 Chapter 15 at Camp Thio Girls at Twin Lakes This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Lucy Burgoyne Camp Thio Girls at Twin Lakes Or The Quest of a Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis Chapter 15 Langford Gets a Check I hope you realise, Mr. Langford, that we are not exactly made of money. Mrs. Graham remarked tentatively by way of meeting the demand which she read between his words. Moreover, we were under heavy expenses during the last year and you got a good deal of what we paid out. Not so very much, Langford corrected from his point of view. You must remember that I was working for you through another man and he handled the payroll on which he and I were the only payees and naturally he took what he didn't absolutely have to give to me. Well, how much do you want for this service, the woman inquired. I ought to have at least $25 a day and my expenses, the lawyer answered. Absolutely out of the question, that several times the amount of our income from the source you are interested in and a considerable part of that has to go for the boys' clothing, board and education. That is one of the important points to which I am coming, Langford interrupted. I've come to inform you that Mrs. Hutchins is very much interested in how the boy is being clothed and fed and educated and also how he is being treated and she has decided to find those things out. It's the case of her old suspicions being revived, Mrs. Graham asked. I suppose so anyway, she's mighty suspicious. Who's been peddling stories to her? That's something I didn't find out. Don't you think a $25 a day man ought to find out? Perhaps, and perhaps I could have discovered that very thing if I had thought it wise to spend the time on it. After the mischief was done it seemed hardly worthwhile to expend any effort to find the mischief maker. I decided it was best to get after the mischief itself and stop it. I suppose you're right, as centered Mrs. Graham, that it really would be a lot of satisfaction to know who the traitor is. This is no time to waste any of your efforts on revenge. That may come later, not now. But how about my theme? You ask too much. I don't agree with you. That is a very small fee compared with what some attorneys get. Why, I know lawyers who never take a case under $100 a day. That's in the big cities where they are under heavy expenses, costly offices and office help. Where do you get your information? Oh, I have travelled and lived, the woman replied, with emphasis on the last word, and I know there are plenty of judges who get only $10 a day, some less. Now, what do you think of that? Do you think you ought to get more than a judge? Oh, fudge on judges, lengthened, exclaimed, ineffected, disgust. No big lawyer will take one of those political jobs. There are lots of big lawyers making $50,000 or $100,000 a year, and there are few judges getting more than $10,000. Well, I can't pay more than $10 a day, and I can't pay that very long. We're under heavy expenses here and in Baltimore. You ought to economise, Mrs Graham, Lankford advised. Remember, this special income can't last forever. The boy is past 10 years old now, and if nobody takes it away from you earlier, it will stop when he is 21. Take it away, Mrs Graham exclaimed in a startled manner, indicating that her apprehension had not carried her imagination as far as this. Sure, why not? The lawyer returned. What do you think all this talk about spies has been leading up to? A Christmas present? If Mrs Hutchins is suspicious enough to send a lot of spies here to get the goods on you, don't you think she has some notion of taking some sort of drastic action? What kind of goods does she expect to get on me, the woman inquired? Can't you guess? Can't imagine, dream or suspect? Just hurry things along to an agreement between you and me, and I'll tell you. I'll give you $10 a day and reasonable expenses. That doesn't include your board, only your clear fare and such incidentals when you're away from home. That is all conditioned, of course, on your proving to my satisfaction that you have the information you say you have. There's no use of my fighting for this income if I have to pay it all out without getting my benefit from it. I'll try not to be so hard on you as all that, lengthened reassured the woman. I accept your offer, although it's the minimum I would consider. I suppose you are prepared to give me a check today. Yes, I can give you something, your expenses thus far, and maybe a little besides. Now hurry up and tell your story. I can do it in a few words. Mrs Hutchins has sent a dozen or more girls up here to find out how you treat the youngster and if he is well fed, clothed and educated. She's received word from some source to the contrary and is planning to take him away if she discovers that her suspicions are true. These spies are all campfire girls who were camping on her farm. One of them is her niece. The proof of my statement that they are here to spy on you is in their plan to camp near your cottage and cultivate an intimate acquaintance with your family, particularly your two daughters. Two of them were up here looking over the lay at the ground. Maybe they're here yet. Undoubtedly you'll see something of them tomorrow or the next day. Mrs Graham's eyes flash dangerously. Lankford saw the menace in her look and manner. As I am now in your employ as counsel, he said, I'll begin giving advice at once. Cut out this hate business. It's your worst enemy. Just be all smiles and dimples and give them the sweetest con game welcome imaginable. Pretend to be delighted to meet the bunch of campfire girls. Tell them you had long held their organisation in the highest esteem. Take your two daughters into your full confidence. Tell them they must play their part too and play it well. They must be eager to become campfire girls and seek to be chummy with the spies. And as for the boy, in whom they are specially interested, you must treat him as if you regard him the dearest little darling on earth. Mrs Graham's face soured at this suggestion. No, none of that or you'll spoil the whole game. Mrs Hutching means business and all she needs to do is to prove a few acts of cruelty and neglect and any court in the land will give her speedy custody of the child in view of the provisions of his father's will which, you know, are very exacting of you and very friendly toward Mrs Hutchings and her late husband. By the way, where are the child and the other members of your family? My husband is in Baltimore working at his regular employment, Mrs Graham answered. I expect him here next week. His vacation begins then. My son, James Jr., went up the lakes this morning with some friends of his. Addy, my oldest daughter, went to Twin Lakes to do some shopping and the other girl, Olga, is in the next room with Glen. By the way, Mrs Graham, how well is the boy supplied with clothing lengthened in choir? He has some good suits, Mrs Graham replied slowly, as if going over Glen's wardrobe piece by piece in her mind. Dress him up in his best and get some more for special occasions. You might be working on some article of clothing for him also. That would indicate strongly that you are interested in his welfare. Now, if you don't mind, I will take my check and go. I'll be back again, but don't think it advisable to come often. I have prepared a short telephone cypher code by which we can carry on a commonplace conversation over the wire and let each other know if all is well or if trouble is brewing or has already broken. Here is a copy of it. Mrs Graham wrote the lawyer a check for $35 and he arose to depart. Remember, he said, as he stood facing the woman's schema at the doorway. The success of this little plan of ours rests in the ability of yourself and other members of the family to play the most spontaneously gentile game the cleverest persons ever planned. If you fall down on this, undoubtedly, you'll lose your handsome side issue income of $3,500 a year. Then he went out, cranked his rented automobile and drove away. End of Chapter 15. Chapter 16 of Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Lucy Burgoyne. Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes. Or The Quest of a Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis. Chapter 16. Langford checks up. The 12 girls in the boat landed and proceeded with Catherine and Hazel up the steps to the top of the point where a conference was held. The two advanced scouts reported developments in detail, much to the interest and delight of the other girls. The progress made thus far was so encouraging that everybody showed a disposition of impatience at the first sign of inactivity. We must go right back and get permission from Mr Ferris to locate our camp somewhere near the Graham home, said Catherine. We ought to get our tents pitched just as soon as possible and we mustn't run any risk of not being able to find Mr Ferris today. Don't you think it would help to allay their suspicions if we all remained here a while and looked around as if interested in the scenery, just as tourists, as Alia Atwood suggested? No, I don't, Catherine replied quickly. Either that man Langford suspects us or he doesn't. If he suspects us, he has grounds for his suspicion and any such attempt to throw him off the track would result in failure. I think we had better assume that he knows what we are up to and act accordingly without appearing to admit it. But won't they try to cover up the evidence that we are after? Julietta Hyde reasoned. Of course they will, Catherine answered. That will be one of the most interesting features of this adventure, said Helen Nash, who already had a reputation wider than the campfire circle for natural shrewdness. When they begin to do that, we'll have some great fun. Can't you point out from the lake, the place or places where you think it would be well for us to locate our camp, misled inquired, addressing Hazel and Catherine? You can get a pretty good view of it right from here, Hazel replied. It's right up the shore between those two cottages, which are about the same distance up from the water, and have similar paths and flights of steps running down to their boat landings. Between those two places is a stretch of timberland that doesn't seem to be used