as they were returning from a short run, Betty at the
wheel.

"Oh, it isn't quite ready yet," she said. "I'll tell you in plenty of
time to prepare for it, though. Mind your wheel, Bet, there are two cars
coming back of us, and I think they're going to pass us close."

"Well, let them look out, I'm on the right side of the road."

Two cars, scorching, did pass them, throwing up a cloud of dust that
caused the girls to gasp choke.

"Horrid creatures!" cried Grace. "My new cloak will be spoiled!" and she
dusted off the auto garment she had recently purchased.

"It is such as they who give all autoists a bad name," remarked Mollie.
"One rule of our club must be never to scorch."

"Our club?" asked Grace, wonderingly.

"There--I've told part of my secret!" exclaimed Mollie, in some
confusion. "I was going to suggest that, as we have a sort of informal
Camping and Tramping Club, and as there is a kind of motor boat club
feeling existing among us, we form an auto club."

"Let's!" proposed Amy. "Bet has the boat, you have the car, Mollie, but
poor Grace and I----"

"That doesn't make a bit of difference!" broke in Mollie. "You don't
have to have an auto to belong to this club. Just as when you get your
airship, Grace, we'll join your aero club; though you'll be the only one
with a flying machine."

"No flies for me!" said Grace, determinedly.

They reached Mollie's house rather early that afternoon, not having gone
far.

"Do come in for a cup of tea," urged Mollie. "It will refresh you all.
No, no, Paul!" she called to her brother, "you must not get in sister's
auto when she is not in it," for the little fellow had started to climb
up in the front seat as the girls strolled toward the house.

"Oo dot any tandy?" he asked, coming toward them.

"Oh dear, I wonder if I will always have to bribe you, Paul?" sighed
Mollie. "Grace, will you kindly oblige again? I guess I shall have to
appoint you official candy distributor."

"That would suit me," laughed Grace. "Here, Paul, and don't get that on
your suit--the chocolate is so sticky and messy in warm weather," and
Grace daintily removed, with the tip of her tongue, some brown spots
from the ends of her rosy fingers that had passed the candy to the
little boy.

The girls were sipping tea in the library, and talking, when there came
from out in front the sudden throbbing of an auto motor. Mollie leaped
up and rushed to the window. Then she screamed:

"Oh girls!