Frank Merriwells Pursuit | Page 7

been extended
to them all.
"Perfectly jolly!" cried Inza. "But we have no costumes."
"Never mind that," said Mr. Hatch. "Without doubt there will be others
in the same predicament. You can easily manufacture some masks, and,
being strangers here, no one outside your own party will recognize you.
I'm sorry I can't assist you in the matter of dress, but I can help the male
members of the party. I have a full Indian rig and a cowboy outfit,

which will do for two. The third can dress in old clothes, like a hunter
or guide. The whole thing can be arranged somehow if you care to go.
Where there's a will there's a way, you know."
"Oh, say," grunted Browning, "count me out. I'm no dancer. Besides
that, I'm tired."
"The same old complaint," laughed Frank. "What do you think about it,
Elsie?"
"If Inza wishes to go, I'm ready," answered Elsie. "We might have a
good time."
Hodge expressed a willingness to go along, and then Frank cried:
"It's a go, my children! Let's enter into this thing in earnest and have a
high old time. Bruce, you ought to be ashamed of your laziness."
"Don't begin that old song!" said the big fellow. "There's not enough
laziness in this world. Everybody howls about strenuousness and hustle,
and people wear themselves out and die before they should. I'm setting
a good example, and I'll continue to set."
"Or sit," nodded Merry. "All right, Lazybones, stay here by your
lonesome and content yourself thinking what a fine time we're having."
"Thanks," grunted Bruce.
CHAPTER IV.
TWO GHOSTS.
The colony on the south shore of Lake Placid was about to break up.
Cold weather was setting in. Already many of those who had spent
much of the summer there were gone. Others were going. Soon that
region would be left entirely to the hunters and the fishermen.
Before returning to the city the cottagers had planned a last grand time

in the form of a masquerade dance. They did not call it a "ball." There
was to be nothing formal about it.
Thus it happened that the party at Warren Hatch's cottage received an
invitation.
Mrs. Medford was tired; she would not attend the dance; but she
offered to assist the girls in getting up their costumes.
"Costumes!" cried Inza. "Where will we find them? We'll have to go
without special preparation in that line. Frank and Bart are the lucky
ones."
"Come with me," smiled Mrs. Medford, after consulting in a low tone
with Mr. Hatch, who smiled and nodded. "Perhaps we can find
something."
The girls followed her to the upper part of the cottage, leaving Frank
and Bart to make up below.
Merry gave Bart his choice of the two rigs, and Hodge took the Indian
outfit, leaving the cowboy costume for Frank.
At intervals the sound of laughter came from above, indicating that the
girls were making progress.
Mrs. Medford came down first and announced that the girls would
follow in two or three minutes.
"They are putting on the finishing touches," she said.
She professed to be alarmed by the fierce appearance of Merriwell,
who swaggered toward her in "chaps," woolen shirt, and wide-brimmed
hat, a loose belt about his waist, with a pistol peeping from the holster,
while his face was hidden by a mask in keeping with the rest of his
outfit.
"It's a whole lot tired we're getting of waiting for them yere gals,
madam," said Frank. "I opine they'd better hurry some, for we'll have to

hike right lively if we shake a hoof at this dance to-night."
Then Hodge danced forward in his Indian rig, flourishing a tomahawk
and uttering a war whoop.
"Heap right," he cried. "White woman bring gals."
"Mercy!" gasped Mrs. Medford, retreating toward the table and
suddenly turning the lamp very low.
Then came a rustling sound on the stairs, followed by a low moaning,
and into view glided two ghostly figures in flowing robes of white.
These figures paused in a corner of the room where the shadows were
deepest, and the surprised witnesses seemed to see through their white
draperies the gleaming outlines of the upper portions of two skeletons.
The ribs, the waving, bony arms, and the horrible, shining skulls were
plainly beheld. After a moment the two apparitions advanced.
"Heap spook!" cried Hodge, while Frank pretended to be greatly
alarmed.
Browning sat bolt upright, uttering a grunt of surprise.
As the forms came forward into the dim light the skeleton figures faded
and disappeared.
"I reckon these are the real things, Injun," said Frank.
"Much so," nodded Bart.
Then the girls broke into laughter and Mrs. Medford turned up the
lamp.
With the aid of two sheets, a needle and thread and a few