The Outdoor Girls in Florida | Page 2

Grace had gone when Grace let her chum in a short time before.
"Shall I answer, Grace?" inquired Betty, hesitating.
"Yes, do, please. I think Katy is with mamma. She took the news very much to heart. Let Amy and Mollie in, and then I'll tell you all about it. Oh, but I don't know what to do!"
"Now look here, Grace Ford!" exclaimed Betty briskly, pausing a moment on her way to the door. "You just stop this! If no one is dead, and no one is hurt, then it can't be so very dreadful. You just stop now, and when we all get together we'll help you in whatever trouble you have. You know that; don't you?"
"Oh, yes, Betty, I do. You aren't the 'Little Captain' to all of us for nothing. I'll try and not cry any more."
"Do. It--it isn't at all becoming. Your nose is positively like a--lobster!"
"It is not, Betty Nelson!" Grace flared.
"It certainly is. Look in the glass if you don't believe me. There--take my chamois and give it a little rub before I let in Amy and Mollie. It's only nice, clean talcum--you needn't think it's powder."
"All right--as if talcum wasn't powder, though," and Grace smiled through the traces of her recent tears.
"That's better," decided Betty, with a nod of her shapely head and a bright look from her sparkling eyes. "Yes, I'll be there in a moment," she called as there came another ring at the bell.
"Shall I bring them right in, Grace?" she called over her shoulder, as she neared the door.
"Yes--yes. I might as well--have it over with," faltered the weeping one.
"Gracious, you'd think someone was going to be hanged, or beheaded, or sent to the galleys for life--or some other dreadful thing such as we read of in our ancient histories," commented Betty. "Cheer up, Grace. There may be worse to come."
"It's awfully good of you, Betty, to try and cheer me, only, if you understood--but there--let them in. They must be perishing!"
"Oh, it isn't so cold. You don't feel well, that's all. Hello, Amy--Mollie. Come in!" she greeted the other girls, at the same time endeavoring by nods and winks to convey some idea that all was not well with Grace.
But if Betty hoped to convey a quiet intimation that something out of the ordinary had happened she did not succeed. In her eagerness to warn the newcomers not to ask questions she overdid it, and succeeded only in making them alarmed.
"What--what is it?" asked Mollie, in a sort of stage whisper.
"Oh, nothing like that," said Betty, seeing that she was only making matters worse.
"Who--who is----" began Amy.
"No one!" said Betty, half-sharply. "Don't put on such a mournful look, Amy. But Grace has had some bad news, I expect, so I let you in."
"Bad news!" echoed Mollie.
"What kind?" inquired Amy.
"I don't know--yet. She's going to tell us."
The two newcomers, divesting themselves of their rubbers, walked on tiptoe toward the library, preceded by Betty. The latter heard their cautious approach and turned on them quickly.
"Nobody's asleep!" she exclaimed. "Why don't you act--naturally?"
"Why don't you, yourself, Betty Nelson?" demanded Mollie Billette, quickly, her dark eyes flashing. "You meet us as if--as if something terrible had happened, and because we live up to the part, and behave ourselves, you----"
"Hush, please," begged gentle Amy, for well she knew Mollie's failing--an exceedingly quick temper.
"I beg your pardon," spoke Mollie, contritely. "I forgot myself."
"That's all right," said Betty, with a smile. "I don't blame you. But we must all help Grace now. She feels very bad."
As the three entered the library they saw their chum standing near a window, looking out over the snow-covered lawn. Grace did not turn at the approach of her friends.
Then Amy stole softly up to her, and, reaching up her arms, tried to put them around Grace's neck. But Grace was tall, while Amy was rather short, so the little act of kindness could not be carried out.
Mollie laughed a little. She could not help it.
Amy flushed. She was rather sensitive on the point of her stature.
"Don't mind them, Amy," said Grace quickly, as she turned about, placing her own arms around the other. "I know I am too tall, and I seem to keep on growing. Hello, Mollie dear. I'm so glad you came," and she kissed the two newcomers.
Her eyes filled with tears again, seeing which Betty called out:
"Now, Grace, remember you promised not to do that any more. Just be brave, and tell us all about it; that is, if we can help you in any manner."
"I--I don't know whether you can or not," spoke Grace slowly, "but I'll tell you just the same. It's--it's about my brother Will!"
She paused a moment, catching her breath as she gave this piece of information.
"Has he--has he----" began Betty, hoping to make