xes! Why can't we have a fire?"

The idea appealed to all of them, and presently, taking heart, they
entered the room, and piling some boxes, splintered boards and papers on
the old hearth, set them ablaze.

As the ruddy flames leaped up the broad chimney they gathered about,
much cheered, though still hungry.

"If we only had something to eat," sighed Grace. "I wonder, if by chance
the former inhabitants left some morsels of food? Suppose we take a
look?"

The others hesitated a moment, and then Mollie said:

"I'm with you!"

She caught up the still-glowing auto lamp, and led the way, the others
following.

"Up stairs; or down stairs?" she challenged.

"Or in my lady's chamber?" completed Betty, with a laugh.

They went through various rooms. All were deserted. Here and there they
saw discarded and broken furniture. But there was no sign of recent
habitation. The house was musty and damp, but they were glad of shelter
from the storm.

"Only my poor auto!" sighed Mollie. "I hope nothing happens to it."

"It can stand the weather," said Grace. "What is beyond here, I wonder?"
she said, as they came to a pause before a closed door.

"Let's look," suggested Betty.

Like other portals in the house this one was not locked. Betty pushed it
open, and a long passage was revealed.

"The way to--the haunted house!" exclaimed Mollie, rather dramatically.

"Hush!" begged Grace.

"Silly!" admonished Betty. "Come on."

She plunged into the passage. The echoing footsteps of the others
following could be heard. She came to another door, opened it, and gave
a cry of delight.

"Girls--supper!" she exclaimed, and, holding her light high up, she
flashed it on a collection of groceries. Boxes of sardines there were,
dried herring, crackers, some butter in a carton, a loaf of bread,
canned tomatoes and peaches, and with all some dishes--knives and forks,
spoons, and, most useful of all--a can-opener, and a corkscrew--and--a
bottle of olives!

"Oh joy!" exclaimed Grace. "The fairy prince has been here!"

"Grace!" remonstrated Amy, as her friend caught up the bottle of olives
and proceeded to open it. "We don't know whose they are."

"So much the better; our consciences won't trouble us. And if anyone
comes to claim them we can pay for what we eat--I have money!" and she
jingled her silver purse, "And now, 'let good digestion wait on
appetite, and health on both,'" she quoted. "Fall to!"

The girls laughed, but the