Part 28 (2/2)

”I've been wondering what Link Merwell can have up his sleeve,” ca, or he wouldn't send such a letter as that”

The er by the three boys, and then they rejoined the others

Jessie declared that her headache was now gone co in the Basswood bungalohere Belle played the piano and Luke favored theuitar They also sang a nu ended quite pleasantly The cloud that had come up between Dave and Jessie seemed to have vanished, much to their own satisfaction, and to that of their friends

On the followingMr Basswood announced that he had to return to Crumville for a few days on business He said that as soon as he arrived hoet into telephone communication with Mr Aaron Poole and acquaint him with the fact that some sort of a wild man had visited the vicinity of Bear Camp

”Of course we may be mistaken as to the identity of that individual,”

said Ben's father ”He may not be Wilbur Poole at all”

”You want to be sure, Dad, and let Nat's father know that,” said Ben, ”because if Mr Poole spentfor his brother, and then found out that the wild ive either himself or you for the outlay” And at this frank statement those who kne ht

Mr Basswood departed for Carpen Falls in the middle of the forenoon As it proested that they go in bathing at a little sandy beach a short distance below the bungalows This suggestion was eagerly seconded, and as a consequence, a little later on, the young folks donned their bathing outfits and soon were having great sport in the water, with the older folks sitting on a fallen tree not far aatching them

”Oh, but it's cold!” declared Jessie, after her first plunge

”You'll get used to it after a bit,” returned Dave ”Just strike out lively, and that will help to keep your blood in circulation”

”Co around in great shape

”A race it is!” called back Phil

”Where shall we race to?” questioned Roger

”If you are going to race, I'll be the referee and timekeeper,”

announced Dunston Porter

It was decided that the boys should swi out of the water on the far edge of the cove

”First fellow to stand up on the rock wins the prize,” announced Phil, and then he added quickly: ”Girls, what's the prize?”

”A fresh flapjack to the boy who bakes it,” announced Belle, gaily

”Say, speaking of flapjacks putsaround in water up to his ankles ”Once there were two old ot to disputing as to who could make the best flapjacks Says one of them----”

Shadow did not finish the story he had started to tell Unbeknown to hier had come up behind, and was now on his hands and knees in the water Luke gave the would-be story-teller a quick shove; and over went Shadow backwards, to land in the shalloater with a resounding splash

”Flapjack nuaily ”Say, Shadohat are youso much noise about?”

”I'll noise you!” roared the former story-teller of Oak Hall, as he scrambled to his feet

Then he started to rush after Luke, but Roger caught him by his ankle, and down he went into the water with another splash, this ti on the fallen tree

”Here! Here! You boys stop that!” cried Mrs Wadsworth ”We haven't any umbrellas”