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THE MOTOR GIRLSON CRYSTAL BAY
OrThe Secret of the Red Oar
ByMARGARET PENROSE
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Copyright, 1914, byCupples & Leon Company
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE I. A Worried Girl 1 II. Freda'S Story 15 III. Crystal Bay 26 IV. The Red Oar 36 V. Two Men 47 VI. The "Chelton" 55 VII. In The Motely Mote 67 VIII. Frights Or Fancies 76 IX. A Merry Time 83 X. Too Much Joy 93 XI. The Rescue 102 XII. The Calm 109 XIII. Suspicion 120 XIV. An Angry Druggist 129 XV. An Alarm 141 XVI. A Bad Case Of Nerves 156 XVII. A Little Race 164 XVIII. More Suspicions 171 XIX. Odd Talk 176 XX. The Night Plot 184 XXI. The Breakdown 196 XXII. At The Cabin 202 XXIII. Unexpected Help 208 XXIV. Denny'S Soliloquy 214 XXV. The Plotters Arrive 220 XXVI. Cora'S Brave Resolve 227 XXVII. The Red Oar Again 235XXVIII. The Discovery--Conclusion 241
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THE MOTOR GIRLS ON CRYSTAL BAY
CHAPTER I
A WORRIED GIRL
Four girls sat on four chairs, in four different corners of the room.They sat on the chairs because they were really too tired to standlonger, and the reason for the occupancy of the corners of theapartment was self-evident. There was no other available space. Forthe center of the chamber was littered to overflowing with trunks,suitcases and valises, in various stages of being packed, and fromthem overflowed a variety of garments and other accessories of ajourney.
"Oh, dear!" sighed Cora Kimball, as she gazed helplessly about, "willwe ever be finished, Bess?"
"I don't know," was the equally discouraging reply. "It doesn't seemso; does it?"
"I'm sure I can't get another thing in my suitcase," spoke thesmallest girl of all, who seemed to shrink back rather timidly intoher corner, as though she feared she might be put into a trunk bymistake.
"Oh, Marita! You simply must get more in your suitcase!" exclaimedCora, starting up. "Why, your trunk won't begin to hold all the restof your things unless you crowd more into the case."
"The only trouble, Cora," sighed Marita, "is that the sides and toparen't made of rubber."
"There's an idea!" cried a plump girl, in the corner nearest thepiano. "A rubber suitcase! What a boon it would be for week-ends, whenone starts off with a Spartan resolution to take only one extra gown,and ends up with slipping two party dresses and the 'fixings' intoone's trunk. Oh, for a rubber suitcase!"
"What's the sense in sighing after the impossible?" asked the girlopposite the plump one. "Why don't you finish packing, Bess?"
"Why don't you?" and the plump one rather glared at her more frailquestioner.
"Now, sisters!" cautioned Cora, as she gazed at the Robinson twins,"don't get on one another's nerves. Let's have another try at it. I'msure if we go at it with some sort of system we'll be able to get allthe things in. And really we must hurry!" she exclaimed, looking atthe clock on the mantel, which pointed to the hour of four. "Ipromised to have all the baggage ready for the man at five. That onlygives us an hour----"
"Cora Kimball!"
"Only an hour!"
"Why didn't you tell us?"
Thus the three girls exclaimed in startled tones as they fairly leapedfrom their chairs in their respective corners, and caught up variousgarments.
Then, as the apparent hopelessness of the situation overcame themagain, they looked at one another, at the trunks and suitcases thatalready held their fair share of articles, at the accumulation on thefloor, and then they sighed in concert.
"It's no use," spoke Bess Robinson. "I'm not going at all--at leastnot now. I'm going to take another day to sort out the things I reallydon't need."
"You can't!" exclaimed Cora. "Our tickets are bought, the bungalow isengaged, and we leave for Crystal Bay on the morning train, if we haveto ship this whole room by freight--just as it is!"
