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

grass with a convenient, raised bank of moss for a pillow, while the girls repacke

Gee, it's been a fine experience and all, but, belie

gain," said Gr

ly complimentary," added Mol

t maid, do we offe

get away from us," she explained. "Here we tho

his elbow and speaking with unaccustomed solemni

d have gone clean crazy because of homesickne

he girls stopped packing and looked on happily. "Do you re

ing about?" finished Frank

ed patiently for the boys to continue and the latter ha

t used to come to see Mother regularly once a year, 'I don't care what terrible things people

smiling over his thoughts. "We were saying that if we

n purpose," s

repeated solemnly-"we were af

"Get half a dozen years in prison for yourselves and

about ourselves," added Betty plaintively. "All th

ery minute of every day since then," said Allen in a low voi

ote Allen again-and resumed

ous to leave you girls when we say we're eager for action. I guess," he added, thought

egan Grace, but Frank w

ke a contradiction. But I think you know

Will backed h

reeable job to do before we can settle down and

get it done, the be

n no

he sooner we get there, the sooner we'll be coming

he tears rise to their eyes, and to save them fr

y night to see the entertainment we are helping get up amo

o death over it, are

ed Grace, with

Amy, here, soon worms out the heart secrets of these boys by her quiet, sympathet

He has a guitar hung over his shoulder, a harmonica strapped to his head, a piano near b

r, were less interested, and Roy wanted to know what the

modern mutation of the Greek chorus, stays and props for the weak and timid, brakes

nly, "just how we're going to spend the rest of t

ng to sit up, and sinking down again with a mo

torted Mollie. "I thought in the army you had t

. "What do you suppose we get leave for-just

sake, suggest something,

ed Allen, so suddenly

eedn't be so

he day we went prospecting alone, Frank?" h

ng interested. "Seems to me it ought to be somewhe

tive all we have to do is to whistle to the little animal

ed Allen. "That little trick might work

ny fishing tackle?" q

Don't you know that's a part of every dough bo

ty plaintively. "Can't we ever talk about

pect the scorn and ridicule of an unthinking populace. Perhaps you have h

d Allen bent upon th

," he said sorrowfully. "

d ally, "I'm for you. Of course we won't get anything, but it w

d to furnish enough pins for the hooks, and when the available stri

essful. The little stream proved to be full to overf

pulled out one fish after another. "They seem to be eager to

in Allen, resignedly, while Betty gave him

ided softly, as she handed him more

ish slip back into the water in his preoccupa

ere, unbelievably catching fish, with Allen be

itably come and her bright face clouded. Allen

e whispered softly. "

himsical, half-wistful. "You haven't done anyt