by anybody in particular. We didn't explore it because we didn't have time, but it surely must contain some good camping places. We saw several small open spots near the road that could be used if nothing better is found. We must make a thorough inspection, of course, before we select a site, but that won't take long and can be done when we bring our outfit up here. We ought to take a run in the boat along the shore and see if we can't find a good landing place, Catherine suggested. Wouldn't it be delightful if we could find a suitable place on the side of that hill and overlooking the lake? Let's take enough time for that. It's a good idea, said Miss Lead, warmly. Let's do that at once and then run back to Twin Lakes. But remember girls, don't say anything about our mission on the boat. The boatman would be sure to start some gossip that probably would reach the ears of the very persons we want to keep in the dark as much as possible. They were soon back in the large canopy motorboat and Miss Lead gave instructions to the pilot. The latter cranked his engine, took his place at the wheel, and backed the vessel away from the landing. A few moments later, the big twin, as the owner facetiously named the boat to distinguish it from the smaller one, which he called the Little Twin, was dashing along the wooded hill shore, which extended nearly a mile to the north from Stony Point. They obtained a good view of the section of the shore, just north of the Graham Cottage, and picked out several spots which appeared from the distance viewed to be very good camping sites. Then the prowl of the boat was turned to the south, and they cut along at full speed toward Twin Lakes. The run was quickly made, and Catherine and Hazel hastened at once to the Ferris real estate office and presented their petition to Mr Ferris in person. The latter was much interested when he learned that a fire of campfire girls desired permission to pitch their tents on land of which he was the local agent, and still more interested when informed that they were students at Hiawatha Institute, whose reputation was well known to him. He gave them a pen and a drawing of the vicinity, indicating the approximate lines of the lands owned or leased by cottages then in possession and granted them permission, create of charge, to locate their camp at any place they desired so long as they did not encroach on the rights of others. An hour later, the squint eyed man whose activities have already created much of interest in this narrative entered the office of Mr Ferris and inquired, a new agent for the land along the lake just north of Stony Point. The real estate man replied, Do you allow campers to pitch their tents on the land for a week or two at a time? I don't object if they are all right. I always require some sort of credentials. I wouldn't allow strangers to squat there without giving me some kind of notice. I granted permission to a bunch of campfire girls today to pitch their tents there. Is that so? Where are they going to locate? Just beyond the Graham Cottage, if you know where that is. That is where some friends of mine would like to camp, said Lankford, in an affected tone of disappointment. I don't think I'd care to grant any more permits in that vicinity, Mr Ferris announced rather meditatively. I feel rather a personal interest in the girls and don't want any strangers to pitch a camp too near them. Your friends might, perhaps, locate half a mile farther up the shore. I'll tell them what you say, Lankford said as he left the office. Five minutes later he was in a telephone booth calling for number 123M. A woman answered the ring. Is this Mrs Graham? He inquired. Yes, was the reply. This is Lankford. I just called to inform you that the parties we were talking about have obtained permission to camp near your cottage. You'll probably see something of them tomorrow. Thank you. And I'll be at your place tomorrow afternoon between three and four o'clock. I'll expect you. That ended the conversation. End of Chapter 16. Chapter 17 of Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Lucy Burgoyne. Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes. Or The Quest of the Summer Vacation. By Stella M. Francis. Chapter 17. A Day of Hard Work. That evening, Miss Lad received the letter that Mrs Hutchins had announced in her telegram addressed to the Guardian on the train would follow that communication. She did not discuss the matter with any of the girls, but quietly passed it around until all had read it. In her letter, Mrs Hutchins stated little that had not been read between the lines of the telegram, although her views and comments on the circumstances were interesting. She had seen Pierce Langford arrive at the station just as the train was pulling in, buy a ticket and board the train just as it was pulling out. Curiosity stirred perhaps by the recollection that this man had recently represented interests hostile to the mission of the 13 Camp Fire Girls and their Guardian and might still represent those interests, caused her to inquire of the agent for what point Mr Langford had purchased his ticket. The reply was, Twin Lakes. That was sufficient. The woman asked for a telegram pad and wrote a few lines. Then she gave the message to the operator with these directions. I want that to catch Miss Lad in the limited as soon as possible. Keep it going from station to station until it is delivered. Have the operator who succeeds in getting the message into Miss Lad's hands wire back delivered as soon as she receives it. On the day following the advanced excursion and inspection of the camping prospects at Stony Point, the big twin was engaged again to convey the Camp Fire Girls to the prospective camping place. On this occasion, the tents and other paraphernalia were taken aboard and conveyed to the scene of the proposed camp. The boat skirted along the shore and careful examination was made to discover landing places that might provide access from the lake to such camping sites as might later be found. Several good landing places were found. The one they selected tentatively as a mooring for the boat was the Large Flat Rock projection, a few hundred yards north of the Graham Pier. A comparatively level shore margin extended back nearly a hundred feet from this rock to the point where the wooded incline begun. The boatman and a boy of 18 who had been engaged to assist in handling the heavier paraphernalia remained in the boat while the girls started off in pairs to explore the nearby territory for the most advantageous and available sight. They came together again half an hour later and compared notes. The result was that the report made by Marion Stanlock and Harriet Newcomb proved the most interesting. They had found a pretty look halfway up the side of the hill shore and sheltered by a bluff on the land side and trees and bushes at either end so that no storm short of a hurricane could seriously damage a well-constructed camp in this place. The area was considerable, quite sufficient for the pitching of the complement of tents of the fire. After all, the girls had inspected this proposed site in a body. A unanimous vote was taken of its adoption. This being their decision they returned without delay to the boat and the work of carrying their camping outfit a distance of some 300 yards was begun. The pilot and the boy assistant took the heavier luggage while the girls carried the lighter articles and supplies. In this manner everything was transported to the campsite about an hour. The pilot and the boy then assisted in the work of putting up the tents and after this was finished they were paid and dismissed. Everything went along smoothly while all this was being done. Not another person appeared in sight during this period except the occupants of several boats that motored by. The Graham Cottage was about a quarter of a mile to the south and farther up on the hill but the screen of dense foliage shut it off from view at the girls camp. All the rest of the day was required to put the camp into good housekeepers condition. The light folding cots had to be set up and got ready for sleeping. The kitchen tent also required much domestic art and ingenuity of the most convenient and practical arrangement and a fireplace for cooking had to be built with rocks brought up principally from the water's edge. So eager were they to finish all this work that they did not stop to prepare much of a luncheon. They ate hurriedly prepared sandwiches olives, pickles, salmon and cake and drunk lemonade picnic style kept at their camp preparation between bites as it were. In the evening however they had a good campfire girls supper prepared by Hazel Edwards Julietta Hyde and the Guardian then they sat around their fire and chattered principally about the beauty of the scenery on every hand. But they were tired girls and needed no urging to seek rest on their cots as the sun sunk behind the hills on the opposite side of the lake. The move bedwood was almost simultaneous and the drift towards slumberland not far behind. They had one complete day undisturbed with anything of a mysterious or startling nature and it was quite a relief to find it possible to seek a night's repose after eight or nine hours of diligent work without being confronted with apprehensions of some impending danger or possible defeat of their plans. End of Chapter 17 Chapter 18 at Campfire Girls at Twin Lakes This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org This reading by Lucy Burgoyne Campfire Girls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of a Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis Chapter 18 Planning Next morning the girls all awake bright and early refreshed by their night's rest a breakfast of bacon flapjacks and maple syrup bread and butter and chocolate invigorated them for a new day of camp life in a new place Their program was already pretty well mapped out being particularly the same as that followed while in camp in Fern Hollow near Fairberry They still did some work on certain lines arranged under the honour lists of the craft but were giving particular attention to knitting and sewing for the Red Cross which they aided in an auxiliary capacity The program regularly followed by the girls required three hours of