The Outdoor Girls in Florida; Or, Wintering in the Sunny South

ter. Nor were the eyes of her chums altogether dry, for they all liked

ounced Grace, when she had regained cont

it from her if we c

th criminals," went on his sister. "It

ate criminals," suggested Am

re them if they were. I suppose they are mostly young men who have been guilty of slight violati

ore thoughtlessness than anything else, I sent him Sou

ce. "It just couldn't be helped. But Will is br

should be able to tell where the different gangs of prisoners have been sent, and by investigating each one we can, by elimination, find Will. Then it will be an easy matter to get him

y do something!"

less at a time like this," murmure

offer sympathy, if nothing else, and often that is something as real as actual service. But I don't agree that you girls are helpless. You h

d how soon the time was to come when the outdoor girls

bbled letter of her brother, so strangely forwarded to them. "There is no telling how

no wonder the contractors have to take criminals, and fairly kidnap their helpers. Then they have to

the planter who had so kindly forwarde

he truth, but not enough to cause her to worry. He said they had word from Will, and hoped soon to have him home. And Mrs. Ford, who leaned m

r in the North," she replied. "G

ollie, with a smile, as she foun

o busy sorting out what clothes they were going to take, and havi

had yet been received. But they were hoping that every day would br

and make a search for their friend. But Mr. Ford, though deeply grateful to them, thought it might c

" said Allen to Betty a few days before the

o see you," she answered

asked,

I would, too," and she blu

etter!" h

l tea some of the friends of the girls wished to tender to them. It was a cold, snowy, blustery

ill now-down where i

n be there," a

ned in the admiration. For Mollie, with the characteristics of a French girl, loved pretty clothes, and

Hattie Reynolds. "But isn'

cried, for from the room where stood Mollie's half-packed trunk came the twin, trailing a garment. "That's my best pe

lmly announced Dodo. "Has

ts!" cried Betty. "Oh, aren't

or four times a day," exclaimed Mollie, half-crossly, as she advanced t

se to sister at onc

ndy!" stipulate

had some!" ex

ed Grace, producing a

Chocolate on my white waist-never! Put the thing

ked Dodo, looking

idence enough, and the garments were placed where they

re bidden farewell by their friends-rather envious friends, to be frank-for who w

in readiness for the trip. The girls had decided on a hundred and one things to take with them, and had rejected as many, only

was better," sighed Amy, the day b

e worse?" a

s the change will benefit her as soon as we get there. But I am afraid about

id Grace. "We'll look aft

be as bad as I fear. But she seems failing rapid

r mind. But there! don't let's talk any more about our troubles. Let's look on the bright si

f me so I can eat an orange or two

atch a few alliga

th a nervous shiver. "Are there really any there, Amy

ssimulate. "But Uncle Stonington says they are small-at leas

ace. "I'd as soon

itten," suggested Mollie. "And perhaps their ba

e I don'

" said Grace. "Don't you r

odiles," said Betty. "O

ida hopelessly mixed before we get through. Now let's see if we have everyth

ay of the start came, final good-byes were said, and with Mr. and Mrs