"Perhaps that would be the easiest way," suggested timid MaritaOsborne.
"It certainly would create a sensation in Chelton," murmured Belle, asshe looked at her plump sister. "But come, we really must help you,Cora. It's too bad we took advantage of your good nature, and broughtour things here to pack. We might better have done it at our ownhomes."
"No, I think you'll find my way best in the end," said Cora, with asmile, as she looked about for a place in which to pack her sweater."By doing this we won't duplicate on the extras. Now, girls, try oncemore. Marita, let's begin on your suitcase, for that seems to be thesmallest. Oh, dear, Bess, what are you doing now?" she called, as shenoted an unusual activity on the part of the plump girl.
"I'm just seeing if I'm heavy enough to close the lid of my trunk,"was the answer. "No, I'm not," she exclaimed, as she hopped on andhopped off again.
"Look out!" called Belle. "You nearly stepped on my veil-box, Bess."
"Sorry, Sis, but you shouldn't leave it on the floor."
The plump one stood looking at the bulging trunk, and then drew a longbreath.
"Girls!" she cried, "I'm losing weight."
"How do you know?" asked her sister promptly.
"Couldn't close my trunk lid. That's the way I can always tell.Problem: Given a trunk, which requires a force of one hundred andthirty-five pounds to close down the lid, and a girl of one hundredand fifteen, how many chocolates must the said girl eat before she isheavy enough to close the lid? Answer--one pound, and here's for astarter," saying which pretty, plump Bess rummaged in a pile of herbelongings until she found what she was after. Then, sinking down in aheap of silk petticoats she began munching bonbons with a contentedair.
"Bess Robinson!" gasped Cora. "You're never going to do that; areyou?"
"Do what?" came with an innocent air.
"Sit there and eat chocolates until you're heavy enough to close downthe lid of your trunk."
"I might as well. I can't check it open that way, and I can't close itat my present weight. I need everything I've squeezed into it; and sowhat else can I do?"
"If we could only get someone to help us," said Marita, innocently,seeming to take Bess literally. "One of the boys----"
She was interrupted by the laughter of the others, for Marita was anewcomer in Chelton, and though Cora and her chums had taken her up,attracted by her nice ways, Marita did not yet appreciate her newfriends.
"Don't mind what Bess says, my dear," spoke Cora, as she saw thatMarita was a little hurt at the laughter. "As for the boys, pleasedon't suggest such a thing. If they came in now, we'd never getthrough packing. I hope----"
"All hope abandon, ye who enter here!" declaimed a voice in thedoorway, and the faces of two young men peered in.
"Too late!" exclaimed Cora, as she saw her brother Jack and his chum,Walter Pennington. "The boys are here! Any more of you, Jack?" sheasked, as she crowded some feminine finery out of sight behind herback.
"No. Why?"
"Because I'm going to give general orders for you to depart at once,and I want to include everyone. Begone
!"
"Heartless one!" murmured Walter, sliding into the room under Jack'sarm. "Just when we came to help you, too!"
"Here!" called Bess, from her position, Turkish fashion, amid abillowy pile of garments, "Help me up first, Wallie, my dear, and thensit on my trunk."
"Why, is that the throne seat?" he asked, as he extended his hand, andpretended to find it extremely difficult to lift Bess to her feet.
"No, but the lid needs closing, and I can't do it. Sit on it, that's agood fellow," and she extended to him a chocolate from the tips of herfingers, which fingers Walter pretended to bite.
"Now you really must go," said Cora, seriously, when Walter hadmanaged to close the trunk. "Come, Jack, we have to get through byfive o'clock," and she glanced at her brother, who was in earnestconversation with Marita in her corner.
Jack paid no attention to his sister, and Walter was somewhatsurprised to see Bess, after looking with satisfaction at the trunk hehad closed for her, open it again.
