The Outdoor Girls at the Hostess House; Or, Doing Their Best for the Soldiers

by on wings, and it was not till they were on the outskirts of the town its

a little restlessly on Betty's

abruptly that Betty and Grace started

d unexpected sayings. But at the moment this queer statement, coming as it did

dered, while the others stared wi

o straighten herself in the seat and raising trembling hands to her rather dilapidat

ds of each flashed the startled suspicion that perhaps the p

into her eyes, still bright in spite of her age and what she

u see, it seemed kind o' funny to me after all these years o' swearin' that I'd never rid

ing of one who has been speeding over the water with all sai

he general sentiment, "we thought

see," she added, as though imparting a great secret, "the Sandersons' bones jest never was made to break. Now, there was our cousins-the Petersons-they was different. One o' that family wouldn't dare waggle his finger too hard for fear it wo

er sails. "You see," she added hastily, as the twinkle returned to the old woman's eyes, "we were going to take you t

. "Yes, I've heard a lot about those places. That's where the sweetheart

doing, helping to make them feel at home. That's why we want

," objected the little old woman, while the same cloud swept over her

rst time and laying a white, soft hand over the knotted, wrinkled one. "We wan

een round these parts again-not for some time, anyway. But you're dear, sweet little ladies," she added, looking from Betty, whose arm still rested about her shoulders to Grace's hand i

like so much to have you see our Hostess House. That is, if you'd care to," she added, suddenly remembering that the old woma

at her fervor might astonish the girls, added with a little forced laugh. "You see, it's a weakness

Mollie broke in irrepressibly, "because I feel just that w

that moment Mollie swung the car into the street leading to the Hostess House, and

into the comfortable alcove off the main reception room and set

seemed a little weak and unsteady as they helped her from the car, but going up the ste

e as they brought up the rear. "Did you ever see an

ndeared her to the girls in the days that followed and ma

expected guest, for all the rooms were full and a couple of unused eme

s. "Grace and I will give up our room and bunk in with Amy an

ly, and it took only a short time of

s, as they surveyed their work with satisfaction. "We mustn

. "She'd be just as apt as anything to pu

ghed Grace, as they turned to leave the room. "We won't

h spirit. "Why is it that whenever you make a d

ith a twinkle. "All you have to

ded the stairs arm in arm. "We'll have to give them the cots

and almost falling downstairs. "I see it all-they get the bed whil

and Grace cov

retreat?" demanded the latter, while Betty chuc

it?" Mollie admitted. "Just the same,

ply trying to avoid a tragedy. But, if you're going to to

s manner they entered the den where Mrs. Watson was ente

he latter and joyfully escorted her to the

d three fine windows to see the soldier boys from. Are you sure," she added, glancing from one to

bject: "But I'm sure now that you would like to rest. Look," she added, with quick

t faced upon the parade. "I'm a little cold. And-that boy-" She pointed with quivering finger at a sturdy,

citously, while Betty pushed a chair towar

ced themselves from between her chattering teeth, "what my Willie bo