The Outdoor Girls at Rainbow Lake | Page 7

"But I'm glad I can do as well as Will in business matters. I hope
papa won't be too severe with Will for not attending to this himself."
She passed a drinking trough-- a great log hollowed out, into which
poured a stream of limpid water coming from a distant hill through a
rude wooden pipe. It dripped over the mossy green sides of the trough,
and Prince stretched his muzzle eagerly toward it.
"Of course you shall have a drink!" exclaimed Grace, as she let him
have his head. Then she felt thirsty herself, and looked about for
something that would serve as a mounting block, in case she got down.
She saw nothing near; but a ragged, barefooted, freckled-faced and
snub-nosed urchin, coming along just then, divined her desire.
"Want a drink, lady?" he asked, smiling.

"Yes," answered Grace, "but I have no cup."
"I kin make ye one."
Straightway he fashioned a natural flagon from a leaf of the wild grape
vine that grew nearby, piercing the leaf with its own stem so that it
formed a cup out of which a Druid might have quaffed ambrosia.
"There's a cup," he said. "I allers makes 'em that way when I wants a
drink." He filled it from the running water and held it up. Grace drank
thirstily, and asked for more.
"And here is something for you," she said with a smile, as she passed
down some chocolates she had slipped into a small pocket of her riding
habit.
"Say, is it Christmas, or Fourth of July?" gasped the urchin as he
accepted them. "Thanks, lady."
Grace again smiled down at him, and Prince, having dipped his muzzle
into the cool water again, for very pleasure in having all he wanted,
swung about and trotted on.
The distance was not long now, and Grace, noting the gathering clouds,
was glad of it.
"I'm sure I don't want to be caught in a storm," she said. "This stuff
shrinks so," and she glanced down at her velvet skirt. "I wouldn't have
it made up again. I hope the storm doesn't spoil Will's ball game,"
She urged Prince to a faster pace, and, cantering along a quiet stretch of
road, was soon at the house of Mr. Ford's mother.
"Why Grace!" exclaimed the elderly lady, "I expected Will to come
over. Your father said---- "
"I know, grandma, but Will-- well, he is wild about baseball, and I said
I'd come for him."

"That was good of you."
"Oh, no it wasn't. I don't deserve any praise. Chocolates and Prince-- a
big bribe, grandma."
"Oh, you young folks! Well, come in. Thomas will see to Prince."
"I can't stay long."
"No, I suppose not. Your father wanted these papers in a hurry. He
would have come himself, but he had some matters to attend to. And,
its being rather a family affair, he did not want to send one of his law
clerks. Those young men tattle so."
"I wonder if they are any worse than girls, grandma?"
"Oh, much-- much! But come in, and I will have Ellen make you a cup
of tea. It is refreshing on a hot day. Then I will get you the papers. It is
very warm."
"Yes, I think we will have a shower."
"Then I must not keep you. Is everyone well?"
"Yes. How have you been?"
"Oh, well enough for an old lady."
"Old, grandma? I only hope I look as nice as you when I get---- "
"Now, my dear, no flattery. I had my share of that when I was younger,
though I must say your grandfather knew how to turn a compliment to
perfection. Ah, my dear, there are not many like him now-a-days. Not
many!" and she sighed.
Tea was served in the quaint old dining room, for Mrs. Ford, though
keeping up many old customs, had adopted some modern ones, and her
house was perfection itself.

"I suppose your brother told you these papers were rather valuable; did
he not?" asked Mrs. Ford a little later, as she brought Grace a rather
bulky package.
"Yes, grandma."
"And if they should happen to fall into other hands it might make
trouble-- at least for a time."
"Yes. I will take good care of them."
"How can you carry them?"
"In the saddle. Will had pockets, made especially for his needs. They
will fit nicety. I looked before starting out."
"Very good. Then I won't keep you. Trot along. It does look as though
we would have a storm. I hope you get back before it breaks. I would
ask you to stay, but I know your father is waiting for those papers."
"Yes, Will said he wanted them quickly. Oh, well, I think I can out-race
the storm," and