shelf," she instructed Louise briskly. "We ought to have jelly too, and a
sample of Mrs. Weems' strawberry preserves."
"You do the dashing, if you don't mind," her chum demurred. "I prefer not
to become too deeply involved in this affair."
"Oh, Mrs. Weems won't care--not a bit," Penny returned as she started for
the basement. "She's the most charitable person in the world."
In a minute she was back, her arms laden with heavy canned goods. Finding
a market basket in the garage, the girls packed the food, wrapping
perishables carefully in waxed paper.
"There! We can't crowd another thing into the basket," Penny declared at
last.
"The ice-box is as bare as Mother Hubbard's cupboard," Louise rejoined.
"What will the Parker family eat tomorrow?"
"Oh, Mrs. Weems can buy more. She'll be a good sport about it, I know."
With no misgivings, Penny carried the heavy basket to the garage and
loaded it into the car. Discovering that the gasoline gauge registered
low, she skillfully siphoned an extra two gallons from her father's car,
and then announced that she was ready to go.
"Don't you ever patronize a filling station?" Louise inquired as her chum
headed the automobile down the street.
"Oh, now and then," Penny grinned. "After that cheque I wrote for the
Breens' rent, I'm feeling rather poor. Dad is much better able to buy
gasoline than I, and he won't begrudge me a couple of gallons."
"You certainly have your family well trained," Louise sighed. "I wish I
knew how you get by with it."
The car toured through Riverview and presently arrived at the entrance of
the Dorset Tourist Camp. An attendant stopped the girls, but allowed them
to drive on when he learned that they did not wish to make reservations
for a cabin. Penny drew up not far from where the Breen trailer was
parked.
"A light is still burning there," Louise observed. "We'll have to be
careful if we don't want to be seen."
As Penny lifted the heavy basket from the rear compartment of the
automobile, she noticed another car standing not far away. It looked
somewhat familiar and in studying it more intently she noted the license
plate.
"Why, it's that same Texas car!" she exclaimed. "Those men must still be
here."
"What car? What men?"
"Oh, this evening two strangers inquired the way to this tourist camp,"
Penny explained briefly. "They said they were looking for Ted Wiegand."
"Friends of his?"
"I don't know who they were or what they wanted. It struck me as odd
though, that they would come from such a long distance."
"Whoever they are, they must be at the trailer now," Louise said after a
moment. "Should we leave the basket on the doorstep or wait until they've
gone?"
"We can't very well wait, Lou. They might decide to stay half the night."
Carrying the basket between them, the girls moved noiselessly toward the
trailer. Blinds had not been drawn and they could see Mr. and Mrs. Breen,
Rhoda, and the two men seated at the table carrying on an animated
discussion.
"I wish I knew why those Texas fellows came here," Penny remarked
thoughtfully. "If we wanted to find out--"
"I'll not listen at any window!" Louise cut her short.
"I was merely thinking we _could_. Of course, I never would do such an
ill-bred thing."
"I'm sure you won't," Louise replied with emphasis. "For a very good
reason too! I shall take you away before temptation sways you."
Depositing the basket of food on the trailer doorstep, she forcibly
pulled Penny to the waiting car.
CHAPTER
6
_A WISH FULFILLED_
At school the next morning, both Penny and Louise eagerly awaited some
indication from Rhoda Wiegand that the basket of food had been discovered
by the Breen family. The girl had failed to appear at five minutes to
nine, and they began to wonder if she intended to absent herself from
classes.
"Oh, by the way, what did Mrs. Weems say about last night's little
episode?" Louise asked her chum curiously.
"Entirely too much," Penny sighed. "She sent me three thousand words on
the budget problems of a housekeeper! If you don't mind, let's allow the
subject to rest in peace."
It was time for the final school bell, and the two girls started toward
the assembly room. Just then Rhoda, breathless from hurrying, came into
the hallway. Her eyes sparkled and obviously, she was rather excited.
"Girls, something strange happened last night!" she greeted Penny and
Louise. "You'll never guess!"
"We couldn't possibly," Louise said soberly.
"Two baskets of food were left at the door of our trailer! It's silly to
say it, I know, but it seems as if my wish at the old well must have had
something to do with it."
"Did you say _two_ baskets of food were left?" Louise questioned, gazing
sideways at Penny.