"Well, I like that!" he exclaimed, with pretended indignation, "afterme nearly breaking my back to close that lid----"
"I just wanted the things compressed, Walter dear," said Bess,sweetly. "I've got a lot more to put in, and I couldn't squeeze inanother piece until they had been crowded down a bit. Now run along,little boy."
"Come on, Jack!" called Walter, as he turned to go. "We have beeninsulted!"
"They can't insult me," murmured Jack, never turning to look at hischum. "Don't be so thin-skinned, Wal. I'm having a good time."
Cora's girl chums looked at her.
"Jack, you must go!" she insisted. "Please do. I should think you boyswould have lots to do to get ready, too."
"All done, Sis," murmured Jack. "We always travel in light marchingorder, and sleep on our arms," and he bent closer to the blushingMarita.
Cora bit her lip. Really she was provoked at Jack this time. She andher chums were in the midst of packing for their annual Summer trip,and to be interrupted this way, at the last critical moment, wasprovoking.
"Jack!" she began. "I shall tell mother----"
"What's he been doing now?" asked a new voice, and with a gesture ofdespair Cora turned to see another young man in the doorway.
"Come on in, Ed," called Jack. "Didn't know you were in town. You'rejust in time to assist."
"What's it all about?" asked the newcomer. "Are you going or coming?"he inquired, as he looked at the partially-filled suitcases andtrunks.
"Both," answered Walter. "You're coming and they're going."
"Good!" was the comment. "Hello, Cora--Bess--Belle----" He paused ashe nodded to each of the girls, and looked questioningly at Marita inthe corner with Jack.
"Oh, excuse me," murmured Cora. "Miss Osborne, let me present to youMr. Edward Foster--just plain Ed, mostly."
"The plainer the better," observed the newcomer, as he bowed toMarita. "But what's it all about, Jack?--No, there's no use askinghim," he murmured as he noted Cora's brother resuming his interruptedconversation with the little girl. "Will someone please enlighten me?"
"It's our annual flitting," sighed Cora. "And really half the pleasureis taken away with this packing. Well, as long as you boys are hereyou might as well make yourselves useful, as well as ornamental."
"Delighted!" cried Walter, looking about. "Where shall I put this?"and he caught up a box from the floor.
"Be careful!" cried Belle. "You'll spill it!"
"Candy?" he asked questioningly, as he rattled the contents.
"My manicure set, and you'll have it all upset. Give it here!" went onthe owner, and Walter surrendered it.
"No, but seriously, what's it all about?" he asked. "I've just comehome."
"We girls have taken a bungalow at Crystal Bay," explained Cora."We're due there to-morrow, leaving on the early morning train. Theboys, that is, Jack and Walter, are to have a tent near us, andthey're supposed to go with us in the morning. But unless they'refurther along with their packing than we are----"
Cora shrugged her pretty shoulders.
"Don't worry, Sis, we are!" Jack threw at her, without turning hishead.
"Camping at Crystal Bay--that sounds good," murmured Ed, who likedlife in the open.
"Can't you come along, old man?" asked Walter. "We've got plenty ofroom, and we were counting on you later, when you got back from yourtrip. Now, as long as you're here, can't you come with us?"
"I don't know but what I could. Yes, I will. I haven't anything on.I'll go home and pack up right away. You leave in the morning? I guessI can make it."
"Well, when you go, please take them with you," and Cora indicated herbrother and Walter. "Then we'll be able to go on with our packing.Really, Jack," and she spoke most seriously this time, "you must go!"
"All right, Sis!" he agreed. "Don't forget," he added, to Marita, ashe rose.
"What nonsense has he been telling you now?" asked Belle with a laugh."Don't believe him, Marita."
"Don't tell!" cautioned Jack. "It's a secret!"
Somehow the boys were gotten out of the room, and somehow the girlsmanaged to get through with their packing in time for the expressman.
From the Kimball home driveway the expressman drove with the baggage,and soon the trunks were rattling down the main street of Chelton,that pretty New England town, nestling in a bend of the Chelton River.
