CHAPTER VIII
FRIGHTS OR FANCIES
"Oh, do hurry," pleaded Cora. "I had no idea it was so late. And it isawfully 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 lightslook so attractive as they do just now in the Mote."
"Run back if you like," returned Cora, "but I will run on. It wasunfortunate that the boys came in just as they did. I really have agood 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 isperfectly safe and sane at the bay, but what I want is to get over tothe little cottage where Freda and her mother are living before theyretire. 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 outyet; 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 blackthe night was. "I met Mrs. Lewis the day we came, and I could not helpthinking what a fine, wholesome mother Freda had."
"Yes, I have been talking to her and I think she is just that--fineand wholesome. And goodness knows," added Cora fervently, "we needsome weight at the Mote. But they may not consent. I happened tooverhear a remark this afternoon that set me to thinking. I am afraidpoor Freda and her mother are in for further trouble."
They hurried along, making their way with difficulty in the deep sandthat covered road and path alike. Once or twice they paused, startledat the sound of men's voices, then hurried the more to make up forlost 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, andto trust one of them--Bess Robinson, you know our boys. What one knowsthe 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 totouch 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 beunwelcome visitors, but you are heartily welcome."
The living room of the cottage was typical of the seashore--a longapartment, with field-stone fireplace and fumed fir trim. The stairwayled up from the room and gave it an air of even greater spaciousness.Altogether it was most attractive. Mrs. Lewis, a slim, fine-featuredwoman, 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 shereceived a hurried call to go back to her family in the city. I don'tquestion the call, I know how often and faithfully they follow maidswho find a country place lonely; but the fact is we girls do not fancystaying alone to-night."
"Why, of course not," replied Mrs. Lewis, briskly. "You must have someolder 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 redand their cheeks swollen. Freda saw that the girls observed this.
"Yes, we have been weeping," she said, with an attempt at a smile. "Itseems 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 greathopes that you girls will do for us what perhaps lawyers might not beable to do." She hesitated and Freda went on:
"Those horrid men from the land company were here again thisafternoon. They say we have no right even to this little cottage."
"No right here!" exclaimed Cora. "I believe they are just trying toget you to leave the place so that they can go on with their planswithout being watched."
"I never thought of that," replied Mrs. Lewis, as though the idea wasnovel to her. "Then, indeed, they will have more trouble thanbrow-beating to get us to leave Crystal Bay."
"I must hurry with my errand," said Cora. "I came to see if it wouldbe possible for you and Freda to lock up and come over with usto-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 tellthe boys. They are hasty and so apt to resent any intrusion that wouldworry us."
"Why should the men bother you?" asked Mrs. Lewis.
"I suppose because they know that Freda is a friend of ours," repliedCora. "But don't worry about them bothering us, all we want is to beable to meet them fairly. Of course if they knew we were alone atnight they might be mean enough to frighten us, and some of the girlsare rather timid."
"Indeed, we will lock up at once," declared Mrs. Lewis, "and go rightover with you. We have not many treasures now to be afraid of losing."
"Oh, that is splendid!" Cora cried. Freda immediately went aboutfastening the windows and seeing to the general locking up, while Mrs.Lewis hurried up stairs to pack a small bag. It seemed as though theywere ready almost instantly, much to the relief of Bess, who keptwondering if the boys would remain at the bungalow with the girlsuntil her own and Cora's return.
"Now we are off," said Mrs. Lewis, looking back at her home with awistful sigh. She seemed to have a premonition that leaving it meantmore than appeared at the moment.
Freda walked with Bess while Mrs. Lewis and Cora kept close behindthem. They had not more than reached the turn that led to the directpath 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 thefamiliar camp call.
"Here we are!" cried Cora. "On the pine path."
"Oh!" gasped Belle. "We have had the greatest fright! Where have youbeen?"
"Making a call," replied Cora, calmly. "What was your fright?"
"Come along and I'll tell you," Belle replied. Then she saw Freda andMrs. Lewis.
"We have brought protectors," Cora said. "Mrs. Lewis and Freda aregoing to spend the night with us."
"Oh, splendid!" exclaimed Marita. "I was so afraid we would have tostay alone."
"Where are the boys?" Cora asked.
"Someone from the beach came up and said Dray's boat was loose, and ofcourse, 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 weretimid."
"Oh, we were not," declared Belle, stoutly. "Only we distinctly heardsomeone 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 herewe are. Who has the key?"
Belle opened the door. "The light is out!" she whispered. "Cora," shesaid, aside, "I left it burning!"