"Yes, one came early in the evening. Then this morning when Mrs. Breen
opened the door, she found still another. You don't suppose any of the
members of the Palette Club did it, do you? We shouldn't like to accept
charity--"
"I'll ask the girls if you want me to," Penny offered hastily. "If any of
them did, nothing was said about it to me."
"Maybe the old well granted your wish, Rhoda," Louise added. "You know,
folks say it has a reputation for doing good deeds."
The ringing of the school bell brought the conversation to an abrupt end.
However, as Louise and Penny went to their seats, the latter whispered:
"Who do you suppose left that second basket on the Breen doorstep?"
"Probably one of the other club members had the same idea you did,"
Louise responded. "Anyway, the Breens will be well fed for a few days at
least."
At recess Penny made a point of questioning every member of the Palette
Club. Not one of the girls would admit having carried the basket to the
trailer park, but all were agreed that Rhoda should be invited to join
the art organization. Without exception, they liked the girl after
becoming acquainted with her.
"The mystery deepens," Penny commented to Louise as they wandered, arm in
arm, about the school yard. "If no one in the Palette Club prepared the
basket, then who did do it?"
"I guess we'll have to attribute it to the old wishing well after all,"
Louise chuckled. "Let me see your ears, my pet."
"What for? Don't you think I ever wash them?"
"I merely want to see if they've grown since we were at the Marborough
place. Why, goodness me, I believe they are larger!"
Before Penny could think of a suitable retort, Rhoda joined the girls.
Curious to learn more of the two Texas men who had arrived in Riverview,
they gave the newcomer every opportunity to speak of it. As she remained
uncommunicative, Penny brought up the subject by mentioning that two
strangers had asked her how they might locate the trailer family.
"Yes, they found us all right," Rhoda replied briefly. "Mr. Coaten came
to see Ted."
"An old friend, I suppose," Louise remarked.
"Not exactly. I can't figure out just why he did come here."
Rhoda frowned and lapsed into silence. Penny and Louise did not question
her further, and a few minutes later recess ended.
The affairs of the Breen family concerned Penny only slightly. Although
she kept wondering why Mr. Coaten and his companion were in Riverview,
she gave far more thought to the stone which had been dug up on the
Gleason farm. Directly after school she proposed to Louise that they
drive into the country and interview the farmer.
"I don't mind the trip," her chum said, "but why are you so interested in
an old rock?"
"Oh, Dad thinks the whole story may be a hoax. I'd like to learn the
truth, if I can."
Mindful that in the past Penny had brought the _Riverview Star_ many an
important "scoop," Louise was very willing to accompany her on the trip.
Four-thirty found the two girls at the Gleason farm in conversation with
the old farmer.
"I've been pestered to death ever since that rock was found here," he
told them somewhat crossly. "There's nothing new to tell. I was plowing
in the south field back of the barn, when I turned it up. I didn't pay
much attention until Jay Franklin come along and said the writing on it
might interest the museum folks. He gave me a couple of dollars, and paid
to have old man Crocker haul it to town."
"I didn't know Jay Franklin had an interest in the stone," Penny
remarked. "You say he gave you two dollars for it?"
"That's right," the farmer nodded. "I was glad to have the rock hauled
off the place."
Satisfied that they could learn no more, Penny and Louise inspected the
hole from which the stone had been removed, and then drove toward
Riverview.
"Mr. Gleason seemed honest enough," Penny commented thoughtfully. "If the
rock was deliberately planted on his farm I don't believe he had anything
to do with it."
"He isn't sufficiently clever to plan and carry out an idea like that,"
Louise added. "Maybe the writing on the rock is genuine."
"The curator of the museum thinks it may be. All the same, I'll stack
Dad's opinion against them all."
The car approached the old Marborough place, and Penny deliberately
slowed down. To the surprise of the girls, they observed two automobiles
parked in front of the property.
"It looks as if Mrs. Marborough has guests today," Penny commented.
"Shall we stop and say hello?"
"Well, I don't know," Louise replied doubtfully as the car drew up at the
edge of the road. "We're not really acquainted with her, and with others
there--"
"They're leaving now," Penny said, jerking her head to draw attention to
a group of ladies coming down the walk toward the street.
The visitors all were known to the two girls as women prominent in
Riverview club circles. Mrs. Buckmyer, a stout, pompous lady who led the
procession, was speaking to the others in an agitated voice.
"In all my life I never was treated with less courtesy! Mrs. Marborough
at least might have invited us into her house!"
"I always understood that she was a queer person," contributed another,
"but one naturally would expect better manners from a Marborough."