"Well, that's over, thank goodness!" sighed Cora, as she saw thebaggage safely off. "Now to get ourselves ready for morning. You girlswill take supper with me."
"Oh, that's too much," protested Belle.
"No, really it isn't. I've told mamma, and she is counting on you. ButI'm too excited to eat much."
"So am I," chorused the others.
"And I'm so anxious to see our new motor boat!" added Bess, for thegirls had purchased one that had been sent on ahead to Crystal Bay.
"I do hope Ed can go," murmured Belle. "He's such good company."
"Yes, I like him, too," confessed Marita, with a blush, at which theothers laughed.
The boys came over to the Kimball home that evening, Jack having dinedwith Walter Pennington. Ed came also, to say that he could go, andthen the young people talked over plans for Summer fun, until thechiming of the clock warned the girls, at least, that they mustseparate if they were to get up early the next morning.
"Lottie Weaver will meet us at the station," said Cora, referring toanother of the party, who had not assisted at the packing.
"That's good. If we had had her trunk over here, with all our things,we'd never have gotten the baggage off," said Bess, with a sigh.
"And now, after it's all over," said Cora to her mother that night, "Ithink I would not again have all the packing done in one place. Ithought it would save time for the girls to bring their things here,especially as the Robinsons are so upset with building that additionto the parlor. But it was a lot of work!"
"Oh, well," said Mrs. Kimball, "you meant it for the best, my dear.I'm sure you will have a pleasant Summer."
They met at the station the next morning--the girls and boys. LottieWeaver was there, in the glory of a new maroon sweater, and Ed Fosterwas also on time.
The express for Crystal Bay was late, and as Cora and her motor girlchums marched up and down the platform, nervously waiting, Cora saw agirl coming from the waiting room.
"Why, Freda Lewis!" she exclaimed, hurrying up and putting her armsabout her. "What are you doing here? I thought you were going back toBar Harbor for the Summer."
"So we were! Oh, Cora! I'm so glad to see you. I had to change carshere--I got on the wrong train, it seems. I've been traveling allnight."
"You look it, my dear! Oh, if I had only known you were here----"
"I haven't been waiting long. I'm to take the Shore Express."
"That's our train. But, Freda, you don't look at all well--not a bitas you did at school," for Freda was a chum Cora had made much of ayear or so before, but had not seen of late.
"I'm not well, Cora," said Freda, earnestly.
/> "What is the trouble?"
"Anxiety, mostly. Oh, Cora, we've had such a dreadful time, mother andI!"
Her voice trembled pitifully.
"Freda, dear, what is the matter?" asked Cora in sympathetic tones,for she saw tears in the other's eyes.
"Oh, it's money matters. You know we own--or at least we thought wedid--a large tract of land at Crystal Bay."
"Crystal Bay!" exclaimed Cora, in surprise.
"Yes. It was Grandfather Lewis's homestead. Well, most of our incomehas come from that since father's death, and now--Oh, I don't know allthe details, but some land speculators--land sharks, mother callsthem--are disputing our title.
"Mother has just worried herself sick over it, and I'm afraid she isgoing into nervous prostration. I've been to see some distantrelatives about the matter, but I can't do anything. I'm so sorry fordear little mother. If she should break down----"
Poor, worried Freda could not go on. Cora held her close and thethought came to her that Freda herself was on the verge of a nervousbreakdown. The girl had changed very much from the happy, laughingchum of a year before.
"Freda, dear, tell me more about it," murmured Cora. "Perhaps I canhelp--I have friends--Jack and I----"
"Here comes the train!" interrupted Jack. "Come on, Cora!"
"I must see you again, Freda," said Cora, hastily. "I'll look for youon the train. I've got to get my party together. Don't forget--I'llsee you again!" and, wondering what was the cause of her friend'sworry, Cora hastened up the platform, toward her companions, while thetrain steamed noisily in.