Part 24 (2/2)
”We are going over that way,” went on Cora. ”If you like, I will pilot you.”
”You are very good,” returned the young man. ”If it will not be too much trouble, and not take you out of your way, I would like very much to have you show me the course. I'm a stranger here.”
Cora and the motor girls had been on so many trips on land and water that they had learned how to meet and accept the advances of strangers, even when they were good-looking young men. There was, too, a sort of comrades.h.i.+p about a motor boat that lent a chaperonage to the effect of girls talking to men to whom they had never been introduced. Cora's chums realized this and thought nothing of her offer.
”Follow me,” Cora called, as she opened the throttle a little wider, and the _Chelton_ shot ahead. The other boat came right after, with a promptness that caused Cora to think it had more speed than she at first suspected.
”My nerves are much better--now,” said Bess in a whisper to Lottie, as she stole a surrept.i.tious glance at the young man.
CHAPTER XVII
A LITTLE RACE
For some time Cora held the lead in her boat, with the other following in her wake. The girls talked among themselves, speculation being rife as to what the young man wanted in Bayhead.
”It's an awfully swell place,” said Lottie. ”I spent one Summer there, and it was nothing but dress, dress, dress all the while! Either for motoring, tennis or bridge. Oh, I got so weary of it!”
”But you liked it--especially the dressing,” put in Belle.
”I should have, my dear, I don't mind admitting that, if only I had had enough gowns,” went on Lottie, with a sigh. ”But I didn't have half enough. Papa was dreadfully poor that year. I believe he said there had been a 'slump in the market,' whatever that means.
”Anyhow I know I couldn't begin to dress as those in my set did. So that's how I remember Bayhead. I should like to go there again. It's perfectly stunning.”
”That young fellow doesn't look to be any too well dressed,” remarked Bess.
”Naturally he wouldn't--going out in a boat,” said Cora. ”Something seems to be the matter with his engine,” she added, for the stranger was bending over it.
Whatever it was did not seem to be serious, for the lone motorboatist straightened up again presently. He increased his speed, and came alongside the _Chelton_.
”We seem to be some distance from the point,” he said, with a smile.
”Don't you want a little race? You can call it off before we get near the danger spot.”
Cora was rather taken aback by the proposal. It was one thing to direct a stranger, even when he was a youth good to look at, and it was all right, too, to even pilot him on his way in strange waters; but it was quite another matter to have the aforesaid stranger invite himself to a race. It was like having a beggar apply at your front door, and when given a sandwich, calmly ask for soup.
”I don't believe----” began Cora, but Bess slid up to her on the long seat and whispered:
”Oh, do, Cora! It won't do any harm, and it will complete the nerve cure you have begun so well. Besides, we need a little practice in racing. We may take part in the water carnival down here.”
”Well, if the rest of you are willing, I'm not going to be the one to object,” returned Cora, smilingly.
”Will--will it be dangerous?” faltered timid Marita.
”Not a bit--you dear little goose!” exclaimed Belle, putting her arm about the shrinking one. ”We've raced lots of times--and won, too!”
”Against such appealing strangers?” asked Lottie, raising her eyebrows in a rather affected way.
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