d be
all the better for Bennington's Restorer--I am Bennington--I make it
myself," and he bowed. "Won't you take it. I can guarantee it harmless."

"No, thank you just the same," repeated Mollie. "And you are entirely
welcome to the bolt. Good-bye," and she started her car.

CHAPTER V

PAUL AT THE WHEEL

The girls looked back at the old peddler as they swept on. He was
standing beside his horse, evidently mending some part of the harness.

"It was rather a dilapidated outfit," remarked Betty. "I don't see how
he can cover much ground in a day."

"Probably he doesn't," answered Mollie. "He may sleep in his wagon, eat
there--dining on bread and cheese or herring--and so reduce the high
cost of living. Then he may make a big profit on his hair restorer. Ugh!
The stuff! I could not bear to use it."

"Nor I; and yet he had nice hair."

"Perhaps he'd have that anyhow. He meant it well enough--offering us the
bottle."

"Yes," agreed Betty. "But it was just as well not to take it. My! what a
day of adventures this has been!"

"It has started in almost the way some days did when we were on our
tramp," spoke Grace, from the tonneau.

"Or when we were at the lake, trying not to be afraid of the 'ghost',"
added Amy. "Do you intend to do any more cruising this fall, Betty?"

"We may. Would you like it?"

"Would we?" cried Grace, "just ask us!"

"Now please wait," broke in Mollie. "I may have a little plan of my own
to propose soon."

"What is it?" begged Amy.

"I haven't it all worked out yet. I'll tell you as soon as I have. It
may offer us a chance for some fun----"

"And adventures?" asked Betty, quickly.

"And adventures," assented Mollie. "But one thing I do want, and that is
to have each of you girls run the car. I don't want to be selfish and
drive all the while."

"I would like to learn," said Betty, eagerly. "It's good of you to want
us to, Mollie."

"No, I have rather a selfish motive back of it. Sometimes I want to sit
in the tonneau and not have to worry about running over a dog----"

"Look out!" suddenly cried Betty, impulsively grasping Mollie's arm.
"That child!"

A little toddler had run from the yard of a house near the road, and was
scampering across the highway, his mother in close pursuit.

Quickly Mollie put on both brakes, and threw out the clutch, but there
was no need; for the child, with the perverseness of youth, had turned
and was running back toward the gate, evident