +finished all about the wearing of the Fauntleroy +costume, then her desire to tell Alma the +truth, when she knew the Scouts were teasing +the Tenderfoot, the recital might well have been +called a credit, even to the girl who felt guilty +of its secrets.</p> + +<p>“You see,†she said naïvely, “I was always +so much alone. I had no companion but Barbara, +and she agreed with everything I said.â€</p> + +<p>“What a change this must be!†murmured +Wyn.</p> + +<p>“Hush!†warned Betta. “Funny as you are, +Wynnie, you <i>can</i> be rude.â€</p> + +<p>“And now, girls,†said Nora in a brand new +tone of voice, “as I have told you all of that, +I feel anxious to tell you something else. I +have another secret and I think it is much more +serious than anything else that has happened +on this wonderful vacation.â€</p> + +<p>“Out with it,†begged some one, but Nora +did not hear the thoughtless phrase.</p> + +<p>Miss Beckwith sat with the girls, encouraging +their confidences, and the usual safety in numbers +was surely a clue to the satisfaction of the +novel meeting. Secrets were best shared by +the multitude, then what one was not wise +enough to know, some one would surely be +clever enough to guess—so far as solution of +the problem went.</p> + +<p>“One day when I was wandering around—it +was the day we had such a wonderful time——†+Nora started.</p> + +<p>“When you learned to swim?†prompted +Wynnie.</p> + +<p>“I think it was. Well, I just walked along a +lane I had never found before,†continued the +prince—for she was still that noble character, +“and under a cave of pines—they grew so thick +I could hardly see there, it was almost as dark +as night; and right there, in a bed of leaves I +saw something move.â€</p> + +<p>Just who was it that choked back Wyn’s interruption +does not matter, but presently Nora +continued:</p> + +<p>“At first, of course, I thought it was a dog +or something like that, but all of a sudden it sat +up!â€</p> + +<p>“Oh!†exclaimed the sympathetic Alma.</p> + +<p>“Yes, it sat up and looked at me with eyes +like coals of fire.â€</p> + +<p>“Nora!†shouted Laddie. “I am all goose +flesh, please tell us who had the eyes.â€</p> + +<p>“I’m trying to,†said Nora, realizing the +value of pauses. “I was so frightened I +wanted to run, but before I could do so the +creature showed how frightened she was——â€</p> + +<p>“She!†This was Betta.</p> + +<p>“Yes, it was a poor, miserable little girl, all +rags and eyes, and so sad looking! Really +girls, my heart went out to her,†declared the +story teller in her most Nora-esque manner.</p> + +<p>Titters barely tinctured the atmosphere. +Miss Beckwith begged the girls to listen +politely.</p> + +<p>“I managed to get her to tell me her name,†+said Nora next. “And it was Lucia.â€</p> + +<p>“Lucia,†repeated a chorus in perfect time, +pronouncing it “Luchia.â€</p> + +<p>“Yes, a poor, neglected, little Italian girl, +who has to work on one of the big farms——â€</p> + +<p>“There!†almost shouted Alma. “I knew +when you saved your picnic lunch it was for +something noble. It was for Lucia, wasn’t it?â€</p> + +<p>“Yes, but after bringing her food for days +she suddenly disappeared.â€</p> + +<p>“What happened to her?†asked Pell.</p> + +<p>“How can I tell?†sighed Nora. “I have +done everything to find out. I have even had +Cousin Ted drive me around the big farms +hoping to get a glimpse of her, but I never saw any +one who even looked like her. Then, I haven’t +told you the most pathetic part,†she paused +again. “The last day I went to fetch her a +lovely piece of pie, you know I used to put food +in a big tin box Vita gave me; well, there was +all that I had left the day before. Of course, I +was awfully disappointed and I felt so—sorry +I had not told you girls——â€</p> + +<p>“If you had, Nora,†said Miss Beckwith, +gently, “we might have found a way to help the +child.â€</p> + +<p>“I know that, Becky, and I am telling this +now partly to——â€</p> + +<p>“Ease your conscience,†prompted Pell.</p> + +<p>“Yes; I don’t want any more secrets. They +are more worry than they can possibly be +worth,†said Nora tritely.</p> + +<p>“You were telling us about the box,†+prompted Alma.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes; but I must hurry, I have to go +home very soon. It is time the folks were +back.â€</p> + +<p>“Tell us the rest and we won’t interrupt +once,†promised Wyn in a contrite tone, and +she seemed to mean it.</p> + +<p>“I found a little paper bouquet in the box,†+Nora continued. “And a scribbled bit of +paper.â€</p> + +<p>“What was on it?†Betta could not help +asking.</p> + +<p>“Just a few words, ‘Goodbye, I love you.’†+Nora stopped suddenly.</p> + +<p>“The poor, little thing,†commiserated +Alma. “And could you find no way to tell +who she was or where she lived?â€</p> + +<p>“I didn’t dare ask anyone outright,†answered +Nora, “because you see, I had promised +not to tell anyone about meeting her. She was +in terror of a man she called Nick.â€</p> + +<p>“Nick?†repeated a number.</p> + +<p>“Yes; she would only say he was a bad man, +and I know she feared him for she would tremble +so when she mentioned his name.â€</p> + +<p>Miss Beckwith had remained in the background. +If she knew a way to solve the mystery, +evidently she did not think the time had +come to disclose it.</p> + +<p>“But when I found she was gone—I knew +what a mistake I had made in not telling anyone +about it. Even if she was afraid, I could surely +have trusted—Alma,†sighed Nora.</p> + +<p>In the semi-darkness none could see the look +of affection Alma threw out. Her sensitive +soul had found solace in the companionship of +the almost equally sensitive Nora.</p> + +<p>“I must go,†insisted Nora. “The folks will +be home and I am going to tell them about that +attic noise tonight, Vita or no Vita.â€</p> + +<p>“You are perfectly right in that,†said Miss +Beckwith. “Come along, girls, we will all see +Nora home this time.â€</p> + +<p>They wanted to carry her back, but costumed +and all that she was, Nora felt little like partaking +in their frolic. She feared something. +That moaning was human, of this she was certain; +and it was equally certain that Vita was +in too good health when she appeared at the +door, to have been in any way implicated, +physically.</p> + +<p>“If your folks have not returned will you +come back and stay all night?†suggested +Betta. “We could leave a message for them +and you know you have not stayed a single +night at camp yet.â€</p> + +<p>“I am sure they are at home, I see the light +in the living room,†responded Nora. “But +thank you, just the same, Betta. I shall love +to stay a night soon, I have been counting on +having that treat before this vacation is over.â€</p> + +<p>They had rounded the curve and the Nest was +now in full view. Presently they were at the +door and Nora touched the knocker.</p> + +<p>There was no immediate response and she +wondered. “I can see inside, the curtain is up, +and I don’t see a soul,†she declared.</p> + +<p>“Nor hear a sound,†added Pell who was +listening at the keyhole.</p> + +<p>Here was another cause for wonderment. +Nora rapped the knocker until the sound seemed +doubly loud, reverberating in the dusk.</p> + +<p>But there was no answer. “What can it +mean?†asked Nora anxiously. “I am sure +some one lighted the lights, can they have gone +out looking for me?â€</p> + +<p>“Can’t you get in?†asked Miss Beckwith.</p> + +<p>“Yes. I know where to find the emergency +key. But I don’t think I’ll go in.†Nora +seemed doomed to spend the night at camp +after all.</p> + +<p>The girls crowded around. Plainly any excitement +was a welcome diversion for them.</p> + +<p>“Maybe the groaner lighted up,†suggested +Wyn, facetiously. “She seems to like traveling.â€</p> + +<p>“You are so brave, Wynnie,†said Miss Beckwith, +“I wonder would you be brave enough to +go in and investigate?â€</p> + +<p>“Certainly,†came the quick rejoinder. “I’d +like nothing better. Volunteers?†she called +out.</p> + +<p>“Hush!†begged Nora. “It may be that Vita +is upstairs and has not heard us, although she +must have heard that knock.â€</p> + +<p>Again she rapped the knocker.</p> + +<p>“Hark!†said Betta. “I honestly thought I +heard a cry.â€</p> + +<p>Everyone was now breathless.</p> + +<p>“I do hear some one crying,†declared Alma. +“Whoever can it be?â€</p> + +<p>“That up-attic person, I’m sure,†said Wyn. +“Better get the key, Nora. We can’t let them +cry to death while we are all here, listening in.â€</p> + +<p>“I think I heard crying,†said Miss +Beckwith. “Perhaps you had better open the door, +Nora.â€</p> + +<p>From under the fern dish Nora procured the +key.</p> + +<p>Miss Beckwith took it, and presently the +door was open. The hall was flooded with +light, but everyone instinctively stepped back.</p> + +<p>There was no sound.</p> + +<p>“Where’s Cap?†asked Nora. “We left him +here.â€</p> + +<p>“There is really nothing to fear,†said Miss +Beckwith. “Here we are, a half dozen of us. +I think we had better go inside. Maybe poor +old Cap is locked in somewhere and held +captive.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, that’s so,†replied Nora. “He has a +habit of getting in closets and he might +have sprung the door shut. Sometimes he +moans——â€</p> + +<p>That was enough to excite practical sympathy, +and everyone promptly stepped inside. +Once within, it did not seem so fearful. Pell +prowled around and Wyn made foolish noises; +but Nora hung back.</p> + +<p>After satisfying themselves there was nothing +wrong on the first floor they decided to +investigate the second.</p> + +<p>“I can always hear it right over my room,†+said Nora when the band of Chickadees inundated +that territory. “There! Did you hear +that?â€</p> + +<p>“Yes, someone is crying upstairs,†declared +Miss Beckwith, “and we must see who it is.â€</p> + +<p>“But suppose——â€</p> + +<p>“Here’s Cap. He would not let anyone +touch us,†declared Nora. “But Becky——â€</p> + +<p>“Come along, girls, that is not the voice of +a man or woman. Come, we must do something. +It sounds like——â€</p> + +<p>Bouncing up on Nora, Cap whined. “There, +he knows, he wants me to go up. What is it, +Cap?†Nora asked again, and again the dog +whined piteously.</p> + +<p>Now, everyone was willing to lead, yet they +formed quite an orderly drill.</p> + +<p>This was an emergency and emergency always +means order for Scouts.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink23'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER XXIII—RAIDING THE ATTIC</a></h2> + +<p>No one could tell just how they got there, +but realizing that some one was suffering +they had all followed Cap to the +attic, and there waited again for the sound that +was to lead them to the victim.</p> + +<p>“There’s a cabinet over there,†Nora whispered. +“A person might hide in that.â€</p> + +<p>She was holding on to Alma and looked odd, +indeed, still dressed in that gorgeous velvet +costume.</p> + +<p>“Here’s another light—this will show us the +far end there,†said Miss Beckwith, snapping +on the extra bulb.</p> + +<p>“There it is!†gasped Pell. “Oh, it is somewhere—yes, +come over here,†she cried. +“Surely that’s a child!â€</p> + +<p>The faint cry, that was almost like a sob, +sounded again. It must be over under the low +beams.</p> + +<p>Nora forgot her terror now, for she knew the +secret place of the long, rumbling attic, and no +sooner had she heard the distinct cry than she +brushed past all the others, dragged up a big +dust curtain, then stopped.</p> + +<p>“Here! Here!†she called frantically. “It’s +a little girl. Bring the candle!â€</p> + +<p>Thistle was beside her with the extra light. +“Oh, mercy!†gasped Nora. “It’s Lucia.â€</p> + +<p>“Lucia,†repeated the others.</p> + +<p>“Yes, my own little darling Lucia. Oh, +child,†she cried out, “what has happened to +you? How ever did you get here?â€</p> + +<p>“Go away. Please, go away. I can’t tell you. +Oh, where is Vita? Vita come!†begged a +voice, while Nora tried in vain to soothe her.</p> + +<p>“Let me there!†ordered Miss Beckwith. +“The poor little thing!†she continued. “She +evidently has had a fit of hysteria. Just see +her gasp! Keep quiet, dear,†she said gently. +“You are all right now. We will take care of +you. There! Stop sobbing. Don’t you know +the girls?â€</p> + +<p>“She knows me, don’t you, Lucia?†asked +Nora, anxiously. “Oh, I am so glad we found +her. She might have died.â€</p> + +<p>“Don’t let us waste time in talking. Here +girls. Use your first aid, now. We must carry +her down stairs to the air,†ordered Miss +Beckwith.</p> + +<p>They carried her down carefully and laid her +on a couch by the window.</p> + +<p>“Where is this?†the girl murmured. Then +she looked into Nora’s face and something of +the terror left her own. “Angel,†she said simply, +blinking uncertainly.</p> + +<p>“You know this little girl, don’t you, Lucia?†+pressed Becky now, anxious to arouse her.</p> + +<p>“Yes,†she said.</p> + +<p>Nora cast a look of appeal at the director. +She wanted to speak to the sick girl. Becky +motioned she might do so.</p> + +<p>“Lucia,†began Nora, very gently, “where +did—you—come from?â€</p> + +<p>“I run away from—Nick,†she gasped, and +again that look of terror flashed across the little +pinched face.</p> + +<p>“Don’t be frightened; you are here with me, +Nora, now,†said the girl in the velvet suit. +“No one can touch you here.â€</p> + +<p>“Where—is—Vita? She not come back, +bring doctor?â€</p> + +<p>That was it. Vita had gone for a doctor.</p> + +<p>“She’ll be here soon,†soothed Miss Beckwith. +The Scouts stood spell bound. How +wonderful to have found the poor little waif +right in Nora’s own attic!</p> + +<p>There was a sound below. Vita came stamping +up the stairs.</p> + +<p>“What is it?†she panted. Then seeing the +crowd. “You come—save my poor little +Lucia!â€</p> + +<p>“Yes, Vita, we are here,†replied Nora, sensing +now the part that Vita had been playing. +“We brought her down.â€</p> + +<p>“Poor Lucia. Vita’s baby—Vita’s bambino,†+crooned the woman, as she leaned over +the couch and chaffed the trembling hands.</p> + +<p>It was a pathetic picture. The brilliantly-lighted +room was like a stage with this strange +drama being enacted upon it. The row of +Scouts were unconsciously standing like a +patrol at attention, while Nora in Fauntleroy +dress, stood at Lucia’s head; and the woman +in the quaint peasant attire bent over; and +then, there on the soft, bright couch, lay the +inert figure with the great eyes staring out +from under the bandage, evidently put on the +hot forehead by Vita.</p> + +<p>No questions asked, every one could see the +child was kin to Vita, but not her own child, +perhaps her granddaughter.</p> + +<p>“She will be all right now, I think, Vita,†+said Miss Beckwith. “She just had a spell of +hysteria, didn’t she?â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, she have a fit very bad,†whispered the +woman. “I run for doctor, quick, but he is no +place——†her voice droned off into a low sound +of foreign words, lamentation and wailings.</p> + +<p>“Why was she shut up there?†asked Nora.</p> + +<p>“She beg for dark—she never go in light +when fit comes,†Vita managed to make them +understand. “I always hide her—she runs from +Nick like anything. But he no hurt her, never. +Just one time he scare her. She always cry so +much he t’ink she might get better, and he +scare her. Lucia run away and come to Vita, +every time.â€</p> + +<p>“He didn’t really hurt her,†Miss Beckwith +was both asking Vita and explaining to the girls. +“Hysterical children must have a dread of +something, and I suppose she seized on that.â€</p> + +<p>Lucia now sat up and looked about her. All +the fear had left her, and her black eyes shone +with relief.</p> + +<p>“She’s all right now, aren’t you, Lucia?†+Thistle ventured to ask. The other girls were +still spellbound.</p> + +<p>“Lovely,†replied the child, actually rubbing +her brown hand on the soft couch cover almost +as if she were saying, “Nice! Nice!â€</p> + +<p>“There come Cousin Jerry and Cousin +Ted!†exclaimed Nora. “I’ll bring them right +up.â€</p> + +<p>“What Mrs. Jerry say?†asked Vita, +anxiously.</p> + +<p>“Oh, that will be all right, Vita,†said Nora, +running along. “She’ll understand everything.â€</p> + +<p>It is marvelous what sympathy can explain. +No need for words to fill out the gaps.</p> + +<p>“Well, what a reception!†exclaimed the surprised +Ted. “I never expected such a party +as this.†Her eyes fell upon Lucia. “A refugee?†+she asked kindly.</p> + +<p>“Vita’s little girl, Cousin Ted,†said Nora, +promptly. “We found her—sick.†She did +not say where.</p> + +<p>“She is in good hands now, I am sure,†said +Mrs. Manton, glancing around at the patrol. +“We were detained with our fractious car—should +have been home ages ago. Did you need +anything? Have you had a doctor?â€</p> + +<p>“She seemed merely hysterical,†explained +Becky. “I don’t think she needs a doctor tonight. +She will probably sleep well after the +excitement—and exhaustion,†she added in an +undertone.</p> + +<p>“Well, of all things,†exclaimed Mrs. Manton, +suddenly getting a good look at Nora. +“Have you been having a masquerade?â€</p> + +<p>“A little Scout party,†Miss Beckwith replied, +to save Nora embarrassment. “This has +been an eventful evening.â€</p> + +<p>“Must have been,†agreed the hostess. +“Shall we all go down and leave the child to +rest?†she proposed.</p> + +<p>“<i>We</i> must go,†assured the leader. “It is +not ten o’clock, I hope?â€</p> + +<p>“No, and we’ll run you over in our car—if +the car will run. Mr. Manton is out tinkering +with it. That’s how he missed the excitement,†+Ted explained.</p> + +<p>Nora hung back with Lucia. She felt she +had found her after so much anxiety, she was +almost afraid the child would be spirited away +if she should lose sight of her now.</p> + +<p>“How nice!†said Vita, and the relief in +her own voice proved that the big woman had +been suffering no little anxiety, herself.</p> + +<p>“I go home now, Vita,†said Lucia, humbly. +“I’m sorry, Vita.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, you don’t have to go home, Lucia,†+Nora hurried to interrupt. “You can stay +right here. You don’t want to go hide in the +dark any more, do you Lucia?â€</p> + +<p>“But I don’t want to make the trouble.â€</p> + +<p>“She is so good when the fit is gone,†said +Vita, affectionately. “Poor Lucia, she can no +help it.â€</p> + +<p>“Of course, she can’t. I’ll tell you, Vita, +we’ll ask Cousin Ted and I’m sure she’ll let +us fix Lucia up in that nice attic bed. Would +you like that, Lucia?†enthused Nora.</p> + +<p>“She love the attic,†said Vita. “She come +every time, and I must hide her. But I no like +to make the bother——â€</p> + +<p>“And that was why you kept it secret!†said +Nora. “Well, Vita, I did think you were—mean,†+she paused to soften the word, “but +now I know why. And I am so glad to find +Lucia again. You see, I knew her before.â€</p> + +<p>“You bring her the cakes——â€</p> + +<p>“And you knew that, too?†Nora’s secrets +were fast evaporating. “Well, at any rate, +Vita, you gave me a nice tin box and all the +good things you could make, so I won’t blame +you. I’ll run along and ask Cousin Ted about +the attic. Dear me! What a blessing the girls +came over with me! We might have been going +on this way—for weeks and not have found +out,†she added. “But the girls have to hurry +off; it is getting time to answer the night roll +call. I’ll be back in a minute, Vita,†she was +talking fast. “Don’t let Lucia move until I tell +you,†she warned.</p> + +<p>“All right, little Nora,†replied Vita fondly. +“I have two little girls, now; yes, Lucia?â€</p> + +<p>“The girls have to leave without hearing this +whole wonderful story, Nora,†said Ted, as they +crowded out to the car, “but I have asked them +to come over tomorrow. They will die of +curiosity in the meantime if Miss Beckwith does +not keep them too busy to get into such mischief,†+added the young woman jocularly.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Nora!†called out Wyn, “you come +right over about daylight, will you? We’ll +leave a tent flap loose and you can crawl in. +I would have nervous prostration if I had to +wait until after inspection to hear the sequel. +Good night!â€</p> + +<p>“Good night! Good night! everybody!†+went up the customary shout, and when the reliable +little car, so recently called fractious by +its owner, rumbled out into the roadway, the +Scouts were actually singing their camp song.</p> + +<p>How wonderful to be girls! And how wonderful +to be Girl Scouts!</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink24'><a href='#toc'>CHAPTER XXIV—FULFILLMENT</a></h2> + +<p>“Of course, she’ll come over. Didn’t +I say I’d leave a flap up?†asked +Wyn. It was so early that the very +Chickadees, after whom the patrol had been +named, were still asleep in their own tree-top +scout tents.</p> + +<p>“As if she could get out of bed——â€</p> + +<p>“Why couldn’t she? After last night I wonder +if she will ever feel safe in bed again. +Seems to me,†said the incorrigible Wynnie, +“she could do lots more good sitting up—raiding +attics and things like that.â€</p> + +<p>“But Chicks,†said Thistle from a rumpled +pillow, “isn’t that child a dream?â€</p> + +<p>“You mean didn’t that child dream——â€</p> + +<p>“No, I do not. I think she is the most adorable +thing. Why, she looks exactly like a painting +we have——â€</p> + +<p>“There—there,†soothed Treble.</p> + +<p>“Don’t get homesick,†Pell called out. “We +have a few more days to go before time to +break camp and you want to be in at the big +party, don’t you?â€</p> + +<p>“I think the prince part simply the most +marvelous story I have ever heard,†said +Treble, under her breath. It was too early to +join in a general wake-up.</p> + +<p>“Leave it to Alma,†whispered Laddie. “I +always said these quiet little girls have the most +fun. I heard Wyn groaning in her sleep after +every one else was aslumber. That’s the kind +of fun <i>she</i> has.â€</p> + +<p>“Looks as if Nora had not walked in <i>her</i> +sleep, at any rate,†put in Betta. “I move +we get up and slick things up early. How do +we know but the myth flew away in the night?â€</p> + +<p>“We don’t, but she didn’t,†replied Treble +crisply. “But hark to a familiar sound. It +calls arise——â€</p> + +<p>Then began the duties, and in spite of their +anxiety to get over to the Nest, the Scouts +did succeed in performing their tasks with +the usual accuracy and unusual alacrity.</p> + +<p>At nine o’clock they were free.</p> + +<p>No need to ask what anyone was going to +do that morning. Every Girl Scout who had +been in “the raid†was ready to run before the +day’s orders had been read from the bulletin.</p> + +<p>They headed for the Mantons’ cottage.</p> + +<p>“Did you ever?â€</p> + +<p>“No, I never!â€</p> + +<p>This was a part of the meaningless contribution +in words offered as the girls came up to +the Nest. They had seen the tableau on the +front porch.</p> + +<p>“Hello!†called out Nora.</p> + +<p>“’Lo, yourself,†sang back Thistle.</p> + +<p>“Too early for a fashionable call?†asked +Treble.</p> + +<p>“Come along, girls,†Mrs. Manton welcomed +them. “I am sure Nora has been anxiously +waiting for you. I’ll let her tell you the news,†+she finished, indicating the chairs for the party.</p> + +<p>Lucia was in a big steamer chair. It almost +swallowed up the tiny figure, but she had a +way of reclining, quite gracefully.</p> + +<p>“How are you today, Lucia?†asked Alma.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’m all right,†replied the child, pinking +through her dark skin. She looked very +pretty in one of Nora’s bright rose dresses, +with the same color hair ribbon, and her feet +encased in a pair of white slippers. No wonder +she was “all right.â€</p> + +<p>“She’s going to stay,†said Nora proudly. +“We’ve adopted her.â€</p> + +<p>“Quick work,†remarked Laddie. “But I +don’t blame you. She looks as if she grew +right here in this lovely big wild wood. Don’t +you like it, Lucia?â€</p> + +<p>“Lots, much,†said the child.</p> + +<p>“We found out all about it, of course,†continued +Nora. “Lucia won’t mind if I tell you?†+she questioned.</p> + +<p>“No,†said the stranger. The single word +indicated her timidity.</p> + +<p>“You see, she is the daughter of Vita’s +daughter who died last year,†Nora explained. +“She has been living with cousins, and the man +Nick, of whom she was so frightened, is the +cousin’s husband.â€</p> + +<p>Lucia now seemed to shrink back, and at +that sign Nora signaled the girls to leave the +porch and adjourn to more convenient quarters +for their confidences.</p> + +<p>Once away from the restriction, words flew +back and forth in questions and answers, until +Wyn wanted to know if it was all a duet between +Alma and Nora, or could they make it +a chorus?</p> + +<p>“And he didn’t beat her?†demanded Pell.</p> + +<p>“And she is really related to Vita, not kidnapped?†+asked Betta.</p> + +<p>“You didn’t find her all bruised up——â€</p> + +<p>“Now girls,†scoffed Nora. “I know perfectly +well you don’t think anything of the +kind. You all know Vita was always kind and +generous——â€</p> + +<p>“Whew!†whistled Wyn. “How we can +change! I thought she was a regular bear this +time yesterday morning.â€</p> + +<p>“I think your cousins are perfectly splendid,†+said Betta, sensibly. “Is she really going +to adopt the child?â€</p> + +<p>“We had a doctor this morning,†said Nora +with an important air, “and he advised change +of scene——â€</p> + +<p>“Let’s take her over to Chickadee!†interrupted +Thistle. “That would be a distinct and +decided change.â€</p> + +<p>“Oh, hush,†begged Alma. “What else did +the doctor say, Nora?â€</p> + +<p>“She is hysterical—all came from the fright +of her mother’s sudden death,†continued +Nora. “But girls, I don’t know how much to +thank you,†she broke off. “Being a Scout +has done much for me.â€</p> + +<p>“We believe you,†said Wyn in her usual +bantering way. “But say, little girl, are you +going back to that school where they teach you +to wear silk underwear in the cold, blasty winter +weather? Couldn’t you make out to get +adopted at the Nest yourself?â€</p> + +<p>A laugh, then a set of laughs, followed this.</p> + +<p>“You are coming over to camp tonight, remember,†+said Alma, seriously. “We have +not initiated you yet, you know.â€</p> + +<p>“How about that first formal ducking, with +Jimbsy in the background?†Pell reminded +them. “That seemed all right for an initiation.â€</p> + +<p>Mrs. Manton was coming down the path with +the inevitable letter. Was there ever a story +finished without “a letterâ€? Mr. Jerry followed +up.</p> + +<p>It was, as you have guessed, from Nora’s +mother, and she did grant permission for her +to stay.</p> + +<p>“So,†said Mrs. Teddy Manton, otherwise +Theodora, while the real Jerry looked over her +shoulder at the letter, and Cap sniffed approvingly +at Nora’s khaki skirt, “we expect to have +Nora go to school in town this winter, and perhaps +next summer we will all be back again at +Rocky Ledge.â€</p> + +<p>“This was a real vacation,†sighed Nora, +“the best I ever had.â€</p> + +<p>“Three cheers!†yelled the Scouts; and +Lucia from her porch was truly sorry she had +ever called those girls “crazy.â€</p> + +<p>It was all so comfortable and safe now. +Even her “bad fit†was gone with the winds, +and how lovely to be out in the sunlight and +have nothing to fear!</p> + +<p>Again came a riotous shout from the girls +on and off the bench.</p> + +<p>“Chick! Chick! Chick-a-dees!†they yelled. +And it must have been Wyn who echoed:</p> + +<p>“Cut! Cut! ka-dah! cut!â€</p> + +<p>Girl Scouts are many and their adventures +equally numerous, from mountain to valley, +over hill and dale, and their further activities +will be told of in the next volume of this series, +which will be entitled: The Girl Scouts at +Spindlewood Knoll.</p> + +<p>THE END.</p> +<hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; width:70%; margin:2em auto' /> + +<p>THE GIRL SCOUT SERIES</p> + +<p>By LILIAN GARIS</p> + +<p>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors</p> + +<p>Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid</p> + +<p>The highest ideals of girlhood as advocated +by the foremost organizations of America +form the background for these stories and while +unobtrusive there is a message in every volume.</p> + +<p>1. THE GIRL SCOUT PIONEERS, <i>or Winning the First B. C.</i></p> + +<p>A story of the True Tred Troop in a Pennsylvania +town. Two runaway girls, who +want to see the city, are reclaimed through +troop influence. The story is correct in scout +detail.</p> + +<p>2. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE, <i>or Maid Mary’s Awakening</i></p> + +<p>The story of a timid little maid who is afraid to take part in +other girls’ activities, while working nobly alone for high ideals. +How she was discovered by the Bellaire Troop and came into her +own as “Maid Mary†makes a fascinating story.</p> + +<p>3. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT SEA CREST, <i>or The Wig Wag Rescue</i></p> + +<p>Luna Land, a little island by the sea, is wrapt in a mysterious +seclusion, and Kitty Scuttle, a grotesque figure, succeeds in keeping +all others at bay until the Girl Scouts come.</p> + +<p>4. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP COMALONG, <i>or Peg of Tamarack Hills</i></p> + +<p>The girls of Bobolink Troop spend their summer on the shores of +Lake Hocomo. Their discovery of Peg, the mysterious rider, and +the clearing up of her remarkable adventures afford a vigorous plot.</p> + +<p>5. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE, <i>or Nora’s Real Vacation</i></p> + +<p>Nora Blair is the pampered daughter of a frivolous mother. Her +dislike for the rugged life of Girl Scouts is eventually changed to +appreciation, when the rescue of little Lucia, a woodland waif, +becomes a problem for the girls to solve.</p> + +<p>Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue</p> + +<p>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York</p> +<hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; width:70%; margin:2em auto' /> + +<p>THE RUTH FIELDING SERIES</p> + +<p>By ALICE B. EMERSON</p> + +<p>12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid</p> + +<p>Ruth Fielding was an orphan and came to live +with her miserly uncle. Her adventures and +travels will hold the interest of every reader.</p> + +<p> +       RUTH FIELDING OF THE RED MILL<br/> +       <i>or Jasper Parloe’s Secret</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING AT BRIARWOOD HALL<br/> +       <i>or Solving the Campus Mystery</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING AT SNOW CAMP<br/> +       <i>or Lost in the Backwoods</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING AT LIGHTHOUSE<br/> +       POINT <i>or Nita, the Girl Castaway</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH<br/> +       <i>or Schoolgirls Among the Cowboys</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING ON CLIFF ISLAND<br/> +       <i>or The Old Hunter’s Treasure Box</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING AT SUNRISE FARM<br/> +       <i>or What Became of the Raby Orphans</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING AND THE GYPSIES<br/> +       <i>or The Missing Pearl Necklace</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING IN MOVING PICTURES<br/> +       <i>or Helping the Dormitory Fund</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING DOWN IN DIXIE<br/> +       <i>or Great Days in the Land of Cotton</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING AT COLLEGE<br/> +       <i>or The Missing Examination Papers</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING IN THE SADDLE<br/> +       <i>or College Girls in the Land of Gold</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING IN THE RED CROSS<br/> +       <i>or Doing Her Bit for Uncle Sam</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING AT THE WAR FRONT<br/> +       <i>or The Hunt for a Lost Soldier</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING HOMEWARD BOUND<br/> +       <i>or A Red Cross Worker’s Ocean Perils</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING DOWN EAST<br/> +       <i>or The Hermit of Beach Plum Point</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING IN THE GREAT NORTHWEST<br/> +       <i>or The Indian Girl Star of the Movies</i><br/> + <br/> +       RUTH FIELDING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE<br/> +       <i>or The Queer Old Man of the Thousand Islands</i><br/> +</p> + +<p>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge, by Lilian Garis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE *** + +***** This file should be named 38608-h.htm or 38608-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/6/0/38608/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge + Nora's Real Vacation + +Author: Lilian Garis + +Release Date: January 18, 2012 [EBook #38608] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + +[Illustration: THE PICTURESQUE FIGURE STOOD IN THE CENTER.] + + + + +THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE + +OR + +_Nora's Real Vacation_ + +By LILIAN GARIS + +Author of + + "The Girl Scout Pioneers," "The Girl Scouts + at Bellaire," "The Girl Scouts at Sea Crest," + "The Girl Scouts at Camp Comalong," etc. + +_ILLUSTRATED_ + +NEW YORK + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + + + + +THE GIRL SCOUT SERIES + +By LILIAN GARIS + +Cloth. 