The Outdoor Girls in Army Service | Page 3

course," she added hastily, "I mean that none of the boys would
hesitate, when it's a question of serving his country."
"That's all right, but you said Allen," teased Mollie, unconvinced. "And
oh, Betty, how you blushed!"
"Nonsense!" returned Betty, blushing more than ever. "It's just sunburn,
that's all. Now do you want me to read the rest of the news, or don't you?
Because I have to finish those socks--"
"Yes, yes, go on," cried Amy. "We won't say another word, Betty."
Which was funny, coming from quiet Amy, who usually spoke one
word to the other girls' ten.
So Betty read the news from one end of the paper to the other, until
even those insatiable young people were content, then ran into the
cottage to get her knitting.
"Now," she said, returning and seating herself with businesslike
alertness on the very edge of the step, "you'll see some real speed."
"Oh, Betty, have you come to the heel?" cried Mollie, running over to
the Little Captain, and regarding the flying needles with a sort of awe.
"Please show me how. They say the Red Cross needs socks for the boys
more than they need anything else. And I know I'll never learn to do
them."

"Oh, it's easy," returned Betty, obligingly slowing down for their
benefit, while they gathered about her, eager and bright-eyed, for the
lesson.
They formed a pretty picture, this group of outdoor girls, with the
morning sunlight falling upon graceful figures and bent heads, ardent
little patriots, every one of them, whole-heartedly eager to give their all
for the service of their country.
They were still engrossed in watching Betty's nimble fingers, when the
shrill and familiar whistle of the little ferryboat caught their attention.
"Oh, I didn't know it was time," Amy was beginning, when Mollie
interrupted her.
"It's stopping here," she cried. "And somebody's getting off."
"It's the boys!" cried Betty, springing to her feet, the bright color again
flooding her face. "They never told us they'd be back to-day. There's
Allen. Oh, tell me, what is it he is shouting?"
The little ferryboat had steamed away, and four figures were racing
toward them.
"Betty," yelled the foremost of these. "I've volunteered--I've
volunteered!"

CHAPTER II
GRIM SHADOWS OF WAR
"What is that he is yelling?" questioned Mollie.
"He said something about volunteering," returned Betty.
"Volunteering!" came from Mollie, Grace and Amy simultaneously,
and in the excitement of the moment, their knitting was completely

forgotten.
And now while the girls are waiting for the boys to come up, let me
take just a moment to tell my new readers something concerning these
girls and the other volumes in this series of books.
The leader of the quartette was Betty Nelson, often called the "Little
Captain." Betty was a bright, active girl, who always loved to do things.
Grace Ford was tall and slender, and a charming conception of young
womanhood. She had a brother, Will, who at times was rather hasty,
and occasionally this would get him into trouble, much to the
annoyance of his sister. Grace herself had one failing, if such it could
be called. She was exceedingly fond of chocolates, and was never
without some of this confection in her possession.
Some years before there had been a mystery concerning Amy
Blackford. She had then been known by the name of Stonington, but
the mystery had been unraveled by the finding of her long lost brother,
Henry Blackford. Amy was of a quiet disposition, and more timid than
any of the others.
The quartette was completed by Mollie Billette, often called "Billy."
Mollie was the daughter of a well-to-do widow of French ancestry, and
the girl was a bit French herself in her general make-up.
In our first volume, entitled "The Outdoor Girls of Deepdale," the
particulars were given of the organization of a camping and tramp club
by the girls, and of how they went on a tour, which, brought them many
adventures.
After this first tour the Outdoor Girls went to Rainbow Lake, and then
took another tour, this time in a motor car. After that, they had some
glorious days on skates and iceboats while at a winter camp, and then
journeyed to Florida, where they took a trip into the wilds of the
interior, and participated in many unusual happenings.
Returning from the land of orange groves, the girls next took a trip to

Ocean View. Here they had a glorious time bathing, and otherwise
enjoying themselves, and also solved the mystery surrounding a box
that was found in the sand.
During those strenuous days the girls had made many friends, including
Allen Washburn, who was now a young lawyer of Deepdale. Allen had
become a particular friend of Betty's, and this friendship seemed to be
thoroughly