The Outdoor Girls in Florida | Page 7

go!"
"After we find Will," put in Grace in a low voice.
CHAPTER III
WILL'S LETTER
Amy's announcement--unexpected as it was--had two effects. It dispelled, for a time, the gloom that had come with the news of Will Ford's disappearance, and it gave the girls something to talk about, to speculate over and to plan for.
"I must confess," admitted Betty, "that our strenuous life this Fall and Summer, living in the outdoors, has unfitted us for the hum-drum sort of existence that used to satisfy us. We seem to want some excitement all the while now."
"That's so," agreed Mollie. "But outdoor life is a little too chilling these days."
There had been a series of storms and cold weather in Deepdale, ever since the girls had returned from the logging camp.
"But it must be perfectly lovely in Florida now," spoke Grace, who found that by joining in the conversation she did not think so much about her missing brother. "The weather there in our winter season is delightful. Where is Mr. Stonington's orange grove, Amy--near Palm Beach?"
"No, it is somewhere in the Indian River section, I believe. I don't know just where."
"And do you really mean to say you can take us there?" asked Betty. "Oh, you're a dear!"
"Uncle Stonington said he would be glad if I could take you girls," said Amy. "He got the grove through some sort of a business deal. He doesn't know anything about raising oranges, but there are men in charge who do. There is quite a big sort of place--a ranch I believe they call it."
"Oh, no!" exclaimed Betty. "Ranches are only in the West. They are inhabited by--cow-punchers," and she seemed very proud of her knowledge.
"Why do they have to punch the cows?" asked Mollie. "Westerners use such funny words."
"Oh, they don't really punch them," said Grace. "I've heard Will and the boys talk about it. It's just a name. But there are no ranches in Florida."
"Well, then it's just a plain orange grove," said Amy. "There is a large house, some bungalows and other buildings. And there is a river and a lake----"
"My motor boat!" cried Betty.
"What's the matter with it?" demanded Mollie. "Do you see it?"
"No, but I wonder if we could take it along?"
"I'll ask Uncle Stonington," said Amy. "I'm sure you can. Oh, I do hope you girls can go! Do you think you can?"
"I'm going--if I have to walk!" declared Betty. "I can send my boat by freight, and we can have the most delightful times ever! Oh, Amy!" and she hugged her chum again.
"I'm not sure I can go," observed Grace, slowly. "If poor Will is in trouble----"
"We'll get him out!" cried Mollie. "Of course you'll go. And I'll go, too! We'll all go. We'll be outdoor girls down where there's no winter!"
"It sounds--enticing," murmured Grace, who did not like the cold weather. "Think of orange blossoms----"
"And brides!" completed Betty. "Oh, girls!"
"Silly!" chimed in Mollie.
"Is Mrs. Stonington very ill?" asked Betty. "You said something about her going down there."
"She is not at all well," spoke Amy. "Uncle Stonington is quite worried about her. I think when it came to getting the orange grove he took it as much on her account as on his own. The doctor said the air down there would do her good."
"Is it as bad as that?" asked Mollie, in a low voice.
"Well, she is not at all well," Amy replied. "But we all have hopes that a change will benefit her. I do hope you girls will come with me. I'll be so lonesome without you."
"Oh, we'll come," said Mollie, with much confidence.
They talked of the Florida possibilities at some length, and Betty was a bit anxious as to how she could get her motor boat down to the Land of the Everglades.
"You'll have to consult that sea-going uncle of yours," suggested Mollie.
"Perhaps I shall," Betty agreed, with a smile.
"Papa and Uncle Isaac are rather long," complained Grace. "I wonder what they are going to do?"
"If your father has to go South I'm sure Uncle Stonington would be glad to have him stop at the orange grove," said Amy.
"I don't know that he'd have time," remarked Grace. "If he has to search for poor Will----"
She was interrupted by the footsteps of her father and uncle as they came from the private library. Mr. Ford--as I shall indicate Grace's father--was speaking.
"Well, I don't see anything to do but to take a trip down there," he said. "When I'm on the ground I can decide what course to take. Writing is only nervous work. And yet I don't see how I can spare the time now."
"Perhaps I could manage for you," said Uncle Isaac. "If I find Will I can bring him back to the mill, and make him work harder than ever. Hard work----"
"No, no!" exclaimed Mr.