12mo. Frontispiece. + + THE GIRL SCOUT PIONEERS + Or, Winning the First B. C. + + THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE + Or, Maid Mary's Awakening + + THE GIRL SCOUTS AT SEA CREST + Or, The Wig Wag Rescue + + THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP COMALONG + Or, Peg of Tamarack Hills + + THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE + Or, Nora's Real Vacation + +_Other volumes in preparation_ + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, NEW YORK + +Copyright, 1922, by + +Cupples & Leon Company + +The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge + +_Printed in U. S. A._ + + + + +CONTENTS + +I. Jim or Jerry: Ted or Elizabeth +II. The Attic +III. A Broken Dream +IV. Transplanted +V. The Woods at Rocky Ledge +VI. A Prince in Hiding +VII. Cap to the Rescue +VIII. The Story Alma Did Not Tell +IX. A Misadventure +X. A Novel Initiation +XI. Too Much Teasing +XII. A Diversion Nobly Earned +XIII. Crawling in the Shadows +XIV. Circumstantial Evidence +XV. Waif of the Wildwoods +XVI. Lady Bountiful Junior +XVII. A Picnic and Otherwise +XVIII. The Little Lord's Confession +XIX. A Deserted Tryst +XX. The Worst Fright of All +XXI. Strange Disclosures +XXII. The Danger Squad in Action +XXIII. Raiding the Attic +XXIV. Fulfillment + + + + +THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +JIM OR JERRY: TED OR ELIZABETH + + +"Do you mind if I call you Jim?" + +"Why no--that is----" + +"And may I call the lady Aunt Elizabeth?" + +"Elizabeth?" + +"If you don't mind; I'd love to." + +"But the fact is----" + +"You see, I have always wanted a man named Jim to protect me, and now +that I've got you I'd love to have you as Jim. Then, I have perfectly +loved the Aunt Elizabeths. They're always so lacy and cameo like." She +stood off and critically inspected the smiling woman in the most modern +of costumes. + +"You're really too young," continued the girl, "but you'll grow old soon +I hope, don't you think so?" + +"I'm afraid I shall----" + +"Then that's that. And I'm glad we are settling things so quickly. Could +I see my attic room now, Aunt Elizabeth?" + +"Attic room?" + +"Isn't it?" + +"Not exactly. We were giving you the yellow room; it's so cheerful and +pretty." + +"Well, of course, I don't want to be too particular, and it's lovely of +you, dear Aunt Elizabeth, but all girls taken in are put in attic rooms, +aren't they?" + +"Taken in?" + +"Yes, sort of adopted you know. The attic always gives the shadowy ghost +business." There was just a hint of disappointment in the child's manner +now. + +"We've got a first rate attic room," suggested the man who was tilting +up and down in a heel and toe exercise. "And what do you say, Ted, I +mean Elizabeth," he chuckled, "if we give----" + +"Jerry, don't talk nonsense," interrupted the young woman not unkindly +but with some decision. "I am sure she would rather have the pretty----" + +"But, please, could I see the attic room?" came rather timidly the very +thread of a voice from the little girl. + +"It's ghostly." This from Jerry. + +"That would be just perfect. Does the roof slant so it gives you the +nightmare on your chest, you know? And does the moon sort of make faces +in the windows?" Interest was overcoming timidity. + +"That may be the trouble," replied the man, with a chuckle. "But I'll +tell you, little girl. Suppose we take the yellow room until you have a +chance to inspect thoroughly. You see your--er--Aunt Elizabeth has had +it all planned and fixed up----" + +"Oh yes. Do excuse me for being impolite. You see, I've been thinking +about it so long. The school was lovely, and the teachers all very kind, +but it was sort of a regular kindness, you know, and did not have any of +my dreams coming true in it. Do you dream an awful lot here?" + +"Day dreams or night dreams?" asked the man. + +"Oh, wake-dreams, of course. The other kind don't mean anything. Just +stickers in your brain sort of pricking, you know. But the wake-dreams +can come true, if you plague them long enough. I guess they get tired +fighting you off and they have to give in and happen. What do you want +to call me?" This was a sudden digression and marked with a complete +flopping down of the talkative child. + +"Your name is Nora, isn't it?" replied the young woman who seemed rather +glad to sit down herself. They were on the big square porch and rockers +were plentiful. + +"Yes, my name is Nora, and it's pretty good, but hard to rhyme easily. +Then I would rather have you call me the name you have always called +your dream child." + +"Mine was Bob," blurted the man, "but Bob wouldn't exactly suit you." + +"Oh, yes it would," she jumped up again and left the rocker swaying +wildly. "Bob would be splendid for me. Would it suit you, Aunt +Elizabeth? What was your pet name?" + +"I think Nora too pretty to drop. Besides, don't you really think a name +is a part of one's self and ought to be loved and respected?" + +"That's just it. I want to--that is, if you don't mind, I want to be the +self I planned, not this one I didn't have anything to say about. It's +just like religion. When we grow up big as I am, we ought to be allowed +to choose." Her manner was even more babyish than her appearance. + +"Big as I am!" Jerry repeated this to a rosebush. + +As a matter of fact she was not much bigger than a child of eight years +might be, but she claimed a few more birthdays and she looked about as +substantial as a wind flower. Her eyes were blue, her hair light and +fluffy, and she wore such a tiny white slip of a dress, socks and +sandals and a white lace hat! Grown up? She looked just like an +old-fashioned baby. + +"Then, shall I be Bobbs?" asked Nora a moment later, with hope in her +voice. + +"Ye-e-s, and if--the auntie wants to soften it she can call you +Babette," ventured Jerry. "And now, if the christenings are over, +suppose we go inside and freshen up. Come along Bob, you are going to be +my helper now, aren't you?" Jerry's eyes twinkled with his voice. He +was, plainly, enjoying himself. + +"I'd love to help--especially with outdoor work," replied the girl. "And +you measure land, don't you?" she asked. + +"Yes, that's about it. In other words I'm a surveyor," explained Jerry. + +"And Aunt Elizabeth helps. Isn't that lovely? We won't, any of us, have +old pesky house work to think about. I haven't ever dreamed a dream, not +a single one, about housekeeping. Some one always does that for me, or I +just don't think about it at all and it's all done beautifully," boasted +Nora. "I love your place. It's so romantic," she expanded her arms and +fluffy little skirt to fill the big chair. "I feel, somehow, everything +is going to come true now." Relief toned this statement while she looked +wistfully out of blue eyes, and any one might have easily guessed that +something very dear was included in that word "everything." + +The young woman, who was threatened with being made over into an old +Aunt Elizabeth with laces and cameos to boot, gazed intently at the +small personality. She realized it was a personality, a little dreamer, +a big romancer, and a very weird sample of the modern girl, +self-trained. + +He who was to become "Jim" on the spot, seemed tickled to death over it +all, and kept snapping his brown eyes, first at the newly named Bobbs +and then his life's partner, until glints of fun-sparks charged the very +air. + +"It might be a good idea to put on tags for a day or two," he suggested +playfully. "I would hate to spoil the program by calling Elizabeth here +just Ted." + +"Oh, do you think it will be hard? I didn't mean to make trouble, and, +if you say so, I'll just put the dream back again on its peg and let it +stay there. It really doesn't have to come true right now. There are so +many new things to talk about," temporized Nora, considerately. + +"I think it would be lots better to try things out for a little while +under our own names," suggested the young woman, eagerly. "And I have +always loved the name Nora, so you see, _my_ dream will be coming true, +at any rate," she smiled. + +"Goody--goody! It's all right, then. I'll be Nora, and you'll be Ted, +that's pretty: what does it mean?" + +"Theodora," answered the man promptly. + +"Then it is prettier than the old-fashioned Elizabeth," agreed the +child. "Really, things are different when you think about them than what +they are when--you run right into them, aren't they?" + +"Sure thing, especially water wagons and book agents," joked Jerry. + +"And Jerry is lovely, too, just as nice as Jim. I knew a lovely old +tramp dog named Jerry." Again the wistful blue eyes dreamed. + +"That's real nice," added the owner of the popular name. "Was +he--gentle?" + +"As a lamb. I used to ride on his back!" + +"And was he--er--handsome?" + +"He had the loveliest ears, all little pleaty wrinkles, and such big, +floppy feet----" + +"All right, I'll be content to be his namesake, only don't expect me to +howl when the phonograph plays. I can't undertake to do that," demurred +the affable Jerry. + +They all laughed a little at this protest, for Jerry Manton seemed good +natured enough to "howl" if occasion demanded it. Even the moon might +have inspired him "doggerly" so to speak. + +Mrs. Manton picked up the little hand satchel that Nora kept at her side +when the other baggage was being disposed of, and gently urged the +little visitor into the Nest, there to settle that other question of +attic or guest room. + +The short bright curls bobbed up and down incredulously, as their +surprised owner looked in on the yellow room, a moment later. + +"Golden! Perfectly golden!" exclaimed the child. "But, of course, one +could never get the nightmare in this lovely bird cage." She stopped, +apparently reasoning out bird cages, nightmares and ghostly attics. "And +I have simply got to have a strange experience," she scratched her heels +together anxiously. "I just couldn't give that up," she decided. + +"But you do think this is a pretty room?" asked the hostess, her own +soft eyes embracing affectionately the golden space before them. + +"Glorious!" declared Nora rapturously. "And I'm afraid it has been +rather silly to get set on certain things without really knowing about +them. Dreams are uncertain, after all." + +Jerry was just coming up the rustic stairs. + +"But the attic is a real spook parlor," he chimed in, "and I've always +loved it myself. I have a corner for my trash, and the sleeping quarters +aren't bad. You see this place was built with government money, and +that's always--well, real money," he finished, significantly. + +"But Jerry," again came the opposition from Mrs. Manton, "you know we +have scarcely had time to look that attic over since we came here. It +seems perfectly absurd to let Nora go up there," she paused. "I know +it's clean, for Vita takes a pride in fixing attics, but why----" + +"Now Ted," the voice was as soft as a boy's, "why not let our little +girl have her way?" + +"I really am not objecting," said the wife with a smile, "I'm just +qualifying." + +"But who dares qualify day dreams?" asked the man, with a comical twist +in his voice. + +Nora stood on the threshold, uncertainly. "I guess maybe," she pondered, +"we think a lot about dreams when we haven't real things to think about, +like playthings, for real," she finished. + +"That's exactly it, dear," said Mrs. Manton, "and day dreams are not +always healthy, either." + +"All the same," insisted Jerry, "I'm strong for that attic. It smells +just like the woods after my men have made a good, clean cutting. Come +along, girlie, and let me show it to you." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE ATTIC + + +"How's this?" asked the man. + +"Oh, wonderful! Those beams, they slant just like the story books say," +declared Nora, ecstatically. + +"Good enough to give you the right sort of nightmare, eh? Well, that's +nice. Ted is always after the cobwebs, but I don't let her spoil them if +I'm around. You see, cobwebs have a lot to do in my business." + +"Cobwebs?" Nora poked her little head in between two chummy beams. "What +do cobwebs do in surveying?" + +"They make a cross line on my object glass. I'll show you when I get +around to it," replied Jerry. "Now see here, here's the secret chest," +he was opening a big wooden box, "and by a miracle," he continued, "it +does hold clothes, duds, et-cet-tee-ra." + +"The people who had this place gave a big party, I believe," explained +Mrs. Ted, "and they left a lot of their costumes here. We have never had +any chance to make use of them," she finished, slapping her hands on the +work apron that partly covered her own mannish costume. Apparently she +disdained the frivolous things. + +"But just look!" Nora was almost in the big cedar chest; in fact, +nothing more than a bump of white, ending in two small brown spots that +waggled like sandaled feet, was visible. Presently the curly head +emerged in a cloud of brilliant, spangly stuff, very evidently the +costumes. "Aren't these just wonderful!" + +"Oh yes," agreed Jerry, "they're nice and shiny. But just look at this +spook cabinet. Do you know what a spook cabinet is, Nora?" + +"No, what?" She dropped the costumes back into the big chest instantly. + +"They're just a box of tricks. But this is the box empty. See here," +Jerry opened, with some difficulty, the long narrow closet that was +built in a corner of the attic room. "I have always wondered why this +had a ventilator at the top----" he began. + +"Jerry!" called his wife rather sharply. "Please don't do all the +exploring in one day. Nora must change her things and come down stairs. +She may want something to eat after her journey." Mrs. Ted's tone of +voice was plainly against that cabinet. + +"All right, Ted, I'll subside," replied the jolly man. "The fact is----" +he whispered to Nora, "our Ted hates ghosts; and every time I talk about +this here upright coffin, she objects," and he gave one of his boyish +twisted yelps, as if he wanted to yell but didn't dare so gurgled +instead, and it was very plain he said this out of pure mischief; +nevertheless, it did cause the little girl to clench her small fists and +start suddenly. + +"Come right down stairs," insisted the hostess imperatively. "I'm very +sure, Nora dear, you will find something more interesting in Vita's cake +box than you could dig out of that dusty hole." + +"Vita! What a queer name!" exclaimed Nora, following Mrs. Manton out +from the interesting attic. + +"Her whole name is more than that. It's Vittoria, but since she does our +cooking and is both vital and vitaminous, we cut it down to an easy word +implying both," explained Ted. "You see, Nora, we are keen on short +cuts." + +The little girl was thinking something like that. In fact, she was so +fascinated with the realities of her visit she had almost lost the last +shred of faith in her picturesque dreams. "If I had ever named a cook," +she was deciding, "I should surely have given her Susan or Betsy or +maybe Jennie. But Vita means more and makes you think of good victuals." + +The open stairs were built winding from the big field stone hearth in +the first room, clear up to the attic chamber, and, as they descended, +Nora looked about the quaint, rustic place in rapturous admiration. +Indeed, no dream of her great life series had ever included this. Gone +with the Jim-Aunt Elizabeth idea was going the rag-rug four-poster plan, +that had seemed almost indelibly outlined on her whimsical picture +plate. She sighed a little, as she felt she should, on the "grave of her +dreams;" but there was Jerry calling from the open door: + +"Here you are, Nora! Come and meet Cap." + +"Cap! A boy!" she asked excitedly. + +"Not the regular kind, but he's some boy just the same." Jerry was +clapping his hands like a boy himself, just as a big shaggy dog bounded +down the path and up the few steps to the square porch. + +"Oh, what a beauty! I have always loved a big dog!" exclaimed Nora. +"What's his name?" + +"Captain," replied the proud master. "Here Cap, come shake hands with +Nora." + +The dog cocked one ear up inquisitively, looked over the small girl with +majestic indifference, walked around her twice and finally flung his +bushy tail out with a swish that fanned Nora's cheek as she bent over to +make friends. + +"Isn't he lovely! Just like the picture in my first story book; the big +dog that dragged the lost man out of the snow drifts," said Nora, almost +breathless with delight. + +"He is exactly that sort," explained Jerry. "He came from the other side +and was a Captain in the big war." + +"Oh," sighed Nora wistfully. "He must know an awful lot." + +"He surely does, eh, old boy?" and the big shaggy head was patted +affectionately. + +Meanwhile Vita, the Italian woman who held the office of housekeeper, +was depositing a mess of freshly-picked dandelions in a pan on the +kitchen table. She smiled pleasantly at the little stranger, and at a +single glance Nora knew she and Vita were sure to be friends. + +"Now, you know us all," announced the hostess. "Vita and Captain +complete the circle." + +"Not counting the crow, and the rabbits and the cat and the----" + +"The animal kingdom is not included," Ted interrupted her husband. "When +we get to checking up the animals please, after Captain count in +Cyclone." + +"Cyclone! A horse?" asked Nora. + +"Yes, the horse," answered Jerry. "He can climb trees, crawl through +gullies and swim the river like a bear, according to Ted." + +"Well, hardly all of that," qualified the smiling owner of the saddle +horse Cyclone. "But he is a wonderful horse, Nora. I am sure you will +want to ride him." + +"Oh, I'd be dreadfully afraid," demurred the girl. "But perhaps----" + +"You aren't going to be afraid of anything around here, Bobbie," Jerry +assured the small girl, who looked smaller by contrast to the big man +and the robust, athletic young woman; both perfect models of "America's +best." + +Considering the very short time little Nora had been at the Nest, it +appeared much, in the way of acquaintance, had been accomplished. + +"If you will just run off, Jerry-boy, and manage to find something to +keep you busy for a half hour or so," begged his wife finally, "perhaps +Nora and I will be able to settle down to the comforts of home." + +"Am I not included?" he asked teasingly. + +"Sometimes, but just now we need space," replied she, who was +affectionately styled Teddy. + +"That being the case----. Come along Cap," and the next moment a very +happy, boyish man and a wildly happy dog went scampering off through the +"flap-jack" path in the clearance. The path was made of selected flat +stones scattered at stepping intervals, and it was Jerry who insisted +they reminded him of Vita's best flap-jacks. + +The coming of Nora to the lodge in the wilderness was the result of what +seemed a necessity. The child was the daughter of Theodora Crane's best +friend Naomie Blair, an artist so highly temperamental that, after a +series of nerve episodes, she finally seemed forced to go to Western +mountains and leave little Nora at a select school. The school was +select to the point of isolation, and the teachers had advised Theodora, +who was in charge of Nora, that the child was so nervous, high strung +and fanciful, that the doctors had ordered a complete change of +surroundings. + +These characteristics were already showing in Nora's conduct; but with +that understanding of childhood always a part of pure affection for it, +Theodora was pleased, rather than worried, over the prospects ahead. + +Nora herself seemed bewildered and fascinated. Her love of "dream +things" was plainly a part of her nature, at the same time she was +quickly learning that only happy realities can make happy dreams. + +In the small satchel that Nora clung to was found no suitable change of +anything like practical clothing, in fact her dress was so fussy, +be-ribboned and be-frilled, that Teddy hesitated about offering any of +it to the briars and brambles of the timberland. + +"I pick out all my own dresses, you know," the little girl explained. +"Nannie wasn't able to do any shopping so she had the catalogues sent to +me by mail." + +"Nannie?" + +"That's mother, of course. But she is so little and delicate I could +never think of calling her mother," declared Nora. "She likes Nannie +better." + +"You have quite a talent for names or re-names," joked Teddy. "I am +wondering how I should have liked the 'Lizzie' you chose for me." + +"Not Lizzie! Elizabeth," in a shocked voice. + +"Same lady, I believe. But let's hold on to Ted until we get acquainted +or things may go on end," advised good-natured Mrs. Manners. "Besides, +there's our auto, that's 'Lizzie' to Jerry." + +Nora did not ask why. She was in the yellow room, changing, and the blue +roses in the filmy little dress she selected were not bluer than her own +wondering eyes. + +"I tell you what would be just the thing for you, dear," said Teddy +suddenly. "You must join the Girl Scouts!" + +"Girl Scouts!" + +"Yes, you know about them, don't you?" + +"I've read about them, but I really never could, Aunt Teddy. I couldn't +be one of those wild, uncultured girls." + +A delicious laugh escaped Teddy. + +"Wild and uncultured!" she repeated. Then, seeing the pitifully blank +look on Nora's face she dropped the subject. "Here's your closet," she +explained next, opening the door of a built-in wardrobe, "and you better +slip these little pads on the ends of hangers when you put pretty things +on them. You see, we have very few fancy things out here, and these +hangers are cut from our birch trees. I had a visitor last year who was +so afraid of snakes she spent all her time around the lodge, so she made +these pine pads with fancy stocking ends. I have never needed to use +them." + +The pads were little cushions of pine needles sewed in silk stocking +ends, with a long open seam along the side. These slipped onto the +hangers and were tied with tapes at the hook. Nora quickly adjusted one +for her dotted swiss dress and another for her pink rose silk. These, +strange to tell, she had carried in her hand bag. + +"And here is your dresser," Teddy further introduced. "See what lovely +deep drawers." + +"Aren't they? I'd love to put lavender and rosemary in the corners. Do +you--like those perfumes?" + +"Well, yes, as perfumes. But I'm so used to the odor of freshly cut +trees I'm afraid my finer taste is disappearing," said the other +quietly. + +Into the drawer Nora was placing such an outlay of finery as any young +bride might have boasted of. Selecting from catalogues was only too +evident in the lacy garments, with little ribbons, and tiny rose buds; +pretty in themselves but absurd on the undergarments of a growing child. +Then, there was an ivory set, mirror, comb, brush, etc. As the surprised +Teddy glimpsed the display over a khaki covered shoulder she had +difficulty in choking back a laugh. + +"Naomie would be as silly as that," she pondered, silently, reflecting +that the same sort of whims in dress and finery had been a real part of +Naomie Blair's young girlhood. + +Nora was placing her pretty things on the big dresser, with skilled +little fingers, and that the fancy, private, exclusive school had helped +to make silly traits even more pronounced in little Nora, was too +evident. + +Wisely, however, Mrs. Ted said not a word in opposition. Things must +move slowly, she realized, if the quaint little dreamer was not to be +too rudely shocked out of her fancies. + +It was all very exciting even to the placid, well balanced young woman. +To have the daughter of her girlhood friend come into her very arms, +like a little bird battered in the storm of life's uncertainties, with +tired wings falling against the bright window pane of love; then to see +the dreams unfolded with the Jims, Elizabeths, ghosts and attic fancies, +ready to reel off like an actual moving-picture--it was all very +surprising, not to say astonishing, for the sensible, modern Mantons. + +But could this same bright-eyed lady have looked into the summer ahead, +and forseen the new fields of fancies that Nora was about to explore, +she might have been still more amazed. Playing mother to a butterfly is +not often a very satisfactory experience, but there was Nora, and if +ever a child needed a mother this little "whimsy" did. + +"To think of calling her mother Nannie," reflected Mrs. Manton, "and if +only I could have called such a child 'daughter.'" + +Jerry was back from his enforced trip to the lumberland, and his whistle +trickled in the window on a flood of sunshine. + +"Oh, let's go down," exclaimed Nora, brushing things hastily into the +dresser drawer and neglecting to tie her sash in an even bow. "I'm so +anxious to see your outdoors, I could easily believe there are fairies +in these thick, tangly woods." + +"Our birds and little animal friends are just as interesting as +fairies," remarked Mrs. Ted, "but you must know them and they must know +you." + +"How ever could one get acquainted with birds?" asked Nora, stopping a +moment on her way out to answer Jerry's whistle. + +"We don't know how, but we know we do," replied Mrs. Ted, giving the +flying window curtain a jerk to let the sun stream in. "Some day I must +tell you about the poor little blue-jay we took in and nursed. He got so +fond of us I could hardly get him to fly away." + +"I had a canary once, Nannie sent it for Christmas, but I had to let him +go," said Nora. "He was just breaking his heart in that tiny, little +cage. I never wanted a bird again." + +"They are pathetic when caged," agreed Mrs. Manton, "but when out in +their own woods they seem to be the very happiest little creatures of +all creation. Run along," she said, as Nora waited politely. "That +Jerry-boy is getting impatient." + +As the child fluttered off, her yellow ringlets dancing and her dainty +little skirts swishing around the half tied ribbon sash, Mrs. Ted smiled +and pondered: + +"Another little blue-jay to love; but she will surely want to fly away +in her sky of dreams, and I pity the tired wings when night comes," +sighed the potential mother. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A BROKEN DREAM + + +It was evening at the Nest, and the quiet settling down on the woodlands +vibrated with a melody, at once silent and musical. + +Little Nora fairly trembled with expectation. What would the night +bring? She was determined to sleep in that attic under the big, dark +rafters. As a matter of fact Nora was fascinated with fear; just as one +may stop on a river bridge and feel like jumping in. + +"Just pound on the floor, Kitten, if you get scared. We'll run up and +get you, quickly enough," declared Jerry, secretly proud of Nora's +pluck. + +"But really, dear," objected Mrs. Ted, "I would rather you would----" + +"Now Ted, you know well enough you had a heap of fun the night you and +Jettie slept in the haunted house. Never mind the trouble you made in +the neighborhood, you had your fun," and he clapped his brown hands on +his knee and laughed, until Cap, the big dog, rolled over in his sleep +and grunted inquiringly. + +This reminder caused Ted to smile indulgently, and when Nora twined her +warm little arms around the same Teddie's neck, it seemed to the adopted +mother she could not deny her anything--she might sleep on the roof if +the whim occurred to her just then. + +While the family, which included Vita and the big tiger cat, besides Cap +and a cage of newly adopted birds, were either talking or listening to +talk, Vita, from the kitchen door, was acting rather queerly. She would +shuffle back and forth, start to speak and hesitate, cough, spill pans +and make other unusual noises, until Ted called out: + +"What's the matter, Vita? You seem to be having a lot of trouble." + +"Not trouble, just worry," replied the elderly servant in good English, +but strongly accented. + +"Worry?" repeated Jerry. "Why Vita, you never worry. What's wrong? Come +in and tell us about it." + +At this invitation Vita showed herself in the comfortable sitting room, +towel in hand and head wagging. + +"It's like this," she began, "that attic----" + +"Oh, that's it, is it? Now don't you go worrying about the attic," +interrupted Jerry. "If our little girl wants to dream one dream out up +there, why shouldn't she? I like her spirit." + +"But when--there's the pretty room----" + +"Why Vita!" It was Ted who interrupted this time. "I'm surprised that +you should interfere!" + +"Now, you know, dear, Vita means no harm," Jerry broke in, always eager +to smooth things out. "But there really doesn't seem any cause for all +this anxiety." + +"I would say, please," ventured the housekeeper, "a little girl might +get scared up in that black garret," and she made her dark eyes glare, +plainly with the intent of frightening Nora out of her plans. + +"Then it will be over, anyhow," spoke up the child, "and I might as well +get scared tonight as any other night," she concluded loftily. + +"Right-o!" sang out Jerry. "I can tell sure thing, Kitten, that you and +I are going to have a heap of fun in these diggings. When you get +through with one scare we'll invent another, and in that way we'll be +able to keep things interesting." + +Vita threw back her head, rolled her eyes again and made a queer sort of +gurgle. Then she swished her dish towel in the air with such a jerk it +snapped like a whip, and realizing further argument would be useless, +she turned back into her own quarters. + +As she went out, man and wife exchanged questioning glances. They +plainly asked each other why their maid should be so concerned, but with +Nora present it was unwise to put the query into words, so it remained +unanswered. + +Nothing but sheer pity prevented Mrs. Jerry Manton, better known as Ted, +from bursting into delicious laughter at the sight of Nora in her +boudoir finery, as, an hour later, she picked her way up into that +attic. + +Jerry kept discreetly at a distance, but he too saw the figure, so like +the model of an old time master painting, as she climbed the stairs, +unlighted candle in hand, with Cap at the little pink heels that just +peeked out from under a very beautiful, dainty night-robe. + +Her candle was not lighted--Cousin Ted, (the latest name given the +hostess) would not permit the lighting, as she argued it was dangerous +to carry the little flame so near to the flimsy robe: never-the-less, +Nora wanted the candle, and she carried it along to complete the +picture. + +At the door Ted touched a button and the convenient big electric bulb, +ordinarily used by Jerry when he went to the attic workroom, showered a +welcome light over the dark rafters and the queer eerie, lofty quarters. + +"Isn't it wonderful!" said Nora, in a voice so shaky the wonder part +seemed rather awful. + +"If you get the least bit nervous, dear, you come right down to the +yellow room," cautioned Ted. "We will leave the hall lights on, and Cap +wanders about all night. So if you hear him don't be alarmed." + +"It would be nice----" Nora paused, then continued, "if Cap would sleep +up here on this lovely landing. Couldn't we give him a pillow?" + +"I'm sure he wouldn't stay long," objected Ted. "Our Cap is a wonderful +night watchman and has a regular beat to cover. He will be sure to visit +you more than once before morning." She was turning away reluctantly. +The circumstances exacted full strength of her own courage--to leave +that little wisp of a child up in the lonely attic just to satisfy a +whim. + +But Ted knew the only sure way to effect a cure for the fanciful +nonsense was to let it burn out: it could never be successfully +suppressed. Hence the decision and the attic quarters. + +"Good night, cousin Ted," said Nora bravely. "And don't worry about me. +I'm sure to sleep and dream beautifully in that nice, fresh bed." + +"It is fresh; I changed it all as Vita seemed so opposed to letting you +come up here," said Ted, thoughtfully. "But while Vita is very queer in +some respects, she is loyal and faithful, always." + +Nora threw her small arms around Ted's neck impulsively. + +"If only Nannie liked housekeeping," she sighed. "Couldn't we have +perfectly lovely times in a little house of our own?" + +"Your mother is sure to change her ideas when she grows stronger," +replied the young woman, charitably. "Naomie has what is termed the +artistic temperament. As a rule it is greatly and sadly in need of +discipline." + +Nora sighed and pressed a loving pair of trembling lips on Mrs. Manton's +brown cheek. + +"I'm so glad I found you, anyhow. And Cousin Jerry is just the very +loveliest big jolly man! I'm sure I'm going to be very happy here," she +finished with an impressive sigh. + +"I know you are, dear. We have more kinds of things to do in this big +woodland! Just wait until you go out surveying with us!" Ted promised, +"then you will see some of the wonders of the great outdoors. There's +Jerry's whistle now. I must run away and get him his bread and milk. +Would you believe that great, big baby has a bowl of milk and two cuts +of home made bread every night? He says his mother always told her +children a story when they took this extra meal, and he insists he would +break up the family circle if he failed to take his nightly supply." + +"Break up the family? Do they come here?" + +"Oh, bless you, no. Jerry just fancies the other two brothers in Canada +and the sister who is a nurse in the mountains, all eat bread and milk +at nine-thirty P. M." She laughed a little, caressing ripple. Even Nora +knew that this young wife cherished any filial view held up by her +husband. + +Ted was gone, and presently it was time to turn out the big bulb light +that dangled from the rafters. Nora peered into the looking glass at her +own little face to make doubly sure of herself. Then she made a complete +survey of the room. + +"Just to know that any noise isn't here," she apologized to herself, +poking her yellow head into a nest of cobwebs and jerking back with a +little gasp. + +"Oh!" she panted, "Cousin Jerry wants cobwebs for his surveying +instruments. I must be sure to remember where that nest is." + +Over by the chimney a line of paper bags hung and these now seemed +"spooky" in the shadowy light. Other hanging things in the low parts of +the attic that were set away from the center, the latter which was +forming the unfinished bed room, all added to the grotesque outline. + +"But I've got to do it," declared little Nora, crawling at last under +the fresh bed covering Cousin Ted had provided. + +"I'll leave the light on for a little while just to try it," decided +Nora, her yellow head buried so deeply beneath the covers that it was +quite impossible to tell light from darkness. + +A little click from somewhere brought her up straight in the bed, a +moment later. She listened with all her alert senses but nothing else +happened. With a new feeling, somewhat akin to disappointment, Nora once +more settled down, first, however, she actually turned off the light, +and only the slim streak from the far away hall showed a single beam +that framed the chimney line. + +Being brave--as brave as all this--was really a new experience to Nora, +but she had promised herself to "hold out"; and then Cousin Jerry had +seemed so proud of her pluck she would never disappoint him. + +"Makes me feel almost as big as a boy," she encouraged herself, "and +won't I have a wonderful story to write Barbara." + +Now she thought of Barbara, the tom-boy girl at school: she who could +climb and romp, laugh and cry, defy the prim madams who conducted the +school, it was certainly conducted not "run," and the Misses Baily were +types of teachers such as the most carping critic might depict, black +string eye-glasses and all. + +The vision flitted before the blinking eyes of Nora. She was so glad to +get away from school restrictions and perhaps--well perhaps Cousin Jerry +and Cousin Ted might get to love her so fondly they would not send her +back. + +What was that! + +Over by the big chest! + +Quickly Nora struck a match and lighted her candle. + +A figure moved, there was no mistake about it, a person, a real live +person was surely over by the spook cabinet. + +Nora almost stopped breathing. + +She was afraid to call out and still more afraid to remain quiet. + +There it was again! + +"Oh! Oh! Cousin Ted!" + +She did call, but in such a thread of a voice she scarcely heard it +herself. + +The next moment Cap sniffed his big, warm nose up under her arm. + +"Oh, Cap, I'm so glad! Stay with me. I'm frightened!" she whispered, +drawing his tawny head closer. + +Then it occurred to her that the big dog had not barked. She knew he +could scent a stranger in any part of the house, and she was equally +sure a real person had moved over by the