in. The
boys, that is, Jack and Walter, are to have a tent near us, and
they're supposed to go with us in the morning. But unless they're
further along with their packing than we are----"

Cora shrugged her pretty shoulders.

"Don't worry, Sis, we are!" Jack threw at her, without turning his
head.

"Camping at Crystal Bay--that sounds good," murmured Ed, who liked
life in the open.

"Can't you come along, old man?" asked Walter. "We've got plenty of
room, and we were counting on you later, when you got back from your
trip. Now, as long as you're here, can't you come with us?"

"I don't know but what I could. Yes, I will. I haven't anything on.
I'll go home and pack up right away. You leave in the morning? I guess
I can make it."

"Well, when you go, please take them with you," and Cora indicated her
brother and Walter. "Then we'll be able to go on with our packing.
Really, Jack," and she spoke most seriously this time, "you must go!"

"All right, Sis!" he agreed. "Don't forget," he added, to Marita, as
he rose.

"What nonsense has he been telling you now?" asked Belle with a laugh.
"Don't believe him, Marita."

"Don't tell!" cautioned Jack. "It's a secret!"

Somehow the boys were gotten out of the room, and somehow the girls
managed to get through with their packing in time for the expressman.

From the Kimball home driveway the expressman drove with the baggage,
and soon the trunks were rattling down the main street of Chelton,
that pretty New England town, nestling in a bend of the Chelton River.

"Well, that's over, thank goodness!" sighed Cora, as she saw the
baggage safely off. "Now to get ourselves ready for morning. You girls
will take supper with me."

"Oh, that's too much," protested Belle.

"No, really it isn't. I've told mamma, and she is counting on you. But
I'm too excited to eat much."

"So am I," chorused the others.

"And I'm so anxious to see our new motor boat!" added Bess, for the
girls had purchased one that had been sent on ahead to Crystal Bay.

"I do hope Ed can go," murmured Belle. "He's such good company."

"Yes, I like him, too," confessed Marita, with a blush, at which the
others laughed.

The boys came over to the Kimball home that evening, Jack having dined
with Walter Pennington. Ed came also, to say that he could go, and
then the young people talked over plans for Summer fun, until the
chiming of the clock warned the girls, at least, that they must
separate if the