stion to make.

"We could make a seat," he said, "and carry her the rest of the distance
to the colony. The sooner we start the better it will be."

On this plan they agreed. Very naturally the girl was strainingly eager
to relieve the anxiety of her parents--to let them know she was safe
again.

Allen and Frank, being the stronger of the boys, volunteered to carry
the slight girl--she was young, scarcely sixteen--for the first half
mile. Then the other two boys were to carry her the rest of the
distance.

In a moment the little procession was formed, and it started off for the
woods, toward the summer colony. Allen and Frank moved in front with
their burden, followed by the four girls and Mrs. Irving, while Roy and
Will brought up the rear.

The boys were wet to the skin, and even on a scorching day in August
that is anything but a pleasant sensation. Then, too, the way was rough,
and the briers and brambles along the path scratched their hands and
tore at their clothing. Ordinarily all these petty annoyances would have
tended toward making them irritable and cross, but on this day all such
trifles passed over their heads unnoticed. For had they not between
them done a marvelous thing? To save one life--to have brought back from
eternity one little soul--was there not joy enough in that to last them
all their days? The girls thought there was.

After a walk that seemed endless, Will called out to the boys in the
front: "Isn't it time for relief work, Allen? We must have traveled more
than half a mile."

"We're not tired," Allen shouted back. "The hotel is right ahead--we can
carry her for the rest of the way."

"Just as you say," Roy answered. "But we are ready whenever you want
us."

"All right," called Allen. "We may be glad of your help yet;" and so the
little party went on.

A few moments later they heard voices directly ahead, and Anita--for
that, she had said, was her name--raised her voice excitedly. "They are
probably coming in search of me," she cried, cheeks flushing with the
hope of it. "I knew they would! Oh, I knew it! Dad! Conway!" she called.

"Nita! where are you?" a voice shouted back, unutterable relief
vibrating in every syllable. "Call again!"

Anita obeyed with a will. "Just keep on the way you are coming. I'm all
right, but please hurry!"

Then the two relief parties came face to face. Frank and Allen set the
girl gently upon her feet and her father caught her in his arms. "You're