Part 28 (1/2)

”Father wants to see you. Come over when you can. I think he has had some word from Aunt Margaret.”

CHAPTER IX

GATHERING CLOUDS

The word which the lighthouse keeper had received was rather indefinite.

It was a letter from his sister, but it only confirmed that which he already knew.

”And it doesn't give me any address where I can write to her!” he complained when Cora had paid him a visit, in response to the invitation given by Rosalie during the swim. ”It's postmarked at--maybe you can see it, my eye-sight isn't what it used to be,” and he held the envelope out to Cora.

”Edmenton,” she read. ”That's in this State.”

”Yes, but what good would it do to write to her there?” he asked. ”She evidently doesn't want me to know where she is. Just read the letter, Miss.”

It was not long and in effect said that Mrs. Raymond would not come back to her relatives until she had found Nancy Ford, and cleared her name of the suspicion on it.

”Don't try to find me,” wrote Mrs. Raymond, ”as I am going from place to place, working where I can. I am seeking Nancy. I thought she might have gone back where she used to live, but I wrote there and she had not arrived. I must search farther. I am doing fairly well, so don't worry about me. Some folks have been very kind--especially some young ladies.

I will tell you about them when I see you, brother--if I ever do.”

”She must mean you--the time of the fire,” said the light keeper. ”I'm sure I'm much obliged to you for befriending my sister.”

”Oh, it was nothing,” protested Cora. ”I wish we could have done more. I am sure we could have, had she not gone off in such a hurry. But we can't blame her, for she was very nervous and excited.”

”Poor Margaret,” murmured Mr. Haley. ”She was always that way. She tells me not to worry--but I can't help it.”

”I suppose not,” agreed Cora. ”You might try writing to Edmenton. The postmaster there might give you a clue, or tell you some one who could give information.”

”I'll do it!” exclaimed the keeper of the light. ”It will give me something to do, anyhow,” and he set to the task.

Cora had called at the light alone, not knowing what the nature of the communication might be that the keeper wished to make to her. It was the day after Belle had bravely struck out for herself in the water.

Cora said good-bye to Rosalie, who was busy about her household duties, and waved to little d.i.c.k, who was playing on the beach. Then, getting into the _Pet_ in which she had come to the lighthouse float, Cora turned the bow toward the little dock at the foot of the slope on which the bungalows were perched.

”Well, you were gone long enough!” complained Jack when she got back.

”I've been waiting for you.”

”What for?” she asked. ”Has anything happened?”

”Nothing except that we fellows have heard of a motor boat we can hire cheap for the season, and we want to run over and look at it. The fellow who has it is on the other side of the Cove. Can I take the _Pet_?”

”Certainly, Jack. We girls are going to the life-saving station, anyhow.

You'll be back before lunch; won't you?”

”I should guess yes!” exclaimed Walter, who had come up. ”We wouldn't miss our rations for anything.”

Jack and his chums were soon speeding across the bay. There was quite a sea on, for the wind was rising, and there seemed to be indications of a storm. But a number of boats were out on the water, and the _Pet_ was a staunch craft. Also, Jack and the other boys were able to manage her, and all were excellent swimmers.