cabinet. Who could it be? + +Her first sudden fright was now giving place to reason. The intruder +must be human, and perhaps whoever it was, he was giving Cap something +he liked. But that would not account for his submission, for Cap was not +a dog to take things from strangers. + +Horrible thoughts of chloroform stifled the girl. She even fancied she +did detect a strange, depressing odor. What if she should be drugged! + +An attempt to move found her too frightened to put one foot over the +side of that bed. Why had she waited so long? A sickening fear was +coming on. Oh, suppose it should be unconsciousness? + +There was a stir. Cap was knocking things about. Now he dashed over and +was surely bounding up on someone. + +"Down!" came the command. + +It was given in the voice of Vita! + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +TRANSPLANTED + + +Nora was too surprised now to even think coherently. That Vita should be +up in her attic! + +"Down, down Cap!" the housekeeper was ordering, while the dog, evidently +realizing something very unusual was occurring, added his part to the +confusion. + +"Vita!" called Nora in a subdued voice, "Come over this way!" + +"Hush! Don't wake the folks," cautioned the maid, now beside Nora's bed. +"I--just--come to--shut the window----" + +"Oh, is there a window over there?" + +"A little one," evaded Vita. "But why do you come up to this dirty +place?" + +"It isn't dirty, and I like attics." Nora's was confident now and her +voice betrayed some resentment. + +"You like it?" Vita sniffed so hard the candle almost choked to death. + +"Why yes; why shouldn't I? I'm romantic you know." + +"Roman----" + +"Oh, you don't understand. I'm sort of booky, like a story, you know," +explained Nora loftily. "I love things that are like the parts of a +story." + +It was difficult to make certain that this lusty Italian understood; but +even in the dim light, her dark eyes seemed kind and full of smiling +glints, and her ruddy cheeks dimpled all over like a big tufted pin +cushion, giving Nora a feeling of security mingled with curiosity. + +Why did Vita come up? There was no draft from any window. Was there even +a window? + +"I tell you, baby," the woman began, as if answering Nora's silent +questions, "you be a very good little girl and go down to the pretty +sun-gold room; yes?" + +The big warm arm was cuddling the little form in the bed, and Cap was so +happy he put both paws gingerly on the coverlet, snapping a very short +bark of a question right into Nora's face. + +"Quiet, boy!" whispered Nora. "We are having a lovely party but we must +not wake our neighbors." + +The big shaggy head burrowed down into the covers, and Nora felt like a +little queen on a throne with her servants bowing at her feet. + +"Go on, Vita," she ordered grandly. + +"I tell you a nice little story, then you go downstairs on tippy toes, +yes?" + +"But Vita dear, I did so want to stay up here," pouted Nora. + +"It is no good up here. All crazy like, and make you scared--awful." +This was said in a very positive tone. + +"Why? What should I be afraid of? I slept alone at boarding school and +the winds made dreadful noises sometimes." protested Nora. + +"Never mind. You be Vita's good baby and Vita give you nice--very good +cake tomorrow," coaxed the woman, who now seemed anxious to leave the +attic herself. She stirred uneasily. + +"Well," sighed Nora, "I suppose I can't have any peace if I don't." She +threw down the coverlet. "But see, my little clock says eleven, and I +don't want to disturb anyone on my very first night. You go down +whatever way you came up, Vita; and I'll creep down the front way." + +The woman's relief was so evident Nora scarcely knew whether to be +grateful or suspicious. + +"Now everything be all right," whispered Vita happily, "and you sleep +just like the angel. Here Cap, you go very still," and she patted the +dog with a little shove that urged him toward the door. He understood, +evidently, for very quietly indeed he shuffled down, his four feet +softer than velvet slippers, as he carried his huge body down the +darkened stairway. + +Nora first poked her head out to make sure the coast was clear, then +with a motion to Vita, who stood with candle in hand at the attic door, +she swept down the stairs and entered the yellow room, into which a soft +light from the hall fell in a welcoming path. + +The bed covers were turned down--Vita must have been determined that +Nora should use that bed, and the window was properly opened, for the +soft breeze stirred the scrim curtains, and a wonderful woodland scent +stole into the room. + +"It is much better down here," Nora was forced to admit as she snuggled +into the gold and blue coverlet. "I guess I was a nuisance to be so +obstinate." + +A few minutes later a step in the hall glided to the electric light +button, and the click that followed turned off the light. + +That must have been Ted, of course, and she must have known that Nora +was now safely tucked in the comfortable bed in the guest room. + +"She was waiting for me too," mused Nora with a twinge of compunction. +"I do wonder why they made such a fuss about me staying in the attic?" +It was delicious to have every one anxious about her,--so short a time +ago no one but the Circle Angel at the Baily School seemed to care +whether she slept in her bed or out on the old, tattered hammock, that +Barbara wanted to make a tree climber out of; and now in this lovely +little bungalow, called The Nest, there were so many beds for her she +couldn't choose. + +All the same, with the insistence of her fancies, visions of goblins and +goo-gees up in the attic pranced through her excited brain and made the +queerest pictures. She shivered as she remembered them. + +"But Vita is nothing like a spirit worker," mused the child. "And she is +so kind and seems so fond of me." Then she had an inspiration. + +"I have it," she all but exclaimed aloud. "Vita knows what is wrong and +is afraid I will find out. She is not frightened at it or she would not +go prowling around in the dark," continued the reasoning, "but she has a +secret and it is in that attic." + +As if this conclusion settled all disturbing doubts, Nora humped over +once or twice and then gave in to the sleep her tired little self was so +sorely in need of. + +It was the end of a long and too well filled day. She had left the +select school with all the instructions of the Misses Baily fairly +hissing in her ears. Then there was Barbara's fun making, in the way of +a train letter with all sorts of wild premonitions (they were funny but +somehow the train incidents took on the threats of danger Barbara had +outlined). But after all, no one had kidnapped her and here she +was--yes, asleep in the big fluffy bed in the lovely yellow room. + +A whistle--Jerry's--brought her back. The daylight was streaming in +through that wonderful dew laden vine. And oh, the scent! + +It was not flowers but woodlands. A bird chirped a polite good morning, +and without the usual eye rubbing Nora was sitting up straight and +silently thanking the Maker of good things for such a wonderful day. + +For the first time in her life she felt that her clothes were not +appropriate, and it was some moments before she could decide just which +little gown to appear in. They really seemed out of place in that rugged +country--her laces and ribbons and fine fussings. + +"I suppose the Girl Scouts do wear practical things," she reflected, +"but that horrid khaki!" The thought sent a little shudder through the +small, frail shoulders, and Nora, donning her Belgian blue, with brown +sandals and two colored socks, was ready, presently, to meet her newly +adopted relations. Cap was at her door when she opened it, and this, +more than anything else, sent a thrill of joy to her heart. Even a +wonderful big dog to welcome her when any dog would surely want to be +out doors with Jerry on such a morning! + +"Come along, Bob," called a man's voice from the lower hall. "We can +hardly spare time to eat--there is so much to see this morning." + +Nora was beside him as he continued: + +"The kittens are tumbling out of their box, the puppies are fighting +over a feather, the chicks are testing their strength on a nice, lively, +fat little worm, and oh yes! the calf jumped over the moon--the moon +being Ted's home made gate," he finished, with that boyish laugh that +always made the house ring merrily. + +Vita was just coming into the dining room with the muffins as Nora +passed her. There was no mistaking the sly wink--the big dark eyes +fairly sparkled glints as the maid signalled Nora not to say anything +about the attic episode. Nora smiled and nodded, and then the muffins +were placed before Mrs. Ted. + +"Sleep well, dear?" asked that lady presently. + +"Wonderfully," replied Nora, just a bit cautiously. + +"I heard you come down stairs and was rather glad you changed your +mind," continued the hostess, while she poured Jerry's coffee. "It is +much pleasanter on the second floor." + +For a moment Nora wondered whether this was being said to disguise the +real happening. Did Mrs. Manton know that Vita had gone up to rouse her? + +"Maybe rain today," interrupted the maid, although the sun shone +brightly at the moment. + +"Now Vittoria!" objected Jerry. "You ought to know better than to say +rain when I have to go away out to the back woods, and I want to have +some real work done today." He glanced over his shoulder at the +streaming sunlight. "You're a fraud, or else you are not awake yet," he +went on. "There is no more sign of rain than of snow." + +"I agree with you for once, Jerry," chimed in Ted. "The grass was +knitted with cobwebs, the sun came up grey, and besides all that the +jelly jelled. Now Vita, you see you are completely left. It is not going +to rain." + +Vita laughed good naturedly. "Then I say it is goin' to shine," she +added, and Nora now felt certain her talk had been made to interrupt the +comment on the night before. + +Breakfast passed off in a gale of pleasantries. The home of the Mantons +seemed jollier every moment, to Nora. + +"How about the woods?" asked Jerry, while they lingered over the coffee. + +"I'm ready," replied Ted, "and I'm sure Nora will want to come." + +"Oh yes," with a glance at her inadequate costume. "Will this dress be +all right?" + +"If it's the strongest you have with you," replied Ted. "But we have +some very saucy briars and brush. We must see about a real woodsy outfit +for you." She paused a moment, then continued, "I am sure you will like +the Girl Scouts when you get to know more about them. I know a group of +the girls and to my thinking they are the real thing in girls." + +Nora flushed slightly. One point she had made up her mind on. She was +not going to lose her identity by joining in with a group of girls who, +she imagined, just did as they were told, and apparently had no ideas of +their own. Nora had seen some of the Girl Scout literature and it had +not impressed her favorably. It was plain and practical, while she +longed for novelty. + +"Well, Bob is going to be my scout, at any rate," chimed in Jerry, quick +to sense possible embarrassment. The shade of Nora's cheeks gave him his +cue. "We won't talk about the regular Scouts until--well, until later," +he finished, in the foolish way he had of making a boy of himself. It +was rather foolish, but so jolly. He would wind up everything in just +the way Nora never expected, as if his words said themselves. + +The visitor was conscious now of something unpleasant stealing in upon +her. Would Mrs. Manton oblige her to be different? Couldn't she dream +and play and fancy all the wonderful things she had been storing up for +so long? Wasn't this her dream vacation? + +Nannie, that play mother of hers, _she_ knew would not want her to +change her peculiar characteristics. + +This sort of reasoning flashed before her mind as the party prepared for +a day in the woods. + +So the little girl in Belgian blue went along with the big man in his +knickers and brown blouse, and with the young woman in her service +uniform. + +Nora made an odd little figure, but she was, as she had always been, a +picture of a girl. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE WOODS AT ROCKY LEDGE + + +Out in the woods! + +Forgotten was the dread idea of a Scout uniform or the possible program +of a Scout ritual. Nora romped with Cap, discovering new delights at +every few paces and only pausing to exchange salutations with birds, +bees and butterflies. The sky was as blue as her gown, and her eyes +matched the entire scheme. Her golden hair tossed in the wind like new +corn silk, and when Jerry and Ted slyly inspected their charge at a safe +distance, a most comprehensive nod of a pair of wise heads told volumes +to the woodlands and the surrounding Nature audience. + +Yes, Nora would do. Now life at the Nest seemed complete. Even this +dreamy, romantic little bit of humanity was a real child, and to the +pair of adopted parents she seemed as beautiful as a wild flower. + +"Now Ted, you just hold back on that Scout stuff," Jerry had the +temerity to suggest. "We don't want to scare her off, first shot. And +you can see she's opposed." + +"She doesn't understand," replied Ted. "But, of course, there is no need +to urge her. No hurry, at any rate." + +"I don't know as I like the tom-boy idea," continued Jerry. "She's very +pretty just as she is." + +Ted laughed knowingly. "You're the boy who pulls down the shades rather +than say 'no' to the peddlers," she reminded him. "It is easy to +understand why you are opposing the Scouts." + +He adjusted his tripod and seemed to have found something very absorbing +at that moment. Nevertheless, his big shoulders shook, and his curly +head wagged a little suspiciously. + +They were surveying the end of a big strip of woodland. All over the +young forest could be seen the yellow stripes that marked the trees that +were to be spared, while those unmarked were doomed for the woodman's +ax. Birds liked the yellow-banded trees best, to judge from the perches +they made upon such, but of course, they could not have known that the +other, not so fortunate, needed their musical sympathy to make less +gloomy the approaching execution. + +"See! Just see!" Nora called, running back from the wild grape-vine +cave. "Do come over and see this--little play house. It's perfect as can +be, with vine draperies, and moss carpet, and real wild-rose decoration. +Cap led me to it, I guess it's his secret place." She was panting with +sheer joy. The woods were new to the girl from the boarding school, +where walks were confined to the limits of neuritis and neuralgia as +"enjoyed" by the Baily Sisters. + +"Cap'll show you," replied Jerry. "He has nothing to do but hunt while +Ted and I work for our living." + +"Oh, could I help?" Nora felt like an intruder upon their industry. + +"Not just today, but pretty soon. Perhaps the day after." This was +another of Jerry's characteristic replies. Nora understood them better +now. + +"But it is real fun--fun to look through that spy glass. Do you have +cobwebs in there?" + +Asking this brought back to her mind the cobweb nest in the attic. +Jerry's reply, however, forestalled further reflection in that direction +at the moment. + +"Some day, pretty soon, perhaps the day after tomorrow," he laughed +again, "I'll show you all about this and the cobwebs. Ted has some town +stuff to attend to; and listen, Bobbs" (he stepped over and whispered in +Nora's ear), "Ted is a perfect terror if she is held too late in the +woods. She would starve us to death, like as not, if I didn't get back +before the clock cooled striking. So you and Cap just run along and find +out what the fairies want from the village, while we mark a few more +spots." + +Was there ever such a jolly man? Once again he had quickly avoided +embarrassment to Nora. He would not even let her think she should be +useful. + +"Yes," called Mrs. Manton from her position astride a small white birch, +"you and Cap have a good time, Nora. He will teach you to explore." + +Willingly Nora ran back to the bower she had discovered. Surely it had +been fashioned by elves and fairies, for it was perfect in every detail. +Unconscious of time, she flitted about making a little window in the +wild grape vine, and fashioning a door between the hazel-nut boughs. + +A murmuring song escaped her lips, while Cap now and then yelped +sharply, impatient to be understood and receive attention. + +"Why, Cap!" asked Nora in reply to one of these outbursts, "I don't +quite understand your language. What is it?" + +The big dog was vainly trying to make Nora see a nest of late sparrows. +The tiny feathered babies could just stretch their little heads above +the rim of the straw cup of a nest they cuddled in, and when Cap found +them he knew he should notify somebody. The bush was so low, although it +was safely sheltered by the thick vines, and a wild trumpet vine loaned +two beautiful flowers to cheer the little birds during their mother's +absence. Still, Cap felt certain it was dangerous for such tiny +creatures to be there in the very path of any wild, rough animal +happening by. + +Nora had never seen such baby birds before. First, she wanted to fondle +them, but Cap gave warning and she desisted. Then, she wanted to feed +them, as if birds could eat the black berries she offered them. But +presently the mother bird flew into the bower with such a wild, shrill +call, Nora knew her own presence was not desired so near the baby birds, +so she followed Cap out into the clearance. As she did she saw +approaching a group of girls, and they wore the Girl Scout uniform. + +At the sight something within Nora seemed to tighten up. The girls were +coming straight to the bower and their laughing voices had the strange +effect of all but chilling Nora. + +Without waiting to exchange so much as a smile she called Cap and ran +off to the surveyor's camp. + +"Well," she heard one girl exclaim, as she sped away, "one would think +we were--Indians." + +Nora's ears stung as her cheeks flamed. + +"There! Wasn't that just what one might expect? As if a girl couldn't do +just as she pleased in the woodlands! And they were her own Cousin +Jerry's lands too," Nora scoffed. + +"What's the matter, Nora?" asked Mrs. Manton, as she panting, sank down +on a freshly-cut stump. "You don't mean to tell me you are actually +afraid of those little girls, just because they wear uniforms?" + +"Oh, no, Cousin Ted, I am not afraid of them," her voice would shake +somehow, "but I didn't know them." + +"I see. Well, we must all get acquainted in these pretty parts. The +birds and the furry things never wait for an introduction," replied Ted, +kindly. + +"Come along with me, Bobbs," called Jerry, who was packing up his +instruments. "I need help with this chain; it is bound to snarl." + +"Jerry!" called out Mrs. Ted rather sharply. "You really must not +interfere every time I attempt to tell Nora something useful. I want her +to know the Girl Scouts, and the sooner she makes up her mind to do so +the happier she will be. The Scouts are all over this place you know, +Jerry," and the laughter of the girls up at the bower attested to the +truth of that statement. "Anyone who is not interested in Scouting will +have a poor chance of a real vacation in the woodlands," concluded Mrs. +Manton. + +"But we are going to scout," insisted the man with the tripod on his +shoulder. "The only thing is, we are going to do it in our own way. +Isn't that so, Bobbs?" + +Young and simple minded as was Nora, she was fully conscious of a +difference of opinions regarding her management. Jerry was surely siding +with her, even in her whims, whereas Ted, mother-like, felt the +necessity of giving advice. + +That was it. She had never before known anything the least bit +mother-like. Would she find the relationship too irksome? + +There was the hint of a tear in her blinking eye when she pulled the +kinky tape out for Jerry and felt it snap back into its leather case. +After all, things were not exactly as she had pictured them at the Nest. +First, she was dragged down from her attic--she felt now she had been +dragged down in the very middle of the night by that great, big Vita, +and now, there were those horrid Girl Scouts being held up as examples +for her to follow and imitate. Well, she would never be a Scout. Each +time the question presented itself she felt more decidedly against it. +She would always have big Cousin Jerry to stand by her, and if Cousin +Ted---- + +"Want to come to town with me, dear?" called the owner of the name she +was opposing. + +"Sure she does. She is going to ride Cyclone. Aren't you, Bobbs?" This +was from Jerry. + +"I couldn't ride a big horse," faltered the confused girl. + +"We will go in our handsome ca--our little tame flivver," interrupted +Ted. "When you want to ride a horse you will have plenty of time to +practice." Mrs. Manton had assembled her tools. Nora marvelled at the +strong hands that could so skillfully wield the sharp hatchet and the +dangerous-looking trimming knife. Into the loop at her belt Ted +carelessly slipped the glittering tools, and as she did so Nora recalled +the sight of the dainty hands she had been accustomed to admiring. What +would the ladies who visited the school say to a person like Cousin Ted? + +They were ready to leave for the cottage. Over the hill the Girl Scouts +were calling their mysterious "Wha-hoo," and to Nora it sounded like a +call to battle. What had at first been merely an indifference was now +assuming the proportions of actual dislike. How was Nora to know she was +a very much spoiled little girl? And how was she to guess what the cost +of her change of heart would mean to her? + +She was a total stranger to the word "snob." Her training had been one +straight line of avoiding this, that, and the other thing; but as for +doing this, that and everything, no place was given in the curriculum. + +Mrs. Manton, herself a product of the most modern college, knew the +weakness of little Nora's character at a glance, but to introduce +strength and purpose! To bend the vine without crushing the tendrils! + +This very first day was marked with a danger signal. If Nora slighted +the Scouts, they who came almost daily to Ted for information and +companionship, there was sure to be trouble. It was this surety that +prompted Ted to say with decision: + +"The sooner Nora gets acquainted the happier she will be." + +Meanwhile the girls of Chickadee Patrol had all but forgotten about the +stranger. They were after specimens and had discovered more than one new +bird's nest. Cameras were clicking, notes being taken, and so many +interesting matters were being attended to, it was not strange that the +sight of one little girl in a pretty blue frock, with a disdainful +expression on her otherwise attractive face, might have been forgotten +for the time. + +If there were really fairies in those woods they should have intervened +just then, for it would have been so much easier for Nora to have met +the Scouts as companions, whereas she, holding away from the very idea +of organization, kept building up a dislike which threatened to cause +her much unhappiness. + +The woodlands were broad enough for both to roam, but it was inevitable +that both should meet some day, and, under what circumstances? + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A PRINCE IN HIDING + + +When Nora wrote to Barbara she drew word pictures of the beauties at +Woodland Wilds. She shed a tear of real joy when writing about Cousin +Jerry and Captain, and when she fondly recited the virtues of Cousin Ted +she felt she put more in that one word "Motherly" than could otherwise +have been conveyed. + +It was in the writing of that letter that she took account of her actual +self, for in wording it she had naturally summed up. + +"I am not just sure whether I entirely suit or not," she told Barbara. +"Sometimes I feel so different. Of course they all love me, even Vita +the cook, and I love them fondly, but don't you know, Babs, you always +told me I saw 'foohey' and you would not explain what it was to be that +way? But I guess I am, whatever it is, for a lot of alterations have +already been ordered," she wrote. + +"My new outdoor clothes have arrived," the letter ran, "they are of +brown cloth" (she avoided the use of the word khaki) "and they will +stand a lot of hard wear. Cousin Jerry says we get them that color and +so we won't scare the birds and other woodland creatures. They are +supposed to think we are part of the landscape." + +Nora then told of the attic, and its chest of treasures, and added she +expected to try on a couple of outfits the very first day she was free +from accompanying the surveying party. + +All of which showed the visitor was "taking root," as Jerry would have +said. + +A long tramp out in a marshy territory was to be undertaken by the two +veterans, Ted and Jerry, but because of the bad footing Nora was not +asked to go along. This provided the very opportunity Nora had been +waiting for, and hardly had the reliable old flivver "fluvved" away, +then she hurried up to the attic in search of a costume. + +"Come on, Cap," she whispered, eluding Vita, but unwilling to go up in +the attic alone. She had not forgotten the suspicions of her first +night. + +Too glad to obey, Cap led the way, and presently Nora forgot even the +"spook cabinet" in her interest over the open costume chest. + +Things were mussed and musty, rumpled and wrinkled and crinkled; but +what colors and what a lot of bright tinsel! + +"Oh joy," she exclaimed, dragging from the tangles a real Fauntleroy +costume. "I have always wanted to see how I would look dressed in this +sort of outfit," she thought, for the black velvet "knickers," the +little velvet jacket, and the lace blouse were all there, and yes, there +was a wonderful, bright silk scarf to go around the waist. + +The cap was prettiest of all, and it was resting on Nora's yellow curls +before Cap could possibly make out what the whole proceedings meant. He +stood over in his corner and blinked, but Nora insisted on having his +opinion. + +"Isn't it wonderful, Cap? And don't you like Nora in it?" she demanded. +He gave one of his peculiar exclamations rather louder than she had +expected, and to prevent the sounds from reaching Vita's ears, Nora put +both arms around Cap's neck and hugged him into silence. + +She was very much excited. Ever since her arrival at the Nest she had +been planning a private masquerade, and now the time had come for her to +indulge in it. + +Fanciful dream child that she was, the character of little Lord +Fauntleroy had always strongly appealed to her, and as for most girls +the boy's costume had a peculiar charm for her heroic ventures into the +world of make-believe. + +"We'll take them down stairs," she told Cap. "We can dress much more +comfortably in my room." + +Poking her head out to make sure Vita was not around, she tucked the +velvets and laces into her arms and hurried to the next floor. Seldom +had she locked the hall door, but she did so now, dismissing Cap +peremptorily, for there was no need of his protection on the second +floor. + +"I suppose it's too big," she reasoned, when the little knickers were +pulled up as high as the button and button hole line. Yes, it was big, +this costume had been worn by a gay lady at a big country club dance, +and little Nora was scarcely a sample of the personality for which the +jaunty outfit had been created. + +But mere size did not worry her. It was effect that she craved. The lacy +blouse fell into place quite naturally, and it did look boyish, while +the overblouse of black velvet completed the Fauntleroy picture. + +"If the buckles would only stay buckled," she sighed, trying for the +third time to fasten the knee straps and keep them that way. It was not +pretty at all to have them slink down below her knees, like an untidy +schoolboy; and a pin had no possible effect on the heavy, velvety +finish. + +"I know," breathed Nora, "I'll roll them." And she did that skillfully; +for in the season just past many and many a sock had she rolled and they +had stayed, although Barbara never could acquire the same knack. + +It was all finally finished, and she inspected herself in the mirror, +slanted to the very last angle to show the full length. A pat of the +cap, a brash of the tie and a swish of the flying scarf gave the +finishing touches. + +Really Nora made "a perfectly stunning" little Lord Fauntleroy. Had she +been more accustomed to the sayings of the day she might well have +exclaimed, "All dressed up and no place to go," but her culture admitted +of no such expressive parlance. Instead, she asked herself in the +looking glass: "Wonder if I dare go outside? It is so comfortable to +wear this style"; and she skipped around as every other girl on earth +has ever done the very moment she felt relieved of the trammel of +skirts. + +The morning was unusually quiet. Vita must be away picking greens, the +surveyors were miles out, and there was no one but Cap to criticise. Why +shouldn't she stroll out grandly in her princely costume? + +She did. The birds twittered and the rabbits scurried and the pet +squirrel stood up and begged. But Nora was not feeding the animals this +morning, instead, she flounced her lace sleeve in a most courtly gesture +and passed on to the cedar tree grove. Cedars seemed more appropriate +for velvets than did the other wild trees; besides, no underbrush grew +in the cedar grove, and it was much safer for costly finery. + +On the rustic seat Nora felt exactly as she had felt the day Miss Baily +took her to sit for her picture, except that she crossed her legs +comfortably now, whereas, then, she was not even allowed to cross her +hands. + +Presently the actress removed her (his) cap and poised it on the arm of +the chair. Did Lord Fauntleroy go out in his grounds alone? Perhaps she +should have called Cap to go along. + +Then came thoughts of Nannie. Why must she, little Nora, always be so +far away from that pretty mother? And why did the picture life--the +make-believe--charm her like some secret failing? Did other girls really +like the horrid brown uniforms never pictured in books, that is, never, +until very lately? So raced her unruly thoughts. + +Everything was so still, but Nora was not lonely--her own reflections +kept her such noisy company that isolation had no terror for her. Just +outside the cedar grove a strip of road waited for traffic. Few persons +passed, but even woodlands must have roads, just as skies must have +clouds. + +Feeling more at home in her costume every moment, Nora stepped proudly +outside the grove into the clearance. A fat little hoptoad crossed the +path, but otherwise the prince was lord of all he surveyed. The whole +world was busy, evidently, and even a visiting prince attracted no +attention in the wild woodlands. + +Nora wanted to whistle. She felt a prince, with hands in pockets +inspecting his domain, would surely whistle, but she had never made much +of a success at the wind song--it was Barbara who did all the whistling +for both. Still, she tried now, and the sound wasn't any worse than the +cracked call of the blue-jay, except that it did not carry so far. + +What would Barbara say to this game of characters? A companion would add +to the possibilities of good times, Nora secretly admitted, but what +companion could she find in these wilds? + +Just as a sense of loneliness came creeping over her she heard the +leaves somewhere crackle. The next moment a girl appeared a few paces up +the road, and called to her quickly: "Oh, I say boy! Have you seen the +Girl Scouts----" + +The voice stopped as suddenly as it had started. The girl in uniform +looked so surprised, Nora was conscious of scrutiny, even at the +distance between them. She turned her head instinctively and so evaded a +direct look; but presently the girl called again: + +"I am looking for the girls who are going over to the Ledge. Did you +happen to see them pass this way?" + +"No," faltered Nora, in a voice not her own. "I just came along. I'm +looking for a car----" + +"Oh, I saw one. It drove down the turn----" + +"Thanks," jerked out Nora, taking the cue to escape, and waving her hand +in lieu of further conversation. She dodged behind the heavy elderberry +bush and almost gasped in fright. What would a Girl Scout think of her +in such a costume? Of course, she had no possible opportunity of seeing +her face, and she surely could never recognize her again. Making +positive she could get back to the Nest without again stepping out into +the roadway, Nora sped back as quickly as her feet could carry her. It +was always these Scouts; a sense of humiliation was now added to that of +dislike. Would they all talk about her? Perhaps make fun of her or think +her odd and foolish? + +Too inexperienced to realize that the entire blame was her own, Nora +crept up to the flap-jack path that led directly to the cottage door. + +Here she was stopped again, for Vita sat out by the big stump, either +counting or selecting something from her apron. So engrossed was she in +her task she did not hear Nora's footfall, and this gave the "prince" +another chance to escape detection. She darted back into the arbor and +waited. The only other way to enter the house was at front and she might +meet almost anyone in that way. + +Her game was losing its charm. She would have given much to be free of +the finery and garbed again in her own simple clothes. It was rather +mortifying to be considered queer, and that one saving grace, a sense of +humor, was entirely lacking in the girl's make-up. Otherwise she might +have jumped down from a tree and frightened Vita out of her wits, thus +making a lark out of a difficulty. + +She waited impatiently. What could Vita be doing that so held her +attention? Then the attic memories flashed back to Nora's mind and she +wondered. + +"Cousin Ted leaves too much to that maid," she was deciding. "I might be +able to help by keeping a lookout." + +But for what? Vita was surely trustworthy and even extremely kind to +Nora, the intruder. + +A burr pricked the knee that refused to hold fast to the buckled finery. +It must have been rather a nuisance to dress like that. Nora rolled the +band tighter and lost her fancy hat in the effort. + +Voices! + +Girls' laughter. The Scouts, of course, and coming back toward the +cottage! + +Without waiting to consider Vita's opinion, Nora sprang from her hiding +place and darted up the path into the cottage. + +Voices within as well as without! + +Cousin Ted was back from the woods and had company. How could Nora reach +her room without being seen? + +She crouched behind the kitchen cabinet, hoping the voices would leave +the hall and enter the living room, but, evidently, there was a reason +for delay, and the big seat was right at the foot of the stairway! + +Now Vita's flat slippers patted the stones and she was coming into the +kitchen. + +Disgusted with the entire affair, Nora