Part 30 (2/2)

”Yes,” Margaret continued, ”I see a big black cloud, and it entirely surrounds you.”

”Does it pa.s.s away?” Lois questioned, now much interested.

”I can not altogether tell.”

”He's going to have a nightmare,” d.i.c.k bantered, at which they all laughed.

”I hope there's nothing in your prophecy,” Jasper remarked. ”If I were at all superst.i.tious I might worry a great deal over what you say.”

”Look here, Lois,” and d.i.c.k turned to his sister, ”is there a hole in that tea-strainer? For pity sakes get a new one, and don't let so many grounds get through in the future. We don't want any more clouds.”

When dinner was over they all went out on the verandah. It was a beautiful evening, for the wind had subsided, and the river stretched out before them like a huge mirror.

”How I should like to be out there now,” Lois remarked, as she gazed pensively upon the water. ”Suppose we go for a row?”

”I should think you'd be sick and tired of the river after your experience to-day,” d.i.c.k replied. ”I prefer the car to a boat any time.”

”With all the enjoyment of dust, noise, and smell of gasoline thrown in,” his sister sarcastically retorted.

”I guess you were most thankful to smell gasoline to-day, though, when Spuds picked you up in that old tub of his. Now, weren't you?”

Before Lois could reply Betty suddenly appeared before them. Her face was flushed, and she was panting as if she had been running fast.

”I have only a minute to spare,” she explained, ”for Mr. David doesn't know I have left him. He wants to see you, Mr. Jasper, and so I have come before it gets too late. I am afraid to come out after dark now.”

CHAPTER XXIV

GATHERING CLOUDS

Jasper did not like the idea of leaving such agreeable company and going with Betty. It was so pleasant to be near Lois, and he was hoping that they might have a quiet little conversation together. Why could not David wait? There was surely nothing of great importance that he wished to see him about. No doubt he wanted to ask him some questions concerning the progress of the work at the falls. He could call in on his way home and have a chat with him.

These thoughts ran quickly through his mind as he sat there watching Betty. But something in the girl's face told him that he had better go at once, and so he rose from his chair.

”Won't you come back again?” Lois asked. ”It is go early that surely Mr. David will not keep you all the evening.”

”I'm afraid not,” was the reluctant reply. ”I shall go over to my cabin and get a good sleep. I was up late last night looking after that raft of poles which we took down river to-day.”

Lois had the feeling that something was wrong, and she longed to go to the Haven and find out what it was. She was almost tempted to leave the rest and accompany Jasper and Betty. She banished this idea, however, thinking that after all there was nothing over which she should worry. But in a twinkling there flashed into her mind the words Margaret had so lightly spoken over the tea-cup. ”I see a big black cloud, and it entirely surrounds you.” Why did those words come to her now? she asked herself, and why should she have that strange foreboding of impending trouble? So strong was this impression that she was inclined to hurry after Jasper and give him warning. She did nothing of the kind, however, but during the remainder of the evening she was quieter than usual and took little part in any conversation.

Jasper walked by Betty's side along the road leading to the main highway.

”How did you know where I was?” he presently asked her.

”We saw you this afternoon out on the river saving Miss Lois and Miss Margaret.”

”Why, where were you?”

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