Part 36 (1/2)

”There's a family of them, at any rate,” remarked Jack, as he neared the open spot, where now could be seen a hut

A rough-lookingto see what they wanted He s

Mr Rand spoke first

”Good afternoon, stranger,” he said in a pleasant voice

The uishablehow to get into conversation

”Sort of,” replied the ht we intrude for a little water?” continued the old gentleirls had a dusty ride”

”Certainly,” replied the woods toward a pail and dipper on a bench in front of the hut

”Hard to get at,” whispered Jack to Walter, ”but he doesn't look so bad”

”No, I rather think he is not theman

”Stay here all year?” asked Ed, as he handed the brier

”Prettywrong? Anything I could do for you?”

This caused the whole party to sur That looked suspicious

A woether untidy, but of course showed that she lived far from civilization She bowed to the party, then called to the children in the woods

”Well,” said Mr Rand finally, ”we are looking for so of a young girl in these parts, a girl--who otten lost in the woods; have you?”

”I have heard that a girl was lost,” replied the ers and I keep pretty close tofor fires There are soand reckless with irl from the hotel, is the one you ypsy! The forest ranger!

”No, I am sorry to say we have not yet discovered her,” went on Mr

Rand ”But you being here in the very depths of the woods would likely know of any gypsy camps about, I believe”

”There are no camps in the woods this year,” the man assured hi by law There are a lot of them scattered about in the mountains, but as far as I could find there is no caets lost in these woods, and we don't like the gypsies to have the first chance of finding them But sit down,” and he cleared the bench of the water pail ”You hed They were still without a possible clew

”We will rest for a minute or two,” said Mr Rand, ”but we ht We are out to find her if she is on the White Mountains”

And so after soer the searching party again pressed on

CHAPTER XXVII