routine work each day This they usually performed between the hours of 7 and 10 or 8 and 11 upon the time of their getting up and the speed with which they disposed of the early morning incidentals On this morning inspired the fact that they had gone to bed thoroughly tired as a result of the exertions of the preceding day the girls arose shortly after 6 o'clock and by 7.30 all were engaged in various record making occupations including the washing of the breakfast dishes and the making of the beds and the general tidying up of the camp After the routine had been attended to the girls took a hike for the purpose of exploring the country to the north of the camp This exploration extended about two miles along the shore their route being generally the automobile road inverted the lake at varying distances from a few rods to a quarter of a mile from the water's edge depending upon the configuration of the shoreline During much of this hike Catherine, Hazel and Miss Lad walked together and discussed plans for creating a condition of affairs that might be expected to produce results in harmony with the purpose of the conversation They were all at sea at first but after a short and fruitless discussion of what appeared to be next to nothing Catherine made a random suggestion which quickly threw a more hopeful light on affairs It seems to me that we've got to do something that will attract attention She said we'll have to do some sensational or at least lightly stunts so that everybody will know we are here and we'll want to know who we are That's the very idea Miss Lad said eagerly Catherine was a little startled at this reception of her suggestion When she spoke she was merely groping for an idea that Miss Lad's approval woke her up to a realisation that she had unwittingly hit the nail on the head Yes, she said picking up the thread of a real idea as she proceeded We have got to attract attention that's the only way we can get the people in whom we are most interested to show an interest in us What shall we do? Hazel inquired map out a spectacular program of some sort Catherine replied to a big bonfire for one thing on the shore tonight and go through some of our gym exercises including folk dances Good said Hazel Let's start off with that and tomorrow we can have some games that will make it necessary for us to run all over the country here and hounds for instance We ought to find a good safe swimming place too Catherine said Let's look for one this afternoon Miss Lad suggested How will we test it? Hazel inquired That's easy, the Guardian replied We'll use poles to try the depth and then one of us will swim out with one end of a rope attached to her and the other end in the hands of two of the girls ready to haul in In that way we will be able to locate a good swimming place and not run any risk of any bodies being drowned We've got a good starter anyway Catherine remarked in a tone of satisfaction By the time we've taken care of those items something more of the same character ought to occur to us Yes, that's the very way to interest the Grahams in our presence and open the way for an acquaintance The three now separated and mingled with the other girls who were some distance ahead or behind and communicated the new plane to all of them It was received with general approval and was the main topic a conversation until they all returned to the camp for luncheon Chapter 19 of Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes This is a LibriVox Recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org This reading by Lucy Burgoyne Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes or The Quest After Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis Chapter 19 Watched After luncheon the girls with two sharp hatchets among them began a search through the timber for some long slim saplings After a half hour search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles 10 or 12 feet long and these in their possession they began an examination of the water depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose but these were not serviceable as they were of extremely light material and moreover were hardly long enough for this purpose The saplings proved to be excellent and the work progressed rapidly from the start About 200 yards north of their camp was a sandy beach which extended along the shore a considerable distance It was here that the girls made their first underwater exploration They tied a rough stone near one end of each of the poles to increase its specific gravity and then proceeded to feel for depth along the water's edge Careful examination with these poles failed to disclose a sudden drop from the gradual downward slope of the beach into the water so that there appeared to be no treacherous places near the shore Satisfied in this respect they now arranged for a further test A Zawia Atwood who was an excellent swimmer returned to the camp donned a bathing suit and then rejoined the other girls bringing with her a long rope of the clothesline variety One end of this was looped around her waist and Mary and Stanlock had an opportunity to exhibit her skill at tying a bow line While two of the girls held the rope and played it out and danced into the water stepping ahead carefully in order to avoid a surprise of any sort resulting from some hidden danger under the surface of the lake To some all this caution might seem foolish in as much as a Zawia swam well but one rule of flamingo-can flyer prohibited even the best swimmers from venturing into water and pipped deep unless they were at a beach provided with expert life-saving facilities The purpose of a Zawia's exploration was to wade over as large an area of lake bottom as possible and establish a certainty that it was free from deep step-offs bottomless pockets and treacherous undertow Soon it became evident that she had a bigger undertaking for her than she had reckoned on for the beard of the lake sloped very gradually at this point and Catherine Crane and Estelle Adler volunteered to assist her All right said a Zawia welcoming the suggestion go and put on your bathing suits and bring a few more hanks of rope better bring all their ease there for we probably can use it Catherine and Estelle hastened back to camp and in a short time returned clad in their bathing suits and carrying several hundred feet of rope in a few minutes they too were in the water and taking part in the exploration protected against treacherous conditions as a Zawia was protected in half an hour they had explored and pronounced safe as large bathing place as their supply of rope would fence in and then began the fencing process they cut several stout steaks six feet long and took them to the water's edge then the three girls in bathing suits assumed their new duty as water pile drivers they took one of the steaks at a time to a point along the proposed boundary line of the bathing place also a heavy mullet that had been brought along for this purpose a wooden mullet by the way was much more serviceable than a hatchet for such work in as much as if dropped it would not sink and moreover it could be wielded with much less danger of injury to any of those working together in the water the first stake was taken to the north-west corner of the proposed enclosure Catherine who carried the mullet gave it to Estelle and then climbed to a sitting postue on the latter's shoulders then a Zawia stood the stake on its sharpened end and Catherine took hold of it with one hand and began to drive down on the upper end with the mullet which Estelle handed back to her it was hard work for several reasons hard for Estelle to maintain a steady and firm postue under the moving weight hard for Catherine to wield the mullet with unearing strokes hard to force the sharpened point into the well-packed bed of the lake Catherine's right arm became very tired before she had driven the stake deep enough to ensure a reasonable degree of firmness while this task was being performed the girls were still protected against the danger of being swept into the deeper water by the ropes looped around their wastes and held at the other ends by some of the girls on the sandy beach after this stake had been set firmly into the river bed the girls returned to shore and got another this they took to another position about the same distance from the beach as the first one and drove it in to the hardened loam under the water the same process was continued until six such stakes had been driven then they took up the work of extending rope from stake to stake and completing the enclosure the sags were supported by boys of light wood tied to the rope the two extreme ends of which were attached to stakes driven into the shore close to the water there, that is what I call a pretty good job declared misled gazing with proud satisfaction upon the result of more than three hours steady work whenever you girls come out here to go bathing you will be well warranted in assuming that you have earned your plunge all the girls by this time had their bathing suits on but most of them were too tired to remain in the water any longer so by common consent all adjourned to the camp to rest until supper time well it appears that our activities have not yet aroused any special shame household Hazel Edwards observed as they began their march back toward the sheltered group of tents I'm not so certain of that misled replied why not Catherine inquired while several of the girls were near looking curiously at the Guardian because I believe I have seen evidences of interest you have seen two or three unguardedly now girls you are forgetting yourselves said misled warningly remember that the first requisite of skill in your work here is caution the reason I didn't say anything to you about what I saw is that I was afraid some of you might betray your interests in the fact that we were being watched by girls half hidden in a clump of bushes up near the top of the hill I am sure they were watching us they were there at least half an hour end of Chapter 19 Chapter 20 of Camp Five Girls at Twin Lakes this is a LibraVox recording all LibraVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibraVox.org this reading by Lucy Burgoyne Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of a Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis Chapter 20 The Missile Five of the members of the Camp Fire were present when misled by this startling announcement that they had been watched secretly for a considerable time while roping off the limits of their swimming place the other girls had taken the lead back to the camp and were a considerable distance ahead are they watching us yet as Aulia asked I think not the Guardian replied I haven't seen any sign of them for 20 minutes how do you know they are girls Catherine inquired that's quite a distance to recognise ages oh, they may be old women but I'll take a chance and I guess that they are not the millinery I called a pee pad looked too chick for a grandmother I've got pretty good long distance eyes I'll have you know they were included smartly there was no little excitement among the other girls when this bit of news was communicated to them but they had had good experience training along the lines of self-control and just a hint of the unwisdom of loud and extravagant remarks put them on the guard some of the girls proposed that the plan on fire in the evening be given up and nobody objected to this suggestion all the girls felt more like resting under the shade of a tree than doing anything else and those who had performed the more arduous tasks in the work of the afternoon were too tired to eat supper as one of them expressed it so nobody felt like hunting through the timber for a big supply of firewood the atmosphere had become very warm in the afternoon but the girls hardly noticed his condition until their work in the water was finished and they returned to the camp after they had rested a while some of the girls read books and magazines but little was done before supper after supper among the girls who felt more vigorous than those who had performed the more exhausting labour of the afternoon revived the idea of a bonfire and were soon at work gathering a supply of wood they visited themselves at this until nearly dusk and then called the other girls down to the water's edge where on a large rocky ledge arrangements for the fire had been made all of the girls congratulated themselves now on the revival of the bonfire idea for the mosquitoes had become so numerous that comfort was no longer possible without some agency to drive them away a bonfire was just the thing although it would make the closely surrounding atmosphere uncomfortably warm even the girls who had performed the hardest tasks in the fencing inn at this women place whereby this time considerably rested and enjoyed watching the fire seize the wood and then leaf up into the air as it fought bigger prey let's sing proposed Harriet Newcombe after the fire had grown into a roaring crackling blaze throwing a brilliant glow far out into the water what shall it be asked Ethel Simulon burned fire burned Hazel Edwards proposed Marion you started misled suggested for Marion Stanlock was the star Soprano of the fire in a moment the well-trained voices of 14 campfire girls were sending the clear operatic strains of a special adaption of the fire chant of the campfire ritual the music had been composed and arranged by Marion Stanlock and Helen Nash a few months previously and diligent practice had qualified the members of the campfire to render the production impressively this song was succeeded by the chorus rendering of a similar adaption of the fire maker song then followed an impromptu program of miscellaneous songs interspersed here and there with such musical expressions of patriotism as America stars fangled banner and over there in evidence of a mindfulness of the part of the United States there was no struggle for democracy meanwhile dust gathered heavier and heavier the stars came out and still the fire blazed up brightly and the girls continued to sing songs and tell stories and drink in the vigor and inspiration of the scene at last however the guardian announced that it was nine o'clock there was curfew and there was a general move to extinguish the fire which by this time had been allowed to burn low suddenly all were startled by an astonishing occurrence a heavy object probably a stone as large as a man's fist fell into the heap of embers scattering sparks and burning sticks in all directions there was a chorus of screams and a frantic examination by the girls of one another's clothes to see if any of them were a fire End of Chapter 20 Chapter 21 of Camp Five Girls at Twin Lakes this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this reading by Lucy Burgoyne Camp Five Girls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of a Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis Chapter 21 Shhh Who in the world do you suppose did that? Hazel Edwards exclaimed tasteily examined her own clothes and then quickly struck out a spark that clung to the skirt of Azalea Atwood quick girls cried misled did any of you do that? there was a chorus of indignant denials no room for doubt remained now that the missile had been held by someone outside the semi-circle near the bonfire the bombers were turned back toward the timber a short distance away but not a sign of a human being could they see in that direction if we'd been on the other side of the bonfire we'd have got that shower of sparks right in our faces and all over us Catherine Crane said indignantly we ought to find out who threw that rock that Zimmerman declared it must be a very dangerous person who ought to be taken care of if that sort of thing is repeated many times some of us probably will have to be taken care of observed Julietta Hyde listen misled interrupted and the occasion of her interruption did not call for explanation all heard it and later it was repeated well hello no campfire girl ever made such a noise as that said Helen Nash distantly it sounds like a man's voice as Zoya Atwood remark I'll be a liberty bond that is a man ventured Ruth Hazelton have you a liberty bond asked Helen I'm paying for one out of my allowance replied just then the noise was repeated a horse hollow vocalization of the campfire watchword this time it seemed to be farther away the person who gave that call through the missile into our bonfire said misled in a tone of conviction if he bothers us any more we'll find out who he is the girls now turned attention again to the fire several pails of water were carried from the lake and dashed into the embers until not a spark remained then they returned to their tents and to bed although apprehensive of further disturbance before morning but they heard nothing more at the intruder that night shortly after sun up the girls arose put on their bathing suits and went down to the beach for a before the breakfast plunge Maori Christmas and Violet Monday reached the water's edge first and presently they were giving utterance to such unusual expressions indicative seemingly of anything but pleasure that the other girls hastened down to see what was the matter there was no need of explanation the evidence was before them the stakes that had been driven into the beard of the lake to hold the rope intended to indicate the safety limit had been pulled out and thrown upon the shore the rope itself had disappeared there surely are some malicious mischief makers in this vicinity Helen Nash observed I suppose the person who did that was the one who threw a stone into our bonfire and hooted our watch words so hideously what shall we do Violet Monday questioned we can't let this sort of thing go on indefinitely we must complain to the authorities Ernestine Johansson suggested do you suppose they would do anything Estelle Adler asked I understand it's very hard to get these country officials busy on anything except a murder or a robbery then we must organise a series of relief watches and take the law into our own hands Catherine proposed spoken like a true soldier commented misled approvingly I was going to suggest something of the same sort although not quite so much like anarchy where do you suppose they hid that rope Marion Stanlock inquired somebody probably needed a clothesline here comes some people who may be able to throw some light on the situation said Marion all looked up and saw two girls apparently in their upper teens dressed more suitably for an afternoon tea than a rustic outing the latter were descending the Woodard Hill shore from a thick arboreal growth into a comparatively clear area a hundred yards away shh Catherine warned quickly be careful what you say or do those are the Graham girls end of chapter 21 chapter 22 of campfire girls at twin lakes this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this reading by Lucy Burgoyne campfire girls at twin lakes or the quest of a summer vacation by Stella M. Francis chapter 22 the Graham girls call their early rises we must say that much for them observed Catherine in a low voice we must give them credit for not lying in bed until 10 o'clock and and for dressing for an afternoon party before breakfast Helen Nash concluded isn't it funny Hazel Edwards said with a suppressed titta I wonder if they are going in bathing still girls mislad interposed they're getting pretty near let's not pay too much attention to them let them seek our acquaintance not we theirs the advantage will be on our side then at this suggestion of the Guardian the girls turn their attention again to the conditions about their bathing beach a moment later Catherine made a discovery she presented all interest in unaffected earnest upon the latest depredation of their enemy or enemies with a stick she fished out one end of a small rope and was soon hauling away at what appeared to be the clothes line they had used to indicate the safety limits of their bathing place well conditions are not as bad as they might be as she took hold to assist at hauling the line out of the water we have the stakes and the rope and can put them back into place would you mind telling us what has happened these words drew the attention of the campfire girls away from the object discovered in the water and to the speaker who was one of the older of the urbanally clad summer resorters from the Graham Cottage someone has been guilty of some very malicious mislead replied we had roped in a bathing place after examining it and finding it safe for those who are not good swimmers