FRIGHTS OR FANCIES
“Oh, do hurry,” pleaded Cora. “I had no idea it was so late. And it is awfully dark.”
“A nice way to scare me when you have got me out,” objected Bess. “Cora Kimball, I have a great mind to run back. I never saw lights look so attractive as they do just now in the Mote.”
“Run back if you like,” returned Cora, “but I will run on. It was unfortunate that the boys came in just as they did. I really have a good reason for not wanting to stay alone to-night.”
“You have?” asked Bess. “I knew you and Lottie had had some adventure.”
“Oh, don’t be silly, Bess,” and Cora laughed lightly. “Everything is perfectly safe and sane at the bay, but what I want is to get over to the little cottage where Freda and her mother are living before they retire. It is Mrs. Lewis I hope to get as our housekeeper.”
“Mrs. Lewis!” exclaimed Bess in surprise.
“Yes, but we won’t call her housekeeper. I haven’t thought it all out yet; in fact, I am not sure they will come, but I hope so.”
“Oh, so do I; that would be fine,” and Bess almost forgot how black the night was. “I met Mrs. Lewis the day we came, and I could not help thinking what a fine, wholesome mother Freda had.”
“Yes, I have been talking to her and I think she is just that—fine and wholesome. And goodness knows,” added Cora fervently, “we need some weight at the Mote. But they may not consent. I happened to overhear a remark this afternoon that set me to thinking. I am afraid poor Freda and her mother are in for further trouble.”
They hurried along, making their way with difficulty in the deep sand that covered road and path alike. Once or twice they paused, startled at the sound of men’s voices, then hurried the more to make up for lost time.
“Why didn’t we have one of the boys come with us?” asked Bess.
“Because I am not ready yet to have the boys know all our plans, and to trust one of them—Bess Robinson, you know our boys. What one knows the rest can guess.”
“That’s so,” mused Bess. “Is that the cottage?”
“Yes, right over there,” and Cora indicated a light through the trees. “I am glad they are still up!”
It was only a few steps further, and this space was rapidly covered. As the two girls reached the porch, and before they had a chance to touch the knocker, the door was opened by Freda.
“Who is it?” she asked in a frightened voice.
“Only Cora and Bess,” Cora replied, noting the fear in Freda’s tone. “Are we too late to come in?”
“No, indeed,” Freda replied, reassured. “I was afraid it might be unwelcome visitors, but you are heartily welcome.”
The living room of the cottage was typical of the seashore—a long apartment, with field-stone fireplace and fumed fir trim. The stairway led up from the room and gave it an air of even greater spaciousness. Altogether it was most attractive. Mrs. Lewis, a slim, fine-featured woman, rose from her rocker as the girls entered.
“It is late to call,” began Cora, “but our business is really urgent. We have been left all alone suddenly—our housekeeper says she received a hurried call to go back to her family in the city. I don’t question the call, I know how often and faithfully they follow maids who find a country place lonely; but the fact is we girls do not fancy staying alone to-night.”
“Why, of course not,” replied Mrs. Lewis, briskly. “You must have some older person with you.”
It was plain, now that the girls had become accustomed to the lights, that Freda and her mother had both been crying. Their eyes were red and their cheeks swollen. Freda saw that the girls observed this.
“Yes, we have been weeping,” she said, with an attempt at a smile. “It seems as though we have new troubles daily.”
“I am so sorry,” Cora returned. “I wish we could help you.”
“I am sure you have done so,” replied Mrs. Lewis. “Freda has great hopes that you girls will do for us what perhaps lawyers might not be able to do.” She hesitated and Freda went on:
“Those horrid men from the land company were here again this afternoon. They say we have no right even to this little cottage.”
“No right here!” exclaimed Cora. “I believe they are just trying to get you to leave the place so that they can go on with their plans without being watched.”
“I never thought of that,” replied Mrs. Lewis, as though the idea was novel to her. “Then, indeed, they will have more trouble than brow-beating to get us to leave Crystal Bay.”
“I must hurry with my errand,” said Cora. “I came to see if it would be possible for you and Freda to lock up and come over with us to-night. I am afraid those land sharks have our little place marked, too, for they have been loitering around all day. I don’t want to tell the boys. They are hasty and so apt to resent any intrusion that would worry us.”
“Why should the men bother you?” asked Mrs. Lewis.
“I suppose because they know that Freda is a friend of ours,” replied Cora. “But don’t worry about them bothering us, all we want is to be able to meet them fairly. Of course if they knew we were alone at night they might be mean enough to frighten us, and some of the girls are rather timid.”
“Indeed, we will lock up at once,” declared Mrs. Lewis, “and go right over with you. We have not many treasures now to be afraid of losing.”
“Oh, that is splendid!” Cora cried. Freda immediately went about fastening the windows and seeing to the general locking up, while Mrs. Lewis hurried up stairs to pack a small bag. It seemed as though they were ready almost instantly, much to the relief of Bess, who kept wondering if the boys would remain at the bungalow with the girls until her own and Cora’s return.
“Now we are off,” said Mrs. Lewis, looking back at her home with a wistful sigh. She seemed to have a premonition that leaving it meant more than appeared at the moment.
Freda walked with Bess while Mrs. Lewis and Cora kept close behind them. They had not more than reached the turn that led to the direct path when shouts and laughter were heard.
“There are the girls,” Bess exclaimed. “They are looking for us.”
The surmise was correct, for directly the answer came back to the familiar camp call.
“Here we are!” cried Cora. “On the pine path.”
“Oh!” gasped Belle. “We have had the greatest fright! Where have you been?”
“Making a call,” replied Cora, calmly. “What was your fright?”
“Come along and I’ll tell you,” Belle replied. Then she saw Freda and Mrs. Lewis.
“We have brought protectors,” Cora said. “Mrs. Lewis and Freda are going to spend the night with us.”
“Oh, splendid!” exclaimed Marita. “I was so afraid we would have to stay alone.”
“Where are the boys?” Cora asked.
“Someone from the beach came up and said Dray’s boat was loose, and of course, they had to all go at once to tie it up.”
“Better than to let it drift,” Cora said, “but I am sorry if you were timid.”
“Oh, we were not,” declared Belle, stoutly. “Only we distinctly heard someone on the back porch.”
“At our ice box!” gasped Cora.
“Oh, we never thought of that!” exclaimed Belle.
“Then likely we will be without breakfast,” responded Cora. “But here we are. Who has the key?”
Belle opened the door. “The light is out!” she whispered. “Cora,” she said, aside, “I left it burning!”