turned into the back stairway. +She had never mounted those stairs, they were used only by the maid, but +just now there seemed no other avenue of escape. She heard the shuffling +feet of Vita as she climbed the bare treads. + +They were narrow and dark, only a small window cut in an opening +somewhere allowed enough light to penetrate to make sure the steps were +those of stairs. A narrow landing marked the line where the second floor +must be. Then there was another turn, a sort of sharp twist in the queer +ladder-like climb. + +Nora was too far up now to hear Vita's step in the kitchen. + +"But this must lead to the attic," she reasoned. "I may as well go on up +as to go--down." + +Cobwebs a-plenty here. She jerked back from their tangles, fearing +spiders and other crawling things. + +"Oh," she exclaimed. "I do wish I had not come this way. It's +so--spooky!" + +At every step the darkness increased and the light dwindled. Reaching a +good-sized platform, Nora stood, thankful to draw an easy breath. She +could just about see that she had only one short flight of steps to go +to reach a door. + +"I would never have believed this house was so high," she pondered. "I +feel as if I came up from a cellar to a tower." + +Then, resolutely, the pilgrim started on again. Only a few steps and she +found herself face to face with two doors. They were unpainted and each +stood at angles from the landing. + +"Which?" she asked instinctively; for, while she wanted to reach the +attic, she was careful to remember which way she had come in this +crooked, gloomy place. Besides this, the attic was a mysterious part of +that pretty house, Nora realized. + +"It must be all right to go in here--all of the rooms are ours and +Cousin Ted said they were all kept clean." + +With this caution she pushed open one of the unpainted doors and stepped +inside. + +She gasped! The place was in almost total darkness! + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +CAP TO THE RESCUE + + +Where was she? What could be so black? + +Nora gasped--it was so stifling. Fumbling in the strange place her hand +found the door and as she pressed against it she heard it shut! + +"Oh mercy!" she exclaimed aloud. "I'm shut in this awful place!" + +Now her eyes could make out the rafters. It was the attic, but what part +of it? The faintest gleam of light breaking in from above followed the +rough beams. The frightened girl fell back breathing hard and feeling +faint. To faint in the attic! Surely that would be romantic! But she +didn't want to faint all alone up there and maybe die and not be found +for years, as she had read happened once to a bride who went up to look +for her grandmother's quilt. + +She was so dizzy. She really must sit down. Not even a hazy fear of rats +roused her, for it was unbearably hot and stuffy. + +"O-o-o-h!" + +That was the end of Nora for the time being. She succumbed to the first +faint she had ever performed, and there was no one to see her, no one to +rescue her, not one even to know where she was! + +Such a little prince! + +Velvets and ribbons brushed cobwebs and dust, as she slumped down, +down----! + +Of all her life's dreams what she dreamed when she breathed again seemed +the strangest. But it was all broken up like pieces of stars mashed into +flashes of dazzling light, and there was no more head nor tail to it. +All she could think of was how tired she was, and she knew she just had +to sleep. + +If spiders had any talent for observing, those in that cubby hole would +have had a wonderful story to tell to the crawling things in roof and +rafters, but even they did not so much as try, with a web, to arouse the +half-conscious child, and one lacy net was so near Nora's face her gasps +of breath swayed and rocked the baby spider in its cradle. + +So there she was asleep now, and glad not to know! + +Downstairs supper had been prepared and everyone was waiting for Nora. + +Who had seen her? Where had she spent the afternoon? + +"Vita," said Jerry sharply, "you know you were not to let the child go +off these grounds alone." + +"I no see her, never. She no come out from the house," protested the +frightened Vita. + +"Well, we have got to search," decided Ted, her bronzed face plainly +showing alarm, and her brown eyes blinking with unnamed fears. + +"Where has Cap been?" again demanded Jerry. "He should have been with +her." + +"He went with the Scouts; they asked for him, and of course, I let him +go as usual. I did not know Nora was going out, in fact, I thought she +was going to write to her school mates," replied Ted. "But don't let us +waste time. I'll take the north way, Vita you go by the Ledge, and +Jerry, I suppose you will jump on a horse and scout every way." + +"Yes, I'll take Cap and send him on ahead." All the laugh was gone from +Jerry's voice now. How quickly the cloud of Anxiety can darken the +brightest home? + +More than an hour later all three searchers returned to the Nest and +admitted they could not find Nora. + +"She couldn't be in the house, could she?" asked Ted, disconsolately. + +"We looked hastily, but it was best to do all the outdoor looking +first," replied Jerry. "Do you suppose she went to visit anyone? Did she +make friends with Alma and Wyn, our pet Scouts?" + +"I wish she had. There's that about the Scouts, they go in groups," +answered Ted, with feeling. "Let us look over the house more carefully. +But why should she hide?" A loud bark from Cap answered that question. + +"Here! Cap knows where she is. Let him find her," exclaimed Jerry, +joyfully. + +"It's at the kitchen door," added Ted, hurrying in that direction. + +"Quick, open the door, Vita!" commanded Jerry, while the dog barked +wildly. + +Vita put a trembling hand on the door that led to the back stairs and +opened into the kitchen. No sooner had she done so than Cap bounded past +her, and the next moment the big dog and the forlorn little prince +tumbled into the room. + +"Nora!" exclaimed both Jerry and Ted. + +"It isn't! It can't be!" faltered the surprised maid. "This is boy----" + +"Boy nothing!" almost shouted Jerry, so glad to see Nora in any guise +that her strange costume interested him not at all. + +"The poor little darling," cried Ted, gathering the black velvet form up +into her arms. "What ever happened to you, dear?" + +Nora brushed a dusty hand over her blinking eyes. "Oh, I am so glad I am +saved. I thought I would surely die." + +"Up attic. Why baby! No one could die in our attic. Cap knew you were up +there and if you had not tumbled down just when you did he would have +gone through the wall to find you, wouldn't you, old fellow?" Jerry +asked fondly. + +The Saint Bernard was in his native element at the rescue work, and he +licked Nora's hand contentedly. Ted had gathered the child up into her +arms and Vita was already busy getting a refreshing drink. Jerry, +manlike, just looked on, happy beyond words, for in the bad hour +previous he was a prey to keen anxiety, and during the process made up +his mind in the future to keep Nora closer to the family circle at all +times. + +Nora had not yet come to the point of talking. Her swoon and its +consequent haziness left her in a daze, and with the mother-like arms +about her, and the breath of Cap reviving her, and Cousin Jerry's big +soft eyes encouraging her, the relief from her fright was slowly +creeping over her and it was so delicious she had no idea of dispelling +it with mere words. + +"I know," said Teddie softly, "you were playing parts, dressing up in +the duds from the big chest." + +"Did you go to sleep in the trunk?" ventured Jerry, slyly. + +"No, I don't know just where I was--I was----" faltered Nora, now +beginning to feel a little foolish in her boy's outfit. + +"She went up wrong stairs and I guess, maybe, she got lost in the big +open attic," Vita volunteered, apparently anxious to forestall further +questions. + +"No, it was not opened. It was shut tight--very tight," snapped Nora. +She resented Vita's explanation. Somehow she felt Vita was to blame. + +"Then you must have struck the spook closet," said Jerry, his old happy +tones ringing through the small kitchen. "Say Ted, let's get into the +other room. Can you walk, Bobbs, or shall big Cousin Jerry carry you?" + +"Oh, I can walk all right," replied Nora, slipping to the floor from +Teddie's lap. "But I was so stiff and cramped and--I guess I must have +fainted." + +"You must have been up there all the time we were hunting for you, and +the attic is always hot," added Ted. "I never thought of looking there." + +"But Cap did. He knew where you were the moment he came in the house," +said Jerry proudly. "I tell you, Cap is a regular life-saver. He will +have to get another medal for this; even if he didn't drag you out of +the spook cabinet, he did tumble in the kitchen with you." + +Both Jerry and Ted were too considerate to show surprise at Nora's +appearance, but Vita could not or did not attempt to hide her +astonishment. + +"Guess she thinks the fairies had you," said Jerry softly, when Vita +stood in the doorway, her hands on her capable hips and her mouth wide +open in a gasp of surprise. But Nora had an uncertain feeling that Vita, +as sole tenant of the back stairway, should have made better +arrangements than to have a door that would spring shut like that, right +at the very top of the dark place. + +It was at this point a mistake was made. Nora did not express herself +and Vita had no idea of explaining. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry were supposed to +know all about the Nest, but did they! In the excitement of finding +Nora, the actual hiding place was not being considered. + +Quickly as the little girl recovered her self-possession and took part +in the conversation, everyone enjoyed a good hearty laugh, naturally led +by Jerry. + +"What special kind of prince were you, Bobbs?" he asked jovially. "I did +not know they hid in dark attics." + +"Oh, yes they did," contradicted Ted. "Don't you remember the princes in +the tower?" + +"I don't, but it doesn't matter. They must have been in a tower or you +would not have included the fact in your college course," replied Jerry, +always ready to tease on that score. Whenever Ted found a new specimen +in the woods, or questioned about a strange bird, he would invariably +ascribe the matter to "her college course." + +Nora was anxious to get out of the ill-fated costume. She wanted to run +upstairs and change, now that her knees had stopped shaking, but Ted +insisted she take her supper just as she was, and readily made a merry +time out of the near catastrophe. Again Nora missed the point--no sense +of humor was a sad lack in so active a girl. + +Cap regarded her with an eye almost twinkling. Did he know the attic +secret that she had been unable even to realize was a secret? + +"Your clothes fit pretty well," said Jerry, "but I think I like you best +in your Little Girl Blue dress. Guess, after all, girls really shouldn't +wear----" + +"Now, there you go again, Jerry Manton," interrupted Ted. "As if the +costume had anything to do with Nora getting lost." + +And all the while Nora was thinking: "If they only knew." But she had +never had any one to confide in, except Barbara, and now she did not +know exactly how to tell her story. Besides, how silly it would be to +say she had actually been out in the roadway in the Fauntleroy clothes? +And if they ever knew she had been seen and spoken to by a Girl Scout! + +The fear of humiliation crushed back any desire to tell the whole story +and so it remained as it appeared, an incident of no more importance +than a case of being lost in the attic. + +All the horrors of the black hole, all the terrors of her fright and +faintness, besides what actually happened when she finally burst through +that door and all but fell head-long down the dark stairs--this Nora +crushed back from her lips, and only dared to think of it as something +she would write in her secret diary. + +Perhaps she would tell Barbara. It was too thrilling to remain a secret +with no one but herself to ponder upon it. + +A refreshing bath, more beef tea and a bedtime story told by the +affectionate Cousin Teddie one hour later, all but dispelled the trying +memory. + +The story was one read from a favorite woodland series, in which +children, birds and furry things found days of happiness in the carefree +hours, far away from artificial restrictions of "Do" and "Don't." + +The girls mentioned in the story were not spoken of as Scouts, but Nora +suspected they must have been very much like such in ideals. + +"You see," said Teddie gently, when she had finished the interesting +story, "girls who love nature find real joy in studying the woods and +learning to love the woodland creatures. You have had no chance to know +what such pleasure means, dear." + +"No," said Nora faintly. And at that moment she decided to put on her +new uniform the very next morning, and then go forth with Cousin Ted and +Cousin Jerry in quest of the adventures promised. + +"I guess," she began timidly, "it is better, Cousin Teddie, for me to go +along with you every day, if you don't mind." + +"Why, I can't bear to leave you home, either with Vita or to your own +resources," declared Ted. "But I didn't want to urge you. Your +experience today may be a good thing in the end--it may help to cure you +of the artificiality you have been absorbing so deeply. I will have to +write your mother a bit of advice. I do not believe her little daughter +is getting the sort of education best for her. Now, roll over and go to +sleep." She pressed a fond kiss on the warm cheek. "And Nora love, don't +bother about dreaming," finished Mrs. Jerry Manton, in a tone of voice +not learned during her famous "college course." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE STORY ALMA DID NOT TELL + + +Under a canvas tent sheltered by a particularly broad chestnut tree and +surrounded by a group of beautiful white birch, the girls of Chickadee +Patrol, Girl Scouts, were listening, all attention, to the very wildest +tale they had ever given ears to. + +Alma was talking. "Honestly girls," she insisted, "he was a real prince, +dressed in black velvet and a beautiful jaunty cap----" + +"Alma! Alma!" shouted her companions in derision. + +"Where did you see the fairies? Just imagine in broad daylight in the +woodlands----" teased one. + +"Then, I shall not tell you anything more about it," desisted the abused +one. "As if I wasn't surprised. Why, I was so dumfounded I could not ask +him if he saw you, and I was miles behind the crowd." + +"Now girls, let Alma tell," chirped Doro, in her lispy voice. "Go ahead, +Al. _I_ believe you saw Prince Charming." + +"Was he old enough to ride a horse?" asked Laddie, christened Eulalia. +She was defying her dentist on a piece of fudge two days old. + +"Honestly, girls," began Alma again, "I never saw a boy so beautiful. +Light curls----" + +"Oh!!!" came a chorus that stopped the narrator and sent her pouting +over to the bed couch, where she pouted still more. + +"Then, all right, I am absolutely through," she declared quite as if she +meant it. + +"Now just see what you have done," mourned Treble. She was so tall the +girls always considered her in that clef. "Don't you mind them, Allie. I +know perfectly well there are even flying cupids in the big woodlands, +and I fully expect to bring a couple home to lunch----" + +Cushions in one big bang stopped Treble. At this rate Alma's story would +never be published, orally or otherwise. + +In the Scout tent the evening was being spent in recreation: hence the +fun they were having with Alma. At a table fashioned from an upside-down +packing case, with real hand carved legs where the boards were knocked +out and the hatchet braces left standing, sat three of the Chickadees, +discussing the new Girl Scout stories. + +"I just love the first," insisted Thistle whose name was as Scotch as +the emblem. "I liked the mill story and I just loved that wild, exciting +time the girls had trying to win back--was it Dagmar?" + +"Oh, yes, I remember," chimed in Betta. They were referring to the first +volume, "The Girl Scout Pioneers," but others of the group spoke up for +their particular choice of the series, naming, "The Girl Scouts at +Bellaire" and "The Girl Scouts at Sea Crest." + +"You may have those," offered Doro, "but I perfectly love this." She +held up the last book published. It was entitled "The Girl Scouts at +Camp Comalong." + +"Why is that such a prize?" inquired Pell. + +"Oh, haven't you read it? Well, it is a real story of the most +interesting girl, Peg of the Hills." + +This brought about a general discussion of the entire series, and +although the method being used is not usually employed to remind readers +of the other books of a series, perhaps, since the girls were speaking +for themselves, it will be accepted. + +Alma was whispering her Prince Charming story into the ears of Doro. +Doro was accredited the very best listener among the Chicks and she had +not the faintest idea of interrupting the story teller. Of course, it +was Nora whom Alma had encountered, and it was not difficult to +understand why her companions should discredit the tale. A prince in the +woodlands, indeed! + +"Louder, Alma," begged Treble, catching only enough of the story to make +her curious. + +"Well, you won't believe me." + +"We will! We will! Hear! Hear!" shouted Betta, whose full appellation +was none other than Betta-be-good, given because she had a habit of +lecturing. + +"She did see a real prince," chimed in Doro. "And he did wear buckles +and laces and everything." + +"Where, oh where, fair maid? Lead me thither and hither and yon," moaned +Pell Mell. "Next to a movie star I love a prince best," she finished +dramatically, although it was common knowledge that Pell loved nothing +so well as rushing about and falling over adventures. She actually fell +over the Ridge, that is as far down as the big flat rock, before her +chums decided she was hereafter to be known as Pell Mell. + +"That is all there is to tell," announced Alma, in a tone tinctured with +finality. She knew perfectly well the girls would never rest until they +had sought out the darling prince, and she also knew it would be lots of +fun to make them "sit up and beg" for the details they had been scoffing +at. + +"Where, Alma?" + +"Near the bend, Alma?" + +"Wasn't it over by the Nest, Al?" + +"She said she saw him over by the Ledge." + +All this and much more was thrown out as bait, but in the parlance of +the tribe, Alma did not "bite," she merely picked up a discarded book +and proceeded to read. + +"Well, there was a prince, I'm sure of that," persisted Pell, determined +to make Alma repeat her story. + +"Let's go prince hunting tomorrow," suggested Betta. + +"With Treble's moth scoop?" joked Wyn. + +"I suppose none of you happen to know that Mrs. Jerry Manton has a +visitor," spoke Doro. She gave the statement a tone implying: "Why +wouldn't the prince be the visitor?" + +"Oh, that's so," drawled Thistle. "Maybe it's the duke." + +This brought out a new shout of nonsense. + +"Duke!" roared Betta. "Keep on and we'll have him on the throne." + +"There are no more thrones," informed Pell. "Don't you know the war made +every thing democratic?" + +This turned the joke into a serious moment, for even the rollicking +Scouts did not feel inclined to enlarge upon so serious a thought. + +Presently everyone was speculating upon the possibility of the little +stranger being the one entertained by the Mantons. + +"Couldn't we call?" suggested Wyn. "Mrs. Manton is always lovely to us, +and if she has such a little cherub on her hands we ought to help her +care for him." + +"Cherub, Wynnie! Why, we would have to get a cage for anything like that +in this camp. He would be eaten by bugs, moths and beetles." A dash at a +flying thing confirmed this opinion from Treble. + +"Now, if you all have finished your skylarking I would like to study," +announced Alma. "I have to learn all that new class lesson, and I hope +to get out of the Tenderfoot tribe before next week. No fun swimming in +a barrel." She referred to the water restrictions of "Tenderfoots." + +"Hush girls! Alma is thinking," joked Pell. "Please don't interrupt the +spell----" + +Poor Alma could stand the teasing no longer. She picked up her manual +and headed for the tent occupied by those very studious Scouts who chose +the company of the leader to that of the distracting girls. + +"Chickadees never scratch," fired Betta as Alma stepped over protruding +feet and reached the tent flap. "Now Chick-a-dee, Peep! Peep! Pretty for +the ladies----" + +But the girl with the manual was gone. + +"What do you make of it?" asked Pell, when the titters subsided. + +"She saw something different, that's sure," replied Treble. + +"She told me all about it," put in Thistle proudly. "And it was really a +wonderful child all done up in black velvets and ribbons," she declared. + +"I see nothing to do but ask Mrs. Manton about it," suggested Wyn. "It +looks like a first class lot of fun." + +"Ask her if she is entertaining a boy in velvet pants?" said Treble, so +foolishly, the girls all but rolled under the table and the oil lamp +shook dangerously in the merriment. + +"When they're velvet they're never pants," spoke Wyn, as soon as +speaking amounted to anything. + +"Trousers," amended Treble. + +"Nor those," objected Pell. "When they have cute little buckles and go +with a jaunty cap----" + +"They're knickers," finished Betta. + +"Not a--tall," shouted Treble. "I know better than that myself. You're +thinking of golf. Didn't I see Lord Fauntleroy play his Dearest?" + +"Did you really? Well, what did _he_ call call them?" demanded Thistle. +She had been so busy enjoying the fun that this was her first attempt at +making any. + +"I have it," sang out Laddie. "They're bloomers." + +"Oh no, rompers," insisted Thistle. "Rompers are much prettier." + +"What ever would you girls have done this evening if Alma's little story +did not furnish you with debate material," scoffed Doro. + +"The story Alma never told," chanted Lad. + +"All the same," declared Treble, "it is perfectly delicious. Who's going +to make the call on Mrs. Jerry Manton?" + +The shout that followed this question brought a protest from the next +tent where candidates were studying manuals. + +"Let's take a vote on it," suggested Thistle, when quiet seemed +possible. "Since every one wants to go and we haven't heard the Mantons +were going to give a picnic or anything like that--why--the best thing +to do is to draw lots." + +"How tragic! Draw lots! I say we make it numbers from Doro's cap. Here +girls, get busy and numb." + +A page of note paper was quickly numbered and torn into squares. Then +the lot was tossed into Doro's cap--it was the deepest for the little +girl did not wear her hair bobbed. When the cap was filled she was the +one chosen to hold it, and upon the highest chair she presently stood +while the girls jumped for numbers. The four highest were to constitute +the committee and the lot fell to Betta, Pell, Wyn and Thistle. + +It was arranged that these four should go in the morning to call upon +Mrs. Jerry Manton, their good friend and erstwhile preceptor in +woodlore, and it was fully expected that the young visitor would then +naturally be introduced. + +And this was the very day that Nora donned her new service suit. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +A MISADVENTURE + + +The idea of meeting a prince (the girls easily believed the pretty boy +in the velvet suit was at least a near-prince) brought to the Chickadees +a delicious thrill. + +"You know," reasoned Thistle next morning, "the Manton's are government +people, and there are lots of foreign nobles down at Washington." + +"That's so," agreed Doro. "He might have come up to the woods for his +health." + +The tent was quickly made ready for inspection and when the woodcraft +class was dismissed, the girls were free to make the all-important call. + +It was but a short distance from Camp Chickadee to the Nest, and the +four girls, constituting the committee, covered the ground speedily. + +Vita answered the knock and told Pell, who was spokeswoman, that: "Mrs. +Manton no come back yet." + +Nora not only heard the voices but she had seen the girls coming, and +feeling that she, as a member of the family, should "do the honors," she +summoned courage to greet the callers. + +"Cousin Teddie will not be back before lunch time," said Nora sweetly. +"Won't you come in and wait?" + +"Oh, no, thank you," faltered Thistle, observing one truant curl that +had escaped the confines of Nora's field hat. "We may come over later in +the afternoon--after drill," finished the Scout. + +Pell was more composed. "Are you visiting Rocky Ledge?" she asked +cordially. + +"Oh, yes. I expect to stay quite a while," replied Nora. She liked the +roguish smile Pell bestowed upon her--it was, somehow, a little like +Barbara. + +"Then perhaps you would like to visit camp," pressed Thistle. "We love +callers, don't we, girls?" + +This provided an opportunity for general conversation, and presently, no +one knew just how it happened, but the Scouts and Nora the rebel, were +having a perfectly splendid time on the side porch, talking about the +things girls love to discuss, but which always appear to the onlooker or +listener as a series of giggles and gasps. + +Nora was so glad she wore the khaki suit. All her old love of finery +was, for the time, lost in the joy of feeling "in place" instead of "out +of place." And the girls at close range did look very well in their +uniforms. Betta and Thistle especially were just like models--Nora +remembered that wonderful Girl Scout poster, and her former dislike for +the uniform now threatened to turn to keen admiration. Just so long as +anything "made a picture" the artistic little soul was sure to be +satisfied. Changing an opinion was as simple a task for Nora as changing +a hair ribbon, but it had been rather unpleasant to have the Scouts +always held up as paragons. + +Admitting she had not yet visited the Ledge, Nora was straightway +invited to do so, as the four Scouts expected to meet the other troup +members out gathering sweet fern there. + +"Vita," she called back to the maid in the kitchen, "you keep Cap home, +I'll be back in a little while." + +"Oh, no," objected Vita. "Mr. Jerry, he say you don't go never without +Cap----" + +"But I am with the girls now," declared Nora a little sharply. She was +so afraid the others might guess that it was she who wore the velvets! +Looking very closely at each, however, she had not recognized the one +who accosted her on the fatal dress-parade day. Alma was not in the +party this time, so of course, Nora was correct in her opinion. + +"Doesn't Mr. Manton like to have you go out alone?" asked Thistle, +innocently. + +"Well, you see," stumbled Nora, "I am not very well acquainted yet." + +"Was there a little boy visiting the Mantons the other day?" ventured +Betta. She was almost consumed with curiosity, and as they turned their +backs on the cottage the chance for unravelling the prince mystery +seemed lost to them. + +"A boy? No," replied Nora. "I am the only one who has been here." A +flame of color swept her face and although she stooped to pick up an +acorn at the moment, at least two of the Scouts noticed the flush. + +"Light curls," whispered Wyn. "She has very pretty ringlets----" + +"Lots of girls have, of course," scoffed Betta. "You surely don't think +she's twins?" + +"No," faltered the other, never dreaming how much closer than twins Nora +was to the little prince. + +But Wyn was not easily satisfied. What was the sense of being appointed +a committee to investigate and not do it? She picked a wonderful spray +of pink clover before she asked Nora again: + +"Do you ever see a little boy, a very fancy dressed boy, around the +cottage? One of our girls dreamed she saw one and we have been trying to +persuade her she had a vision." + +A sigh of relief escaped Nora's lips. It should be easy to laugh the +story over, since only one girl had seen her and that one had but a +glimpse of her. She felt she would die of embarrassment now, if ever she +were really found out. And only a few days ago it had seemed so trifling +a thing! As she was about to reply to Wyn her hat fell off and down +tumbled the curls. + +"What wonderful curls," exclaimed Wyn innocently. "Why do you hide them +under a hat?" + +"Oh, I don't," replied Nora bravely, shaking out the golden cloud that +tossed about her ears. "But when we go into brambles it is more +comfortable to have one's head tidy," she finished. + +"Say, Wyn," charged Thistle, "do you suppose Nora has no other interest +than in your visionary prince and yellow curls? Please allow her to +listen to some of my woodland lore." + +"Oh, yes," mocked Betta. "Tell her all about your little fish in the +brook that wouldn't go near Treble's hook." + +A scamper brookward responded to this sally. + +"Oh, there's Jimmie," cried Thistle. "Hey Jimsby!" she hailed to a small +boy in a big boat. "Wait for us. We are going up to the Ledge. Give us a +row?" + +Everyone, including Nora, ran towards the edge of the stream that +rippled through willows. Jimmie with his boat was rare good fortune to +come upon, and the Scouts were instantly eager to procure seats in the +big, old skiff. + +Nora's timidity forced her to hold back, but she was too self-conscious +to admit it. + +"Come on, little Nora," called out Thistle good naturedly. "I have a +place for you right alongside of me." + +"Oh yes. Thistles never sink, you know," added Wyn. + +Nora's heart heat fast. Could she say she would so much rather walk to +the Ledge? + +"Hurry up, Sister," sang out Betta. "Thistle wants to get out of rowing +and you are her excuse." + +Taking her fright literally in her hand and casting it into the brook, +Nora stepped into Jimmie's boat, smiling as if she were expecting the +best good time of her life. A thought of her nervous mother barely had +time to shape itself before all were seated, and the freckled faced +Jimmie handed over the oars, without so much as uttering either a +protest or agreeing to the piracy. + +"Don't you love a little lake like this?" asked Betta, noticing how +silent was her companion. + +"I have never been on the water," said Nora truthfully. "At our school +we are not allowed to take part in any dangerous sports." + +"Oh," exclaimed Thistle. "How you must miss good times." + +"But we have many lovely parties and dances and all that sort of thing," +explained Nora. Her voice was entirely friendly and the difference of +opinions by no means clashed. + +It was delightful. The girls sang, whistled, shouted and coo-heed, as +occasion demanded, the occasion being that of answering bird calls from +shore. Imitating birds was counted as the latest outdoor sport, and the +Chickadees vied with one another in the accomplishment. + +"She's leakin'," said Jimmie without warning or apology. + +"I should say she is!" cried Wyn, jerking her feet up from the bottom of +the boat. "Jimmie Jimbsy! Why didn't you say so?" + +"Oh, you didn't give me a chance," replied the lad frankly. + +"Oh, is it dangerous?" gasped Nora. Her cheeks went pale instantly. + +"No, just gives us a chance to show who is the best swimmer. You can +swim, of course?" asked Wyn. + +"No, not a stroke," replied the frightened Nora. + +"Don't you mind Wynnie, Nora," spoke up Betta. "There's no possibility +of any one having to swim. This boat would sail the rapids, wouldn't +she, Jimmie?" + +"Here's another hat," offered Thistle. "Say, Jim! At least you ought to +bring a tin can," she said in her jolliest tone. + +They were actually bailing out. The water managed to make cold little +puddles in the bottom of the boat, and with the "large party aboard" as +Pell charged Wyn because she happened to weigh a few more pounds than +the others, the inflow threatened to bear the little craft down to the +water's edge, uncomfortably close. + +But the girls were making a lark of it. Every time a hat emptied a shout +went up, and every time a hat leaked a groan moaned out. + +"All in a life time," boomed Thistle. "But don't any one dare tell that +story about the philosopher and the boatman." + +"Never heard it," responded Betta, lifting a particularly well filled +hat to the boat's edge. + +Jimmie was now rowing. "Assisting him in that capacity," as Pell +expressed it, was Wyn. + +"We gotta reach the Ledge," joked Thistle, "and I for one hate walking +on the water." + +"We betta----" + +"Betta-be-good," went up the shout as Betta attempted to preach. She +never got farther than that first mispronounced two syllables nowadays. + +Nora was now regarding the situation with more calmness. After the first +fright it did not seem so dangerous, and the skill with which the jolly +Scouts handled the task of bailing, was fascinating. + +But suddenly something happened; no one shouted, no one even spoke, but +in a twinkling the entire boatload of girls were scrambling in the +water. