Dorothy Dale's Camping Days

  CHAPTER VI

  OFF FOR CAMP

  "But Cologne won't wait another day. I have got to be off to camp,"Dorothy insisted.

  "Isn't our camp good enough?" asked Joe. "We have not seen you for solong--and now off you go again."

  "Yes, and I thought she was going to cook for us. I guess I don't wantto camp with the fellows cooking," murmured the disappointed Roger.

  "I am sure I would love to stay at the Cedars longer," their sisterassured them. "But you know I must keep my engagements, and I am tolive in a real camp this summer."

  "And Tavia is going, too," Roger went on. "If she was around herethere might be some fun."

  "Perhaps you both can come to Maine for a stay. Then you would see thegreat big moose you hear so much about. If they are not to be foundalive I am sure we could manage to see some dead," said Dorothy. "Nowbe good boys, and I'll see if I can arrange that."

  She was saying good-bye to her brothers, and a half hour later she hadtaken her chair in the train bound through New England _en route_ forMaine. The few days spent at home had been so delightful--even herWild-West adventure had ended up happily, for Royal Drake, theerstwhile bandit, did all he could to make up for his "crimes," andeven went so far as to take Dorothy to a big tree, in the hollow ofwhich he had hidden considerable loot, during his try at the "wild andwooly." This loot Roy took back to his own home, which had been thefirst scene of his juvenile depredations. He declared he did get outof a window with the stuff, and otherwise fulfilled the attempt intrue desperado fashion, but before Dorothy left him, she felt that hehad changed his mind as to the propriety of this line of "fun."

  "I hope I meet Tavia on time," Dorothy was thinking, as she neared thestation where her companion was expected to board the train. "If shekeeps up her reputation, though, I won't. Something is sure to happenwhen Tavia goes traveling."

  Summer folks were taking themselves and their luggage into the crowdedcars. It did seem that the privilege of carrying freight personallywas being abused, for old and young were simply bending down underthe weight of the stuff for which they struggled to find room in thepassenger coaches.

  "That would simply spoil my vacation," Dorothy reflected. "It seems tome each season evolves some new sort of hamper to be hampered with."

  "Doro!"

  It was Tavia!

  "Oh, hello--Tavia. I was so afraid----"

  "You don't look it. I fancied I saw you sizing up that piece ofarchitecture at the door. Gothic; isn't it?" and Tavia fell into thechair Dorothy had emptied for her. The "piece of architecture" tookthe sofa at the end of the car, and she appeared to need every bit ofit for her hat, and other pieces of luggage.

  "Funny how the porters always like that sort of thing," remarkedDorothy. "I don't believe they ever get a cent for it, either."

  "But look at the glory," said Tavia. "Every eye in the car is on thatsofa. My gaze is simply crowded out. Let's want something. Oh, yes. Ihave lost my--'Porter!'" called Tavia sweetly, at the same timetouching the button at the window. The man in the brass-buttoneduniform turned promptly. "I have lost my hand bag," said Tavia. "Isurely had it when I entered."

  Persons in several seats around disturbed themselves. Dorothy's faceflushed. How absurd Tavia was to make that confusion, just for fun.

  Every time Tavia stooped to look under the seat, or about it, shewould pinch Dorothy, which act did not add to the latter's comfort.

  "Oh, I have it," exclaimed the wily one. "Thank you so much," and shesmiled clear up and down the aisle. "I was sure I had it," and takingher seat, she managed, in the most conspicuously discreet way, to slipinto the porter's palm something shiny.

  "There," she added, when he was gone, "wasn't that neat, Doro? He isours now for the rest of the trip, and the lady on the sofa is _nil_."

  Dorothy knew it was worse than useless to protest, but this was notthe sort of thing she considered fun.

  "Did you have a pleasant time at Dalton?" she asked, hoping to getTavia's attention. "I was so sorry I could not go up for a day."

  "You might be glad," replied Tavia. "Of all the stupid times--I wouldhave run away but for Johnnie. He took me fishing, and I--woreoveralls! Oh, only out in the woods, of course, but it was sport, andI caught fish! It's skirts that hoodoo the catch. I have come to thatconclusion."

  "In what woods did you wear--overalls?" and Dorothy looked almostfrightened. Might Tavia have the garb with her?

  "Oh, away out Mushroom way. And I stretched out just like anyrespectable boy, and cast the line! Dear me, Doro! I would just lovedto have smoked! That would have made it--perfect!"

  "There isn't a shock left in me," Dorothy assured her, "so don't tryso hard Tavia. I am simply immune. You must have lookedjust--sweet--in overalls. I hope they were dark blue."

  "_Are_," corrected Tavia, "_are_ dark blue," and she wheeled aroundout toward the aisle just as a young chap in white flannels passedalong. He looked down at her in that pardonable way common even in thebest style of traveling. Dorothy breathed more easily when he passedout to the next coach.

  "Wasn't he dear?" commented Tavia. "Doro, I just know we are going tohave a perfectly bang-up time, this summer."

  "Take care you come out of it without too much 'banging' up,"cautioned Dorothy. "This summer business is getting exciting."

  "Wonder if we will see the man of the horse? He who made suchbeautiful bows, and acted so--actly. Wasn't he lovely? My, I havedreamed of him, Doro!"

  "Foolish," replied the other. "Nat said he fancied that chap wouldmake trouble."

  The thought that Cologne might have whispered to Dorothy somethingabout Tavia getting a letter from this man just flashed across hermind. Tavia was always getting into some foolish scrape, and keptDorothy busy getting her out, and it just occurred to Dorothy that itmight not be a bad idea to let Tavia try getting herself out, shouldshe repeat her usual indiscretions of risking too much for the sake ofsome trifling whim.

  "Bangor! Bangor!" called the porter, and our friends gatheredthemselves up to make the change for Lake Monadic.

  "I must get a shoe shine," said Tavia, as they stepped on the platformof the big depot. "Just wait here. I won't be three minutes."

  "We only have five," Dorothy told her, "and if you are late--I must goon. Cologne is going to meet us away out from camp."

  "Oh I'll be back," promised Tavia, and then she was lost in thethrong.