"I shouldn't object to her manners if only she would allow the Pilgrimage
Committee the use of her house," added a third member of the group. "What
a pity that she refuses to consider opening it during the Festival Week."
Still chattering indignantly, the women entered their separate cars and
drove away.
"What did you make of that?" Louise asked in perplexity.
"Apparently Mrs. Marborough gave them the brush off," Penny chuckled. "I
know Mrs. Buckmyer heads the Pilgrimage Committee."
"What's that?"
"Haven't you heard about it, Louise? A group of club women decided to
raise money by conducting a tour of old houses. In this community there
are a number of places which date back over a hundred years."
"And people will pay money to see them?"
"That's the general idea. Festival Week has been set for the twenty-sixth
of this month. During a five-day period the various homes are open,
gardens will be on display, and costume parties may be held at them."
"There's only one colonial house that I'd care about getting inside,"
Louise said. "I should like to see the interior of Rose Acres."
"Maybe we can do it now. Mrs. Marborough invited us to visit her again."
"Yes, but did she really mean it?"
"Why not find out?" Penny laughed, swinging open the car door.
Entering the grounds, the girls saw that very little had been done to the
property since their last visit. A half-hearted attempt had been made to
rake one side of the lawn and an overgrown lilac bush had been
mercilessly mutilated. Shutters on the house remained closed and the
entire place had a gloomy, deserted appearance.
Penny rapped on the door. Evidently Mrs. Marborough had noted the
approach of the two girls for she responded to their knock immediately.
"Good afternoon," Penny began, "we were driving by and thought we would
drop in to see you again."
"How nice of you," Mrs. Marborough smiled. "Look over the garden as much
as you please."
"The garden--" Louise faltered, gazing quickly at Penny.
"Or make wishes at the well," Mrs. Marborough went on hastily. "Go
anywhere you like, and I'll join you as soon as I get a wrap."
The door closed gently in their faces.
"Who wants to see a tangle of weeds?" Louise demanded in a whisper. "Why
didn't Mrs. Marborough invite us into the house?"
"Why indeed?" echoed Penny, frowning thoughtfully. "There can be but one
reason! She has a dark secret which she is trying to hide from the
world!"
CHAPTER
7
_PENNY'S DISCOVERY_
"Hiding a secret, my eye!" laughed Louise. "Penny Parker, sometimes I
think that every person in Riverview suggests mystery and intrigue to
you!"
"Then you explain why Mrs. Marborough doesn't invite us into her house!"
Penny challenged her chum. "And why did she turn the members of the
Pilgrimage Committee away?"
"Oh, probably the place isn't fixed up the way she wants it yet."
"That's no reason. No, she has a different one than that, Lou, and I'm
curious to learn what it is."
"You're always curious," Louise teased, taking Penny by the arm. "Come
along. Let's get a drink at the well."
While the girls were lowering the bucket into the bricked cavern, Mrs.
Marborough joined them, a woolen shawl thrown over her head and
shoulders.
"I've not had time to get much work done yet," she apologized. "I really
must hire a man to clean up the grounds."
"Then you have decided to make your home here?" Louise inquired eagerly.
"For the present, I may. Much depends upon how a certain project turns
out."
Penny and Louise waited hopefully, but Mrs. Marborough said no more.
Changing the subject, she inquired about Rhoda Wiegand and the other
members of the Palette Club.
"I like young people," she declared brightly. "Do tell your friends to
come to Rose Acres whenever they wish."
"A rather strange thing occurred yesterday," Penny said suddenly. "Rhoda
made a wish here at the well, and it came true."
"What was the wish?" the old lady inquired with curiosity.
"That the people with whom she lives might have more food. Two baskets
were left at the trailer camp. Louise and I were responsible for one of
them, but we can't account for the other."
"Very interesting," Mrs. Marborough commented. "In years past, a great
many wishes which were made here, apparently came true. So I can't say
that I am surprised."
"To what do you attribute it?" Louise asked quickly.
"Chance perhaps," Mrs. Marborough smiled. "One cannot explain such
things."
A chill, penetrating wind blew from the direction of the river.
Shivering, Louise drew her jacket collar closer about her neck, remarking
rather pointedly that the weather was turning colder. Even then, Mrs.
Marborough did not suggest that the girls enter the house. A moment
later, however, she excused herself and went inside, leaving them alone
in the garden.