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A NOVEL INITIATION + + +"Quick girls! Get Nora!" + +This was the order given by Pell, who in emergencies assumed leadership. + +"Here Nora," called Betta, "just put your hand on my shoulder. We can +almost walk in. Don't be frightened." + +But Nora was terribly frightened. That water! And not being able to swim +a stroke! + +"Look!" called out Thistle, who was now standing in the more shallow +water, "it is only up to my shoulders. Just bring Nora out here and she +can wade in," announced the Scotch girl. + +The sight of Thistle actually standing on her feet brought to Nora the +first free breath she had breathed since that awful thing happened. Now +she had courage to stop choking and do as she had been told. + +"Why, you swam that time," puffed Betta to whom Nora had struggled. Did +she really swim? She felt herself buoyed up for a moment somehow, in +fact she had never gone down. + +Before that supporting move had lost its endurance her hand was safely +on Betta's shoulder, and both were moving slowly but securely towards +the bank. + +"That's it," Pell encouraged. "No need for any trouble if you just +keep--cool!" + +"Cool enough," grumbled Thistle. "I hate lakes for that," she continued +to call out. + +"How's that!" asked Betta when she reached the shallow water from which +point all were wading in. + +"Wonderful!" exclaimed Nora. Her relief was so great it seemed to her +pure joy. + +"Your first?" asked Wyn. + +"First?" repeated Nora. + +"First ducking," added Wyn. "If so it is your official initiation. You +are now a full fledged member of the Chickadees." + +It was easy for Nora to laugh--she felt she would never do anything but +laugh, it was so good to be safe within reach of shore once again. + +Thistle and Wyn threw their wet heads back and emitted a "coo-hee." The +call was taken up by the others, and instead of the incident being of an +alarming nature it was thus turned into a lark. + +"Coo-hee! Coo-hee!" sounded along the little lake basin, while shouts of +laughter and expressions of opinion about bobbed heads after an +unexpected ducking, were snapped from Scout to Scout as the party waded +in. + +So near the edge they were loath to emerge. No possibility of getting +any wetter or spoiling anything more generally, but there was a +possibility of more fun. + +"Where's that Jimbsy boy?" demanded Pell. "We didn't leave him to the +sharks, did we?" + +"Look," replied Thistle, pointing to a little slash in the lake's +outline. It was a pocket full of water just about big enough to float +the upturned boat that Jimmie was pushing in through it. + +"Poor boy! And we never asked him what he was out after," reflected +Betta. "Maybe he had an order to bring a boat load of passengers from +the Ledge." + +"We'll take up a collection for him," proposed Pell. + +"What'll we collect?" asked Wyn. + +"Opinions," replied the first. "They're most plentiful." + +Nora was out of water and shaking herself like a poodle. Now that it was +all over, the thrill was unmistakable. + +"Look who's coming!" called out one of the girls, and turning around +Nora glimpsed Ted coming down the narrow path. + +"Quick, Nora, hide!" exclaimed Wyn. "Then spring out and surprise her." + +Obeying, Nora jumped behind a big bush. + +Even in the excitement she realized what companionship meant. It was so +much more fun than playing at foolish dressing up and imagination games. +Could she have but understood more clearly she would have recognized in +that situation the theory of having girls "do" to learn, and that active +sport of the young is one of the standards of Scout teaching. + +She listened as the girls greeted Mrs. Manton. No gasps of alarm nor +expressions of fear were exchanged, for Cousin Ted was of the Scout +calibre herself. + +"Better hang on the hickory limbs and dry, before your leader sees you," +she cautioned. "Those uniforms won't be fit for parade." + +"And mine was all beautifully pressed," whimpered Pell. + +"So were all our suits, Mrs. Manton," asserted Thistle, "because we were +calling on you first." + +"Really! Did you see my little girl?" + +"Oh, yes," drawled Betta. + +"I so want her to grow into scouting," continued Mrs. Manton, and at +that Nora felt she could make her presence known. But a quick snap of a +stick from Betta, as she swished it back of Nora's bush, kept her from +stepping out. + +"Does she like the water?" asked Wyn, with a suppressed giggle. + +"I am afraid she has had little chance to get acquainted with it," +replied Ted. "Nora has been developed at one angle. This sort of +experience would probably give her nervous prostration." + +That was the cue. Nora jumped out! + +"Child!" + +"The very same!" pronounced Thistle grandly, waving a dripping arm. + +Mrs. Manton was too surprised to do more than look at Nora. Her brown +eyes were twinkling and her mouth twitching in a broad grin. Presently +she jumped past Betta and threw her arms around Nora. + +"You darling baby!" she exclaimed, all unmindful of the water she was +blotting up from Nora's new suit. "How ever did you--come here and +get--like--this?" + +"Chick-chick-chick-Chickadees!" sang out a chorus. "Cluck! Cluck! +Cluck!" + +If one could look pretty after a ducking in a strange lake, Nora did. +Her curls liked nothing better, and her cheeks pinked up prettily, while +her eyes--they were as blue as the violets that listened in the +underbrush. + +"You don't mind her initiation, do you, Mrs. Manton?" asked Wyn. + +"Why no. In fact, I'm delighted," replied the young woman. "But why the +secret? I have been left out in the cold," she said, genially. + +"Only candidates are informed," said Wyn, keeping up the joke. + +"Was that really it? Was this a private initiation, and am I intruding?" + +"All over," sang out Betta. "The bars are down and the guests welcome." + +"Betta be goin' up the hill a bit," suggested Thistle. "This is no place +for dripping chicks." + +"The sun _would_ be helpful," agreed Pell. "I don't mind the water when +it's fresh, but I hate to get mildewed." + +"Hey!" came a call from somewhere. "Wanta get in again?" + +"We certainly do not," yelled back Wyn. "Jimbsy James, you're a fraud. +What ails your yacht, anyway?" + +"All right, then," called back Jimmie good naturedly. "I'll be goin'. So +long!" + +"So long yourself," called back Wyn, "and send your bill to +headquarters." + +"Were you--in his boat?" asked Ted, a light beginning to break through +the girls' perpetual nonsense. + +"We were, momentarily," replied Betta. "But we needed exercise so we +decided to walk," she finished. Nora saw how friendly the girls all were +with Ted, and felt a pang, not of jealousy, but of regret. Why had she +never known such companionship? + +"I must go back to my trees," said Mrs. Manton, when the girls had found +a clear path of sunshine. "I have some important marking to do. Nora, +you follow directions and you need not fear earth, sky or water. These +little Scouts are impervious to all catastrophes." + +And Nora had almost expected to be sent home for a rub down, a hot drink +and all the other coddling! + +"Oh, I'm all right," she hurried to reply. "I'll be home----" + +"When the ceremonies are over," interrupted Thistle. "We are due at the +Ledge long ago, and if we don't soon make it I am afraid we will all be +kept in tonight." + +"In those wet things?" protested Wyn. "Not for me. I'm going back to +camp and change. Come along Nora. We have an extra outfit in our box and +we'll lend it to you. Thistle is a regular fish, she is never happy when +dry skinned." + +Mrs. Manton had disappeared in the winding path and Nora was secretly +glad of Wyn's invitation. She could not as yet actually enjoy wet +clothes. The girls had managed to save their hats and caps, but even +these still dripped and could not be comfortably worn to keep off the +strong sun's rays that beat down in the clear spots along the lake's +edge. + +"We'll have some trouble explaining to the general," remarked Thistle as +they started back to camp. "And this was the day we were to finish our +collection." + +"But look, what we did collect," answered Wyn under her breath, +referring to Nora. "Did you ever see anyone so pleased as our friend?" + +"She looked happy," assented Thistle. "But say, Scoutie; whatever are we +going to tell the girls about the prince?" + +"Let's say we drowned him," suggested Wyn, foolishly. "That will give +Alma a lovely murder mystery to work upon." + +Nora overheard the word "prince" and surmised correctly it was meant for +her Fauntleroy. She longed to turn back to the Nest rather than meet the +other girl who might recognize her. + +"It's so near lunch time----" she began. + +"Oh, no girlie," protested Betta. "You are the only specimen we have +collected today, and if you don't come back with us we will all get +dreadful marks. Come along. Be a sport and help us out." + +"Yes, we will be considered life savers, perhaps," added Thistle. "Of +course, we won't say we did anything noble----" + +"Nor say we didn't," drawled Wyn. + +Thus urged, Nora had no choice, so she set off with her new companions +towards Chickadee Camp. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +TOO MUCH TEASING + + +Swept off her foolish feet of fancy and landed safely on the more +practical ground of girls' life, Nora presently found herself in the +canvas tent, actually donning a Scout uniform. + +No ivory dressing comb nor shell-back mirror, instead a wooden box for a +dressing table, and a bowl of cool, clear water fresh from the +velvet-rimmed pool, and a glass--the piece that fell from a wagon and +was splintered up so no one would touch its "bad luck," so Pell rescued +it and painted a four-leaf clover on its jagged edge! That was a Scout +mirror. + +It was a revelation to the pampered child. And like so many others who +are blamed for their circumstances, Nora was fascinated with the glimpse +given of a real world. Here girls lived as human beings privileged to +invent their own tools which would be used in modelling the skilled game +of a happy life. + +"Of course," explained Pell, "we go through quite some formality before +we really become Scouts, but necessity knows no law, and this is +necessity." + +"It's just wonderful," admitted the stranger, all the while fighting +down a sense of guilt that she should ever have disliked the Scouts and +their standards. + +"Now we want you to meet Alma," announced Wyn. "She's one of our little +Tenderfoots, and so romantic? She will be sure to want to adopt you, for +just wait until you see if Betta doesn't say we found you in the lake!" +she predicted. + +Alma came from the leader's tent. She had been studying--those tests +were soon to be held. + +"Just see our little pond-lily," began Thistle, while Nora, now somewhat +accustomed to the girls' jokes, managed not to blush too furiously. + +"Oh!" began Alma, then she stopped. + +Nora felt in that moment she was discovered and that the prince would +soon cease to be a mystery. + +"Well, Alma, this is Nora--Nora----" + +"Blair," added Nora, realizing her full name had not been given the +girls before. + +"Oh, how do you do?" faltered Alma. "I thought at first I had met you +before." + +"No. Nora is the visitor at the Mantons," explained Wyn, "and we all had +a ducking--we initiated Nora and had a lovely time. You missed it, Al." + +"Sorry," said Alma, still eyeing Nora. + +"But we spoiled our uniforms," rattled on Wyn. "That wretch, Jimmie +Freckles, dumped us right out into the lake." + +"And I was brought back to your camp to be redressed," Nora managed to +say. She felt if she did not say something the girl with the lovely, +glossy, brown hair, who was staring at her, would penetrate her secret. + +"Alma has visions," went on Wyn. "She saw a real prince in your woods +one day; didn't you, Alma?" + +"I saw a little boy in a velvet suit----" + +"And he had curls." + +"And he had dimples." + +"And he had lovely gold buckles on his slippers." + +"And he had----" + +But Alma turned on her heel and left the girls to finish their +description without her aid. + +Nora was greatly relieved when she left. + +"Honestly," explained Thistle, "Alma insists she did see a little boy in +your woods. Did you ever come across such a child?" + +"Never," replied Nora, then, "I really must hurry home, I am afraid I am +late for lunch now." + +"Won't you stay? We are to have----" + +"Thank you, Pell, but Cousin Ted and Cousin Jerry will be so anxious to +hear all the news----" + +"But you must keep secrets--make secrets if you haven't any to keep," +advised Betta, who had taken a fancy to Nora. In fact all the girls +showed unusual interest in the little visitor. + +"Oh, I know how to do that," Nora replied truthfully. + +Then, with many invitations and a number of suggestions as to spending +some days and even a few evenings, Nora finally managed to race off +toward the Nest, after Betta walked with her out of the camp grounds and +watched while she hurried down the road. It was a very short distance to +Wildwoods, and before Betta turned back to Camp Chickadee she had seen +faithful Cap run out to meet Nora. + +"Now, are you satisfied, Alma?" asked Wyn. "You would insist the visitor +was a boy." + +"It may be her brother," replied the brown-haired one, "but honestly, +girls, and no joking, he had curls just like hers," said Alma. + +"But isn't she sweet?" asked Wyn. + +"Princes aside, I like her most as well as Alma's vision," declared +Thistle. "And did you notice how matter-of-fact she donned Bluebird's +outfit? What are we going to say to her if she happens back tonight?" + +"Gone to the tailor's to be pressed," suggested Pell, glibly. "There +come the others. Now for a lecture." + +But instead, Miss Beckwith, the leader, came up smiling. "We heard all +about it, girls," she began. "Met that precious James Jimmie Jimsby of +yours, and he said it was in no way your fault." + +"Bless the boy!" murmured Pell. "We shall certainly have to adopt the +list of Jays. First we capsize his boat and then he pleads for us. Now +isn't that gallant?" + +"But Becky," began Thistle, sidling up to the popular leader, "we have +had such a wonderful experience. We have converted a real rebel." + +"Rebel!" exclaimed Wyn. "How do you know Nora was anything like that?" + +"Well, Mrs. Ted Manton said as much, didn't she?" + +"She didn't," replied Pell crisply. "She merely said that Nora had very +little experience in girls' sports." + +"I know," interrupted the leader. "Mrs. Manton has mentioned her to me, +and I am very glad you have succeeded in interesting her. I fancy she is +a very capable child, with too much time on her hands." + +"Oh," sighed Betta. "If we had only known it we could have borrowed +some. What ever shall we do to get in a day's work now?" + +"Lunch first and then do double quick duty," suggested the young leader. +"It has been rather a lost day, counting by the usual results, but then, +we have to figure in the new friend." + +"You're a love, Becky," declared Treble. "I am sure you are going to +help me with my basket. It has to be done tomorrow, if I am to get full +credit for it." + +"Where's Alma?" asked Miss Beckwith, suddenly. + +"Pouting," replied Wyn. "You are not to know it, of course, but Alma's +in love!" + +A shout corroborated the statement. "She may be hanging up wet clothes," +suggested Pell. "When they're in love they do foolish things like that, +I've heard tell." + +"Girls! Didn't you hang up your wet things yet?" Miss Beckwith asked in +real surprise. + +A rush to the back of the tent, where the garments had been hastily +heaped, gave response. Presently there was a contest being held to see +who could hang up the most material in the smallest space and with the +fewest clothes pins; at least that appeared to be the attempt the happy +four were making; but when the lunch bell sounded, each and all were +ready for the fresh corn, new potatoes, string beans and macaroni--a +menu especially designed for culprits who fall in lakes and forget to +hang up their uniforms to dry. + +Everyone talked of the little stranger, and also everyone praised her +beauty. She was so cute, so sweet, so adorable, and Pell even went so +far as to whisper to Thistle that she was "peachy," although all slang +was taboo at the table. + +"And Alma," confided Wyn, "we were so sorry not to be able to locate +your prince----" + +"Girls," Alma exclaimed. "If you say prince to me again I'll scream." + +"You did this time," said Betta, "and we don't mind it at all. You +scream really prettily." + +"Hush," spoke Doro. She was down at the far end of the table and had not +been with the girls on their eventful trip. "I think we have teased +enough, really. Let the poor little prince rest." + +"Good idea," chimed another who also had missed the expedition. "We have +a new plan to propose, and with all that prince stuff we can't get your +attention. Becky is going to take us to the Glen tomorrow morning, and +we want volunteers to make up the lunch baskets." + +"Call that a new plan?" mocked Wyn. "Why, that's as old as the Scouts. +First thing I ever did was to volunteer to make up a basket for my big +sister, and she picked it up and walked off with it." + +"Didn't even thank you?" asked Miss Beckwith, who always took part in +the girls' fun. + +"Well, she may have," replied Wyn, "but that didn't impress me. It was +those sandwiches and those cakes----" + +"You didn't make those, Wynnie?" demanded Treble. "If you did we won't +ask for volunteers. We'll wish the job on you." + +Alma was quiet during all the merry chatting, but Thistle, who could not +resist one more thrust, said next: + +"Thinking of him, dearie?" she asked. "And his little velvet coat----" + +But the joke had a most astonishing effect. Alma sniffed, breathed in +quick little gasps, and the next moment asked to be excused from the +table. + +"She's crying!" declared Betta. + +"Horrid girls!" murmured Doro. "I told you she had had enough of +princes." + +"But to cry! Alma isn't like that," said Wyn in real surprise. + +Miss Beckwith, who had reached the end of her lunch and was waiting for +the others to finish, slipped away after Alma. + +This left the girls to wonder, and they did that in all the ways known +to girlhood. + +Then it was definitely decided the first girl who mentioned the word +prince should be made to pay a heavy fine. + +All felt truly sorry for little Alma, but it was the wise and +understanding Janet Beckwith who gathered the sobbing girl into her arms +and soothed the sighs, tears, and protestations. + +"Just teasing, dear," she insisted. "You must not mind their nonsense. +They, every one, love you dearly." + +"But I did see a real prince, Becky. And--and they won't believe me," +sobbed out Alma. + +Miss Beckwith wondered. "A real prince?" she repeated. + +"Yes. I was near enough to see all his pretty--things," Alma paused in +her sobbing to relate. "He had all velvet clothes, and such a pretty +black cap. Oh Becky!" she sobbed afresh, "can you ever imagine what it +is to have the--girls--all making fun of you?" + +"Now, Alma dear," again soothed the leader, "I am really surprised that +you should take this so seriously. You know the girls are not making fun +of you----" + +"They--said I had--a vision," she sobbed as heavily as ever. "And I am +determined to find out who that was--and prove it to them." + +Miss Beckwith was sorely puzzled. Naturally she supposed the girl was +romancing. But why should she take it so seriously? + +"Come, now, dear," she urged. "We have talked it all out and the only +thing that worries you is that the girls do not believe you, isn't it? + +"Yes, that's the worst of it." + +"Then, let's sleep over it and see what the morrow will bring in the +way--of light." Becky scarcely knew just what to propose so she threw +the responsibility on the "morrow." + +Alma was over her "spell" presently. But the prince had, by no means, +lost his real personal identity to the sensitive little Scout. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A DIVERSION NOBLY EARNED + + +Ted's pleasure, shown when Nora's transformation was revealed to her in +a dripping little "pond lily" on the edge of Mirror Lake, was not to be +compared with Jerry's joys when he first beheld his Bobbs in the Girl +Scout uniform. They were waiting for Nora when she returned at lunch +time. + +"Pretty kipper, nifty, all right and no kiddin'." These were some of the +exclamations he gave vent to. + +"But I thought you didn't like little girls in anything but skirts," Ted +reminded him. + +"I didn't but I do," he replied Jerry-like. "Now what do you say Bobbie, +to a try at horse back ridin'?" He always dropped his g's when perfectly +happy. + +"I'd like to try it," admitted Nora proudly. She might not have realized +it but the trim little service costume had already emancipated her. She +was no longer the creature of catalogued toilet accessories, "send no +money" and "we guarantee money's worth or money back," etc. The new Nora +was like a butterfly leaving its cocoon--although the drying process had +been facilitated by the loan of a new blouse and bloomers from the +Chickadees' wardrobe. + +Vita came out to announce lunch and she stood dumbfounded. Vita was not +Americanized to the point of diplomacy. + +"You lose your good clothes? Those t'ings not yours?" she asked blandly. + +"I have one like this," replied Nora. She did know how to respond to +interference, and had not yet quite forgiven Vita for the attic episode. + +"Don't you like it, Vita?" asked Jerry, his brown eyes twinkling. "We +were thinking of getting you one like it--for your tramps through the +woods, you know." + +The Italian woman scowled. She lacked a sense of humor as well as some +other details of Americanization. + +"Don't tease her, Jerry," Ted ordered. "He is only fooling, Vita," she +assured the perplexed maid, while visions of the fat woman in a jaunty +little Scout uniform filtered through the brains of both Ted and Nora. + +During lunch time conversation ran to the important occurrence of the +morning, but Ted did not know all about the ducking in the Lake, and +since Betta had cautioned Nora to keep secrets and if necessary to make +them, it seemed unwise to tell every single detail: thus Nora reasoned. +So it happened neither Ted nor Jerry knew whether the first swim was +intentional or accidental, and both respected the "secrets of the +order," as Jerry put it. + +"The girls are coming over this afternoon with a manual," the candidate +said as tea was finished, "and then I'll have to do some studying." + +"I see where Cap and I will have to paddle our own canoe hereafter," +lamented Jerry. "That's just the way with you girls. I get you all broke +in and you race off and join up with the Indians. Well," he sighed +deeply, "I suppose Ted and I and Cap will have to go on our picnics +alone, in spite of all our plans." + +"Oh, Cousin Jerry! Did you have a picnic planned!" eagerly asked Nora, +leaving her place at the table to join Jerry on the big couch. + +"I did but I haven't," he replied, with pretended disappointment. "What +good are picnics for Girl Scouts? They want big game with real guns and +elephant meat for supper," he finished pompously. + +"Oh, Cousin Jerry!" pouted Nora. "If you really had a picnic planned +couldn't we have it, and couldn't I invite my Scout friends?" + +"'Course you could, Kitten," Jerry gave in. "I'll fix up the finest +little picnic those Scouts ever heard tell of. Just you wait and see." + +"But we are going to celebrate privately this evening, Nora," Ted added. +"How would you like to go to a picture play?" + +"Oh, I'd love it, of course. I do so love motion pictures, and the +Misses Baily are so fussy about letting any of us go." + +"I'll bet," agreed Jerry. "Want you to see Mother Goose and Little Jack +Horner----" + +"Both of which are each," interrupted Ted. "Guess you had better read up +your nursery rhymes, Jerry." + +"Well, I didn't take your college course, Theodora, but I went to Sunday +School a lot--had to," he admitted, shamelessly. + +"Then, it's all settled for this evening," continued Ted, quite as if +there had been no break in the conversation. "We will ride into Lenox +and see the 'movies.' I know it's a good picture this week and it isn't +Mother Goose either." + +"Glad of that. I hate the old lady myself," scoffed Jerry. "This +afternoon I must go out to moorlands, Ted," he said next, seriously. +"Suppose you and Nora take the day off and loaf? You did a lot of hard +work this morning----" + +"But I want to finish pegging off the west end," Ted interrupted. + +"Oh, could I help you, Cousin Ted?" begged Nora. "I would just love to +do some real surveying." + +"And I would love to have you, certainly. We will rest for one full +hour, then I'll let you carry the chains and drops, and off we go to the +West End. How's that?" + +"Lovely. Will Cap come?" + +"Sartin sure," declared Jerry. "I never let the youngsters go out on +location without the big dog, do I Cap?" + +Cap brushed his plumy tail against Jerry's elbow and made eyes at his +master, agreeing with everything he said, as usual. + +Later, when the hour's rest had been taken, Nora and Cousin Ted made +their way to the grounds that were to be surveyed. Nora carried the +"chain" which she wanted to call a tape line until Ted explained that +carpenters had tape lines and surveyors used "chains," and the term +really meant an exact land measurement. The heavy instruments were +already in position, and when the work of measuring the land with her +eye, as Nora declared the process to be, was actually begun, the +apprentice was quite fascinated. + +"Now, show me the cobweb," she insisted as Ted adjusted the delicate eye +piece. + +"There. Do you see that mark outside the little drop of alcohol?" asked +Ted. + +"The very small line like that on Miss Baily's thermometer?" + +"Yes, the line that frames the drop," explained Ted, "that's the finest +substance we can get, and it's cobweb." + +Nora peered through the telescope. She was seeing a drop of alcohol +shift from level to level as Ted moved the transit, but she was thinking +of the night she discovered the cobwebs in the attic. Somehow attic +fancies clung to her, tenaciously, and had she been at all superstitious +she surely would have called the attic unlucky. Just see the trouble +that Fauntleroy acting got her into. + +"It wouldn't take many webs to make such tiny marks," she said finally, +as Ted moved off to "spot a tree." "I guess I won't have to gather many +for Cousin Jerry for that little marking." + +Ted had moved off and with her small hatchet was hacking a piece out of +the bark of a tree--spotting it, as she termed it. Then she returned to +the telescope and sought the level. + +"What's the little weight on the string?" Nora next asked. + +"Oh, that's our plumb-bob," replied the surveyor. "Bob shows us just +when a line is straight. Now watch." + +Over a peg in the ground Ted swung the heavy little pendulum, first to +right then to the left, and so on until it fell directly on the mark. + +"Now see, that is plumb," said Ted. + +Nora gazed intently at the drop. "Everything has to be just exactly, +hasn't it?" she queried, wondering why. "First, you strain your alcohol +with cobwebs, then you drop your bob on the little peg straight as the +string----" + +"That is just where we get the expression from," her companion assured +her. "Nothing can be straighter." + +"And how do you get the mark on the tree?" + +"Look through the glass again." + +So the first lesson in surveying went on. It was fascinating to Nora, +and when Ted decided enough land had been "chained off" Nora wanted to +mark a few trees for her own use. + +"Couldn't I chop a nick in this one? It is so beautiful, and when we +come another day I can add another nick--just like a calendar." + +Mrs. Manton readily agreed, so long as Nora did not use a mark that +might confuse the surveyors; and so interesting was the work, time flew +and the afternoon was soon waning. + +While in the woods more than once Nora had reason to be thankful for her +practical Scout uniform, for she climbed trees, sought wild grapes from +high limbs, gathered wild columbine and enjoyed the wildwoods as only a +novice can. Birds scarcely flew from the path, and she marvelled they +were so tame, but Ted explained they had no cause for fear, as the woods +were their own and danger would be a new experience to them. + +When finally Cap came back from his rambles and it was decided that no +more surveying nor "play-veying" should be indulged in, instruments were +gathered again, and reluctantly Nora followed Mrs. Manton out into the +path, newly beaten down by those who had been following spots, bobs, +cobwebs, chains, telescopes, compasses, transits and all the other +skilled implements used. + +"Are you really a surveyor?" she asked Ted, just wondering what she +would call herself in Barbara's letter. + +"Yes, that or a civil engineer," replied Ted. "That is really what I +studied in the famous college course Jerry is always teasing about." + +"It is sort of artist work, isn't it?" + +"A wonderful sort. Just see what good times I have out among birds, +flowers, wildwoods, and the whole clean, untamed world," said Theodora +Manton. "Some women may like indoors, but give me the woods and the +fields and all of this," she finished, sweeping her free brown hand +before her with a gesture that encompassed glorious creation. + +Nora pondered. How many worlds were there after all? How different this +was from that which she knew at school? Would she ever enjoy the other +now, after all this? She glanced at her scratched hands and smiled. What +manicuring would erase those, and yet how precious they would seem when +Cousin Jerry would hear what she had done to help with his wonderful +surveying? + +"And we must fix up and look pretty for tonight," said her companion, as +if reading Nora's thoughts. "I so seldom want to go out evenings I +really have to think what to wear." + +"Do we dress up?" queried Nora. + +"A little, that is we don't wear these," indicating the khaki. "But all +the Lenox folks are professionals in one line or the other, and you know +dear, they always claim a social code of their own." + +Nora was not positive she entirely understood, but she guessed that +professionals, if they were anything like her Cousin Ted, would wear +just such clothes as they liked best and felt most comfortable in, and +she wondered how such would look in a theatre. + +"Another rest, then an early dinner and we'll be off," announced Mrs. +Manton when they reached the Nest. "Nora darling, you have made me very +happy today," the brown eyes embraced Nora while the hands were still +burdened with instruments. "I will write at once to your mother and ask +her----" + +But a shout of Jerry's interrupted the most interesting clause. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +CRAWLING IN THE SHADOWS + + +"You jump in the car and wait a few minutes," said Ted to Nora. + +It was almost dusk and the moving picture party was about to set out for +Lenox in the trim little car which, Ted insisted, was tamed, educated +and "fed from her hand" when it went out of gas. + +Nora willingly complied with the order to take her seat and wait. Dark +shadows fell from the trees to the narrow roadway, and while alone there +Nora was just wondering if everything was going to happen in one single +day. + +Cousins Jerry and Ted had many things to look after before setting out, +for while Vita was a capable houseworker, she knew nothing of home +management. Some minutes passed and the others had not yet come to the +car where Nora sat so quietly that the squirrels had no idea a single +human being was in the black car. One gay little furred skipper had the +audacity to hop on the running board, but Nora from the depths of her +cushions, never stirred. + +A rustling of the leaves, much heavier than the tread of squirrels could +possibly have been, gave her a start. She just peeked out in time to see +something crawl across the road and continue on toward the path to the +cottage. + +"Oh, what was that!" Nora barely whispered. Then she raised her head and +gazed intently at the crawling thing, that now was not more than an +outline in the coming darkness. + +For the moment she was too surprised to jump out and follow. Could it be +a bear or some big animal? Certainly it was no small woodland creature, +and as it passed the car she could hear queer, jerky breathing. + +Being so near the house there was no need for alarm as to her personal +safety, so she did jump out now and ran to meet Ted and Jerry who were +just turning in from the barn drive. + +"Oh," Nora exclaimed breathlessly. "Did you see--anything?" + +"Anything?" repeated Jerry. + +"I mean did you see--anything queer?" + +"Why no," replied Ted. "But Nora, you look as if you had." + +"I did, really. Something stole out of the bushes and crept across the +path, toward the kitchen." Nora was still short of breath from her +fright. + +"Now Bobbs! You don't mean to say that some wild, roaring lion----" + +But Nora interrupted Jerry. "Honestly Cousin Jerry," she declared, "I +did see something, and we can't go out and leave Vita alone until we +find out what it was." + +"Bravo! Spoken like a Scout!" sang out the irrepressible Jerry. "Now +let's all have a look." + +"Over there," directed Nora, and while neither Mr. nor Mrs. Manton +appeared to take the matter seriously, they did, never-the-less, follow +Nora's directions and quietly prowl along the path. + +"There," exclaimed Nora. "I saw it again!" + +"I thought I saw something scamper off myself," admitted Ted. "What do +you suppose it can be?" She stepped out squarely in the driveway and +stood watching. + +"Give me a look and I'll announce," said Jerry, his cap in one hand and +a great stick, more like a tree limb he had hastily snatched up, in the +other. He was going to have some fun out of it, at any rate. He never +could miss a chance like this. + +Thrashing down the bushes from the drive to the garden path took but a +few moments, then they were within sight of the door. + +"What's the matter?" called out Vita. "You find big snake?" + +"No, we're looking for it," answered Jerry. "Did he come your way?" + +"I no see, not any," said Vita fully. She never depended upon the scant +Englishothers were apt to employ. While speaking she kept moving from +one spot on the path to another, and her actions seemed so absurd Ted +questioned the maid again. + +"Now Vita, you know perfectly well you have seen something," she +insisted. "And we are not going away until we find out what is around +here. Just look at Cap sniffing! He knows," continued Mrs. Manton, +moving up nearer to Vita and closer to the house. + +"Nothing a-tall. Everything all right--good," persisted Vita backing to +the doorway. + +"Say Vi," called Jerry in his cheeriest voice, "who's your friend? Are +you trying to hide him behind your skirts? I told you, Ted, she should +wear a uniform." + +"Oh, Jerry, do stop your nonsense," begged Ted. "We shall be late for +the pictures. Just run in and look around the house. Of course +everything is all right, but we don't want Nora worrying while we're +away and Vita's alone." + +Nora had been looking sharply from one dark spot to another but no +further disturbance appeared. + +"Nothing could get into the house with Vita right at the door," she +reasoned aloud. "I suppose it was just something from the woods. Maybe +one of those 'possums you told me about, Cousin Jerry." + +"Maybe, and again maybe not," he answered. "But just wait until I shake +this stick over the premises. Vita will feel a lot safer when I wave the +wand of warning over the place," and he entered the house with Vita so +close to his heels that both Nora and Mrs. Manton looked surprised. + + +"Queer, how she acts," admitted Mrs. Manton. "I just wonder---- But of +course she is only hurrying to get us off. She knows we will miss the +first show if we do not get away at once." + +Jerry was soon out, stick in hand, and a broad grin on his handsome +face. + +"Nary a thing," he announced. "Nora, I am afraid your scouting has gone +to your head. That, or you are seeing things." + +Before Nora might have replied Ted insisted they hurry off or give up +the trip to Lenox, entirely. + +"I'm ready," Nora said, instead of commenting on the moving shadow. "I +shouldn't like to miss that picture." + +"All aboard!" sang out Jerry, and when the little car shot out of the +woods into the splendid turnpike--the pride of all motorists for many +miles around--Vita might have entertained her mysterious visitor (if she +really had one) to her heart's content, for all of the party bound +cityward. + +Since her arrival at Woodlands Nora had little chance for auto rides, +there were so many more interesting things to do, so that the short trip +to Lenox now seemed something of a luxury. + +But the evening's entertainment was even more delightful. The attractive +little theatre was so prettily made up with colored paper flowers over +the lights, with breezy electric fans and such simple contrivances as, +in the larger city, Nora had not seen, it all appeared new, novel and +attractive. It was quaint and cosy, and such an effect was ever +delightful to the fanciful daughter of a woman who called herself Nannie +instead of mother. + +All about them people greeted the Mantons, and it was plain they were +held in high esteem by many, farmers as well as more cultured folks, +plain or dressed up--all had a pleasant word or a cordial greeting for +the government surveyor and his attractive wife. + +Nora wondered if the Girl Scouts ever came in to see the pictures, but +Ted expressed the opinion that when they did come they came in a crowd +and made a regular party of the occasion. + +"But they have so many pleasures of their own for evenings," she told +Nora, "I shouldn't fancy they would want to come under an ordinary roof +often during the summer months." + +After the big picture with all its wizard scenes had been enjoyed, they +started back towards Wildwoods. It was then that the fear of that +crawling thing again crowded down on Nora and caused her to shiver until +she actually shook. + +"Too cool?" inquired Ted, unfolding a soft knitted scarf from her end of +the seat. + +"No, just shivery," truthfully answered the imaginative Nora. + +It was very dark along the country road, and only the flashing lights of +passing cars penetrated the dense blackness of the tree-tunnels through +which the party rode. It may have been this or it may have been the +accumulated fatigue of her big, full day, but at any rate, Nora felt +very much inclined to huddle up to Cousin Ted and hide. + +The humming of the motor was like a lullaby, and the voices of Ted and +Jerry mingled so evenly that presently Nora forgot, then she forgot to +think, and then she stopped thinking. + +She was sound asleep in the cosy comfort of Theodora Manton's encircling +arm. + +"I'll lift her," she heard a voice whisper. + +It had seemed only a minute since she entered the car and here she was +home, at the very door, with Vita standing there, lantern in hand. + +"Oh, thank you, Cousin Jerry," spoke up Nora bravely. "I am wide awake +now. How perfectly silly to fall asleep?" + +"How perfectly sensible," he contradicted. "I wish you had not awakened. +I should have had a great joke to tell your Girl Scouts," he teased. + +Nora laughed lightly. She was on the ground and anxious to get into the +cottage. Why she felt so timid was not clear even to herself, but +somewhere within her dread lurked, and when Ted proposed lemonade and +crackers Nora excused herself on the grounds of being deliciously +sleepy. For once she accepted Vita's offer to light her lights and make +the window right for the night. + +"You go quick asleep?" Vita remarked, turning down the soft summer +covering from the little bed. + +"Oh, yes. I fell asleep in the car," returned Nora, yawning. + +"That's good. Then you hear no storm----" + +"But there is no sign of a storm, Vita." + +"Oh, but maybe. Or maybe, yes, some big birds fly and make screech----" + +"Vita!" exclaimed Nora sharply. "What ever are you talking about? Are +you trying to--scare me?" + +"Oh, no. No get scared at--any t'ing." mumbled Vita while her own +excited manner seemed real cause for alarm. "I just like to know when my +little girl sleep very good, like baby." + +Truth to tell Nora was too sleepy to argue, otherwise she might have +demanded an explanation. Vita was plainly excited, and this fact coupled +with that of her strange actions earlier in the evening was +unquestionably enough to cause suspicion; but rest to a girl afflicted +with "nerves" is a precious thing, and when it came to Nora she had no +idea of risking its loss by any sort of argument. + +But Vita seemed to want to linger longer. First she looked at one +window, then at another. She even plumped a cushion--as if that were +necessary to a night's comfort! + +"Where do you sleep, Vita?" asked Nora, drowsily. + +"Oh, in a good bed, in the little room by kitchen," replied the maid. + +Nora recalled the maid's room. It was on the first floor just off the +kitchen. So it could not have been Vita who slept in the attic. + +"Would Vita get you a nice cold glass of water?" asked the solicitous +one, still anxious to please. + +"Oh, Vita," a yawn interrupted, "I am so sleepy----" + +"Then I go----" + +"Yes, you go. Good night, Vita," said Nora sweetly, "and I hope I sleep +as soundly as I threaten to and as well as you want me to," finished +Nora. "Isn't that being a very good girl?" + +"Very, very good," said Vita happily. Then she went out quietly and left +Nora to her coveted slumber. