revive her courage. "When I wasn't home in time for
lunch Bab would know I was lost."

On and on, Mollie wandered. Finally, toward dusk, she found herself again
in the heart of the forest where she had lost her way in the morning. She
was so tired, there was nothing to do but to sit down and rest, but she
had not given up. Of course, she would find her way out of this labyrinth
of trees somehow. However, just for the time, she must wait.

Mollie sank down on a pile of leaves that had been blown in a heap under
the shelter of a great cedar tree. It was growing cold, and the September
day was closing. All morning and afternoon the little girl had wandered
alone in the woods. How many miles she had traveled she did not know.

The child shivered, as she dropped on the ground. Tired as she was, she
had plenty of courage left. Not a tear had been shed in these miles of
weary tramping; indeed she had often laughed at her own mistakes, though
the laughter had sometimes been close to tears; but Mollie knew that she
must not lose her head.

"Suppose, I do have to stay in the woods all night?" she reflected. "It
wouldn't kill me. I have wanted to have adventures in a forest; here is
my opportunity. I wish, though, I knew how to make a fire; I'm so cold
and hungry; but I haven't a sign of a match, so there is no use of
thinking about it."

If Mollie could but have kept awake a little longer! No sooner had she
dropped on the soft leaves than fatigue overcame her, and she was fast
asleep.

Suddenly a figure came out of the underbrush--a strange young figure all
brown and scarlet. It moved so softly that scarcely a leaf trembled. For
a minute it paused and gazed down on the sleeping child. The little girl
stirred in her sleep. With a bound the wood sprite vanished. It need not
have hurried; Mollie was too utterly weary to awaken soon.

What had happened at the log cabin, meantime?

All morning Ruth, Bab and Grace had been practising under the instruction
of Naki. Bab was growing into a clever shot, and Ruth was playing her a
close second, when the luncheon gong sounded. The girls had given no
further thought to Mollie, supposing she had grown tired of her walk, and
was at home with Miss Sallie. The latter naturally was not worried, as
she thought Mollie was with Naki and the others.

When the girls filed into the living room for their lunch Bab asked
carelessly: "Where's Mollie?"

"Where's Mollie?" repeated Miss Sallie. "H