lprits you will have a perfectly good
movie act in your camp. It will be entitled 'The Fate of the Kid
Grubber.'"

While the boys were thus engaged in the delightful task of keeping off
starvation, the girls were anxious to hear what was the proposition
Cora had offered to lay before them.

"That's just the way," grumbled Belle; "we never can get at the
interesting things!"

"I am going to tell the boys this minute," threatened Marita. "We
notice, Belle, that you brought out that lemon pie that was hidden.
Looks as if you found the boys rather interesting."

"Now you know exactly what I mean," insisted Belle. "Cora said we had
to have a chaperone and we all agreed. Instead, we have a crowd of
noisy boys."

"When you boys have finished," Cora remarked, "we would like to clear
up the debris. Also, we have a sad announcement to make. We have lost
our housekeeper!"

"Good!" almost shouted Ed. "I apply at once. I can give every
qualification, even to a civil service examination. Cora, I never
tasted such food before----"

"Mutiny!" yelled Jack, making a spring at Ed, which ended in such a
mixup that the girls fled to the kitchen.

"We really cannot stay alone here to-night," Cora said.

But the boys had come to their feet again, and evidently to terms.
Jack was hugging Walter and Dray was smoothing Ed's black hair.

"Will the boys go and leave us?" asked the timid Marita.

"Of course they will, and that right now," declared Cora. "We have no
time to spare to get someone else to stay with us, however. Bess, do
you want to come with me? I am going out for our new companion."

CHAPTER VIII

FRIGHTS OR FANCIES

"Oh, do hurry," pleaded Cora. "I had no idea it was so late. And it is
awfully dark."

"A nice way to scare me when you have got me out," objected Bess.
"Cora Kimball, I have a great mind to run back. I never saw lights
look so attractive as they do just now in the Mote."

"Run back if you like," returned Cora, "but I will run on. It was
unfortunate that the boys came in just as they did. I really have a
good reason for not wanting to stay alone to-night."

"You have?" asked Bess. "I knew you and Lottie had had some adventure."

"Oh, don't be silly, Bess," and Cora laughed lightly. "Everything is
perfectly safe and sane at the bay, but what I want is to get over to
the little cottage where Freda and her mother are living before they
retire. It is Mrs. Lewis I hope to get as our housekeeper.