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE + + +But being converted to scouting could not at once cure Nora of her dream +habits. Being so long alone in school, and having a brain insatiable for +creative material, she usually went to bed to think and she went to +sleep to dream. + +"I never felt so deliciously tired," she murmured. "But I do wonder what +ailed Vita." + +Presently blue eyes cuddled in their white satin blankets with brown +fringe borders (a way Nora had of describing eye lids and lashes), and +then the panorama began. + +First it was the Scout memory. She, as the bravest Scout that had ever +joined a troup, dramatically saved someone from drowning. Next, Nora as +the actress in the picture shown at Lenox, performed the daring feat of +swinging from the great rock with strikingly better effect than had she +whose name graced the program. The third dream installment had to do +with something very indistinct but horribly terrifying. It revealed a +crawling thing that first crossed the path, then climbed the morning +glory vine right up to Nora's window, and now--yes now--it was choking +her! + +Had she screamed? + +She found herself sitting up straight in bed and she felt as if her very +curls had straightened out in fright. + +There--was a noise! She listened, put her hand out and switched on the +light. It was nothing in her room, but seemed somewhere--Yes, there it +was again and it surely was up in the attic! + +Was that someone moaning? + +Dream dizzy still, Nora could form no definite resolve, either to call +or to remain quiet. She simply lay fascinated with fright. The noise +ceased. Still she lay--listening. Then other sounds penetrated the +night. That was feet--shuffling of feet and they seemed just above her +head! Quickly Nora reached out again and touched the button that +switched off the light. She would rather lay hidden deeply in the bed +clothing than be exposed to whatever was prowling in the attic, should +it come down the stairs. + +Then she thought she heard whispering, but that might have been her +excited imagination. She drew the covers closer and with her head buried +from sound she could no longer listen, and not possibly hear. + +But after, what seemed to the frightened girl, a very long time she +ventured to poke her head out again, just as she heard a stealthful step +on the stairs. + +"Oh!" she gasped aloud. Then "Vita!" she called faintly. + +"Yes, I come. Sh-s-!" + +Nora had not expected to hear that voice. She merely called Vita because +she did not want to call Cousin Ted, and she felt the intruder was +dangerously near. But there was Vita! + +"What is it? You have bad dream?" asked the maid in a whisper, standing +now beside the bed. + +"No, it was no dream." Nora's voice was not very low, in fact she was +angry. "I did hear things and there's no use telling me it was the wind. +It wasn't," she snapped. + +"Sh-s-!" again Vita warned. "It is no good to wake cousins. I was up the +stairs for that old window. It slam--you hear it?" + +"What could slam a window tonight?" + +"I do-no!" in the way foreigners have of not understanding when +ignorance is more convenient. "I must go to bed now. You all right?" + +"Say Vita!" charged Nora. "If you don't tell me the truth +I'll--I'll--just shout!" + +"No, not too much noise," coaxed the big woman, who in her night robe +looked like a masquerade figure. "What do you want I should get you?" + +"Nothing. I don't want anything but for you to tell me who is up in that +attic!" demanded Nora sharply. + +"Me--Vittoria, is up attic." + +"Who was with you?" + +"Cap." + +"Where is he now?" + +"He go down--back way." + +"Now Vita--" Nora stopped. She was baffled. This woman could confuse her +so and then walk off demurely, just as she had done that other night. +Finally Nora began again: + +"All right, Vita, but you just listen." She was shaking a small finger +toward the face with the black flashing eyes. "If you don't tell me all +about your secret I shall tell Uncle Jerry. Now do you understand?" + +"Secret? What is 'secret'?" + +"The thing up in the attic is a secret," persisted Nora, although she +feared her voice might disturb the others now. + +"That thing big Cap. He always at night sniff so much," said Vita. "Now, +I go to bed," she spoke this very emphatically. "I go to bed and you go +to sleep." + +"All right, go," ordered Nora. "And don't you dare go up in that attic +again tonight. I was just having the most----" + +But her audience had vanished and the house was empty, so to speak, so +why orate or harangue? + +All sleep and its delightful attributes had flown. Nora was so wide +awake she felt she would never sleep again, and worse still, she was +angry. What did that old Vita mean by her attic tricks? If it were she +who was up there why did she moan? And if it were something else why did +the woman try to conceal it? + +"Now, I have a Scout duty," Nora promised herself. "I must fathom that +mystery and protect Cousin Theodora and Cousin Gerald from that +unscrupulous woman." Visions of crimes hidden in the attic, memory of +her own incarceration there when the trap door, as she now regarded the +door with the spring lock snapped shut, filtered through her excited +brain, and when she remembered how she had almost died up there, and how +it might have been years before her skeleton would have been discovered, +just as so many others had fared on secret attic trips, it did seem to +Nora that she should arise at once and immediately start her +investigations. Humor and tragedy hopelessly mixed. + +"But it's so late," she figured out, "and would it be fair to wake +Cousin Ted when she is so tired and after her taking me to that +beautiful picture?" + +Convincing herself that this was why she did not immediately begin her +brave Scout work, she once more attempted to quiet her nerves by +thinking of all the sheep Miss Baily had recommended to skip over fences +and lull one to sleep. + +But sleep was far out of the reach of frisky sheep, and Nora lay there +thinking of so many things, her head threatened to ache and a miserable +day promised to dawn upon her if she did not soon succumb. + +"Perhaps I wronged poor Vita. There may not have been anything wicked in +the attic after all," she soothed herself. "Why couldn't she go up there +if she wanted to? And maybe she stubbed her toe." + +It was not very consoling but the best Nora could work up in the way of +consolation. One thing certain, Vita was honorable. She was a trusted +servant, and in the short time Nora had been at the Nest, many small +favors, peculiar to good cooks, had come Nora's way through Vita's +intervention. + +Such happy thoughts finally dispelled the other unfriendly mental +visitors, and when Vita stole past the door again and looked in through +the darkness, all she heard was the even breathing of little Nora Blair, +who might or might not have been dreaming of horrible attic noises. + +The day brings wisdom, and when Nora again dressed in the borrowed khaki +suit (she had suddenly taken a dislike to her own fancy dresses), the +glorious sunshine of the bright summer morning mocked the terrors of the +night. + +A step in the hall. "I bring your fruit," said Vita kindly through the +open door; and there she stood with a small dish of such delicious +berries to be eaten off stems by hand--surely Nora had wronged this +kind, tender-hearted foreigner. + +Nora was somewhat conscience stricken as she accepted the peace +offering. "Oh, thank you, Vita," she exclaimed. "I was just coming +down." + +"But the Jerries are out early and you no need hurry," explained Vita. +"I make nice breakfast when you come." + +"Cousin Ted gone out?" asked Nora. + +"Yes, she say you stay home, not go after them, they must 'bob swamp.'" + +"Bob swamp? Oh, you mean use the plumb-bob in the swamp. I understand, +Vita." It was really remarkable how well both understood today and how +dense both had been last night. "Very well, I'll eat my fruit here by +the window, and later try your lovely biscuits," said Nora, with a smile +rarely used outside the family. + +The housemaid shuffled off. Looking after her, Nora wondered. + +"I do believe she is trying to keep on good terms with me for +something--something queer," she decided. "Certainly she is afraid I +will tell Cousin Ted about the attic business." She paused with a big +red strawberry half way to her lips. "Well, I have a secret, anyhow," +she decided, "and I like Alma, she makes me think of myself--she is sort +of shy and sensitive. Perhaps I shall make her my confidante." + +Of all the Scouts Alma seemed most congenial, and having a real secret +was the first definite step in Nora's summer career. But are secrets +wise and are they safe to carry around in so big and open a place as +Rocky Ledge? + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +WAIF OF THE WILDWOODS + + +It was so much better than dreams. Not only did Nora feel the importance +of having a real secret, but she also realized that the same +circumstance had actually made Vita her abject slave. Not a wish was +expressed by the visitor in Vita's presence but the maid would, if it +were possible at all, see to its fulfillment. + +"I believe I'll tell Alma," Nora decided one morning after a visit and +return to and from Camp Chickadee. Almost daily she made those trips and +the Scouts had become such friends with her she was now regarded quite +as one of their number. + +Expecting to join formally as soon as the other candidates of Rocky +Ledge were ready and the Counsellor should come down from the city, Nora +studied her manual and prepared for the honor. In the meantime she was +privileged to enjoy many of the Scout activities. + +But "the secret" was really more engrossing just now. It provided her +with a personal importance--what girl does not enjoy the possession of a +knowledge others have not and everyone would love to have? + +It was thrilling. Alma, the Tenderfoot Scout, who from the first had +espoused Nora's cause and even confided in her the real story of the +woodland prince, met her daily at a wonderful rendezvous, and there the +two girls, away from teasing companions, enjoyed confidences and built +air castles. + +"I'll tell her today," the resolve was repeated as Nora started out. + +She arrived first, and while waiting had a race with Cap all the way to +the Three Oaks and back again. + +"Dogs have to run faster," explained Nora breathlessly, when Cap won by +more than he needed to establish his claim. "If you could not run faster +than human beings, Cap, you could never have been made a Red Cross +messenger, as you were in the awful war." + +The arrival of Alma cut short the encomium. Salutations were brief for +both were eager to "tell each other a lot of things." + +"Alma, do you think you could keep a secret?" The question was so trite +and time worn Alma smiled before answering in the affirmative. + +"Because," continued Nora, "this is the biggest secret I have ever had, +and Barbara and I have had a great many." + +"I have to have secrets," returned Alma, "because none of the girls seem +to understand me. They tease, you know, they almost made me homesick one +night; they kept teasing and teasing about the prince; and Miss Beckwith +had a hard time to make me stop crying." + +Nora winced. "Well, this isn't that sort of a secret," she said +presently. "It's about our attic." + +"What about it?" + +"Oh, it's a lot to tell. We had better sit on the big log under the +chestnut tree and be comfortable before I start." + +Then began the story of the first night at Wildwoods when Nora was +determined to sleep in the attic. Many an exclamation of surprise was +thrown in by the more practical Alma, but this in no way turned the +narrator from her course. She sent thrill after thrill up and down +Alma's spine, and she even voiced a suspicion that Vita might have a +member of "some den of thieves hidden in the attic, although she is the +soul of honesty," Nora was particular to state. + +But it was the incident that occurred the night they went to Lenox that +really caused Alma to exclaim tragically: + +"Nora, you should tell Mrs. Manton! It is not safe to hide anything so +serious as that. Suppose the Thing comes crawling down some night and +Vita is not there to drive it back?" + +"Oh, she doesn't drive it back," Nora had not actually visualized the +terror in that way. "She just kept me from finding out----" + +"What?" interrupted Alma when Nora paused from sheer excitement. + +"I don't know what!" + +"What do you think?" + +"Well, maybe it's a--really Alma, I don't dare think. I did not know how +frightened I was till I started talking about it. Why, I am just all +creeps," admitted Nora. "Here Cap," she shouted, as the dog attempted to +wander off, "don't go away. Come on, Alma. I guess we had better go out +by the road. Why, I am just as frightened as if the--Thing were around +here!" she gasped. + +"Maybe it is," said Alma cruelly, picking up her knitting upon which she +had not taken a stitch, and following Nora out of the little woodland +into the more open field that flanked the narrow roadway. + +They hurried. Alma tripped and Nora almost screamed. + +"Why, what is the matter?" asked the Scout. "You haven't seen anything?" + +"No, but I feel so queer. You know, Alma" (she loved an audience), "I am +queer and I do believe I sometimes feel things in advance. Miss Baily +always said I did." + +"She must have been queer herself," retorted Alma. "I had those wild +ideas, too, until I joined the Scouts. That's the reason Mother had me +join. She said I was too much alone----" + +It was difficult to talk while hurrying over newly-cut stumps with which +the field was so thickly strewn. The surveyor's men had hewn many a fine +young birch and numbers of ambitious young maples there, for this was +one of the forests lately cleared. + +"Here come the girls," exclaimed Nora, as they looked down the road. +"Alma, promise not to say a single word----" + +"Why, Nora Blair! As if I would divulge a secret----" + +"Excuse me, Alma. I did not mean just that. But when one does not +realize the importance----" + +"I do realize it. But it's all right, Nora. I know just how you feel," +conceded Alma, amiably. "There. I have to go with Pell to get some +grasses from the Ledge. I'm sorry I can't walk home with you. You don't +mind----" + +"Not in the least, Alma. I was just jumpy while we talked--that way. +Besides, I always have Cap. Good bye. I'll see you tomorrow morning." + +"Won't you wait for the girls?" + +"I'm afraid if I do I'll stay talking. Hello," she called out as Pell +and Thistle came up. "Alma and I have had such a lovely time out in the +oak woods I am late for my--chores," she finished, laughing. + +"What do you chore, Nora?" asked Pell. Her face was beaming with the +health of camp life and her voice vibrated youth and happiness. + +"She chores chores of course," Thistle assisted. "I am sure the Nest is +a lot nicer place to live and work in than Camp Chickadee--when Pell +Mell is our inspector," she finished, with a pout. + +"Nora, would you believe it that wretched girl left her shoes outside of +camp last night and this morning they were gone--to a goat preserve +somewhere," explained Pell. "She has my second best 'sneaks' on now, yet +she will malign me----" + +"Why and whither away?" interrupted Thistle, seeing Nora about to +escape. + +"Oh, I really must. I'll see you later," promised the blonde girl, whose +hair, always so fair, seemed to have taken on a shade of pure gold since +exposed to the open sunshine of Rocky Ledge. + +So with paths divided they separated, and that was how it came to pass +that Nora was alone when she encountered the wonderful adventure. + +Taking to the lane path, a walk she seldom thought of following, Nora, +keyed up with her excitement following the telling of her story to Alma, +felt she must get off somewhere and "collect herself" before going back +to the house. + +Perhaps her head was down, and she may have ventured along as do much +older and more serious folk when engaged in some perplexing problem, at +any rate Nora was down the lane and into a strange grove before she +realized it. + +She looked up with a start. "Where ever am I?" she said, if not aloud, +certainly loud enough for her own hearing. + +The place was a veritable camp of low pines, and so dark it was beneath +the thickly woven boughs, Nora felt as if she had stepped from day to +night. + +"But so pretty," she commented. Then she looked about for Cap. It would +not be wise to stray into such a lonely place without his reliable +protection. He marched up with a very military air as she called his +name. Evidently the place, strange to Nora, was familiar to him, for he +did not so much as raise his shaggy head to glance around him. + +"Stay here," she whispered. Then, turning to survey the place, she +almost froze with fright. Over in under a very low tree she saw +something move--it was like a bundle of rags and it--yes, it had a head! + +"Oh, mercy!" she gasped. "What's that?" + +The black bundle rolled over and sat up. Two big, brown eyes glared at +her! The head was covered with a shawl. Was it a woman? + +Frozen now with genuine fright Nora tried to move, but felt more like +sinking down. + +"Oh!" she breathed. Then she saw how small it was. There! It was humping +up. Like a queer sort of animal the bundle took shape on huddled +shoulders, and from the outline eyes glared. + +It was not more than twenty feet from where Nora stood, but the almost +night darkness of the grove helped make illusions terrifying. + +Now it was on knees and now it stood up! + +"Oh," cried Nora. "Who are you?" + +A little girl--a poor little ragged girl, evidently more frightened than +Nora herself. + +"Oh, do come here," cried Nora, as soon as she saw how she had been +deceived. "I won't hurt you." + +The child was now standing. What a sorry little figure! The part that +was not eyes seemed just rags, and two bare feet pressed upon the brown +pine needles like chunks of withered wood. Her head was covered with an +ugly gray scarf and yet the day was warm enough to feel the sun's rays +even through the dense trees. + +"What's your name, little girl?" asked Nora, venturing a step nearer. + +The eyes rolled and then a smile broke over that frightened face. "I'm +Lucia," replied the child, and her voice was as pretty as her name. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +LADY BOUNTIFUL JUNIOR + + +Hearing that small, fluty voice Nora sighed with relief. + +"Come here, little girl," she said gently. "I won't hurt you." + +"Please, I can't. I must run----" + +"Oh, no; don't run," begged Nora, as the child showed every sign of +escaping. "I am all alone. I just want to talk to you." + +"But I must not. I have to run," insisted the other. + +"Why?" + +"Because----" the voice had dropped many tones. + +"Will any one hurt you if you don't?" This was merely a chance question +of Nora's. She could not think quickly of just the right thing to say +and was anxious to detain the child. + +"Yes, no, maybe," a shrug of the small shoulders proclaimed foreign +mannerisms. Her dark eyes also bespoke the alien. + +"Well, I won't let anyone hurt you," declared Nora bravely. "I'm a Girl +Scout, do you know what that means?" + +"Yes, I know. It means crazy," promptly replied Lucia. + +"Crazy?" Nora was somewhat taken back. Then it dawned upon her that +foreigners had a way of saying things--perhaps--"crazy" meant something +else to the child. + +"Why do you say 'crazy'?" Nora asked next. + +"Oh, they dress funny, and they run all over and they climb trees +like--crazy," said Lucia. Nora saw she was correct in her free +translation. Crazy was a comprehensive term to Lucia. + +"Don't you like them, the Scouts?" pressed Nora. + +"The little one--I like. The big ones chase me one day," came the +indifferent answer. "I have to go, I must run sure now," declared Lucia, +putting out her small hands to make a hole in the bushes through which +to escape. + +"Oh, please don't go yet," begged Nora. "I have just found you and I +want to--know you." + +"I don't dast," replied Lucia. "I have to hide now," she was getting +through the break when Nora took hold of the long skirt. At this Lucia +looked around sharply, and her dark eyes flashed dangerously. + +"Are you hungry?" Nora asked. This was a tactful thing to ask and +offered immediate postponement of flight for Lucia. + +"Sure," she replied, beaming. "What you got?" + +"Nothing--just now," faltered Nora. "But I can bring you lots of good +things. You wait here----" + +"Oh, no, I get caught," interrupted the woods wraith. "Then I +ketch--it." + +Nora was sorely puzzled, but being Nora she had no idea of allowing such +an interest to escape. She said next: "If you tell me where to leave +things for you, I'll bring them and you can get them when no one is +around. Would that be all right?" + +"Maybe," replied the exasperating Lucia. "But when you get it?" + +"Oh, any time, I live near here and I can just run over and be back +before you have to go. Where do you go to?" + +"I can't tell," answered Lucia with more foreign tone than she had yet +assumed. + +"You mean you do not dare tell me where you live?" + +"Yes, that's what I mean." + +"Why?" + +"I don't dast," again came that quaint, childish negative. + +"Who would do anything to you?" + +"Nick." + +If Nora was eager to talk, surely Lucia was determined to be very brief. +What could she mean by "Nick." + +Again Lucia held the bush back into an open gate. And again Nora tugged +at the skirt. + +"If I bring you a lovely sweet pie will you come back and talk to me +here?" begged Nora. + +"Where will you put the pie?" + +"Can't you come and get it?" + +"I don't know." + +It was aggravating. The child seemed purposely obtuse. Nora had an +instinctive feeling that somehow she was the object of abuse. Her +cringing manner indicated oppression. + +"Now, Lucia," she began again, "if you come here every day I'll come all +alone, except for Cap, and I'll bring you lovely things to eat. Wouldn't +you like that?" + +"Sure." + +"Then you will come?" + +"What time?" + +"In the morning--about this time. Would that be all right for you?" + +"If Nick is gone." + +"Who is Nick?" + +"Very bad man. I hate Nick." This last sentence was so purely American, +that even Nora guessed the child had come from mixed surroundings. +Holding to her shawl Nora could feel, she imagined, a shudder pass +through the slim frame at the very mention of the name Nick. + +Lucia dragged her scarf off a bush. "I go now," she said with just a +tinge of politeness. "You bring pie?" + +"Yes, a big pie. Don't forget to come." + +"I come--sure." + +The queer figure stood for a moment out in the clear sunlight, and Nora +had a chance to see her features. She was pretty, strikingly so, in +spite of her pinched cheeks and her too lustrous eyes. + +"Please--you don't tell anybody?" came the appeal. "I work all day and +pull weeds, but like to sleep little bit by the big trees, sometimes." + +Then Nora guessed. "You mean you are sick and come here to rest?" + +"Please." + +"Well, you just come here whenever you want to, Lucia," said Nora with +feeling. "The idea of a tiny tot like you working at pulling weeds! And +with all those heavy rags on you! It's a shame!" she declared +indignantly. + +"You don't tell?" the child persisted anxiously. + +"No, Lucia. I'll never tell. I have a lot of secrets, and this one I +won't even tell Alma." + +"Good bye." + +Like a frightened animal the waif sped across the field and dodged into +the next clump of shrubbery. + +"She is afraid of being seen," reasoned Nora. "Who ever saw such a +pitiful little thing?" + +Then it dawned upon her that Cap had not even sniffed suspiciously. + +"Did you like her, Cap?" she asked, patting the patient animal, that all +during the broken conversation had lain at Nora's feet without so much +as a single growl. "Did you feel sorry for her, too, Cap?" + +He may have or there may have been some other reason for his +indifference, but now he was willing and anxious to go home. It was +lunch time and Cap never needed an announcement. + +Nora followed him. She was too astonished to know even what to think. +That a little beggar girl should hide in the bushes to rest from hard +work! + +"I'll bring her the nicest things Vita can bake," she concluded. Then +came the thought: How would she get Vita to give her the supplies +without making known the use she was to put them to? + +Picnics were common. These would surely supply an excuse for carrying +out food, and, after all, wouldn't it be a picnic for Lucia? + +Nora's heart was fluttering. + +"I never knew what a vacation was before," she told Cap. "Here I am +having a love of a time and doing things worth remembering." + +How different from the fashionable summers she had been accustomed to! +Nowadays she hardly had time to look in a glass, and yet she was +enjoying every hour. It was like discovering something new continually, +and did Nora but know the secret of the adventure it was simply that she +was discovering her own resources--she was getting acquainted with Nora +Blair. + +But miracles are not common, and Nora was not yet completely transformed +from a sensitive, secretive girl, to an honest, frank, fearless Girl +Scout. + +Even the new discovery of Lucia and her sad plight was now locked up in +her breast. + +But should it have been? + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A PICNIC AND OTHERWISE + + +A rush of events followed. Chief among them was that of a Girl Scout +picnic, inaugurated by Ted and Jerry, carried out by Nora and enjoyed by +all. + +It was a delightful hike out to the Ledge, that big, rugged rock that +leaned over a pretty, disjoined lake, made up of tributaries from +springs and rain flows. Rocky Ledge was exactly that--narrow, rocky; a +table or shelf that leaned out just far enough to form a little portico +over the frivolous waters beneath. It was a charmed spot, with many +thrilling legends to its credit, and being different from the entire +scenery surrounding, it gave the place its name--just like one girl +different from her companions will stand out as an example, if she +happens to be that kind of different that is interesting. + +Not that other parts of this territory were commonplace. No, indeed. +There was a fertile farm country, Jerry's precious forests, Ted's +wonderful butterfly haunts and even Nora's cedar groves; but these did +not touch the high spot enjoyed by that novel little ledge; hence the +whole territory was known as Rocky Ledge. + +The picnic marked midsummer's festivity. Chickadee Patrol invited +members from other camps out to the Ledge, and when Pell insisted that +Thistle and her aids "do up enough grub" for those invited, a strike was +narrowly averted. + +"You know, Pell Mell, the Mantons will bring barrels of things to eat, +so why should we make samples of our miserable home-cooking failures?" +demanded Thistle. Betta was standing hard by egging her on. + +"They will bring the lunch, that is, The Lunch, but what about a little +four o'clock snack? There are silver springs out there with water cress +on the cob, and I know our girls are never loath to nibble a bite or two +when out on location," Pell reminded her mutinous crew. That was Pell. +She had a way of getting things done and at the same time making a joke +of it. + +"Is Nora going to be inducted?" asked Betta. Next to Alma, Betta was the +most avowed champion of the girl from the Nest. + +"Yes, we had a letter today and Becky told us we would have a business +meeting Wednesday, when your precious Babe Nora will be led to the +stake. She will accept the halter of allegiance to Pell, Betta and the +rest of the mob----" + +"If you feel so frisky, Pell, I wish you would work off some of the +extra on this tin can. I am supposed to open it with a souvenir trick +can opener. I am sure Betta brought it from the state fair, B. C. 150. +It has all the ear marks of antiquity without any of the teeth," +declared Wyn, who was struggling with an implement, curious and +wonderful. + +"That's a perfectly good can opener," defended Betta. "Jimbsy purloined +it from his own mother's table----" + +"Which supports my theory," interrupted Wyn. "His mother's table is none +other than antique. But there! It did cut--my hand into the bargain," +and she defied all her first-aid rules by sticking a finger in her +mouth. "Glad it cut something." + +"Where's Alma?" asked Laddie. "She always gets out of the drudgery." + +"Alma was tagged along to town to buy things," explained Thistle. "Becky +is hearing her lessons on the way. Alma is our little freshman, you +know, girls, and while she doesn't wear mourning, she is often in +sorrow." + +"She has a great time with Nora, I notice," remarked Doro. "I fancy +between the two of them they have fixed it up about the prince. +Shouldn't be a bit surprised if they invited him to the picnic." + +"Now, remember," ordered Wyn, "don't dare say prince. Say duke if you +must, but spare Alma's feelings on the princeling. But honestly, girls, +wasn't it a joke?" + +"Not to Alma," answered Treble. "She certainly had a vision if she did +not see a prince. Here she comes. Look at the bundles! Land sakes alive! +If it's more grub I'm going to duck. My fingers are mooing now from +spreading butter," and Treble plastered a slab of the yellow paste on a +square of bread, quite as if it were intended as mortar for a +sky-scraper. + +An hour later they were on their way. Nora might have ridden out to the +Ledge in the little runabout, but she preferred to walk with the girls. + +"I'm so excited about joining," she confided to Betta and Alma, her hike +partners. "I feel as if I were going to have my final exams." + +"You don't want to," advised Betta. "You know your manual perfectly, and +have nothing to worry about. But we shall all be so glad, Nora, when you +are really a Scout. It is all well enough to be a lone Scout out in the +wilderness, but while we're around there is no sense in such isolation." + +"The Lone Scout! Oh, I was fascinated reading about the provisions for +such an individual arrangement. Just imagine being a troop of one," said +Nora. + +"About as interesting as Laddie's collection of one piece of genuine +mica," replied Betta. "As much as I detest the girls" (she gave Alma's +arms an affectionate squeeze in