The Corner House Girls on a Houseboat

ome here, Mr. Howbridge," said Neale.

here to find me?"

s,

sked this Ruth noticed that her guardi

ssage," went on N

ted the lawyer. "Is there a

Jackson case or any other," Neale haste

rprise. As for the two smaller Kenway child

. "Have you found him, Neale?" There was

as I had found that tramp mule driver again, and he's back in town once more. H

turning to the girl, "but I happen to be this young man's legal adviser, and while I

e at Neale. "Of course we know about this, and w

the lawyer, "we'll combine business with pleasure. Suppose we

on about this boat," said the puzzled girl. "I'

wered her guardian. "You'll understand presently.

me a hint that my father might have returned from Ala

course know this story, don

were the first Ne

this Hank Dayton, the mule driver, before we could do anything, or start to advertise for Mr. O'Neil. And now, it seems, he is here again. At

e was more than usually quiet and anxious, sh

ge, as they advanced toward it. "I'll get Minerva'

bunk down at the lower lock for a while. I made him pro

cried with a gayer manner, and he caught Dot up in his arms and c

been a scow. The body of the boat was broad beamed forward and aft, as a sailor would say. That is, i

oat, isn't it?" remarked Agnes,

much nicer,

e cupboards!" cried Dot. "I

added Tess, raising the cover of a sort

explained Mr. Howbr

xclaimed the little girl. "She might smother, an

is just called that on a boat. Cupboards on the wall and the windo

a ship?"

of the same words," replied Mr. How

all cabin which was evidently intended for a living room. Back of that was very plainly the dining room, for it cont

m!" cried Tess, flattening her no

dear," said Ruth

to see," i

h noses pressed flat against the doors, were taking in the sights of the dis

could have here!" sighed Dot, as sh

ked Tess, appealing to Agnes.

ar one would get lonesome," laughed Mr. Howbri

oom, and both Ruth and Agnes were interested t

to get meals here than in the C

k so?" asked

ve to turn from the stove to the sink, and another turn and you have everything you want, from a toasting

. Howbridge, and Ruth found her

almost like those in Pullman cars, were neatly arranged,

how l

clean a

a sleeping car o

hose staterooms o

oundly here as in a bed at

useboat rocked like

t could rock muc

r a lake. I guess a houseboat l

a middle hall or passageway. Then came a small bathroom. And

ngine!" exclaimed the b

ic, but to get it there through the canal mules will have to be used, as this boat has such a big propeller

ad operated a small motor craft on the Gentory River, as well as running the Corner House girls' automob

ly. "That is what I brought Minerva here to talk a

the lockers!" cried Tess, da

on it, too!"

n the floor-one for each

herself wondering more and more what Mr. Howbridge wante

state. The estate is being settled up, and the boat is going to be sold. A man living at the upper end of Lake Macopic has offered to buy it at a fair price if it is delivered to him in good condition before the end of summer. As

mean that?" a

rtain

it up the canal to the river, through the river into the lake and up the

t couldn't be moved by the moto

t, then," advised Ruth.

ter on which I wish your advice is whether to start the boat of

lovely houseboat like this to on

dian, with another smile. "It needs some

s, I shou

e to take charge?" came

ried Ru

at to Lake Macopic. You dwellers of the Corner House need a vacation. You always have one every summer

food and supplies, such as gasoline and oil when you reach the river and lake. Everything else is on board, from be

l she could say for a moment. She just looked at

rful!" mur

go?" cri

including Neale,"

asped Dot,

tranced at each other, Ag

give a little attention to Neale's case," went on Mr. Howbridge. "Now, young man, s

ged Ruth. "Let's talk about the trip so

get this boat to Lake Macopic somehow, and I don't know a better way than

ly mean I may go,

ange it, and Mi

such a lot to do to get ready. We'd have t

nted Mr. Howbridg

you go too?

me to?" the la

. We'd all

t of the trip," was the reply. "Then

perfectly wonderfu

uld be told what they thou

sider it settled. I'll have to see about mules

from Neale in

t?" asked

asked. "He's rough, but I think he's a decent man and hone

o birds with one stone. He could help you in your search for your father. Yes, I think that will be a good plan. Gir

ll you how to find your father, N

. "You don't know, Aggie, how m

Neale. And you'

Howbridge, somewhat che