ehow it doesn't look natural."

Frank squinted aloft. "That's our same old friend," he said. "By the
way, speaking of dippers, I am getting thirsty."

"Well, I can't give you a drink, but I can feed you. Have a chocolate?"
cried Grace.

"Oh, Grace!" protested Betty, "you never brought chocolates along?"

"To be sure I did. Why not?"

"You are hopeless," laughed Frank.

"Look at that shooting star," said Betty, pointing with her paddle. "Oh,
that was a beauty!"

"Did you wish on it?" asked Grace eagerly.

"I didn't know I had to. Goodness, did I throw away an opportunity?"
Betty's tone was dismayed.

"Why, of course," said Grace, with an air of superiority. "It's bad luck
if you don't."

"All right, I won't let the next one escape," Betty promised.

And so they went on and on, enjoying the shadowy stillness of the
night, and later revelling in the silver radiance of the moonlight.

It was not until they started on their journey side by side with the
other canoe that Allen broached a subject that had been almost entirely
forgotten in the excitement of the last few days.

"Say, when are you and Frank going to practice for the big race, Betty?"
he asked. "I am mighty anxious to see it."

"To-morrow morning, I guess," said Betty, then added suddenly: "I don't
see why Frank and I should furnish all the fun. Why don't you all join
in? It would be ever so much more exciting."

"That's a good idea," said Allen. "I'll do it if the rest are willing.
How about it, Grace?"

"I'm willing," she replied. "Oh, I have a bright idea!"

"Shoot!" said Frank inelegantly.

"Suppose we take our lunch," she went on enthusiastically, "and have a
regular old-fashioned picnic in the woods beyond the camp."

"Grace, you are a marvel," cried Betty. "I can't think of anything I'd
like better. Swimming in the morning and a party in the afternoon! Oh,
every day is more wonderful than the last!"

CHAPTER XVIII

WATER SPRITES

The sunbeams danced across the shimmering water and into the room where
the Outdoor Girls lay sleeping. They made patches on the floors and
ceiling, and showered Mollie's face with golden darts.

She moved restlessly and raised her hand as though to ward off this
invader of her dreams, muttering softly, "Oh--don't----" Gradually she
passed from sleeping to waking and, realizing the cause of the
disturbance, sat up in bed with a start.

"Oh, the world's on fire with sunshine! What a day to swim