"It does seem odd that she acts so secretive," Louise commented. "I'm
inclined to agree with members of the Pilgrimage Committee that her
manners aren't the best."
"Perhaps you'll finally decide that I am right!" Penny said triumphantly.
"Take my word for it, there's something inside the house she doesn't want
anyone to see!"
Louise started slowly toward the road, only to pause as her chum proposed
that they walk to the river and call upon Truman Crocker, the
stonecutter.
"You intend to tell him who stole his chicken?" Louise asked in surprise.
Penny shook her head. "No, I'll let him discover it for himself. I want
to talk to him about that big rock he hauled to the museum."
Louise could not imagine what useful information her chum might expect to
gain, but she obediently trailed Penny through the rear yard of Rose
Acres, down a sloping path which led to the river.
"I hope you know the way," she remarked dubiously as the going became
more difficult, and they were forced to move slowly.
"Oh, we can't miss the cabin. Crocker's place is the only one near here,"
Penny responded.
The trail was a narrow one, so infrequently used that bushes and vines
had overgrown it in many places. Finally emerging on an open hillside,
the girls were able to gaze down upon the winding river. Recent rains had
swollen it to the very edges of the banks, and from a distance Truman
Crocker's shack appeared to be situated dangerously close to the water.
"Wouldn't you think he would soon be flooded out?" Louise commented,
pausing to catch her breath. "I shouldn't care to live so near the
river."
"Oh, the water never comes much higher," Penny rejoined. "A few years ago
the city built some sort of river control system which takes care of the
spill should there be any. Anyway, Crocker's place wouldn't represent
much of a loss if it did wash away."
The girls regained their breath, and then started down the slope. Penny,
who was leading the way, did not pay particular attention to the rutty
path. Suddenly catching her shoe in a small hole, she tripped and fell
sideways.
"Ooh, my arm!" she squealed. "I struck it on a big rock!"
Louise helped Penny to her feet, brushing dirt from the girl's skirt.
"You've ripped your stocking," she said sympathetically.
"I guess I'm lucky it wasn't my head," Penny returned gazing ruefully at
the tear. "Let's sit down and rest a minute."
Seating herself on the large smooth rock, she gingerly examined a bruised
place on her elbow. Louise stood beside her, plucking burs from her
chum's sweater.
"I'm all right now," Penny said a moment later, getting up. "Why, Lou! Do
you see what I've been sitting on?"
"A rock, my pet."
"A stone that looks exactly like the one at the museum!" Penny cried
excitedly.
"All rocks are pretty much alike, aren't they?"
"Certainly not," Penny corrected. "There are any number of varieties.
This one is quartz unless I'm mistaken and it _does_ resemble the one at
the museum."
"Maybe you can find some writing on it," Louise teased. "The rock only
weighs two or three hundred pounds. Shall I lift it for you so you can
see the under side?"
"Don't bother," Penny retorted, eagerly examining the stone. "I've
already found it."
"Found what?"
"The writing! I _knew_ this stone looked like the one at the museum!"
Louise was certain that her chum merely pretended to have made such an
important discovery. However, as Penny continued to examine the rock in
an intent, absorbed way, she decided to see for herself.
"Why, it's true!" she exclaimed incredulously. "There _is_ writing on the
stone!"
Carved letters, so dimmed by age and weathering processes that they
scarcely remained legible, had been cut unevenly in the hard surface.
"'Went hence vnto heaven 1599,'" Louise deciphered slowly. "Why, 1599
would date this stone almost before there were known settlers in the
country!"
"Almost--but not quite," replied Penny. "Historians believe there were
other settlements before that date. Obviously, this is a burial stone
similar to the one found on the Gleason farm."
"If it's such an old rock why was it never discovered before?"
"The stone may be a fake, but that's not for us to try to figure out.
We've made an important discovery and the museum is sure to be
interested!"
"Don't forget that this is on Mrs. Marborough's property," Louise
reminded her chum. "We'll have to tell her about it."
Retracing their way to Rose Acres, the girls knocked on the door. Mrs.
Marborough soon appeared, looking none too pleased by their unexpected
return.
"What is it?" she asked, blocking the doorway so that the girls could not
see beyond her into the living room.
Breathlessly, Penny told of finding the dated stone on the hillside.
"Did you know such a rock was there?" she asked eagerly.
"I've never seen any stone with writing on it," Mrs. Marborough replied.
"Goodness knows there are plenty of boulders on my property though."
