one great interest in life, Colonel Baxter and his
daughter, Bet.

"Bless the child, she's the most provoking thing I've ever seen, but
she's so kind to me, too. The way she bathed my head yesterday when it
ached, was like a grown woman. The Colonel has a right to be proud of
her."

And these conflicting emotions were enough make the old lady's head
ache a second time.

While she puttered about the kitchen, planning a special cake to
surprise Bet and her chums when they would return, the girls were
headed toward Cruger Lake.

"We should have brought skiis!" called Joy. "Why didn't we think of
it?"

"Are we on a hike or not?" Bet stopped short in the path and
confronted Joy. "This is a hike, and a hike means walking."

"It suits me all right," announced Kit suddenly, "but I can't help
wishing I had Powder along. He'd enjoy making this crusty snow fly."

"Well, there's a stone wall over there, Kit. You might pretend,"
laughed Bet, but seeing a shadow pass over her friend's face, she
immediately added: "I'm sorry dear, I promised never to tease you about
that."

"Don't Bet, some things just touch the heart too close to joke about!
And you'll never understand that until you love a horse the way I do
Powder."

"I think I do understand, Kit. I'm sure I'd be just as sentimental
over Smiley Jim. Poor old fellow! I've neglected him lately. Today I
locked him in the basement, and he begged so to come along!"

"Why didn't you bring him?" asked Kit.

"Auntie Gibbs wanted him to stay there. She's getting a little nervous
since the loss of the fan and thinks the dog will protect her."

Shirley was in the lead, her eyes on the ground, watching eagerly for
signs of animal footprints.

"Here's a deer track!" called Bet with a laugh and Shirley ran back at
top speed.

"Well, maybe it's only a rabbit's," teased Bet.

"And I thought you were my friend, Bet Baxter!" Shirley answered, as
she took the lead once more.

It was stinging cold. Every few minutes the girls had to stop and clap
their hands together and stamp their feet to restore circulation. They
pulled their wool caps well down over their ears and faced the sharp
wind. They had crossed the main highway and struck into the woods on
the other side, hoping to reach Cruger Lake by lunch time.

They walked and walked till long after the time set for lunch, but saw
no sign of the lake.

"Let's build our fire in the woods, girls, and we'll go on t