The Outdoor Girls of Deepdale; Or, camping and tramping for fun and health

hen, as their happy spirits fairly bubbled and overflowed, breaking into a few waltz steps to the melody of a dreamy song hummed by one of their number. The sun, shining through the trees, cast pat

hool w

tallest of the quartette; a stately, fair girl with wonderful

things," added the companion of the one who thus paid a compl

what timid observation came from the quietest of the fo

ir out of her dark eyes. "The very idea! We want things to happen; don't we, Betty?" and she caught the arm of on

even teeth. Then she said laughingly, and th

rtain kinds of happenin

lly accentuated her figure, caught a pencil that was slipping from a book, a

oked relieved. She was a rather quiet girl, of the character called "sweet"

d be given, she added: "Don't let's go so fast. We aren't out to m

ch, though it was only May, still had much of the advance hint of summer in it. There was a carriage b

we walk five or six miles a day?" asked Be

don't have to now. Come, Betty

udden?" and Betty pulled down and straightened the blue

anything else. I'm just dying to go, and I'

llie Billette, whose dark and flashing eyes, and black hair, with just

long without candy!" decl

liar, winsome beauty had gained her the not overdrawn characterization of "Gibson g

g else. "And I don't want you to say that I do!" Her eyes flashed, and gave a hint of the hidden

say," she went on, "there are

y, softly. "I'm sur

e up that way. But sometimes I can't seem to help it. I beg your pardon, Gr

ibson-girl," and held her cheek c

ttle whirlwind of temper one moment, and sweetly sorry for it the next, al

en we can start our Camping and Tramping Club. I think the idea

walking-out in the country especially. Only it isn't so much fun going alone. So it occurred to

four?" as

. We can have as man

spoke Amy. She was rather shy, an

med Mollie. "Suppose we d

d from the Deepdale High School continued their stroll down the main street of the town, talking over the new plan that had been proposed that mo

I shan't be able to keep up to you girls in that case," and she s

't all the details arranged yet, but we can set a certain number o

e, with a glance at her sm

ur brother Will!"

oner is with him," went on

ing so," spoke Grace. "Probably he's b

a blush. "You know I can't bear

o good clothes of a rather flashy type, and much given to showing them off. He had very little good sense-in fact, what little he had, s

wants to bring him alo

nt tone. "He knows

ouldn't help it

" commented Grace. "I'll tell Wi

speak to you again!" and the pink su

p Allen Washburn," remarked Mollie, i

things!" besought Betty. "I

d we don't see them. Hurry up! I've got a quarter, and I

ck-tragic tones. "They are wavi

d by a rather overdressed youth slightly ol

elaborate gesture. "Charming weather we're having-my word!" Percy

Will, with a more hearty, and certain

" said Amy slowly; "she is

shall be delighted. May I have the honor?" and

aphed this question to h

de," murmured Grace. "I can sa

chums into the drug store and presently all

. "I've a good notion to get some fudge," and

advised Mollie. "Did you hear of

-seeing that the North and South ones have been captured," and he

" murmured his sis

m a Camping and Trampi

you going to take gentlemen? I

too-small patent leather shoes the overdressed youth thrust out oste

, Sis?" asked Wi

"It occurred to me that, as school closes exceptionally early this year, some of u

love with the id

limit," added Mollie, smili

ered Percy. "You nev

can," said Be

to join?" asked Grace

rc

ed Percy. "Let's have some more soda!"

d of sweets, be it said that she refused, and that w

ke Betty. "You walk wi

Percy to bore me.

," prom

lie, and she, with malice aforethought, talked at him in a way he could not understa

o carry a cane all the while?" M

e to carry it,"

t on account of not

e-I can wal

you. You said twent

nt for

carry the ca

I'm not afr

'spoofing' him-I beli

?" whispered Grace, wh

ect,

ou want to brin

e when I came out of school, and I

she doesn'

when you get the chance; will you? I

tell

me a quarter; won'

same allowanc

hat much to get a catching

I

ot it. Weren't you going

along and let

horrid

sport! Lend m

her purse. There were s

ed with wealth! W

didn't s

und box of chocolates-or what

ooping in my room?" and she gr

m. I was looking for my ba

u eat them all?

good-looking young man who was on the other side of the street. The latter, seeing the girls, raised his hat,

s a book with hi

ing law, you kno

e was rather ignored, had the sense to leave, making an elabora

pies are all right, but I like better-t

eproachfully, shaking an ac

ke him any more tha

e Little Captain.

if he does," w

d the trees not so large, nor well cared for. The sun seemed to increase in warmth as it approached the we

, she made for a smooth stump, which was all that was left of a great oak t

ou never will be able to keep up with us on the tram

her shoes!" cried

ace sought to defend her footwear f

" remarked Betty. "But ha

o take them when the sales-girl tried them on me. I saw them in Robertson's window,

ize," spoke Mollie with

lovely shape," spoke Grace. "I

. "There's room for two

nging a couple of books by a long strap. Betty and Mollie suppo

,'" quoted Betty, lookin

asked Mollie

't we, Amy?" exclaimed Grace, putting her

Grace insisted that she had not had more than a minute's respite, the four started off agai

tart off on our tramping and camping

asked Amy. "I think it is th

to-night," suggested Betty. "We c

Mollie. "But do you really in

There are one or two places where camps are open the year around, and al

be much nice

is-l

girls came under the structure a fluttering bit of paper on the ground caught the eyes of Betty. Rather id

d dollar bill is pinned to this paper