"Another stone similar to it was found yesterday on the Gleason farm,"
Louise revealed. "Do come and see it, Mrs. Marborough."
Before the widow could reply, the three were startled by heavy footsteps
on the veranda. Turning, the girls saw that Jay Franklin had approached
without being observed. Politely, he doffed his hat.
"Excuse me, I couldn't help overhearing your conversation," he said,
bowing again to Mrs. Marborough. "You were saying something about a rock
which bears writing?"
"We found it on the hillside near here," Penny explained. "It has a
date--1599."
"Then it must be a mate to the stone discovered by Mr. Gleason!"
"I'm sure it is."
"Will you take me to the spot where you found it?" Mr. Franklin
requested. "I am tremendously interested."
"Of course," Penny agreed, but her voice lacked enthusiasm.
She glanced toward Louise, noticing that her chum did not look
particularly elated either. Neither could have explained the feeling, but
Jay Franklin's arrival detracted from the pleasure of their discovery.
Although ashamed of their suspicions, they were afraid that the man might
try to take credit for finding the stone.
CHAPTER
8
_A MOVING LIGHT_
As if to confirm the thought of the two girls, Jay Franklin remarked that
should the newly discovered stone prove similar to the one found at the
Gleason farm, he would immediately have it hauled to the Riverview
museum.
"Isn't that for Mrs. Marborough to decide?" Penny asked dryly. "The rock
is on her land, you know."
"To be sure, to be sure," Mr. Franklin nodded, brushing aside the matter
of ownership as if it were of slight consequence.
Mrs. Marborough had gone into the house for a coat. Reappearing, she
followed Mr. Franklin and the two girls down the trail where the huge
stone lay.
"Did you ever notice this rock?" Penny questioned the mistress of Rose
Acres.
"Never," she replied, "but then I doubt that I ever walked in this
particular locality before."
Jay Franklin stooped to examine the carving, excitedly declaring that it
was similar to the marking of the Gleason stone.
"And here are other characters!" he exclaimed, fingering well-weathered
grooves which had escaped Penny's attention. "Indian picture writing!"
"How do you account for two types of carving on the same stone?" Louise
inquired skeptically.
"The Indian characters may have been added at a later date," Mr. Franklin
answered. "For all we know, this rock may be one of the most valuable
relics ever found in our state! From the historical standpoint, of
course. The stone has no commercial value."
"I imagine the museum will want it," Penny said thoughtfully.
"Exactly what I was thinking." Mr. Franklin turned toward Mrs. Marborough
to ask: "You would not object to the museum having this stone?"
"Why, no," she replied. "It has no value to me."
"Then with your permission, I'll arrange to have it hauled to Riverview
without delay. I'll buy the stone from you."
"The museum is entirely welcome to it."
"There is a possibility that the museum will refuse the stone. In that
event you would have the expense of hauling it away again. By purchasing
it outright, I can relieve you of all responsibility."
Giving Mrs. Marborough no opportunity to protest, the real estate man
forced a crisp two dollar bill into her unwilling hand.
"There," he said jovially, "now I am the owner of the stone. I'll just
run down to Truman Crocker's place and ask him to do the hauling for me."
The wind was cold, and after Mr. Franklin had gone, Mrs. Marborough went
quickly to the house, leaving the girls to await his return.
"I knew something like this would happen," Penny declared in annoyance.
"Now it's Mr. Franklin's stone, and the next thing we know, he'll claim
that he discovered it too!"
Louise nodded gloomily, replying that only bad luck had brought the real
estate agent to Rose Acres that particular afternoon.
"I have a sneaking notion he came here to buy Mrs. Marborough's house,"
Penny said musingly. "He thinks it would make a good tourist place!"
For half an hour the girls waited patiently. Neither Jay Franklin nor
Truman Crocker appeared, so at last they decided it was a waste of time
to remain longer. Arriving at home, shortly before the dinner hour, Penny
found her father there ahead of her. To her surprise she learned that he
already knew of the stone which had been discovered at Rose Acres.
"Information certainly travels fast," she commented. "I suppose Jay
Franklin must have peddled the story the minute he reached town."
"Yes, he called at the _Star_ office to report he had found a stone
similar to the one unearthed at the Gleason farm," Mr. Parker nodded.
"_He_ found it!" Penny cried indignantly. "Oh, I knew that old publicity
seeker would steal all the credit! Louise and I discovered that rock, and
I hope you say so in the _Star_."