Part 15 (1/2)
”You shall not!” exclaimed his sister ”You'll make all manner of fun of us, and--”
”No, on't--I promise!” exclaimed Frank, earnestly
”Oh, let theed Grace
”Don't you dare!” cried Betty
”Well, here coirl ”At least we'll have enough escorts” Betty blushed and hurried into the house on soht,” taking with the Their suitcases they had arranged to send on ahead, so that they would be at each stopping place in the evening when the little party arrived Then on leaving in the ain be dispatched in advance Near the end of the route trunks would await theet their dinners wherever it was most convenient, and Betty had drawn up a sort of schedule that, should they be able to keep up to it, would mean comfort at noon As I have explained, the breakfasts and suppers would be eaten at the hoirls had a little alcohol stove, a teapot and saucepan, and they expected, under favorable circumstances, to stop by the roadside and brew a cup of tea, each girl carrying an aluar, to be replenished from time to time, formed part of their stores Sandwiches, to be procured as needed, would form a staple food
The day was a ”perfect” one for June Clad in their new suits of olive drab, purposely designed for walking, with sensible blouses, containing pockets, with skirts sufficiently short, stout boots and natty little caps, the outdoor girls looked their name Already there was the hint of tan on their faces, for they had been much in the open of late
They had assembled at Betty's house for the start, and were about ready to leave, though there seemed to beplace, at least for the night, would be the town of Rockford, about sixteen miles ahere Betty's aunt lived They expected to re the second day to walk to a certain old historic ood-byes were said, over and over again, it seeood luck Betty, who had been voted into the place of leader, looked over her small command What it lacked in numbers it made up in attractiveness, for certainly no prettier picture could have been viewed than the one the girls presented that Juneyard
”Well, are we ready?” finally asked Betty
”As ready as we ever shall be,” replied Grace
”Then--what shall I say--forward--march?”
”Just say--hike!” cried the irrepressible Will
”Don't mind him!” cautioned his sister ”Oh, I've left my handkerchief in your house, Betty!” and she hastened to secure it
But, finally, after a few irls were ready to start Mr Nelson came out to wave a farewell, and his wife appeared, to add more to her already numerous cautions
”What shall I do with that five hundred dollar bill?” asked Betty's father ”If the owner coive it up?”
”Don't you dare!” she cried ”At least, not until we girls have a chance to see him We want to find out about the roht--I will,” he said, with a laugh
”But it doesn't seeh, after this lapse of time, that it would be called for Good-bye!”
”Good-bye! Good-luck!”
This was echoed and re-echoed Then the fourClub started down the pleasant country road, whereon the June sun shone in golden patches through the leafy branches of the trees