and you see what has been done with our work the stakes were pulled up and the rope hidden in the water fortunately we have just discovered the rope isn't that me said the younger girl whom the camp is surmised correctly to be Olga Graham mean is no name for it the other Graham girl declared vengefully haven't you any idea who did it none that is very tangible mislead replied there was a mysterious prowler near our camp last night but we didn't catch sight of him he threw a heavy stone into our bonfire there were sparks and embers in every direction but he kept himself hidden a little later we heard a hideous call in the timbers which we were pretty sure was intended to frighten us that strange commented the Olga of the visitors maybe it's the ghost suggested Olga with a faint smile ghost repeated several of the campfire girls I was just joking the younger Graham girl explained hurriedly why did you suggest a ghost even as a joke inquired Catherine the utterance of the word ghost together with the probability that there was a neighbourhood story behind it forced upon her imagination and irrational explanation of the strange occurrences of the last evening oh I didn't mean anything by it Olga reassured but her words seemed to come with a slightly forced unnaturalness but there has been some talk about a ghost around here you know did anybody ever see it asked Hazel Edwards not that I know of about Olga of course I don't believe in such things but then you never can tell it might be a half witted person and I'm sure I don't know which I'd rather meet after dark a ghost or a crazy man is there a crazy man running loose around here Ernestine Johansson inquired with a shudder there must be Olga declared with a suggestion of awe in her voice if it isn't a ghost and I don't believe in such things there must be somebody escaped from a lunatic asylum I saw something mysterious moving through the woods near our cottage one night Addy Graham interposed at this point nobody else in the family would believe me when I told them about it it looked like a man in a long white robe and long hair and a long white beard it was moonlight suddenly this strange being appeared near the edge of the timber he was looking toward the house and I suppose he saw me for he picked up a stone and threw it at the window where I stood it fell a few feet short of its mark and then the ghost or the insane man called him what you please turned and ran away my sister told us about that next morning and we all laughed at her said Olga continuing the account I told her to go out and find the stone and she went out and picked one up just about where she said the stone that was thrown at her fell were there any other stones near there Marion Stanlock inquired we looked around specially to find out if there were any others near but didn't find any Olga answered Addy that's my sister I had the laugh on us all after that do you live in the cottage over there Ethel Zimmerman inquired pointing toward Graham summer residence yes Addy replied our name is Graham we were very much interested when we learned that a company of campfire girls were camping near us don't you girls camp out any Catherine asked with the view of possibly bringing out an explanation of the Graham girls attire which seems suited more for promenading along a metropolitan boulevard than for any other purpose oh dear no Olga answered somewhat depratically we'd like to well enough you know but we're in society so much that we just don't have time Catherine wanted to ask the Graham girls if they were going to a stylish reception before breakfast but restrained the impulse both Catherine and Hazel recognised Addy as the girl whom on their first trip to Stony Point they had seen Handel roughly the little boy they believed to be Glen Irving with the view of Mrs. Hutchins late husband in whose interest they made the present trip of inspection whether or not she recognised among the campers the two girls to whom she had behaved so rudely on that occasion did not appear from her manner which was all sweetness now she continued her social discourse thus I really wish society did not stand so much of our time and I'm sure my sister feels the same way about it there's nothing we'd like better than to become campfire girls and live close to nature you know just the way you girls live truly it must be delightful but when you become an integral figure in society she really said integral you are regarded as indispensable and society won't let go of you none of the campfire girls attempted to reply to this speech their plan was to bring about an appearance of friendship between them and the Graeans in order that they might associate with the family that had custody of the little boy in whose interest they were working any attempt on their part they felt to discuss society from the point of view of the Graean girls must result in a betrayal of their utter lack of sympathy with this social indispensability of such helpless society victims we'd like however to do something for you in your unfortunate situation Addie Graham continued with a gush of seeming friendliness I'm sure my brother James he's 16 years old would be glad to assist you in any way he can I'm going to send him down here if you say the word to help you extend that rope around your swimming place he's a very handy boy and it would be much better for you to let him do the work than to perform such a labourer's task yourselves thank you ever so much this lad with a warmth that seemed to indicate acceptance of the offer the truth was that anything which tended to increase friendly relations between them and the Graeans was acceptable I'll send him around today the older Graean girl promised we must hurry back now for breakfast we were just out for an early morning constitutional you know unless any time you wish miss lad urged you'll always be welcome we haven't made the acquaintance of anybody around here yet come over and help us eat one of our constitutional luncheons or suckers we have real picnics every day the jolliest kind of times except when the ghost walks maybe you can help us catch the ghost also maybe we can said Addy well goodbye you girls come and see us too thank you was the acknowledgement uttered by several of the members of Flamingo campfire as the two missers Graean stepped primly in their French heel shoes over the uneven ground and returned home wood along a diagonal course at the side of the hill shore of twin one end of chapter 22 chapter 23 of campfire girls at twin lakes this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this reading by Lucy Burgoyne campfire girls at twin lakes the quest of a summer vacation by Stella M. Francis chapter 23 high C all the members of Flamingo campfire gathered close together on the sandy beach after the departure of the two Graean girls and held a low tone discussion of the situation there was only one thing missing this morning that was the perfume I suppose they didn't have time to spill it on in proper proportions I wonder why they came down here at this time of day said Harriet Newcomb there must be something in the air I bet they never got up this early before unless their house was a fire Ethel Zimmerman ventured do you suppose they wanted to be on hand to witness our disconfiture when we discovered what had been done to our swimming place Azalea Atwood asked that would imply that they knew who did it and may even have been a party to the plot and why not Azalea returned they don't look to me for a moment to be above it I feel like a miserable hypocrite Catherine declared with a sarcastic smile I'm not used to extending warm expressions of friendship to people for whom I haven't any use and asking them to call and see me remember you're a spy now said Helen Nash slightly when engaged in a praiseworthy spy work always remember your mother and the pantry and the fist in the jam do you have any doubt as to the worthiness of your occupation enough said Catherine announced I'm convinced the jam is well spiced and I smell it already I shall expect to find it on somebody's fist the girls did not forego their morning plunge because of the removal of the safety line but were careful to keep well within the approximate limit which they remembered fairly well after about 15 minutes in the water they returned to the camp and donned their car key middies then they had breakfast the breakfast dishes had not long been washed and put away when another caller arrived at the camp although not unherald the appearance of this new arrival was a surprise to all the girls for they had not rested much importance upon the promise of Addy Graham to send her brother to them to offer his assistance in repairing the damage done by some mischief maker in the night before the young male skin of the Graham family appeared so suddenly before the eyes of the girl campers that some of them after would express the suspicion that he walked the tiptoes all the way from his home to the camp indeed all the members of Flamingo Fire have today a decided impression that the sound of his voice was the first notice they had of his approach whether this impression be a true one or not that voice was enough to compel memory of it ahead of anything else it was the most effemently my pitched voice the girls had ever heard excuse me young ladies that my name is James Graham Jr. squit the treble clap there was a general start throughout the camp most of the girls were seated upon the grassy plot within the crescent arrangement of the tents and engaged in their forenoon routine and several of them were upworked into their laps so great was their surprise Ethel Zimmerman uttered a little cry of astonishment in almost the same key as the announcement of the newcomer the latter was almost as effinent in appearance as his voice first he was very much overgrown and fleshy he probably weighed 150 pounds and his face was round and very pale and his eyes were not over-endowed with expression he wore a peaches and cream two piece suit and a Panama fedora and carried a delicate bamboo cane my two thoughtful sisters info made me that you young ladies were in need of the assistance of the man and I volunteered to offer my aid to Graham oh dear me replied Catherine it would be a shame to put you to so much