Part 3 (1/2)

he hesitated, looking at Betty, who of course did tell him her name on the spot. This proved a signal for mutual introductions, and the girls learned that their new friend was a college professor, Arnold Dempsey by name.

They also learned that he had taken up woodcraft in the hope of recovering his health.

And while they contentedly munched sandwiches and sipped steaming coffee the girls learned a good deal more about Arnold Dempsey, and the more they learned of him the more they felt drawn to him.

And when he started to tell them of his two sons who had fought so n.o.bly in the army of democracy, their eyes began to s.h.i.+ne and they leaned toward him with an interest that was intensely real.

”Oh, it must be wonderful to have two big soldier sons,” cried Amy, forgetting her shyness in her enthusiasm. ”Aren't you dreadfully proud?”

A gleam came into Professor Dempsey's eyes and his thin shoulders straightened.

”Yes, yes,” he said. ”Of course I'm proud of my boys--very proud. And I hope,” a look of absolute happiness came into his eyes and he smiled contentedly, ”that before very long I shall see them.”

”Oh, I'm sure you will!” cried Betty eagerly.

”That's what we are all hoping for, anyway,” said Grace, adding with a sigh: ”The boys have been gone so _dreadfully_ long.”

”Look,” cried Mollie presently, rising suddenly to her feet and pointing toward the window. ”We have been so busy talking that we never noticed the sun had come out.”

”And doesn't it look good!” exulted Betty.

In spite of their reluctance to leave their new-found friend, the girls were anxious to be off, for they knew their parents would be worrying about them.

Professor Dempsey insisted on seeing them safely back to the road although they protested that there was absolutely no need of it.

”There are two or three paths that lead to the road,” he explained, as he flung wide the door, letting in a flood of suns.h.i.+ne, ”and I wouldn't have you lose your way for the world--not for the world!”

The woodland was beautiful after the rain, and the girls sniffed the fragrant air eagerly as they followed Professor Dempsey along the path. It was not till they had almost reached the road that Mollie had a disquieting thought.

”How do we know but what we're stuck here for good?” she asked the girls.

”The car stopped dead, you remember, just under that horrible tree, and I'm sure I don't know what in the world made it. If I can't find out the trouble--”

”Oh, but you've got to find it,” protested Grace, while Betty and Amy looked worried. ”We can't stay here all night, and it may be a dozen miles to the nearest garage.”

”I know that just as well as you do,” grumbled Mollie. ”But if I can't, I can't, that's all.”

By this time they had reached the road and Mollie went straight to the car. While she and Betty were trying to find out what was wrong the other two girls and Professor Dempsey looked on anxiously.

”Well, as far as I can see there is absolutely nothing wrong with it,”

snapped Mollie at last, lifting a face flushed with exertion. ”Get in, girls, and I'll start the engine--or try to. Then if she won't go we'll have to make up our minds to stay here all night or walk to the next garage.”

Accordingly the girls got in and Mollie pressed the self-starter. To her great surprise, the engine purred a response, and as she s.h.i.+fted her gears the car moved slowly forward.

”Oh, goodie, we're going,” cried Amy, and the faces of the other girls showed relief.

”Must have been a drop of water in the gasoline,” hazarded Mollie, and then she throttled the engine once more while she and her chums turned to say good-bye to Professor Dempsey. The latter was still standing in the road, looking up at them rather wistfully.

”I'm glad that I had an opportunity of helping you, young ladies--very glad,” he answered, in response to their repeated thanks. ”You conferred a great favor on me also, for I have little company. Good-bye--and good luck to you.”