t of the clutch out," and he proceeded to
do so.

"Yes, we cannot move until we get a new leather on here," added Nat.
"I wonder how far we might be from a blacksmith shop."

"A couple of miles," answered Tavia. "I have often been through this
woods."

"Then I suppose," went on Ned, rather dolefully, "there is nothing to
be done but 'hike' to the shop."

"You go and I'll stay and take care of the girls," suggested Nat.

"Oh, both go," chimed in Tavia. "You will get back sooner, and you may
have some trouble getting it fixed at the shop, for I have been there
and I know the man is as deaf as a post and--other things," she
finished vaguely. "There is a house just across the fields there and
we are not the least bit afraid--"

"If it will hurry the work you had best both go," Dorothy added. "As
Tavia says, there is a house in sight, and we could run there if
anything came along to scare us."

"Well, trot along Nat," commanded Ned, as he took up the piece of the
clutch. "This is sure your busy day. I'll race you to the bend to
make good time, and I assure you, young ladies, we will not be one
moment longer than necessary away from you."

"We are so very fond of you," joked Nat, "that every moment will be
unto us an hour--"

"Oh, come, quit your nonsense, if you are going to run--"

But before Ned had finished, his brother had gained quite a handicap
and was making tracks through the glen, and then out again into the
open.

"Isn't it lonely," said Dorothy, getting into the disabled machine
after the youths were out of sight.

"Not a bit," declared Tavia. "No tramps around here. But such a day!
I almost feel as if one more thing must happen. Bad luck goes in
threes, you know. One more will surely make up our day--"

"Oh, please don't talk so," and Dorothy shivered. "I do wish we were
safely back in Dalton."

"And the boys gone back to the Cedars! Well, I would rather have the
ride ahead of me, than to have it all ended. It is so nice to have
good times. Sometimes I think I'll just run away, and see what there
is to do and observe outside of that stupid old Dalton," exclaimed
Tavia.

"Tavia!" and Dorothy's voice betrayed how shocked she was at the very
thought of such a thing as "running away." "How can you talk so?"

"Oh, it's all very well for you, Doro. You can have and do as you
please; but poor me! I must be content--"

"Tavia, I am sure I heard someone coming!" exclaimed Dorothy.