trouble we thank you ever so much for your offer but we'd much rather retain the friendship of your folks by urging you not to insist if you really must be so good as you suggest you might go back and send your whistler or choker but tell him to bring a pair of rubber boots to his ears this rather enigmatic answer puzzled the not very quick witter james junior and his chin dropped you see we want a pile driver out in the lake to sink some posts into the submarine earth Catherine continued but by the way come to think of it you might help us wonderfully if you have a rowboat for an hour or two sure I've got a boat replied the would not be ladies aid as one of the girls after would dubbed him the tone of relief with which he now spoke was unmistakable I'll go and row it right over to you we won't want it until about 11 o'clock said miss land if you need it between now and then you'd better wait no we won't want it all day james junior return reassuringly I'll bring it right away I hope he doesn't tick his boat over on his high sea hazel edward said generously as the caller disappeared in the timber he might be drowned in the billows of his own voice that's his name high sea declared ester ladler enthusiastically I refuse to recognize him by any other name dear me girls did you ever in all your born days hear such a voice no cried several in chorus he's just the dearest thing I ever saw declared Ernestine Johansson making a face as sour as the reputation of the crabapple at this moment the discussion of high sea was dropped as suddenly as it had appeared upon the scene another arrival claimed the interest of the girls it was a little boy about 10 years old clad in steel gray palm beach knickerbockers and golf cap but not at all happy in appearance he was a good looking youth but there was no spritely cheerfulness in his countenance he seemed and on the alert my goodness exclaimed hazel edwards that's Glen Irving the little boy we Catherine who was seated close to hazel cut the letters utter and short by clapping her hand over the speaker's mouth end of chapter 23 chapter 24 of campfire girls at twin lakes this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this reading by Lucy Burgoyne campfire girls at twin lakes or the quest of the summer vacation by Stella M. Francis chapter 24 the runaway the boy was excited evidently he was laboring under anything but normal conditions he had appeared very suddenly around the north end of the bluff which sheltered the camp on the east High Sea or Jimmy Junior as the girls from now on referred to the young Graham had left the camp around the south extremity of the bluff the youth in Palm Beach was fairly rushed from the thicket north of the camp and directly toward the girls all of whom jumped to their feet in astonishment the newcomer did not slacken his pace but ran up to the group of startled campers as if seeking their protection from a bogey man and as he stopped in the midst of the group which circled around him as he the little fellow looked back as if expecting to behold some frightful looking object bearing down upon him I ran away where his first words so they couldn't beat me who wanted to beat you inquired misled sympathetically leaning over and taking him gently by the hand mum and him they all hit me he replied his eyes flashing with anger mum locked me in a room but I opened a window and clumped out did they beat you today Hazel Edwards questioned no replied the youth with a puzzled look they don't want you to know they whipped me they stopped it after you came and after a man came and told him not to who is the man I don't know I heard his name but I forgot was it Langford yes that's it Langford he told them all to be good as pie to me while you was here they thought I was asleep but I was just pretending did Mr. Langford say why they must be good to you while we were here asked Catherine I guess he did the boy replied slowly and somebody take me away and mum you'd lose a lot of money that's just what we thought Hazel declared what else did you over here Catherine inquired they're going to be awful nice and awful mean awful nice and awful mean Catherine repeated that's interesting what do you mean by that they're going to be awful nice have they done anything mean yet misled, interposed having in mind the deprotations of the night before I don't know the boy answered they were talking about doing something last night and the man and Jim went out together you don't know what they proposed to do no, just something anything they could what is your name this last Glen was the answer Glen what? Glen Graham isn't it Glen Irving the boy looked doubtfully at his interrogator I don't know he replied slowly I guess not didn't you ever hear the name Irving before the boy's face brightened up suddenly that was my papa's name now I want to ask you an important question said misled impressively try your best to tell us all you can and don't tell any of the Graham's you were down here talking to us we won't forget you if they beat you anymore come and tell us if you can get away we'll have the place after them but be sure to keep this to yourself now next question I want you to answer did anybody outside of the Graham family ever see them beat you sure Glen replied quickly Byron Scott did so did Mrs Pruitt and Guy Davis and Mark Taylor where do they live was misled's next question Byron lives here so did Mrs Pruitt Guy and Mark live in Baltimore near the Graham's house in Baltimore yes right in the same block Mark lives next door good now Glen we are going to take you back to Mrs Graham we haven't any right to keep you here but if they beat you anymore we will complain to the police and take you away never to come back to them oh I wish you would exclaim the little fellow growing his arms around the neck of the Guardian who had seated herself on the grass before him I don't want them to scare you with a ghost scare us with a ghost misled repeated in astonishment what do you mean by that they said the boy begun but his explanation was interrupted in a manner so confusing that the group of campfire girls wondered if the world were suddenly assuming all the absurdities of a clownish paradise in order to be consistent with what was now taking place Addie Graham the girl of ultra style and perfume who had behaved so rudely to little Glen when she discovered the runaway with Catherine and Hazel in the woods suddenly dashed into the deeply interested group of campfire inquisitors seized the boy in her arms kissed him with apparent passionate fondness and addressed him with a gush of endearment that must have brought tears to the eyes of an unsophisticated listener End of Chapter 24 Chapter 25 of campfire girls at Twin Lakes this is a Libra Box recording all Libra Box recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibraBox.org this reading by Lucy Burgoyne campfire girls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of the Summer Vacation by Stella N. Francis Chapter 25 A Little Scrapper Oh, you dear little brother you dear darling child almost sobbed Addie as she seized Glen Irving in her arms and began to shower kisses on his unwilling face the boy shrunk away or into a small compass as he was able to escape from the affectionate attack plainly it was anything but pleasing to him the attack however did not cease in response to the protest Addie held onto her captive with all her strength at the same time attempting to soothe his wrath or fear or both with as many kisses as she could force in between the boys belligerent arms Glen, conscious of the presence of friends who he believed would go to any extreme to assist him desperately, viciously he used his fists and fingernails to good purpose and pulled Addie's hair until it presented a ludicrous appearance of disarrangement realising that the boys actions might prove harmful to his cause if this affair should ever be contested in the courts Miss Led decided to take a hand and do what she could to pacify the young heir who had suddenly been transformed into a vertebral wildcat she had no doubt that there was good cause in his past experience for the development of such character in him but expediency demanded that it be checked at once Here let me take him Miss Led urged as she laid her hands on his shoulders and attempted to draw him away a few gentle words the exhibition of a kind persuasiveness of manner brought success she drew the lad back some distance and tried to reason with him whereupon he burst into convulsive sobbing his sobs were not a new expression of an outburst of passion Miss Led was certain of this Little Glean was weeping not because of anger opened the floodgates of his soul but because of some picture of Dredd in his past experience which he feared would be repeated in the future but Annie Graham was not equal to the occasion the veneer of gentleness that she had put on could not withstand the deep seated spitefulness of her nature and as she observed a severe scratch on one hand and felt the disarrangement of her hair yielded impulsively to vengefulness of spirit that was boiling within her and exclaimed the miserable little pest just wait till I get you home Glen Graham she stopped right there much to the disappointment of the eagerly listening campfire girls who fully expected her to open an avenue to the very evidence for which they were looking she continued with a desperate effort to control her temper I never knew him to act that way before he's usually such a sweet disposition little deer I don't know what to make of it he took me completely by surprise I don't understand it I don't know what to make of it I can't understand the little the little deer it is strange very strange misled agreed purposing for the policy's sake to help the girl out of her predicament come to sister Glenie deer Addy continued after she had succeeded in rearranging her hair and restoring her hat to its normal position on her head don't you know sister loves you just lots why did you run away come back home I'll give you some candy just lots of it come on now that's a good little boy I don't want your candy and you ain't my sister and I won't go back you'll beat me and mum will beat me and everybody else will beat me don't let her take me back please don't Glen concluded