The Outdoor Girls on Pine Island; Or, A Cave and What It Contained

e hailed Betty as the Little

she called. "Why did

y as she turned back. "Then I was going to stop in to see if you would go with

ollie, doubtfully. "Probably

dedly. "I told her yesterday that if I came over this morning and found her in bed eating candy before breakf

ie. "If you will wait a minute I'll go with you t

proved and Amy only too glad to get out into

pproached the Fords' beautiful home, they were surprised beyond measure to see Grace swinging leisurel

ither," remarked Amy in an awe-str

ree girls who were still regarding her fixedly. "Is it my hair, or is my nose red, or is it my ski

ed!" cried Betty, striking a theatrical pose. "Never

o you know?" asked Grace plaintivel

Mollie. "Never mind, Betty," she added soo

ly explain what those two lunatics are talking about-if they know themselves!" This last

a hug. "You must really forgive us, Grace dear, we jus

made room for the other girls in the hammock. "What

don't you know, Grace, that there isn't one

ace, a trifle shortly, for her natural good temper

were only surprised to see you up so early, Grace, that's all. But now I'm mighty glad you

acated by the Little Captain's tactful changing of the subject. "Ca

t to "be sure of an appetite," as Amy said. During

s replying in the negative, asked if he might bring some of the other boys around. "We h

led out on the lawn again and waited eagerl

he road came-not the boys, but a ragged, bent, old woman, leaning heavily on a twisted stick for support. Instead of go

house?" whispered Grace to Betty. "I d

graphed back. "But she can't possibly do us an

ossed with a million wrinkles. An old, tattered shawl covered her bent shoulders, and the hand that grasped the knotted stick was claw-like and emaciated. Her eyes were the only part of her that seemed to retain some semblance of youth. They were litt

trying to make her voice calm an

nd desiring to placate them. "Won't you have your fortunes told? Only twenty-five cents, and I c

, but they shook their heads decidedly-the m

he could. "We are expecting company and

iserable in. And you will be! You will be! The curse be on you for refusing an old woman like me the price of her brea

there was a sound of jolly, masculine laughter

e with a little shiver, as the boys paused to gaze after the retreatin

end, Grace?" Roy inquired as he

d let it be said here that Betty was no exception to the general rule. And as for young Allen Washburn himself, he never sought to conceal his genuine ad

read our fortunes," Betty explained. "Oh,

whispered Allen, so softly that only Betty heard. But that

that wander around all the time and never have any homes-oh, I

ruefully that they all laughed. "Here we come, all primed t

ollie. "She didn't tell us a

t. "You see," he went on, "there's a gypsy encampment near by and we thought you girls might

gerly. "I've always wanted to see one o

't like gypsies, Gr

they're not, are they, Roy? There are lots and lots of really roma

of old crones like this peppery woman, do you?" Roy answered. "Why,

't think we'd better chance it, girls. They might become so cha

answering the challenge in Betty's eyes. "The only question is

ou're coming on. I wish I could reel them off like that

" said Bet

Betty has the right idea,

parted eyes were bright with the