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!"