The Camp Fire Girls at Long Lake | Page 7

together, because they were so
different. But it's not for me to say that you're foolish, no matter what
you do."
"Oh, yes, it is," laughed Eleanor. "You used to have to tell me I was
foolish in the old days, when I wanted to eat green apples, and all sorts
of other things that would have made me sick, and just because I'm
grown up doesn't keep me from wanting to do lots of things that are just

as foolish now. But I do think I was right in that"
"They do seem to get on well," agreed Mrs. Farnham.
"It's just because they are so different," said Eleanor. "Dolly does
everything on impulse--she doesn't stop to think. With Bessie it's just
the opposite. She's almost too old--she isn't impulsive enough. And I
think each of them will work a little on the other, so that they'll both
benefit by being together. Bessie likes looking after people, and she
may make Dolly think a little more.
"There isn't a nicer, sweeter girl in the whole Camp Fire than Dolly, but
lots of people don't like her, because they don't understand her. Oh, I'm
sure it's going to be splendid for both of them. Dolly was awfully angry
at Bessie before they started from the church--but you saw how they
were when they got here to-night?"
"I did, indeed, Miss Eleanor. And I'd say; Dolly has a high temper, too,
just to look at her."
"Oh, she has--and Bessie never seems to get; angry. I don't understand
that--it's my worst fault, I think. Losing my temper, I mean. Though I'm
better than I used to be. Well--good-night."
The next day was Sunday, and, of course, there was none of the work
about the farm that the girls of the Camp Fire enjoyed so much. They
went to church in the morning, and when they returned Bessie was
surprised to see Charlie Jamieson, the lawyer, Eleanor Mercer's cousin,
sitting on the front piazza. Eleanor took Bessie with her when she went
to greet him.
"No bad news, Charlie?" she said, anxiously. He was looking after the
interests of Bessie and of Zara, whose father, unjustly accused as
Charlie and the girls believed, of counterfeiting, was in prison in the
city from which the Camp Fire Girls came. Charlie Jamieson had about
decided that his imprisonment was the result of a conspiracy in which
Farmer Weeks, from Bessie's home town, Hedgeville, was mixed up
with a Mr. Holmes, a rich merchant of the city. The reason for the

persecution of the two girls and of Zara's father was a mystery, but
Jamieson had made up his mind to solve it.
"No--not bad news, exactly," he said. "But I've had a talk with Holmes,
and I'm worried, Eleanor. You know, that was a pretty bold thing he did
the other day, when he trapped Bessie into going with him for an
automobile ride and tried to kidnap her. That's a serious offense, and a
man in Holmes's position in the city wouldn't be mixed up in it unless
there was a very important reason. And from the way he talked to me
I'm more convinced than ever that he will just be waiting for a chance
to try it again."
"What did he say to you, Charlie?"
"Oh, nothing very definite. He advised me to drop this case. He
reminded me that he had a good deal of influence--and that he could
bring me a lot of business, or keep it away. And he said that if I didn't
quit meddling with this business I'd have reason to feel sorry."
"What did you tell him?"
"To get out of my office before I kicked him out! He didn't like that, I
can tell you. But I noticed that he got out. But here's the point. Are you
still planning that camping trip to Lake?"
"Yes--I think it would be splendid there."
"Well, why don't you start pretty soon?" Holmes knows this country
very well, and he's got so much money that, if he spends it, he can
probably find people to do what he wants. Up there it's lonely country,
and pretty wild, and you could keep an eye on Bessie and Zara even
better than you can here. I don't know why he wants to have them in his
power, but it's quite evident that their plans depend on that for success,
and our best plan, as long as we're in the dark this way, and don't know
the answer to all these puzzling things, is to keep things as they are. I'm
convinced that they can't do anything that need worry us much as long
as we have Bessie and Zara safe and sound."

"We can start to-morrow," said Eleanor. "Bessie--will you tell the