turning his face pleadingly and cried reproachfully that's your home don't you know where in the world would you go if you don't go back home think of it no place in the world to go no place in the world there was a tone of awe in the young woman's voice that impressed the boy he cooled down considerably and looked meditatively at his monitor they'll tie me to a bed post and strap me why, how perfectly terrible Addy exclaimed I've never heard of such a thing I can't understand such remarks I'll tell you what we'll do Catherine suggested reassuringly we'll all go back to the house with you and fix everything up nice they won't beat you I'm sure come on Miss Graham we'll help you if you don't think we're intruding Addy did not know how to reply and did not attempt to she started toward home and the campfire girls followed her Miss Ladd leading the battling runaway by the hand Glen was considerably bewildered and apparently submissive during the journey homeward he said little and when he spoke replied to something said to him at the door of the cottage they were met by Mrs Graham to whom Addy introduced them none of the girls were well impressed by the woman's appearance or manner she affected the same ungenuine interest and affection for Glen that had characterised Addy's manner toward him but they managed to bring about a condition more or less the boy and left him with secret misgivings in the custody of the family which they held more than ever under suspicion we've got to do some real spy work now said Miss Ladd after they had reached their camp again we've got to find out what is going on in that house when those people have no suspicion that they are being watched End of Chapter 25 Chapter 26 of Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this reading by Lucy Burgoyne Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of the Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis Chapter 26 ammunition and catapults the 13 Camp Fire Girls in their Guardian are hardly to be censured because they did little more work of a routine nature that day one could hardly expect them to fix their minds upon any even tenor occupation while the thrills of recent development supplied so much stimulus for discussion of future prospect they were careful in these discussions not to leave open any possibility of their being over heard their conversations were always held in low tones and in places where it would be difficult for any of the members of the Graham family to find positions of concealment near enough to overhear what was being said one thing decided upon was in line with Miss Lads declaration that they must find out what was going on in the Graham House having reference of course to the treatment received there by little Glyn in view of his violent protest against being returned to the care and custody of the people whom he charged with acts of cruelty toward himself a scouting expedition was planned for the evening the official scouts of the fire Catherine and Hazel being delegated to this work Catherine proposed that two others be selected to assist them and Miss Lads suggested that they choose their assistance themselves we'll think it over and pick them before suppertime said Catherine after conferring with Hazel the result was that before sundown Azalea Ratwood and Ernestine Johansson had been added to the spy squad their selection came as a result of general discussions of the work in prospect in the course of which both Azalea and Ernestine made several suggestions that were regarded as clever and helpful for the scouting plans shortly after the girls returned from the Graham Cottage to their camp Ginny Jr. at the treble click voice appeared with announcement that he had brought his boat to the campfire landing and moored it by tying the painter to a projecting rock they thanked him and proceeded at once with the task of restoring the safety guard line to their bathing place all put on their bathing suits and went down to the beach with the aid of the boat their work was much easier than it had been the first time it is no easy performance for one person to sit on the shoulders of another and wield a mullet on the upper end of the stake held by a third person in water armed pit deep if you doubt this assertion just try it well, this difficult feat was unnecessary this time the stakes, rope and mullet were put into the boat and three of the girls got in and rode out to the point where the south-west stake had been driven before then two of them plunged overboard and while one of these steadied the boat and the other held the stake in position the boat drove it firmly into the sand clay bed of the lake this operation was repeated until the supports of the buoy line were all restored then the rope was stretched from stake to stake and wooden boys attached as before the work was speedily performed and then the girls all had a good swim when they returned to their camp it was lunchtime in the army and the three of them were not in the boat but were in the boat under the ocean they were in the sea with a strong wind and a wide sea and many fish they were in a swamp and could go the boat was pushed where they were As long as there seems to be any danger about being molested by prowlers, like those who paid us a visit last night, Estelle announced, �What would we do if we caught anybody at any mischief?� asked Azalea. We'd sail right into him and give him Hail Columbia,� declared Hazel, like a vigilance committee chairman. �Yes, we'd pull their hair,� said Māori Chrismal, �and scratched their eyes out,� Ernestine chimed in, �and boosted you on the way,� added Julietta Hyde. �I�m positively ashamed of you for talking that way,� misled Interposed. �You�re laughing at yourselves because you are girls. Now, you ought not to do that, even in fun. How many of you can do some real boys stunts, just as well as the boys can? I can swim half a mile,� announced Hazel. �I can do a flyaway from the horizontal bar,� declared Violet Mundo. �I can run a hundred yard dash in thirteen seconds,� said Ernestine. �And that�s better than lots of boys can do it. �I can throw a ball like a boy,� said Helen Nash. �So can I,� this was Marian Stanlock. �Oh, several of us can do that,� Catherine declared. �We�ve played ball with the boys. �But now, you�re getting close to what I was driving at. �We�ll proceed to gather a supply of ammunition. �Ammunition?� several exclaimed. �Surely,� Catherine replied. �We�ll get it down on the beach. �Oh, I get you,� said Estelle. �You mean, rocks,� cried Marie, getting the word in ahead of Estelle. �That�s it,� Catherine admitted. �We�ll shower rocks at anybody that makes us any more trouble. �Very ingenuous,� this lad said approvingly. �If those persons who visited us last night come again, �they�ll get a warm reception. �And a hard one,� Marian supplemented. �I have another idea,� Helen announced, and everybody turned attention to her. �I have some very heavy rubber bands in my grip. �I always carry them because they come in very handy sometimes. �What can you do with them?� Estelle asked. �What do you think,� Helen returned. �I know,� cried Ethel Zimmerman. �Make catapults with them. �Good,� several of the girls exclaimed. �The boys called them slingshots,� said the Guardian. �How do you make a slingshot,� Julietta inquired. �I know,� Marian announced. �You cut a fork stick, like the letter Y. �Then you tie two rubber bands to it, one to each fork. �Between the other ends of the bands, �you tie a little sack or shallow pocket, �made of leather or cloth. �You put a stone in this pocket and pull it back, �stretching the rubber bands, �take aim and let it fly. �You must have had an experience making those things,� Catherine suggested. �No, I never made one,� Marian replied. �But I've watched my cousin make them and shoot them too. �He was very skillful at it. �Can you shoot a catapult?� Catherine inquired. �I think I can,� Marian answered. �Good,� said Catherine. �We'll make several, �and those who can't throw stones can use slingshots. �That was a very busy afternoon �for this warlike group of girls. �While the luncheon dishes were being washed and put away, �Catherine and Hazel rode the boat back �to the Graham Landing. �Thanked Jimmy Jr. for its use, �accepted with solemn countenances his high sea. �You're welcome, and return to their camp. �Then the work of manufacturing arms and ammunition �in anticipation of another midnight invasion begun. End of Chapter 26. Chapter 27 of Camp Firegirls at Twin Lakes. This is a LibraVox recording. All LibraVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibraVox.org. This reading by Lucy Burgoyne. Camp Firegirls at Twin Lakes. Or The Quest of a Summer Vacation, by Stella M. Francis. Chapter 27, The Ghost. Before the preparedness program of the afternoon was started, Ms. Fled addressed the group of Camp Firegirls thus, speaking in low tone, of course, in order that she might not be overheard by any eavesdropper who might be in hiding in the vicinity. Now, we want to do this thing right. How many of you feel that you can throw a stone a considerable distance and accurately? Catherine, Helen, Marion and Violet held up their hands. How many of you would like to use catapults? Was the Guardian's next question. The hands of Harriet, Marie, Ethel and Ruth went up promptly. A moment later Estelle and Ernestine also put up theirs. I believe I could learn how, said Estelle. We don't want too much demonstration around here this afternoon, Ms. Fled warned. Everything must proceed quietly, and as if nothing unusual were taking place, how many rubber bands have you, Helen? Oh, a dozen or twenty, the latter replied. Well, we'll proceed to cut half a dozen white forks and make them into catapults. We'll start out at once. Hazel, you get a hatchet and Marie, you get a saw. The rest of you get your combination knives. In a few minutes, they were in the thick of the timber, searching the small trees and saplings for white forks to serve as catapult handles. In half an hour, they returned with a dozen of varying degree of symmetry and excellence. Then the work of assembling the parts of these miniature engines of war begun. Some of the girls exhibited a good deal of mechanical skill, while others made moves and suggestions so awkward as to