The Camp Fire Girls on the Farm; Or, Bessie King's New Chum

t race, Gladys," Dolly called out, as the Defiance

he loss of the race, which she had considered already won, was a severe blow

our boat very cleverly. We didn't think of going off after the wind until it was too late.

iously. "It was a trick-that was all it was! If we had had a

at I said. We'll have another race, won't we? And we'll pick out a day when

"Don't act like that-it's easy enough for you to be pleasant. They'll all

ny of the rest of us feel as Gladys does. If I'd known she was such a poor loser, I wouldn't have l

y to be nice and generous when you've won; it's much harder

it wasn't tricky at all. Gladys knew just as much about the wind as you did. If she had done as y

"She's spoiled, and she's got a nasty disposition to start with, anyhow

ould help her to get even," said Bessie. "She was awfu

d have done anything to let her win, of course, because there

sult. We ought to play to win, of course, but we ought to play fair first of all. And

t," said Margery, "b

esn't it, but it's what I mean. Maybe if Gladys had won, we could

chor was dropped and everything on board the swift little sloop had been made snug for the night, they dropped over into the skiff and rowed to the beach. There the

going to be beaten," she said. "Oh, Bessie, I'm glad

e lau

e said. "I didn't have a thing to do with it, Zara

I've had the strangest feeling this aft

grown chary of laughing at Zara's premonitions and feelings. They h

"I don't see how anyone could be arou

ne had known exactly what I was doing, as long as I was out here on the beach. B

y strange things happen to us lately that it would be funny i

felt that it would be a good thing to induce Zara to forget her presentiment, or feeling, or whateve

I knew said anything like that, I'd just laugh at her. But Zara's different, somehow.

uess we'd better not say anything to anyone else. I think a lot of

n piped down, and there was no longer any need of carrying pails up there to get water, but it was still a pleasant little walk, for the view from the top of the path was delightful.

principal topic of conversation, and in addition there were adventure

they ate, was nervous and kept looking behind her out into the darkness as if she saw something. And so, with a whispered explanation to Dolly, she rose and cre

over, who was supposed to be in the city, telling his story to Charlie Jamieson! Jake Hoover, who, after having done all s

nly. "You miserable sneak

mostly that of the spy, and here he was once more engaged in it. Bessie was furious at her discovery. B

m-the well-remembered days of her bondage on the Hoover farm, when his word had always been enough to se

he whined. "I-jest wanted-I jest wanted to see y

so, why did you come sneaking around like this? Why didn't you come right

aid. "I'm scared, Bessie-I'm afraid of what they'd do to

oward coming over her. She released his shoulder, and

ever afraid of you

that, don't you? I used to like to tease you and worry you a bit, but I

d she felt that, having Jake here, he should be held. It had been pl

Bessie?" said Dolly, comi

ung out of her as she

as a bad lot when you let him go at Windsor, didn't I? I knew he'd

s here, will you, and ask her to come out? I t

rry, will you?" begged Jake. "I can't

ver seen Jake before, but she knew all about him for Bessie and Zara had told her e

instead of to Mr. Jamieson? Well, I'm glad you're here. I'll have to keep yo

ry, please, ma'am! I'm afraid of what

when she returned she was smiling, as if

finished. See, they're coming out now. Come inside, and I'll see that

n, and he went into the tent, followed by Bessie and Dolly, who, although the ser

od, Jake," said Eleanor, kindly. "You'll be able

h new evidences of his alarm, they forced more food on him. At last, h

he said. "Honest, I'm afra

, you know," said Eleanor. "Surely you're n

your word, Jake," said

fright was not assumed; it was plain that he was terrified.

iform at his back, came in. "There you are, Jones, there's your man! Arrest him on a charge of having no means of support-that will

and fell to the ground, gro

gged. "I'll tell you everyth

d Trenwith. "You've got to learn to