Part 26 (2/2)

asked Mrs. Brown. ”We'll give you some of the chowder then.”

”Oh, yes, Mother, please do!” begged Harry, and Mrs. Slater consented.

”I'll tell you more about my lost dog when I come over to-night,” called Harry to Bunny and Sue, as they parted.

That evening Mrs. Slater and her son Harry were guests of the Browns at supper, at which was served the chowder made from the clams dug by the children that afternoon.

”It is delicious!” said Mrs. Slater, as she was helped to a second plateful.

”I like it lots!” declared Harry. ”I guess Sandy would, too, if he was here.”

”What's this about your dog being lost?” asked Mr. Brown, for he had heard the children talking about it.

”We did lose a very valuable animal,” explained Mrs. Slater. ”We were out automobiling one day, and in driving through a place called Bellemere, on Sandport Bay----”

”Bellemere!” cried Bunny Brown. ”Why, that's where we live!”

”That's where our dog was lost,” said Mrs. Slater, smiling at him. ”For some reason he leaped out of the auto and went bounding away down the street. My husband stopped and tried to get him back, but he would not come. And he has been lost ever since. Harry misses him very much.”

”What day was it that your dog ran away?” asked Mr. Brown, with a look at his wife.

”Why, it was--let me see,” answered Mrs. Slater slowly. ”It was on----”

Her words were interrupted by a loud crash of thunder that shook the bungalow, and all the electric lights suddenly went out.

”Oh!” cried Bunny, Sue, and Harry, all at the same time.

”I presume we're in for another storm,” said Mr. Brown. ”Sit still until I light some candles. Often the electric lights go out in a severe thunderstorm.”

As Mr. Brown arose to strike a match another loud clap of thunder pealed out.

CHAPTER XX

THE FLOATING BOX

The electric light service in Christmas Tree Cove was uncertain in storms, and Mr. Brown always kept a supply of candles on hand, as well as some kerosene lamps. Soon there was plenty of light in the room, and as supper was about over when the storm broke the family and their two visitors went into the sitting-room of the bungalow.

”I don't like storms,” said Harry, and he kept close to his mother.

”There isn't any danger,” remarked Mr. Brown. ”The lightning hardly ever strikes near the ocean or the bay. I think it may hit out far from sh.o.r.e. But no houses have ever been struck up here.”

”I guess the Christmas trees keep it away,” said Bunny.

”Perhaps,” laughed his mother. ”It isn't bad, now that the worst outburst is over. Come, Harry, tell us about your lost dog. We have lost one, too.”

So, while the thunder boomed and the lightning flashed, Mrs. Slater and Harry told about their dog Sandy.

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