and now the
subject of the cave was overshadowed by the excitement of the
approaching race.

As the young people neared "The Shadows" their excitement grew, and when
at last they reached the house the girls fairly flew up the stairs,
dragging Anita with them, Conway going with the boys, of course.

"Don't you want a suit?" Betty inquired of her visitor, pausing in the
act of slipping her skirt over her head. "I brought an old one in case
of emergency that I think would fit you."

Anita shook her head. "Thanks just the same," she said. "But the doctor
says I mustn't think of swimming for some time."

"It's pretty hard luck," said Mollie, sympathetically, "to have to stay
out of the water on days like this. Say, girls, do you think we have a
chance in the world of even keeping up with the boys?" she asked,
anxious, now that the moment of the test had come.

"Why, of course we can," said Betty, pretending a confidence she did not
feel. "Especially if the boys give us the heavy handicap we agreed on. I
didn't want them to, but I guess it may come in handy."

"Well, are you ready?" cried Mollie, jumping up. "I am. Come on, girls,
let's show them something!" and she was off down the stairs with the
others close behind.

CHAPTER XXII

MOLLIE WINS

The Outdoor Girls found the boys waiting for them, and evidently as
eager as the girls to begin the race.

"Well, it didn't take you very long," Frank remarked; for the boys had
never ceased to marvel that girls could be on time.

"What point do you start from?" asked Conway, as they started off
together. "How long is the race, anyway?" he added.

"Well," said Allen, electing himself spokesman, "we decided on a
starting point about a quarter of a mile from here. You see, from a
sharp turn there, there is, for about three-quarters of a mile, a course
almost straight. So, you see, that makes a fairly good course."

"I should say so," Conway commented. "Why didn't you say something about
it to the folks over at the hotel--you'd have had considerable of a
crowd for an audience."

"Oh, we didn't want it," cried Amy, shrinking from the very mention of
such a thing. "I couldn't swim at all if I thought anybody was looking
at me."

"Don't you make any exceptions?" asked Anita, twinkling. "Con and I
don't feel like going home just yet, and Mrs. Irving has elected to be
audience instead of actor."

"Oh, of course I didn't mean you!" Amy exclaimed, embarrassed at t