explanation), "still, I would rather be +pestered with them than to be a Lone Scout on the Big Mountain. There, +Nora! That would make a stunning title for your coming book." + +"What book?" demanded the unsuspecting Nora. + +"The one that is coming next," serenely replied Betta. "But let us +hasten! See yon girls are turning into the other yon road," she went on. +"We betta----" + +A warning chuckle from Alma, cut short her "Betta." Until this +attractive girl learned to respect the all-American R she would never +know peace with her companions. + +Joining the others the merry party hiked along; singing, whistling, +calling, laughing and making noises peculiar to girls out on picnics +bent. + +Mr. and Mrs. Manton rode to the Ledge, deposited their treat and were +ready to be on their way and leave the girls to their own good time, +almost as soon as the party arrived. + +"Oh, stay," besought Pell. "We are counting on having you in for our +games----" + +"I wish I could," replied the big brown Jerry. "But the fact is this +wife of mine has planned a little picnic all of her own. You see, when +she got me in on this she knew I could not back out on hers. Yes," he +sighed affectedly, "she has made me promise to take her out canoeing, +and I am not sure what terror she has set for me at the end of the +stream." + +"Oh, are you really going down the stream?" cried Treble. "I have just +longed for a ride down through the rapids----" + +"Well, you best not take it," spoke up Mrs. Ted. "I am going down the +stream only to explore. And I would not go without the strong arm of a +man at the keel." + +"Oh, Jimbsy, where art thou?" wailed Thistle. "Why didn't we treat you +right! Your gallant craft----" + +"Get the water there, Cicero," shouted Doro. "This lunch is to have +lemonade a la carte, and there isn't a drop of water in the house. Sorry +to disturb the oration----" + +"Gimme the pail," snapped the interrupted Thistle. "I never yet started +anything that Doro didn't finish." + +But even the delightful lunch, served on a grassy table with every girl +holding down her own table cloth, for a light little breeze flirted +outrageously with the service--even all this did not tempt the Scouts to +tarry long from the delights of the great, wild open; and before the +normal eating hour had passed the girls were formed in groups and +circles, to suit their individual and collective tastes, and through +field and glen their laughter supplied the marching tune. + +Nora was clinging to Alma, with a motive. She had seen the great field +of corn just behind the Ledge, where fertility could be depended upon, +and she was wondering, secretly, if little Lucia might pick weeds out +there? + +"Could we go over to those gardens?" she asked the leaders, when the +other girls had all chosen their points for exploration. + +"Why, certainly. I am glad to see that you are interested in real +gardens," replied Miss Beckwith. "Those are called the Italian gardens +because Italians work there, not because they bear any resemblance to +the wonderful gardens of Italy." + +The temptation was strong within Nora to tell Alma just why she wanted +to go up close to the big women with hoes and rakes; but the memory of +Lucia's dark eyes, that looked so like dewy pansies when the child +begged: "You will never tell," that memory sealed Nora's lips, while she +eagerly sought out any small figure that might be that of the little +slave of labor. + +"I don't like those horrid women," said Alma. "Why don't you want to go +over the other way, out into the pretty woodlands, Nora? Come on and +let's run back. I am almost afraid of that ugly creature coming over +that dug-up place," Alma declared. + +"I don't like her, either," admitted Nora. "I only wanted to see--them +work--close by." + +"Going in for scientific gardening when we make you a real Scout?" Alma +continued, as they both hurried back to the uncultivated territory. +"Lots of girls are trying it, but it's wickedly hard on the hands." + +"Oh, I hadn't thought of that, Alma. But I just----" She stopped and +looked frankly into Alma's gray eyes. "Alma," she began again with an +unexpected sigh, "would you think me mean if I asked you to do something +to help me without, well, without explaining fully?" she floundered. + +"Why, no, certainly not, Nora. You must have good reason for not wanting +to confide----" + +"I do want to confide," Nora quickly took up the charge. "But this is +not my own affair. I have promised not to tell." + +"Then don't bother to explain," said Alma, generously. "I'll do all I +can to help you. I am sure it's for a good cause." + +"The noblest charity----" Nora checked herself. "I'll tell you. I want +to take my picnic lunch to--some place----" It was next to impossible to +go on without going all the way. + +"Nora, darling! You are truly a brave Scout!" declared the admiring +Alma. "There you haven't touched your lovely lunch. Saved it for a +secret charity. Just you wait until you are received into the band of +Chickadees! I'll be your sponsor if I am allowed it, and I'll find a +way----" + +"Alma! Alma!" gasped Nora, tragically. "You really must do nothing of +the kind. As happy as I am now at the idea of being a Scout, I shouldn't +even join if I thought that in any way this secret would become known." +She was breathless at the very thought, and had jerked Alma to a +standstill right in the middle of a mud patch, in her excitement. + +"Oh, don't worry," soothed Alma. "I had no idea of telling any part of +the secret, that, of course, I really don't know anything about. I was +just planning what I might say to your especial credit if the promoter +should call upon me," she finished with a tinge of disappointment. + +"Then help me carry my lunch back to--the woods near our house," said +Nora while the glance she exchanged was a unspoken volume. + +"I hope you are not going to give it away to some wild animal," Alma +could not refrain from remarking. + +"Oh, no indeed," Nora assured her companion. + +"Then why do you not eat it?" + +"I have promised----" + +"Maybe it's Jimmie," said Alma, with a sly little chuckle. + +"Jimmie! Why I have never spoken to him!" + +"Oh, you should," the Scout assured her. "He is such a nice, useful +boy." + +"Does he work on the farms?" asked Nora seriously. + +"I guess he doesn't really work any place in particular, but almost +every place in general," replied Alma. "But let's hurry. The others will +think we got hoed in with the corn." + +So they did hurry back to the picnic and back to their strategy. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE LITTLE LORD'S CONFESSION + + +It was all over. Nora had been made a Girl Scout. To celebrate the +enrollment Jerry and Ted gave a "large party" at the Nest, and of all +her memorable social functions, this to Nora seemed most delightful. + +Every one came, even Becky the patrol leader, and in their uniforms all +freshly pressed out, the white summer blouse being allowed for the +festive occasion, the party looked quite novel, and the girls had a +wonderful time, dancing, playing games and inventing new fun provokers +at every turn. Nora as the guest of honor was honored indeed, and +accepted her compliments most gracefully. + +"It was all a matter of opportunity," said Ted aside to Jerry, referring +to Nora's change of heart. "She is just as good a Scout as any of them." +This was a proud boast. + +"The woods are full of them," said Jerry the champion of all girls, +Scouts and near Scouts. "Just give them the chance." + +But up in her own room Nora was pondering. "It's just like getting +married," she reflected. "That is, I guess it is," she amended wisely. +"One must clear up every secret and fix all the old troubles when one +gets married, and one must clear up all the old worries and secrets when +she joins the Scouts," concluded the systematic, little self-appointed +conscience cleaner. + +There was that matter of the prince. Never did Alma mention it nor never +did Nora hear any of the other Scouts refer to it without feeling +guilty. + +"I just ought to tell Alma the whole truth," she was now deciding. It +was the day after the great event. + +But came the thought of Alma's certain surprise that she, Nora, her true +friend and confidante, should have deceived her so long. + +Pride did not melt into humility with the bestowing of the pretty Scout +emblem, so Nora did not see her way clear to tell that silly story of +her Lord Fauntleroy escapade. She was repeating her Scout promise "To do +my duty to God and Country and to help others at all times," and she +mentally made the promise again. + +"To help others." That clause charged her. Was she helping Alma? Did she +not know, really, that the one glimpse of the person in velvets had left +kind and considerate little Alma guessing ever since, and also that it +had put her in a ridiculous position with her companions? + +"I know, I'll write her a letter." The inspiration satisfied, and thus +started the most remarkable correspondence--but let others tell it. + +"She got a letter!" exclaimed Wyn. + +"What's wonderful about that?" asked Betta. + +"It's from the prince, that's what," declared the first speaker. + +"Prince!" + +"The very same," chimed in Treble, stretching her long self from the +bench to the boat swing. + +"What nonsense!" scoffed Betta. "Alma may be romantic, but she is not +crazy." (Lucia to the contrary.) + +"Just ask her," suggested Wyn. "She's hugging that letter as tight as +tu' pence. I always told you Alma was madly in love----" + +"Hush!" Doro's warning suspended operations along that line. Alma was +upon them. + +"Letter?" asked Wyn, innocently. + +"Yes, and if you like you may read it. It's from----" + +"The prince?" blurted Treble, shooting her hand out. + +"I'm corporal," said Thistle, pompously. "Let me have it, dear." + +"Perhaps I should read it myself," said Alma, pettishly, thus prolonging +the agony. "It is so--personal." + +"Yes, do," begged Wyn, coiling and uncoiling in sheer expectancy. + +"Here's a seat," offered Betta. + +"The sun's there," warned Thistle amiably. "Take this seat, Alma," and +she moved over so generously, the bench all but tipped end on end. + +Every one waited. Alma took out her letter--it was in her crocheted bag +and one could see how she treasured it. + +What a thrill! + +But Treble pinched Betta and almost spoiled the start. + +"I received it this morning," said Alma, "and, of course, it didn't come +through the mail." + +"How?" asked Wyn. + +"Jimmie!" replied Alma. + +"Oh-o-o-o-oh!" + +The shout was mortifying, Betta came to the rescue. + +"Jimmie isn't your prince--Alma?" she asked sweetly. + +"Jimmie!" Alma's tone was caustic. "As if that freckled face----" + +"Here! Easy on the Jimbsy!" warned Treble. "He's a perfectly fine little +Scout, and if ever this patrol extends to co-ed----!" + +"Let Alma read her letter," ordered Thistle, the corporal. + +"How'd you say you got it?" persisted Wyn. + +"Jimmie brought it." + +"Where did he get it?" again asked the irrepressible Wyn. + +"He was pledged not to tell, but just see the stationery." The envelope +was passed around; all commented favorably. + +"You see," began Alma, "this was written as a confession." + +The older girl shouted again. Treble nudged Wyn almost off the bench. + +"Don't mind them, Alma, I'm listening," said Betta sharply. + +"Oh, we all are," chimed in Doro. + +Alma folded her letter. "If you are--going to--tease----" she faltered. + +"Here!" yelled Thistle, quite uncorporal like, "The very first one that +speaks will be dumped into the lake. Proceed Alma." + +From that point things went along better. Again Alma looked promising. + +"As I said, the letter is a confession." Then ignoring a number of +subdued interruptions, she went on. "It is signed 'Your loving prince.'" + +Could you blame them for howling? + +"Your loving--prince!!!!" repeated Wynnie. "And is there a Jimbsy to +that?" + +"I told you," said the offended Alma, "the only thing Jimmie had to do +with it was to deliver it." + +"So far as you know," interjected Doro, "But Jimmie is a far-sighted +lad." + +"Let me read it, Alma," said Thistle in desperation. "I can't see why +some girls can't have more manners." + +"And why some can't have some?" retaliated Treble. + +"Once more, shall I read it?" asked Alma, sighing. + +"You shall," declared Betta. "The first one that interrupts---- Oh, I +say girls, it is almost time for drill. Have some sense and let's hear +it." + +Murmurs approved. + +"'I feel constrained to write this, dear,'" Alma actually read, +"'because I feel I have done you a great injustice.'" (Moans.) + +"'After you saw me and I fleed----'" Alma paused. "He means flew, of +course." + +This started another outburst, and what he didn't mean by "fleed" simply +wasn't worth meaning. + +"Go ahead, Alma, we know he--fleed," prompted Betta. + +"'After I ran'" (prudent Alma), "'I never had the courage to make myself +known to you,'" she perused. "'But when I heard your companions taunt +you----'" + +"There! Taunting her! I told you to be good----" Wyn's interruption was +inevitable. + +"It is no use in my trying to be sociable," said the sensitive Alma. +"But I thought you would all be interested." + +"There is not much more to read," announced the popular member. "He just +says that soon--soon he will come." + +"Oh, joy!" shouted Doro, rolling over in the grass. "Let me know in +time!" + +"They're just idiots, Alma. Come on with me and leave them to guess the +rest," proposed the astute Betta, the confidante of girls. "_I_ want to +hear it if nobody else does." + +Without even a giggle they jumped up and seized Alma. One could not be +sure whose arm was most restraining, but she changed her mind about +going with Betta. Instead she opened the famed sheet again and read: + +"'My conscience has troubled me ever since, dear, but I was forced to do +as I did. Drop your answer----'" She paused. "I don't intend to read +that part," she calmly announced, and no amount of coaxing would induce +her to relent. No one should know where the letter to the prince was to +be mailed, Alma was determined on that point at least. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A DESERTED TRYST + + +Nora was disconsolate. For two days the dainties left for Lucia had +remained untouched. The bread box which Vita had given her to play with, +and into which the food was deposited for Lucia, stood upon the tree +stump with the sliced lamb, the piece of cake, and the big orange which +comprised the last installment offered by the sympathetic Nora, just as +she had left it. + +"Can anything have happened to her?" Nora asked herself. She was almost +too disappointed to sit down and rest in the cool, quiet shade. Cap +sniffed the box but did not put a paw up to beg, and even the big noisy +blue-jay scorned a few crumbs that lay on a fallen leaf. + +"Suppose he--murdered her!" + +It was not unusual for a girl like Nora to think the very worst first, +in fact the normal, childish mind is very apt to leap at a sensation, +but only the high spot is sensed, the detail is always conspicuously +lacking. + +"Of course she is deadly sick. Oh, why didn't she let me know where she +lived," Nora wailed secretly. "I could visit her and bring her all sorts +of lovely things----" + +She lifted the paper napkin that covered the food offering. + +"What's this?" she exclaimed. A stiff little green leaf made of very +shiny paper appeared, and with it, Nora found, was an old fashioned +nose-gay, the sort beloved by the Italians and the Polish peasantry. +Nora picked up the spray. It was tied with a green ribbon and somehow +gave Nora a distinct shock. + +"Oh! She's dead, this is what they--have at funerals!" + +Tears welled up into the blue eyes, and hands holding the silent message +trembled. Nora sat down and Cap nosed up to her; he knew something was +the matter. + +Such a pathetic little bouquet! One stiff pink rose, one yellow daisy, +two bright red carnations and three very stiff green leaves, all made of +a sort of oil-cloth paper. + +A tear fell into the heart of the rose. If it were not really a flower +it was at least a good picture of one, just as a photograph can so +vividly remind one of the original. + +Nora went back to the box. "When can she have put it here?" she +wondered. It was under the paper plate. + +Then she recalled that this last donation had been hastily deposited in +the box, for it was late and Nora had to hurry back to get ready for her +own tea at the time she placed it there. + +"I must have it put right on her flowers," she pondered. "Poor, abused, +little Lucia!" + +Picking up the untouched food Nora discovered a slip of soiled paper +beneath it. There was writing on it, a scrawl of some kind. She carried +it to the light out from under the dense trees. + +"Yes, it's a note," murmured Nora, as if Cap, her only companion, +understood. And it just says "'Goodbye, with love.'" + +Nora read and reread the scribble. It was written, she decided, in +Lucia's hand, for it was such a crooked, uneven scrawl. The paper was a +leaf torn from a book, and this assured Nora that at some time Lucia +must have gone to school. + +"After all my joy, the party, the enrollment and everything, this has to +come," thought the discouraged girl. "I hoped today I could induce her +to come over and see Ted and Jerry." + +It was too disappointing. For the first few days Nora had felt it was +safer to allow Lucia to have her way, and when she waited and waited, +until the Italian girl appeared, then coaxed and urged that she come +over to the cottage, Lucia showed signs of real fright. She would have +run from the tree-tent and never returned, if Nora had not promised to +agree to her secrecy. After that the benefactor brought the food but was +never able to get more than a fleeting glimpse of Lucia, as she scurried +off like a little black rabbit with her precious food and her strange +secret. And now she was really gone and had said goodbye. + +"Why didn't I tell Alma?" sighed Nora, regretfully. "She might have +known a better way to have helped her." + +Too late to reason thus, Nora with a heavy heart again covered the tin +box, hoping something would bring Lucia back; then she took the quaint +floral token and started for the Nest. + +Her plans to help Lucia had included everything from a change of home to +a complete change of identity, for Nora felt the stranger must have been +in sore need, and why couldn't she induce Cousin Ted to adopt such a +pretty, forlorn child? + +It was characteristic of Nora to decide on the most dramatic course, for +such a possibility as a mother, father, or family in the background of +Lucia's life was not thought of. + +And was this to be the end of her precious secret? She squeezed the +paper bouquet until the humble ribbon wrinkled into a sad bit of stuff, +and then decided to put the token away with her most precious +belongings. Maybe Lucia would come back, and if she ever did Nora +decided positively she would then tell someone about the child, even +tell Cousin Ted if need be, and, certainly, Alma. + +"And now I must go to my letter box," she told Cap, the faithful. + +Looking up and down, in and out, far and near, to make sure no one saw +her, Nora followed the trail to the bent willow--the hiding place of +Alma's correspondence with the fabled prince. + +She had been there, the moss was a shade lighter where feet had pressed +the velvet nap, and the leaves of the bushes were still "inside out" +from a hasty brushing made to clear a path to the bent willow. + +Under the stone, as directed, Alma had placed her answer to the prince's +letter, and finding it there she quickly hid the envelope in her deepest +blouse pocket. She would read it in more comfort, enjoy it more at home, +with the door locked. + +"What an exciting vacation I am having, really!" she reflected. "When I +came all I could think of was pretty things." + +Had she been that Nora once so filled with foolish fancies that life, +brief as it had been to her, seemed too full of nonsense to admit of +real joys with girl companions, and any number of adventures? + +"A real vacation indeed," concluded the girl in khaki, holding close +Lucia's flowers and Alma's letter. She was sorely tempted to peek into +the latter, but that would spoil the delicious secret reading, which to +be complete would have to be made in solitude. + +It had been days since she went out "on location" with the +cousins--Jerry always called surveying "doing location," as the moving +picture folks termed their work, but so many other things claimed her +attention it seemed difficult to get them all in. Cousin Ted was very +busy herself, but had managed to write Nora's mother. A glowing account +of the Scout interests was surely given in that letter, and Jerry was +disappointed when Ted refused to ask permission for Nora to stay during +the winter. To this, woman-like, Mrs. Jerry Manton had not agreed, +because to go to school in the wilderness is always more picturesque +than practical. + +But Nora had endeared herself to those generous hearts, and even the +thought of that real mother with an unreal name did not thrill her as +did the knowledge that she had "made good" with these devoted friends. + +Home now--that is to the Nest, Nora rushed up to her room to devour +Alma's letter. She ignored Vita's appeal to come see the wonderful +flowers sent from some one for Mrs. Manton. She must read the letter +before going down to dinner. + +In the biggest chair by the open window beyond locked doors she unfolded +the precious page. + +"She writes a pretty hand," was the first comment. Then she read: + + "'Camp Chickadee. + + "'My dear Prince: + + "'How wonderful to get a letter from you! As you have + guessed I did think of you ever since. Please tell me who + you are and where you live? We Scouts would love to know you + and perhaps we can tell you some interesting things about + America, if, as I surmise, you are a visitor here.'" + +"Oh mercy," gasped Nora. "I have only made matters worse. She actually +believes I am a prince. What ever shall I do?" + +The letter lay mute and yet accusing. Nora had written Alma a first +letter to prepare her for the second. True, she did not explain--but she +fancied somehow Alma would come to the tree, and then perhaps they would +meet and settle the whole troublesome business. + +"But it's worse, heaps worse," sighed Nora. The call from down stairs +was unanswered, for she must plan something else and that quickly. + +First she thought of writing another letter with a complete and full +confession, but she dreaded it, shrank from it and finally abandoned the +idea. + +"If it only were not Alma," she sighed. "I would almost enjoy the joke +on some of the others, but Alma!" + +Nothing could be worse than this nagging at her conscience. She must +conquer it. And here was the new trouble about Lucia! + +"I always thought secrets were such fun, and yet these are +positively--tragic," she thought. "If only I could tell Alma about +Lucia, at least that would be a comfort." + +Another call from Vita. Cousin Ted and Cousin Jerry were in now. The +cheery whistle and the joyful "Whoo-hoo!" must be answered. + +"Oh, dear me!" sighed Nora. "I suppose things always happen that way." +She gave Lucia's flowers an affectionate squeeze, dropped them into her +ivory box, slipped Alma's letter under the cushion and went down to +dinner. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE WORST FRIGHT OF ALL + + +It was growing dusk--the sunset seemed in a great hurry to get away, and +day time was evidently going to the same party. The Mantons failed to +induce Nora to accompany them on a "bug hunt," Jerry's term for Ted's +moth expedition. Vita too seemed in haste to get somewhere, and +altogether the evening was especially popular to make escapes in. + +Nora was going over to camp, she announced, and would be there long +before dark. The girls would come home with her, she had assured the +prudent Ted. + +So everything was settled and the Nest would be unoccupied, with Cap as +guard, for that evening. + +Not a smile broke the serious look on Nora's face. It was evident the +program for the evening included something very important. + +"Goodbye," called out Ted. "Be sure to go over to camp, right away, or +the dark will--catch you." + +"Yes'm," echoed Jerry, "and Mr. Dark knows no distinctions at Wildwoods. +He throws a big black blanket over the whole kaboodle." + +Nora replied, but even the joke did not cheer her. A few minutes later +she stood at the foot of the attic stairs, drew a long breath; then +dashed up. + +Over to the chest that contained the costumes long ignored, she +literally dashed, yanked up the lid and dragged out the Lord Fauntleroy +outfit. + +She counted the pieces, waist, jacket, knickers, sash--where was the +cap? + +Nervously she fumbled over the tangle of garments, but did not find it. + +"I had better dress first," she decided, "and come up again for the cap. +I am--so--nervous----" + +No need to make the confession, for even her hands, young and usually +steady, actually dropped the velvet coat right on the dusty attic floor. + +No time for looking in the mirror. The knickers were kept up with round +garters now, a Scout acquisition, and the thin white blouse that went +under the jacket, went under very quickly--fullness and strings jabbed +in wherever space allowed. + +In a remarkably short time she was inside the entire outfit. One glimpse +in the glass assured her she was again garbed as the fickle prince. Then +for the cap. + +"I have time to run and get it," she assured herself. "Of course, I must +have that cap." + +Back to the attic, now a shade darker, and then again into the mysteries +of the costume chest, she rummaged. + +"Oh, dear," she sighed. "I'll be--here it is! Thank goodness!" She just +jabbed it on her head. A sound startled her. She stood still, every +sense alert. + +"What was it?" she instinctively asked. + +Again. It--was--a low--moan! + +Pausing only long enough to make sure her nerves were not fooling her, +Nora heard again, distinctly, a sound, a human or inhuman moan! Then she +rushed down the stairs, kept on rushing until she reached the street +door, and realizing no person was upon the premises, ran down the road, +straight for Chickadee Camp. + +No thought of her appearance concerned her; she must get the girls to +come back and find out what was in the attic! + +Only once she stopped, just to make sure the cap was not going to fall +off her yellow head. + +Voices and laughter came to meet her. That was Thistle and Wyn---- + +Gulping back a choking, nervous gasp, she rushed on. The next minute she +dashed into Chickadee Camp and stood before an amazed group of Scouts. + +"The prince!" went up a shout. + +"My prince!" corrected Alma. + +"Why, it's Nora----" + +"Girls!" gasped the intruder. "Listen, please, I am no prince----" + +"You are indeed. Just look at the dandy outfit. Alma, we most humbly +apologize----" + +"Wyn," shouted Thistle, "please listen! Can't you see there is something +the matter?" + +"Oh, there is really, girls," panted Nora. "Come quick! There is +someone--dying in our--attic!" + +"Dying?" + +"I was up there--getting these things, and I--heard the awfulest +moans----" + +"Maybe it was Cap," suggested Treble. Her eyes had not wandered from the +surprising spectacle. + +"Oh, no, he was outside," said Nora, "and no one is home, not even Vita. +Oh, please do come! I know someone is in agony," and her voice trailed +off into agony of her own. + +"I'll lead," volunteered Thistle. "Come along, every one. Alma, you can +take care of your--prince," she could not resist injecting. + +"Oh Alma," sighed Nora. "I was planning to come to explain to you----" + +"You don't need to," and a most affectionate and all encompassing look +went from Alma to Nora. "I know all--about it now, and you are my +prince, just the same." + +"Come along, you two lovers," ordered Thistle the leader. "You had a +'crush' on Nora from the first, Alma. Now we all know why. Fall in +there, Betta. No need to wait for guns----" + +"I am not going without some weapon of defense," declared Betta. "Nora +knows her own attic, and she knows when someone is moaning. It may be a +lunatic. There is always an asylum in a pretty place like this." + +"Oh, is there?" cried Nora. "I would be afraid to face a--lunatic in +that big, dark, attic----" + +"I should think you would, lunatic or just plain, human being," agreed +Laddie. "You look delectable enough for anyone to just eat you up----" + +"Can't you girls realize this is an emergency, not a debate?" snapped +Thistle. "We don't suppose Nora is dying of fright just for fun. Betta, +run over and tell Becky." + +"Oh, don't let's have her along," interrupted Treble, bent on making the +most of the adventure. "You know she would have to do something we +wouldn't." + +"Right," agreed Wyn. "Come along Scouts! 'Jeuty' calls us." + +They had been "coming along" all the time. These expressions merely gave +vent to pent up energy. + +Nora, although thoroughly frightened, was thankful that the dark helped +hide her dismay. Alma had her arm, and Alma was thinking in terms of +"prince," even the pretender was conscious of that. + +The girls giggled and talked, as they always did, and as Betta took time +to remark, "they would be apt to do it at their own funerals." There was +no suppressing Wyn, and Treble fell but a peg below in volubility. + +"Look out there!" called Thistle. + +Everyone halted. + +"What?" demanded Wyn. + +"A puddle," replied the heartless leader. "And I'm responsible for the +shine on your shoes, lunatic or no lunatic," she declared loudly. + +"When my turn comes to lead for a week I'll have that wretched girl up +every day at dawn," threatened Betta. "She has the cruelest way of +raising one's hopes." + +"Had you hopes for the lunatic in the mud puddle?" demanded Laddie. + +"You had better get your sense valve working," suggested Doro. "We are +almost there." + +"Right," added Treble. "I can see the gate light now." + +"How ever will we go up there in the dark?" Nora asked Alma. "I will be +afraid to go into the house." + +"Don't you worry, dear," Alma was still under the influence. "We will +all go in together, and Thistle isn't afraid of man or beast." + +Arrived at the Nest Nora was confronted with a light at the back of the +house. + +"Someone home?" suggested Thistle. + +"There shouldn't be," declared Nora. "Everyone is out for the evening." + +"Where is Vita?" asked the same leader. They had stopped at the natural +hedge, and now stood under the picturesque, homemade arc light--Jerry's +lantern with the red globe. + +"Vita went out somewhere. She often does, and you see I was going over +to camp, so there was, really, no one at home." + +"Your dying princess has come down stairs to die," suggested the +irrepressible Wyn. + +"Princess?" scoffed Nora. + +"Or was it merely a maid in waiting--excuse me, your _man_ in waiting." + +"Wyn," shouted Laddie, "can't you see you are making yourself ridiculous +at a time like this?" + +She probably couldn't for she went off into a gale of laughter and had +to go behind a bush to enjoy it. + +"There is someone in the kitchen," declared Treble. "Here she comes!" + +She did; she came right out and greeted them. + +It was Vita! + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +STRANGE DISCLOSURES + + +For a moment no one spoke--they were all so surprised. + +"Hello!" called out Vita. "What's this? A party?" Her English was +perfect. + +"No, it isn't Vita," Nora managed to answer. "I was almost scared to +death----" + +"Let me tell her, Nora," interrupted Thistle, the leader. + +"I'm not going in that house with her until Cousin Ted comes home," +declared Nora. "Vita is always putting me off. She knows what that noise +up in the attic is." + +"Have you heard it before?" asked Betta. + +"Yes, a number of times----" + +"Then, if the moaner did not die before, Nora, what makes you think the +present attack would be fatal?" Wyn came out from the bush to inquire. + +"Land sakes, Wyn! Will you hush? Fun is all right in its place but this +is serious," warned Pell. + +"Looks it," whispered the same Wyn, into Betta's unwilling ear. + +"Nonsense, standing here like a----" + +"Serenading party," finished Laddie. "Let's begin." + +"Serenading?" An uncertain and feeble whistle followed, but in the dark +no one owned up to it. + +"You coming in? No?" asked and answered Vita. + +"No. We are not coming in," declared Nora, who had stepped up to the +door at which the spacious Vita stood. "We heard a noise up in the attic +and we were coming in to investigate, but we won't now." + +The girls were audibly disappointed. They said so outright. + +"Perhaps she doesn't know a thing about it," suggested Laddie. "Don't +you think, Nora, we ought to go in and look around?" + +"No, I don't. She is in the plot, or secret or whatever it is," declared +Nora aside. "When I first came here I heard it----" + +"Why didn't you tell us?" demanded Doro. The parade had come to a +useless halt. + +"I don't know," murmured Nora. "You know I had queer ideas at first," +she faltered, unconsciously smoothing down the pretty little velvet +knickers and slipping a nervous hand into an inadequate pocket. + +"We know, but we all have--at first," admitted Laddie. "I used to think +I would love Thistle, and see what she has done to us with her old +bossing." The challenge went unanswered. + +"Can't we go to the bench and talk it over?" suggested Betta, unwilling +to leave the scene thus unsatisfied. + +"Oh, no, please don't," begged Nora. "I don't know just what I fear, but +actually, girls," she did whisper this, "I am as much afraid of Vita now +as I am of the thing up in the attic." + +"Your nice, fat, good natured Vita?" asked Pell in surprise. The person +spoken of had gone indoors discreetly. + +"I don't mean that I am afraid of her all the time," Nora hastened to +correct. "She is as good as gold, generally, and I am sure Vita is +honorable. But it is that attic affair--she is in some way connected +with that, and I am not going to take a chance of getting frightened +again tonight. You have no idea how I felt, up there all alone, in fact +I was all alone in the house when I heard that groan." + +"Groan?" Wyn could not resist. "I thought it was a moan?" + +But no one paid any attention to the remark. Betta suggested they agree +with Nora and all go back to camp. + +"We can bring Nora back home about the time she expects her Cousin +Jerry," Betta's suggestion included. "There is no sense in subjecting +her to more terror with the Italian woman." + +"For once I agree with you, Betta," answered Thistle. "March back to the +Chickadee, every Scout of you, and see that you don't wallow in that mud +puddle." + +"But the prince?" inquired Wyn. "Is he to walk through ordinary mud +puddles?" + +"No. Of course not. You and the other big girl, Treble by name, are to +carry him. Avaunt!" ordered the leader. + +"Oh please----" protested Nora; but in vain. She was upon the shoulders +of Wyn and Treble before she had a chance to finish her useless appeal. + +"Put your royal arms around me," chanted Treble. + +"If you don't you may be dumped," warned the other slave. + +"Listen!" ordered someone. "Here comes the whole camp! Are we out after +hours?" + +"If we are we can plead emergency," explained Thistle. "How could we +wait for permission when someone was moaning to death?" + +They took up the march in real earnest. As faithful Scouts they always +kept to regulations and found pleasure in doing so. Only Nora's call of +distress had lured them away as darkness was setting in. + +"Please let me walk," begged Nora. "I know you must get back as quickly +as you can, and I am sure I have given you enough trouble." + +"We love to carry you," insisted Wyn. "Besides, we know it's our last +chance. Alma will be unconscious in the throes of love from this on," +she finished with a lurch that brought the erstwhile prince to "his" +feet in spite of their intentions. + +A few more accidents, minor and major, according to the way said +accidents were accepted, and the squad arrived at Chickadee. Nora was +now more embarrassed than ever. How could she again go in among all +those sensibly-clad girls in that ridiculous costume? Besides, now she +was bound to tell the whole miserable story. + +"Where have you girls been?" began Becky, who stood waiting. "Did you +not know this was story night?" + +"We have been out scouting, and we did," replied Thistle in her most +docile tone. "Becky, love, we have the bravest thrill of our entire +career to unfold." + +"Begin, please, by explaining the infraction of hours," said Miss +Beckwith, although her manner belied her demand, and the summer twilight +lasted. + +"The thrill is none other than someone, anyone, dying of moans," said +Wyn. "We have with us tonight----" + +At this she craned her neck over the tallest of them to locate little +Nora. But she, the guest of honor, was hiding behind Treble. + +"When you hear the whole wonderful tale," promised Pell, "you will only +be sorry you were not along. We have been out gunning for attic ghosts." +After more talk of this variety Nora was dragged forth. + +How pretty she looked in the camp light! A glow from the fire that had +been lighted for stories, surrounded the little prince, and, as the +picturesque figure stood in the center of the group of admiring eyes, +even the glory of the modern Scout uniform was threatened with eclipse. +In the late twilight the effect was entrancing. + +"Isn't she darling?" + +"Just look at those--panties?" + +"Oh, don't you remember----" + +"Sweet Alice Ben Bolt." + +"No, not Alice, but the night we fought over those bloomers," recalled +Treble. + +"They're not bloomers. They're rompers." + +Then began that whole foolish debate which ended up by Thistle declaring +they might be overalls for all it mattered, if only the girls would let +Nora tell her story. Pell and Treble agreed. The introduction was +briefly outlined for Becky's benefit, then Nora was allowed to tell it +as it appeared to her--that is, she was allowed to begin to tell it that +way, but what with the interruptions, the suggestions, the questions, +and the qualifying clauses, it was small wonder the willing culprit made +poor headway. + +As the story took the shape of a confession Nora seemed to be the +culprit, but judging from the approval voiced by the multitude they all +had little regard for _her_ brand of "crime." In other words, Nora only +imagined she had offended, the entire detail made a most interesting +story as it was told around the campfire blaze of Chickadee Patrol. + +She admitted frankly that her early notions were anything but practical, +she bravely recounted her weakness for fancy things, including ivory +bureau sets and pink ribbons, to which more than one Chickadee added her +own little admission, in fact, Pell said she always did and always would +love pink; brown khaki and smoked pearl buttons to the contrary +notwithstanding. + +The telling of her attempt at attic tenancy brought forth peal after +peal of laughter, in which Nora joined. Then she told all about her +disguise as the fabled and famous prince. + +"I think it is all too jolly for words," insisted Laddie, "and what do +you say, girls, to our adopting Prince Adorable for our mascot?" + +This precipitated more trouble. Nora was put on the table, that long box +used when weather was pleasant and drenched when weather was wet, and +from that grandstand, or throne, she was called upon to make silly +speeches, prompted by Wyn and interrupted by Betta. + +Alma objected. She insisted Nora had hinted to her something she ought +to tell the others. And she further maintained it was a matter serious +enough to put a stop to all nonsense, and "if the girls aren't willing +to listen quietly, I shall take Nora over to the other tent, where she +can tell Becky in peace," threatened Alma. + +This put a soft pedal on all unnecessary sounds: even Wyn desisted. + +"Tell us, Nora, please do tell," begged Wyn. "We have had fun enough to +give our poor jaws a rest. Mine are aching from laughing." + +So Nora began. