rved Belle. "Charlotte, that is
scarcely understandable."

"Well," said Lottie, turning a deeper shade of pink, "I am afraid of
that big pole in a sail boat. It looks as if it would sweep one's head
off every time it veers around."

"Just duck," advised Belle. "It's a great teacher of the proper mode
of ducking; and that is not to be despised, Lottie, whether one has to
duck harsh words, or big poles. But I want to go sailing. I can't see
what fun there is in going into a stuffy hotel on a beautiful
moonlight evening when we can go out on the water and see something."

"Don't you think we would see something in the Cliff ball room?"
challenged Lottie.

"Peace!" called Cora, good-naturedly. "It looks as if we might have to
take a vote on the question. But I can't say that the boys would be
willing to accept a negative answer."

"Oh, won't they come?" Lottie asked in surprise.

"I don't believe they will forego the sail," replied Cora. "However,
we won't decide until we ask them. If they want to postpone the water
sport we may take in the hop."

This was looked upon as a reasonable solution of the problem, and
while some of the girls hoped for the sail, perhaps an equal number
wished to go to the dance.

It was a delightful morning, and the woods were fairly alive with young
folk. It seemed there could be very few mothers or chaperones at Crystal
Bay, for even in marketing hours it was always the girls with baskets,
or the boys with huge paper bags, who were encountered. On benches along
the beach, to be sure, "elders" might be found sunning themselves and
ruining their fading sight with alleged art embroideries, but in the
matter of housekeeping it was youth that prevailed at the bay.

It was a long walk to the general store at the point, but there was a
resting place there, and if one wanted to tarry and felt like dancing,
a very accommodating young man sat near the piano ready to play at the
shortest notice. Belle and Lottie usually took a twirl while Bess and
Cora did the shopping, but to-day having walked instead of coming by
motor boat they sank into a seat at the water's edge and watched
others try the newest steps.

Around the drug counter a number of men were engaged in earnest
conversation with the salesman. Belle needed cold cream and was
waiting her turn to tell the clerk so.

"We just about have it," said one man to the man behind the counter.
"There is no question about the legal right; it is o