occasion much laughter. Well, anyway, said Marie, after she had been merrily criticised for sewing up the mouth of the pocket so narrowly that a stone could hardly fly out of it. There are lots of boys who would make a worse job of sewing on a button. Don't you remember last winter at a button sewing contest? Paul Wessler cast the thread over and over and over the side of the button, and he didn't know any better. That's the very convenient way to dodge a joke on you, Marie, said Violet. But just because boys don't know anything is no reason why we shouldn't. Yeah, some slam at me, Marie exclaimed. I'm very properly squelched. After half a dozen catapults had been made, the girls practised slinging stones for an hour, and several of them developed considerable skill. In this way, it was determined who should have the preference in the use of these weapons. Then, at the suggestion of mislead, a dozen slings were made to be tied about the waist for carrying a supply of stones, some the size of an egg, for throwing with the hand and pebbles for use in the catapults. After these were completed, the girls went down to the beach and gathered a plentiful supply and took them back to the camp. Then a score or two of these stones were deposited in the slings and the latin were put in convenient places in the tents on short notice. The catapults also were turned over to those of the girls who proved most capable of using them skillfully. The last item of preparations on the programme of the day consists to delve, completing plans for a succession of night watch reliefs. As Catherine, Hazel, Azalea and Ernestine were assigned to special scout duty immediately after dusk, they were excused from assignment on any of the reliefs. This left 10 girls among whom the watches might be divided, which was done in the following manner. The eight sleeping hours from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. were divided into five watches of equal length and assignments were made thus. First watch, Marian Stanlock and Helen Nash. Second watch, Ruth Hazelton and Ethel Zimmerman. Third watch, Violet Monday and Harriet Newcomb. Fourth watch, Julietta Hyde and Murray-Cruzmore. Fifth watch, Estelle Adler and The Guardian, Miss Ladd. Nothing further of particular interest took place during the rest of the day, except that shortly before supper time, Addy and Olga Graham both dressed, thick to kill, called at the camp and thanked the girls for their assistance in getting their brother back home. Is he all right now? Hazel inquired with genuine concern. Yes, he's fine, Addy replied. You see, he has spells of that kind every now and then and we don't know what to make of it, but today's was the worst spell he ever had. Don't you do anything for him, Hazel asked. What can we do? Addy returned. He isn't sick. I'm afraid it's just a little distemper. There is absolutely no reason for it. Miss Ladd asked the Graham girls to remain at the camp for supper, but they begged to be excused on account of a pressing social engagement. After darkness had fallen as heavily as could be expected on a clear, though moonless night, the four scouts set out through the timber toward the Graham cottage. All of them carried flashlights and clubs, which might easily have been mistaken in the dark for mere walking sticks. The clubs were the protection against dogs or any other living being, which might exhibit hostility toward them. Catherine and Hazel had also two of the rubber band catapults, as they had exhibited no little skill for novices in the use of them. The other girls built a small fire near the tents to keep the mosquitoes away and sat around at chatting and waiting for the scouts to return. Miss Ladd insisted as soon as dust began to gather that they bring out their ammunition from the tents and keep it close at hand for immediate use if anything should happen to require it. And something did happen, something of quite unexpected and startling character. The scouts had been gone about half an hour and the night had settled down to a blanket of darkness on the earth. A sprinkle of starlight in the sky, the croaking of frogs, the songs of Katie Diddes and the occasional ripple of water on the lake shore. A poet might have breathed a sigh of delightful awe. Well, the girls were pleasurably impressed with scene and sounds if they were not exactly delighted and the awe was coming. It came without warning and was before them very suddenly. It was in the form of a man in a long, white robe, long white hair and whiskers, the latter reaching almost to his waist. He stalked, stiffly, unemotionally out of the darkness south of the camp and across the open space within 30 feet of the fire. We're sat, the startled, chill thrill group of girls, speechless with something akin to fear and momentarily powerless to shake off the spell that held them as rigid as statues. End of Chapter 27. Chapter 28 of Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes. This is a LibraVox recording. All LibraVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibraVox.org. This reading by Lucy Burgoyne. Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes. Or The Quest of the Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis. Chapter 28, A Bump on the Head. Suddenly, Helen Nash's memory served her so well that she regained control of her wits with the shock. Here is what she remembered. I don't want them to scare you with a ghost. These words uttered by little Glen just before his warning speech was interrupted by the appearance of Addie Graham at the girls' camp. That recollection was enough for Helen. There was nothing tenuous, elusively subtle, or impenetrably mysterious, any longer about the ghostly apparition. Little Glen had something very clear and definite in his mind when he made that remark. Her muscle, having relaxed from their rigid strain of superstitious suspense, Helen reached for the ammunition sleeve that she had placed beside her and drew there from one of the catapults they had made in the afternoon. Also, a pebble about the size of a marble and fitted the latter in the pocket of the weapon. Then she drew back the pocket and the pebble, stretching the rubber bands as far as she could extend them and took careful aim. Helen had practiced with this weapon a good deal in the last two or three hours and acquired considerable proficiency for so short a period of experience. Moreover, she was skilled in amateur archery and could pull a bow with a strong right arm. This experience, together with the general systematic athletic training at school, rendered her particularly well adapted for her present undertaking. The other girls under the spell of all fascination which had seized and held Helen before it was broken by a sudden jog of her memory, knew nothing of what was going on in their midst until they heard the snap of the rubber bands. And doubtless, it would have taken them considerable time to fathom it, had the pebble shoot his aim, not proved to be remarkably good. It struck the ghost on the head. Of course, even Helen could not follow the pebble through the air with her eyes, nor could she see where it struck, but other unmistakable evidence informed her as to the trueness of her aim and the effect of the blow. A sharp thud informed her that she had hit something of substantial resistance and the next bit of evidence broke the spell for the other girls with a realization of what had taken place. The ghost wavered and seemed about to topple over at the same time emitting a groan of pain which proved him to be thoroughly human. Helen was frightened, but there was a new kind of awe in this fright. All suggestion of superstition had left her and in its place was the dread that she might have killed the man. The latter dread, however, was soon dispelled. The ghost did not fall. He staggered. It is true, evidently, the pain of the blow had stunned him considerably, but he managed to put speed into his pace, although the evidence of his suffering was even greater after he began to run. In a minute, he disappeared in the darkness of the timber. My, that was a good shot, Helen, Ethel Zimmerman exclaimed, and he will surely wear some lump on his head for some time to come. I was afraid I pulled too hard, Helen replied, with a sigh of relief. And, believe me, I'd rather be scared by a ghost several times over than with the prospect of having a murder record. Who is he? Have you any idea, Violet asked? Can't you guess, Helen answered, isn't he someone connected with the Graham family? What was he trying to do? Scare us? Julietta inquired, addressing the question as much to herself as to anybody else. I should imagine something of the kind, although he may be the crazy man the Graham girls spoke about, said Helen. I don't believe there is any such person, misled, volunteered at this point. Then why did they suggest such an idea, Violet questioned? I don't know, unless it was to frighten us, the Guardian replied, frighten us away from here, Harriet supplemented. Exactly, said Helen, that's my theory of the affair. Don't you remember what Glen Irving said just before Addy Graham put in her appearance and cut short our interview with the boy? He said something about ghosts, Harriet recalled. Not about ghosts, but a ghost, Helen corrected. It made quite an impression on me. Didn't any of you wonder what he meant? I did announce Violet, and I remember exactly what he said. It was this. I don't want them to scare you with a ghost. Those were the very words, Helen declared. How do you get the connection between that remark and what just took place? Glen had heard them talking over their plans. Isn't it all very clear? At least it is very interesting, commented misled. Since you have got so near a solution of this affair, perhaps you'll go a step farther and tell your interested audience who that ghost was. Ruth Hazelton suggested. Oh, no, I wouldn't be so rash as that, Helen responded. But if I were going to write to Mrs. Hutchins tonight, I would suggest to her that if Mr. Pierce Langford should return to Fairberry in the next week or two, she might have somebody examine his head for a bump. A prino-logical bump, inquired Harriet, the walking dictionary. There was a general laugh. Not a prino-logical bump, Helen answered. End of...