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Transcriber's note:
Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in the original book
have been preserved. Obvious typographical errors have been
corrected.
Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
The sentence "He had been very lonesome for him.", starting
on page 103, may be missing words.
MARY LEE THE RED CROSS GIRL
by
HELEN HART
Illustrated by Alice Carsey
Whitman Publishing Co.
Racine ·· Chicago
Copyright 1917 by
Whitman Publishing Co.
Racine ·· Chicago
Dedicated to Jane R.
who makes an ideal
Red Cross Girl in the
opinion of the Author
CONTENTS
Chapter Page
I. SPRING AT THE FARM 15
II. WELCOME GUESTS 21
III. A MERRY PARTY 29
IV. FIRST AID 37
V. MARY LEE WRITES A LETTER 43
VI. A PICNIC 52
VII. VISITING THE SANITARIUM 63
VIII. PREPARATIONS FOR THE WEDDING 69
IX. DR. PAYSON EMPLOYS MARY LEE 76
X. AUNT MADGE IS MARRIED 83
XI. BUSY DAYS 89
XII. INDIAN JIM'S LUCKY STRIKE 100
XIII. A HAPPY RED CROSS GROUP 112
XIV. MARY LEE MEETS AN OLD FRIEND 118
XV. MARY LEE'S LEGACY 125
XVI. A MASTER STORY TELLER 132
XVII. AUNT MADGE RETURNS TO THE
CITY 147
XVIII. MARY LEE MAKES A DECISION 155
XIX. LETTY AND MARY LEE SELL LIBERTY
BONDS 162
XX. PREPARING FOR RED CROSS WORK 169
XXI. "WHAT SHALL WE WEAR?" 175
XXII. WORKING FOR "LIBERTY" 182
XXIII. BACK ON THE FARM 190
XXIV. BOUND FOR THE CAMP 196
XXV. LOST IN THE WOODS 204
XXVI. RETURNING HOME 211
XXVII. ANOTHER ADVENTURE 215
XXVIII. "HELP! HELP!" 219
XXIX. LETTY'S SURPRISE 228
ILLUSTRATIONS
Page
MARY LEE LEARNED QUICKLY AND THOROUGHLY
(Color frontispiece)
"THE GIRLS MISS YOU SO MUCH" 25
MARY LEE CAME TRIPPING DOWN THE ROAD 39
THE SICK MAN DICTATES A LETTER 49
BOB MAKES HIMSELF USEFUL AT THE PICNIC 55
SAVAGE WAS THE FACE OF BLACK EAGLE 137
HE MADE IT A POINT TO CALL ON MARY LEE 151
MARY LEE WRITES TO BOB 185
"HAVE YOU COME TO STAY?" 188
MARY LEE, THE
RED CROSS
GIRL
MARY LEE
The Red Cross Girl
CHAPTER I
SPRING AT THE FARM
"From whom is the letter, Mary Lee?" asked Mrs. Quinn as she glanced
up from her sewing.
"From Bobbie, and he says that they will land about the 15th. He wants
to come right out here to the country to see our cozy new home. Oh,
dear, I can hardly wait to see him!" exclaimed Mary Lee, her eyes
sparkling.
"Does he say that the French doctors have helped him any?" further
questioned Mrs. Quinn.
"Helped him any?" repeated Mary Lee, "why, he's cured. He isn't a
cripple any more at all. Just think, he can walk again, as well as I
can. Isn't it a lovely world?" and the impetuous child threw her arms
about Mrs. Quinn's neck and gave her a good hug.
Just then a voice from the outside called: "Oh, Mary Lee, come quick.
We've found something to show you."
It was Eddie Quinn, the youngest boy, and Mary Lee upon hearing his
excited voice, lost no time in rushing out to see what new delight was
in store for her.
Mrs. Quinn leaned back in her comfortable chair in the sunny south bay
window, and as her eyes wandered about the cheerful room and out over
the peaceful woodland view, her thoughts flashed back to the past.
How different things were now from what they had been when Mary
Lee--the little waif from the orphanage--had first come into their
home as a mother's helper! They were then living in the crowded
tenement district of New York City. How much sickness they had had!
How often her husband had been thrown out of work! If it hadn't been
for hopeful little Mary Lee they all would have lost courage. She put
her little shoulder to the wheel with such determination that it
seemed as if her efforts had pulled them out of the dreadful rut into
which they were gradually sinking.
Yes, Mary Lee was always doing something for somebody. How brave she
was the day she had saved Bob Cameron from drowning in Central Park!
He was a little crippled boy who lived in one of the stately mansions
on Fifth Avenue. A strong friendship, encouraged by Bob's grateful
parents, had sprung up between the two children. It had meant much
to Mary Lee. Her narrow little life began to broaden out--and
consequently so did that of the Quinns. Bob's Aunt Madge had taken a
great fancy to Mary Lee and had made it possible for her to become a
Campfire Girl.
Then there was dear Doctor Anderson. He had operated on Mrs. Quinn
when she had been so ill. Seeing earnest little Mary Lee doing her
best to help this worthy but unfortunate family along, he too had
become interested. It was he who had made it possible for them to move
out in the country where they could live on his farm. Mr. Quinn had
shown his gratitude by proving himself a most capable manager the
past year.
Was it any wonder as Mrs. Quinn sat thinking over all these things
that a tear or two trickled down her cheeks? But it was not from
sadness--for her heart was filled with the joy of living, and
overflowing with love for Mary Lee, the little girl who had brought
good fortune and sunshine into her home.
In the meantime, Tom and Eddie had led Mary Lee over to a low-branched
tree to behold their "surprise."
"It's a nest," whispered Eddie. "A real nest. See, it's just new!"
"So it is," said Mary Lee. "What a cozy little home! But where do you
suppose Father Bird and Mother Bird are? Did we frighten them away?"
"No," said Eddie, "it was empty when we first saw it. But let's hide
and maybe they will come back."
"Oh no," said Mary Lee, "let's go away before they return. If they
suspected anyone was around they might move their nest. Won't it be
fun when we can see the little bird's eggs, and afterwards the little
birdies themselves? But you must not tell anyone about this nest, will
you? Now promise," commanded Mary Lee.
Both boys promised. They also agreed not to look at their nest more
than once a day.
"Now, see who wins the race to your father over there in the field,"
challenged Mary Lee. "One, two, three, go!"
The children were off. Tom won the race.
"Huh," said he, "I wouldn't let any girl beat me."
"Well, you wait until next time and maybe you will change your mind,"
answered Mary Lee.
"Have you come to help, children?" Mr. Quinn greeted them.
While the boys assisted their father, Mary Lee returned to the house.
As she came to the kitchen door, she thought she heard voices. Then as
she opened the door and went through the kitchen, she heard Mrs. Quinn
say:
"She will be here any moment. Won't she be glad to see you both!"
Mary Lee just jumped into the room, for she guessed who the visitors
were.
"Aunt Madge and Dr. Anderson--I'm so happy!" And the girl ran into
Miss Cameron's arms.