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE DANGER SQUAD IN ACTION + + +It was a fascinating tale. Every detail told by Nora took on new value +as it was silently applauded by her eager audience. Thus encouraged she +waxed eloquent, and when she finished all about the wearing of the +Fauntleroy costume, then her desire to tell Alma the truth, when she +knew the Scouts were teasing the Tenderfoot, the recital might well have +been called a credit, even to the girl who felt guilty of its secrets. + +"You see," she said naively, "I was always so much alone. I had no +companion but Barbara, and she agreed with everything I said." + +"What a change this must be!" murmured Wyn. + +"Hush!" warned Betta. "Funny as you are, Wynnie, you _can_ be rude." + +"And now, girls," said Nora in a brand new tone of voice, "as I have +told you all of that, I feel anxious to tell you something else. I have +another secret and I think it is much more serious than anything else +that has happened on this wonderful vacation." + +"Out with it," begged some one, but Nora did not hear the thoughtless +phrase. + +Miss Beckwith sat with the girls, encouraging their confidences, and the +usual safety in numbers was surely a clue to the satisfaction of the +novel meeting. Secrets were best shared by the multitude, then what one +was not wise enough to know, some one would surely be clever enough to +guess--so far as solution of the problem went. + +"One day when I was wandering around--it was the day we had such a +wonderful time----" Nora started. + +"When you learned to swim?" prompted Wynnie. + +"I think it was. Well, I just walked along a lane I had never found +before," continued the prince--for she was still that noble character, +"and under a cave of pines--they grew so thick I could hardly see there, +it was almost as dark as night; and right there, in a bed of leaves I +saw something move." + +Just who was it that choked back Wyn's interruption does not matter, but +presently Nora continued: + +"At first, of course, I thought it was a dog or something like that, but +all of a sudden it sat up!" + +"Oh!" exclaimed the sympathetic Alma. + +"Yes, it sat up and looked at me with eyes like coals of fire." + +"Nora!" shouted Laddie. "I am all goose flesh, please tell us who had +the eyes." + +"I'm trying to," said Nora, realizing the value of pauses. "I was so +frightened I wanted to run, but before I could do so the creature showed +how frightened she was----" + +"She!" This was Betta. + +"Yes, it was a poor, miserable little girl, all rags and eyes, and so +sad looking! Really girls, my heart went out to her," declared the story +teller in her most Nora-esque manner. + +Titters barely tinctured the atmosphere. Miss Beckwith begged the girls +to listen politely. + +"I managed to get her to tell me her name," said Nora next. "And it was +Lucia." + +"Lucia," repeated a chorus in perfect time, pronouncing it "Luchia." + +"Yes, a poor, neglected, little Italian girl, who has to work on one of +the big farms----" + +"There!" almost shouted Alma. "I knew when you saved your picnic lunch +it was for something noble. It was for Lucia, wasn't it?" + +"Yes, but after bringing her food for days she suddenly disappeared." + +"What happened to her?" asked Pell. + +"How can I tell?" sighed Nora. "I have done everything to find out. I +have even had Cousin Ted drive me around the big farms hoping to get a +glimpse of her, but I never saw any one who even looked like her. Then, +I haven't told you the most pathetic part," she paused again. "The last +day I went to fetch her a lovely piece of pie, you know I used to put +food in a big tin box Vita gave me; well, there was all that I had left +the day before. Of course, I was awfully disappointed and I felt +so--sorry I had not told you girls----" + +"If you had, Nora," said Miss Beckwith, gently, "we might have found a +way to help the child." + +"I know that, Becky, and I am telling this now partly to----" + +"Ease your conscience," prompted Pell. + +"Yes; I don't want any more secrets. They are more worry than they can +possibly be worth," said Nora tritely. + +"You were telling us about the box," prompted Alma. + +"Oh, yes; but I must hurry, I have to go home very soon. It is time the +folks were back." + +"Tell us the rest and we won't interrupt once," promised Wyn in a +contrite tone, and she seemed to mean it. + +"I found a little paper bouquet in the box," Nora continued. "And a +scribbled bit of paper." + +"What was on it?" Betta could not help asking. + +"Just a few words, 'Goodbye, I love you.'" Nora stopped suddenly. + +"The poor, little thing," commiserated Alma. "And could you find no way +to tell who she was or where she lived?" + +"I didn't dare ask anyone outright," answered Nora, "because you see, I +had promised not to tell anyone about meeting her. She was in terror of +a man she called Nick." + +"Nick?" repeated a number. + +"Yes; she would only say he was a bad man, and I know she feared him for +she would tremble so when she mentioned his name." + +Miss Beckwith had remained in the background. If she knew a way to solve +the mystery, evidently she did not think the time had come to disclose +it. + +"But when I found she was gone--I knew what a mistake I had made in not +telling anyone about it. Even if she was afraid, I could surely have +trusted--Alma," sighed Nora. + +In the semi-darkness none could see the look of affection Alma threw +out. Her sensitive soul had found solace in the companionship of the +almost equally sensitive Nora. + +"I must go," insisted Nora. "The folks will be home and I am going to +tell them about that attic noise tonight, Vita or no Vita." + +"You are perfectly right in that," said Miss Beckwith. "Come along, +girls, we will all see Nora home this time." + +They wanted to carry her back, but costumed and all that she was, Nora +felt little like partaking in their frolic. She feared something. That +moaning was human, of this she was certain; and it was equally certain +that Vita was in too good health when she appeared at the door, to have +been in any way implicated, physically. + +"If your folks have not returned will you come back and stay all night?" +suggested Betta. "We could leave a message for them and you know you +have not stayed a single night at camp yet." + +"I am sure they are at home, I see the light in the living room," +responded Nora. "But thank you, just the same, Betta. I shall love to +stay a night soon, I have been counting on having that treat before this +vacation is over." + +They had rounded the curve and the Nest was now in full view. Presently +they were at the door and Nora touched the knocker. + +There was no immediate response and she wondered. "I can see inside, the +curtain is up, and I don't see a soul," she declared. + +"Nor hear a sound," added Pell who was listening at the keyhole. + +Here was another cause for wonderment. Nora rapped the knocker until the +sound seemed doubly loud, reverberating in the dusk. + +But there was no answer. "What can it mean?" asked Nora anxiously. "I am +sure some one lighted the lights, can they have gone out looking for +me?" + +"Can't you get in?" asked Miss Beckwith. + +"Yes. I know where to find the emergency key. But I don't think I'll go +in." Nora seemed doomed to spend the night at camp after all. + +The girls crowded around. Plainly any excitement was a welcome diversion +for them. + +"Maybe the groaner lighted up," suggested Wyn, facetiously. "She seems +to like traveling." + +"You are so brave, Wynnie," said Miss Beckwith, "I wonder would you be +brave enough to go in and investigate?" + +"Certainly," came the quick rejoinder. "I'd like nothing better. +Volunteers?" she called out. + +"Hush!" begged Nora. "It may be that Vita is upstairs and has not heard +us, although she must have heard that knock." + +Again she rapped the knocker. + +"Hark!" said Betta. "I honestly thought I heard a cry." + +Everyone was now breathless. + +"I do hear some one crying," declared Alma. "Whoever can it be?" + +"That up-attic person, I'm sure," said Wyn. "Better get the key, Nora. +We can't let them cry to death while we are all here, listening in." + +"I think I heard crying," said Miss Beckwith. "Perhaps you had better +open the door, Nora." + +From under the fern dish Nora procured the key. + +Miss Beckwith took it, and presently the door was open. The hall was +flooded with light, but everyone instinctively stepped back. + +There was no sound. + +"Where's Cap?" asked Nora. "We left him here." + +"There is really nothing to fear," said Miss Beckwith. "Here we are, a +half dozen of us. I think we had better go inside. Maybe poor old Cap is +locked in somewhere and held captive." + +"Oh, that's so," replied Nora. "He has a habit of getting in closets and +he might have sprung the door shut. Sometimes he moans----" + +That was enough to excite practical sympathy, and everyone promptly +stepped inside. Once within, it did not seem so fearful. Pell prowled +around and Wyn made foolish noises; but Nora hung back. + +After satisfying themselves there was nothing wrong on the first floor +they decided to investigate the second. + +"I can always hear it right over my room," said Nora when the band of +Chickadees inundated that territory. "There! Did you hear that?" + +"Yes, someone is crying upstairs," declared Miss Beckwith, "and we must +see who it is." + +"But suppose----" + +"Here's Cap. He would not let anyone touch us," declared Nora. "But +Becky----" + +"Come along, girls, that is not the voice of a man or woman. Come, we +must do something. It sounds like----" + +Bouncing up on Nora, Cap whined. "There, he knows, he wants me to go up. +What is it, Cap?" Nora asked again, and again the dog whined piteously. + +Now, everyone was willing to lead, yet they formed quite an orderly +drill. + +This was an emergency and emergency always means order for Scouts. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +RAIDING THE ATTIC + + +No one could tell just how they got there, but realizing that some one +was suffering they had all followed Cap to the attic, and there waited +again for the sound that was to lead them to the victim. + +"There's a cabinet over there," Nora whispered. "A person might hide in +that." + +She was holding on to Alma and looked odd, indeed, still dressed in that +gorgeous velvet costume. + +"Here's another light--this will show us the far end there," said Miss +Beckwith, snapping on the extra bulb. + +"There it is!" gasped Pell. "Oh, it is somewhere--yes, come over here," +she cried. "Surely that's a child!" + +The faint cry, that was almost like a sob, sounded again. It must be +over under the low beams. + +Nora forgot her terror now, for she knew the secret place of the long, +rumbling attic, and no sooner had she heard the distinct cry than she +brushed past all the others, dragged up a big dust curtain, then +stopped. + +"Here! Here!" she called frantically. "It's a little girl. Bring the +candle!" + +Thistle was beside her with the extra light. "Oh, mercy!" gasped Nora. +"It's Lucia." + +"Lucia," repeated the others. + +"Yes, my own little darling Lucia. Oh, child," she cried out, "what has +happened to you? How ever did you get here?" + +"Go away. Please, go away. I can't tell you. Oh, where is Vita? Vita +come!" begged a voice, while Nora tried in vain to soothe her. + +"Let me there!" ordered Miss Beckwith. "The poor little thing!" she +continued. "She evidently has had a fit of hysteria. Just see her gasp! +Keep quiet, dear," she said gently. "You are all right now. We will take +care of you. There! Stop sobbing. Don't you know the girls?" + +"She knows me, don't you, Lucia?" asked Nora, anxiously. "Oh, I am so +glad we found her. She might have died." + +"Don't let us waste time in talking. Here girls. Use your first aid, +now. We must carry her down stairs to the air," ordered Miss Beckwith. + +They carried her down carefully and laid her on a couch by the window. + +"Where is this?" the girl murmured. Then she looked into Nora's face and +something of the terror left her own. "Angel," she said simply, blinking +uncertainly. + +"You know this little girl, don't you, Lucia?" pressed Becky now, +anxious to arouse her. + +"Yes," she said. + +Nora cast a look of appeal at the director. She wanted to speak to the +sick girl. Becky motioned she might do so. + +"Lucia," began Nora, very gently, "where did--you--come from?" + +"I run away from--Nick," she gasped, and again that look of terror +flashed across the little pinched face. + +"Don't be frightened; you are here with me, Nora, now," said the girl in +the velvet suit. "No one can touch you here." + +"Where--is--Vita? She not come back, bring doctor?" + +That was it. Vita had gone for a doctor. + +"She'll be here soon," soothed Miss Beckwith. The Scouts stood spell +bound. How wonderful to have found the poor little waif right in Nora's +own attic! + +There was a sound below. Vita came stamping up the stairs. + +"What is it?" she panted. Then seeing the crowd. "You come--save my poor +little Lucia!" + +"Yes, Vita, we are here," replied Nora, sensing now the part that Vita +had been playing. "We brought her down." + +"Poor Lucia. Vita's baby--Vita's bambino," crooned the woman, as she +leaned over the couch and chaffed the trembling hands. + +It was a pathetic picture. The brilliantly-lighted room was like a stage +with this strange drama being enacted upon it. The row of Scouts were +unconsciously standing like a patrol at attention, while Nora in +Fauntleroy dress, stood at Lucia's head; and the woman in the quaint +peasant attire bent over; and then, there on the soft, bright couch, lay +the inert figure with the great eyes staring out from under the bandage, +evidently put on the hot forehead by Vita. + +No questions asked, every one could see the child was kin to Vita, but +not her own child, perhaps her granddaughter. + +"She will be all right now, I think, Vita," said Miss Beckwith. "She +just had a spell of hysteria, didn't she?" + +"Oh, she have a fit very bad," whispered the woman. "I run for doctor, +quick, but he is no place----" her voice droned off into a low sound of +foreign words, lamentation and wailings. + +"Why was she shut up there?" asked Nora. + +"She beg for dark--she never go in light when fit comes," Vita managed +to make them understand. "I always hide her--she runs from Nick like +anything. But he no hurt her, never. Just one time he scare her. She +always cry so much he t'ink she might get better, and he scare her. +Lucia run away and come to Vita, every time." + +"He didn't really hurt her," Miss Beckwith was both asking Vita and +explaining to the girls. "Hysterical children must have a dread of +something, and I suppose she seized on that." + +Lucia now sat up and looked about her. All the fear had left her, and +her black eyes shone with relief. + +"She's all right now, aren't you, Lucia?" Thistle ventured to ask. The +other girls were still spellbound. + +"Lovely," replied the child, actually rubbing her brown hand on the soft +couch cover almost as if she were saying, "Nice! Nice!" + +"There come Cousin Jerry and Cousin Ted!" exclaimed Nora. "I'll bring +them right up." + +"What Mrs. Jerry say?" asked Vita, anxiously. + +"Oh, that will be all right, Vita," said Nora, running along. "She'll +understand everything." + +It is marvelous what sympathy can explain. No need for words to fill out +the gaps. + +"Well, what a reception!" exclaimed the surprised Ted. "I never expected +such a party as this." Her eyes fell upon Lucia. "A refugee?" she asked +kindly. + +"Vita's little girl, Cousin Ted," said Nora, promptly. "We found +her--sick." She did not say where. + +"She is in good hands now, I am sure," said Mrs. Manton, glancing around +at the patrol. "We were detained with our fractious car--should have +been home ages ago. Did you need anything? Have you had a doctor?" + +"She seemed merely hysterical," explained Becky. "I don't think she +needs a doctor tonight. She will probably sleep well after the +excitement--and exhaustion," she added in an undertone. + +"Well, of all things," exclaimed Mrs. Manton, suddenly getting a good +look at Nora. "Have you been having a masquerade?" + +"A little Scout party," Miss Beckwith replied, to save Nora +embarrassment. "This has been an eventful evening." + +"Must have been," agreed the hostess. "Shall we all go down and leave +the child to rest?" she proposed. + +"_We_ must go," assured the leader. "It is not ten o'clock, I hope?" + +"No, and we'll run you over in our car--if the car will run. Mr. Manton +is out tinkering with it. That's how he missed the excitement," Ted +explained. + +Nora hung back with Lucia. She felt she had found her after so much +anxiety, she was almost afraid the child would be spirited away if she +should lose sight of her now. + +"How nice!" said Vita, and the relief in her own voice proved that the +big woman had been suffering no little anxiety, herself. + +"I go home now, Vita," said Lucia, humbly. "I'm sorry, Vita." + +"Oh, you don't have to go home, Lucia," Nora hurried to interrupt. "You +can stay right here. You don't want to go hide in the dark any more, do +you Lucia?" + +"But I don't want to make the trouble." + +"She is so good when the fit is gone," said Vita, affectionately. "Poor +Lucia, she can no help it." + +"Of course, she can't. I'll tell you, Vita, we'll ask Cousin Ted and I'm +sure she'll let us fix Lucia up in that nice attic bed. Would you like +that, Lucia?" enthused Nora. + +"She love the attic," said Vita. "She come every time, and I must hide +her. But I no like to make the bother----" + +"And that was why you kept it secret!" said Nora. "Well, Vita, I did +think you were--mean," she paused to soften the word, "but now I know +why. And I am so glad to find Lucia again. You see, I knew her before." + +"You bring her the cakes----" + +"And you knew that, too?" Nora's secrets were fast evaporating. "Well, +at any rate, Vita, you gave me a nice tin box and all the good things +you could make, so I won't blame you. I'll run along and ask Cousin Ted +about the attic. Dear me! What a blessing the girls came over with me! +We might have been going on this way--for weeks and not have found out," +she added. "But the girls have to hurry off; it is getting time to +answer the night roll call. I'll be back in a minute, Vita," she was +talking fast. "Don't let Lucia move until I tell you," she warned. + +"All right, little Nora," replied Vita fondly. "I have two little girls, +now; yes, Lucia?" + +"The girls have to leave without hearing this whole wonderful story, +Nora," said Ted, as they crowded out to the car, "but I have asked them +to come over tomorrow. They will die of curiosity in the meantime if +Miss Beckwith does not keep them too busy to get into such mischief," +added the young woman jocularly. + +"Oh, Nora!" called out Wyn, "you come right over about daylight, will +you? We'll leave a tent flap loose and you can crawl in. I would have +nervous prostration if I had to wait until after inspection to hear the +sequel. Good night!" + +"Good night! Good night! everybody!" went up the customary shout, and +when the reliable little car, so recently called fractious by its owner, +rumbled out into the roadway, the Scouts were actually singing their +camp song. + +How wonderful to be girls! And how wonderful to be Girl Scouts! + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +FULFILLMENT + + +"Of course, she'll come over. Didn't I say I'd leave a flap up?" asked +Wyn. It was so early that the very Chickadees, after whom the patrol had +been named, were still asleep in their own tree-top scout tents. + +"As if she could get out of bed----" + +"Why couldn't she? After last night I wonder if she will ever feel safe +in bed again. Seems to me," said the incorrigible Wynnie, "she could do +lots more good sitting up--raiding attics and things like that." + +"But Chicks," said Thistle from a rumpled pillow, "isn't that child a +dream?" + +"You mean didn't that child dream----" + +"No, I do not. I think she is the most adorable thing. Why, she looks +exactly like a painting we have----" + +"There--there," soothed Treble. + +"Don't get homesick," Pell called out. "We have a few more days to go +before time to break camp and you want to be in at the big party, don't +you?" + +"I think the prince part simply the most marvelous story I have ever +heard," said Treble, under her breath. It was too early to join in a +general wake-up. + +"Leave it to Alma," whispered Laddie. "I always said these quiet little +girls have the most fun. I heard Wyn groaning in her sleep after every +one else was aslumber. That's the kind of fun _she_ has." + +"Looks as if Nora had not walked in _her_ sleep, at any rate," put in +Betta. "I move we get up and slick things up early. How do we know but +the myth flew away in the night?" + +"We don't, but she didn't," replied Treble crisply. "But hark to a +familiar sound. It calls arise----" + +Then began the duties, and in spite of their anxiety to get over to the +Nest, the Scouts did succeed in performing their tasks with the usual +accuracy and unusual alacrity. + +At nine o'clock they were free. + +No need to ask what anyone was going to do that morning. Every Girl +Scout who had been in "the raid" was ready to run before the day's +orders had been read from the bulletin. + +They headed for the Mantons' cottage. + +"Did you ever?" + +"No, I never!" + +This was a part of the meaningless contribution in words offered as the +girls came up to the Nest. They had seen the tableau on the front porch. + +"Hello!" called out Nora. + +"'Lo, yourself," sang back Thistle. + +"Too early for a fashionable call?" asked Treble. + +"Come along, girls," Mrs. Manton welcomed them. "I am sure Nora has been +anxiously waiting for you. I'll let her tell you the news," she +finished, indicating the chairs for the party. + +Lucia was in a big steamer chair. It almost swallowed up the tiny +figure, but she had a way of reclining, quite gracefully. + +"How are you today, Lucia?" asked Alma. + +"Oh, I'm all right," replied the child, pinking through her dark skin. +She looked very pretty in one of Nora's bright rose dresses, with the +same color hair ribbon, and her feet encased in a pair of white +slippers. No wonder she was "all right." + +"She's going to stay," said Nora proudly. "We've adopted her." + +"Quick work," remarked Laddie. "But I don't blame you. She looks as if +she grew right here in this lovely big wild wood. Don't you like it, +Lucia?" + +"Lots, much," said the child. + +"We found out all about it, of course," continued Nora. "Lucia won't +mind if I tell you?" she questioned. + +"No," said the stranger. The single word indicated her timidity. + +"You see, she is the daughter of Vita's daughter who died last year," +Nora explained. "She has been living with cousins, and the man Nick, of +whom she was so frightened, is the cousin's husband." + +Lucia now seemed to shrink back, and at that sign Nora signaled the +girls to leave the porch and adjourn to more convenient quarters for +their confidences. + +Once away from the restriction, words flew back and forth in questions +and answers, until Wyn wanted to know if it was all a duet between Alma +and Nora, or could they make it a chorus? + +"And he didn't beat her?" demanded Pell. + +"And she is really related to Vita, not kidnapped?" asked Betta. + +"You didn't find her all bruised up----" + +"Now girls," scoffed Nora. "I know perfectly well you don't think +anything of the kind. You all know Vita was always kind and +generous----" + +"Whew!" whistled Wyn. "How we can change! I thought she was a regular +bear this time yesterday morning." + +"I think your cousins are perfectly splendid," said Betta, sensibly. "Is +she really going to adopt the child?" + +"We had a doctor this morning," said Nora with an important air, "and he +advised change of scene----" + +"Let's take her over to Chickadee!" interrupted Thistle. "That would be +a distinct and decided change." + +"Oh, hush," begged Alma. "What else did the doctor say, Nora?" + +"She is hysterical--all came from the fright of her mother's sudden +death," continued Nora. "But girls, I don't know how much to thank you," +she broke off. "Being a Scout has done much for me." + +"We believe you," said Wyn in her usual bantering way. "But say, little +girl, are you going back to that school where they teach you to wear +silk underwear in the cold, blasty winter weather? Couldn't you make out +to get adopted at the Nest yourself?" + +A laugh, then a set of laughs, followed this. + +"You are coming over to camp tonight, remember," said Alma, seriously. +"We have not initiated you yet, you know." + +"How about that first formal ducking, with Jimbsy in the background?" +Pell reminded them. "That seemed all right for an initiation." + +Mrs. Manton was coming down the path with the inevitable letter. Was +there ever a story finished without "a letter"? Mr. Jerry followed up. + +It was, as you have guessed, from Nora's mother, and she did grant +permission for her to stay. + +"So," said Mrs. Teddy Manton, otherwise Theodora, while the real Jerry +looked over her shoulder at the letter, and Cap sniffed approvingly at +Nora's khaki skirt, "we expect to have Nora go to school in town this +winter, and perhaps next summer we will all be back again at Rocky +Ledge." + +"This was a real vacation," sighed Nora, "the best I ever had." + +"Three cheers!" yelled the Scouts; and Lucia from her porch was truly +sorry she had ever called those girls "crazy." + +It was all so comfortable and safe now. Even her "bad fit" was gone with +the winds, and how lovely to be out in the sunlight and have nothing to +fear! + +Again came a riotous shout from the girls on and off the bench. + +"Chick! Chick! Chick-a-dees!" they yelled. And it must have been Wyn who +echoed: + +"Cut! Cut! ka-dah! cut!" + +Girl Scouts are many and their adventures equally numerous, from +mountain to valley, over hill and dale, and their further activities +will be told of in the next volume of this series, which will be +entitled: The Girl Scouts at Spindlewood Knoll. + +THE END. + + +THE GIRL SCOUT SERIES + +By LILIAN GARIS + +12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors + +Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid + +The highest ideals of girlhood as advocated by the foremost +organizations of America form the background for these stories and while +unobtrusive there is a message in every volume. + +1. THE GIRL SCOUT PIONEERS, _or Winning the First B. C._ + +A story of the True Tred Troop in a Pennsylvania town. Two runaway +girls, who want to see the city, are reclaimed through troop influence. +The story is correct in scout detail. + +2. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE, _or Maid Mary's Awakening_ + +The story of a timid little maid who is afraid to take part in other +girls' activities, while working nobly alone for high ideals. How she +was discovered by the Bellaire Troop and came into her own as "Maid +Mary" makes a fascinating story. + +3. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT SEA CREST, _or The Wig Wag Rescue_ + +Luna Land, a little island by the sea, is wrapt in a mysterious +seclusion, and Kitty Scuttle, a grotesque figure, succeeds in keeping +all others at bay until the Girl Scouts come. + +4. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP COMALONG, _or Peg of Tamarack Hills_ + +The girls of Bobolink Troop spend their summer on the shores of Lake +Hocomo. Their discovery of Peg, the mysterious rider, and the clearing +up of her remarkable adventures afford a vigorous plot. + +5. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE, _or Nora's Real Vacation_ + +Nora Blair is the pampered daughter of a frivolous mother. Her dislike +for the rugged life of Girl Scouts is eventually changed to +appreciation, when the rescue of little Lucia, a woodland waif, becomes +a problem for the girls to solve. + +Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York + + +THE RUTH FIELDING SERIES + +By ALICE B. EMERSON + +12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid + +Ruth Fielding was an orphan and came to live with her miserly uncle. Her +adventures and travels will hold the interest of every reader. + + RUTH FIELDING OF THE RED MILL + _or Jasper Parloe's Secret_ + + RUTH FIELDING AT BRIARWOOD HALL + _or Solving the Campus Mystery_ + + RUTH FIELDING AT SNOW CAMP + _or Lost in the Backwoods_ + + RUTH FIELDING AT LIGHTHOUSE + POINT _or Nita, the Girl Castaway_ + + RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH + _or Schoolgirls Among the Cowboys_ + + RUTH FIELDING ON CLIFF ISLAND + _or The Old Hunter's Treasure Box_ + + RUTH FIELDING AT SUNRISE FARM + _or What Became of the Raby Orphans_ + + RUTH FIELDING AND THE GYPSIES + _or The Missing Pearl Necklace_ + + RUTH FIELDING IN MOVING PICTURES + _or Helping the Dormitory Fund_ + + RUTH FIELDING DOWN IN DIXIE + _or Great Days in the Land of Cotton_ + + RUTH FIELDING AT COLLEGE + _or The Missing Examination Papers_ + + RUTH FIELDING IN THE SADDLE + _or College Girls in the Land of Gold_ + + RUTH FIELDING IN THE RED CROSS + _or Doing Her Bit for Uncle Sam_ + + RUTH FIELDING AT THE WAR FRONT + _or The Hunt for a Lost Soldier_ + + RUTH FIELDING HOMEWARD BOUND + _or A Red Cross Worker's Ocean Perils_ + + RUTH FIELDING DOWN EAST + _or The Hermit of Beach Plum Point_ + + RUTH FIELDING IN THE GREAT NORTHWEST + _or The Indian Girl Star of the Movies_ + + RUTH FIELDING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE + _or The Queer Old Man of the Thousand Islands_ + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge, by Lilian Garis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE *** + +***** This file should be named 38608.txt or 38608.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/6/0/38608/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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